The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Questions About the Frantic Race Black Gold Inferno

By Betty Savourdou

The continuously rising price of oil has turned into a nightmare for economies. On Monday it even exceeded 70 dollars a barrel, before stabilising to the levels of 68 dollars. At this hour, it has climbed to 68.45 dollars in the Asian markets. OPEC interim secretary voiced his concern for the ongoing oil price increase, noting that such a situation is not justifiable by the actual facts, while analysts speak of a profiteering scandal that will break cover in a year. Late on Monday night, the White House announced it will have to use strategic reserves to deal with distilleries current needs, which have increased due to hurricane Katrina. The frantic course of oil has set Greek households on fire, as in 20 out of the 69 areas were prices were recorded the average unleaded gasoline price exceeds one euro per litre. However, the average price for the total of the country is 97.6 cents per litre.

Profiteering Phenomena

At the Gulf of Mexico, oil refineries have shut down, just like the port of New Orleans, because of hurricane Katrina, thus increasing oil prices.

In particular, oil production at the Mexican Gulf has dropped by 650,000 barrels per day. According to analysts, the price inferno is expected to afflict the American economy. However, the Financial Times say black gold prices will increase even more.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali al Naimi announced his country is willing to increase oil production to balance the decrease of reserves that could be provoked in the global market.

However, special analyst Steve Forbes, publisher of the like named business magazine, estimated that the oil price increase is mainly due to a profiteering scandal that will break cover in year, leading the price back to 35-40 dollars a barrel.

"Oil demand mainly from China and India is very big, however there is no doubt there are profiteering games behind it," said Development Ministry Secretary General Nikos Stefanou on NET radio 105.8, further adding that in Greece we are paying for the cheapest fuel in Europe.

"Profiteering attacks have played an important role, but we need to realise that the oil horizon becomes narrower, while the oil demand increases," said SYN member Michalis Papagiannakis on the same radio station.

What is more, the price for natural gas has increased by 23%.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Oil Price Rise Continues

Related Links:

Financial Times

Forbes

[02] Rich in Antioxidants The Other Side of Coffee

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: Reuters

Europeans have red wine, Chinese have green tea and Americans have coffee. All three drinks have something in common. They are rich in antioxidants. The beneficial properties of the first two are well established. Now, American scientists point out that coffee is to be listed among the two, since it plays an instrumental role to the health of their countrymen. American experts said that thanks to coffees antioxidant properties, Americans take vitamins that fight damages to cells and to DNA. On the other hand, Joe Vinson of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania maintained that Americans avoid consuming sufficient quantities of fruits, vegetables, fibres, which are all high in antioxidant compounds. Therefore, coffee becomes their only source of antioxidants and helps them to take the nutrients they miss due to their bad eating habits.

It is Not The Best Source

Dr Vinson and his team presented the findings of their study to a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, and they made it clear that despite coffees properties, it is not the best source. Therefore, under no circumstances do they suggest coffee overconsumption and underline that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fibres are far better.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] For GSEE and DAKE at the TIF on September 10 Joint Rally

By Athina Saloustrou

The rally organised by the GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) in Thessaloniki on September 10, during the Prime Ministers visit in the 70th TIF, will have a unionist nature and will focus on claiming the demands of the unionist movement, but will not acquire a anti-government or party character. GSEE and ADEDY Presidents Christos Polyzogopoulos and Spyros Papaspyrou stressed so in a joint Press conference they gave on Tuesday noon in Thessaloniki. GSEE Secretary General and DAKE (Democratic Independent Workers Movement) President Kostas Poupakis formalised DAKEs participation in the rally, voicing disagreements in several parts, while he did not rule out the eventuality of withdrawing in case the demonstration acquires a different nature. GSEE and ADEDY presidents stressed the unionist movement has taken all necessary measures to safeguard the peaceful nature of the rally. Mr Polyzogopoulos contacted the Minister of Public Order, Giorgos Voulgarakis, to inform there will be a meeting with the Chief of Police in Thessaloniki regarding the rally. Mr Papaspyros asked for the attention of police authorities to avoid any incidents.

Of Purely Unionist Nature

The rally has been scheduled for 18:30 on Saturday afternoon, September 10, at the statue of El. Venizelos and will head towards Hanth square (where the Christian Brotherhood of Youth is located). Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis' speech is scheduled for 21:00 and will focus on the Government's economic policy.

"We are not coming to create problems to the city. We work to deal with problems and the unionist movement will not leave room for problems in Thessaloniki," said GSEE president.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Spectacular Increase of Arrivals in July-August Smiles Over Tourism

By Annita Paschalinou

Tourism in Greece for 2005 is expected to increase by 8%. In July and August tourist arrivals had a spectacular increase and as per the Institute of Tourist Research and Predictions, this tendency will continue in September and October as well. The Institute says this positive outcome is due to the Tourism Ministry actions, noting though that in the long run it will take significant improvements to the quality in order to keep the tourist product on high levels. The interventions necessary to improve quality were discussed this morning at the Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet Meeting

The estimations of the Tourist Research and Predictions Institute are very pleasing for the Economy of the country.

There has been a spectacular increase in arrivals since July, especially for Rhodes, Crete and Athens, which recorded a 13% increase in tourist arrivals.

During its meeting on Tuesday morning, the Cabinet focused on tourist policy issues. Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said this year is a positive one, noting that the ministry's communication campaign was to the point and the results will be even more positive in the future.

"Our country is back on the world tourist map," underlined Mr Avramopoulos and further added that to maintain this increasing tendency there needs to be a general tidying-up.

Mr Avramopoulos also announced a rich legislative work for the next months, which will include alternative forms of tourism in an effort to elongate the tourist season.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Turkey's European Prospect at the Focus Papoulias-Molyviatis Meeting

By Annita Paschalinou

Greeces national issues, Turkeys future in the EU and Cyprus topped the meeting held on Tuesday between the President of the Greek Republic and the Foreign Affairs Minister. "We favour Turkeys European prospect, it is a bipartisan choice of strategic nature," said Foreign Affairs Minister Petros Molyviatis noting that Ankaras last statement sparks a cluster of problems to be dealt with by the EU. He further added that Greece in cooperation with the Cypriot government is working on solving the problems that have risen. When questioned on Mondays strict warning addressed by French President Jacques Chirac against Ankara, he pointed out that the Greek government takes into account all opinions. "The Greek stance on Turkeys future in the EU will be discussed within the EU," the government spokesperson said.

Roussopoulos' Statements

Two days prior to the informal summit of the EU Foreign Affairs Minister in Britain, Turkeys accession talks have drawn the attention both of Greece and the EU. "Many talks are in progress within the EU, and the Greek stance on the subject is to be discussed," stated the government spokesperson, while with regard to the governments differentiated stance on the European prospect of Turkey and FYROM Mr Roussopoulos repeated what a great Greek political figure of the 20th century, Eleftherios Venizelos, once has said, "Foreign policy is to serve the countrys interest."

"It is impossible to have a common policy on every foreign affairs issue," Mr Roussopoulos added and he noted that this has always been the case and that it is rather wise.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] PASOK's Coordinators Meet Heated Dispute Over Education

By Annita Paschalinou

Following the accusations regarding the negligence of the Olympic venues, PASOK launched a new attack in relation to the suggested changes on education ahead of the opening day of the new school year. PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou accused the government of "Economic downgrade and disjointed moves on education." PASOK parliamentarian responsible for education issues Andreas Loverdos described the governments policy on education as the worst one since 1977. "The government avoids shouldering its responsibilities and has no intention of giving money for education issues," said PASOKs rapporteur for education Sylvana Rapti.

Communication Tricks

The government resorts to communication tricks and the way it approaches the countrys problems is superficial, pointed out Mr Papandreou and accused the government of causing problems to the country

As per information, PASOKs leader and parliamentarians are to visit schools on September 12, namely the opening day of this years school year.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Shocking Evidence for Four More Homes Unsuitable Homes for the Elderly Close Down

By Annita Paschalinou

The Health Ministry has asked Prefectures to proceed with the immediate implementation of laws and close down all homes for the elderly that do not comply with operation preconditions. The issue that came up with the unsuitable homes in Athens topped the agenda on Tuesday at an emergency meeting at the Health Ministry presided by deputy minister G. Konstantopoulos. Earlier, the Athens Prefecture had delivered the brief with all the evidence collected on the matter to First Instance Public Prosecutors Head Dimitris Papangelopoulos. The list of unsuitable homes for the elderly grows longer, as only 3 of the 16 already checked complied with rules and regulations.

Deputy Health Minister said that senior citizens residing in unsuitable homes that will close down will face nor residential problems, as there is a network of guest houses and hospitals that can provide shelter and care to all those people.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Probably Slaughtered in 1992-1995 Civil War Mass Grave in Bosnia

By Athina Saloustrou

The bodies of 19 Bosnian Muslims, including 12 women, who were slaughtered during the civil war between 1992 and 1995, were located in a mass grave 100 kilometres south of Sarajevo, said a source. DNA tests are to be conducted to determine the identity of the victims. All victims are believed to have been residents of the village of Lakat near Nevesinje, where Serbs outnumbered the rest national groups before the civil war. The slaughter in question must have taken place during July 1992. It is also believed that the bodies belong to five families aging 40-83. As per National Committee for the Missing, the mass grave was located thanks to the testimony of a person that survived the slaughter.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Several Meetings in Development Ministry Promises for Same Prices

By Vivian Papastefanou

The leadership of the Development Ministry held on Tuesday several meetings with the representatives of various trade sectors with a view to withholding prices. There will be no rises in dairy products, bread and detergents, said Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and he noted that Tuesdays meetings proved that the companies opt to absorb any cost rises lest they should lose their market share. Meanwhile, he announced that the meetings with the markets representatives are to continue, and he made it clear that his Ministry is not after a gentlemens agreement on steady prices, but it seeks to solve the problems of the productive line and not to conceal them.

They Will Absorb the Rises

Earlier, FAGE Chairman Giannis Filippou maintained that no dairy companies have informed the Development Ministry of rises in prices and he added that his dairy company intents to keep the same prices until the end of the year.

On his part, the President of the Hellenic Federation of Bakers Giannis Mousios stated that over the last 18 months, bakeries have been absorbing any rises in the production cost and have not burdened the consumer.

He also noted that the prices are determined according to the competition rules. As for the purchase of school materials, Deputy Development Minister Ioannis Papathanasiou said that the prices of school materials and stationery are the same with last year.

He admitted, though, that there are extreme cases, which are related to brand products.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] PAO's Stadium to Botanikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Sources: ANA

Athens Mayor Dora Bakogiannis presented the construction plan of Panathinaikos new stadium, which is scheduled to be built in the wider area of Botanikos. The project is expected to be completed within 2008 to coincide with the teams one hundred-year anniversary.

A Lifetime Dream

Panathinaikos have long been searching for a place to host its new stadium. Botanikos area is the best solution, where it is going to be built. This is what Athens Mayor Dora Bakogiannis stated on Tuesday when presenting the construction plan of the new stadium with a capacity of 35,000 to 40,000 seats.

"Panathinaikos, Athens football club, found a place to build its stadium within the limits of the Municipality of Athens, and a long-term and complete solution is given to the issue. 4,000 new jobs will be created during the construction period and 1,800 after it is completed. It will be easily accessed by all means of transport," said Mrs Bakogiannis exiting her meeting with PAE Panathinaikos head Giannis Vardinogiannis and the heads of the teams basketball section Pavlos and Thanasis Giannakopoulos.

Mrs Bakogiannis also referred to the restoration works in Goudi and Alexandras Avenue, where Panathinaikos historic seat lies. The works include the construction of a park and of facilities to house charity and trade events.

The new stadium will have a capacity of approximately 40,000 seats, while a roofed one with a capacity of 6,00-8,000 seats is to house the teams basketball section. "On this day, we can say that we turn the page and that Botanikos is upgraded. Panathinaikos participation has been instrumental, worthy of the teams history," added the mayor.

They Signed the "Dream"

Thanasis Giannakopoulos was the first to sign the construction plan, who said, "It is a great honour and I am deeply moved for I was the first to sign the dream. It has been decades. I am grateful to the Mayor for her understanding and he will to meet this goal."

On his part, Giannis Vardinogiannis stated, "This day belongs to the Municipality of Athens and mainly to the Mayor, who managed to solve the problem that had been burdening Panathinaikos for years. She proved that it takes a vision to achieve great things in Greece. Today we took the first deciding step. We cooperated with the Municipality and succeeded in ending up with a plan that upgrades the area around Alexandras Avenue and Botanikos."

Finally, Pavlos Giannakopoulos pointed out, "Being Panathinaikos member for 35 years, I am excited, for thanks to Athens Mayor Dora Bakogiannis the dream of Panathinaikos friends becomes true. We will be on alert until the project is completed."

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] New Era in Robotics House-Trained Robot

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: BBC

How would you like to own a domestic help, which during the day does house chores and at night watches over your household without you having to pay overtime? As the above is not humanely possible, everyone which demands all the above will find the help you need from the science of robotics. Already, Japanese scientists have designed a high tech domestic help, which can recognise ten different faces and understand 10,000 words. The robot was created by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and is named Wakamaru, it is one meter tall and weighs 30 kilos. Its price reaches 11,700 euros, while it operates on rechargeable batteries and moves on wheels. The manufacturing company believes that the robot will be offered to the Japanese markets by September. The companys administration believes that Wakamaru starts a new era where people and robots can cohabit, while as they state this is the first time that a robot with communication skills is introduced in the market.

Acts Like A Secretary

However, the capabilities of Wakamaru are not restricted only in the household. As its manufacturers state it can watch over the house when its owners are gone and warn them over unwanted intrusions.

It can also observe and record the condition of an ill person. Wakamarus capabilities do not stop there. According to Mitsubishi, Wakamaru can also take up secretarial tasks, since it can record messages and appointments while it reminds its owners over their tasks.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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