The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-25

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] NASA is Determined for Discovery Ready to Launch

By Vagelis Theodorou

NASA has scheduled the long-awaited launch of the space shuttle Discovery for July 26, even if the problem that called off the July 13 launch recurs. As it was announced, the launch is set for 17:39 (Greek local time), while Discovery has been on track for a Tuesday launch since last Saturday, 70 hours before the scheduled launch so that NASA effectively deals with any possible problems that may arise. In a press conference, the director of the programme Wayne Hale made it clear that the mission will be accomplished, even if the same problem appears once more. "If the problem recurs and under very closely defined circumstances, then we will do some more tests and if we are comfortable that we have a good understanding then we can go fly," he said.

Looking for the Causes of the Failure

The imminent launch of Discovery gives NASA a hard time, since it is the first after the Columbia disaster in 2003.

The failure that was detected in one of the fours sensors of Discovery and caused the call-off, have not yet been made cleared. For ten days, hundreds of NASA engineers had been examining 161 possibilities and according to Mr Hale, who described the problem as "annoying", only two or three of them are still unfathomable.

NASAs Safety Protocol allows the launch even if two of the four sensors are out of order, since their role is supplementary. The director of the programme maintained that the launch will be dependent on "particularly specific circumstances."

Should the same sensor failure arise, Discovery will be launched provided the failure appears in sensor 2 or sensor 4.

Suspence and Hopes

The 7-member crew has been to Kennedy Space Centre since Friday to monitor the latest preparations, and are definitely anxious since the July 13 launch was postponed.

Discovery is set to test new safety procedures and deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station.

Should all go as planned, it is going to mark NASAs first manned flight following the Columbia disaster and the 17th mission to the International Space Station.

According to NASAs timeline, Discovery is to return on August 7 at 12:46 (Greek local time), completing a 12-day trip.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Discovery Launch Postponed

Related Links:

NASA

[02] Who is The Groom?

By Vagelis Theodorou

A slip of the tongue by a priest married a woman to the wrong man. The unusual wedding took place in the town of Udaiya, India. The happy couple wanted to exchange their wedding vows of everlasting love before God and their guests. However, the bride was found married to the grooms brother! The mistake occurred when the priest said Mehraj instead of Siraj and the bride, not hearing him, said, "I do." The faux pas came to light the following morning when the grooms family saw the wedding document. The bride was immediately sent to her parents place, while everybody is wondering whether she is married to the original groom or his brother. To settle the issue, the two families appealed to the Islamic seminary of Deoband to issue a ruling.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Discussion Over Labour Issue

By Anna Kourti

The labour issue, the multi-fatality attacks in London-Egypt and the partys planning dominated the meeting of Pasoks Political Council, which was held in a hotel at the heart of the Greek capital. Stefanos Manos and Andreas Adrianopoulos will be cooperating with Dimitris Reppas and Mariliza Ksenogiannakopoulou, according to PASOK leaders decision. On their part, the two members of the Parliament of the state Council described Mr Papadreous intervention as reasonable. Referring to tomorrows meeting over the labour issue in Parliament, PASOK leader repeated that PASOKs MPs will ask for the withdrawal of the Bill and he pledged that PASOK will demolish the Bill as soon as it assumes power. "The war against terrorism should not evolved into a war against human rights," said PASOK leader.

Rousopoulos' Reply

"The vast majority of the employees rejects the measures taken by the government and demands they not be voted by the government," pointed out GSEEs Chairman Christos Polyzogopoulos on the occasion of tomorrows nationwide strike, and he added that the employees will proceed with a new series of collective actions aiming at overthrowing the governments reforms.

Commenting on Papandreous statements, member of Parliament of the state Council Thodoros Rousopoulos sent a written reply stating, "Growth, employment and social justice are current key priorities. The necessary reforms forwarded by the government are based on the benefit of the majority. Denouncing any change, any reform does not constitute a progressive way of thinking. It indicates a conservative mentality and proves the lack of a programme, the lack of a well-thought plan for the future."

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Call to Action "Employees Are Being Victimised"

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Speaking to the workers of the pharmaceutical company VIANEX in Pallini, Aleka Papariga called on all employees to massively participate in tomorrows strike and rallies, organised by PAME (All Workers Militant Front). "The employees are being victimised through competitions for profits," underlined KKEs General Secretary, while she added that the Communist party is in clear conflict with any policies that empty the employees rights and pockets. With regard to labour relations, she sounded the alarm, predicting that the worst is yet to come. Furthermore, she appeared in favour of granting health services completely free of charge.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Cancerous Substance Has Been Detected Cancerous Substance in Nuts

By Anna Kourti

A cancerous substance has been detected in large amounts of Aegina Pistachios, which were located in the islands local cooperative storeroom. In particular, 21.5 tonnes of nuts have been confiscated, while amounts already given to the market have been retracted, as it was announced by the Piraeus Prefecture after having briefed and collaborated with the areas Nut Producers Cooperative. High concentrations of alphatoxines, which are known to be cancerous, have been detected. As per scientists of the Piraeus Prefecture, the nut process and storing systems are to be re-examined to locate the exact stage of the process that favours the development of alphatoxines, and to take all necessary measures to combat the problem.

Checks Underway

"Production is protected only when quality is protected," said Piraeus Prefect Giannis Michas, and he added, "The 21.5 tonnes that have been confiscated are luckily a small part of the overall nut production of the island, which produces up to 400 tonnes annually."

To confront the problem, which crops up due to poor process and storing conditions, the Piraeus Prefecture is bound to re-examine the specimens taken from the confiscated amounts, as well as to proceed with further checks on new quantities to make sure which should be destroyed and which can been given to the market anew without posing a threat to the consumers health.

Alphatoxine constitutes a natural component that is found in dried fruits and cereals up to 2mg/kg. The first laboratory check that was held by the General State Laboratory showed that the amount of alphatoxine found in Aegian Pistachios range between 33.9 mg/kg to 132.0 mg/kg.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] 9 Naval Ratings With Respiratory Problems Fire on Frigate

By Athina Saloustrou

A fire broke out on frigate Navarino at the naval dockyard in Salamis on Monday at 1am. The fire started from the chamber that houses the bow engines, and was put out at 2.40pm thanks to the immediate respond of the naval dockyards fire service. Nine naval ratings were transferred to the Athens Naval Hospital, with eight suffering from respiratory problems and one minor burn injuries. An expert committee from the Hellenic Navy General Staff is investigating into the causes of the fire, which according to preliminary estimations, it destroyed the engines of the frigate.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Focus on Social Security Profitable Sale

By Vivian Papastefanou

The sale of the 5.2% of Emporiki Banks shares to foreign institutional investors was completed in London. The Governor of Emporiki Giorgos Provolopoulos briefed the Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis on the sale, which was achieved a few days after the disposal of 16,44% of OPAP shares, which earned OPAP (Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics) 140 million euros. The social security of employees at Emporiki Bank, and specifically their incorporation to a uniform supplementary fund, as well as the progress of the Bank, in view of the relevant administrative decisions, were at the focus of the meeting today between Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and the Governor of Emporiki Bank, Giorgos Provopoulos. The two men also discussed the issue concerning the sale of Bank shares. Mr Alogoskoufis later chaired the Defence Industry Commission meeting with the participation of Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos and Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas. The Economy Minister stated that the Commission drew its attention to the Skaramaga shipyards and its collaboration with the Defence Ministry in the context of the armament plans. Earlier, Mr Alogoskoufis held a meeting with representatives of the German group that is the main shareholder of the shipyards, while on Tuesday he is to meet with the representatives of Elefsinas shipyards. Finally, answering to a relevant question, he repeated that the measures regarding the disposal of the heating fuel will have been announced by the end of the week and that the changes on the property taxation will be made public in the beginning of the following week.

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