The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Voiced Satisfaction Over Health

By Athina Saloustrou

During his visit to the Health Ministry this morning, the Greek PM, Kostas Karamanlis, voiced his satisfaction over the progress of the governments efforts in the Health sector. Earlier, the PM met with Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis and the Deputy Health Ministers, while during the 2.5-hour discussion, Mr Karamanlis was briefed on the changes that have taken place in the Ministry over the last year. Despite his satisfaction, the PM clarified that there are many things that still need to be done, while he acknowledged that the Health Ministry needs to continue working hard in order to provide citizens with the services they are entitled to. Mr Karamanlis also pledged his commitment to reinforcing the mental health sector, in an effort to materialise the great plan for the deinstitutionalisation of patients. He then referred to the eight Bills that have been or are about to be submitted by the Health Ministry, while he stressed that, following the success of the new roster system in Attica hospitals, which assisted in the smooth operation of hospitals, the system will start being implemented in Thessaloniki, noting, "Fold-up beds will soon be an image of the past throughout the country."

Personal Commitment

The PM also expressed the belief that the measures implemented to solve the major problem of lack of ICU beds are moving towards the right direction. He also added that the rental of beds in private hospitals and the utilisation of 120 ICU beds constitute two of the Ministrys top priorities.

He also stressed that extra funds will be given for the hiring of medical personnel, as well as for the mental health sector.

In concluding, Mr Karamanlis said that health is a service that should be readily available to citizens, since they are paying for it, while the State has an obligation to provide the best possible services. Finally, he made a commitment to equal access of all citizens to Health services, while he stressed that the Governments fixed aim is to create a health system based on meritocracy and transparency. "The efficiency of the State in the Health sector is being tested and judged on a daily basis," noted the PM.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Four People Injured Train Collision in Rodopoli Serres

By Anna Kourti

Four people were injured, among them the Greek driver who is in serious condition, when a passenger carrying train collided with a freight train, in Rodopoli, Serres. The four injured passengers were taken to the Rodopoli Health Center. The accident occurred at 8:00. According to information by NET, the driver of the passenger train, boarded with 16 passengers, departed from the station of Rodopoli en route to Serres, without receiving a signal from the local yardmaster, when the freight train entered the station. An OSE specialists committee will arrive at the scene of the accident. In the meantime train routes have been reinstated.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Patriarchate's Gates Under Guard No Entry

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

Tensions continue to run high in Jerusalem, just five days before the Synod of the 14 Orthodox Church provosts in Istanbul, aiming at finding a solution to the problems that are plaguing the Patriarchate. Holy Sepulchre clerics are guarding the entrance to the Patriarchate around the clock, in an effort to prevent Patriarch Eirinaios from attempting to reenter. Disgraceful incidents took place yesterday in the Holy Land. Unallowable abusive language and clashes followed yesterdays unsuccessful attempt by Archimandrites siding with renounced Eirinaios to enter the throne room. The Archimandrites tried to trespass the building with the help of a locksmith and the Israeli police. In the meantime, two members of the Patriarchates administrative committee, the Metropolitan Bishops of Petra and Capitolida, are expected to arrive in Phanar on Monday. They may also be accompanied by the head secretary of the Synod, Archbishop of Konstantini, Aristarchos, and Archbishop of Iopi, Damaskinos. Furthermore, yesterday Eirinaios voiced his intention to attend the Pan-Orthodox Synod, while he also declared that he is still a Patriarch. In addition, as per information, he had a secret meeting with the sons of Israeli PM Ariel Sharon yesterday morning.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Eirinaios' Counterattack

[04] Revealing Photos on the Internet Anarchists Seize MAT Equipment

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET- ANA

The General Administration of the Attica Police is conducting a sworn administrative investigation over the loss of MAT equipment that is depicted in a photo published at an anti-authoritarian Internet site and in a newspaper. The photo shows the anarchists holding their loot which is: two shields, a crash helmet and two gas masks, with the footnote that this is police equipment. The anarchists group has not been identified yet. Sources of the Greek police made known, that the items were lost during the attack of a group of anarchists against a MAT squad at Charilaos Trikoupis Street and Navarinou Street in Exarcheia, on Thursday night.

Police: "Not Weaponry Equipment"

During the attack, a Molotov bomb fell on a backpack with tear gasses that caught fire, filling the area with smoke. The shields, crash helmet and gas masks were placed on the bag, and which the policemen thought were destroyed by the fire. Later on, during the count that was made at the policemens duty it was concluded that they were missing.

A source of the Greek Police made clear that this is not weaponry equipment but materials that cannot be used for dangerous purposes, while a sworn administrative investigation takes place in every case of missing equipment.

Initially, the police had denied that seizure of the items and now blame the incident to a mistake in the count of equipment.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] No Reports of Victims or Serious Damage New Earthquake in Sumatra

By Anna Kourti

On Thursday, a strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale shook the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. According to sources, there have been no serious damage or victims reported. The earthquake occurred underwater at 8:54 local time (04:54 Greek time), and its epicentre was located 240 km west of the town of Sibolga, at the province of northern Sumatra, stated a spokesperson of the Seismology Service in the province of Aceh. The new earthquake caused panic to the inhabitants of the area, after the earthquake that measured 9.3 on the Richter scale and caused a tsunami with 165,000 dead, only in the area of Aceh.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Five Dead and Twenty-Six Missing Deadly Snowstorm

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters

Five Chilean soldiers lost their lives and 26 are missing, when their vehicle was lost in a snowstorm in the Andes Mountains, after a military exercise. Helicopters, aircrafts and Army patrols are participating in the investigation for the location of the missing soldiers in the area of Los Barros in south-central Chile, 600 km from Santiago. Winter in Chile starts in May. According to an announcement by the Army, another 24 soldiers that participated in the exercise managed to find refuge at a mountain shelter and have infrequent communication with the rescuers.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] No Reports of Victims or Serious Damage Earthquakes in Japan

By Anna Kourti

On Thursday, two strong earthquakes measuring 5.1 and 5.4 on the Richter scale occurred in Japan. Up to this moment there have been no reports of victims or serious damage, while a warning of a tsunami has not been issued. The epicentre of the earthquake was at sea at a depth of 30 km in the province of Chiba. The past months seismic activity has been apparent, especially near Tokyo. Japan is at the crossroad of four tectonic plates, and thousands of earthquakes are recorded on a yearly basis. Seismologists evaluate that Tokyo is in danger of a "mega-earthquake."

The Japanese Meteorological Service announced that the first earthquake was recorded at 01:33 local time (19:33 Greek time), in the Pacific, near Hokkaido Island. The epicentre of the quake was at sea at a depth of 60 km. The second earthquake occurred in the area of Chiba, west of Tokyo, at 10:18 (04:18 Greek time) and felt at the capital of the country.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Vulnerable Truce in Gaza Tested New Palestinian Missile Attack

By Athina Saloustrou

This morning, armed Palestinians launched three Kassam-type missiles against Israeli ground, without any damage or victims being reported, but testing the vulnerable truce that has been in force since February. They targeted Israeli settlements southeast of the Security Fence, which has been constructed by Israel in order to counter attacks. According to Israeli sources, the missiles exploded in fields. The Palestinians, according to the Israeli army, made another attack with seven mortar missiles that exploded in Jewish settlements in Gaza Strip, without victims or damage. Yesterday, armed Palestinians launched 31 missiles against an aircraft, which resulted to the death of one Palestinian. From his part, Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim threatened that if Palestinian attacks continue against Jewish settlers and Israeli ground, Israel will toughen its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Israel Gives Out Warning

"We have to act in a more offensive way than we have before," warned the Deputy Minister speaking on public radio. "Up to now, we reacted with moderation and self-restraint because we were interested in keeping the peace during the withdrawal from Gaza Strip, but no one imagined that we would do so under Palestinian fire," Boim added.

"If the Palestinian Authority does not understand the message, we will make them do so," noted the Israeli officer.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] In Paris shortly before the referendum Socialist Meeting on Yes Vote

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

A major meeting for the yes vote is underway this evening in Paris, hosted by the European socialist party, ten days before the crucial French referendum on the European Constitution. Politicians from 18 countries participated in the meeting, including the president of PASOK, Giorgos Papandreou and former PM Kostas Simitis. In the meantime, the thriller with the opinion polls in France continues. The yes vote was in the lead until March, with 56%. At the end of the same month, the no vote swung into the lead. At the end of April, the polls were showing yes again, only to see the no vote nip it in the bud. At the end of last week, the opinion polls in France showed a small lead for the yes vote, while the latest polls put the no vote back into the lead, moving between 51 and 53%.

Seize the Opportunity, Says Papandreou

From the podium of the event, Giorgos Papandreou called on French citizens to support the yes vote and seize the opportunity offered them and give this Constitution a huge democratic legality. "Lets seize this opportunity, and tell the citizens of the European leftwing: we got the message, were going on together," stated Mr Papandreou, stressing that "As a socialist I say yes from my heart. I say yes as a passionate European. This Constitution is necessary for us to build a Europe of mutual values."

Furthermore, the President of PASOK underlined that the European Constitution "contains values that inspire us, solidarity and tolerance. It includes the Charter of Human Rights and new EU norms to be imposed on all European legislation. It makes Europe stronger in its international relations, more capable of protecting its identity and values. For us European Socialists, the Constitution is a start. A beginning to build Europe as we want it to be, as we dream of it." He underlined that "a no vote will neither contribute to constructing a fairer, more effective Europe, nor to improving life conditions of workers, nor to helping to promote human rights."

Narcissism to Blame for No Vote

The Speaker of the European Parliament, Joseph Borel expressed his support for the yes vote. Apart from this meeting, Mr Borel also participated in a discussion at Paris-Dauphine University together with French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier. Mr Borel condemned the "narcissism" of the French, who want to vote no on the referendum and believe that they "are so important" to the extent that they think that other states are obliged to amend the European Constitution.

Translated by Millie Williams

[10] DJ Spooky at Herodus Atticus Theater

By Tina Valaoura

Paul D Miller also known as DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid, a multi-faceted artist with a long-running career in N.Y. clubs and international dance festivals will arrive at Herodus Atticus Theater on May 24, 2005. Armed with electronic beats he will present his recent work, a pioneering music and visual production, which is a live music/video show entitled "Rebirth of A Nation" based on the DW Griffiths 1915 silent movie "Birth of A Nation." The nation in the hands of DJ Spooky gets electronically deconstructed and reborn with the help of modern technology, by his own compositions and classical songs and will accompanied by video-dance of American choreographer Bill T Jones. The result will be a harsh wake-up call, since it concerns the great problem of racial discrimination, sensitizing the issues of racism and xenophobia. The Athens Festival and the General Secretariat for Youth have organized the anti-racism music show.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

http://www.hellenicfestival.gr/

http://www.djspooky.com

[11] Drug Squad Officers in Bulgaria Ecstasy Case to Prosecutor

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8- NET

On Thursday, the four men that were arrested attempting to traffick100,000 ecstasy pills in Mykonos will be taken to the Syros Prosecutor. Even though they were taken to the Piraeus Misdemeanor Court on Wednesday, their lawyers asked for the trial to take place in Syros, where they will face charges by the local Prosecution. At the same time, after the confiscation of the 100,000 ecstasy pills that were made in Bulgaria, Drug Squad officers will depart for the neighboring country in order to cooperate with authorities for the break up of the group. The pills that were found by the police in Athens, Thessalonica and Mykonos were going to be sold in tourist resorts of the country.

Extremely Dangerous

In the meantime, doctors and Drug Squad officers have sounded the alarm over the use of ecstasy.

A pill, which costs 5 to 10 euros, literally empties out the brain of the user. The pill, accompanied by alcohol or even water, can damage the brain cells of the user, who after the three-hour effect may return to normal but in the meantime has suffered a strong blow. The dealers sell the pill for 2 euros, while the price increases in the islands and seaside nightclubs, and can cost up to 20 euros.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Arrests Over Ecstasy Pills

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