The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Of The Olympic Airlines Employees Will Be Ensured

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Exiting the meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee for Privatisations, Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Transport Minister Michael Liapis clearly assured that the labour and social security rights of the OAs employees will be ensured. Mr Alogoskoufis stated that all alternatives left by the European Commissions resolution were discussed, while the government has already drafted an intergrated plan. On his part, Mr Liapis stressed that the European Commissions resolution will be thoroughly studied, while the government remains focused on privatising the company provided it is feasible. In closing, the Interdepartmental Committee for Privatisations will hold a meeting anew to reach final decisions, after it has formed a clear picture over the investors intentions and the possibilities to sell the company. In the meantime, six Opposition MPs requested the Parliaments Special Permanent Committee on Institutions and Transparency be held to discuss the statements of OA President Mr Papageorgiou, who spoke of "interests" that undermine the company.

The Opposition MPs sent a letter to the Committees head Mr Karamarios demanding the issue be discussed "ahead of the announcement of possible decisions regarding the companys future on the part of the government." The letter was singed by PASOKs parliamentarians Apostolos Kaklamanis, Evangelos Venizelos, Sokratis Kosmidis and Philippos Petsalnikos, KKE parliamentarian Liana Kanelli and SYN MP Fotis Kouvelis.

The drafting of the letter was triggered by Mr Papageorgiou article that was publicised on Athens newspaper Kathimerini. In the article, which was under the title, "Interests Ground OA," Mr Papageorgiou argued that personal, economical and political interests undermine the company.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

O.A. Grounded

[02] To Accelerate Justice's Procedures Verdicts in CD

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Justice Ministry developed a CD that contains 66 draft verdicts of simple cases, including divorces, car accidents and bankruptcies, aiming at accelerating Justices procedures. Athens top selling Apogevmatini reported that Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras suggested a special committee be created with the participation of the Supreme Court Chief Romylos Kedikoglou. The committee drew up the draft plans to facilitate the First Instance Courts that deal with thousands of such cases everyday. 1,200 copies have been released and distributed to all the First Instance Judges and are expected to make the issuing of verdicts faster, since the judges will have the 90% of the paper work to be done ready. The CD contains cases that have to do with differences in payments, compensations from car accidents, family law, disposals, bankruptcy law, restraint orders and cases of involuntary jurisdiction. The verdicts are believed to be issued within 10 days after their being discussed at court. In the meantime, Mr Papaligouras inaugurated the new complete computer system at Piraeus First Instance Court.

Complete Computer System

The Ministrys computer system allows those interested to track a verdict, its course and its result as well as to find out whether an appeal has been lodged or an annulment has been requested, and to monitor whether there are cases pending on the part of the judges and secretaries. Mr Papaligouras noted that the CD includes the computerisation of criminal records in six major Greek cities and that it is to be expanded to further four, while the computerisation of the Supreme Administrative Court, the Court of Auditors and the other bodies of the Justice Ministry is underway.

"Our objective is to accelerate Justices procedures, assist the citizens, the judges and the lawyers and provide better working conditions for the courts personnel," pointed out the Minister.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Mr Papaligouras referred to the first results of the latest legislative reform aiming at accelerating the Justices procedures and maintained that accelerating and reforming Justice is the governments top priority.

According to the Minister, the Athens First Instance Prosecution Office filed 130,000 briefs, the Athens Court of Appeal filed 10,000 briefs in a total of 17,000 ones and the Piraeus Court of Appeal filed the 35% of the briefs because of the Cancellation measure. Furthermore, the issuing of verdicts for the rest of the cases has also been shortened, for they are issued within four months.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Revealed by British Scientists Anticancer Secrets

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Reuters

British scientists have found a new ally in the fight against cancer. As they are claiming, a diet rich in cereals, beans and nuts could prevent the disease. Their dietary secret hides in inositol pentakisphosphate, which inhibits the growth of tumours. The same substance was also found in peas and lentils. The British research was published in the journal Cancer Research.

Enzyme Targeted

For years now, scientists have been trying to combat enzyme phosphoinositde 3-kinase, which promotes tumour growth.

The scientists at University College of London tested inositol pentakisphosphate, - found in beans, nuts and cereals - on mice.

They were surprised to find out that it killed the tumours successfully. In addition, it enhanced the effect of drugs used against ovarian and lung cancer cells.

The scientists work will now focus on establishing whether the phosphate inhibitor can be developed into an anti-cancer agent for human therapy.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Economy Ministry Circular Apartment Managers' Tax No

By Vagelis Theodorou

As per a relevant Economy Ministry circular, signed by Deputy Minister Adam Regouzas, the Tax File Number of apartment building managers will appear on all heating oil invoices. Based on this decision, it will not be necessary to issue separate Tax File Numbers for each building, as was initially announced. During the briefing of political reporters, the government spokesperson noted that the Government aims at securing the interests of consumers and the Public Sector, as well as combating tax evasion in fuel trade. "The Government promoted the procedure aiming at stamping out tax evasion on fuel. [] Now, it is making great efforts to deal with it," mentioned Thodoris Roussopoulos. In the meantime, 44 PASOK MPs are accusing the Government of deeply conservative views and total lack of social sensitivity, while they also submitted a question to Parliament concerning heating oil benefits. At the same time, speaking at the TIF, KKEs general secretary Aleka Papariga asked for the abolishment of indirect taxation on fuel. Meanwhile, the price of oil in the international markets is hovering just over $65 per barrel.

Aiming at Stamping out Tax Evasion

From 15 October 2005 until 30 April 2006, all heating oil merchants will have to issue retail invoices, which will include the customers name, address and Tax File No, their status (owners or renters), the type and quantity of oil sold, as well as the place and time of purchase. Then, every three months, the oil trading companies will have to submit to the tax office a detailed list of their customers.

Another circular will be issued within the next few days and it will provide details regarding the procedure that will have to be followed by apartment building managers, or house owners when submitting the invoices, along with a declaration of oil purchase, to the tax office.

The Economy Ministry will be closely monitoring all stages of the heating oil sale procedure. The consumers will pay for the oil using special cards, while the cards will be charged on the spot, as there will be computers on the oil trucks. An invoice will then be issued, while the Economy Ministry mainframe will be automatically updated.

Anyone found issuing false invoices would be prosecuted, lose his licence and be required to pay hefty fines.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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Awaiting Circular on Oil Tax Number

[05] Actions Over Sewage Sludge

By Athina Saloustrou

Public services in Ano Liossia will remain closed today in protest for the transfer of sewage sludge from Psittaleia to the area's refuse dump, while XYTA (Hygiene Refuse Burial Area) workers held a work stoppage from 10:00 to 13:00 and will decide on their further actions in a general meeting. The municipality will proceed with more action after filing a lawsuit against all the possible responsible parties for the unbearable and health hazardous foul smell in the area. At noon, the mayor will inform school directors and shop owners in Ano Liossia. Dehydrated sludge does not smell reassure experts, read EYDAP's announcement, adding that if there is a smell, it is due to other reasons.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] UN Summit Continues Necessary Reforms

By Betty Savourdou

UNs aged model requires immediate reforms on its structure and operation. That was the main idea of Kofi Annans address to the UN General Assembly and it is noteworthy that the overwhelming majority of the public embraces this opinion. The three-day Summit that is being held to mark UNs 60th anniversary and to discuss the reforms to be implemented, surfaced the criticism regarding the organisations role. In the meantime, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani appealed for worlds help in fighting terrorism, while Russian President Vladimir Putin described terrorism as Nazisms successor and underlined that the UN should mount a joint fight against it. On Friday evening, Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis will address the UN Member-States.

"Help Iraq"

"The forces of darkness are killing hundreds of Iraqis, are destroying their fortunes and are doing anything in their power to halt their march towards deciding on a new constitution and a modern state based on justice," said in his speech the new Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

"International aid towards us is not only beneficial for Iraq, but it is also to the benefit of the entire international community," underlined Jalal Talabani.

"Terrorism is the Successor of Nazism"

"I am convinced that terrorism poses today the main threat to human rights and freedoms as well as to sustainable development of states and peoples," pointed out the Russian President at the UN Summit.

Therefore, the UN and the Security Council should coordinate an international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, which is the successor of Nazism in terms of ideology, Vladimir Putin added.

Furthermore, the Russian President urged the United Nations to adjust to the new reality.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Historic UN Summit

Related Links:

Ηνωμένα Έθνη

[07] On Friday Emergency Meeting in Brussels

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) is to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss anew Turkeys refusal to recognise the Republic of Cyprus. As per diplomatic sources, it was the British Permanent Representative who decided to call an emergency meeting after the talks he had with the Cypriot side. The British Presidency is expected to submit a draft counter-statement at the meeting.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

No Agreement on Turkey

[08] At the Thessaloniki International Fair Papariga Foresees Crisis

By Anna Kourti

During a Press conference she gave at noon, in the context of her visit to the TIF, Aleka Papariga presented KKEs proposals for the Economy. "ND and PASOKs pledges are not considered social policy. SYN also shares part of the blame," said Mrs Papariga, asking for the abolishment of indirect taxation on fuel and the granting of heating oil benefits. In addition, she predicted that Greece would be joining the circle of economic crisis, with the employees being the main victims, while she described the PMs statements, ie that the Economy will recover after two years of sacrifices, as a "big lie." Referring to PASOK, she said that their opposition policy is worth nothing, adding that NDs government is implementing the same policies as Mr Simitis, during his second term in office. With regard to SYN, she stressed, "It shares part of the blame, as it follows the two major parties and has lowered the bar, demanding almost nothing."

KKE's Main Proposals

Referring to the situation in Education, she noted that the students ability to think is being butchered.

On the issue with Turkey, she stressed, "The EUs counterstatement should have said that the Union would not be opening its doors, unless it [Turkey] recognises the Republic of Cyprus."

KKEs main proposals are:

Social ownership guarantees the conquest of social inequalities. For it to work, labour and social control has to operate throughout all the levels of production administration Complete control of domestic production

In addition, the prerequisites to avoid worsening of the situation in the future are:

Forming a radical social powers block Breaking away from ND and PASOKs policies and views Powerful KKE

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Positive Result

By Stathis Petropoulos

AEK Athens FC did not impress with its game and did not seal a first-leg victory in St. Petersburg, but it was not afraid of Zenit and managed to keep Zenits strikers off its nets, thus enhancing its possibility of advancing to the next round at the second leg match at OAKA sports centre, Athens. The tie is certainly a positive result, and positive was the performance of Fernanto Santos boys, who made the most of this difficult game in Russia. AEK created many opportunities to score in a game that was open for both teams from the very beginning to the very end, meaning that Zenit also missed equal opportunities to score.

Iron Defence, Careful Offence

Given the circumstances, AEK performed almost ideally. If anyone thinks that the five-goal defeat of Santos team last year could have influenced the team this year and that Zenit is not at all an easy opponent, the Portuguese coach had no option but to pay particular attention to the teams defence. Therefore, AEKs defence was almost immaculate without destroying the game.

In the first half, AEKs players suffered some harsh moments and goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino had to block Zenits attacks. In the 24, Kerzhakov had the best chance to open the score for Zenit, but AEKs Italian goalie kept his nets goalless. The same happened in the 30, when Spivak failed to defeat Sorrentino. The Russian teams prevalence was disrupted a few moments by AEK. In the 21 Katsouranis failed to clip the ball in, while a few minutes earlier, Lyberopoulos also headed the ball out.

In the second half AEKs players took advantage of the tiredness of the Russian players and the midfielders and the forwards considerably improved. Santos boys applied more pressure and it was them who became more threatening. In the 56, Hagen of Zenit almost achieved an own-goal, but the best moment came in the 62, when Ivic "fired" a really strong shot from a dead ball situation, but Contofalsky saved his nets. However, it did not take Zenit much time to answer back. In the 68, Kerzhakov found his way to AEK goalposts, but Sorrentino managed to save the ball once again. The end of the match created a lot of suspense since both teams lost equal opportunities to score. Soares of AEK narrowly missed to send the ball in and Kerzhakov also missed in his t&#234;te-&#224;-t&#234;te with Sorrentino.

Referee: Tommy Skjerven (Norway) Yellow Cards: Anyukov, Katsouranis, Alexopoulos, Kontis

ZENIT: Contofalsky, Flachbart, Mares, Vjestica, Hagen, Radimov, Gorshkov (54 Poskus), Anyukov, Spivak (86 Sirl), Kerzhakov, Arshavin (75 Vlasov).

AEK: Sorrenitino, Kontis, Malbasa, Cirillo, Alexopoulos, Moras, Katsouranis (90 Kyriakidis), Ivic, Lyberopoulos, Julio Cesar (72΄ Soares), Venhlinskiy (84΄ Lakis).

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Interstellar Televoting Electing an Astronaut

By Annita Paschalinou

The first Malaysian who will travel in space will be elected through popular vote, and specifically through SMSs. Inspired by the great participation in talent show televoting sessions, the countrys government decided to make its space programme a bit more interactive. The result: interstellar elections.

Televoting

The Malaysians will have to choose their representative in space through televoting (by sending an SMS from their mobile phone or by calling a specific phone number).

The space programme officials will initially short list a number of candidates, using strict selection criteria.

Then, the people will be able to find out the candidates details and monitor their progress in the training programme on a website that will be posted on the Internet.

Up until now, 11,000 people have applied for the space programme.

The first Malaysian in space is expected in 2007, as part of a Russian mission.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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