The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Mercury in the Red Mercury Rising

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET Radio 105.8

The next two days will be hot, starting today, around Greece with temperatures that will even reach 40oC. In particular, meteorologists have forecast that in Western Greece, Thessaly, Eastern Sterea, Attica and the Eastern Peloponnese mercury will climb to 39oC today and to 40 degrees tomorrow. A breath of cooler air ix expected as of Thursday. The Civil Protection Authority is calling all public health services in Attica to be on alert and have reinforced personnel. At the same time, the Public Power Corporations (PPC) technical staff is also in a state of alert, as there will be increase electricity consumption from air conditioners. However, Development Secretary General Nikos Stefanou ruled out the possibility of a blackout despite the heatwave and the increased power consumption. Speaking on NET radio 105.8, he underlined that PPCs network and substations at the southern part of the country have been reinforced.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related Links:

Hellenic National Meteorological Service

[02] On Wednesday in Parliament Labour Bill Underway

By Betty Savourdou

On Wednesday, the competent Parliamentarian committee will open the discussion for the Labour Bill, which is expected to be voted within the first ten days of August and will bring significant changes in overtime cost and working hours. However, unions and the Opposition are harshly reacting to the new Bill. In fact, as of Tuesday morning PAME is occupying the Employment Ministry protesting for the regulations promoted by the Government. What is more, GSEE's (Greek General Confederation of Labour) Steering Committee will meet today and will most probably announce a 24-hour strike. The Government is making all necessary decisions based on social benefits, answered Theodoros Roussopoulos. At the same time, PASOK speaks of deregulation of economy and society, while Alekos Alavanos speaks of an attack against the social state.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Tube Passengers' Bags Checked New Terror Measures in the USA

By Vicky Keleri

After the July 7 terrorist hits in London, fears of a new attack in the USA have risen again and now Authorities are thinking of intensifying checks to prevent such a development from happening. In this context, Washington is seriously considering of running random, surprise checks in passengers' bags at the metro system. However, such a measure is still under consideration to make sure it does not violate citizens' rights nor increases waiting time in the metro. It is noted that a few hours after the London attacks, armed policemen and trained dogs were sent to Washington's tube, which is the second biggest underground transport system in the USA with 86 stations and over 900 lines, which are daily used by 730,000 people.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Interview by Shia Cleric Sadr on BBC "Legitimate Resistance in Iraq"

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: BBC

In an interview to British network BBC, radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr claimed that the resistance of Iraqis to the western forces is legitimate, quoting the US President, who had declared at one time, "If my country is occupied, I will fight." Speaking on the show "Newsnight", Sadr declared, "The first person who would acknowledge this [ie the resistance is legitimate] is the so-called American President Bush," while the added that the problems faced by Iraq are due to the presence of foreign forces. At the same time he called on the Iraqi military and police forces "to exercise self-restraint with Iraqi people and not be provoked into them or the occupying forces, as this isnt in the interest of Iraq." At the same, the bloody clashes are continuing in Iraq, since 14 people were killed in eight different attacks. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned this new wave of violence, since, as he noted, it is undermining the efforts for political restructuring.

USA Responsible for Problems in Iraq

"The occupation in itself is a problem. Iraq not being independent is the problem. And the other problems stem from that," noted Sadr in his interview, although he called on the Iraqis to exercise restraint and not get enmeshed in the plans of the West and the occupying forces.

Furthermore, he expressed the belief that the USA does not wish for clashes, but stressed that all the problems in Iraq are due to the American presence.

With regard to the new Iraqi Constitution, which will be announced on 15 August, he said that he would not play any part in drafting that constitution or take on an official political role as long as the US troops remain, adding that he would not stop any others participating.

It should be noted that this is the first interview Sadr has ever given to western Media.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

BBC

[05] They Will Be Funded with 2.2 million Euros Seven Greek Programmes in "Da Vinci"

By Athina Saloustrou

On Monday, the European Commission in Brussels selected seven Greek programme, which will be funded with 2.2 million Euros, for the European vocational programme "Leonardo da Vinci". A total of 295 programmes from 31 countries were selected, which will receive up to 86 million Euros in EU funding. The "Leonardo da Vinci" programme encourages cross-border collaboration and aims at promoting innovations in improving the quality of Education and vocational training in Europe. In the context of the programme, 1,687 national programmes have been selected for funding since 2000, receiving a total of 540 million Euros. Out of those national programmes, 57 were Greek and received 20 million Euros in funding.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Greek "No" to Sugar

By Betty Savourdou

Greece rejected the European Commission's proposal to decrease beetroot and sugar prices through quotas, which will allow sugar imports from third countries. As Minister of Rural Development Evangelos Basiakos noted, regulations need to ensure producers' income and allow the production of sugar around the European Union. As he said, after 2009 there is serious danger of flooding the Union with sugar from third countries and urged the Commission to look into realistic and balanced solutions for European farmers.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Training in the Rain

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The bad weather did not manage to stop AEKs preparation programme. Despite the fact that it was pouring down rain, Fernando Santos did not show any mercy towards his players, so following yesterdays rest, on Monday he made them run around the pitch for over two hours. Initially, the players performed some speed and power exercises, while then they engaged in a programme to improve high balls. Most of the training session was made up of tactical exercises.

Livramento Continues Training

Portuguese Antonio Fernando Amaro Livramento, aged 22, who is being tested by Santos, continued training with the rest of players,

On the other hand, Stavros Tziortzopoulos followed an individual training programme.

AEKs squad will get back into the action on Wednesday at 8pm, when the friendly match against Paris Saint Germain in "Thonon Les Bains" is scheduled.

Snatos: "This Year we Will Play Offensively"

However, Fernando Santos, who is expecting Kostas Katsourtanis to arrive in Italy on Thursday before adopting the new scheme, declared satisfied with his players moods.

After Sundays training session, the Portuguese coach spoke for the first time since the team arrived in Italy about the progress of the players and the changes he will be making.

"My players have worked very well and very hard. We will reach the desired state in time, but it is very good that we are at this level now, The players realised that they can do with hard work," declared AEKs coach, who clarified that AEK will be playing more offensively this year.

"Last year we were a defensive team, since we could not play well forward. We are more complete this year and I expect we will be scoring more goals. What we are aiming for this year is to play more offensively and be just as organised."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Lemmens Is Ecstatic

By Stathis Petropoulos

On Monday afternoon, Belgian goalkeeper Erwin Lemmens signed a three-year contract with Olympiacos FC and will be added to goalkeepers Nikopolidis and Giannou. Lemmens, aged 29, who played for Espanyol and came to the Greek club with great references, appeared extremely happy with his deal. "I wanted very much to play for Olympiacos," he declared, while he added, "To leave Spain was not easy after playing there for the last six years, but I believe I made the right move as Olympiacos plans to be a major player in Europe and it is an honour to play for them."

He Came as a Friend

The Belgian will probably be Trond Solieds second choice under the posts, since he has more experience than Giannou. On the other hand, Lemmens declared that he aspires to become the main goalkeeper. What impressed him more, though, was the passion of his new teams fans. "I have heard things both about the team and its fans and I think I want to be with people who love football and want to watch a great show," he noted. "I believe that I will help the team achieve its targets. I want to team the other goalkeepers and I want us to become friends. I like being among fans and I like talking to them, although this will be difficult at the start, as I do not speak the language. But I will try my best to learn and talk to them about football."

Solied's Acquaintance

Lemmens was born in 1976 and is 1.86m tall. Trond Solied had met him when he was playing for Beveren. In 1999 he was transferred to Racing Santander and stayed since then. He has been playing for Espanyol since 2003, as the main goalkeeper the first year and as a substitute the second. He will depart for Seefelt tomorrow, where he will join the rest of the team, wearing the No 33 jersey. His career in detail:

Season-Team-Participations 1995-96 Beveren 2 1996-97 Beveren - 1997-98 Beveren 17 1998-99 Beveren 31 1999-00 Santander 17 2000-01 Santander 5 2001-02 Santander 33 2002-03 Santander 27 2003-04 Espanyol 29 2004-05 Espanyol 2

Stoltidis Injured

In the meantime, Ieroklis Stoltidis was injured in training today, as he twisted his foot and had to leave the session earlier. The first diagnosis was a slight sprain, which is not very serious. However, Trond Soleid advised him to follow a therapy programme, as there is not reason for him to strain his leg.

Christos Patsatzoglou participated in both of todays training sessions, while tomorrow he will have a rest. On the other hand, Stelios Venetidis followed an individual programme.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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