The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] A Call from the Great Beyond

By Vagelis Theodorou

Everyone knows that there are no limits to bureaucracy. An 80-year old from Germany was asked to prove the most grotesque demand of all and prove that she is alive and well, since her Social Security Organization considered her as deceased. Mrs Martha Krushe called the offices of her pension department, asking to be informed why her April benefit had not been deposited in her bank account. At the other end of the receiver, she heard the employee say that she had died on January 28. In vain the 80-year-old woman tried to explain. Even the second employee with whom she discussed insisted that she is deceased and asked for a "life certificate" to be submitted, in order to be persuaded otherwise! He also asked that the benefits of February and March be returned, as they had been deposited after her death. Enraged, Mrs Krushe rushed to the towns registry office and received the certificate. Naturally, she was not considered deceased anymore and the Director of the organization in order to justify its mistake stated that a telephone call is not sufficient enough to prove someone is alive!

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo Assume Positions War of Game Consoles Starts!

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: Reuters- BBC- CNN

Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo presented their new models of game consoles, aiming to win over a part of the undecided public. Sony was the first to present Playstation 3 in April. A few days later, Microsoft unveiled Xbox 360 followed by Nintendo and the game console entitled Revolution. The new consoles promise thrilling experiences to video game fans and are expected for release at the end of 2005 and 2006. The manufacturers used all their creativity and power, arming their new creations with a multitude of capabilities, in order to win over the majority of the consumers. Since Playstation was first presented in October 2003 it dominates the videogame market by 43%, followed by Microsoft and Nintendo by 19% and 14% respectively.

Game Machine and PC

The company presented Playstation 3, at a party at the Sony studios in Los Angeles, promising a high performance PC.

The console that will be released in 2006, is powered by the "Cell" chip (an IBM and Toshiba creation), contains nine processors, and runs at 3.2 GHz. The memory of the game machine is 256 MB while and 256 MB VRAM Nvidia graphic chip.

Also, Playstation 3 will include wireless Bluetooth controllers, a detachable 2.5-inch hard drive, slots for memory sticks and compact flash, six USB ports, Wi-Fi and can be connected to the Internet.

Wanting to break the monotony, Sony will release its new console in black, silver and white, so you can choose the color you prefer the most.

Xbox: "Universal Machine"

Microsofts Xbox 360 will be released first, at the end of 2005, while its presentation took place in a special show in the American MTV.

With the basic color of white, the new Microsoft console has an IBM PowerPC 3.2 GHz processor, which includes three processing nuclei.

It also includes ATI graphics card with a 500MHz processor, 512MB memory, and 20GB detachable drive, three USB ports and two memory cards.

Among others, Xbox 360 can be connected with wireless cameras and store photos and music in its hard drive, while its online services are quite interesting. The users can connect to the Xbox Live service for free and communicate with each other, buying new levels and characters, while play trial games. Whoever decides to pay for this service can compete against each other live.

The console can be placed horizontally or vertically, has changeable exteriors and for those who want something more special, it can support high definition flat screen televisions.

In an effort to attract consumers and to surpass Sony, Microsoft is expected to present a withdrawal program for the exchange of the previous Xbox with a new model, at a lower price.

Nintendo's "Revolution"

In a party at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, Nintendo unveiled Revolution, but keeping some of its cards well hidden.

The new game machine is based on an IBM processor, contains an ATI graphic card, 512MB flash memory, SD memory slot and Wi-Fi. It will also play DVDs and can be connected to the Internet.

And if you think that size matters, the company will change your mind. Their new console has a smaller size from its opponents but promises great satisfaction.

Revolutions price has not been announced yet, while its release in expected in 2006.

In an effort to attract the media and consumers, Nintendo revealed that the new generation of the infamous GameBoy is named GameBoy Micro and is expected in stores in autumn.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Playstation

Xbox

Nintendo

[03] Public Sector On Strike Today

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET Radio 105.8

The Public Sector will not be operating today because of the 24-hour strike announced by ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) in demand for new collective work contracts and significant salary raises for civil servants. Public hospitals in Athens and Piraeus are working with emergency staff, while hospital doctors in the rest of the country will go on strike on Friday. Tens of domestic and international flights have been cancelled or rescheduled because of the 4-hour stoppage held by air traffic controllers until 16:00. All travelers should contact airline companies to be informed of the changes in itineraries. Universities and Technological Schools will remain closed for three days because of the professors strike in reaction to the evaluation bill, approved by the Government Committee yesterday. In the meantime, ADEDY held a rally earlier today in Korai Square, Athens, and then marched towards the Ministry of Economy, where a delegation of unionists submitted a document with their requests. At the same time, PAME held a demonstration in Omonia, while GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) asked for a renegotiation of this years salary raises, aiming at a corrective increase of 1.5%, seven months after the end of the two-year collective work contracts.

Flight Cancellations and Changes

Airline companies are also expected to have problems because of the 4-hour stoppage announced by air traffic controllers from 12:00 to 16:00. 22 flights have been cancelled and 45 changed their departure hour.

Olympic Airlines rescheduled their entire flight programme. As per a company announcement, a total of 15 flights are cancelled, while departure hours have changed for 26 more. In particular, the flights cancelled are from Athens to: Iraklio-506, hesaloniki-906, Chios-764, Samos-754, Rhodes-706, kythira-054, Paros-062, Chania-534, Tirana-117, Naxos-002, Mykonos-654, as well as the flights: Rhodes Karpathos Kasos Karpathos Rhodes, Thessaloniki Chania Thessaloniki, Rhodes Mytilene Limnos Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki Skyros Thessaloniki.

Aegean Airlines announced that nine flights are changing times, and seven are cancelled: 254/255 Athens Mytilene Athens, 316/317 Athens Heraklion Athens, 720/721 Thessalonica Rhodes Thessalonica, 904/905 Athens Larnaka Athens, 210/211 Athens Rhodes Athens, 111/112 Thessalonica Athens Thessalonica and 340/341 Athens Chania Athens.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Conference at Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation Quality of Democracy

By Annita Paschalinou

Addressing the conference organized by the Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation on the topic: "Spain, Portugal, Greece, thirty years since transition to democracy," the Prime Minister underlined the need to strengthen the quality of democracy and make distrust of the people in politicians a thing of the past. Mr Karamanlis stressed that the question of the New Era was to change peoples attitudes towards politicians and politics, ensure transparency, ensure institutional interventions to armour the people against corruption. All these things, Mr Karamanlis said, are a need to ensure quality of democracy, a central question for democracies in the 21st century.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] Interior Minister Employee Resigns

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8, NET

A short while ago, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos accepted the resignation of the director of the Press Office of the Ministry, Mr Thanasis Choupis. The resignation was submitted for reasons of sensitivity, as it became known that Mr Choupis had participated in a company that, following a contract with the Postal Fund, evaluated the applications of employment candidates in exchange for cash rewards amounting to 23 thousand euros.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] Negotiations with the Commission Venizelos-Kefalogiannis Clash

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET

On Wednesday, voices were raised in the Parliamentary Committee of Transparency and Institutions, where with members of the National Radio and Television Council in attendance, transparency and freedom of speech in the Media were discussed. A fierce reaction came from former minister Giannis Kefalogiannis, following statements by PASOK MP Mr Venizelos, who accused the government of being "unable to sort out left from right, which has led to the collapse of Greeces prestige." Mr Kefalogiannis held Mr Venizelos himself responsible for the issue, with his positions both regarding the Constitution and the relevant law. Earlier, the PASOK MP called on the National Radio and Television Council to explain what it would mean for them if PASOKs law should cease to apply.

Negotiations with the Commission

At the same time, asked on the matter, the government spokesman stated that discussion with the European Commission is currently underway with regard to the contents of the amendment to be submitted to Parliament. As he stated, the suspension of Act 3310 until October is certain, and he added that "we must see what will happen with Act 3021/02, which faces many difficulties."

The Minister of Public Works also spoke today on the issue of the main shareholder. Mr Souflias stated that based on the briefing he has received from legal advisors, there will be no consequences on the works currently under construction, whether the previous law is withdrawn or not.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] On restarting nuclear activities Tehran Holds Firm

By Despina Hristopoulou

Tehran appears immovable in its decision to return to nuclear activity, despite the fierce opposition of the West. However, as stated by the head of the Iranian negotiation team, Hassan Rohani, the restarting of nuclear activities could be delayed by a few weeks, if the talks between Iran and the European troika develop well. In an interview to Reuters, Rohani stated that Iran is not about to change its position with regard to restarting operation of the Isfahan plant, to transform uranium into gas, which can be used to provide electricity power stations, or to build atomic weapons. Besides this, Mr Rohani stressed that this does not mean that Iran will automatically proceed to the next, most crucial step in the process of producing nuclear fuels, that of enriching uranium.

Meeting with Europe on Tuesday

In the meantime, as reported by an EU diplomatic source, next Tuesday (24 May), the Foreign Ministers of Germany, Great Britain, France and the High Commissioner of the European Union for Foreign Policy Xavier Solana are scheduled to meet in Brussels with the Iranian minister responsible for Tehrans nuclear programme.

The day before this, there will be a preliminary meeting on coordinating policy between the aforementioned three European states, attended by a spokesman for Mr Solana.

Translated by Millie Williams

[08] According to FBI spokesman Grenade Was Armed

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ANA

The hand grenade thrown in the direction of the Square where the US President George Bush and his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili stood in Tblisi on 10 May. According to FBI spokesman Brian Farman, who is also a legal advisor to the US embassy in Georgia, and who spoke at a Press conference at the Interior Ministry, "this act constituted a real threat to the two presidents and to many Georgian citizens who had gathered in the Square." After an investigation, the hand-grenade was shown to have been armed, although it did not explode, as the activating mechanism was overly slow. A reward of 11,000 dollars has been put up for anyone offering information that could lead to the arrest of the person who threw the grenade. The day following the incident, the White House announced that the life of President Bush was in no danger in Tblisi.

Translated by Millie Williams

[09] Under Surveillance International Delegation in Andizhan

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET- Reuters

The town of Andizhan remains guarded by the military, regardless of foreign pleas for the investigation of the massacre of hundreds of people, while entrance is banned to foreign journalists and observers. However, the Karimov regime led 36 diplomats, among them the U.S., French and British Ambassadors in Tashkent, and foreign journalists in the city in order to calm reactions. However, the government members did not indicate the exact place that the bloody incidents took place on Friday. It is noted that ignoring the accusations of more than 700 dead, the General Secretary of Tashkent announced on Tuesday that the victims that were "all armed," are 170 and blamed the massacre to clashes between security forces and protestors, whom he described as "terrorists."

Rice: "Transparency and Reforms"

A few hours after the protest at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that the reforms are necessary in Uzbekistan and claimed that the demand was stated by American officials to the Islam Karimov government many times.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Uzebekistan Walks a Tightrope

[10] From Alogoskoufis to EXPO 2005 Invitation to Japanese Investors

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

Speaking at a major business conference in Tokyo, Giorgos Alogoskoufis invited Japanese businessmen to invest in South East Europe, while using Greece as a base. The Minister for the Economy is visiting Japan in the context of Greeces day in the International Exhibition EXPO 2005. From Japan, he stressed that the policy of widening Greek-Japanese relations in the economic sector will continue in the fullness of time with systematic steps and the pace of the visits to Japan. Furthermore, in the meeting between Mr Alogoskoufis and deputy Minister for the Economy Petros Doukas and the Japanese Minister of the Economy Santaguzu Tanigagi, under discussion was avoidance of the double tax, a significant deterrent to further widening of business relations, and the issue of reopening the airlink between Athens and Tokyo. Mr Alogoskoufis also met with the governor of the Central Bank of Japan, Toshihiko Fukuwi, and the Speaker of the Japanese Parliament, Yohei Kono.

Increase in Japanese Tourists Expected

Speaking at the conference, deputy Minister of Tourism Anastasios Liaskos referred to the improvement in Greeces tourist services, after the successful hosting of the Olympic Games, and estimated that the number of Japanese tourists would increase significantly, after the major advertising campaign currently underway in Japan.

Greeces delegation includes leaders of organisations, companies, general secretaries of ministries, businessmen and bank administration representatives.

In the contacts between the bankers and the other members of the delegation and foreign institutions and financial houses, the Japanese side expressed interest in investment in the Public Sector and the Stock Market. There was even an offer from Japanese investors amounting to 1 billion euros.

Translated by Millie Williams

[11] Kenderis, Thanou Testify

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Kostas Kenderis and Katerina Thanou are tomorrow to testify before the magistrate and explain what happened on 12 August, the day before the Athens Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. The charges they face are mainly in relation to evasion of a doping test and the motorbike accident they were involved in and their admission into KAT Hopsital. The charges are of a degree of misdemeanour and the two athletes are likely to submit statements through their lawyers. At the same time, their former coach Christos Tzekos will also appear before the magistrate in a few days.

Translated by Millie Williams

[12] Otto Calls Tavlaridis

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The Championship is near its end, and the duties of the Greek National team begin, with two difficult games for the European Champions that will have to outdo themselves if they want to qualify to the World Cup of Germany. IOn June 4, our National team will face Turkey in Istanbul, while on June 8, the Ukraine, the pioneer of the group, at Karaiskakis Stadium. The leadership of the National team has sounded the alarm, with Otto Rehhagel making his plans, since as he has stated, Greece has to receive four points in the two games, in order to ensure a second place that will lead to the barrage, and to hope for the first that will lead it straight into the stadiums of Germany. Today, the German coach announced the names of the players for the two games and the Confederations Cup, which begin on June 15. The name of Stathis Tavlaridis, central defender of LOSC Lille Metropol, appears for the first time in Herr Ottos roster.

The Legionaries

As we said, this is the first time the defender is called in the mens National team, who since according to the Press was one of the best players in his position in the French Championship.

Stathis Tavlaridis has participated in the National teams of U18 and U21.

The players that are in teams abroad and will participate in the two games are the following: Kostas Chalkias, Panagiotis Fissas, Theodoros Zagorakis, Zisis Vryzas, Giourkas Seitaridis, Giannis Amanatidis, Giorgos Karagounis, Aggelos Charisteas, Michalis Kapsis, Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Stellios Giannakopoulos, Vasilis Lakis and Vasilis Tsiartas.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] At the City of Athens Technopolis Discovering China

By Anna Kourti

A photo exhibition entitled Discovering China will be taking place from 21 to 26 May 2005 in the City of Athens Technopolis Cultural Centre (Room Kostis Palamas, 100 Pireos St, Gazi). The exhibition is organised by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China and is under the aegis of the countrys Culture Ministry. It is separated into three parts, while 80 photos taken by famous Chinese artists and depicting the China of yesterday, today and tomorrow will be on display. The first module includes monuments, portraits and sculptures dating from the 12th century BC up until 1795 AD. The second is dedicated to the contemporary cities and everyday life, while the third includes photos that highlight the power and cultural dimension of photography, the youngest of the Arts.

5,000 Years of Live History

The exhibition aims at taking spectators on a tour of Chinese culture, promoting the country that will play host to the next Olympic Games in 2008. At the same time, it displays the countrys rich cultural heritage, which, as is well known, counts 5,000 years of live history.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[14] Women's Brain More Vulnerable to Alcohol Abuse Alcohol is Sexist

By Vagelis Theodorou

Women seem to suffer as much brain damage from alcohol as men after a shorter period of abuse, says a team of German scientists from the university of Heidelberg. Following the findings of previous studies, according to which alcohol abuse damages different body organs faster in women than in men, the new study showed that the womans brain is also more vulnerable to alcohol abuse. A team led by Karl Mann, an addiction researcher at the University of Heidelberg, compared brain scans of 34 male and 42 female alcoholics; they also looked at scans from more than 30 healthy members of each sex. Findings showed that women who had been heavy drinkers for an average of five years suffered the same extent of brain damage as the men, who had been drinking heavily for an average of ten years.

Women More Affected

Although the women drank less than the men (13 drinks a day compared with 17), the amount of alcohol consumed was about equivalent, when body weight was taken into account. Both the male and female drinkers lost a small amount of their total brain mass, a well-known side-effect of alcohol abuse.

"Despite the fact that women tend to start drinking later in life, consume less, and are less likely to develop alcohol addiction than men, they seem to suffer more quickly if they become an alcoholic," underlined Dr Mann.

Other studies have also suggested that women suffer from the side-effects of alcohol abuse more quickly. The negative effects include heart problems, degeneration of skeletal muscle, and cirrhosis of the liver. Now, says Mann, it seems that they also show a quicker onset of brain damage.

The study does provide some positive news, however, for those with a penchant for the bottle. After six weeks of sobriety, brain atrophy was partially reversed in both sexes.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[15] Four lawyers Disciplined For Reality Show

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

The Chairman of the Athens Bar Association, Dimitris Paxinos, referred four lawyers to the first-degree disciplinary committee of the ABA for participating in a reality show on a private television station. In fact, according to a unanimous decision by the ABA Executive Committee, any lawyers who appear on the show will be referred for disciplinary action. This time, following the first screening of the reality show, all the lawyers who appeared face disciplinary action. The names involved are: Eliza Vozenberg, who appears as the Judge in a television court, and Messrs Mavroeidis, Mavrommatis and Hatzintounas. Ms Vozenberg has been called in person before the Committee, while the other three are asked to provide written explanations.

Undignified Behaviour and Unlawful Professional Display

Eliza Vozenberg is accused of undignified behaviour, unlawful professional display and advertising, as well as involving herself in paid actions incompatible with the lawyers profession. Another complaint against her is that her actions in participating as judge in the television reality court is undignified and unacceptable for a lawyer, as the process makes fun of serving Justice and gives the impression that outstanding legal cases and differences can be solved in a commercial television programme.

Furthermore, according to the disciplinary action, the fact that the other three lawyers participated is an unacceptable and undignified act, while it also consists of unlawful professional display, in violation of the Lawyers Code and the Lawyers Ethics Code.

When he was informed of the position of the Bar Association, Mr Mavromatis asked the television station not to screen the recorded programme in which he participated.

Translated by Millie Williams

[16] Over permitted limits of E201 Jam with Excessive Preservative

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET

Greek jams containing the preservative E201 over permitted levels were found in the market of the Czech Republic by the local authorities. The jams were produced by the firm Meletediadis SA, a company based in Oreokastro, Thessalonica, and are not available on the Greek market. As the Food Safety controllers found, there are no other quantities of the same product. The preservative in the jams is not considered toxic, and is not banned, but it is blamed for causing allergies when it comes in concentrated doses. Just in case it should prove necessary, the Food Safety controllers took samples to analyse from the products found in the firm. The results are expected in the next few days.

Translated by Millie Williams

[17] Two explosions in electricity transformer Shock in Central Athens

By Vivian Papastefanou

Panic and shock arose shortly before 6 oclock in the evening in the centre of Athens, after two explosion which occurred in a PPC (Public Power Corporation) transformer. The explosions occurred in Mantaka Arcade at the intersection of Panepistimiou and Benaki Streets. They caused a small, localized fire, which was quickly extinguished by the Fire Service. PPC closed off the electricity, and its employees are currently trying to repair the damage.

Translated by Millie Williams

[18] Tour of weaving mills in Nea Ionia Alavanos Visits Weaving Mills

By Annita Paschalinou

Accompanied by members of his party, Alekos Alavanos visited weaving mills in Nea Ionia. The president of SYN was briefed by the President of the Association of Nea Ionia Weavers on the serious problems faced by the sector, which is today in danger of going bankrupt. Mr Alavanos expressed concern at the state of the Greek weaving industry and sounded the alarm about its viability. "Today in Nea Ionia the Weaving Museum is inaugurated. However, Nea Ionia should not itself become a Museum, with the whole of Greece turning into a weaving industry graveyard. Despite the recent losses, this sector remains one of our main exports," he stated, noting that there was a total lack of state policy with regard to the sector.

Concern for the Sector

Mr Alavanos stressed that he had been particularly surprised by the information that in a recent army competition for manufacturing towels, 10 of the 11 offers came from India, China, Pakistan and Turkey.

At the same time, he called on the government to move within the EU to restrict uncontrolled imports from China, which are mainly supported by a low manufacturing cost.

He also underlined that in view of the IV CSF, there should be immediate policy attention to the sector, from cotton to clothing, with industrial parks, commercial centers, technological innovation, specialization, exports, brand-name products, etc.

Translated by Millie Williams

[19] Over the topic of talks in the US Meetings with Karamanlis

By Vivian Papastefanou

Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus problem, the FYROM problem and further improvement in Greek-American relations will make up the agenda of the talks scheduled for the Prime Minister with US President George Bush on Friday in the White House. In view of this trip, Mr Karamanlis met on Wednesday with the Foreign and Defence Ministers, Messrs Petros Molyviatis and Spilios Spiliotopoulos. Athens puts especial weight on Mr Karamanlis visit, as it is estimated that it will further upgrade Greeces international position. The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave for the US on Thursday, while on Saturday he will travel to Boston, where on Sunday he will be appointed honorary lecturer of Law at Tufts University.

Meeting with Vice-President of Chinese Government

Besides this, Mr Karamanlis met this afternoon with the deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Evripidis Stylianidis, with whom he discussed matters pertaining to the latters duties. Mr Stylianidis stated that they discussed matters of economic diplomacy, assisting exports, as well as Greeces role in issues of growth cooperation, as well as the way in which Greece will capitalize on its contribution to international humanitarian aid. "Greece received positive comments on its offers following the tsunami. International charity contributes to the development of pro-Greek feelings in the international community," concluded Mr Stylianidis.

The Prime Minister also had a meeting at Maximos Mansion with the vice-President of the Chinese government, Jeng Zil, with whom he spoke of the Olympic Games in Beijing and the development of bilateral economic and cultural relations.

Translated by Millie Williams

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