The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Fireballs Over Germany It Was Not UFO

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Reuters

The fireballs seen in the sky over Germany made many believe people that they were witnessing unidentified flying objects for the first time in their lives. To their disappointment, the scientific explanation given proved them wrong. NASA said that it was a phenomenon that has also been recorded to other countries and is due to the fact that the Earth is orbiting through a swarm of space debris.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] ND at 34.3%, PASOK at 31.8% ND in the Lead

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The difference between ND and PASOK in voter intention is 2.5 percentile units, as per an opinion poll conducted by the company GPO, on behalf of private TV network MEGA. Specifically, ND is in the lead with 34.3%, as opposed to 31.8% for PASOK. They are followed by KKE with 6.6%, SYN with 3.9% and LAOS with 3.3%, while 12.3% of those asked did not offer an opinion.

In the question, "Who is more suitable for Prime Minister?" Kostas Karamanlis is ahead by 48%, as opposed to 32.1% for George Papandreou.

In addition, 57% believe that the Government is dealing with the problems of corruption and scandals in a negative or somewhat negative way.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Earthquake in Parnitha

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

A weak earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale occurred on Monday night. Its epicentre was in the wider area of Parnitha and most of the areas of the Attica basin felt the quake. On their part, seismologists underlined it was a minor incident that should not raise worries among the people.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Wrangling over Recruitments

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA - NET 105.8

The issue concerning recruitments in the public sector was at the focus of a dispute between Greek Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos and the Opposition, since PASOK MPs had submitted a relevant question in Parliament. Mr Pavlopoulos accused PASOK of hypocrisy and distortion of the truth, stressing that it had instituted a political party state through thousands of non-meritocratic appointments, during the 20 years it was governing. At the same time, Mr Pavlopoulos confirmed that any recruitments for DEKOs (Public Utilities and Enterprises) will be done through ASEP (Supreme Council of Personnel Selection). In addition, the Interior Minister insisted that over 80% of the recruitments by ND were done through ASEP, while a great number of those involved renewal of existing collective work contracts. On their part, the PASOK MPs harshly criticised the institution of personal interviews, claiming that the aim of the Government is to create a political party state.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Joint Policy on Cyprus Issue

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

Following his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, Speaker of the Cypriot House of Commons Dimitris Christofias underlined that the dialogue on the Cyprus issue should resume. Mr Christofias briefed the Prime Minister on the latest developments after the Cypriot authorities contacts with the EUs officials. The Speaker of the Cypriot House of Commons, who also met with Messrs George Papandreou, Aleka Papariga, Alekos Alavanos and Vangelis Meimarakis, noted that the Annan plan should undergo changes and that we should make the best of Turkeys European course. National issues must not be reduced to party-oriented policies, underlined ND secretary Vangelis Meimarakis, who assured Mr Christofias that the ruling party will do their best so that all Cypriots can benefit from the EU.

"Turkey Should Live Up to its Obligations"

"We are of the opinion that Turkey should fully live up to its obligation towards the Cypriot Republic by putting the protocol into effect, recognising Cyprus and by stopping vetoing Cyprus participation in the international bodies," claimed PASOK leader George Papandreou, shortly after his meeting with Mr Chritstofias. Mr Papandreou also described the fact that Turkey is after its full EU membership and at the same time occupies another Member-State as bizarre.

"We do not forget the Cyprus issue and we are closely monitoring the developments, and amid the tension that keeps escalating in the Balkans and Middle East, we think that a fair and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue is top priority," claimed KKE secretary general Aleka Papariga.

SYN President Alekos Alavanos requested that Turkeys accession talks be used so that Ankara softens its stance.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Risk of suffocation Dangerous Toy Withdrawn

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: RAPEX

The boxing set "USA 12-02", containing a punching bag and a pair of boxer gloves with the colours of the United States flag on it and which is made in China, is being withdrawn from the Greek market. According to the weekly overview report of the EUs RAPEX (Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products) notifications, the set is packed in a plastic bag that may cause suffocation, while it also poses chemical risks.

Specifically, the opening perimeter of the bag is wider than 380 mm and is tied with a cord, which may cause suffocation. Moreover, a plastic part of the gloves and the punch ball contains correspondingly 226 mg/Kg and 149.9 mg/Kg of cadmium (maximum allowed limit 100 mg/Kg). The toy doesnt comply with the Toys Directive and the relevant European standards.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Greek General Secretariat for Consumers

[07] Cold Murder of a 44-Year-Old Security Guard Crime in Halandri

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

Unknown gunmen set a death ambush to a 44-year-old bodyguard outside his house. Polyvios Kalogeropoulos, who was married to a pregnant woman, arrived home at about 11pm and parked his motorbike when an unknown gunman opened fired at him. The 27 bullet shells found at the crime scene were sent to the labs of the forensic division. The perpetrator or perpetrators immediately got on a motorbike and fled before anyone could see them. So far, the causes of the murder remain to be looked into, while eyewitnesses and relatives are giving their testimonies to the policemen.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Family Benefit to Both

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Both spouses who are receiving IKA pensions will be entitled to family benefits, since the First Session of the Greek Council of State deemed unconstitutional the payment of family benefits to only one of the spouses. The decision is expected within the next few months.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] By 1.72% Last Week Slight Drop in Fuel Prices

By Tina Valaoura

The price of unleaded fuel dropped slightly last week. According to nationwide price checks performed by the Development Ministry on 4 November, the price was 0.915 euros per litre on average, i.e. 1.72% lower compared to 27 October.

Since the beginning of 2004, the price of unleaded fuel has increased by 25.17%, while at the same time, the price of Brent oil has increased by 95.03%.

As for heating oil, the nationwide price checks revealed that the average price on 4 November was 0.601 euros per litre, while in Athens it was around 0.591 euros per litre. This price concerns the sale of small quantities of heating oil, while for quantities over 1,000 litres, the price is 3-4 cents lower.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] Last Minute Tie for Aigaleo

By Stathis Petropoulos

With the home side nearing their opponents net two minutes before the final whistle for the first half, Iraklis missed a grant opportunity to claim their second away victory over Aigaleo. The host side played for the victory and dominated the game against a team who were unable to react. A number of lost opportunities before Sidebes nets showed that it was a matter of time before Iraklis find their way to Aigaleo's nets. In the 30, Georgiadis forwarded the ball to Epalle who gave the lead to Iraklis. Sava Kofidis players missed the chance to double their lead in the 48 with Georgiadis. However, the ball punished them and in the 83, Chloros of Aigaleo managed to tie the game.

Referee: Dabosis (Pieria) Yellow Cards: Stefanis, Katsabis Maric, Omo, Edusei

Aigaleo: Sidibe, Papoutsis, Zapropoulos, Psomas, Omo, Popov, Edusei, Maric (46 Fotakis), Manousakis (57 Chloros), Nikolopoulos, Cesarec (74 Saganas).

Iraklis: Abaris, Stefanis, Sznaucner, Papazaharias, Katsabis, Poursanidis, Prittas, Herrera (90 Murati), Epalle (79 P. Kapetanos), Lagos, Georgiadis (88 Lawal).

[11] 35-Year-Old Man Dies Vietnam: Yet another H5N1 Victim

By Athina Saloustrou

Yet another person has died of avian flu H5N1 in Vietnam. The 35-year-old man was being hospitalised in Hanoi since 26 October. Four days earlier, he had eaten a chicken with his family, bought at a local market. None of the other family members have developed any symptoms. According to the official figures in Vietnam, 92 people have been infected so far, while 42 of those have died. In the meantime, Indonesia counts yet another victim. As announced by hospital sources, a 16-year-old girl, who was being hospitalised in Jakarta with flu-like symptoms, died this morning. The girl had been admitted to a private clinic in the Indonesian capital on Sunday. "Based on the clinical symptoms, it looks like bird flu," said a spokesperson for Jakartas Sulianti Saroso hospital, where most of the patients infected by the specific disease are hospitalised.

Read the Story on Other Sources

BBC: Bird flu claims Vietnamese victim CNN: Vietnam: New human bird flu death

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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