The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-01-03

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Weather to Deteriorate

Macedonia Blanketed with Snow

Most parts of central and western Macedonia have been covered with snow, while snow also began falling on the highlands of Kilkis, Pella, Imathia and Pieria at noon. Due to the snowfall, car drivers heading to Kaimaktsalan ski centre from Agios Athanasios and those using parts of the Kilkis road network on the highlands should carry anti-skid chains.

Besides, anti-skid chains are a must for those using the national and country road network in the prefecture of Florina and the Ptolemaida-Vlasti country road network from the 12-24 kilometre of the Kozani prefecture, as well as for those using the Kastoria-Florina country road network through Vitsi.

Snowfalls have also been recorded in parts of the prefecture of Thessaloniki. Moreover, due to the poor weather conditions, anti-skid chains are necessary for cars using the Oreokastro-Melissochori road. In Thessaloniki it has been raining while the temperature has dropped to 6 C. 4-5 Beaufort winds are blowing in the area.

At the same time, the Serres prefecture has been hit by heavy snowfalls and frost. Cars using remote mountainous roads should carry anti-skid chains, while competent staff of the prefecture is using machinery to spread salt to melt the snow on the roads. As per the Political Protection Head of the Central Macedonia Region Kostas Kokolakis the weather will deteriorate later today, advising drivers to use the road network only when necessary and carry with them anti-skid chains.

Sunday Forecast

Cloud, rain, sleet and snow are expected in areas with an altitude of over 400 metres in Macedonia and Thrace. The weather will improve as of the evening and the temperature will range from -4-5C.

Cloud with rain and local storms are expected in western Greece. It will snow in areas with an altitude of over 700 metres. The weather will improve as of the afternoon and the temperature will range from 3-12C.The same weather conditions will prevail for eastern mainland, Euboea, the eastern Peloponnese and Thessaly, where occasional snow is expected in areas of low altitude in the morning.

Cloud and occasional rain are expected in the Cyclades and Crete, with westerly to south-westerly 5-7 Beaufort winds blowing in the area. The temperature will range from 10-16C.

Snow, rain and storms, turning to strong at times will prevail in eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese.It may rain in Attica, where the temperature will range from 8-14C.

Cloud and sleet are expected in Thessaloniki. Local snowfalls are expected on the highlands and areas with low altitude. Northerly winds measuring 5 Beaufort will be blowing, while the temperature will not exceed 5C.

News item: 17352

[02] Protest Rallies against Gaza Bloodshed

Government officials and political party members commented on the situation in Gaza during an interview with state radio channel ΝΕΤ 105.8.Greece has strongly condemned developments in Gaza and it is the first European country to respond to calls for humanitarian aid, stressed Interior undersecretary Zois Hristos, adding that all are awaiting for US President elect to make the difference.

PASOK deputy, Maria Karaklioumi said that Gaza raids should stop, adding that PASOK leader had called the EU to take direct initiatives.

GCP deputy Diamanto Manolakou stressed that genocide is being committed in the Gaza Strip, triggering mounting world outcry.

Israel given US green light bears total responsibility for latest and previous developments in the region, said SYN party deputy Nikos Tsoukalis.

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Relevant Articles:

News item: 17348

[03] Israel Rejects Ceasefire Plan

Air strikes continue in war-torn Gaza, which is on its way to welcome the new year drowned in blood, with the death toll exceeding 370 and the injured amounting to 1700. At the same time, another battle at diplomatic level is underway aiming to a ceasefire. Both the Middle East peace-brokers and the EU Foreign Ministers, who held Tuesday an emergency sitting in Paris, called for an immediate suspension of air operations. The 27 EU leaders decided to dispatch humanitarian aid and a panel of EU Ministers to visit Middle East. In the meantime, the 48-hour ceasefire plan to allow aid into Gaza, proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, fell flat. The situation in the Palestinian hospitals is tragic, since, according to the Red Cross, they lack medical material and are undermanned. The Israeli Foreign Minister made it clear that Tel Aviv had no intention of unilaterally suspending operations, dismissing the proposal as "unrealistic." In the meantime, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister in Jordan to discuss the Israeli offensive, while the Arab League is expected to hold a summit in Cairo.

Pounding Continues

The pounding of Hamas buildings continued overnight. The majority of the targets were buildings that had already been bombarded, including the Prime Minister's office and the Interior Ministry. A house in the Jabalia refugee camp was also hit.

An Israeli army spokesman said that air raids targeted tunnels underneath the Gaza-Egypt border, used, as Israel claims, to secretly supply Gaza with weapons.

A Palestinian doctor was killed in Jabalia and several other Palestinians were injured, hospital sources were quoted as saying.

More than 370 Palestinians, including at least 39 children and 13 women, have been killed, while more than 1700 people have been injured during the Israeli offensive. The about 300 rockets the Palestinians have fired against Israel have claimed four lives.

News item: 17255

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