The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] In the Eye of the Hurricane

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Hurricane Rita altered its course on Thursday night and is now threatening southern Louisiana. Governor Kathleen Blanco urged residents in the states coastal parishes to immediately evacuate northward, where emergency shelters have been set up. At the same time, the situation on the Texas highways is hopeless, since an estimated 1 million people are leaving Houston, creating lines of traffic extending 160km. As per Max Mayfield, Director of the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Florida, the hurricane is now a Category 4, however, it remains extremely dangerous, while it may even intensify once again. The next two days are crucial, since that is when Rita is expected to hit the coastal areas.

Asking for Extra Army

The problems on the highways are intensifying, especially due to the heat, while many fuel stations have started running out of fuel. Actually, some drivers were seen pushing their cars, in an effort to conserve fuel. Houston Mayor Bill White said that those not living in high-risk areas near the water should remain put.

The Governor of Louisiana and the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, launched an appeal for the dispatch of extra troops and rescue crews, while US President George Bush stressed that the federal government is preparing for the worst.

It has already started raining in some areas of Louisiana, while experts are estimating that the rainfall may cause floods, as the level of water is expected to rise up to one metre.

Ritas impact has already been felt in the Gulf of Mexico, where almost 92% of oil production has halted, in view of the hurricanes arrival, while 74% of the 819 manned oil platforms have been evacuated. Experts are predicting that the sharp fall in production will result in renewed price increases.

Rita is accompanied by winds reaching 220kph, while it is heading towards the coast with 17kph.

At the same time, the Katrina fatalities in the American South have reached 1,066, as per the latest official count.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Preparing for the Worst

Rita Rises to Category 5

[02] In Attica Torrent of Problems

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The sudden downpour that hit Attica on Thursday night caused a multitude of problems. The level of water rose in many areas and traffic came to a standstill on Kallirois Avenue, Piraeus Street and Syggrou Avenue. The Fire Department received over 270 calls to pump water and free people from lifts, while there were also problems with the Electrical Railway network, in the Omonoia-Attiki route. Most of the problems were recorded in the centre of Athens, as well as in Kolonos, Attiki Square, Patisia, Lykovrisi, Aharnes, Ilion and Peristeri. As per the National Meteorological Service, rain and thunderstorms are forecast for today throughout Greece.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Heavy Downpours

[03] Dog Registers to Vote in New Zealand Barking Votes

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

Using his paw mark as his signature and giving his occupation as "rodent exterminator", Toby, a Jack Russell terrier, managed to register in New Zealands electoral roll in order to vote in the countrys recent elections. The story appeared in a local newspaper, which also clarified that Tobys owner, Peter Rhodes, sent in the enrolment form, in protest for the government bureaucracy that gave him a lot of trouble lately when issuing a building licence for his farm. However, the bureaucrats did not really hassle the pet, as his application was accepted and Mr Toby Russell Rhodes received written confirmation of his enrolment by the Authorities in the Otago electorate.

Although the dog did not exercise his civic duties, the owner voiced his concerns, since, following the incident, he started wondering how many other people have been falsely registered in the electoral rolls.

The Authorities, on the other hand, were not really amused and instead of admitting their mistake, they accused Rhodes of committing an offence and he will now have to deal with the police.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Meetings with Chirac and Villepin Greek PM in Paris

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis arrived at the French capital on Thursday night for an official visit. Today, the Greek PM is scheduled to meet with the President of France, Jacques Chirac, while he will then attend an official luncheon. At 18:00, Mr Karamanlis will hold discussions with his counterpart Domenique de Villepin. In the meantime, in an interview he gave to French newspaper Le Figaro on the subject of Turkeys accession talks with the European Union, he pointed out that the EU cannot back down and negotiate a "special relationship" with Turkey, while he noted that every obstacle posed by Turkey concerning the recognition of Cyprus would constitute a problem for the accession negotiations, which are set to commence on 3 October. Prior to Mr Karamanlis visit to Paris, Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis met with his French counterpart to prepare todays meetings. In his statements, Mr Molyviatis said that the discussions with the French FM focused on bilateral relations, as well as Frances stance on the matter of Turkeys accession prospect.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] He Visited the Attico Hospital Venizelos: "Health Faces Problems"

By

PASOK parliamentarian responsible for health issues Evangelos Venizelos, heading a PASOK panel, visited the Attico Hospital and accused the government and the Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis of wasting 18 months. Mr Venizelos underlined the budget shortage for hirings and he also referred to the operation of the hospitals and intensive care units that were constructed by PASOK former government. Mr Venizelos further said that the market has run out of medicines implying unworthy interests and blamed the Ministries of Health and Development for lack of communication.

Medicine Stockists Behind Medicine Shortage

The Athens Chemist President immediately answered back. "There are some medicine stockists which instead of supplying the Greek market with medicines they import at low prices, they supply them lawfully to other EU Member-States after having doubled or even tripled the prices. We are talking about 200 million turnover annually. No one can do anything, not even EOF (Greek National Organisation for Medicines), for everything is lawful," said on NET 105.8 Athens Chemist President Kostas Lourantos.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Greek Economy Minister in Washington

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, NET

Greek Economy Minister Giorgos ALogoskoufis held a series of meetings with the US Congress and Senate officials. Mr Alogoskoufis, who heads the Greek delegates, is to attend the annual Summit of both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to be held at the weekend. In his meetings with the US officials, the Economy Minister put forth Greeces views on economy and the countrys role in the wider area of Northeastern Europe.

Commenting on his meetings on NET television, Mr Alogoskoufis underlined Greeces instrumental role in an area that enjoys a European prospect. "Being the regions only member of the EU and the Eurozone and having the most developed economy in the area, Greece can significantly contribute to the areas growth. Therefore, knowing what investors and businesses, mainly from the USA, intend to do is crucial. We thoroughly discussed these issues as well as the issues relating to the European economy with our interlocutors, because we participate in the Eurozone and the decisions that are made involve the world economy," stated the Economy Minister.

Mr Alogoskoufis expressed the aforementioned views in an event that was organised by the European Institute in the US capital.

Later on, Mr Alogoskoufis is to meet with the Board of Councils of the Greek-American Institute, visit the World Bank President and give an interview to CNN.

On Saturday, he is expected to deliver a speech in the opening session of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, while in the evening he is expected to attend the dinner that the Governor of Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas will give.

On Sunday he will continue his contacts and in the evening he will attend the reception to be thrown by the Greek National Bank, while on Monday morning he will go to New York, where he will participate in talks with businessmen and constitutional investors.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Ambushed Outside his Home Assassination Attempt against Mayor

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: ERA Iraklio

The Mayor of Tylissos, Stavros Chalkiadakis is being hospitalised at the University Hospital of Iraklio, Crete, after an unsuccessful assassination attempt against him a little after midnight last night. Fortunately, the man has escaped danger. The incident took place just outside his home on Therisos Street, Iraklio. As soon as Mr Chalkiadakis parked his car and got out, he came face-to-face with two people wearing hats and dark sunglasses. They immobilised him at gunpoint and started beating him with an iron bar. The victim started screaming, alerting the neighbours and as a result the assailants fled the scene. The Mayor of Tylissos was then transferred to the University Hospital of Iraklio, where he underwent surgery for his head wounds.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Ministry Speaks of Unapprehended Reactions Continuing Disputes over Academies

By

The University Theological Schools are threatening to close down, as they consider that the Bill submitted in Parliament for the upgrading of seminaries would downgrade their Schools. During the discussion in Parliament, PASOK accused the Government of old-fashioned methods. The Education Ministry spoke of unapprehended reactions, while it underlined the need to upgrade theological education.

Speaking on radio station NET 105.8, ND MP Katerina Papakosta said, "Apart from being enlightened, the priests should also be educated."

"I have no objections as to the Church setting the rules whereby it educates its clergymen, but it will also have to assume the responsibility for their salaries. It should establish schools of independent studies," declared academic Kostas Georgousopoulos on NET 105.8. Pastoral theology is also taught at the University Theological Schools, however, those university graduates will not be able be appointed as priests, as they will not have the Churchs seal of approval, he added.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Aid for Small Businesses

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Businesses employing from one to nine people can submit the applications for inclusion to the programme supporting the competitiveness of small businesses offering services until 14 October. The programme aims at providing aid to small businesses that have been operating for three years, employ from one to nine people and 50% of their annual turnover comes from services offered excluding car repair shops, for which 25% of their turnover has to come from services offered.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Ministry of Development

[10] Just Before Rita Passes Through Texas Seeking a Solution for Oil

By Annita Paschalinou

The Economy Ministers of the seven more powerful countries in the world will seek a solution to the frenzied course in the prices of oil. The G7 meeting is scheduled for this afternoon in Washington, just before Hurricane Rita hits the coastal areas of Texas, where the major US oil refineries are located. On Thursday, the price of oil dropped in New York, after the news that Rita was downgraded from a Category 5 to a 4, However, concern prevails in the oil markets, since the price of black gold will go through the roof if the hurricane hits the Texas oil facilities. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund described the price of oil as a threat to global economy. As per Rodrigo de Rato, the problem does not just relate to increased demand, but to the limited ability to distil the oil.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] On Cloud Nine

By Stathis Petropoulos

After the grand victory over Russia, it came naturally for the Greek players to comment on Greeces future to the Eurobasket, which seems gold, amid their celebrations for the teams advance to the final four. The mastermind of the team, head coach Panagiotis Giannakis said, "First of all we should celebrate our direct advance to the upcoming World Championship. We should not forget, however, that many great teams failed to achieve that. These tournaments will help us grow stronger in the future, while they boys made us all proud today. No, we go for the gold, for it is a feasible goal now that we have reached the final four. The Greek basketball can be at a high level. I expect the Greeks to support us because we really need it."

Nikos Chatzivretas: "We will not stop here. We will enjoy todays victory, we will relax tomorrow and we will be ready on Saturday. Defence is above all else. I opposed the fact that this team has been described as the only loved. All national teams in all sports are loved ones."

Dimitris Diamantidis: "Today is not the happiest day of my life. We all feel proud of being members of this team. There is the semifinal ahead that we have to win, since being in the final four is not the greatest success. I feel Greek, therefore I feel great."

Michael Kakoizis: "It does not matter we did not start well, we improved later on. It does not matter we don not score 100 points, what matters is that we all play on the defence. We are a team and that is why we earned themselves a place in the semis. We knew that Russia is a great team, but our defence on the three-point shots was really good. The key to our success was that we did not allow the Russians to have chances to launch second attacks."

Thodoris Papaloukas: "Congratulations to everyone. We played great defence today. It does not matter what happened in the end. It does not matter I was good. This is sport. Today, it was me, tomorrow it is going to be someone else. I am really excited. Congratulations to everyone on their spirit. We were spirited on the defence. We need it for ourselves, the Greeks, everyone. When the team wins, we are all glad, no matter who was the MVP. We should rest now for there is a difficult match ahead. The Russians are my family. I have been playing with them in Russia for three years, I know their reactions and that was an asset."

Dimos Dikoudis: "Today, I had the chance to play. We did not discover America. I did not play much in the first games and I had stopped believing in me. Winning is the most important thing. We proved we are a team. Were I to play and the team to lose for third time in a row, I would quit. Now, we go for something more than that."

Kostas Trartsaris: "We have not yet realized what we achieved. We used to say that we aim at the gold, but now we are saying that we will go for the gold. Defence is our weapon. We eliminated their best players. Today, we were the bear! We have a great chance to get the gold and we have to seize the day."

Lazaros Papadopoulos: "We played a team-like game and we showed who we really are. We stayed calm when we were having a hard time in the first fifteen minutes and we made a successful comeback that covered the difference. Now, all teams stand the same chances, but I hope we will be better and get a medal. We have two games left to show who we are as a team, and this is true for me personally. We studied the mistakes we made against Slovenia and that is why we defeated Bosnia, which tried to do the same. Russia did the same thing as well, but we performed brilliantly. We were not at all afraid, except for the first ten minutes due to stress."

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Greece Advances to the Semis

Reliving History

[12] New TV Programme Presented "My Favourite T-ShERT"

By Anna Kourti

During a glamorous event on Thursday night, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation presented ERTs new TV programme. The companys CEO, Christos Panagopoulos, promised that great efforts will be made this year to make public television everyones favourite. The event was hosted by reporters Vassilis Lyritzis and Dimitris Economou, while many stars of the main shows appeared on stage. Maria Choukli, anchorwoman for the main news bulletin, spoke of the public televisions aims in the area of news, which will be integrated, probing and serious, while they will be constantly updated and will elaborate on the matters that concern everyone. Many actors starring in some of ERTs more popular series took the stand next, including Giorgos Michalakopoulos from "Apostolos and Alone", Dina Konsta from "Angelinas Treasure" and Maria Tzobanaki from "Niobes Children". Finally, sportscasters Michalis Tsochos, Kostas Vernikos, Nikos Katsaros and Anna Karamanli focused on the sporting shows. It should be noted that the event was to be hosted in the Byzantine Museums garden, but was transferred inside due to the rain.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[13] Frustration in Petroupoli

By Annita Paschalinou

The citizens of the Municipality of Petroupoli, Athens, took to the streets this morning, protesting against the stench from the sewage sludge, which, as they are claiming, has wafted all the way to Peristeri. As per the local mayor, the situation is unbearable, while many health problems have been recorded among the citizens. Speaking this morning on NETs TV show "Frontline", he announced new collective actions, if a solution is not found. In statement he made yesterday, Giorgos Souflias claimed that the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Panning and Public Works will find a solution if the citizens of Liossia do not accept the sewage sludge in the refuse dump after December. However, he refused to reveal any of the alternatives that are being examined.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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