The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Olympiacos Prevailed in OAKA 2-0 Red Derby

By Stathis Petropoulos

Olympiacos were the ones to rejoice at the premiere of the 27th Professional Championship, after prevailing over Panathinaikos 2-0 in OAKA at a match marked by the explosions of adrenaline, which resulted in the removal of two players for Panathinaikos. Ieroklis Stoltidis in the 35' and Predrag Djordjevic in the 86' scored the two goals for the guests.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Is Ageing Curable?

By Tina Valaoura

Researchers in the USA claim a protein provides more thread for the spindle of Fate Klotho, who according to ancient Greek mythology span the delicate thread of human life and thus controlled its length.

Scientists of the Southwestern Medical Center at the Univesrity of Texas claim the secret of the gene, which was discovered in 1997 and was aptly called Klotho since it seems to play a dominant role in the ageing processes- comes down to the production of a specific protein. In the case of mice, the protein in question operated in the form of a hormone (controling the production of insulin), which proved to extend life expectancy from 19% to 30%.

So, is this the beginning of the end of old age? "It could be one of the significant steps for developing anti-ageing therapy," said Dr. Makoto Kuro-o, assistant professor of pathology and senior author of the study published in today's online issue of Science Express and appearing in an upcoming issue of Science.

The human organism has a very similar version of the gene and scientists hope it will show a way to improve our declining years. Klotho seems to delay many of the effects of old age, like the weakening of bones, clogging of the arteries and loss of muscle fitness.

However, there is always a "but". The hormone, which was tested on mice, showed that it interacts with insulin in such a way it increases the danger of diabetes. What is more, the anti-ageing effects were not so spectacular in female mice, while the male mice with higher levels of the protein in their blood manifested fertility problems.

It is understood, then, that the "youth gene" needs to be thoroughly studied before being used to the benefit of human health. What can we say? Only Lachesis, Klotho's sister who determined the future, has the answer

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Announced by Education Minister Mrs Giannakou Changes in Education

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: Vima Sunday edition

In an interview in the Sunday edition of Vima, the Minister of Education, Marietta Giannakou, announced the unification of the regions schools for the achievement of a better result, replacement of schoolbooks from 2006, change of the entrance system to Universities and TEI and change of the educators evaluation. The Minister answering to criticisms over gaps in the system, fifteen days before the start of the new school year, stated that many new schools will be inaugurated "since the procedures have been importantly speeded up" in order to counter double work shifts. On the issue of gaps she stated "a large number of appointed teachers do not attend the start of the school year for different reasons" and added that the gaps will be recorded starting from the beginning of the year and will be covered by substitutes.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Theofilos Talks About Patriarchate

By Tina Valaoura

"Everything has fallen apart." In an interview given to the Sunday edition of Vima newspaper, the new Jerusalem Patriarch, Theofilos, describes the situation in the Patriarchate with the above phrase.

Mr Theofilos explains that there are dire financial problems, which need to be immediately countered, and taking a first step he received a grant by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in order to pay the priests salaries. At the same time, he states that tranquility and unity are apparent between the members of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood, and mainly that the fear, which was apparent in the past, has disappeared.

When asked about his predecessor Mr Eirinaios he calls on him to withdraw peacefully, "in order to not suffer the consequences caused by the recognition of the new Patriarchs election by the authorities. With the recognition, the Israeli Police which protects him will be immediately withdrawn," he states.

Moreover, he voices the need "for the shaken moral prestige and the credibility of the Patriarchate to be reinstated." Mr Theofilios questions the fact "that many who entered the Brotherhood act like politicians." "The clergymen ended up acting as political figures and I think this has to be dealt with. Greater attention has to be given as political powers lead us astray, the clergymen, in their own logic," says the new Jerusalem Patriarch, and underlines that what matters "is the upkeep of the ecclesiastical spirit."

Mr Theofilos top priorities are to reinstate relations with religions and Churches "which were disturbed and this was caused by the former Patriarchate with his unacceptable behavior."

He strongly denies rumors over an eminent danger of the Jerusalem Patriarchate being under Arab rule, and says, "the Patriarchate is a Patriarchate and belongs to all, either they are Greeks or Arabs. Our flock, the Arab speaking, is in great need of the Patriarchate."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Problems with Tires and Papers Turkish Airbus Grounded in De Gaulle

By Athina Saloustrou

The General Directorate of the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has grounded a Flyair A300 aircraft en route to Antalya, with 160 passengers, in Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. The airplanes certificates are not filled in correctly and a tire of the wheels presented a problem. The directors of the airport decided to postpone the flight for tomorrow. As per a passenger, who spoke to the French Press Agency, the other passengers are worried, while the information is scarce. "They told us that the pilot forgot the flight plan. When I asked the inspector over the aircrafts state he answered mediocre." Another A300 of the same company had been grounded by the DGAC last Wednesday. Passengers, concerned over their safety, refused to fly with the plane, which made an emergency landing after 20 minutes in flight, due to an engine problem. The passengers demanded to fly with another craft, which was chartered by Tunisair.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Bomb Attack in Ferry Boat Bomb Explosion in the Philippines

By Athina Saloustrou

The bomb explosion in a ferryboat in the northern Philippines has been traced to Islamic organization Abu Sayyaf, an Al Qaeda linked group. The explosion resulted in the injuring of at least thirty people, which have suffered serious burns, while the number of small children among the injured has not been clarified. Two soldiers who were patrolling the area were also injured. The explosion occurred near the cafeteria of ferryboat Dona Ramona, in Lamitan Port, on Balisan Island, 900km south of Manila, at the time when passengers were boarding the boat. The craft was ready to embark on its first route for the day to the neighboring port of Zamboanga. "An explosive device was hidden between gas tanks," stated local official Raymundo Ferrer. The attack "surely occurred to spread fear," he added.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Without the Accordance of Sunnis Iraqi Constitution Draft Ready

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, Shiites and Kurds, which compose the overwhelming majority of the Drafting Committee, the government and the Parliament, signed the final version of the Constitution draft bill of Iraq. On the other hand, the Sunnis, who rejected the draft bill, had boycotted the Parliamentary elections. "The final version has been signed," stated Sunni Khaled Al Atijia, a member of the committee, to the French News Agency, a statement that was confirmed by his Arab counterpart Monzer Al Fadal, who was elected in the Kurdish ballot. The signing paves the way for the adoption of the document by the Parliament, which is expected to convene even within the day, creating the backdrop for a political battle over the Constitution referendum, over which the government hoped would suppress the Sunnis revolt. The main disputes of the 15-member team of the Sunni Drafting Committee concern the federal regime in Iraq, which could lead to the independence of the Sunnis in the south, as it is happening with the Kurds in the north, endangering their interests in these petrol producing areas. The announcement, with the detailed reasons of the rejection of the Sunni side is expected to be made public within the day.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

(Dis)Agreement in Principle

[08] Five Persons Injured and Kamikaze Dead Suicide Attack in Israel

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, a suicide bomb attack in Beersheba, Israel, caused the injuring of five people while the kamikaze died. This is the first suicide attack after the evacuation of 21 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, last Monday. The perpetrator of the attack attempted to enter the central bus station, during morning peak time, the first workday in Israel. Guards in the entrance stopped him and following he detonated the explosives he carried. The condition of two out of the five injured is critical. "We avoided a deadly attack thanks to the preparedness of a bus driver, who did not let the kamikaze enter, as well as the two guards who intervened," stated Uri Rozen, an official of Beersheba. Up to now, no organization has taken responsibility of the attack. The extremist organization Islamic Jihad had stated that it would retaliate for the murder of five Palestinians by Israelis during a raid in the West Bank last week. The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, described the attack as a "terrorist act." "It is a terrorist act, which I condemn," noted Abbas to journalists in Ramallah, stating that his office will issue an announcement over this first suicide attack that took place after the Israeli August 22 pullout from the Gaza Strip.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Victorious Start

By Vasilis Kalpinos

With a goal in the extra time of the match, Apollo Kalamaria prevailed over OFI in the premiere of the Greek championship. Apollo were better throughout the match and were finally given the opportunity to open the score in the 20' with Wellington. The guests tied in the 42' with Triantafyllou, but in the extra time the Brazilian ace claimed victory for his team with 2-1.

Better Off

From the very beginning, Apollo Kalamaria were better showing their intentions from as early as the 7'. Dragan Kotovic's players came close to scoring, but Sifakis saved Matiasevic's strong shot, while six minutes Clayton's header hit on the post.

Apollo's supremacy paid off in the 20', when Ioannou passed to Wellington who found his way around Sifakis, thus opening the score. Following, OFI balanced the match but still did not show any aggressive tendencies. However, in the 42' Triantafyllou tied the score with a fine kick.

In the rerun, things remained pretty much the same without any goals. In the extra time, however, Pappas applied pressure on OFI's defense and kicked the ball to Sifakis' nets. The ball was headed to the post and Muzawi was there to make sure it would reach its destination, thus forming the final 2-1 in the first minute of the extra time.

Yellow cards: Karamanlis, Konstantakis, Roubakis, Hadjadrian, Papadopoulos

Line-ups

APOLLO KALAMARIA: Radivojevic, Fytanidis, Abonsa (46' Parmaxidis), Ioannou, Papadopoulos, Clayton, Matiasevic, Petkakis, Karamanlis (77' Pappas), Wellington, Muzawi

OFI: Sifakis, Arvanitis, Konstantakis (60' Dejanov), Roubakis, Davidson, Triantafyllou, Dentsas (65' Tomowski), Anastasiadis, Hadjadrian, Kazantis (90' Adamos), Koltzos

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Amazing Akratitos!

By Stathis Petropoulos

Akratitos amazed everyone tonight with their performance and victory over Iraklis with 3-1 in Ano Liossia and one thing is for sure; this victory plays a very important role for the rest of the championship, which just started. Coach Ilie Dumitrescu lined up a team, which included just one Greek player, Pipinis, but other than that did a very good job! In the 12', Gustavo passed to Sales in the area and he did not have a hard time opening the score. However, Dumitrescu's intense behaviour led to his removal from the field in the 36', but that did not seem to affect his players, since four minutes later they had one more chance with Marinescu.

Iraklis Gave Up

The half time ended with 1-0 and nothing changed in the rerun. The guests had literally given up and the home team had its way in the field. So in the 62', Sales was awarded a free kick and scored the second goal, while in the 90' De Francesco increased the score to 3-0. The only thing Iraklis could do was to score once in the extra time with Papapostolou, thus ending the match to 3-1.

Referee: Tsachilidis (Piraeus) Yellow cards: Maque, Papazacharias, Drougas

AKRATITOS: Stelea, Obradovic, Zuela, Paganin, Pipinis, Maque, Marinescu, Gustavo, Sales, Londo (46' Musundu), Vujovic (70' De Francesco)

IRAKLIS: Abaris, Drougas, Katsabis, Papazacharias, Snaucner, Lawal, Prittas, Murati (46' Papapostoou), Epalle, Lagos, P. Kapetanos (53' Herrera)

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Traffic Ring Returns

By Tina Valaoura

The last group of August holidaymakers is returning en masse today, hand in hand with the citys traffic ring. Starting from Monday, odds and evens get lined up with the help of the traffic ring, which will be in force from Monday through Thursday from 07:00 until 15:00. Fines will reach 166 euros for those who wish to play games with the traffic ring.

The enforcement of the current driving permits in the traffic ring is extended for one more year.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Extension for Traffic Ring Permits

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