The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-06

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Victory, Sole Goal

By Vasilis Kalpinos

From the moment the Greek team lost first place and hence automatic qualification to the Mundial finals, the only thing left is to rank second in the group. After the gift Turkey offered when they tied with Denmark, Greece has re-entered the quest for qualification. The first obstacle is tomorrows match against Kazakhstan, during which the European champions will surely go after victory, which will bring them even closer to their primary goal.

Papadopoulos Out

Dimitris Papadopoulos will have to abstain from this important match. The Greek forward was injured during today's afternoon training and apparently will not make it to Wednesday's match versus Kazakhstan.

The unfortunate turn of events regarding Papadopoulos, differentiates the coach's plans, as Rehhagel wanted him in the lineup.

Otto System

Perhaps the opponents are not that strong, however Wednesday's match acquires a different gravity since Greece is laying one of its last cards on the table to rank second in the group and hence come one step closer to qualifying to the World Cup finals.

After the training, the German coach handed out the system he intends to follow in the match. Having Papadopoulos out due to the injury, Otto is not willing to change the system; he will simply change the players. 4-3-3 is his original choice with Charisteas on top and Giannakopoulos and Gkekas on the sides. In Rehhagel's mind though, there is also the possibility of replacing Gkekas with Salpiggidis. However, there is still a chance he will change his mind altogether in the last minute.

After the training session, Rehhagel said the Greek team should not underestimate Kazakhastan and focus on their only goal, which is to win.

"We want victory. It is unacceptable to underestimate Kazakhstan. We are not stressed to score a fast goal, we need to be patient. Kazakhstan have nothing to lose; there are a team that run and put a lot of pressure on their opponents. As for us, we need to have the answers to their questions.

Group B Standings

1. Ukraine 24 points (10 matches) 2. Turkey 17 points (10 matches) 3. Greece 15 points (9 matches) 4. Denmark 13 points (9 matches) 5. Albania 12 points (10 matches) 6. Georgia 9 points (9 matches) 7. Kazakhstan 0 points (9 matches)

The next matches for second place (Turkey, Denmark, Greece):

7/9/2005: Ukraine-Turkey, Denmark-Georgia, Kazakhstan-Greece 8/10/2005: Ukraine-Albania, Denmark-Greece, Georgia-Kazakhstan 12/10/2005: Albania-Turkey, Greece-Georgia, Kazakhstan-Denmark

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] A Trolley in Your Living Room?

By Vicky Keleri

Should you be of the opinion that old objects are useless and they belong to the rubbish bin, think it over! A growing number of designers is investing in trash designing, as they are making the most of the so called useless objects to offer brand-new suggestions. Colin Lovekin used a shopping trolley to create a metal chair. Lovekin discarded the front side of the trolley to turn it into a chair and he then processed its sides to make it comfortable and stylish. It was the fact that 100,000 shopping trolleys are destroyed every year that gave birth to this pretty unusual idea. This prototype chair is already at his house, while the 46-year-old Briton hopes that his creation will make it into the shops and that it will mark the beginning of a brilliant career in modern designing.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Feverish Preparations Ahead of TIF

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

A few days are left before the inaugural ceremony of the Thessaloniki International Fair and the PM Kostas Karamanlis speech. On Tuesday, the government committee held its last session ahead of TIF and focused mainly on the PMs speech. Although the members of the committee did not reveal the content of their talks, most Ministers, who have already submitted their contribution to the Premiers speech, argued that this years harsh economic conditions will avert the announcement of further provisions, as it was the case the previous years. However, the possibility of raising the public sector employees wages to balance the inflation level, as well as the possibility of raising the state benefits granted to families with many children, OGA and EKAS pensioners, is being considered. The government committee also discussed the draft law on public information. The draft law, which is to be posted in Parliament in the upcoming month, is expected to substantially help towards eradicating red tape and better assisting citizens, for it furthers the exchange of electronic documents and information among the public services.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Optimism Over Economy

[04] Papandreou's New Attack "Government Responsible for Soaring Prices"

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

PASOKs steering body held a meeting on Tuesday chaired by George Papandreou and discussed the markets high prices. Mr Papandreou launched a new attack against the government and blamed it for the soaring prices, while he spoke of deliberate negligence that favours profiteering at the expense of the consumers. Mr Papandreou requested the heating benefit be awarded to the low income earners and maintained that the government should return part of the taxes collected from the tax rise to the low income earners and described such a measure as "necessary and socially fair." ND stands for a new kind of profiteering and a new kind of poverty," PASOK leader pointed out and went on to call the draft law on the partnerships between the public and the private sector a "suit of corruption and opacity."

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] "The Government Honours its Pledges" Permanency in OTA

By Betty Savourdou

On Tuesday, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos voiced the governments commitment to undertake the permanency cost for around 10,000 contract workers, including municipal employees, school guards and people with special needs, when exiting his meeting with the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE),. The government is honouring its pledges irrespective of the harsh economic conditions and is settling the problems generated by former governments, underlined the Interior Minister. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue on the financing of permanency for more contract workers, including workers in welfare programmes and municipal police.

New Meeting in Two Weeks

We are in the right direction, said KEDKE President Paris Koukoulopoulos following his meeting with Mr Pavlopoulos.

On the issue of the welfare structures existing from 2nd CSF, Mr Koukoulopoulos added that it was agreed to extend financing through the EU funds and European programmes for a year and a half.

Both sides are to hold a meeting in two weeks time to discuss the thorny issue of municipal police.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Over Civil Servants' Salaries ADEDY Fire

By Vagelis Theodorou

In a Press conference today, ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) board harshly criticised the government over civil servants' salaries, asking at the same time for mass participation in mobilisation at the Thessaloniki International Fair this Saturday at 18:30. "Partial integration of benefits is not a new salary," stressed ADEDY President Spyros Papaspyros. At the same time, Mr Papaspyros warned the government that civil servants will not accept salary raises smaller or equal to inflation, not will they accept a negation of integrating all benefits to the salary. "Government choices reveal that pre-electoral commitments for revenue protection and meritocracy in the Public Sector were simply tricks to get more votes," underlined ADEDY vice president Ilias Vretakos. It should be noted that ADEDY is planning a series of discussions in Thessaloniki from 12 to 16 September in order to present suggestions for a wide range of issues concerning employees, immigrants, politics and culture.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] In Herakleion on Crete Boy Dies in Tonsils Operation

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

A tonsils operation proved fatal for a nine-year-old boy from Herakleion, Crete. The boy had been admitted to Agios Georgios private clinic without apparent health problems. However, during the operation, he sustained two heart attacks and was transferred to the citys University Hospital. On Tuesday, a coroner employed by his family is to conduct the autopsy.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Talks in Parliament Ended Iraqi Constitution Printed

By Vagelis Theodorou

The new Iraqi Constitution will be printed in the form presented on August 28 without any changes to the draft. A senior member of the parliamentary drafting team, Bahaa al-Araji, said that talks between the Shias and the Sunnis in Parliament ended on Tuesday noon without reaching an agreement on the amendments and five million copies of the draft Constitution would be printed, starting on Thursday. The text was adopted on August 28 by the Shias and the Kurds, despite Sunni objections, mainly on the federal nature of the State. Printing was supposed to have started the previous week, but informal talks between factions to try to appease Sunni Muslims with minor changes in wording held up the printing. The next test for the Iraqi Constitution will be on October 15, when the referendum will be held. If two thirds of voters in three of Iraqs 18 provinces cast a ballot against the constitution it will be vetoed and the drafting process will start again under a new interim Assembly to be elected in December. If the constitution is approved, the parliament elected in December will serve a full term. However, several Sunnis have announced they will hold a "No" campaign against the referendum.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Five-Point Proposal European Plan on Oil Crisis

By Athina Saloustrou

A five-point plan to deal with oil price gouging was at the focus of the weekly European Commission meeting today. In particular, after the measures proposed by the Commission focus on the limitation of energy demand, the increase of alternate environment-friendly energy sources, in order to have a gradual reduction of oil use and increase transparency and reliable predictions for the developments in oil markets. What is more, the proposal includes the reinforcement of oil offer, natural gas and distillation possibilities, while it also underlines the need for a more effective answer to emergencies regarding oil reserves. Based on Community legislation, Member-States ought to have reserves enough for 90 days. Lastly, it is noted that in June the Commission adopted the Green Bible for the effectiveness in energy use, while an action plan for saving energy will be presented in mid-2006.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Italian Foreign Minister in Athens "Si" for Turkey

By Vagelis Theodorou

Italian Foreign Affairs Minister and Italian government Vice President Gianfranco Fini, who visited Athens, voiced Italys accordance with the counter-statement issued by the British rotating presidency of the EU with regard to Turkeys refusal to recognise the Republic of Cyprus. At his meeting with his Greek peer Petros Molyviatis, Mr Fini expressed his belief that the EU would be making a mistake should it poses certain conditions regarding the accession talks to be met by Turkey, however, he called on Ankara to recognise Cyprus. Meanwhile, the Italian politician congratulated Greece on its stance and voiced his hope that Turkeys accession talks will commence on October 3. On his part, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Petros Molyviatis underlined that Greece and Italy wish to jointly work on safeguarding peace in the wider area of South-eastern Europe. "The driving force to achieve all these is nothing but our neighbours European prospects," concluded Mr Molyviatis.

Earlier, Mr Fini held talks with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. The talks focused on the two countries bilateral relations, the Cyprus issue, Turkeys course in Europe as well as the fiscal policy and the EU enlargement.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] By the Markets' Representatives Concern Over Real Estate Purchase

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The representatives of the real estate owners and the constructors held a joint press conference on Tuesday, during which they proposed a three-year suspension of 19% VAT in newly constructed buildings as of 1 January 2006 as well as the gradual rise in the objective values by 10% annually for a period of three years. In the press conference, head of the Panhellenic Federation of Real Estate Owners of Greece Stratos Paradias and Building Constructors Association President Dimitris Kapsimalis voiced their deep concern over the advanced reforms with regard to the real estate purchase and estimated that they will freeze the market and that the rents will post a 50% rise. At the same time, they noted that the soaring oil prices will trigger further rises and pointed out that the VAT will be applied on the market prices, thus transferring the burden to the buyers. On their part, the estate agents requested that the objective values be announced and that the transfer tax be reduced by one point annually.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Oil Prices Appear Unstoppable Oil Generates Large-Scale Shock

By Athina Saloustrou

A large-scale oil shock is striking global economy, and for the time being there are no indications that oil prices will stop their upward spiral. "Todays price levels are not far away from the levels oil price reached during the great shock at the late 70s," said in Tuesdays press conference OECD chief economist Jean-Philippe Cotis and added, "the situation in oil markets remains highly strained." However, Mr Cotis praised the significant improvement the developed countries posted regarding their efficiency on the energy sector and noted that the developing countries did not follow suit. Furthermore, OECD chief economist stated that the Organisation revised the estimations on the economy growth rates and made clear that the implications following hurricane Katrina and the rise in oil prices in international markets were not taken into account. Mr Cotis also voiced his belief that the euro zone in 2005 will grow by 1.3% instead of the previous estimations that spoke of 1.2% growth, while with regard to the US GDP he agreed with the 3.6% growth rate estimation for this year.

Revision for Growth

With regard to British and German economies, Mr Cotis called for lower growth rates, 1.9% instead of 2.4% for the UK and 1% instead of 1.2% for Germany. On the other hand, he appeared optimistic about the French economy calling for higher growth rates, 1.6% as opposed to 1.4%, while regarding the Italys economy he estimated a 0.2% rise.

The international organisation believes that the time has not yet come for the European Central Bank to tighten its monetary policy. The US Federal Bank, on the other hand, should keep raising the US interest rates, but at a slower pace. Hurricane Katrina will prove quite a shock for the inflation and the American household in the long run, OECD warned.

Translated by Areti Christou

[13] Research by American Scientists Positive Thinking Relieves Pain

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: BBC

Positive thinking against pain can have the same results as a morphine injection claim American scientists of Wake Forest University, stating that only the notion that one suffers less can work as a pain reliever. In order to reach this conclusion, the team of scientists observed the reactions of 10 healthy volunteers during a special experiment. A heat simulator, which created pain, was placed on the volunteers legs, while at the same time their brain activity was monitored by a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Following, the volunteers learned to match different levels of pain caused by the stimulator to specific sounds. It is noteworthy that the heat did not cause burns or damage to the volunteers skin.

Works Like Morphine

In some cases the pain stimuli was intentionally given wrongly. The scientists gave the volunteers the indication of a lesser pain than the one expected in order to create low pain expectations.

The results were indicative. After the completion of the experiment all 10 volunteers stated that they hurt less in the aforementioned cases.

As scientists observed, the expectation of less pain worked as a shot of morphine decreasing pain by 28%.

At the same time, brain activity in the sensory and the emotional centre decreased. "Pain is not solely the result of signals coming from an injured body region. Pain needs to be treated with more than just pills. The brain can powerfully shape pain, and we need to exploit its power," stated Dr Coghill.

On his part psychologist Dr Ed Keogh of Bath University described the research as important, and stated that it reconfirms the notion that they way we think affects our feelings. "This may have important implications for the way in which we prepare people for potentially painful events such as going to the dentist, childbirth or an operation," he stated.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] Hi-tech Clothe Peg

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: BBC

A smart device that enables you to protect your washing from sudden downpours and yourselves from minor breakdowns following such an incident, was constructed by Oliver MacCarthy, a student at Brunel University. It is a revolutionary hi-tech clothe peg that can predict weather conditions. As soon as it senses any changes in air pressure, it sends electrical signals to metal strips. Olivers personal and endless experiences of soggy pants inspired him to use it as a theme for his final year project. Unfortunately, Olivers smart pegs cannot protect the clothes once they are hung. It has not yet been specified when the new device enters the market, however, Paul Turnock, design director at Brunel University, believes that the hi-tech clothe pegs will soon make it into the market and that it is going to be a hit.

Translated by Areti Christou

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