The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Peace in Church Is a Priority Jerusalem Patriarchate's Response

By Viki Keleri

This afternoon, in an official announcement, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem responded to Archbishop Christodoulos statements concerning his non-involvement with Vavilis and Triantafyllakis. The Patriarchate insists on everything that has already been stated by the Press representative Evangelos Mavraganis, and the Metropolitan Bishop of Nazareth, Mr Kyprianos, who claimed that Archbishop Christodoulos was the one who sent Vavilis, under the name Apostolos Fokas, to Jerusalem. However, in the announcement, it is also noted that the main priority is the reinstatement of peace within the Church as soon as possible. For this reason, the Patriarchate decided to put an end to all public dialogue regarding matters that appeared in the Media lately. Following this announcement, Greek lawyer Alexis Kougias declared he was resigning from his post as legal advisor of the Patriarchate, due to disagreements with Patriarch Eirinaios circle.

Ends All Public Dialogue

The Patriarchates announcement read, "The essence of the matter revealed is not who sent or introduced Vavilis and his associates, but the reinstatement of peace within the Church as soon as possible."

It then continues with, "The Patriarchate of Jerusalem immediately ceases all public dialogue regarding the matter, in the hope that its good intentions will be understood, while praying for peace, unity and calmness."

Meanwhile, the Patriarchate called on everyone to deal with the matter responsibly, and avoid public statements that confuse Church and State matters and, "which can easily cause irreparable damage to the rights of the devout nation of Greeks."

This announcement prompted the resignation of Alexis Kougias from his post as legal advisor of the Patriarchate. In a written statement, Mr Kougias justified this decision based on serious disagreement "with Patriarch Eirinaios circle concerning the way in which this attempt to defame the Patriarchate of Jerusalem should be handled by non-institutional centers and secret agencies, which collaborate with immoral persons in Greece and Jerusalem."

Theoklitos Set on Resigning

In the meantime, the Metropolitan Bishop of Thessaliotida, Theoklitos, will be handing in his resignation on Tuesday, while many clergymen belonging to the Thessaliotida Diocese have signed a petition in favour of him.

Speaking to his congregation in Karditsa today, Mr Theoklitos stressed that he will be resigning. "My decision is final, in order to save the Churchs prestige," he stated

He also admitted that his sole mistake was his proposal to have a priest hired, meaning Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis.

At the same time, many members of his congregation gathered in the Cathedral, cheering for the Metropolitan Bishop and asking him to retract his decision.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Christodoulos Will not Resign

[02] Searches in Monasteries No Stone Left Unturned for Vavilis

The search for locating Apostolos Vavilis both in Greece, as well as overseas, is continuing at a rapid pace. Yesterday, his mother testified before Volos Police, claiming that she was not aware of his activities, apart from his drug-related past. She further added that she has not seen her son since Christmas, but admitted that he calls her occasionally. However, she denied having any knowledge of his whereabouts. At the same time, speaking on TV channel NET, she claimed her son is ill and hunted. Meanwhile, new evidence has surfaced regarding his wide-ranging activities. NET revealed a peculiar purchase of professional telecommunications equipment from a multinational company, under the name of his ex-wife, Mali Koen.

Suspicious Purchase by Ex-Wife

Koen allegedly bought telecommunications equipment from a multinational company specialising in professional wireless communications systems. However, there are no details concerning the exact type of equipment purchased.

It is worth noting that in the letter Vavilis allegedly sent to the Patriarch Eirnaios of Jerusalem in December 2002, he suggested the establishment of a radio station in Israel.

In the meantime, apart from Vavilis, the Authorities are also trying to locate any people with whom he came into contact up until January.

These include a young monk, aged between 20-22, who according to sources is rather pale and skinny. In fact, police searched three monasteries in Northern Greece yesterday.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Mībius: Awarding the Future

By Tina Valaoura

Innovation and inspiration, technology and quality, promotion of aesthetics and spread of knowledge are some of the criteria that participants in the competition for the Mobius Multimedia Awards are called to meet. A unique in its kind institution of French origin but international appeal intended to elevate the quality of Multimedia. Greece, already counting several national participations and one hosting, is once more planning a dynamic representation at the international competition, to take place on Reunion island on 22 and 23 March. As per the president of the National Committee of the Greek Mobius Multimedia and Internet Festival and professor of New Technologies Mr Michalis Meimaris, we have every reason to be optimistic. But which production is to represent Greek colours? We will find out on Monday 18 February at the Mobius National Awards ceremony to be held at the French Institute of Athens at 17.00.

International Institution With Greek History

Who will travel with the Greek Grand Mobius Award in their hands to Reunion in late March to fight for Greece remains to be seen, as the deadline for submitting applications just ended. However, what is known is that the Greek winner will have to cope with opponents from other European and American countries, as well as from China, Japan and Australia.

Now the members of the Greek panel of judges roll up their sleeves and get to work in order to proclaim the Grand Winner, as well as the winners in each category, ie Science, Culture, Education and Creation.

Greek participations to be evaluated, as stated on ERTonline the president of the panel of judges and manager of the New Technologies Laboratory of the Athens University Mr Meimaris, are 33 and some of them are already standing out as highly interesting.

However, which are the most important moments in the history of Greek presence in this institution?

First of all, let us say that the first festival was held in 1992, following an initiative of the Paris 8 University. After several years and with the support of many international organisations it spread its wings in the international scene, with the first ceremony held in Beijing in 2000.

Mr Meimaris stated that the Greek delegation was stunning and left us with the best of impressions. On the one hand, it received the 2nd Award for the Melina Mercouri Institute production entitled "Melina", while on the other hand with the responsibility to host the international competition in Greece in 2003. This was successfully organized, while at the same time another award was given to Greece. "Acropolis, flowers of stone", produced by the University of Patras in collaboration with the Greek Culture Ministry, received the Culture Award.

We can only hope that this year the Grand Award of the 13th International Mobius Festival will end up in Greek hands.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Worries Over Military Retaliation

By Tina Valaoura

The day following Fridays suicide bombing outside a Tel Aviv nightclub, which killed four, broke in fear of Israeli military retaliation. The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, after an emergency meeting he had with Palestinian security chiefs in Ramallah, pledged to "follow and track down those responsible and punish them accordingly," blaming at the same time "a third party aiming to sabotage the peace process." Abbas statements resulted, as he said, from the fact that all the Palestinian militant groups have denied responsibility. At the same time, Israelis threaten with wide-scale military operations. "Response will be accurate," broadcast the state radio citing a high ranking official of the Defense Ministry. The army has already raided a village near Tulkarem and arrested five people, including two brothers of the suicide bomber. Last night, shortly after the explosion, authorities had arrested two more people.

Who Is Hiding Behind the Attack?

The operation was launched at the Deir-al-Ghoson village, east of Tulkarem, at the West Bank, where authorities arrested among others the two brothers of the 22-year-old suicide bomber.

Shortly after the attack, a core of the Islamic Jihad had claimed responsibility, but the groups leadership at the Gaza Strip announced they knew nothing on the matter and continue to maintain the truce agreed between Abbas and Israeli PM Ariel Sharon on 8 February.

However, later on Saturday afternoon, a Jihad official claimed responsibility in a videotape that arrived at the French News Agency. Jihad official Abdullah Tsibaja mentioned that the attack took place as a response to the killings by Israel. Meanwhile, he accused the Palestinian Authority of collaborating with Israel and the USA.

Palestinian sources reported that the bomber was a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade funded by Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants, although a spokesperson for the group flatly denied the allegations.

At the same time, the Palestinian Authority is being pressured to send a "clear message against terrorism." From Washington, Condoleezza Rice invited Abbas to proceed with certain actions. "We understand that the Palestinian leadership has condemned the attack. Now we must proceed with actions that will send a clear message saying that terrorism will not be tolerated," said Rice.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Powerful Deadly Explosion in Tel Aviv

[05] Wanted to End the World Horror Hoax in Rome

By Viki Keleri

This afternoon, an armed man, who entered a Jehovah Witnesses hall, packed with 2000 people, spread panic in Rome. The man was claiming that his backpack was full of explosives and he was threatening to blow himself up. It was later discovered that his allegations were false, and the police were able to evaluate the building and convince him to surrender. The 35-year-old aspiring suicide bomber, whose explosives were just modelling clay, is believed to be disturbed, as he kept saying that the purpose of his mission was to bring the end of the world, before the arrival of Armageddon. Eyewitnesses said that the man often participated in Jehovah Witnesses meetings.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Dismissed in Disgrace British Soldiers Found Guilty

By Viki Keleri

The three British soldiers, who were accused of disgraceful conduct against Iraqi soldiers, were found guilty. Their sentencing includes their dismissal from the army in disgrace and imprisonment terms. Specifically, Corporal Daniel Kenyon, who held the highest rank out of the three, received an 18-month sentence for aiding and abetting another soldier to assault a prisoner, as well as for failing to report other incidents, including forcing two Iraqis to simulate sex. Lieutenant Corporal Mark Cooley was sentenced to 2-years imprisonment, after the surfacing of photos depicting him punching criminals. Finally, Lieutenant Corporal Darren Larkin received a 5-month sentence, after pleading guilty to assault in the beginning of the trial, as he was pictured standing on top of an Iraqi in his underwear. Addressing the three men, Judge Advocate Michael Hunter declared, "When you abused the power that you had over them as you did, you cannot expect much leniency."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Ended in a Draw

By Vasilis Kalpinos

The second match of the 20th round for the Greek football championship, between Apollon Kalamaria and Egaleo, produced no winners. After a very good first half, in the second half both teams seemed willing to settle for a draw. The home team took the lead in the 28, with Petkakis, while Egaleo equaled the score in the 45 with Makris.

Settling for a Tie

The away team started off strongly and just in the 4, it missed the opportunity for an early lead. Following Zafiropoulos error, Alexopoulos was unable to score a goal from up close. Egeleo missed another opportunity in the 17, when Zafiropoulos cleared Fotakis header away to a corner. On the other hand, Apollon celebrated a goal in the 28, when Cleyton passed to Patkakis who defeated Sidibe at the nets with a strong right kick.

Ilie Dumitreskus players tried to react, and took advantage of Zafiropoulos injury, equalizing the score in the 45. Substitute goalkeeper Karatziovalis, who had not warmed up yet, missed the ball following Simics free kick and in the confusion that followed, Makris (who has also come in as a substitute replacing injured Agritis), kicked the ball in the undefended nets.

The pace of the match dropped considerably in the second half, and none of the teams manage to threaten at any point. So, the 1-1 final score kept Apollon Kalamaria in the last place of the rankings.

Referee: Tsikinis (Messinia)

Yellow Cards: NH Papadopoulos, Spyropoulos Barkoglou, Makris

APOLLON KALAMARIA: Zafiropoulos (41 Karatziovalis), Genitsaridis, Haxhi, NA Papadopoulos, NH Papadopoulos, Spyropoulos (79 Pappas), Parmaxidis, Petkakis, Vella Junior, Cleyton, Mouzawi (46 Orfanos)

EGALEO: Sidibe, Papoutsis, Psomas, Alexopoulos, Edusei, Fotakis, Aggos (52 Tsatsos), Barkoglou, Manousakis, Simic (79 Chatzis), Agritis (31 Makris)

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Battling in the Rain

By Vasilis Kalpinos

The few spectators who gathered in Nikaia watched a really poor game in a drenched pitch. The match between Panionios and Ionikos had nothing to show, while the final nil all score was a very fair result.

No Substance

The match in Nikaia will be soon forgotten. The first half, in a rain-soaked pitch, produced no opportunities for either team, as they could not get into the game or threaten each others nets. The first, and also the last, highlight of the half came in the 44, for Ionikos. However, Coimbras header was easily sent away to a corner by Drobny.

Nothing much changed in the second half and although Ionikos played a bit better, it did not manage to break Panionios defence at any point.

Another header by Coimbra in the 60 went wide, while in the 64, Macors long kick was easily saved by Drobny. On the other hand, Panionios momentarily threatened the home team in the 75, when Patsiavouras came face-to-face with Beqaz, but was too far off and was unable to score. Nothing worth mentioning happened during the last 15 minutes and so the final score remained at 0-0.

Referee: Efthimiadis (Drama)

Yellow Cards: Coimbra, Exouzidis

The Lineups

IONIKOS: Beqaz, Vourexakis, Issa, Natsouras (81 Da Costa), King, Makor, Melebianakis, Lettieri (75 Maggos), Coimbra, Gavrilopoulos (87 Rokas), Ucar

PANIONIOS: Drobny, Vlcek, Exouzidis, Tsiolis, Galanopoulos, Zimonjic, Goundoulakis, Tziolis, Kiassos (85 Nalitzis), Breska (46 Patsiavouras), Salihi (59 Mantzios)

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Breakfast for the Heart

By Tina Valaoura

If you have pretended not to listen to doctors' and dieticians' standard advice for a good breakfast, now is the time to reconsider. On the occasion of a new study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the importance of breakfast is under the limelight once again. As per the study, skipping breakfast may put you on the fast track to weight gain and heart disease. Researchers found that healthy women who skipped breakfast for two weeks ate more during the rest of the day, developed higher "bad" LDL cholesterol levels, and were less sensitive to insulin, the hormone regulating the levels of sugar in the blood, than women who ate breakfast every day. High LDL cholesterol levels and impaired insulin sensitivity are both major risk factors for heart disease.

Cholesterol and Insulin Require Breakfast

Although previous studies on the effects of eating or skipping breakfast in obese people may have produced conflicting results, researchers say the findings of this study show that skipping breakfast may lead to weight gain, as well as increase the risk of heart disease in healthy people over time.

Researchers studied the effects of a predetermined diet in predetermined times on ten women. For a period of two weeks, the women ate a breakfast consisting of a bowl of whole-grain cereal with 2 percent milk between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and then had a midmorning snack of a candy bar between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The women then ate two additional meals and snacks at predetermined times every day and kept records of what they ate.

The same women followed the same protocol for another two weeks, but skipped the early morning meal and ate their breakfast at lunch time (around 12.30).

Researchers studies the body's reaction throughout that period and found that total and LDL "bad" cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the women who ate breakfast. Total cholesterol was 121 mg/dL in the breakfast group compared with 133 in the other group. LDL was 60 in the breakfast group and 70 in the nonbreakfast group. The women who ate breakfast also had a better insulin response to eating, suggesting that their risk of diabetes was lower.

The findings offer a potential mechanism by which skipping breakfast, which has become more common among adults in recent years, perhaps due to efforts to lose weight or time pressures in the morning, could lead to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease in the longer term.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Country's President Resigned Political Reshuffling in Togo

By Viki Keleri

The political developments in Togo are quite rapid. Late last night, the countrys President, Faure Gnassingbe, announced that he will resign from office and will run for president in the upcoming elections. Faure Gnassingbe had been appointed President by the countrys army on 5 February, following the death of his father, who had been governing for 38 years. As soon as he took over the post, Gnassingbe kept receiving international pressure to resign. However, the final blow was delivered when the African Union decided to suspend Togo from its bloc.

Elections Within 60 Days

Following this development, during a televised message, Gnassingbe announced that he decided to step down in order "To guarantee the transparency of this election ... and to give the same chance to all the candidates."

Abass Bonfoh, the Vice-President of the countrys National Assembly, will be acting president until the elections, after he was chosen as the new head of parliament, during an extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly. Bonfoh has to hold elections within 60 days.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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