The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Advice on Lenten Foods

By Athina Saloustrou

The General Consumers Federation of Greece (INKA) gives advice for Lenten foods so as for everybody to celebrate Clean Monday Day without health problems. According to INKA Lenten food prices are the same with last year. Consumers who are about to buy tarama (carp or cod roe) or sea food should be very careful as quality checks that have been made are not sufficient. INKA reminds consumers that the food preferences of Clean Monday Day and Easter must be in accordance with certain rules. So those who are going for shopping should take into account the following:

Lagana Bread: Be extra cautious because due to the big demand it may not have been baked appropriately and may cause stomach aches

Taramas (carp or cod roe). A product full in colouring from preserved fish egg. Be careful with traces of bad smelling and sour flavour. Prefer cans. Avoid mash taramas which is rich in starch substances. Do not over do it with eating

Halvas (Greek traditional sweet): It is made by tahini, sugar, cacao, dried fruits while there are different recipes for its cooking. Halvas is part of our tradition and it is rich in proteins, carbohydrates and unsaturated fats.

Oils: Avoid mixing different types of olives. Wash them very carefully.

Toursi (pickles): It not recommended for sensitive stomachs. Prefer cans.

Sea Food: Octopus: Fresh octopus have a nice, hard and juice skin, shining eyes and they smell good. Try to mild them when cooking.

Kalamarakia (Greek Squid): Real kalamarakia have a white color with a brown tone do not have side blades or stains. Prefer frozen ones.

Shelled Sea Food: Mussels, oysters, kidonia (local shelled food), sea urchin, conches etc. Be careful when eating. Shells should have been washed well first and they must smell like sea iodine.

Mild Shelled Food: Shrimps, crabs, lobsters are the most sensitive category of sea foods. Prefer frozen ones. You can distinguish mild shelled food by their eyes, color and they are usually tight. If they become "greenish", smell or are a little loose do not buy.

Alcohol: Prefer one type of drink- but if you want you can have a stronger drink. Although it sounds unusual it is better to change wine to beer or ouzo(Greek local drink) but not the opposite way round. And be careful: do not drink and drive.

Food Poisoning Symtoms

If after consuming Lenten foods you have the following symptoms you may suffer food poisoning:

stomach ache strong head ache diarrhea nausea and vomit dizziness If vomiting insists call a doctor

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Traffic Police on Alert

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

The Traffic Police is taking extra measures as of today to Ash Monday to allow city dwellers have a safe exodus. Bus and Train service will boost, while Piraeus port is already facing increased demand. Specifically, demand for ships heading to the Cyclades and Argosaronic islands today and Saturday has reached 100%. However, a determining factor will be the weather, as it will be cloudy with rain and storms in some areas. The Traffic Police will increase its presence on the national roads, while helicopters will be monitoring the traffic on Athens-Lamia and Athens-Corinth highways. Drivers will have to be careful with alcohol tests and with the Maliakos Gulf highway where works are in progress. Drivers can call 22310-100, 22310-56800, 22310-93900 and 22350-31701 to be informed on the road conditions on the Malakos Gulf highway.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Karamanlis-Trgakis' Meeting

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁNA-ÌNA

General Secretary of ND parliamentary group, Mr. G. Trgakis had a meeting today with the Prime Minister Mr. Costas Karamanlis. After his meeting Mr. Tragakis stated that he and the Prime Minster discussed many issues the most important was the social security reform. He stated that all New Democracy parliamentary members will support it. On reference to the question on how can the government ask from citizens to do sacrifices when parliamentary members can retire after 8 years tenure, he answered: "4 years became 8. May I remind you that since 1952, it takes 48 months of full parliamentary tenure in order for parliamentary members to acquire pension rights. Now the 48 years doubled and became 96. And do not forget that this has to do with the foundation of pension rights because a parliamentary member has to be 65 years old when he/she retires.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Aspirin Guardian Angel

By Anna Kourti

Sources: AFP, ÁNA-ÌNA

According to a study conducted in Britain, aspirin and some anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce up to 20% breast cancer. 21 study cases conducted in 37.000 women within 27 years showed that non steroids anti-inflammatory drugs have a positive result in women suffering from breast cancer. However, researchers say that before they recommend to women to take aspirins they have to define whether aspirins side effects are not bigger than its benefits regarding prevention.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Mr. Zahopoulos' To Testify

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105,8, ÁNA-ÌNA

Mr. Zahopoulos lawyer Alexandros Lykourezos said that Former General Secretary of Ministry of Culture wishes to testify to the second special prosecutor Mr. Oikonomou. Mr. Lykourezos on his interview announced that he had a meeting with Mr. Zahopoulos yesterday after a phone call he received from Mr. Zahopoulos wife who expressed her husbands wish to testify. Mr. Lykourezos said that Mr. Zahopoulos health condition is getting better and that he is constantly briefed on latest development, he has contact with his environment and he is in the position to testify to the special prosecutor a decision which is in total agreement with his psychologist. As Mr. Lykourezos stated he will spaek with his doctors in order to arrange the date of his testimony.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Oil Prices Surge

By Athina Saloustrou

Oil prices held close to record highs near US$106 a barrel Friday as the market continued to worry about supplies and a tumbling US dollar, dealers said. Light crude in Singapore market is presently trading at US$105.55 per barrel for April deliveries, while North Sea Brent has risen by eight cents to US$102.69. "Prices remain strong as the US dollar fell to record lows," said Victor Shum of Purvin and Gertz energy consultants in Singapore. "Oil and other commodities have been driven by financial investors seeking a safer haven from the turmoil in equities."

Dollar-priced raw materials like oil tend to gain from the weak US unit because a fall in the dollar makes them cheaper for buyers using other, stronger currencies. The dollar has been hit by a stream of weak economic data in a continuing fallout from a crisis in the US housing market. The euro has been on a record-breaking run for weeks, and hit a new high at 1.54 dollars Friday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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