The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Employment Issues' Agenda Opens

09 Óåð 2008 14:01:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ-105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis had a cooperation meeting with Employment Minister, Fani Petralia at the Maximos Mansion this morning. Talks centered on the final stage of social security reforms as 5 social security funds are merging as of October, 1. AMKA, a special number given to each person insured, was also included in talks. As Mrs. Petralia said 7 million Greeks will receive a sticker with their AMKA number in the next days, which according to law will be obligatory as of June, 1 for employment, social security and medical assistance. The issue of unhealthy and hazardous professions was also in the agenda of talks. The Employment Minister said that the Scientific Committee has already handed the first part of its report and is studying new professions to be included in the list of heavy and hazardous occupations with regards corrections in the system and protection of the insured rights. It is the first review of the heavy/hazardous professions list in 45 years, she said.

In response to question regarding the closing down of ÂÉÁÌÕË plant in Thessaloniki, she referred to answers she gave on the sidelines of the TIF, adding that employees have received compensations by the sector competent on the ÂÉÁÌÕË plant. There are also interviews in progress with 73 companies in Thessaloniki for the hiring of younger employees while we have drawn a special program agreed with employees edging retirement, stressed Mrs. Petralia.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] ND "Narrowing Lead" over PASOK

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Metron Analysis recent gallop on behalf of ANT1 indicates that the ND party is narrowing down its lead to 0.3% over PASOK. Specifically, the ND gathers 27.9% against PASOK 27.6%, followed by GCP 7.3%, SYRIZA 11.5%, LAOS 4.4% Ecologists Greens 3%, others 3%, blank/invalid 7.8%, will not vote 2.5%, undecided 3% while 1.9% of those questioned did not respond.

In the meantime, according to GPO gallop for MEGA television channel 70.3% of respondents objected to the Prime-ministers coverage of George Boulgarakis. In an interview with NET 105.8, ND party deputy, Maximos Harakopoulos said that he would have handed his resignation if he would have been in the position of George Boulgarakis.

In his article carried in newspaper Eleftheros Typos", Byron Polydoras underlines that irrevocable damage to the party is caused by highly trusted Ministers.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] G. Papandreou Contacts

Following a meeting with PASOK president, George Papandreou, the president of the central Union of Chambers, George Kassimatis expressed objection to any form of surprises including taxation measures, particularly at the last quarter of the year. Mr. kasimatis described his meeting with G.Papandreou as constructive while the union expressed its views not only on the taxation system but also on the credit system, investments, ports, larger broader sector and Public Utility Companies (DEKO)."We believe that several of our proposals will be considered to lead to institutional changes that will help the countrys economy, the Greek citizen and consumer, whom we have to protect" said Mr. Kassimatis. PASOK president meetings today with representatives of Employers Union at PASOK central offices in Harilaou Trikoupi, was held within the frame of contacts in the view of his visit to TIF.

Mr. Papandreous plan includes meetings with the Federation of Unions of Workers in Greek Agriculture Associations, and Federation of Hellenic Information Technology & Communications Enterprises (SEPE). He met yesterday with SEB, ADEDY and GSEE boards while he will chair a meeting of the partys Political Council at 4:00. Mr. Papandreou will also meet with Cyprus Foreign Minister.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Invertebrates in Open-Space Vacuum

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA, Scientific American, ÍewScientist

A relevant research of the European Space Organization Astrobiology department has found the first animals to survive in open-space vacuum. This is a group of invertebrate micro organisms (tardigrades) not longer to 1.5mm, which were already known for their ability to survive under harsh conditions on the earth (high pressure, high solar radiation, dreadful cold and drought live up to 10 years without water!). Two kinds of microorganisms, which can be found in mosses, soil, mountain peaks and in oceans at 4km depth lived for 10 days in ESA satellite at 258km height, exposed to open space, without air and continuous bombardment by UV-A and UV-B solar radiation. They had no problem in space vacuum while solar radiation had an impact on some, not all of them Scientific American and ÍewScientist say in their websites.

Upon return to the Erath, the group of micro organisms protected from solar radiation revived in thirty minutes after re-hydration but only 10% of the group exposed to both space vacuum and solar radiation revived. The mechanism, however, that allows these micro organisms to survive and to which extent they can correct their cells remains unknown. Missions to space have shown that humans, chimpanzees and dogs can not live in space.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Russian Troops Withdraw from Security Zone

09 Óåð 2008 17:15:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ANA

Russia established diplomatic relations with the breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, said Tuesday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy was holding talks with his Georgian counterpart in Tbilisi.

Russias move is yet another step towards the annexation of these two sovereign Georgian territories, commented Georgias Deputy Foreign Minister.

However, according to authorities in Georgia, the Russian troops withdrew from a Georgian village near Abkhazia on Tuesday afternoon.

The Russian Defence Minister, on his part, announced Russias plans to station a total of 7,600 servicemen at bases in Georgias South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions.

The international community condemns Moscows decision to recognize the separatist regions, argued US Vice President Cheney, as soon as he was briefed on the diplomatic ties between Russia and the two breakaway provinces.

In the meantime, South Ossetias court authorities confirmed the death of at least 500 people during the invasion of the Georgian army, reported Interfax news agency, while death toll is feared to exceed 1600.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Hatzidakis-Hubner Meeting

Sources: ANA

Greeces Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis met Tuesday with EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Danuta Hubner and briefed her on the progress of the works to modernise the Greek Railways Organisation (OSE) and other transport infrastructure.

Hubner, on her part, reiterated how important the development of the railway networks is to the European Commission, and voiced her satisfaction on the measures taken by the Greek Transport Ministry with regard to the so-called "green transport."

[07] OPEC Meeting

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

"In todays meeting OPECs President Chakib Khelil set the stage for a possible revision of the groups output ceilings while OPEC member states Oil Ministers made statements indicative of production levels they will support. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi proposed maintenance of present status as upon his arrival in Vienna in the early hours of Tuesday morning he told reporters "I think everything is in balance, inventories are in a healthy position". On his part, in his statement yesterday, Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari maintained that the market is definitely oversupplied. Iran said on Sunday that Opec members should cut output to the agreed target quotas in the face of falling oil prices. the market does not need more oil and there is no need for excess production. Libyas position coincides with Iran stressing the need for compliance with existing output targets. Kuweit maintained that there is no need "at present" to reduce output. OPECs President Chakib Khelil, however, warned of an over-supply by the end of year, which at the end of 2008 or the first quarter of 2009 could be as much as 1.5 million barrels per day above the call on Opec crude and called on members to respond accordingly.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Storm "Ike": Major Destructions

Sources: ANA-MNA

4 people died when cyclone Ike swept central and eastern Cuba. At least 80 percent of the estimated 300,000 people in Gonaives have been displaced or otherwise affected by Hanna and Ike. US National Center of Cyclones (NHC) in Miami, announced that Ike has degraded to category 1. However, the cyclone continues its destructive route to western Cuba. NHC has forecasted reinforcement of the cyclone in the Mexican Gulf where it is expected to hit on Tuesday. Ike has caused so far the death of 61 people as well as major destructions in Bahamas and Cuba. As announced by the service of civil protection in Havana, about 20.000 people have been removed from Ancient Havana the historic district a part of which has been flooded. People have been removed to shelters or to relative houses in safer areas.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Pakistan: New President Sworn In

The widower of assassinated former Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto has taken office as the countrys new president. 52 years old Asif Ali Zardari succeeds Pervez Musharraf, the former military ruler who resigned under pressure last month. A representative of Pakistan popular party (PPP) said yesterday that the new president will reinforce democracy and will help the poor. "this government will complete its 5 years tenure and after 5 years you will see that Pakistan will appear in the global map as a country with new hope. Investors and Pakistan allies, under the US, hope that the electoral result will bring stability after months of political instability and risen violence prevailing in the area.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] FinMin Encourages Social Dimension Entrepreneurship

During his speech at the European Economic and Social Committee conference entitled "Entrepreneurship with a Human Face", Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis called on consumers to reward companies which respect the environment and indicate social sensitivity. EU Commissioner competent on community budgets also underlined the need for more humanistic and social dimension entrepreneurship. The European Commissioner yesterday signed the allocation of 89.7 million euros to Greece for the restoration of damages from last years devastating fires.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[11] Questions on Baby's Death

By

The news about the death of a 13 months baby who passed away while she was sleeping yesterday in a nursery school in Patisia, Athens has raised many questions. Despite the doctors efforts to bring her back to life the little girl lost the battle. Her parents have filed lawsuits against all responsible while the report of the autopsy will shed light to the case.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[12] Emergency Landing of Russian Flight to Thessaloniki

Russian airways flight to Thessaloniki made an emergency landing at St. Petersburg Airport shortly after take off. Ria Novosti news agency reports that the pilot of the Russian made "Tupolev 154" aircraft noticed failure of hydraulic system and requested permission to return to the airport after he had emptied fuel. The aircraft made a safe landing and its 135 passengers will be transferred to another flight.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[13] US: Life Imprisonment for Mother-Monster

A mother was convicted Friday of killing her month-old daughter by burning her in a microwave oven. Arnold was accused of killing daughter Paris Talley in 2005. Prosecutors said Arnold intentionally put her baby in the microwave oven and cooked the child to death after a fight with her boyfriend. Prosecutors said Arnold intentionally put her baby in the microwave oven. She was found guilty of aggravated murder and faces life imprisonment when sentenced

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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