The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Rallies and Chaos in Athens Heatwave of Strikes

By Vivian Papastefanou

Dekos and the Private Sectors operation is heavily disrupted due to the 24-hour nationwide strike called by GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour), which reacts to the reforms on the social security and the labour relations promoted by the government. ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) has been on a three-hour stoppage since 10 am, while bank shops operate only with emergency staff. Media employees are also expected to participated in the mobilisations. Blue buses will run until 9 pm, and trolley buses until 10pm. The metro, trains, the suburban railway will not operate at all. OSE routes Olympian Airways flights will also be disrupted, while ship routes will normally operate. The Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspapers (ESIEA) participate in the strike in all Mass Media from 12:00 to 16:00, as the Panhellenic Federation of Employee Associations in the Radio and Television Sector (POSPERT) with a work stoppage from 13:00 to 17:00. Due to ESIEAs 4-hour stoppage Ertonline will not inform its website. In the meantime, GSEE is staging a rally in Syntagma Square, while PAME (All Workers Militant Front) is organising another rally in Kaniggos Square.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Series of Strikes

[02] Botox Against Migraines

By Tina Valaoura

Botulinum toxin A, better known as Botox, appears to be the magic secret that can relieve chronic migraines. As per a study, which was reported at the meeting of the American Headache Society in Philadelphia, USA, botox injections provided the sufferers with significant reduction of headaches. Dr. David W. Dodick, from the Mayo Clinic, coordinator of the study, explained that the study focused on migraine patients with chronic daily headache, which affect their every day activities. "These patients represent a minority of all migraine sufferers, but they account for at least 50 percent of the patients seen in specialty headache clinics," concluded Dr Dodick. Botox is a powerful nerotoxin with muscle paralysing properties. Although it is mostly famous for its appliance in the field of cosmetic medicine, it was primarily used to combat spastic paralysis following a stroke or multiple sclerosis.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Sweet or Gym or Both?

By Vagelis Theodorou

Do you happen to belong among those who find it difficult to resist a pastry, but at the same time the buoy-like belly you start to grow gives you a hard time? If you think that a slim, well-shaped figure cannot be "friends with pastries and work out, then you are mistaken! A cake shop owner in Santiago, Chile, has opened a gym upstairs so customers, who succumbed to a sweet temptation, can lose the weight they gain. So, besides making cakes and pastries, Victoria Lopez acts as a gym instructor, an idea that her customers love. "I dont tell the people I train that they should not eat this or that. I tell them to go downstairs, have a cake and then come up and do 15 minutes on the exercise bike," added the resourceful businesswoman, and she pointed out that there is a direct connection between her businesses. Perhaps, you may find it hard to believe that the combination of a cake shop and a gym can work out, however, it is an excellent way to boost ones earnings.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] More than 500 Dead China Stricken by Floods

By Vivian Papastefanou

The continuing rainfalls in southern China have caused the overflow of many rivers forcing the residents to evacuate their houses. At least 536 people have lost their lives in one of the worst periods of summer rainfalls this decade, while 1.4 million people have fled their homes. The authorities express fears that during the next hours the problems will increase due to the overflow of the river Xijiang, while meteorologists warn for more rainfall. In the industrial town of Wuzhou, in the area of Guangxi, water has reached the fourth story of apartment buildings. Floods strike China nearly every summer. The problem, which is caused by torrential rainfall, worsens due to deforestation that also results in landslides. According to news agency Xinhua, this years floods and landslides have cost the lives of 536 people, while damage reaches the amount of $2.5 billion.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Two Earthquakes this Morning Alarm in Samos and Evia

By Vivian Papastefanou

This morning, two earthquakes shook the islands of Samos and southern Evia. The earthquake in Evia, which was felt in the area of Athens, occurred at 06:47, and measured 4.2 on the Richter scale. Its epicenter was in the area south of Aliveri, 40 km northeast of Athens. Earlier, at 02:00 an earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter occurred is Samos, its epicenter located 4 km northeast of Karlovasi. The Town Mayor, Panagiotis Lyberis, stated that no damage was reported.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Rafsanjani and Ahmadinejad are Candidates Presidential Elections in Iran

By Vivian Papastefanou

Today, around 47 million Iranians will turn up at the polling stations in order to elect the President of the country between candidates Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In his statements, Rafsanjani stated that the showdown against Ahmadinejad will be tough but he believes that he will win. On his part, Ahmadinejad promised to introduce a new era if he is elected. Today, the spiritual leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called the Iranians to vote, while he expressed the certainty that the elections will run smoothly, regardless of the suspicions over rigging expressed in the first round. "I request those responsible as well as the relevant bodies, which will see over the procedure, protect the peoples votes, count them and announce the result without partiality and without the intervention of third parties," said Khamenei speaking to the public television.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] By the Economy Minister Emphasis on Structural Reforms

By Vicky Keleri

Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis, talking on the Euro 50 groups event held at the Greek National Banks premises, stated that fiscal adaptation as well as structural reforms are necessary prerequisites for successfully tackling the issue of fiscal inequalities in the Euro zone. As for the Greek economy, Mr Alogoskoufis pointed out that the governments policy restored the fiscal transparency, and implemented a policy of mild fiscal adaptation. He further underlined that business expansion and competitiveness compose the main pillars of the governments programme on economy. Mr Alogoskoufis also referred to the developments in the EU triggered by the French and Dutch "No" to the European Constitutional Treaty, adding that European citizens need time to accept the changes.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Symi The Temple of Music

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

The 11th Cultural Festival on the island of Symi is dedicated to the Greek-Turkish friendship and the peaceful co-existence of the two people. Its brief programme was released on Symi. The islands residents and visitors will enjoy beautiful evenings rich in classical, modern and folk music, as well as cinema, theatre, dance, symposiums, literature nights, exhibitions and sport events. A total of 60 events are scheduled to take place, while the programme will also be presented in Eleusine on June 24 and on Rhodes on July 16.

A Festival Rich in Events

The festivals opening day is scheduled for July 23, and it will host a concert given by Dionysis Savvopoulos with the participation of the Turkish singer Fuat Saka.

Famous artists, who will also appear in the 11th Cultural Festival include: Christos Nikolopoulos, Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Kostas Makedonas, Glykeria, Euanthia Reboutsika, Elli Paspala, Nasia Konitopoulou, Konstantina, Stelios Dionysiou, Stelios Rokkos, Giannis Vardis, Dimitris Kokkotas, Nikos Michas, Paulos Giallourakis, Mayuko Ozawa, Aspasia, Karali, Christiana Adamopoulou, Aris, Graikousis, Katerina Thomaidi, Sophia Eukleidou, Anna Kounadi, Ioannis Anastasakis, Maro Glykou, Argyris Kastanias.

Among the participants are the Music group "Anairesi", Tangos a Quatro quartet, the music bands "Imiskoubria and "Makrina Xaderphia", a folklore Cretan group ,as well as folklore dancing groups from Symi, Tyrnavos and Turkey.

Translated by Areti Christou

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