The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government-Commission Dialogue Underway Tough Battle Over Shareholder

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: NET- SKAI- NET 105.8

According to sources, the Government will postpone the implementation date of the main shareholder for three months, after yesterdays letter from the Commissions Directorate General for Regional Policy. Government spokesperson, Thodoris Rousoupoulos, speaking to NET, stated that the aim is to exhaust all limits, so as a commonly accepted solution will be found and noted with emphasis that the government expects the Commissions answer to the letter of the Minister of Interior. From his side, Mr Pavlopoulos, in an interview at Skai radio station, blamed the attacks on the main shareholder to economic centers offended by the adjustments. "The governments concern is to not waste a single euro from community funds," stated the Deputy Minister of Economy, who briefed the PM over the absorption of the 3rd Community Support Framework funds.

"Funds Will Not Freeze"

On Thursday, the government spokesperson repeated that there is a search of common ground at the point that the community makes reference to, which is public works.

The fight for transparency is continuous and has been adopted by the Greek people, stated Mr Rousopoulos, giving emphasis to three points: the abolishment of the mathematical type, the main shareholder, and the reinforcement of independent authorities. On the question of if he feels that he has to resign, the government spokesperson noted that no one will resign from the fight for transparency, while he stated that the government will defend the Constitution and the publics interest, just so community funds will be not lost. Speaking to Skai, the Minister of Interior spoke of misinformation that accommodates PASOK, since the Commission has found faulty workmanship and waste of funds in public works during 2000-2003 and this will result to the cut of community funds.

Answering to PASOK, which spoke of a disorderly retreat that affects the countrys prestige, he said, "The countrys prestige is not affected when the government defends transparency and the Constitution." He also left open the event that a small extension for the implementation of the bill will take place, until common ground is found with the Commission, whilst stating that in this dialogue the government will undoubtedly support its positions and stand its ground.

Mr Rousopoulos repeated the decisiveness of the government to defend the Constitution and assured that the community funds will not "freeze."

From his side, Deputy Minister of Economy, Christos Folias stated that the main shareholder and the "freezing" of the funds are two separate issues.

"A two-party agreement over how the bill should be drafted is needed, in order for it to be compatible with the Greek Constitution and the European law," stated PASOK MP, Tilemachos Chitiris to NET 105.8.

President of SYN accused the ND government of being amateurish, while he described PASOK as "a crusader of Berlusconism," interlacing economic, television and political power. Alekos Alavanos repeated that a complete legislature is needed that covers vested interest, concentration, and quality issues in the Mass Media.

In closing, member of SYN political secretariat, Nikos Chountis, stated to NET 105.8 that the Commission is wrong, since it faces the issue competitively and not as an issue of information and culture.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Window for Main Shareholder

[02] Will Give Information Over an Unknown Period New Archeological Treasures in Egypt

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: BBC

The pickaxe of American and Egyptian archaeologists came across the largest necropolis that is dated from the earliest era of ancient Egypt. The funerary complex was created around 5,000 years ago and was found in the area of Kom al-Ahmar, 600 km south of the capital, Cairo. Inside the tombs they found a cows head carved into flint and seven human remains. The scientists believe that four of these skeletons belonged to humans that were buried alive as sacrifice to a deceased King. The findings of the ancient cemetery were found in a good condition, besides the lootings that the tombs had suffered in previous years. As the Egyptian Head of the archeologists, Zahi Hawass said the discovery will give important clues about the elusive pre-dynastic period, when Egypt was first becoming a nation. The necropolis is thought to have belonged to the ruler of the ancient town of Hierakonpolis and is dated back to 3600 BC, when the town was the biggest urban centre in the Nile River. The excavations in the area began in 2000, with Egyptologist Barbara Adams, who died in 2002. At the same area, some of the early examples of mummification in Egypt were also found.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Illegal Bubble Bath

By Despina Hristopoulou

The only thing that the young policeman wanted to do after a night out was to take a rejuvenating bubble bath and get his head together. He came across a house in the town of Nara, Japan and tried to open the door but to no avail, as they key did not fit the lock. He did not get disappointed, though, and he broke the door open, entered the house, filled the tub with water and started splashing around! After a little while, the real owner came in the house. Shocked, the 53-year-old owner found the young man in his bathtub enjoying a warm bubble bath. Of course, he called the police that rushed to the 53-year-olds man house, in order to arrest the intruder. Soon enough they discovered that the young man was a co-worker that had drunk a little too much and confused the houses as his is just 50 m down the road. During the questioning, he claimed that he was not aware that he had gone into another house. The police spokesperson confirmed the young mans claims of being drunk and disorderly, while he apologized over the behavior of his co-worker. He also added that with strict cautions the policemen should not step out of line! The spokesperson did not announce if measures will be taken against the young man but his department is surely very disappointed by his behavior.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Political Figures Possibly Responsible Susana Firearms Brief in Parliament

By Betty Savourdou

The Director of Athens Prosecutions, Dimitris Papaggelopoulos, sent to Supreme Court Prosecutor Dimitris Linos the findings of First Instance Prosecutor Panagiotis Athanasiou on the purchase of twelve Susana type firearms. The contract in question was signed in May 2000 and regarded the purchase of these firearms from a Slovakian company. The cost was 20.3 billion drachmas. The Public Prosecutor who run the preliminary hearing, closed the brief as it stumbled upon political figures who might have bore responsibility, in which case the only competent body is the Parliament. Mr Athanasiou's preliminary hearing had been triggered by Press articles, which spoke of an uneconomical purchase.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Shopkeeper in custody Tonnes of Rotten Meat Confiscated

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: MNA

Three and a half tonnes of rotten meat were located and confiscated on Thursday morning by the Prefecture of Piraeus, after a check on fridges in a butchers shop in the Kallipoli area. The shopkeeper of "Farma Griva," which was closed down for a while, has been arrested and is in custody at Piraeus police station, where he is expected to be taken before the Public Prosecutor, and following to the Police Court. The veterinarians found veal, chicken and pork in an advanced stage of decomposition. The authorities are expressing fears that rotten meat from the shop in question could have gone to illegal sausage factories.

Destined for Sausages

After accusations from local residents, veterinary employees of the Prefecture of Piraeus investigated the butchers shop and confiscated 3.5 tonnes of rotten meat. It will probably be taken to Ano Liosia refuse tip tomorrow.

Referring to the incident, Piraeus vet Christos Tsimenidis expressed fears that some of the rotten meat could have been used in sausages and other meat products.

Employees of the Veterinary Service also confiscated in a Nikaia butcher shop 17 sheep and goats that were rotten.

Piraeus Prefect, Giannis Michas stated, "we are faced with another incident that endangers the public health and safety of the consumers. Similar actions are not allowed and the ones responsible will be taken to justice and exemplary punished."

In closing, Piraeus Prefect asks of the consumers to take care with animals that their stamp is hard to read, while the animals that were born and slaughtered in Greece have a white and blue stamp reading E133 and a stamp of the same color with the word HELLAS.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] Had Suffered Brain Hemorrhage in 1991 Benedict XVI Rule Short Lived?

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: CNN

The biographer of German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger reveals unknown evidence over the new Popes health. Speaking to CNN, John Allen stated that in 1991 the new Pope had suffered a brain hemorrhage, and this in combination with his age makes him believe that the Pope will have a short term of rule in the papal throne. According to Allen, the Pope is aware of the above and thus he chose the name Benedict the XVI. Pontiff Benedict XV had one of the shortest papal rule in the 20th century. Earlier, and as it was expected, Benedict XVI appointed high rank officials of the Vatican government in the same positions. At the same time, articles of the Italian Press speak of the Ratzinger election as a very easy choice.

"Clean" Choice

Apart from the secretiveness of the Popes election procedure, the Italian newspapers that are concerned with the subject are many.

La Stampa, quoting Vatican sources, writes that the Pope received 95 out of the 115 votes of the Cardinals that elect the Pontiff.

According to La Republica columnist Marco Politi, Ratzingers election was clean and the German Cardinal received 100 votes.

Earlier, the new Pope kept Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Foreign Minister Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, in their positions, which was expected according to tradition.

The Health of Benedict XVI

In the meantime, Benedict XVI biographer John Allens statements have caused an intense reaction.

"About two years ago he was experiencing fatigue, but appears to have picked up from that," he said.

Allen adds that even the German Cardinals brother considered that his age will be a negative factor to his election.

"At an age when you approach 80, its no longer guaranteed that one is able to work and get up the next day," he said among others.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Thirty-Two Dead Multi-Fatality Accident in Vietnam

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

On Thursday morning, the bus was transporting Vietnam War veterans and their wives to the town of Ho Chi Minh in order to celebrate the anniversary of end of the war. As the police announced, the bus overturned at a mountainous area, in the province of Kontum and fell into a 70 m ravine, which resulted to the death of 32 out of its 33 passengers. A police officer of Kontum, a town located 540 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh, stated that the only survivor is in critical condition.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Helicopter Shot Down Near Baghdad

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

As U.S. Military sources stated, a Bulgarian MI-8 helicopter was shot down on Thursday, in Iraq and it is believed that its nine passengers have all been killed. The aircraft was in flight, north of Baghdad when it was shot down, possibly by a rocket-propelled grenade, as the sources made known, adding that that helicopter had a three member crew and six passengers aboard. The crew was Bulgarian, while up to this moment the nationality of the rest of the passangers has not been made known.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Supermarket Fines in Parliament "Consumers Won't Be the Ones to Pay"

By Annita Paschalinou

The fines imposed by the Competition Committee on seven supermarket chains and SESME will not be passed on to consumers. So was reassured by Deputy Minister of Development Giannis Papathanasiou, answering a question posed by SYN Parliamentarian Nikos Konstantopoulos. "Fines are a punishment for those who receive them and in no case can these fines be paid by someone else," clarified the deputy minister, explaining that those who will do it after all will finally be punished by the market as they will lose their clients and will also face greater penalties by the Competition Committee. Giannis Papathanasiou also announced hat within the following days the Ministry will submit a Bill to Parliament that will reinforce the Competition Committee's role. Earlier, Mr Konstantopoulos stated that citizens are in despair because of the high living cost.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Chadors in the Stands!

By Ilias Papaioannou

The match in the Asian championship between Shebahan Ishfahan of Iran and Syrias Al Vakhda has gone down in history, as for the first time, 15 Iranian women watched the match. After receiving permission from the Iranian Football Association, the privileged women, who were coaches, referees and players, sat in a stand safely closed off to male fans, as until 24/10/04 the strict, regressive laws of the country banned women from sports events. At that time, there was a football match held at Takhti Stadium between womens teams, not wearing chadors, but in shirts and shorts, in a show of modernization of Iranian principles. The spectators at the match were exclusively female, since, as we know, men there are forbidden to see any part of the womans body other than the hands and eyes.

Translated by Millie Williams

[11] Are Your Ears Smarting?

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: Reuters

According to a British saying "if your ears are burning someone is talking about you," but during that time, quite possibly, one has just had a thought. Two scientists from Canberra, Australia have created a special cap that can record the brains activity by the changes in the ears temperature. The scientists placed the cap on the patients ear and measured the slightest changes in the eardrums temperature. The change in temperature is caused by the increased blood flow in the side of the brain that is used for thought. Thus, with the specific method the scientists can study the brains function easier, a fact that could help before a brain operation.

Indicates More Active Hemisphere

The scientists stated that this method is complementary and will not substitute another one, while it can be very useful in order to study the condition of people who have suffered a stroke.

"If an area of the brain is more active it needs more blood, which flows up the carotid artery on either side of the neck," said Nicolas Cherbuin, one of the psychology researchers involved in the project at the Australian National University, adding " "This blood is shared between the brain and the inner ear, so by measuring the ear temperature we can work out which side of the brain is more active."

As the specialists stated, the new method, which has not been approved, will be able to indicate if people can be categorized according to the side of the brain that they use. The left part is usually associated with linguistic skills, while the right is said to control visual and spatial functions.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Odyssey with Illegal Immigrants near Chios

By Vivian Papastefanou

The boat carrying 46 refugees was finally taken to the island of Panagia, which belongs in Oinousses, after having remained ungoverned off the coasts of Chios since Wednesday night. The island's port authorities had not intervened to rescue them, but as they said had provided them with food and water. However, late tonight they decided to carry them on a deserted iOinousses sland and from there take them to Chios tomorrow. According to information, one of the illegal immigrants is believed to be a Turkish transporter and will be taken to the Port Authority of Chios in the morning. What is more, refugees in a Chios camp continue to be on a hunger strike in protest for what is happening before their eyes.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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