The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-12

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] 24-Hour Strike by GSEE and ADEDY

12 Feb 2008 15:16:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁNA/ÌNA

Greece will be in a cordon of strikes on Wednesday protesting against the social reforms to be promoted by the government. The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) will go on a 14-hour strike with participation of employees in the public and private sector, mass transport, scientists sectors. Public transportations will be conducted with difficulty tomorrow. The Prime Minister will proceed to announcements on Friday in Parliament.

Difficulty in Transportations and Transactions

Public Sector will be closed tomorrow due to GSEE and ADEDY 24-hour strike. Public employees, prefecture and municipality employees, tax officers, bank employees, primary and secondary education teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, journalists, pharmacists as well as Public Enterprises and Organizations (DEKO) employees will participate in the strike.

-Trolley employees will go on strike form 11:00 to 16:00 -Metro-ISAP (Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway) S.A. employees from 10:00 to 16:00. -Urban buses employees There will be no flights and ship departures on Tuesday midnight until Wednesday midnight.

TV Channels-ERT and private ones- will not broadcast news reports tomorrow. There will be no circulation of newspapers Thursday, February 14. GSEE and ADEDY gathering will start at Pedion tou Areos, Athens and then protestors will march towards the Greek Parliament.

Provisions of Reforms

The Prime-minister will announce the basic axes of reforms in the social security system to the Parliament on Friday. According to reports existing funds will merge into 6 main pension funds, 8 supplementary and 2 welfare funds. As main social security funds will remain the following:

Salary earners fund (IKA- TEAM) Organization for the self-employed (OAEE) Agriculture Insurance Organization (OGA) Scientists Fund ( from merging of lawyers, doctors engineers funds) Press Fund (probably merging of all mass media funds) Unified funds will be under the same administration but will maintain autonomy concerning pensions and benefits. In the meantime, healthy funds will contribute 10% of its social funds to support funds with deficits. The Prime-minister is expected to announce abolition of early pensions below 60 years-old and 8% yearly reduction of pension for each year under 60 years old retirement. If someone retires at the age of 55 his pension will be 40% lower. The draftbill provides for a 5- year transitional period, in other words it will not affect people retiring till 2013. It also has special provisions for mothers with underage children.

[02] On Zahopoulos' Case

12 Feb 2008 12:37:00 (Last updated: 12 Feb 2008 17:54:09)

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

Special interrogator on the Zahopoulos case filed violation of personal data charges against the 35 year old young-woman, who was summoned to give a supplementary statement on Monday. According to her lawyer, the young woman intends to give answers to all parts of the case in her testimony. Other prosecutions are expected within the following days. In addition her former lawyer Mr. Nikoloutsopoulos who accompanied the 35 years old in "Proto Thema" newspaper was called to testify on the charges of blackmailing, violation of personal data and participation to suicide attempt. The day of the testimony has not been announced yet. According to Mr. Nikoloutsopoulos counsel, Makis Tzifras, the accused is ready to testify if the doctors treating him will give him permission.

New Testimonies Expected

Zahopoulos lawyer revealed new evidence about the phone calls former General Secretary of Culture made a few moments before his suicide attempt.

Revocation of phone confidentiality brought to light another person who exchanged 89 messages with Mrs. Tzekou.

Mrs. Tzekou claims: The brief does not prove a blackmailing attempt The revocation of phone confidentiality confirms the fact that she had not any contact with Mr. Zahopoulos during the last month It is not clear whether she was present in the second meeting with "Proto Thema" journalist Mr. Themos Anastasiadis In addition, she will give her version regarding the montage made in the DVD.

Meantime, prosecutor Maria Gane included in the file of the case Mr. Triantafyllopoulos' charges speaking of transactions between him and ND Parliamentary member Mr. Kostas Koukodimos.

Former Health Minister Mr. Thanasis Giannopoulos talking to NET 105,8 radio station said that Kostas Koukodimos should not have behaved in such a way but should have the courage to say what exactly happened while he also stressed that Mr. Kladas may also be involved in the case.

Senior Prosecutor Mr. Panayiotis Poulios will examine weather the recorded phone conversation between journalist Makis Triantafyllopoulos and Kostas Koukodimos was wired taped.

General Secretary of Special Tax Office Mr. Spyros Kladas announced that the investigation regarding journalist Themos Anastasiadis' 5,5 million euros found in his bank account is speeding up. As per the scenarios speaking of him resigning, Mr. Kladas said that he has the full support of the minister of Economy

Governmental spokesman Mr. Thodoros Roussopoulos when asked if Mr. Kladas is still being supported by the Prime Minister said that nothing has changed in the case.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Strict Fines for Offenders

12 Feb 2008 14:19:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁNA/ÌNA

The cabinet approved measures for the treatment of problems traced in the Greek market and the protection of consumers. These measures will be announced within the following days and will aim at securing the quality and the prices of products as well as protecting consumers from profiteering. Interventions made by the government will include chains of products from the production stage to the consumption stage. Strict fines will be imposed to offenders.

Aiming at Protecting Consumers

"Our target is to guarantee a better market with a healthier competition for the civilians and especially for the needy ones. Disposability of products and services with security measures and affordable prices will be preserved," Minister of Development Mr. Folias said after the cabinets meeting. He also underlined that fines for offenders will be strict and stated that the government mainly focuses on the effectiveness of the measures. Mr. Folias also said that these measures will be applied in order to give civilians the chance to feel safe when shopping. As per fuel gas and reactions triggered in the market, the Ministry of Economy will handle this issue he concluded.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Further Drop in Temperatures

12 Feb 2008 12:11:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Extreme weather conditions are temporarily abating, but temperatures will stay low on Tuesday. Meteorologists forecast a new deterioration of weather at the weekend with further drop in temperatures, gale force northerly winds and snowfalls in the east continental parts of the country.

A general ban on sailing from Lavrio and Thessaloniki ports is still in effect while from Piraeus port departures of ships to the islands of Hios and Mitilini have been cancelled. From the Rafina port only ship lines to Marmari are sailing. Due to gale force winds, passengers are advised to contact with port authorities to be informed on cancellation of services. Snowfall has created problems in regional provincial roads network while snow chains are required in Parnitha from the Teleferic and up.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] In Search of the Mother

The 48-year-old Filipino, who informed the police that she had found an infant in a litter bin in Exarcheia was charged with exposure of a minor and perjury at the Prosecutor. Another 26-year-old woman, who was living in the apartment, where the infant was born also appeared before the Prosecutor. The first woman argued that she had received a telephone call by a 30-year-old Filipino woman, who told her that she had found an infant, urging her to state that she had found it in a litter bin. The police are looking for the 30-year-old woman, appealing in parallel to the mother to visit the closest hospital as her health is in danger.

Humaneness Initiative

Meanwhile, the head of Prosecutors in Achaia has assumed the responsibility of about 200 non-accompanied minors, aged 9-17 living in a refugees camp in Patras. This arrangement has taken place for the first time, while about 400 non-accompanied minor refugee children ask for asylum in Greece.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Cooperation Adopting Discrete Roles

12 Feb 2008 12:25:00

By

Sources: ÁNA-ÌNA, ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105,8

The New Archbishop gave his official confirmation today in the president of Republic Mr. Carolos Papoulias, for cooperation between the church and the state with discrete roles. Mr. Hieronymos was accompanied by archpriests members of the Constant Holy Synod. The new Archbishop was wearing the archbishops vest and all together chanted a liturgy. President of Republic and Minister of Education Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis were present. The Archbishop of Athens and all Greece looks forward to a cooperation between the Greek Church and state but underlines that roles between them must be discrete. On his side, the President of Republic said that this is a new era for the Greek Church which can stand by the society.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Denmark Arrests of suspects

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

Several people were arrested in Denmark on Tuesday in connection with a plot to murder one of the 12 cartoonists, working for the large circulation Jyllands-Posten newspaper, whose drawings of the Prophet Mohammad caused the most controversy in 2006. The head of Danish police said that a large police operation was launched in Arhous region to avert a murder linked with terrorism. The plan was averted after long monitoring without revealing identities and nationalities of those arrested. The identity of the candidate victim was not released.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Suffered Stroke

12 Feb 2008 09:33:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Greek singer, Arletta is at a critical state after a stroke she suffered last night shortly before the start of a concert at Bolos Municipal Theater. She was transferred to Ahilopoulio Hospital, in Bolos.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] New Gallop

12 Feb 2008 09:12:00

A gallop conducted by Public Issue on behalf of "Kathimerini" newspaper and SKAI television indicates a swing against the two major political parties and impressive rise in SYN party percentage, which is emerging to third party in the parliament. The ND is in the lead with 3.5% points ahead of PASOK. In intention of voting, the ruling ND party gathers 38.5%, followed by PASOK with 35%, SYRIZA with 11.5%, GCP with 7.55 and LAOS with 4.5%. Kostas Karamanlis is considered the most appropriate person for the post of prime-minister, gathering 49% against 20% of George Papandreou while 28% of respondents gave a negative answer for both. In the meantime, extremely high are percentages of dissatisfaction at both major political parties with 80% of respondents against ND and 94% against PASOK.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] Equivalent to Nobel Prize

06 Feb 2008 15:35:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Greek scientist, Sifis Sifakis born and brought up in Heraklio Crete today received Turing 2007, highest distinction from the Association for Computing machinery ACM. Sifakis has been living in Grenoble, France for many years and is a researcher at CNRS. The Association for Computing Machinery gives the 2007 Turing Award to three computer scientists who developed an automated error recognition technique called model checking. The other two scientists awarded are American researcher, Edmund Clarke and Allen Emerson. The international Turing award bears the name of English Mathematician, Alan Turing, who is considered pioneer in the computer field. The Turing award is the highest distinction for scientists involved in Informatics and is considered equavalent to a Nobel prize as a Nobel prize in Informatics-Computing has not been institutionalised yet.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[11] Batatsuna Members Arrested in Spain

The Spanish police arrested 13 prominent members of the outlawed Batatsuna party in the night. As per the Spanish state TV, the operation began in the morning hours and is in progress. In its electronic site, El Mundo newspaper reports that the operation aimed at preventing the setting up of the restructuring of the Batatsuna party, which has sustained strong blows in lately by the Spanish authorities. As per the newspaper, the arrestees are accused of participating in a terrorist organization. As per the newspaper High Court judge Baltasar Garzon issued the court order. Batasuna, was outlawed by the Supreme Court in 2003 on grounds that it is part of the armed group ETA.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[12] Multi Fatal Incidents

20 Jan 2008 15:37:00

Sources: ANA

21 people at least were killed in Iraq, among them 17 armed. American and Iraqi officials reported today that 71 suspects for terrorism were arrested by American and Iraqi forces around the country.

Iraqi News Agency VOI announced that the Iraqi army killed 14 armed troopers and arrested 60 suspects in operations during the last 24 hours.

The U.S. military detained 10 gunmen during a raid in northern Diyala province on Thursday, the U.S. military said. In addition, U.S. forces detained 16 gunmen on Friday and Saturday during operations targeting al Qaeda in central and northern Iraq,

What is more, police said that mortar bombs killed five people and wounded 18 in Balad, 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[13] Turning to Egypt for Help

Sources: ANA/MPA-ÍÅÔ 105.8

Thousands of Gazans keep streaming into Egypt for a fourth day running to stock up on supplies to withstand the Israeli blockade. For the first time, many of them crossed the border using their own cars. On Friday, the Egyptian security forces tried to regain control of the border resealing a part of it. Hamas members, however, knocked down parts of the border fence. On Saturday, the Sinai governor said that the Egyptian authorities ordered forces to ease the surge of the Palestinians into the country and lead them to places where they can find anything they need.

In the meantime, Israels army announced Saturday it barred access to the border with Egypt, with a view to preventing attacks by Palestinians who have made it to Egypt.

The announcement also prohibited access to tourist resorts situated to the east of the borderline, while security measures in the areas towns and villages were tightened. On Friday, the Israeli authorities issued a traffic ban along the border with Egypt.

Furthermore, the anti-terrorism agency urged Israelis living in the Sinai Peninsula to be extremely cautious of possible abductions by members of Palestinian groups.

Finally, Hamas, the Islamist group running the Gaza Strip, accepted Egypts call for talks with Fatah in Cairo, to strike a common ground that would defuse the crisis plaguing Palestine.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Four Palestinians Killed in Gaza

[14] In Two Israeli Raids

25 Jan 2008 09:07:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Overnight on Thursday, the Israeli military carried out two air strikes near the border killing four suspected Hamas militants. One of the victims was the commander of the Islamist movements military wing in Rafah, Mohammed Abu Harb, killed along with another senior militant when Israeli missiles hit their jeep in the town, Palestinian medics said. Another two other members of the group, which seized control of Gaza in June, were killed two hours earlier in an Israeli air strike on a truck in southern Rafah. An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed the military had carried out both air strikes, saying that the targets had been "terror operatives". The Israeli spokesman also said that Mohammed Harb was responsible for mortar attacks against Israel and involvement in the Israeli soldier abduction in Gaza Strip, in June, 2006

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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