The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-05-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Exantas' Documentary on Stem Cells Causes Sensation

Health

The documentary on stem cells presented by Giorgos Avgeropoulos' documentary "Exantas" was warmly welcomed by the viewers. The show unfolded important information on stem cell storage, as well as on the industry behind it.

"The Precious Cell"

The documentary aired interviews of Greek and foreign experts on stem cell storage and their treating qualities. They all stressed that this "miraculous" human biological material can cure a wide range of diseases, including leukaemia and Alzheimer's disease.

Reps of private stem cell banks existing in Greece also participated in the programme, which also focused on the personal stories from two people, an adult and a child, whose lives were literally transformed after receiving umbilical cord blood stem cells.

Prompted by the documentary, Greece's Health Ministry decided to lay down the foundations of the law to be governing the stem cell preservation services in the country. "We have already asked the National Transplant Organization to give its opinion on the matter," argued the Health Ministry's secretary general, who hailed Exantas' documentary as "a valid and innovative work on so important an issue.

News item: 37048

[02] Pension Reforms Cause Wrangling in Parliament

The pension reforms triggered Friday an acrimonious wrangling between Employment Minister Andreas Loverdos and SYRIZA head Alexis Tsipras. In the meantime, the actuarial report on the pension system aspiring to convince the troika to accept milder reforms is to be handed to the Employment Minister. The pension bill will be submitted to Parliament in the coming week.

Awaiting the Actuarial Reports

Greece's Employment Minister said that the actuarial reports to be delivered Friday would confirm that the advanced measures guarantee the viability of the pension funds, meaning there is no need for harsher reforms.

According to information, the troika (a.k. a. the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the European Central Bank) insists on harsher measures, including pension after 40 years of contributions and lower pensions for those who retire before turning 65.

In the meantime, the pension reforms triggered a wrangling between Andreas Loverdos and SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) head Alexis Tsipras.

Hard talks on the troika's proposals already included in the agreement voted are a sacred obligation, replied Andreas Loverdos.

He then went on to dismiss claims whereby the pension changes run contrary to the constitution as irresponsible.

The Employment Minister argued that GSEE, Greece's umbrella union of the private sector, declined to join the meeting scheduled for Monday, and called on the social partners to discuss and determine the terms and conditions as long as the legal framework remains intact.

Alexis Tsipras, on his part, blasted the government employing cheap communicative tricks, and urged Loverdos to not sign the measures which are detrimental to the society and step down.

"I am afraid that all the talking about the agreement and the letters is part of yet another communicative trick that puts the blame on the foreigners not on us. Since you signed the agreement, what are you battling against the IMF, which said yesterday it had no intention of negotiating anything? Apart from the cheap communicative tricks which cannot help us, there is the issue of unconstitutionality."

Source: NET, NET 105.8 News item: 37043

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