The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Rejected Two Proposals for Rebates Great Britain is Intransigent

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The European negotiations in Brussels are getting even tougher. This evening it was made known that Great Britain rejected two proposals regarding the freeze of rebates in the levels that had formed in the Europe of the "15." Initially, the proposal came from France, which in a gesture of good will, and in order for the negotiations to progress, stated that it was willing to accept the freeze of the British rebate amount for the EU Budget, at the level of Europe of the "15," in the context of an agreement by all parties. The British reply was negative, since as the spokesperson of Tony Blair stated this will cost Great Britain 25 to 30 million euros, in a 7-year time span. The proposal of the Luxemburg Presidency also had the same luck, on which the British PMs spokesperson observed that it doesnt seem to have a clear link between any change to the rebate and reform of the budget, and the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) in particular. Analysts evaluate that this development poses new obstacles to the achievement of a solution between the EU leaders.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Compromise Proves Hard

EU Constitution Freezes

[02] Sends a Message to the U.S. and Friends Reappearance of Al Zawahri

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Reuters

Ayman al-Zawahri made a dynamic reappearance through television network Al Jazeera. The deputy leader of Al Qaeda appears in a video, excerpts of which were broadcast by the Arabic television network, making new threats against the U.S. over their policies in the Middle East, while he harshly criticizes the pro-Western governments of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In the video, which Al Jazeera is expected to broadcast in full in a few hours, al-Zawahri is wearing a white turban and holds a gun. A video with the deputy leader of Al Qaeda was also broadcast last February. Then, al-Zawahri had said that the security of the West depends on the respect they show to Islam and Muslims.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] From Eirinaios' Men Entered the Jerusalem Patriarchate

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

Finally, after two failed attempts, men that were reported to be former Jerusalem Patriarch Eirinaios bodyguards, managed to enter the building of the Jerusalem Patriarchate at 20:30, on Friday night. Earlier, four armed men had attempted to enter the Patriarchate but were detected by a security group of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood who immediately locked the doors and called the police. According to information, the Israeli police that were on the scene did not attempt to stop the new attempt of entrance in the building.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Fights Cancer at the Root

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: BBC

A new drug placed under British scientists microscopes, will give a new twist to the given facts of cancer. The drug is 17AAG that according to the recent research shows that it blocks the development of different forms of cancer. As per the scientists of the Institute of Cancer Research it could stop the growth of breast, bowel, skin and prostate cancer. The results of the research are confirmed by the Journal of Clinical Oncology, but the scientists underline that many more studies and trials are needed before it is prescribed to patients.

How the Drug Works

17AAG targets at an important molecule that contributes to the growth of cancer.

The molecule is called heat shock protein (Hsp) 90, and relays messages to the cells, resulting in the multiplication of cancer cells. Without Hsp 90, cancerous cells die while healthy cells are not affected.

Furthermore, since Hsp 90 targets different forms of cancer it can stop the growth of tumors, as a reaction to the treatment given to the patient.

Lead researcher Professor Paul Workman explains that with the action of Hsp 90 being blocked, the drug has the ability to attack the cancer, since it closes down a series of systems that use cancer cells to grow and develop.

The drug has been tested to 30 patients with advanced cancer and the results were positive, but as Chief Executive of the Institute for Cancer Research Professor Peter Rigby notes "more trials are needed."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Investigation into Floros' Declaration

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA - NET

The Greek Parliament referred the case of former PASOK MP Nikos Floros to the Director of First Instance Prosecutions, Dimitris Papangelopoulos. The audits carried out into the declaration of assets and the Stock Exchange transactions of Greek MPs reveled that Mr Floros had made profits of over 1 billion drachmas in the Stock Exchange, while he had not submitted a relevant declaration. As a result, the Prosecutor would have to probe into the legality of the transactions.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Reactions over Stock Exchange Profits

[06] Problems They Face at the Focus Alavanos Meets with Repatriated Refugees

By Vivian Papastefanou

President of SYN, Alekos Alavanos discussed the problems faced by repatriated political refugees in our country, with the representatives of their Unions. In his statements, Mr Alavanos stated that all parties should contribute to a solution to the problems faced by these people, such as pension rights, citizenship, the return to their country, and benefits that are applicable for categories of handicapped of the Greek army. Mr Alavanos noted that the European legislature that is in force should be used in order to counter the above problems. Member of the SYN Political Secretariat and Foreign Policy Chief, Panos Trigazis also participated in the meeting.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] For the Three-Day Holiday Traffic Police on Alert

By Vicky Keleri

Three-day holiday is on its way, and the Athenians are bound to abandon the big urban centres. Traffic Police has put emergency measures into effect to facilitate the travellers. To their better and safer move in the highways, trucks with more than 1.5 tonnes payload will be banned from the traffic lane that leads outside the urban centres. The ban will be in force from 15:00 to 21:00 on Friday. The same ban will be implemented on Monday while entering the city.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Did Not Continue Further Incidents at Ministry of Interior

By Annita Paschalinou

This evening, tension was apparent at the Ministry of Interior. One hundred and fifty people together with non-appointed personnel of ASEP, who have been living outside the Ministry in tents, threw eggs and yogurts in the courtyard. The police did not intervene since the incidents did not continue further. However, the non-appointed personnel decided to stage new mobilizations starting from next week.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Second Election Round in Iran

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

On Friday, the voting session for the Presidential elections in Iran was extended three times, and finally completed at 23:00 local time. The extension was also made for overseas voters, as was expected, since many countries had asked for it. According to the official data, turn out reached 60%, a percentage that went beyond all expectation. In the meantime, the Ministry of Interior announced that a second round of elections would take place between the two favorites of the elections, which did not receive absolute majority. The first round was won by former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and reformer and former Education Minister, Mustafa Moin. Latest official announcements are expected to be made on Saturday.

In the meantime, according to Iranian Students News Agency (Isna), the Iranian police eliminated two bombs in Tehran and Kerman, shortly before the election procedure. It is noted that a few days ago deadly attacks had taken place in Ahvaz with nine dead and 70 injured.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Presidential Elections in Iran

[10] Reforms for OTE-Banks in Parliament

By Vivian Papastefanou

The reforms for the voluntary redundancy in OTE and the social security of banks have been submitted in Parliament. According to the amendment that concerns OTE, the employees who establish a right of full pension until 2012 can retire early from the Company if they wish, recognizing the remainder of time as fictitious. The interested parties should submit a signed dismissal form within 3 months from the beginning of the current Article, while the dismissal will take place within 12 months. The cost of the voluntary redundancy will be paid by OTE and the Public Sector, which will also transfer 4% of the Companys shares owned by the state to TAP-OTE. Furthermore, for Article 5 of the amendment, it is made clear that in the case that an employee has submitted an early retirement form, but is not entitled to immediate pension, the dismissal is recalled and the person is reemployed by the Company, from which he left due to dismissal, within a month of being notified in writing.

All Social Security Organizations in IKA

For the banks, the creation of a single subsidiary organization and the incorporation of all primary social security organizations to IKA until the end of 2005 are foreseen. As it is stated in the amendment, the bank employees that were hired until 31.12.1992 keep their social security rights in full, while the ones employed later on will follow the regulations in force by IKA. The banks will pay the funding of the new organization exclusively, while the Public Sector will participate depending on the degree of stock shares invested in the Agricultural Bank and Emporiki Bank.

Immediate Reaction by PASOK and SYN

PASOK MP, Evangelos Venizelos spoke of a contradictory and repressive way with which the government is advancing the reforms of financial interests, while he described the reform for OTE as "provocative, unconstitutional and opposed to European community law."

Referring to the banks social security, Mr Venizelos spoke of a "completely contradictory" reform than the one for OTE, noting that the government is not interested in the social security and the growth of the economy "but serves specific economic interests."

"The reform over the banks social security is a hole in the water," said Mr Venizelos and explained his view further noting, "When the employees fight for their rights in court, the banks should record the relative previsions in their charters according to international accounting standards."

The statement of SYN Political Secretariat member, Panagiotis Lafazanis were along the same lines, who spoke of a "slaughter of insurance rights" of the bank employees and pensioners, and evaluated that the reforms for the banks and OTE will open doors to similar measures in all DEKOs.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Mobilisations Escalate

Voluntary Retirement Bill in Parliament

KKE-SYN React to Social Security Issue

[11] Summer Sales Begin on July 18

By Tina Valaoura

July 18 has been designated as the first day of this years summer sales. The relative decision that designates the end of the sales period, which will be August 27, as well as the terms and conditions, such as the original prices and sale prices of products being displayed, in order for consumers to avoid deception, was signed by Deputy Development Minister, Giannis Papathanasiou. It is noted that before the beginning of the sales and specifically from 25.06.2005 special offers and pre-sales are banned.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Sollied Coach of Olympiacos

By Stathis Petropoulos

Olympiacos Administrative Board unanimously decided on the hire of Trond Sollied, and since today the team of Piraeus has a new coach. In the announcement publicized right after the meeting of the FCs Board, which took place in the presence of Socratis Kokkalis, the following was stated: "Today, on the June 17, 2006, the Administrative Board of Olympiacos FC convened, and which approved the hire of Mr Trond Sollied as coach of the football team. The Board has authorized the President of the Club, Mr Sokratis Kokkalis and Vice President, Mr Giorgos Louvaris for the effectuation of its decision."

A Very Capable Coach

What remains is for Sollied to arrive in Piraeus and sign the contract with his new team, while Brugge FC will receive 375,000 euros in order to break his contract with the Belgian team. The contract of the 46-year-old coach is for 2+1 years and his yearly income will be around 900,000 euros. After his departure from the Administrative Board, Sokratis Kokkalis made the following statement: "The Board unanimously approved the hire of Trond Sollied as Olympiacos coach. Mr Louvaris and myself were authorized to finalize the deal. It is a very simple matter and because several names of footballers have been mentioned, I will say that all will be discussed after the new coach has arrived. Olympiacos has always had a vision. Trond Sollied is a good and serious coach that will help the team achieve its goals and give its best self in the Champions League event."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Hackers' Number One! Britney's Virus

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: CNN

Pop super star Britney Spears does not only attract the attention of the US gossip magazines, but she was also declared hackers favourite, who use their name to send viruses to carefree cybersurfers. According to experts, Britneys name tops most subjects for spam and viruses. Since the young singers name as well as the news of her pregnancy are attractive enough, there are quite a few who fall into the hackers trap and pay their curiosity really expensive. Emails with Britneys name in the subject either contain an attachment with a virus, or lead to links that can spread the Trojan virus.

Top Ten

Panda Software Company conducted the research, which added that the names of sexy stars are quite famous with hackers. Apart from Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Paris Hilton are one of the top names on the list. Other names that contain viruses and are used in emails are those of Bill Gaits and Osama Bin Laden. Not long before there was an email on the Internet claiming that Michael Jackson tried to commit suicide inside a courtroom. Anyone wishing to be informed of the case would end up with four different types of viruses.

Hackers top ten is completed with Bill Gaits, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Osama Bin Laden, Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton, Anna Kournicova, Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson.

Translated by Areti Christou

[14] Acrobat Sleepwalker

By Despina Hristopoulou

The cases of people that take walks in their sleep are quite a few. Most of them usually take walks in the living room, the kitchen and many times their escape tendencies make them walk outside of the house. A 39-year-old German sleepwalker did not restrict himself to strolls in the living room and took up more dangerous missions. After he got out of bed, he went out the first floor window, climbed up the drainpipe and started to walk on the roof, six meters above the ground. Something happened though and he suddenly awoke and resulted in him realizing where he was, and from the scare, lost his balance and fell down.

Wet Grass Broke his Fall

As he said to the firemen, after the incident and his rescue, he has awoken in different areas of the house several times, but never in dangerous parts. He must have been seeing a very bizarre dream.

Beside his fall, he got away with a few bruises, since he fell on wet grass, as it had rained a few hours ago.

Because next season is predicted to be dry, he decided to visit a special clinic to treat his problem!

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[15] For its Smooth Operation Prosecutor Intervenes in Refuse Dump

By Vivian Papastefanou

The Director of the Athens Prosecutions, Dimitris Papangelopoulos, gave the Athens Police chief a written order, so as to ensure the implementation of all necessary measures for the smooth operation of the Ano Liossia Sanitary Landfill. Specifically, the Prosecutor asked the Police Chief to proceed with arrests, in case any problems are recorded at the refuse dump. On his part, in a Press release that was also sent to the First Instance Prosecutions, the Mayor of Ano Liossia justified his Municipalitys stance regarding its refusal to accept sewage sludge in the Sanitary Landfill, quoting that the whole operation lacks scientific substantiation and that the refuse dump has not been issue with an operational licence. He further noted that the terms and conditions of the ministerial decision for the transfer of the sewage sludge to Ano Liossia are not being followed.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

"War" Over Sewage Sludge

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