The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-14

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Provisions Applied as of November 17 Favouring Oral Interview

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET

President of the Supreme Council for Personnel Selection (ASEP) Mr G. Beis favours the oral interview for recruitments in the Public Sector. He made it clear, however, that the measure is to be applied to skilled personnel only and that transparency should be a prerequisite. The evaluation committees will be a three-member one, including a representative of the organization that declares positions. The relevant provisions will come into effect as of upcoming Thursday.

Pavlopoulos Law on oral interview for recruitments in the Public Sector is to come into effect as of November 17.

As per information, the objective criteria are up to 50%, while the oral interview will amount to the 20% of the evaluation.

ASEP President Giorgos Beis stated that he is in favour of the oral interview.

As the law provisioned and ASEP agreed, the Supreme Council for Personnel Selection will be authorised to either approve or overrule the petition of the Public Sector services to make use of the oral interview. The evaluation committee will be a three-member one. Two members will be appointed by the ASEP and one by the organisation that declares positions.

As per information, the ASEP will apply the oral interview to: Skilled personnel Personnel responsible for the citizens safety Scientific personnel Social welfare personnel Administration personnel

The ASEP President attested that the test on general knowledge and skills will not be abolished, while he released the annual report of the Councils proceedings. Mr Beis described the report as the best of the decade, since, as he said, it is the most objective one.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Two Soldiers Sustained Minor Injuries Greek Convoy Attacked in Kabul

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

Two Greek soldiers were wounded on Monday when a Greek convoy of seven vehicles returning to the camp was attacked in the Afghan capital of Kabul. One soldier was wounded in his face and the second sustained minor hand burnt. The Greek Joint Chief of Staffs immediately informed the families of the soldiers. All 120 Greek soldiers deployed in Kabul are in sound health.

Earlier, two of the Greek vehicles that were attacked had participated in a convoy along with German vehicles with the latter being attacked by insurgents. A German soldier was killed and two more were wounded. Greek Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos discussed with the German Foreign Minister the likelihood to take additional security measures in the region.

The attack against the Greek soldiers in Afghanistan prompted KKE to reiterate the acute need for the Greek soldiers to leave Afghanistan.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Privatisations Continue Focusing on Deficits

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

Speaking to reporters, Greek Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis referred to the deficit reduction, the debt securitisation and the privatisations. The Economy Minister made it clear that the budget will not include the revenues yielded by the debt securitisation plan, since Eurostats approval is still pending. He also underlined that the 2006 budget will focus on curbing public spending and eradicating tax evasion. Mr Alogoskoufis went on to say that even without the securitisation plan, the deficit dropped more than two percentage points, as agreed with the EU. The deficit is to be reduced to 4.4% as opposed to 6.6% for 2004. Should Eurostat approve the securitisation plan for 2005, its revenues will be included in the 2005 budget, while should it be approved for 2006, its revenues will be included in the 2006 budget. Mr Alogoskoufis noted, "The debt securitisation is a temporary revenue and we have taken action falling in line with the Eurostats regulations."

"Greek Economy is on the Right Truck"

He also argued that the full privatization of Emporiki Bank is to be brought off, Agricultural Bank is to be further privatized, the Athens Airport is to be listed in the Athens Stock Exchange and the privatization plan is to be concluded.

At the same time, Mr Alogoskoufis claimed that only the construction permits to be issued before the end of the year will be excluded from the VAT. The Minister made it clear that the adjustment of the objective values will be mild and be gradually implemented in the years to come, while the bill containing the final provisions on estate taxation will be released by the end of the month.

The Economy Minister further added that the Main Opposition is handling the economy issues in a rather irresponsible fashion, while it is concocting catastrophic scenarios sparking unjustifiable fear. The Main Opposition has not learned its lesson regarding the Stock Exchange scandal, Mr Alogoskoufis argued and concluded saying that the Greek economy is on the right truck and that no other EU Member-State has achieved so much over a year.

Opposition Parties Respond

Commenting on Mr Alogoskoufis announcements on the budget, PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanasakis underscored that the governments policy on economy has fallen apart and that the government does nothing but transferring its policys problems to the countrys economy, thus severely affecting the Greek citizens. He also accused Mr Alogoskoufis of describing the failure as success and of keep drawing up the 2006 budget.

On her part, PASOK parliamentarian Vaso Papandreou stressed, "The governments policy on economy has fallen apart and the Ministers unreliability is getting more and more dangerous. Mr Alogoskoufis is leading the countrys economy to a deadlock and the citizens to despair." Therefore, she added, "changes in the policy are a prerequisite. Greece needs an economy policy giving priority to the investments, the workforce and employment and making the best of the third Community Support Framework. The country also needs a new tax system distributing the tax burdens equally."

SYN parliamentarian Panagiotis Lafazanis argued, "The drawing up of the 2005 and 2006 budgets without including the debt securitization plan means that apart from the austerity policy imposed on the working class and the pensioners, a fresh and more excessive tax invasion will be launched at the expense of the low income earners and a new wave of uncontrolled privatizations will probably ravage the Public Sector."

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] An Ecological Fur Bra Ecological Undress

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: BBC, NET

Inspired from the summer campaign for the decrease of air condition usage introduced by the Japanese Prime Minister, asking of employees to dress less, a lingerie company introduced its own proposal for winter! It is a bra made out of fake fur, aspiring of warming up its wearer, closing heaters in the office and surrendering to its heat! And for the ones that think that the fur and boa do not offer enough protection from the cold, extra heated gel pads are also available; harmless, eco-friendly and can be heated in a microwave! "We hope this will not only help prevent global warming but also provide a little fashion chic to the office," a companys spokesperson said in a statement. For the time being the furry bra is only available in white, while a hanging small pendant with a red-hot chilli pepper dangles from the front! There are matching shorts available for the ones that that want to compete the look. However, there is a negative side to the product, as for the time being the set is not offered in the market, but the company is using it more as a prototype product for environment-friendly clothes!

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC:Heated bra aims to save the world

[05] Avramopoulos at the World Travel Market EOT on Top of Europe

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

A voting in which more than 175,000 tourism industry professionals participated declared the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) the best in Europe. Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos has been in London since Sunday to attend the World Travel Market exhibition, the largest in the world. Commenting on the result, Mr Avramopoulos underlined that this success proves his Ministrys policy over the last year right. "It is a great success that many countries wish for," he pointed out and added, "we are glad and optimistic, yet we have grown more responsible for the years to come." Speaking to foreign reporters, Mr Avramopoulos voiced his certainty that the year of 2006 will also yield promising results for the Greek tourism. Furthermore, he noted that the upward course should be maintained. As for the future of the Olympic Airlines, he underscored that OA still operates in safety.

Upward Course to be Continued

Speaking on CNN, Mr Avramopoulos expressed his optimism that this years rise in tourists visiting Greece will continue. The Tourism Minister also referred to the French rioting and underscored that such phenomena are highly unlikely to affect Greece.

On Tuesday, Mr Avramopoulos will deliver a keynote speech at the Forum organized by the Greek Ministry of Tourism and EOT in collaboration with the US top selling papers Herald Tribune and New York Times. The speech will focus on the excellent investment potential Greece offers in tourism sector.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Intervention by the French President Chirac's Address

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: LE FIGARO, AFP

French President Jacques Chirac made his first televised address to the French people. Wearing glasses and obviously worried, the French President underscored that the rioting reveals an identity crisis, which is to be dealt with stability, justice and faith in Frances values and principles. The children and the youths are in need of values and principles, he added, however, he did not miss pointing out that responsibility also rests with their families. Addressing the youths of the impoverished suburbs residing mostly by immigrants, he claimed, "Children from these difficult neighbourhoods, whatever their origins, are all sons and daughters of the republic."

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Figaro: "Nous ne construirons rien sans le respect"

[07] No Casualties Fire in Ankara Airport

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: AFP

A fire, which broke out on Sunday night, at the Ankara airport left behind extensive damages. The fire broke out shortly before midnight, at a caf&#233; in the international flights terminal and quickly spread. The Fire Department managed to extinguish the fire three hours later. An initial estimation of the damages forced the airports managers to halt the terminals operation, however the operation of the airport continued as normal, and local flights were redirected to other terminals. As per the authorities initial indications, the causes of the fire are due to human negligence and not in sabotage, since the fire quite possibly broke out from a fryer of the cafeteria.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Suicide Attack near the Green Zone Three Dead in Baghdad Explosion

By Athina Saloustrou

As per an Iraqi Security Forces official, three people were killed and two injured by a suicide attack with a car packed with explosives near the Green Zone, in the centre of Baghdad. Witnesses reported that the car exploded at the time when an Iraqi military procession was passing by the Iraqi Embassy and one of the entrances of the Green Zone. The suicide attack took place at 8:10am local Greek time, destroying many vehicles used by military men and the Police for the transport of local and foreign officials. The US Army closed off the area and Apache helicopters patrolled the scene, stated witnesses. After the strong explosion, a cloud of smoke covered the area, while fire from automatic guns was heard. Services of the Iraqi Government, the US and Great Britains Embassies are located in the area. Earlier, another bomb had exploded in the neighbourhood of Kamsara, as an Iraqi Army convoy was passing, resulting in three civilians to be killed and four to be injured.

In the meantime, hospital sources announced today that six people were killed and 30 injured when a bomb placed in Ramadi, in western Iraq, exploded during the passing of two buses. As per the same sources, 10 of the injured are in critical condition. The buses transported passengers to Ramadi from the small neighbouring town of Tamim. It is noted that Ramadi is the capital of the western province of Anbar.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Three killed in Baghdad bombing

[09] Avramopoulos at the World Travel Market EOT on Top of Europe

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

A voting in which more than 175,000 tourism industry professionals participated declared the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) the best in Europe. Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos has been in London since Sunday to attend the World Travel Market exhibition, the largest in the world. Commenting on the result, Mr Avramopoulos underlined that this success proves his Ministrys policy over the last year right. "It is a great success that many countries wish for," he pointed out and added, "we are glad and optimistic, yet we have grown more responsible for the years to come." Speaking to foreign reporters, Mr Avramopoulos voiced his certainty that the year of 2006 will also yield promising results for the Greek tourism. Furthermore, he noted that the upward course should be maintained. As for the future of the Olympic Airlines, he underscored that OA still operates in safety.

Upward Course to be Continued

Speaking on CNN, Mr Avramopoulos expressed his optimism that this years rise in tourists visiting Greece will continue. The Tourism Minister also referred to the French rioting and underscored that such phenomena are highly unlikely to affect Greece.

On Tuesday, Mr Avramopoulos will deliver a keynote speech at the Forum organized by the Greek Ministry of Tourism and EOT in collaboration with the US top selling papers Herald Tribune and New York Times. The speech will focus on the excellent investment potential Greece offers in tourism sector.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Otto Rehhagel Remains Coach

By Ilias Papaioannou

This morning, Otto Rehhagel agreed on remaining at the head of the Greek national football team for another two years. The man who drove the Greek team to conquer the European title, agreed to all with President of the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) Vasilis Gagatsis, and renewed his contract with the European Champions until the summer of 2008, with annual income of 800,000 euros.

Greek Team in Otto's Heart

Visibly moved, the German coach, who did not hide the role of his wife, Beate, in his decision, made his first statements: "I could not take any other decision, as it has not happened before; the players and the HFF asking me to say. There was not a similar situation in the past, a team to disqualify in the preliminaries, but regardless of that fact, the fans, players and the Presidency of the HFF and the Press wanting me to stay. My heart is here with the Greek national football team, and I could not take any other decision," stated Mr Rehhagel, who after the cut of the Greek team from Germanys World Cup, set an aim for the EURO 2008.

"We have had many discussions with the players, and I saw that we have the ardour, as reigning European Champions, to enter the finals of 2008 and defend our title. The team has asked me to stay and continue. We owe them the title of the European Champions, and I should not be getting the credit; I did not score a goal. I will stand by my players and continue the effort. I had other proposals. All this time I have been working with the team, we have come closer, and what is important is that a relationship has been formed. I had to talk to the players. I wanted the reaffirmation of the players that we will fight and qualify to the EURO 2008," said Mr Rehhagel.

HFF: Support and Optimism

On his part, HFF President Vasilis Gagatsis, who did not need more than 20 minutes to convince the German coach to remain in his position, voiced his total support and wished that Rehhagel will drive the Greek team to the final stage of the upcoming EURO. "I want to thank him for all he has done, but mostly for all the things he will do in the future. As President of the Federation, we will continue passionately supporting the Greek national team and we are optimistic about seeing it in the finals of the 2008 European Championship," underlined Mr Gagatsis, noting "Otto Rehhagel can make us all more wiser on how to use our talents. His wisdom can lead us to the improvement of our effort."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Otto Remains in Greek Team

[11] Restoration Works in Tatoi

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET

Some of the 29 buildings located at the former royal family property of Tatoi, north of Greece are in danger of collapse. The Ministry of Culture has launched restoration works, while a special lab has undertaken the conservation of movable objects. The palace, which has been standing on the site for 120 years, was given priority. Its roof leak has been repaired, while the overall image of the estate closely related to the history of modern Greece is bound regain its past glamour.

The royal winery is among the 29 buildings that is being restored. Under its roof that had collapsed, the workers unearthed even royal carriages.

Among the old vehicles, there is a Rolls Royce, which although dusted it still maintains its past glamour.

The long-lasting abandonment, the bad weather conditions and the dense vegetation have left their marks on the buildings. But it was the 1999 earthquake that sustained the most severe blow to the former royal mansion.

The former royal estate has come into the Greek state ownership since 2003. The Ministry of Culture aims at using the estate as a historic place and possibly at turning it into an agricultural unit as it once was.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] New Star Formation

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: New Scientist

Hubble Space Telescope revealed approximately 5,000 faint stars still in an embryonic state. The star formation was located in a small galaxy near our own. This fresh find confirms that the formation of stars is carried out similarly in other galaxies beyond our own. The astronomers team led by Antonella Nota at the European Space Agency made use of Hubbles state-of-the-art survey camera to examine a new star neighbourhood nearly 210,000 light years away called N66. The 300-light-year-wide stellar nursery, which looks like a bear cub, lies in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy on the outskirts of the Milky Way, our galaxy. The 5,000 small stars Hubble revealed are of a red colour and are too faint to start burning hydrogen in their cores to become full-fledged stars. "But they are getting there," Nota said and added, "They are contracting, which will raise their internal temperature high enough to start nuclear reactions."

A Galaxy Resembling Ours

The 5,000 stars are at about the same age as brighter ones, which have already entered the stage of nuclear fusion. However, scientists explained that the newly discovered stars are less massive and so develop more slowly.

Surprisingly enough, the scientists were intrigued by the fact that the Small Magellanic Cloud consists of a primitive material that contains 20% of the heavy elements found in our galaxy. Heavy elements are created by previous generations of stars.

Furthermore, the Small Maggelanic Cloud contains less dust than our galaxy, an element that plays an instrumental role in the star formation.

"We wondered whether under such peculiar environmental conditions, stars still form as they do in our Milky Way. But we still see the same processes," Nota stated.

[13] Mobile Jewel

By Vicky Keleri

Its pure gold parts, 2,950 natural blue diamonds, the rarest of the kind, which will give its sparkle drove the German businessman to pay 734,000 euros to buy it! No this is not some rare jewel, but the so-called amount will be used to make his mobile phone sparkly and modern, or simply glam & chic! Of course, after this purchase, the businessman will be the owner of the most expensive phone in the world. This luxurious mobile phone upgrade was taken up by Austrian accessory designer Peter Aloisson; a specialist of the kind. Mr Aloisson has taken up the beatification of the rich and famous mobile phones, with minimum order priced at 29,000 euros. If you are interested, you should be aware that there is a large queue for the product, since the German designer only takes up three designs a year.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] Holy Synod Against K. Simitis' Book Ambrosios Returns

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

Kalavryta Metropolitan Bishop Amvrosios attempted to broach the ID issue once again, whilst insisting on his criticisms of Kostas Simitis. PASOK spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis was also at his target. Speaking on a private television network on Monday morning, Amvrosios verbally attacked the government and called on Archbishop Christodoulos to bring up the ID issue anew. Christodoulos did not comment on Amvrosios statements, saying that earthly matters are not of his concern. In the meantime, the Holy Synod issued an announcement criticising all referred to in the book of the former Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis, on the ID issue. However, the announcement did not make any reference to what Amvrosios had claimed. Instead it read, "The Holy Synod of the Greek Church is not willing to be carried away by the challenges and the inaccuracies that distort history and insult the Church." Former Prime Ministers close associates underscored that some took advantage of the situation to come into conflict with Mr Simitis.

Reactions

On its part, the Government kept its distance from the criticising comments of the Metropolitan Bishop to the former Prime Minister. "I do not agree with the descriptions, such as the ones heard, from anyone towards anyone or for any former Prime Minister," noted Government spokesperson Theodoros Rousopoulos. In relation to whether the Government is reinvestigating the issue of IDs, as the Metropolitan Bishop said today, Mr Rousopoulos observed, "we have said too much on the issue."

PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos, noted "This kind of picture exposes the Church of Greece and in the conscience of the people. I believe that everyone has to respect their roles and not cross boundaries."

In the meantime, Nikos Konstantopoulos in a question posed to Kostas Karamanlis, described the words of Mr Ambrosios as dividing and spoke of hierarchs acting like party leaders. On his part, SYN Secretary Nikos Choundis stated "during the previous days, some of the hierarchs have exceeded the limit, turning against politicians with slandering terms and with extreme intervention in the political life of the world, enjoying divine immunity, as they believe they have been given."

Related News:

Reactions Continue

Sermon against Simitis

[15] On Demonstrations Against the Patriarchate Phanar Voiced Concern

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, NET

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew voiced his concern in relation to the phenomena observed recently, such as the demonstrations against the Patriarchate. In a statement he spoke of "clouds at the horizon of our City." Querying how the far right and far left "coincide in the war against the centre of Orthodoxy," he declared that these acts are "pointless": "They will never succeed. Not the transfer of the Patriarchate abroad for which they are collecting petitions neither the breaking of our moral and our fighting convictions, nor the change of course which we have designed centuries ago. All the above will not succeed; they are just squaring the circle," he said. "With the grace of God, we continue steadily and always motivated by our duty," repeated the Patriarch speaking at an expatriate meeting in Agios Minas Ypsomatheion, near the sea coastal Byzantine walls of Istanbul. The Patriarch concluded, "Hellenism and the Patriarchate will always be here, co-existing with our Muslim brothers, whose prayer we are listening to at the moment. We do not have a problem with common people, but with bureaucracy."

In the meantime, President of the Assembly Mr Rene van Der Linden, who visited Phanar, invited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to make an address at the Assembly of the Council of Europe. Answering to questions after the meeting with Mr Bartholomew, he voiced the hope that "Together we will be proceed for Turkeys accession in the European Union." A course, which as he said "should guarantee the freedom of religion," while referring to the re-operation of the Halki Theological School he said "just like all European countries, the securing of the freedom of clerics education in its own schools should be reinsured in Turkey as well."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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