The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Holy Synod meets in heavy atmosphere Church Crisis Deepens

By Athina Saloustrou

The Holy Synod is meeting today in an especially heavy atmosphere, in a gathering chaired by Archbishop Christodoulos, as accusations increase regarding the involvement of senior church members in the extrajudicial gang, while feuds are ongoing between Metropolitan Bishops regarding revelations of immorality and lack of transparency in the ranks of the Church. Besides this, the Misdemeanour Council is today to decide whether or not to remand Iakovos Giosakis in custody. In the meantime, tomorrow Metropolitan Bishop Theoklitos of Thessaliotida is expected to submit his defence. At the same time, there are several metropolitan bishops who have asked their flocks to close their eyes and ears to what is going on, on the pretext that it is all an orchestrated attack against the Church, while the ecclesiastic issue has also triggered discussion in the political world. Archbishop Christodoulos spoke of a direct attack on the Church and said that he was the flagbearer of autocatharsis.

Translated by Millie Williams

[02] Problems Reduced Gradual Improvement of Weather

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

The wave of bad weather afflicting the country the last 24-hours is subsiding; however problems remain in many areas. In a large part of the mountainous road network traffic of vehicles is being carried out with snow chain tires, while many villages in the Prefectures of Evros, Evritania, Ilia, Ioannina and Evoia remain closed-off. In Attica the road to Parnitha, from the cable railway upward and Kleiston Monastery to Dervenochoria remains closed. Schools in Dionisos, Stamata, Varnavas, Afidnes, Markopoulos Oropos, Thracomakedones and private schools Arsakeio and Tositseio in Anoixi will be closed today.

Power Restored in Samothraki

As the Vice Prefect of Evros Michalis Kougioumtzis stated to NET Radio 105.8, three villages remain closed-off, and schools are closed, with the exception of Alexandroupolis and Traianoupolis, while 80 snow-ploughs are at the streets.

Samothraki has also been stricken by a great snowstorm, streets are gradually opening up and electricity is being restored after many days, stated the Mayor of the island Giorgos Chanos. Besides the subsiding in weather that followed in the weekend, from Sunday night at Lasithi Plateau frost is apparent and the temperature has fallen to -8&#186;C.

Due to the frost, the use of snow chain tires is necessary in the regional roads of Agiokampos-Sklithros, Sklithros-Elafos, Elafos-Kalamaki, Dimitras-Anatolis, Elassonas-Verdikousia, Karia-Kriovrisi, Kraneas-Loutros-Akris and Pithios-Kokkinopilos.

With a decision of the Prefect, primary and secondary schools are closed from last Thursday. At this time there is snowfall in the area of Seli Abelos and due to the frost many cars have overturned.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Problems Continue

[03] Fatal injuries from Cupid's arrows Fatal Love

By Viki Keleri

Sources: BBC

If you are among those who believe that nobody dies of love, then perhaps it is time to reconsider you opinions. British researchers are asking doctors to pay great attention in the final diagnosis of their patients to whether or not their patients are in love. British clinical psychologist Frank Tallis and his colleague Alex Gardner from Glasgow stress that the injuries from Cupids arrows affect our psychological health to such an extent, that they can even cause death. According to the researchers, unrequited love or lovesickness can have exceedingly harmful consequences on our health.

Consequences on Our Health

As Gardner explains, rejection in love can have dramatic and dangerous effects not only on psychological well-being, but also on physical health.

He notes that people who face disappointment in love go through a period of pessimism and despair, which can acute physical exhaustion.

This condition is often followed by manic depression, elevated mood and inflated self-esteem, or depression, revealing itself as tearfulness and insomnia.

In certain cases, these symptoms can lead people to extreme self-destructive reactions.

Tallis and Gardner stress that these days these symptoms are becoming more than more common, which is why doctors must pay especial attention to such cases of patients, in order to avert the worst happening.

Translated by Millie Williams

[04] In Baqubah and Mosul Bloody Attacks Against the Police

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

A series of attacks against the police were carried out on Monday morning in two Iraqi cities. At least 14 Iraqis were killed and a further 13 were injured in a suicide attack at the entrance to the police headquarters in Baqubah. In a separate attack in Mosul, at least 12 policemen lost their lives when a car packed with explosives detonated outside the citys general hospital. As was announced, the police had gathered near the hospitals in order to collect their salaries. According to a police colonel, "a suicide bomber wearing a long coat called the now dead policemen to approach him, and detonated the explosives." Responsibility for the attack in Mosul has been claimed by Abu Musab al Zarqawis organisation in a statement on an Islamic website. These are the bloodiest attacks since the 30 January elections.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] Justices and lawyers charged In the Grip of Justice

By Anna Kourti

Justice takes a stand regarding the scandals amongst its ranks, as the first formal charges are to be read against justices and lawyers. First Instance Court Chief Justice of Chania, Foteini Keladidou is today referred to the Plenary Session of the High Court on the question of dismissal, while tomorrow deputy public prosecutor Nikos Athanasopoulos is to appear before High Court Justice Kostas Baltas . Also in the sights of the Justice department are justices in Piraeus and Thessaloniki, who are expected to be transferred to other cities, while sources indicate that certain Piraeus justices will be referred for dismissal. Owing to the serious nature of the case, the examinations of all those involved in the extrajudicial gang will be conducted by a special examiner. Over the next few days, an anti-corruption Bill is expected to be submitted to Parliament, as announced on Saturday by the Minister of Justice.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Justice Takes Over

[06] Journalist Abducted Last Friday Last Deadline for Italian Journalist

By Anna Kourti

The kidnappers of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who are threatening to kill if her country does not retreat its troops from Iraq have given Italy a last deadline. In its announcement Jihad Organization, which has taken responsibility of the journalists abduction in Iraq, states that "the interrogation of the hostage continues and the Sharia, the Islamic Law, will announce its verdict soon." Also the kidnappers state in todays announcement that this will be the last message "to the Italian government and Italian PM." Italy has sent 3,000 soldiers. It is noteworthy to say that the journalist of left-wing newspaper Il Manifesto was abducted by a group of armed unknown men on Friday.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Italian Journalist Kidnapped

[07] No people injured Aircraft Leaves Runway in Istanbul

By Anna Kourti

An aeroplane belonging to a private company, which was landing at Istanbul airport, came off the runway owing to a fierce blizzard. The aeroplane ended up in a nearby field, without causing injuries, according to Turkish news agency Anatoly. According to the same agency, the aeroplane had set off from Frankfurt, although no details were given as to the type of craft and the company it belonged to. The international airport of Istanbul closed temporarily owing to the adverse weather conditions.

Snow has been falling heavily in Istanbul for the last 48 hours, resulting in difficulties for transport means and many road accidents.

The authorities have called on the people to avoid unnecessary travel and use public transport.

Translated by Millie Williams

[08] 45 people have lost their lives Vaccine Against 򺺝 Virus

By Anna Kourti

Chinese scientists have developed a vaccine against the bird flu virus, which can fight the disease and stop it from spreading. According to an article in the newspaper Chinese Daily, the Chinese Ministry of Health announced that the vaccine interrupts an important point in the chain of contagion of the 򺺝 virus. Using a technique known as reverse genetics, researchers at the Animal Flu Laboratory and the Institute of Veterinary Studies of Harbin suspended the genetic development of the virus in order to create the vaccine. 45 people lost their lives last year in Asia, of whom 13 were from Vietnam.

"Laboratory tests showed that the vaccine allows ducks and geese to fight 򺺝, which is the deadly form of the bird flu virus, three weeks after vaccinating flocks," stresses an announcement from the Ministry, published in the newspaper. "The new vaccine offers at least 10 months of protection to chickens, four months longer than current medicines against the bird flu virus," stresses the newspaper, adding that the vaccine is believed to be extremely safe for birds and mammals, although it did not give further details.

Translated by Millie Williams

[09] Accused of eight bomb attacks ELA Back in Dock

By Athina Saloustrou

With the reading of the names of the defendants, the second trial of Christos Tsigaridas, Kostas Agapiou, Angeletos Kanas, Irini Athanasaki, Michalis Kasimis and Giannis Serifis, who are accused of bomb attacks against civil buildings, started today before the Appeals Court. The first five face charges regarding eight explosions at ministries, revenue offices and police stations in 1987. These cases were omitted from the first ELA trial, as the crimes were considered proscribed owing to a 15-year lapse of time. Later, by initiative of the Appeals Council, it was determined that as the targets were civil buildings, the time lapse should be 20 years in order for the crimes to be proscribed. Giannis Serifis is accused of participating in a bomb attack against a bus which was carrying policemen to Perissos in 1994, in which one policeman, Apostolos Vellios, was killed.

Agapiou Condemned the Process

With the start of the process, Kostas Agapiou declared that he does not wish to be represented by defence lawyers. He stated that the lawyers were used as a legal cover for a process of abuse of power which started two years ago and in his own personal case ten years ago.

The court appointed defence lawyers for Kostas Agapiou, choosing from amongst their lists Angelos Varoutis, Evstathios Vlantis and Panagiota Georgiou.

Following this, the court was adjourned until Wednesday morning so that the three lawyers could be informed of their appointment.

Translated by Millie Williams

[10] Protesting the longer working hours Shop Assistants on Strike

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET 105.8

There are likely to be problems in the operation of shops in Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, owing to the 24-hour strike conducted by shop assistants, who are protesting the government plan for longer shop opening hours. There is a rally scheduled for Athens shop assistants in Kotzia Square and a march on the General Secretary of Trade. This morning, workers on strike closed off the entrance to a department store in Kotzia Square, while at 11:30, Piraeus shop assistants gathered in Iroon Polytechniou Square.

Translated by Millie Williams

[11] The departed president is succeeded by his son Constitutional Amendments in Togo

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC, ANA

On Sunday, the Parliament of Togo appointed the son of late President Gnassingbe Eyadema Speaker of the National Assembly, thereby empowering him to take control of the former French colony until June 2008. In order for Faure Gnassingbe to be designated to succeed his father, Parliament earlier approved a constitutional amendment, in order for it no longer to be required by law for elections to be announced in Togo within 60 days of the death of the president. In fact, deputies dismissed the Speaker of Parliament, who, according to the Constitution, should have taken power following the death of the president. Harsh criticism came from organisations and world leaders against these actions.

Until June 2008

According to the Constitution, as Speaker of Parliament, Gnassingbe now takes power following his fathers death on Saturday. His father had ruled in the west African country with an iron rod for 38 years.

The new article states that his successor may stay in power until the end of the term of the previous president.

Gnassingbe Eyadema was elected president for five years in June 2003, which means that his son can now stay in power until June 2008.

The Togo Minister of Information, Pitang Chala, denied that a military coup had taken place in order to allow Faure Gnassingbe to take power.

"Those who say that they are friends of Togo should help us to get through this sensitive time. Our problem is in keeping the peace, security and national unity," stressed Chala.

Translated by Millie Williams

[12] Eighteen young people dead Tragedy in Spain

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

Eighteen young people who had rented a mountain guest house for a birthday party were found dead. The young people in all likelihood died owing to a gas leak. About 50 people, all from the region, went to the party near the picturesque medieval village of La Todoleya, 300km east of Madrid. Those who died, aged from 18 to 40, had spent the night there. Psychologists have been sent to the area in order to help relatives to get over the shock. San Cristofol guest house is a 15th century building, which is mainly used as a base for mountaineers, mountain bikers and riders. This is the largest number of deaths caused by a gas leak in Spain for the last 15 years, according to information from Spanish Media.

Translated by Millie Williams

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