The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Molecular Technology Testing Blood Donors

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA

Greek Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos announced Saturday the setting up of a centre conducting molecular-based testing of blood donors at the AXEPA hospital in Thessaloniki. The centre is due to start operation in three weeks time and it is to serve the needs of northern Greece. Mr Avramopoulos visited the premises of the hospital and underlined that the centre will carry out screening tests of some 145 to 200,000 blood donors annually. The Health Minister further added that such centres will be introduced across Greece and that the restructuring of the blood donation system is rapidly developing. "Greek citizens can feel safe, because high standards are applied," noted Mr Avramopoulos.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] General Elections in Italy Election Time in Italy

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ANA

Election time in Italy is just a breath away, since polls are due to open at 8am on Sunday, and some 47 millions of eligible voters are called on to vote for the countrys next government. The elections will last until 10pm and will continue on Monday from 7am to 15pm. Although polls give Romano Prodi the lead, several analysts said the election result may be a surprise, since no clear winner may emerge. Such likelihood is seriously taken into account and is fuelling many scenarios, including a grand coalition, a government of technocrats or even new elections. On their part, Italys political leaders go for new elections.

It is Silvio Berlusconis decision to impose a new voting system that will be used in the election that makes the forming of a strong government a rather far-away possibility.

Piedmont in the north, Lazio in the centre and Puglia in the south are viewed as "swing" regions, for the election results are uncertain.

Piedmont may prove extremely crucial for Berlusconi, just like Ohio for US President George Bush, a political analyst was quoted as saying.

The new parliament will appoint the presidents of the two Houses and then will elect the new President of the Republic. Carlo Azeglio Ciampis term runs out on May 18.

The new president will take the election results into account and in case there is no clear parliamentary majority, he will either call for new elections or try to put down a coalition.

It is the personality of the new President of the Republic that will determine the developments, underlined Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Report to Parliament on Monday Wiretap Bugs Placed Physically

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

The members of the Hellenic Authority for Information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) investigating the wiretapping case concluded that the illegal software had been placed at Vodafones facilities physically. The second report, which will be submitted to Parliament Monday, also refers to the possibility of further bugged centres, apart from the four that are already known. According to information, the 27-page report includes the Authoritys conclusions, whereby the illegal software was physically placed and upgraded at Vodafones facilities, and the tapped phones numbers were being changed through remote access. In addition, irrespective of whether the software was placed by an employee of Vodafone or Ericsson or a third party, the ADAE considers that Vodafone had not protected its technical facilities adequately.

More Centres Bugged

The report notes that the bugged centre in Peania was extremely crucial. Furthermore, the three centres discovered by Ericsson and the fourth on Pireos Street discovered by Vodafone may not be the only ones.

In addition, there might have been more than three, maybe four or five, antennae in the Mavili triangle.

The name of Kostas Tsalikidis is also mentioned in the report, as well as the lists containing the number and names of those who had access to the bugged centres through passwords.

The report will be sent to Parliament on Monday. Moreover, since the investigation is still underway, the ADAE decided not to impose financial penalties just yet, but this will be done in the final report, in the beginning of May.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Hearing on Wiretaps

[04] Education Minister in Beijing Greek-Chinese Education Agreement

By Despina Hristopoulou

Greek Education Minister Marietta Giannakou and her Chinese counterpart Zhou Ji proceeded in making a significant agreement between Greece and China, signing a deal concerning scholarship exchanges for students and programmes for learning Greek and Chinese. Specifically, the agreement refers to the period 2007-2010 and concerns scholarship exchanges for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. For undergraduates, the scholarships will be for 10 months, while for postgraduates, they will be for 12. The programmes will concentrate on the teaching of Greek and Chinese, as well as new technologies in Education. Giannakou, who was warmly greeted by Chinese officials, described the agreement as significant, stressing that it relates to Education on many levels and would benefit both countries. On the other hand Zhou Ji stressed that Greece and China are two countries with great culture and history, while he described the agreement as extremely important in strengthening the two countries at a cultural, educational and friendship level.

Exchange of Views

Both sides agreed on monthly summer seminars on language and culture, while the prospects for scholarships concerning research and technology would also be reviewed.

The memorandum of collaboration also provides for exchanges of teachers, technical know-how and educational material especially in disciplines such as Archaeology, History, Philosophy, and Classical Sciences in general. At the same time, it recognises the significance of new technologies in education.

The most important part is that linguistic knowledge would be officially recognised by both countries.

In addition, the Chinese side was particularly interested in the Olympic Education programmes. They also agreed on reinforcing institutions such as the Maths, Physics and Chemistry Olympics, and the exchanges of educational TV programmes. Finally, the deal it will give China the opportunity to open a window to Europe though Greece, as there will be collaboration in European programmes, such as the Erasmus student exchange programme.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] 25-Year Sentence for Torching an Algerian Girl Youth Convicted for Burning Girl Alive

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA-REUTERS

A Paris court pronounced a 25-year sentence to Jamal Derrar, 22, for having torched a teenage girl of Algerian descent alive in 2002. Furthermore, Tony Rocca, 23, who was also there, was sentenced to eight years for abetting Derrar. The 25-year-old doused Sohane Benziane, 17, with gasoline to scare her on October 4, 2002. The young girl was hurried to a hospital but succumbed to her wounds two hours later. The crime occurred for Derrar wanted to avenge himself after he was humiliated in a fight with her boyfriend. The case made the headlines and the girls name elevated to an emblem of the sufferings of young women in poor French neighbourhoods. The Prosecutor dismissed Derrars claims that he committed a crime of passion.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Liberation: 25 ans de reclusion pour la mort de Sohane

Lemonde:Jamal Derrar a ete condamne a 25 ans de reclusion pour la mort de Sohane Benziane

[06] Tornadoes Hit Tennessee Deadly Winds

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA-REUTERS

Ten people lost their lives in Tennessee, USA, when tornadoes hit the central part of the state for a second time within a week. The twisters caused extensive property damage. It is worth mentioning that the states authorities were conducting emergency management exercises in Nashville when the twisters occurred. Since, severe weather conditions have been affecting the central US states killing 28 people, including 24 in western Tennessee.

Translated by Areti Christou

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