The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-30

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Crucial Day Curtain Call for Social Security

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÍÅÔ

The discussion in Parliament concerning the Capital Market bill will conclude this afternoon with the voting of the controversial government amendments for the bank employees social security. Furthermore, Everts amendment is also expected to be discussed, since yesterdays intervention by the former ND President created a rift in his relations with the Government. In the meantime, the bank employees are proceeding with a token blockade of the Parliament at 1pm. OTOEs meeting is still underway, since they have not decided on their future collective actions yet.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Ancient Treasures Come to Light

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ÍÅÔ

Archaeologist Giannos Kouragios and his team have brought to light significant archaeological finds. Three parts of archaic Kouroi were discovered in very good condition during excavations on Despotiko, close to the Greek island of Antiparos. Specifically the parts are two bodies and a head, dating back to 560BC. The findings were located on the uninhabited islet Despotiko, between the islands of Antiparos and Sifnos. The Kouroi were found in a Sanctuary dedicated to ancient Greek god Apollo. The leader of the expedition, who spoke exclusively on TV station NET, explained that heads belonging to Kouroi had been discovered in 2002, while this year they also discovered the two bodies. He also added that the head they found was in excellent condition.

The Excavations Are Continuing

The excavations it Mandra, on Despotiko, where the ruins of the Sanctuary are located, began in 1997 and were funded by the Ministry for the Aegean and Island Policy. Despotiko has been declared an archaeological site. The excavations are continuing slowly and with great care, since it is believed that many more treasures are hidden on the islet, which has not been altered at all by human intervention.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] In California, USA Death for Killer-Father

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC

The jury of a US Court sentenced Marcus Wesson to death, as he was found guilty of murdering nine of his children, many of which he had fathered with his daughters and nieces. The 58-year-old man was arrested about 15 months ago, when the authorities discovered the bodies in his home in Fresno, California. All the victims were between one and 25 years of age. His lawyers had said he should get a life sentence, arguing it was his daughter who shot each of the victims in the eye before killing herself.

Endless Horror

Furthermore, he was found guilty of 14 counts of raping and molesting seven of his daughters and nieces.

Wesson, who fathered children with at least four women, was presenting himself as a divinely-inspired preacher.

Actually, he forbade the woman from contact with the outside world and told his family that they needed to have "babies for the Lord".

According to witnesses, Wesson had told his children to be prepared to kill one another, in case the authorities tried to break up the family.

The horrific story came to light when two of Wessons ex-wives went to the house to collect their children, but he refused to allow them access.

It took investigators hours to establish the exact number of dead because the bodies were piled up and entangled in a pile of clothing.

Although no fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, the prosecution argued that even if the oldest victim had killed her younger siblings before shooting herself, Wesson was guilty because he had encouraged her.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Transplant Has Been Found Hope for Life

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ÁNA

A compatible donor for an 11-month-old boy, who suffers from a rare bile duct disease that can cause liver failure, has been found. The baby from Heraklio, Crete has been in surgery since the early hours of the morning at a specialised Medical Centre in Paris, where he was transferred on Tuesday by the Greek PMs jet. The operation is expected to last over 12 hours, but despite the many difficulties, the doctors are optimistic. The next 48 hours are very critical and will demonstrate whether his body will reject the transplant or not. Initially, the boy was going to receive a transplant from his father, but it was incompatible, so the doctors started searching for a dead donor. Actually, the boy had been placed at the top of the international list of people looking for transplants. In the case that the body rejects the transplant, then the doctors will use his fathers. The baby had been transferred to the same specialised Medical Centre in Paris in the past, but the doctors sent it back to Heraklio, because he had to put on weight and reach at least 10kg before undergoing surgery. However, his health deteriorated and the doctors decided to proceed with the transplant to avoid haemorrhage.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Greek PM in London

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis will be meeting with his British peer Tony Blair in London on Thursday evening one day before Britain takes over the EU Presidency. Developments on EU issues as well as subjects of mutual interest will be at the focus of their meeting. The two PMs are expected to discuss the 2007-2013 EU budget, the subsidies of agricultural goods, the Cyprus issue and Turkeys future in Europe. Then, Mr Karamanlis will deliver a speech at City University on "Greeces prospects after the Olympic Games."

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] In Western India Deadly Floods

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

As per Indias news agencies, at least 37 people have been killed in Gujarat, western India, from torrential rains, which have caused major floods and led to rivers overflowing. Specifically, the alarm has been sounded in four areas, while approximately 30,000 people have abandoned their homes. The army is on alert, since five rivers are overflowing, while all transport has come to a standstill.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Death Toll Reaches 39 Bird Flu Strikes Again

By Anna Kourti

The bird flu toll in Vietnam has reached 39. A 73-year-old man from Hanoi, who was affected by the virus, passed away on Monday night. A doctor from the Institute of Tropical Diseases at the Bach Mai Hospital said that the unfortunate man was one of five patients who were admitted to a Vietnam hospital with H5N1 symptoms over the last two weeks. Scientists fear that the virus might trigger a global pandemic if it mutates into a form that can easily pass between people. According to research conducted by epidemiologists from Hong Kong, Japan, Britain and the USA, the virus has not mutated yet.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Hostile Climate Hizbollah Against Israelis

By Anna Kourti

Sources: REUTERS

Hizbollah guerrilla group denies exchanging fire with Israeli troops at the disputed Shebaa Farms area at Israels border with Lebanon. "Israeli forces opened fire, but the Lebanese Shiites did not respond," said Hizbollah spokesperson to Reuters. Earlier this morning, the Israeli army announced that clashes broke out with Hizbollah guerrillas resulting in at least one casualty. In the meantime, Israeli PM Ariel Sharon said that he had demanded "all necessary measures" be taken to prevent the ultra nationalists Jews from undermining the Gaza evacuation plan, following the violent incidents that occurred between the settlers and the security forces.

They Threaten Sharon

"Violent incidents of this kind should end. I have given specific orders. We will take all necessary measures so that life in Israel runs smoothly," said Sharon speaking to Yedioth Ahronot newspaper. Ultra nationalist Jews do not hesitate to threaten Sharons life as well as the General Staff Chiefs. "They threaten to set fire to the whole country. They will not do it. They all have to understand and fight against this dangerous phenomenon," concluded the Israeli PM.

On Wednesday, Jewish settlers, who oppose to withdrawal from Gaza, stirred up violent incidents and clashed with security forces, while they threw oil to part of the highway connecting Jerusalem with Tel Aviv resulting in disrupting public transport.

Israeli Attorney General Menahem Mazuz demanded criminal proceedings be brought against the perpetrators accused of committing life-threatening actions.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] IMF's Proposals for Tax Evasion

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET- ANA

The simplification, function and effectiveness of the tax system are the aims of government policy, stated Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis after the meeting he held today with the economic leadership of the government and specialists of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

During the meeting, the Minister asked the IMF four-member group, which is in our country after his invitation, to review the Greek tax system, to take into consideration its aims and to submit their proposals. Furthermore, he asked for special emphasis to be given to tax evasion problems and specifically VAT and smuggling, since the rate of the budgets increase in income during the past years is low and lacks importantly in relation to the predictions.

The relevant findings will be given to the leadership of the Ministry by July 13.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Gold for Pavlidis and Meletoglou

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The Greek athletes are continuing their great performances in the Mediterranean Games in Almeria. Theodosis Pavlidis won the gold in freestyle wrestling for the 74kg category, while Christos Meletoglou climbed on the highest step of the podium for his performance in triple jump (17.09m). Ioulieta Boukouvala won a silver medal in judo, competing in womens 57kg. Earlier, Alexandra Papageorgiou won the first Greek medal in athletics in hammer throw with 67.13m. Alexandra Skafida won a bronze in pole vault with 4.15m. Finally, in freestyle wrestling, both Aftadil Xanthopoulos and Valerios Koguasvili won bronze medals in the 96kg and 60kg categories respectively.

Other Greek Results

Revazi Zindiridi finished fifth in judo, competing in the 66kg category. The silver European champion was defeated in the repechage by Turk Bektash Demirel with a Waza-ari.

Also in judo, Eryfili Poulopoulou was fifth in womens 63kg, despite being beaten twice in the preliminaries by Elena Kostric (Serbia-Montenegro) with an Ippon and Urska Zolnir (Slovenia) again with an Ippon.

Another two Greek weightlifters faired quite well in the womens 69kg category. Zografia Argyrou finished in fourth place both in snatch (84kg) and clean & jerk (105kg), while Atremis Theriaki was seventh, lifting 77kg in snatch and 95kg in clean & jerk.

On the other hand, Giorgios Markoulas performance in weightlifting was disappointing. The 4th Olympian in Athens ranked 6th in snatch (157kg), while he had three failed attempts in clean & jerk, as he was going for the gold and set the bar at 197kg on his last attempt.

The mens football team did not qualify for the semis, as it lost to Turkey by 1-0 and bade farewell to the Games with one tie and two losses. Aksu scored the goal for Turkey in the 26.

Finally, the mens handball team was also eliminated from the semifinals, as it was defeated by Croatia in the quarterfinals with a score of 33-25 (16-12 half-time). Now it will compete for places 5 through to 8.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] Brazil: One Man Show

Sources: Associated Press

Can NET show this game again? And if yes, when? Todays game could surely be a World Cup or a Copa America final. Thankfully it was neither. It was only the final of the Confederations Cup. And we say thankfully because the slander of Argentina would be even greater due to the importance of the event. Brazil transformed the final into a one-man show, and with torrent rhythm crushed Argentina 4-1. Yes, you heard well, 4-1. Even the 3-0 that the Greek team lost by from the selesao sounds normal and makes us say that they were a few goals. An unstoppable team, with Adriano (two goals), Kaka (one goal) and Ronaldinho (one goal), doing whatever they pleased to the defence of Argentina. What can we expect further from this team in the same stadiums in the World Cup?

Adriano scored twice as World Cup champion Brazil gave a class on goal scoring and soccer artistry on to beat traditional rival Argentina 4-1 and win the Confederations Cup. Facing the team they most like to beat, the Brazilians repeatedly tore through the Argentina defence with further goals from Kaka and Ronaldinho while Robinho, the other member of their talented strike force, hit the crossbar. Adriano, who also scored twice in the 3-2 semi-final victory over Germany, wound up the tournaments top scorer with five while Argentinas lone reply came from substitute Pablo Aimar in the 65th with his team already 4-0 down.

Two hours after Michael Ballacks extra time-free kick in Leipzig gave Germany a thrilling 4-3 victory over Mexico to capture third place, Ronaldinho collected the winners trophy in Frankfurt as Brazil partially made up for a 3-1 World Cup qualifying loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires three weeks ago. Because of a thunderstorm, organizers closed the roof which made this FIFAs first final played indoors. But the heavy rain still leaked through onto the pitch, sending photographers and fans scampering for cover before a 45,591 sell-out at the newly built Waldstadion. The Argentina defence was also full of holes as Adriano gave Brazil the lead in the 11th minute. The Inter Milan striker collected a ball from Cicinho, turned inside between two defenders, leaped over a third and then fired a powerful left-foot shot from the edge of the area to beat goalkeeper German Lux. Five minutes later it was 2-0 with another spectacular long-range strike. Kaka took a short pass from Robinho, his first touch took him into a perfect shooting position and he fired a rising shot into the top corner from 20 meters.

Although Inter Milan defender Javier Zanetti shot narrowly wide before halftime, Brazil made it 3-0 just two minutes into the second half. Cicinho broke down the right and Ronaldinho was first to meet his cross, turning the ball home from eight meters with Argentine defenders again slow to react. Fabricio Coloccini should have pulled a goal back within two minutes when a cross came to him just wide of goal, but he drove the ball high over the bar. Robinho should have scored a fourth in the 57th minute when he dribbled into a shooting position only to hit the bar from the edge of the area. The fourth goal arrived in the 63rd when Cicinho floated a cross from the right, and Adriano jumped to beat Gabriel Heinze and headed home from six meters. Argentina finally replied two minutes later when Zanetti and Cesar Delgado combined on the right, and substitute Pablo Aimar scored with a brave, diving header from 12 meters. Chasing a hat trick, Adriano forced Argentina keeper Germany Lux into a diving save with another powerful left-footed strike with 12 minutes to go, and then defender Lucio turned a Ronaldinho corner just wide of the post.

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia) Cards: (Yellow) Milito, Marquez, Pineda, Coloccini, Medina, Salcido (Red) Saviola, Marquez

Line-ups:

BRAZIL: Dida, Lucio, Roque Junior, Emerson, Gilberto, Robinho (Juninho Pernambucano, 89), Kaka (Renato, 86), Adriano, Ronaldinho, Ze Roberto, Cicinho (Maicon, 86).

ARGENTINA: German Lux, Juan Sorin, Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso (Pablio Aimar, 56), Gabriel Heinze, Juan Riquelme, Cesar Delgado (Luciano Galletti, 81), Diego Placente, Fabricio Coloccini, Lucas Bernardi, Luciano Figueroa (Carlos Tevez, 72).

[12] It's Over Alert in US Capitol

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters

An unidentified aircraft violated restricted airspace over Washington on Wednesday evening, prompting orders to evacuate the US Capitol and surrounding office buildings. Some senior White House staff, who are in the west wing at the time, rushed to abandon their offices, but a little while later, a Security Service agent said that the alert was called off. Capitol Police sent a message to senators, saying, they were "tracking an unidentified aircraft. All persons in the US Capitol, Hart, Dirksen and Russell buildings should evacuate now." The House was in session in the middle of a vote on transportation funding when the chamber was cleared.

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article