The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] You Dont Get to Play with Brazil Everyday

By Stathis Petropoulos

As it was expected, the game of the World Champions with the European Champions attracts a great interest in the Confederations Cup that begins on Tuesday. The game will take place in Zentralstadion and with the exception of 10,000 Greeks that will stand by the side of Otto Rehhagel and his players, the Brazilian fans will also attend as will around 30,000 football fans, since the stadium is expected to be packed with 44,000 fans. It is noteworthy to say, that for the two games, Greece vs. Brazil and the third place final, all tickets have been sold out.

Problems but Head Up High

Otto Rehhagel stated that the Greek players reassure that they will play hard, regardless of the important problems and injuries that are faced, in view of the specific game. However, Rehhagel appeared quite optimistic and in good spirits over a good performance stating: "You dont get to play against Brazil every day. We will fight in this game. We have some absences but there are solutions to the problems. The game with Brazil is particular due to the power of the opponent. We hope that everyone who will attend the game will enjoy the sport they will watch. Brazil is the best team in the world and has the best players. A comparison cannot be made. Even based on the population, a country of 11 million citizens against a country of 150 million. We have a national team, while Brazil can line up five like ours. The passion and the zest never abandoned us and I believe that we will project this in Germany. Not only against Brazil but also in the coming games with Japan and Mexico."

Zagorakis Plays

Giannis Goumas also made statements in the Press interview and stated that the Greek players respect Brazil but do not fear it, thus they will try for a good performance and not a tie. "We respect Brazil, but we are not scared of it," noted Goumas and added "we will enter the pitch aimed at winning the game and not only for a good performance and to receive few goals possible. A lot of the players might be missing, but we have their substitutes. We want to give our best and show that we arent European Champions by luck."

Kapsis, karagounis and Dellas, who are injured, will not be included in the Greek national team.

The good news is that Bolognas coach did not include Zagorakis in his teams first match against Parma. The Greek player said to his coach, Carlos Matsone, that he suffered from backache. The latter excluded him from the teams composition. As a result, Otto Rehhagel is expecting Zagorakis to arrive in Leipzig along with Karagounis.

However, Vryzas participation in the game is uncertain, after injuring his left hands wrist in Celtas game against Eibar yesterday.

300 Greek expatriates watched the Greek teams training programme, encouraging the coach, Otto Rehhagel, and his players.

Return Match Against Argentina

Carlos Alberto Parreira definitely does not think highly of the Greek team, and he does not seem to have a problem with showing it. While talking in the Press Conference, he made no reference to the game against Greece, whatsoever, but he preferred to talk about the next rounds games saying that he wishes to win the return match against Argentina to retaliate the recent defeat in Buenos Aires.

"The Confederation Cup is not a 15-day vacation for us," he repeated, and he added that, "When Brazil takes parts in a tournament, it goes for the final. We did not want to lose the chance of participating in the Confederation Cup exactly one year prior to the World Cup. Everything seems to be favourable except the weather. It is a little bit cold for our standards. It would have been great to play against Argentina or Germany, which will probably finish in the first two positions of the other group. It is maybe our chance to win the return match against Argentina."

[02] The Latest Finding of "Green Technology" The Power of Sheep

By Tina Valaoura

"Green technology" does not lack imagination. Many are the times that scientists without inhibitions have looked for solutions where many would not tread in, seeking environmentally friendly solutions. One could say that such an example is stock breed farms. There, between sheep and goats, scientists found a new secret weapon to the fight against environmental pollution, which is already been used in British streets. It a special injection system for a bus engine that is run especially on sheep urine and is targeted at the radical restriction of harmful nitrous oxide from fume emissions.

Weapon Against Environmental Pollution

But sheep urine? "Yes, and we believe that we will have results," said Andrew Dyer, Director of Stagecoach South, the company that since last month has a bus that runs with stock breed waste included in its fleet in Hampshire.

How do they end up there? The urine is collected by the fertilizing company that has taken up the management of waste from stock breed farms. After the distillation the urea is secluded and advanced in the market. The solution is then sprayed through a special injection system to the fumes emitted by the engine. From there, ammonia, the main substance of urea, takes on and reacts with the nitrous oxide of the fumes, turning them into water and nitrogen.

"Dont worry, we will not ask of the passengers of a urine sample, nor will we place sheep in the busses," jokes Dyer speaking to British newspaper The Guardian, and explains that the idea may seem laughable but it is not. "It is the latest finding of green technology. We believe that the idea will improve the situation in big cities," he noted and reminds of the strict EU regulations concerning the emission of gasses, which will be put in effect next October.

Up to now, the measure is only a part of a broader plan of protecting the environment and is supported by the state authority of Hampshire, however for obvious reasons it attracts attention.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Surprise Meeting with Greek PM Arsenis at Maximos Mansion

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

PASOKs former Minister Gerasimos Arsenis met with PM Costas Karamanlis in the evening. The meeting was held after Mr Asreniss request, who while exiting the Maximos Mansion made it clear that it was irrelevant to the current political situation, and he attributed the fact that the meeting was held after the motion of censure to mere coincidence, as it had already been scheduled. Mr Arsenis said that the world is rapidly changing, and that in many countries the issues of challenges and opportunities towards the formation of a complete scheme aiming to assess the politicians are currently under discussion, concluding that this was the topic of his meeting with the PM. " The Prime Minister acts faster," said when asked if an appointment with PASOKs leader Mr Papandreou is on the way, whereas when asked if there is any chance that he will become Minister in Karamanlis government, he said, "What are you talking about?"

ND's Government Spokesperson Theodoros Rousopoulos accepted a barrage of questions on the issue of the meeting between the two men.

"The meeting should not be blown out of proportion. For God's sake!" said Mr Rousopoulos when asked whether the meeting had to do with the possibility that Mr Arsernis would assume a state or government office, while referring to the fact that the meeting was announced at 1 pm on Sunday, he repeated that it was not related to the vote of confidence, but to the workload in the Press Office which did not allow the announcement to be sent promptly.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Criticism Against the Government and PASOK Alavanos Visits Hellenic Post

By Vagelis Theodorou

Alekos Alavanos made harsh criticism against the government and PASOK on a visit with a SYN delegation to the Hellenic Post central offices in Kotzia Square. "We came to see the high paid employees on purpose, the ones that Mr Papandreou mentioned and the organized craft unions that the government refers to," said Mr Alavanos, making reference at the views of the two political parties leaders during the three-day discussion in Parliament. Moreover, the President of SYN noted that there is the event of charge in the acquits of DEKO employees, and the sale of public property, while he voiced the concern that main members of the Opposition are turning against the permanency of employees, sharing government views.

In closing, Mr Alavanos announced that his party will make a campaign in order to designate the problems of DEKO employees, and the lack of programming and coordination within them, while he supported the public character of the Post Service, proposing a common action of ELTA with the Greek Postal Savings Bank, in order to avoid privatization.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Explosive Devices Defused

By Betty Savourdou

Two explosive devices were found and defused on Monday morning in Mets and Vyronas, Athens. The first time bomb was found at the entrance of the forensic agency on 10 Anapafseos street and the second one outside the entrance of the Vyronas Deputy Mayor's house. The police are running an investigation to define the devices' origin so that the anti-terrorist agency can identify the perpetrators. As has been announced, there was no warning call for neither of the two cases.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] At Least 12 Killed and 70 Injured Deadly Explosion in Kashmir

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: Reuters

At least 12 people have been killed and over 70 were injured during a booby-trapped car explosion that shocked the southern part of Indian Kashmir on Monday. The blast was reported near a school in the city of Puluama, south of Srinangar, the summer capital of Kashmir. Panic followed the explosion and as per eye-witnesses the only thing one could hear were screams for help. The sound wave caused damages to the school, as well as to dozens of stores, houses and cars. So far, no group has taken the responsibility for the assault. This is the worst incident of violence in Kashmir, even though the exchange of fire is a usual phenomenon. India and Pakistan have been implicated in three wars over Kashmir's domination, while more than 45,000 people have been killed since 1989, when the revolt against Indian domination started.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] In the Third Round of Elections in Lebanon Aoun Scores Crushing Win

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The win of Christian General and former PM of Syria, Michel Aoun, against his Christian opponents, was officially confirmed. Interior Minister Hasan al Sabaa made the formal announcement of the election results of the third and most critical round of the Parliamentary elections. According to official results, the coalition of Michel Aoun received 15 out of 16 seats in Lebanon that is mainly inhabited by Christian Maronites. The fourth and last round of the elections will take place n June 19, in northern Lebanon where 28 seats will be decided upon.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Structural Changes in Quick Paces The Time for Reforms

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET

The summer will be filled with structural changes that will take place in a quick pace. The solution of the banks social security will form a new map, since members of the bank market evaluate that a new circle of strategic alliances will be formed, while there is a great interest from foreign banks. In the summer, the appropriation of 17% of OPAP will go forth, while the convertible10.6% bond loan of OTE. After the increase of a bond stock in the Agricultural Bank of Greece by 1.2 billion euros that improves its position, and extra 10% will be given. The negotiations for the sale of Olympic Airlines are near their end. At the end of the year or the beginning of 2006, the Hellenic Post Service will enter the main market of the Stock Exchange as will Eleftherios Venizelos Airoport. Emphasis will be also given in the energy department. In October, a new competition will be planned for the three units of electricity production, for which business interest has been stated. The biggest ports of the country are also on the priorities agenda. At the same time, a new operational context will be established in order to investigate transport companies, which foresees the radical cut of funds and the review of the investments program.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] 2,000-Year-Old Medicine

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Associated Press

Life was lying inside the seed of a date palm aged 2,000 which was discovered by archaeological excavations in the ruins of Masada, an ancient mountain fortress near the Dead Sea. Israeli researchers who undertook the task of germinating the seed believe it is the oldest seed to have ever been germinated. Now, the plant measures 30cm high, was given the nickname Methuselah and if it could speak, it would surely brag about being the sole representative of a long lost variety of date palm that became extinct in the Middle Ages and was reputed to have powerful medicinal properties.

According to Sarah Sallon, researcher of the Louis Borick Natural Medicine Research Centre in Jerusalem, who has undertaken the entire project, dates had "an enormous amount of use in ancient times for infections, for tumours."

The first leaves of the still young Mathuselah have been sent to the lab for analysis. If it continues to thrive, scientists hope the palm will eventually reveal the secrets of its past.

"We're researching medicinal plants for all we're worth, we think that ancient medicines of the past can be the medicines of the future," stressed Sallon, hoping to be proved right.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Voluntary Blood Donation

By Tina Valaoura

Ten minutes of our time for the donation of blood can save a life. This fact should always be remembered and becomes more and more so as the World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14. On the occasion, the City of Athens is organizing a Voluntary Blood Donation for Individuals with Disabilities. It will take place under the hospice of the Athens Administration of Social Care, in cooperation with the Blood Donation Department of the Agia Sofia Childrens Hospital, on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 from 8:00 to 14:00 in the Cultural Centre of the City of Athens (50 Akadimias Street at the Administrative Council Room).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Hellenic Association of Volunteer Blood Donors

[11] The PM's Meetings

By Vagelis Theodorou

One day after having received the Parliament's vote of confidence, Kostas Karamanlis had successive meetings at the Maximos Mansion with Internal Affairs Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis and Cabinet Secretary Argyris Karras to promote the government work. Mr Tatoulis said the Prime Minister gave directions so as to change the scenery of culture, while Messrs Pavlopoulos and Karras made no statements. During the regular briefing of political reporters, government spokesperson Theodoros Roussopoulos clarified the object of the Karamanlis-Pavlopoulos meeting was to discuss matters of the daily agenda, while questioned why the Minister did not make any comments, he underlined there is no secrecy and many ministers do not proceed with statements after daily agenda meetings. On Tuesday, the Cabinet will convene to discuss financial issues and the legislative reform for banks' social security.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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