The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-17

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

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[01] New Evidence Surfaces After Autopsies Revelations Over Air Tragedy

By Athina Saloustrou

Since yesterday, the new revealing evidence that is surfacing over what exactly happened during the last half hour in the Boeing, with the presence of one person in the pilots cabin, possibly trying to fly it, creates new facts in the investigation over the causes of the air tragedy, as they cancel out the initial scenarios. At the same time, the coroners revelation that a 5-year-old boy was alive after the crash of the airplane, since soot was found in his trachea, has stirred a commotion. On Wednesday, in a meeting in the Interior Ministry, Messrs Pavlopoulos, Liapis and Fourlas briefed Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos over the course of the investigations. In the meantime, according to confirmed sources, the data asked by the airplane accidents investigation committee over the Boeing have arrived in Athens from Cyprus. It is estimated that the evidence includes the aircrafts maintenance book, the conversation of the pilot with the control tower in Larnaca, and the discussion of the pilot with the companys engineer, after which the communication with the aircraft stopped. The data will be evaluated by the committee and added to the already collected information. According to the above sources, a group of American experts have arrived in Athens in order to cooperate with their Greek counterparts, while an expert from Boeing will participate in the group. Today, one of the black boxes will be transported to Paris, while the experts investigations are focused on the destroyed pilots cabin. The contents of the second black box, which records conversations, have not been yet found in Grammatiko.

Autopsies Bring New Evidence to Surface

The 73 charred bodies that cannot be identified will be subject to autopsies and DNA tests at the morgue in Goudi, Athens. The bodies will be transferred from Schistos' morgue by Monday the latest, while chief coroner Filippos Koutsaftis announced that DNA tests will commence as of today. However, the results of the tests are not expected until ten days starting from Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the investigations into locating the three remaining bodies are underway.

Speaking on NET radio station 105.8, Mr Koutsaftis said that the relatives of the victims are already in Goudi to identify 19 bodies and he added that the autopsies on the 19 unidentified bodies will have been completed by noon.

Shortly before Wednesday noon, it was made public that the autopsy on a five-year-old boy showed that he had survived the crash. Coroner Nikos Kalogrias, who conducted the autopsy, told the reporters that shoot was detected in the boy's throat meaning that he might be breathing for a few seconds. However, Mr Kalogrias made it clear that the boy suffered serious injuries that led to his death. "Whether he was alive for a second or two after the crash is related to death itself, which is never instantaneous," he concluded.

As per coroners, the same findings are likely to be observed in the other identified bodies that have not yet undergone an autopsy. However, they dismissed the possibility that the people on board the fatal airliner had frozen or had suffered a sharp loss of pressure. Should one of the aforementioned hypotheses be true, then the bodies would have been much more damaged. The fact that this was not the case means that the passengers either inhaled polluted oxygen or some kind of dioxide that was conducted to the cabin through the air-conditioning, said the coroners.

On the other hand, the autopsies on the 26 identified bodies showed that at the time of the crash the passengers were alive without, however, being able to determine whether they were unconscious or not. The toxicological tests will help the coroners decided whether and up to what extend the passengers were contaminated by polluted oxygen or some kind of dioxide.On Wednesday, the coroners managed to get urine samples from the co-pilot and one flight attendant, and within five or seven days they will have at their disposal particular evidence determining whether the crewmembers had used alcohol or had done drugs prior to the fatal flight

Cypriot Coroners Question the Findings

"No one can question the findings of 6 coroners from afar," said Mr Koutsaftis responding to his two Cypriots colleagues. Cypriot coroners Marios Matsakis and Panikos Stavrianos described the conclusion that the passengers died at the time of the crash as hasty, since the results of the toxicological tests are still due. They also deemed the burial of the victims as early. Marios Matsakis requested the Cypriot authorities call experts form abroad to carry out a second autopsy, explaining that in case of a court procedure, no case can stand on one scientific opinion only.

At the same time, he made it clear that his opinion do not serve his personal interest, since he has stopped carrying out private autopsies.

On his part, Panikos Stavrianos pointed out that the findings should not have been publicized, since the results of the toxicological tests have not yet been produced. "There is a huge range of questions to be answered, before a coroner reaches a conclusion," he said and he went on to explain that his colleagues and himself are willing to offer their services voluntarily.

Greek chief coroner Filippos Koutsaftis called the aforementioned statements anti-scientific, unacceptable and provocative. Speaking on ASTRA radio station, Mr Koutsaftis underscored that no one can question the findings of six coroners, including Cypriot coroner Sophoklis Sophokleous, from afar.

He further added that there is no need for family members to wait for the toxicological tests to bury their loved ones. The biological material has been stored and can be used by the experts if needed.

As for Mr Matsakis statement that no case can be taken to court on one scientific opinion only, Mr Koutsaftis reminded that there are six of them who jointly sign the findings. Some of the bodies were in an extremely bad state, thus giving a hard time to the coroners, therefore, making statements from the safety of ones office on Cyprus is runs contrary to the scientific code of conduct, Mr Koutsaftis concluded.

Briefing Over Investigations

The President of Cyprus described the quick actions of all Greek authorities in relation to the air tragedy as very satisfying.

After his briefing by the Interior and Transport Ministers, Mr Papadopoulos noted, "The Greek authorities proceeded with effectiveness, speediness and sufficiency" and underlined the close cooperation between Greece and Cyprus. "We will follow the course of the investigations, and hope that in the end the truth will shine," he stated, while he said that the level of flight safety will be investigated in Cyprus, and independent experts will be called on when necessary. The Cypriot President and the Greek Ministers reassured that every possible effort will be made in order for the investigations to be completed within a short period of time.

On his part, Mr Pavlopoulos noted that the Greek government will not make conclusions before the findings of the relevant authorities are publicised, while Mr Liapis stated the excellent cooperation of the government with the Cypriot and American experts.

Many Questions, Few Answers

At noon, speaking to NET 105.8, Giannos Konstantinou, a passenger of a previous flight of the plane, revealed that during the flight from Larnaca to Athens, there was extreme heat and a suffocating atmosphere. "The conditions were unprecedented," he noted and added "when some of the passengers complained to the air stewards the latter replied that when the aircraft rose to greater heights, the temperature will drop, which did not occur even after the landing in Athens," concluded Mr Konstantinou.

Actually, as it was revealed, a person for 23 minutes was trying to land the Cypriot aircraft before its crash in Grammatiko. As per the report of the two F-16 pilots, which approached it, the unknown man managed to lower the aircraft to 7,000 feet, while following managed to ascend it in order to avoid turbulence, before its fall due to lack of fuel. Speaking to NET, the head of the investigation, Akrivos Tsolakis stated that one of the passengers knew how to fly a plane. Actually, as per information by NET 105.8, the fighter plane pilots saw two persons wearing oxygen masks in the pilots cabin, while oxygen masks were hanging in the passengers cabin as well.

A spokesperson of Boeing speaking to NET 105.8 claimed that the 737 are one of the safest airplanes, and noted that it is very important for the company to reveal the causes of the fall.

With reserved statements, and without ruling out any cause, the Boeing spokesperson stated: "There is the feeling that many things occurred at the same time, and not just one mistake of a malfunction. The 737 has multiple alternative systems in the case of engineering problems, such as loss of pressure, and for the pilots communication system." However, the specific aircraft had presented a pressure loss problem last December, which resulted in it being grounded for seven days for maintenance. As per information, "Helios was to withdraw it, even if two reports did not indicate the slightest problem," stated former Chief engineer Kyriakos Palivakis to NET 105.8.

Helios confirmed that the Boeing had presented a problem in pressure loss in the past, but claimed that the authorities did not question its maintenance.

Answers to the questions raised are expected from the decoding of the black box with the technical data in 10 days, while the second box with the conversations between the pilot and co-pilot has been found destroyed.

With the release of the findings, the view of American experts of the Boeing Company will also be evaluated. It is noted that a day before the tragedy in Grammatiko, another of the companys Boeing presented problems during its landing in Birmingham Airport.

Court Investigation in Cyprus

The General Prosecutor of the Cypriot Republic, Petros Kliridis, has given clear orders to the Cypriot police, in order to conduct an investigation over possible criminal actions, in relation to the fall of the Helios company aircraft. In the morning, a meeting between the General Prosecutor and the Chief of police interrogators, Giorgos Aristeidou, took place in the General Prosecution Offices, where the course of the investigations was discussed. "With directions by the General Prosecutor we are investigating the possibility of criminal acts," stated Mr Aristeidou after the meeting.

Furthermore, the cause of death due to the lack of preventive measures is the charge that the Cypriot police are investigating, in relation to the multi-fatality air tragedy. This was stated by its Deputy Chief Charalambos Koulentis, who stated that time is needed for the investigation to be concluded. As per Mr Koulentis, the priorities have been set and intensive efforts are being made for the speeding up of the case. However, he added that the work is huge, since much information and documents have to be investigated, in relation to the state of the aircraft, such as its mechanical condition and its operation. In closing, the Deputy Chief of the Cypriot police mentioned that the documents being studied have been collected by investigations in the central offices of Helios, in Nicosia, Larnaca and the airport in Larnaca.

In the meantime, Cypriot Transport Minister Charis Thrasou rejected information stating that checks were not performed in the aircrafts during the past eight months. Mr Thrassou said that he has a report of the Regional Civil Aviation Department in Great Britain, in which it is stated that 14 checks had been made in all the aircrafts of Cyprus airline companies, from January to August.

"The checks have been surely made and I take up the responsibility." However, he added that he cannot state with certainty the degree of the checks, and experts will answer to the above.

The Cypriot Transport Minister repeated that an in-depth investigation will take place and charges will be made to those responsible.

Deep Sorrow

Today in Larnaca, three of the 121 victims of the Boeing have been buried, while the Cypriot President, Tassos Papadopoulos, reassured that the case will be fully investigated and charges will be made to those responsible.

The UN General Secretary, Kofi Annan, sent a condolence letter to the Cypriot President, Tassos Papadopoulos, over the victims of the air tragedy. The letter was given to President Papadopoulos by the special representative of the UN in Cyprus Zbigniu Vlosovic on behalf of Mr Annan.

In his letter, Mr Annan expresses his and his familys warmest condolences, as well as the international organisation in Cyprus and other members of the Peace Corps.

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with you," writes Mr Annan, voicing his deep grief over the death of the passengers and crewmembers of the Boeing.

Related News:

Farewell

[02] A Study by a British University Natural Shield Against Arthritis

By Vagelis Theodorou

The beneficial results by the consumption of fruits and vegetable against arthritis is stated in a study by the University of Manchester published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. As per scientists, a glass of fresh orange juice daily can contribute to the prevention of the disease, due to specific carotenoids contained in fruits and vegetables. The scientists headed by Dr Alan Silman analysed data in a sample of at least 25,000 persons, in order to investigate the relation between dietary carotenoids and the danger of arthritis. During the study, from 1993 to 2001, the participants were observed over the frequency of arthritis affecting multiple joints. "This data adds to a growing body of evidence that some dietary antioxidants, such as the carotenoids beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin as well as vitamin C, may be protective against the development of arthritis," the scientists state.

Valuable Conclusions

During the study, 88 people developed arthritis, and were compared with 176 healthy persons. As it emerged, the average daily consumption of carotenoids, in particular beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin were 40 and 20% percent lower, respectively, for arthritis patients compared with healthy persons. By contrast, consumption of two other well-known carotenoids, lutein and lycopene, did not seem to protect against arthritis.

Further analysis of the data showed that subjects with the highest beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin intake were about half as likely to develop inflammatory polyarthritis than those with the lowest intake.

Combining the new data with conclusions from previous studies, the scientists underline that carotenoids can lower the inflammation with their antioxidant properties.

Carotenoids are natural substances existing in vegetables and fruits with a red, yellow or orange color, while they are also contained in leafy green vegetables. The darker the color of the fruit or vegetable the bigger its carotenoid content. Among the foodstuffs that contain the aforementioned substances are tomatoes, carrots, oranges, broccoli, pumpkins, peaches, apricots, melons, wild weeds and spinach.

As per studies, carotenoids exterminate free radicals and reinforce the immune system, while among the positive side effects is the prevention of ovarian cancer.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] An Invention by Japanese Scientists Robots With a Human Touch

By Vicky Keleri

Up to now they only resembled humans with their body characteristics, but as it seems robots will now acquire human senses. A team of scientists in the University of Tokyo created a type of electronic film, which will function just like human skin, which means that it will be able to feel cold, warmth and pressure. In this very thin plastic film a matrix of two sensors is embedded, one of which measures pressure while the other one temperature. For the recording of the stimuli and the changes two wires interlock the matrixes and measure the above. The construction of each matrix is done separately, and following they are connected in order to create the electronic skin. The distance of the sensors in each matrix is four centimeters, while its endurance to temperature and pressure is still being investigated. However, the head scientist Tokao Someya states that the teams priority is the development of the invention so that it can cover the body of the robot in the whole.

Future Ambitious Plans

E-skin has attracted the attention of the scientific world. Robotics specialist Max Lungarellam, who also works in the University of Tokyo, describes Someyas work as extremely interesting and very promising.

However, he expressed the fear that the possible operation of e-skin can cause electromagnetic problems to robots.

On their part, its creators rule out that event.

Actually, they claim that their invention will have greater capabilities, even more than human skin.

As per the scientists, the future model of e-skin will contain light, moisture, power and ultrasound sensors.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Settlers Clash with Israeli Soldiers Pullout Amid Violence

By Vagelis Theodorou

The violent removal of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip took place amid incidents, after the end of the deadline for their voluntary withdrawal at midnight. And while half of the Jewish settlers that inhabited the 21 settlements have left, Israeli security forces and soldiers raided houses, and forced whoever ignored the ultimatum to board on busses. The Israeli soldier operation caused violent clashes, while a woman set herself on fire in protest. Moreover, a Jewish settler shot and killed three Palestinians and wounded another three. In the meantime, Israeli PM Ariel Sharon has taken up the responsibility for the evacuation of the settlements, while the European Union and Hamas expressed their satisfaction over the withdrawal of settlers from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Forces Determined

55,000 soldiers and policemen are participating in the settlements evacuation operation, while they have been ordered to remove the resisting settlers. Moreover, soldiers have cleaned out 366 buildings, some of them public.

As the Israeli authorities announced, 832 out of the 1,550 recorded residents of the Gaza Strip settlements have evacuated their houses. An important number of settlers continue to remain mainly in the Elei Sinai settlement, south of the Gaza Strip, where its residents refuse to withdraw, asking from the Ariel government to firstly give guarantees that they will be relocated in another area in the form of the pre-existing community.

At the same time, three Palestinians were killed and another three injured by the fire of a Jewish resident, in the settlement of Shiloh, in the southern part of the West Bank. According to sources, the victims, who worked at a neighboring settlement, were shot dead by the perpetrator who was in his vehicle and following policemen arrested him.

"I am responsible for this. Attack me. Blame me and not the soldiers," noted Ariel Sharon in a televised speech on Wednesday. Moreover, he described the pictures of the settlers withdrawal as "heart-breaking" and appeared optimistic over the future, concluding, "regardless of the difficulties, Israel will become more stronger from this situation."

It is noted that the families of Jewish settlers that have evacuated their homes will be compensated with around 400,000 dollars each.

Satisfaction by the EU and Hamas

In the meantime, the European Union described the Israeli withdrawal as an important first step towards the direction of the operation of the road map, the peace plan of the UN for the Middle East.

"The EU hopes that the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip will take place in the greatest possible order," stated a Commission representative, and called on the Israelis and Palestinians to cooperate for the full operation of the peace plan, which among others foresees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Hamas also expressed its satisfaction over the Jewish withdrawal of settlers, speaking of a great accomplishment for the Palestinians. In a Press interview given in Beirut, the head of the organisation Khaled Mashaal claimed, "this is an important step to acquire our rights, and the end of the settlement plans of Israel," and described the evacuation as "a start of a new era for the Palestinians."

"The withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is the beginning which will be followed by the West Bank and other areas. We will not surrender our weapons. We owe this withdrawal to the fights of the Palestinians," noted Mashaal among others and called on the Palestinians to celebrate the event.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Evacuation Deadline Ended

[05] Karamanlis-Papadopoulos Meeting on Thursday Discussions Over the Protocol

By Vagelis Theodorou

On Thursday, the Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis and the Cypriot President, Tassos Papadopoulos, who arrived in Athens on Wednesday, will discuss the stance of Athens and Nicosia, in view of the accession negotiations of Turkey with the EU in October. The two men are expected to discuss the European future of Turkey, and the developments after the signing of the Customs Expansion Protocol with the ten new EU Member-States by Ankara, as well as its statement that the signing does not mean a recognition of the Cypriot Republic. Moreover, the stance of Athens and Nicosia will be determined in the forthcoming Permanent Representatives Council on August 20 in Brussels, with the subject of Turkeys accession course, while the discussions will also focus on the recent air tragedy. "We will investigate all events and decide which is the best course for the good of all," stated Mr Papadopoulos before his departure from Larnaca Airport. On the question over what stance will Cyprus and Greece keep in the Council the Cypriot President stated that the meeting "falls in the context of the continuous and existing excellent cooperation and coordination with Greece."

After his meeting with Mr Karamanlis, the Cypriot President will hold consecutive meetings with the President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias and the leaders of the Opposition parties.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Tassos Papadopoulos in Athens

[06] Hassle for the Passengers Hoaxer Grounds Plane on Rhodes

By Athina Saloustrou

A hoax was played on the passengers of the Olympic Airlines 701 flight en route form Rhodes to Athens on Wednesday morning, hassling the passengers for half an hour. The flight was due to take off at 7:15pm. However, during the boarding process, an unknown hoaxer called and claimed that a bomb had been planted on the airliner in question. Luggage and passengers were re-checked, and the airliner finally took off at 8:50pm.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] More than 100 Illegal Immigrants Missing Shipwreck in Colombia

By Vagelis Theodorou

The dreams of a better life by more than 100 illegal immigrants from Ecuador, seemed to have sank, just like their ship they were aboard on in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Colombia. According to the Colombian Navy, a fishing boat in the area managed to save seven men and two women, however the passengers on the boat are expected to be more than 120, while its capacity was for only 15. Colombian Naval forces rushed to the scene, and are combing the area in order to locate the missing persons. The ship sailed without a permit on Tuesday from Manta port in Ecuador destined for Central America, while the tragic accident took place off the island of Malpelo, Colombia.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Approved by Government Committee Measures for Saving Energy

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA - NET - NET 105.8

A series of measures aiming at reducing the oil consumption due to the meteoric rise in oil prices, was adopted on Wednesday by the government committee that held a meeting chaired by the Greek PM. Exiting the meeting, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas announced that by April 2006 will have replaced the oil boilers with have been replaced with natural gas boilers in all the public buildings in Athens, Thessaloniki and Thessali. An extensive programme has been scheduled to be implemented in schools, hospitals and private enterprises with the latter being offered special incentives. Furthermore, compensation capacitors will be installed to tackle any problems triggered by the increased need for electricity. Mr Sioufas pointed out that the system has already been implemented in Central Greece and Peloponnisos and as per planning, it is to be introduced throughout the country by 2006.

National Council for Energy Policy

At the same time, the Development Minister announced that the biddings over the natural gas in further 11 municipalities throughout Greece with the participation of three companies are to be completed.

The inner cabinet committee also decided on the establishment of a National Council for Energy Policy aiming at shaping both a medium-term and a long-term policy on energy sector.

Furthermore, Mr Sioufas proclaimed the setting-up of an Institute Research for Energy authorized to grant permits for hydrocarbon searches.

He also said that the government is working on a Bill regarding the creation of a new type of company that will be named European Company (SE). The new company will be operating in European countries in accordance with the EU directives. The companys capital should exceed 120,000 euros.

Strong Reactions

PASOK parliamentarian responsible for Development, Competitiveness and Policy Consumers Matters Anna Diamantopoulou lashed out a harsh criticism against the decisions of the inner cabinet committee, claiming that they do not add anything new.

She also accused the government of confining itself to statistical data over major issues, including profiteering and the implications of oil prices on the Greek families.

"The announcements are part of the governments wider communicative policy. Ahead of Thessaliniki International Fair (TIF), Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis is announcing his governments intentions just to conceal the lack of work and strategy as well as the countrys unfavourable course," she said.

On its part, SYN blamed the government for employing numerical tricks and fictional comparisons aiming at concealing profiteering, "which prevails over the ring of interests that controls the refinery, trading and movement of oil products in Greece."

"The long-lasting lack of energy policy coupled with the excessive partial dependence of Greece on oil, cannot be dealt with desultory measures, especially when the natural gas is also expensive compared to the rest of the European countries," the announcement concluded.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Unleaded at 95.3 Eurocents in Greece Concern over Oil

By Vicky Keleri

The price of oil in global markets has recorded a slight fall, since investors estimate that there will be an increase of resources in the US. In particular, in New York, the US crude is at 65.91 dollars, while in London at 64.70 dollars. However this development does not worry the experts, who speak of a temporary occurrence. In Greece, as per latest data by the Ministry of Development, the average price of unleaded is at 95.3 eurocents a litre in 2,300 gas stations. In the meantime, its was announced that the Competition Committee is running the stretch over the issue of findings, in relation to the fines imposed in the cases that a breach over protection of competition in the fuel market has been observed.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Greek Team Up A Step

By Ilias Papaioannou

The Greek national football team went up a step in the FIFA world rankings, since from no 19 to no 18. There, with 696 points is very near to its upcoming opponent for the World Cup preliminaries, Denmark. Brazil remains in the first place of world rankings with 837 points, followed by Argentina with 782 points, and the Netherlands with 780.

Top Ten Teams

1. Brazil 837 points

2. Argentina 782

3. The Netherlands 780

4. Czech Republic 777

5. Mexico 770

6. US 768

7. Great Britain 743

8. Spain 739

9. France 737

10. Portugal 737

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Funeral Tomorrow at 16:00 in1st Athens Cemetery Last Goodbye to Vicky Moscholiou

By Vicky Keleri

Since morning, the coffin of Vicky Moscholiou, who lost the battle against cancer on Tuesday, has been laid out for public viewing at the Chapel of the Athens Cathedral. Swarms of everyday people, who loved her voice and songs, are gathering at the Chapel to light a candle in her memory. Her two daughters and grandchild, as well as artists that collaborated with her, and former footballers that knew her from the time of her marriage with PAO player Mimis Domazos stood by her side. The deceaseds wish was that instead of wreaths, money should be given to cancer research foundations in a special account, which has been opened. The funeral service will take place tomorrow at 14:00 in the Athens Cathedral, while the burial of the great dame of Greek music will take place at 16:00 in the Athens 1st Cemetery with public expenses.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Uninvited Guests

By Vagelis Theodorou

Are you getting ready to enter holy matrimony with your other half and are scared that there wont be enough guests, a fact that will that cast a shadow over your social status? A company in India has come up with the solution to the above, and will supply every wedding with guests! "Best Guest Centre," based in Jodhpur, rents guests and equips them whatever the bridegrooms heart desires, depending on what their bank accounts can afford. The so-called guests enter the mystery dressed traditionally, or they come dressed with western attire for black-tie events, dance and promise to surprise everyone with their good manners, and without anyone knowing that they are actually rented. Of course, before the wedding, the so-called guests attend seminars about the bride, groom and their families, in order to familiarise themselves with their background. According to the owner of the company, the idea arose from the deterioration of family ties, and his next aim is for the expansion of its services throughout the country.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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