The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-28

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Denationalisations at the Focus Cabinet-Military Meetings

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

The denationalisations, mainly in the banking sector, are at the focus of Tuesdays Cabinet meeting, chaired by Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis at Maximos Mansion. The Foreign Affairs and Defence Council (KYSEA) will convene next to discuss the appointments in the Security and Armed Forces. According to information from TV station NET, current Police Chief of Staff Anastasios Dimoschakis is considered a favourite for the position of Hellenic Police Chief, while Second-in-Command Andreas Kois will probably be appointed Chief of the Fire Service. In addition, there will also be changes to the leadership of the Greek Armed Forces.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Changing Hands

Chief of Fire Service Resigned

G. Aggelakos Submitted his Resignation

[02] Positive Thinking Prolongs Life

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: Reuters

Would you like to be let on the secrets of longevity? No need to look for answers to alternative remedies and meditation techniques. The secret lies within you, suggested Dutch researchers. Everything is in our mind, and positive thinking is by far the most important of all. To prove the point, the researchers studied 545 Dutch males, aged 65 to 84. The more optimists had 50% fewer chances to develop cardiovascular diseases that would prove fatal in 15 years time. The findings of the study appeared in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Want to live longer? Think positive thoughts

ΑΙΜ: Dispositional Optimism and the Risk of Cardiovascular Death

[03] Gusty Winds Muddy Rain in Greece

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET - ANA

New clouds of African dust resulting in muddy rain have appeared over the capital and many parts of southern and central Greece since this morning. In addition, due to the gusty winds in the seas, no ships are sailing from Piraeus to Crete and the Dodecanese. Anyone planning on travelling should contact the local port authorities, as the ban does not apply for all the Greek ports. In the meantime, the muddy rain conditions will not be as severe or prolonged as last Fridays.

The Weather for Tuesday

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) forecast local rains and thunderstorms in the western, central and northern parts of Greece, as well as the Aegean islands, where the winds are reaching 7 on the Beaufort scale. The temperatures will range between 4 and 13 degrees Celsius in the North, 5-17 in the Ionian Sea and mainland Greece, and 10-18 in the Aegean. The weather forest for Attica is for cloud cover, rain and thunderstorms, mainly in the morning. The winds will be blowing south to southeasterly, while the temperature will range between 8 and 18 degrees Celsius. Severe local rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Thessaloniki, with strong east to southeasterly and the temperature ranging between 6 and 12 degrees Celsius.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] It Has Moored Ship under Libyan Flag Safe

By Athina Saloustrou

Cargo ship Amiral Ayitens, which had tilted at an angle of 20 degrees due to a shift in the cargo and had sent out a distress call, has moored in the bay of Skoutari, south of the Peloponnese. The ship is sailing under Libyan flag, has a 14-member crew and is loaded with containers. In addition, the tilt was reinstated and the ship is not in danger anymore. Yet another ship, under Marshall Islands flag, ran adrift off the coast of Karystos, southern Evia, due to engine failure. A tugboat sailed to its rescue.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Developments Due in the Day to Come New Extrajudicial Ring

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Supreme Court Deputy Prosecutor Giorgos Sanidas is investigating a new extrajudicial ring involving 10 judges and four lawyers. The implicated parties are accused of issuing provocative rulings, favouring one side only. A couple, which has provoked by leading a luxurious life and has acquired an estate its income cannot account for, is believed to have played the leading part. The First Instance Judge President, who has also been charged with involvement in the Giosakis ring, is among the ten. As per information, all implicated parties will be called on to testify as suspects in the days to come.

[06] At least 50 Fatalities Multi-fatality Attack in India

By Athina Saloustrou

At least 50 people were killed in a bomb attack mounted by rebels in India. Maoist rebels detonated a land mine in central India, blowing up a truck carrying dozens of members of an anti-Maoist group affiliated with the Government. "Maoists set off a land mine in Darmagura area in Dantewada district, killing 50 people. We are still waiting details on the people injured," senior police officer S.K Paswan was quoted as saying. Darmagura lies 500kn south of of the state capital, Raipur, and is believed to be the Maoists stronghold. It is reminded that the rebels claim to fight for the rights of farmers and landless labourers. The attack occurred shortly before US President George W.Bushs visit to India.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Maoists set off land mine, kill 50 in India

BBC: 'Many dead' in India rebel attack

[07] Police Prepares for More Arrests Filipino Emergency Rule Continues

By Athina Saloustrou

The state of emergency imposed in the Philippines is expected to be lifted within the next few days, as announced by the Government, while at the same time the police are preparing to proceed with further arrests of suspects allegedly involved in the coup to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Several appeals to lift the state of emergency have been filed at the Supreme Court, but the judges postponed until next Tuesday the hearing over whether the Presidents decision was unconstitutional. Arroyo declared a state of emergency in the Philippines and granted increased powers to the security forces, over claims of a conspiracy to overthrow her, plotted by members of the Opposition, communist groups and some military officers. However, Finance Minister Margarito Teves, who is pressing for a lift of the emergency rule, told reporters "We will see if we can have a decision before or on Saturday. In the meantime we remain under emergency rule."

In the meantime, a document of the armed forces has been leaked, whereby the alleged conspirators were aiming at mobilising at least 200,000 people, who were to stage a rally and surround the presidential mansion on 31 March. As per the document, if the rally was not as large as expected, they were planning another one on 1 May that was to be attended by 500,000 people.

The police have brought criminal proceedings against at least 16 people, while two of them have already been arrested. In addition, some fifty communists are facing charges for rebellion.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Filipino legislators evade arrest

[08] Bush's Rating Drops Significantly

By Athina Saloustrou

One in three Americans making up 34%, an all-time low approves of US President George Bush, as per an opinion poll conducted by TV network CBS, amid the intense wrangling triggered by the deal giving a UAE company operational control over six major US ports. Bushs overall job approval fell eight points from last month. In addition, 59% of those asked disapprove of the Presidents actions. With regard to Iraq, 30% of Americans (as opposed to 37% in January) said they agreed with Bushs handlings. Furthermore, 62% believe that the USs efforts for stability and security in the area are futile, while only 36% believe that things are going well. On the issue of the ports, seven in ten Americans declare that the Dubai Ports World group should not be allowed to control them, while only 21% of those asked said there was no problem.

One in Five Believes in Cheney

With regard to Vice-President Dick Cheney, only 18% offered a positive opinion, as opposed to 46% who disapprove of him. However, it is impressive that Cheneys recent hunting accident did not affect the Americans, as 76% of those asked said that these things happen.

The telephone poll of 1,018 adults was conducted from 22 to 26 February and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Rebel Attack in Colombia

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

On Monday, rebels of the Marxist group FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) launched an attack against a hotel in the southern part of Colombia, where a town council meeting was taking place. Eight people were killed and another three were injured in the attack. Initially, private radio station Caracol spoke of five casualties from the attack in the town of Rivera, Huila province, 400km south of Bogot&#225;. Last Saturday, nine civilians were killed and another 13 were injured in a FARC attacks against a bus in the southern part of the country.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] New ETA Hit

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA - AFP

A police officer was slightly injured when a parcel bomb exploded in the town of Munguia, in Spains Basque country, on Monday. The local authorities said it was an apparent ETA attack. The package was found in a bag marked "Danger Bomb" left on a window of a local courtroom. Alerted by a passerby, police arrived at the scene as the device exploded, causing considerable damage and slightly injuring an officer.

[11] Triple Train Collision in Buenos Aires

By Anna Kourti

Ten people were injured when two passenger trains and one freight train collided in Buenos Aires on Monday. As announced by the Argentinean rail authority, the driver of one of the trains, who was trapped in the wreckage, is in critical condition. The collision took place in the suburb Palermo at around 10:30pm (local time). "The train was about half full. We were lucky that none of the passengers were standing up," said a passenger, who was on his way home from work and was injured slightly.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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