The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-22

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] To Public Prosecutor Over Hygiene Trash Food

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Health panels were faced with disgraceful images in five food businesses, in and outside Attica, after performing inspections regarding health conditions. Expired food products, as well as excrements from mice, cockroaches and spiders were found in two bakeries, one pastry-making workshop, one tavern and one liquor store. The owners of the above businesses were referred to the Public Prosecutor, while market inspections have increased in view of the Christmas season. Moreover, there is increased traffic in the Varvakeios market and in street markets, while prices are at regular levels.

Dirty Food, Insects and Mice

In the Varvakeios meat market, eight meat vendors were referred to the Public Prosecutor for naming imported meat as Greek.

Piraeus health panels inspected a bakery in Keratsini and discovered that cookies, candies and pretzels were exposed to insects and mice, while all of its rooms and machinery were full of dust.

What is more, after running a surprise check at a NATEX S.A. peanuts wholesale warehouse in Rentis, Piraeus health panels found dead cockroaches in refrigerators an mice on food packaging.

Excrements were found in the same warehouse, while there was an awful smell and many peanut bags were temporarily stored on the hallway. What is more, workers were not wearing proper uniforms, nor had health insurance.

On the other hand, Piraeus Prefect Giannis Michas visited the Rentis central market and voiced his satisfaction over the important steps that have been taken towards upgrading it.

In Corfu, a bakery owner was referred to Justice for a series of health violations, while in Thesssaloniki health panels discovered 30 food businesses using impure oil and honey.

Lastly, in Mytilene three businesses - one bakery, one pastry-making shop and a tavern - were referred to the Public Prosecutor for unacceptable health conditions, while health panels discovered expired food, flies and mice excrements.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] DNA Earns You a Mansion!

By Vicky Keleri

Should you crave to have a mansion as a New Years present, youd better have a DNA test rather than send a letter to Santa Claus! You see, 59-year-old baronet Sir Benjamin Slade from Somerset, Britain, got tired of his luxurious mansion and decided to give it to someone special whose DNA would match his as much as possible! Sir Slade explained that none of his family dreams of having his 679,000-euro mansion, while no buyer has turned up so far. Since he and his wife decided that they couldnt look after the mansion along with the 430 cattle and the 12 peacocks they possess, they are in quest of the heir with the right DNA. In fact, the baronet announced this pretty unusual offer via a US television network to make sure that he would attract as many as possible. A preliminary research carried out by the television network has traced nearly 5,000 people with the same name in the USA, meaning that the future owner of the mansion is probably among them.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Two People Were Injured Armed Robbery in Kallithea

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA

An armed robbery occurred at 10:25am on Thursday at a Kotsovolos branch on Thiseos 256 Avenue in Kallithea. At that time, an Ermis security van was delivering money at the stores manager when a man stormed into the store and snatched the sack with the money. The stores manager, Nikolaos Tsirigotis aged 35, tried to avert the robbery, but the perpetrator shot him once and seriously injured him. While breaking away, a customer tried to disarm the perpetrator. However, the latter shot him and injured him at his hand. The perpetrator got on his accomplices motorbike and broke away. The two injured men were transferred to the hospital, while police are carrying out a probe to locate and arrest the perpetrators.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] It is to Place Two Satellites in Orbit Ariane-5 Successfully Launched

By Vivian Papastefanou

The European Arian-5G of Arianespace, which is to place two satellites in orbit, was successfully launched in French Guyana. It is the fifth mission for the European Space Agency for this year. Arian-5G was launched at 22:33 GMT from Kourou transferring the Insat 4A communications satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO, and the MSG-2 weather satellite for the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites Eumetsat. Arianespace has announced six missions for 2006.

Read the story on other sources:

Árianespace: "Ariane: 5 for 5 in 2005-Successful launch of Insat 4A and MSG-2"

HindustanTimes: "INSAT-4A successfully launched from Kourou"

[05] With Molyviatis, Roussopoulos and Diamantouros Papoulias' Contacts

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET-ANA

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias had several meetings on Thursday morning with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and State, as well as with the European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamantouros. Exiting his meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister Petros Molyviatis, Mr Papoulias said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been really busy. And when it achieves successes, it is a great satisfaction." On his part, Mr Molyviatis argued that he is satisfied with the 2005 achievements, "although it has been a harsh year," while he appeared optimistic for 2006, since, as he said, "we have provided for a solid basis." Later, Mr Papoulias had talks with Minister of State Thodoris Roussopoulos, who briefed the President on the reforms on the Media. Mr Roussopoulos pointed out that the bill on the Media concentration constitutes the governments effort to settle the shady situation that has been plaguing the Media for two decades. At the same time, he voiced his satisfaction over the dialogue commenced on the issue and underlined that the government intends to adhere to the European principles and follow into the footsteps of the countries that have succeeded in this field.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Rahiotis-Chrysikopoulos Denied the Appointment New Attorneys for Giotopoulos

By Athina Saloustrou

The 17N trial is to resume on 3 January 2006, since the Five-Member Appellate Court adjourned its proceedings because of the Christmas vacations. Earlier, chief judge Dionysis Vertelis announced the courts decision to appoint new attorneys for Alexandros Giotopoulos. The new attorneys were chosen from the Athens Bar Association list. They are Efstathios Vlantis, Konstantinos Zaharakis and Ioannis Iliadis. This was the second appointment, since earlier Messrs Rahiotis and Chrysikopoulos, who had been Giotopoulos attorneys before Mr Giotopoulos recalled them on Tuesday, did not accept their appointment and refused to assume their duties as lawyers of the defence.

Mr Chrysikopoulos explained that he would commit a major disciplinary offence, for he would violate Mr Giotopoulos decision, who asked them to withdraw from the process. Mr Rahiotis issued an announcement reading that he could not accept the appointment due to obstacles. He also made it clear that he had no intention of coming into conflict with Alexandros Giotopoulos decision.

The courts president asked the lawyers present whether they would like to assume Alexandros Giotopoulos defence.

"Lets not cross the line," said defence lawyer Spyros Fytrakis and addressing the judges he claimed, "It is all about sheer conflicts of duties and your only way out is to choose defence lawyers from the Athens Bar Association list."

[07] Restraining Order Against NY Transit Union Third Day of Chaos in New York

By Athina Saloustrou

The heads of the striking transit union of New York are facing a jail threaten unless they put an end to the strike that has been giving New Yorkers a hard time for a third day running. A day after the $1 million fine imposed on the transit union, a judge ordered the head of the union Roger Toussaint and other union members to appear before the court, warning them that imprisonment is highly possible. Roger Toussaint apologised for the hassle New Yorkers have come up against, but he underlined that it was the decision of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to sign away the union members social security rights that triggered the strike. He also pointed out that the strikers will go back to work as soon as the MTA recalls its decision to withhold 6% of the wages of the newly hired.

Prior to the failure of the negotiations, the MTA had accepted to withdraw its proposal to raise the retirement age of the newly hired from 55 to 62. The deadlock, however, is to remain, since the MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow ruled out withdrawing the plan on the workers social security rights. Besides, the law in New York denies the public sector employees the right to go on strike.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Four People Were Killed, 21 Were Injured Mosque Tower Collapses in Jakarta

By Vivian Papastefanou

At least four people were killed and further 21 were seriously injured when a 50-metre mosque tower collapsed in Jakarta, Indonesia. The accident occurred while restoration works were in progress at the Baiturrahman Mosque. As per the newspaper Jakarta Post, more workers are feared trapped under the rubble. The rescue teams are vying to clean away the debris and search for more survivors. However, this has proved a highly tedious task, since the Mosque is located on a narrow street in a crowded area north of Jakarta. According to the newspaper, the foundation, which owns the Mosque, was in a legal conflict with the municipality, which owns the land. The Jakarta Municipality had demanded the restoration works be called off. However, the foundation seems to have ignored that.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Jakarta Post: "Mosque tower collapses, kills four in N. Jakarta"

[09] EU Summit at the Focus Hot Dispute Over the Budget

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ANA

The discussion on the 2006 budget in Parliament witnessed on Wednesday evening a hot dispute between the government and the Main Opposition. The addresses of the Prime Minister and the leaders of the Opposition parties on Thursday night are to conclude the discussion. Tension ran particularly high on Wednesday night. The speech delivered by former PM Kostas Simitis triggered a fierce reaction on the part of Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis. The former PM described the budget as fictitious and argued that it is not feasible. The Economy Minister, on the other hand, underlined that the 2006 budget has been drawn up with a high sense of responsibility.

Fewer Taxes as of 2007

Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis pointed out that the 2006 budget foresees a 3% drop of the public deficit to reach 2.6% of the GDP, thus falling in line with what the Stability and Growth Pact foresees. He also underlined, "As of 2007, less taxes will be implemented." Mr Alogoskoufis further added that the 2006 budget aims at restoring the fiscal balance, while along with the 2007 and 2008 budgets, the governments pledges for EKAS and OGA pension will become a reality.

At the same time, he noted that combating tax evasion, curtailing public spending and decreasing public debt remain the main future objectives.

Former Prime Minister Kostas Simitis accused the government of wrongdoing both in the fields of economy and the foreign affairs policy. He also stressed that the budget is fictitious and is not feasible just like the previous one, noting that Greece is downgraded and stripped of its potentials. Furthermore, he claimed that the predictions speaking of a growth rate amounting to 5% were proved wrong. Instead, cuts in the public revenues, rise in public debt and rise in borrowing were recorded.

Commenting on the EU Summit, he stated, "What is to happen to us depends on the initiatives taken by Spain, Portugal and Germany, and not on our governments handling."

Heated Disputes

Commenting on the outcome of the EU Summit, PASOK parliamentarian Anna Diamantopoulou underlined that there is no need for accusations nor congratulations. "The 20.1 billion euros Greece won is definitely a breather provided that there is going to be a programme and a plan," she said, while she added, "this amount was secured since September 2003, when PASOK was in power." At the same time, she accused the government of not negotiating issues related to the farm policy.

PASOK spokesman Harris Kastanidis blamed Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis for pointless and dull repetitions, pointing out that economy "demands mature handling and responsibility."

In his reply, ND spokesman Vyron Polydoras accused PASOK MPs of being politically incompetent and added that the Greek people calls for solemnity. He then went on to claim that the budget is reliable and not a product of creative logistics, stressing that the way the government is dealing with economy is bound to bear fruit.

KKE spokesman Antonis Skyllakos described the 2006 budget as "socially unfair," which reallocates economys pie to the benefit of the business world and at the expense of the working class. He also argued that this budget is unreliable in the sense that it will not be observed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] AEK Lost

By Vasilis Kalpinos

AEK were defeasted by Strasbourg in France 70-66 in match day 8 of Euroleague's Group A. This was AEK's sixth loss in eight basketball matches and by remaining in the last spot of the scoreboard minimized their chances for qualifying to the tournament's round of 16. On the other hand, this was the third victory for the French team, which are still going after qualification. The score per period: 18-16, 35-28, 50-43, 70-66.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Easy Win for Panathinaikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panathinaikos claimed their seventh victory in eight matches, the best record in the Euroleague tournament, after defeating Ulket 85-69 in match day 8 of Group C. Despite the absences of Alvertis and Femerling, Panathinaikos did not lose faith and claimed an easy win. Ibrahim Kutluai scored 25 points for the Turkish team, thus becoming top scorer of the match, but the absence of Turkcan apparently cost Ulker dearly. Panathinaikos were far better, especially from the second period onwards and thus remained at the top of Group C. The score per period: 20-19, 46-33, 64-50, 85-69.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] Open Scores for AEK

By Vasilis Kalpinos

AEK were unable to celebrate qualification to the quarterfinals of the Greek Cup, since they tied 1-1 with Ethnikos in OAKA during match day 5 and now the two teams will have to face each other again. The second match between Ethnikos and AEK will take place on the first Wednesday of 2006. AEK came close to qualifying in the 91 when Soares opened the score, but Da Silva answered back on behalf of the guests in the extra time, after been awarded a penalty kick. One of the good moments of the match was Tzortzopoulos reappearance after one year of absence due to an injury.

Referee: Kouklakis (Heraklion)

Yellow cards: Pliatsikas, Tzimas, Lymberopoulos

AEK: Chiotis, Dellas, Papastathopoulos, Tzortzopoulos, Moras, Pliatsikas, Chanko (46 Katsouranis), Kyriakidis (63 Lymberopoulos), Lakis, Julio Cezar, Soares

ETHNIKOS: Thomopoulos, Papapanagiotou, Tzimas, Pripou, Da Silva, Stratakis, Anthoulis (83 Vidalis), Damiano, Karamalikis (87 Dovas), Morales (75 Kouboulis), Petrov

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[13] Sworn Administrative Inquiry Scorpion Found in Surgery

After the rat found in patients soup in Dromokaetio mental hospital, it was time for a live scorpion to be found at the Venizelio General Hospital in Heraklion, Crete. In fact, a health agency employee traced the scorpion inside an operations room. Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis was informed immediately and ordered a sworn administrative inquiry to find out how and why was the scorpion in the surgery room.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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