The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gait Against Theft

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: New Scientist

How would you fancy the idea of a single stride or a gait functioning against theft? No, it is not science fiction, but an invention of a team of Finnish scientists promising to protect your cell phone from would-be thefts. The researchers at the VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland developed a pretty original cell phone equipped with sensors recording the users pace rhythm. Every now and then, the device measures the current pace rhythm and compares it to that stored in its memory to make sure it is still in the possession of its owner. Should correspondence fail, the cell phone asks the users to insert a password to allow them to make calls or access its memory. Heikki Ailisto of VTT, noted that the method in question is much more effective than just inserting an access code, such as a pin, or using fingerprints, since the monitoring is constant and steady. "It records walking style in the first few hours and constructs what we call a gait code," he explained.

Small in Size, Great in Efficiency

The sensors measure 3 millimetres x 2mm x 2mm, while similar ones have already been installed in cell phones allowing the users to play games by just shaking their gadget.

The gait code is a biometric method for identifying a person. It usually analyses a video of a subject as they walk past a camera and is deemed less reliable than analysing fingerprints or iris.

Mr Ailisto, however, underlined that the cell phone manufactured at VTT identified its being carried by another than its legitimate holder 98% of the time.

He did not miss to add, though, that the method has limited capacities. The results it yielded were pretty promising when the phone was placed on a users belt rather than in a bag. High heels also seem to have influenced the gadgets efficiency, while Mr Ailisto noted that the users are advised to turn it off in case they have a few drinks.

The Finnish team of scientists is looking for a cell phone company to help make the product available to the market.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[02] Referendum on Iraq's Constitution Awaiting the Results

By Vagelis Theodorou

Under the scrutiny of 100,000 policemen and with traffic bans, as well as amid a power sabotage that knocked out power to Baghdad and four blasts, the referendum on Iraqs Constitution was complete at 5pm (local time). Election workers in certain polling stations have already started hand counting the votes, while the final results are to be released in three days the latest, said Adel Lami an official of Iraqs Independent Electoral Commission. As per the Electoral Commission, the turnout amounted to 61%. However, this percentage is differentiated, since it reached 66% in some provinces, while in others it did not exceed 30%. Iraqs draft Constitution will be approved should 50% of the population says "yes", while the voting is to be viewed as failed in case it does not receive the majority in three of the 18 provinces of the country. The Shia and Kurdish populations are in favour of the Constitution. On the contrary, the Sunnis, who make up the 20% of the population, oppose to it. According to estimations, the Constitution is to enjoy the Iraqis approval paving the way both for the parliamentary election on December 15 and for the gradual withdrawal of the US military troops from the country. US President George W. Bush voiced his gratification over the voting describing it as a step towards democracy.

It is noted, inter alia, that the new Constitution defines Iraq as a federal democracy with Islam being its official religion and Arabic and Kurdish being its official languages. It also provisions equal rights to everyone.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[03] Distribution of Oil Continues Heating Oil Burns

By Vagelis Theodorou

Heating oil, which started being distributed on Friday, is more expensive by 25% due to the upward spiral of the black gold in the international markets. In Athens, the heating oil is distributed with prices ranging from 58 to 60 cents per litre, while prices are up by 2 cents in the Greek provinces. In particular, prices in Athens and Thessaloniki range from 58.9 to 61.4 cents per litre, while prices stand at 63 cents per litre in Peloponissos. Heating oil is expected to be rather pricey in the islands of the Aegean and the Ionian Sea, where prices start from 65 cents per litre. Supplying the market with heating oil continuous at a fast pace, while the refineries officials assured that oil stocks are to suffice for quite some time. However, consumers do not seem to rush to fill the tanks because of the favourable weather conditions, while the apartment block tenants should first settle everything that relates to the Tax Number, for it is necessary for receiving the heating oil.

Advice for Consumers

Consumers can contribute to the battle against smuggling and profiteering by taking simple measures of self-protection.

As per General Consumers Federation of Greece (INKA), knowing exactly how many litres an oil tank can take and observing the delivery process are the first steps consumers can take to protect themselves.

At first, consumers are advised to involve themselves in a thorough market research so that the best possible price is achieved, while they should be rather cautious in cases of surprisingly low prices, since this may be indicative of bad quality oil. However, determining the quality of the oil is a tedious task and the consumer can do nothing but check its colour, which should be reddish.

Note that the oil delivery requires the buyers tax number be included on the receipts, as well as a retail receipt be issued by the heating oil traders, a measure that seeks to combat smuggling and profiteering.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[04] Papandreou Criticises the Government Wide-Ranging Accusations

By Vagelis Theodorou

Speaking at a meeting of the partys Regional Committees members in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, President of PASOK George Papandreou made harsh criticism against the government, on issues of transparency and morality. "It is a government of didacticism, and not morality, of big words and not honesty," noted Mr Papandreou, stating that PASOK has a different notion. "We are not the same, we have other policies and we can lead the country forward, as opposed to New Democracy which cultivates defeatism," said the leader of the Main Opposition Party, and added "we are not the same passive managers of misery as the ND government, which wastes a huge amount of credibility and prestige capital of Hellenism, and negatively educates the new generations with its policies." Referring to the economy and Public Administration, Mr Papandreou accused the government of redistributing burdens, benefiting the powerful and contravening meritocracy, while in relation to the FYROM issue he spoke of an irresponsible policy. "Every so often Mr Papandreou pretends to be a morality preacher. But it seems he is doing otherwise, since he has forgotten to ask for explanations from a former Minister and high-rank member of PASOK on an issue puzzling Greece: Are accusations headlining big European newspapers over bribery real?" commented government spokesperson Thodoris Rousopoulos.

Criticism and Accusations

As Mr Papandreou claimed, funds for development are daily lost, and the government is receiving high cost loans in order to decrease deficits, while he personally accused the PM of citing financial tightness, in order to not support under-privileged classes, as in the case of the heating oil benefit.

Moreover, Mr Papandreou described unemployment as the countrys major problem, noting that during ND rule, 100,000 positions were lost. On the other hand, as he stated, PASOK will proceed with changes based on social sensitivity, as his programme is based on the protection of employment, and the security of the employee.

Referring to foreign policy, and more specifically the latest developments on the FYROM issue, the leader of the Opposition underlined that the government creates fear and insecurity. "There are no feverish diplomatic actions and initiatives," noted Mr Papandreou, adding that the problem with the neighbouring country was created by the dead-end policy of 1990-1993, while the thereafter PASOK governments, utilising the interim agreement, managed to find a respectable solution. "Today, the government is making even worse and unfavourable decisions," said the President of PASOK accusing the government of not assuming its political responsibilities, and attempting to transfer them to the people and the Opposition.

Furthermore, Mr Papandreou claimed that the government views the Public Sector as a fee tail, contravening with meritocracy and undermining independent authorities, while he condemned the fact that thousands of new services and organisations have been created, as well as thousands of new positions to be filled by ND followers. He also accused the government of making 475 hires daily in the Public Sector, while removing 23,000 Public Administration employees with PhDs and credentials, whilst placing high school graduates in their place.

"They utter big words, but are not honest to the people," noted Mr Papandreou, and concluded: "We brought credibility back to the countrys political life."

Candidates with Common Interest

Speaking about PASOKs policy in the Municipal and Prefecture elections, Mr Papandreou stated that the aim is for the partys candidates to be chosen by the criterion of public interest, and to be most capable and suitable, in order to support the changes PASOK will bring forth in the Local Administration as government, after a new wave of decentralisation. He also referred to the decentralisation of the candidate selection process, noting that at least 80% will emerge from the regional bodies of the party.

PASOK National Council Secretary Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou accused the government of attempting electoral manipulation through the Local Administration by the implementation of 42%, while she voiced the crucial role played by the Regional Committees in the selection of candidates. "PASOK is on the lead, more dynamically, collectively, with unity and a plan," noted Mrs Xenogiannakopoulou.

On his part, PASOK MP Theodoros Pagalos stated that the main opponents of the party in Municipal and Prefecture elections are the Right Wing powers, and asked of PASOK members to give an election fight for Public Administration, based on rules "in a fight were games of ambitions and small-heartedness do not fit, as it had occurred in the past."

The procedure of the emergence of candidates was presented by the Electoral Procedures Committee and Nikos Salagiannis, while the organisational issues were developed by Thanasis Tsouras and the economic by Tilemachos Chitiris. The latter announced the financial support with coupons that will be sealed by the Greek Parliament, while its results will be made public.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] An Olympic Airlines Boeing Safely Landed Hassle in the Air

An Olympic Airlines Boeing returned to the Athens International Airport at 20:30 on Saturday, after a crack was presented on the external glass of the cockpit while en route from Thessaloniki to Frankfurt. The incident occurred 35 minutes after its takeoff from the Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki, while flying over the FYROM. The pilots immediately reported the problem to the tower control and were instructed to return to Eleftherios Venizelos in Athens for security reasons. The landing was successful, with the seven-member crew and the 145 passengers on board being in sound health. The Olympic Airlines will offer another airliner to facilitate the passengers. As per the engineers, the problem is likely due to a problem presented in the organ that heats the particular spot lest sharp changes in temperature should break the glasses.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Four Injured One in Serious Condition Blast in Gas Station in Turkey

A powerful blast in a gas station rocked Istanbuls business centre of Maslak shortly before 9 on Saturday night. Although no fire broke out, the shock wave pulled down the roof of the fuel station, while the door of a car that had just had its tank filled was thrown 100 metres away. The blast injured four people, one of whom being treated in a serious conditions. Policemen rushed to the site and sealed it off. The causes of the blast are investigated with the flash evidence leaving the possibility of a bomb blast open.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Death Toll From Earthquake Rose to 38,000 Death Toll to Rise in Pakistan

By Vagelis Theodorou

A week after the deadly earthquake struck Pakistan, the account becomes more and more tragic day after day. Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao stated that the 7.6 magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of 38,000 people, injured some 62,000 and left 3.3 million people homeless. Describing the dramatic situation the country is involved in, a spokesperson for the Pakistani security forces said that the earthquake victims are most likely to outnumber the victims in the wake of the disastrous tsunami that inflicted Southeastern Asia last December. At the same time, Indian-run Kashmir officials announced that 1,300 people were killed. The death toll is expected to rise even more, since, as Pakistani-control Kashmir President Anwar Khan said, there are still areas that the rescue crews cannot reach. To make matters worse, the heavy downpours and the snowstorm that hit the mountainous villages hamper the relief operation and give a hard time to the homeless. As per the weather forecast, the weather is expected to worsen, while the authorities warned of the danger of hypothermia. "Under these circumstances, these people will either freeze or suffer from hypothermia," underlined a spokesperson for the World Health Organisation. Meanwhile, the countrys government banned adoptions lest the children should fall prey to abuse and exploitation.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[08] Kliridis Released from Hospital

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

On Saturday, former President of the Cypriot Republic Glafkos Kliridis was released from Evangelistria Hosptial, where he was being hospitalised since last Monday. Mr Kliridis underwent angioplasty and remained in hospital for a week. His treating physicians appeared optimistic on his health condition, and reassured that they would closely monitor the former President, while Mr Kliridis said he felt very good and his doctors advised him to decrease the time he swims.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Panathinaikos Prevails

It took Panathinaikos one goal By Mantzios as early as in the 4 to defeat Akratitos and put the three points in the bag on match day six of the Greek football championship. Panathinaikos players did not perform as well as they could, yet they won and earned themselves a psychological advantage in view of their great game against Barcelona on Tuesday for the Champions League. The fact that 40,000 Panathinaikos fans attended the game made quite an impression.

Referee: Styliaras (Aitoloakarnania)

Yellow Cards: Obradovic, Merino, Pipinis

Lineups:

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Kotsios, Goumas, Seric, Vintra, Conceicao, Darlas (86` Leontiou), Wooter (67` Nilsson), Gonzales, Mantzios, Gekas (62` Torghelle).

AKRATITOS: Stelea, Macquet, Obradovic, Sales (80` Skoufalis), Marinesku, Paganin, Badas, Merino, Vanoli (62` Pipinis), Zuela, Defrancesco (73` Vujovic).

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Goalless Tie

In a game that lacked quality, Apollon Kalamarias and Aigaleo ended the game in a goalless tie and shared a point each on match day six of the Greek football championship. None of the two teams made the best of the few attacks they launched and therefore the result is fair for both.

Referee: Koukoulakis (Heraklion)

Yellow Cards: Amponsah, Murawski, Fitanidis / Cesarec, Papoutsis

Lineups:

APOLLON KALAMARIAS: Kovac, Amponsah, Fitanidis, Ioannou, N. Papadopoulos, Petkakis, Karamanlis (82 Matjiasevic), Murawski, Cleyton, Parmaxidis (59 Papas), Wellington (89 Mouzaoui).

AIGALEO: Sidibe, Papoutsis, Edusei, Zapropoulos, Psomas, Tsatsos (46 Nikolopoulos), Maric, Fotakis, Manousakis (78 Chloros), Cesarec, Honos (61 Liapakis).

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Atromitos Returns to Victories

Skarmoutsos of Atromitos scored the only goal of the game in the 16 and gave his team the victory against Levadiakos at the opening game of match day six of the A Division Championship. On the other hand, Takis Lemonis team deserved more than that, but its goalless offence deprived it even of the point of a tie.

Referee: Ch. Vasiliou (Thessali)

Yellow Cards: Dimos, Mikes, Doe

Lineups:

ATROMITOS: Mihailidis, Papas (82 Georgiou), Mikes, Sotirhos, Halaris, Koutsis, Dimos (52 Karadimos), Geladaris, Korakakis, Zaharopoulos, Skarmoutsos (64 Doe).

LEVADIAKOS: Zaphiropoulos, Dimitropoulos, Pastos, Dimou, Kallimanis, Masara (60 Alex), Chrisaphis, Rusev, Basala (76 Veletanis), Zisopoulos (89 Iordache), Gourma.

Translated by Areti Christou

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