The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-17

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Prime Minister's Speech Review at Parliament

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

This morning, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis announced the positions of the Government on the Review of the Constitution at the New Democracy Parliamentary Group. In his speech, Mr Karamanlis described todays meeting as an important turning-point in the new governing period and noted that it is signalling the procedures start for the realisation of important reforms in the Constitution. The Review is imperative, in order to escalate the circle of reforms for the coming years, underlined the Prime Minister and stated that the attack against corruption will be full-frontal. Moreover, he referred to the pledges given by the Government and said that the plan applied and exercised is a governance of principles and responsibility.

Special Programme by NET 105.8

Yesterday, radio station NET 105.8 dedicated all of its programmes to the Review of the Constitution, where views of politicians, attorneys, journalists, representatives of social bodies, as well as the listeners, were heard over the issues which have to be included in the forthcoming review.

Honorary ND President Konstantinos Mitsotakis repeated his proposals over the direct election of the President of the Republic by the citizens and supported the Presidents strengthening of powers, even though, as he stated "conditions are not appropriate at this time."

Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis underlined that the Review of the Constitution should be adjusted to the economic needs of the country.

Mayor of Athens Dora Bakoyianni noted that the review is imperative, as is a substantial dialogue between the parties.

PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos spoke of "a reduction of the Constitution and weakness of the political system" attributing dysfunction to the review system.

KKE MP Liana Kanelli supported freedom of political expression.

SYN Parliamentary spokesperson supported a bold review of the Constitution.

NET 105.8 conducted an opinion poll through ERTs website, which was particularly interesting.

75% stated that the new Constitution should foresee the separation of State from Church and 25% to remain as is.

On the election of the President of the Republic, 25% estimated that it should be disconnected by the event of early elections, 16% remain as is and 57% supported the election of the President of the Republic by the citizens.

On MPs lift of immunity, 56% should be abolished, 36% should be enforced only for crimes relating to political activity and 6% to remain as is.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Review of Constitution at Focus

[02] Guns Never Used Before All Possibilities Open

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The police manhunt for locating and arresting the perpetrators of yesterdays bloody robbery in the centre of Athens is underway. So far, no evidence confirming the scenarios speaking of connection with terrorism has proved right, police sources told, however, police is examining all possibilities. Who the perpetrators are and what their activities are, where they found the guns and whether they hold a hideout, are some pieces of the puzzle policemen have to put together. The 28-year-old perpetrator, Ioannis Dimitrakis, who got seriously injured during the getaway, underwent two surgeries and is in a critical condition, while the banks guard, Ioannis Voutirakis, is also serious but stable. The results of the ballistic tests conducted on the guns found inside the perpetrators back showed that they had never been used in an act of terror.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Advice for Film-Lovers Comedy is Therapeutic

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: BBC

Scientists are seeking the secrets of a harmonious life in daily habits. One of them is very likely to influence the choices of film-lovers, which as per a research by American scientists a good comedy can actually substitute a statin treatment, a drug that controls high cholesterol levels. On the other hand, watching a dramatic film has adverse reactions, without the above fact being harmful to cardiac function.

Laughter Instead of Exercise

A team of researchers from Maryland University asked 20 healthy young persons to watch a dramatic movie for 15 to 30 minutes.

Forty-eight hours later they asked them to watch a comedy for the same time period.

They observed that blood flow to the arteries increased to all but one, in such a degree that the result is equal to a statin treatment.

Moreover, the improvement observed was similar to the effects after exercise.

On the other hand, when the volunteers watched movies which caused them stress their artery blood flow decreased.

"It is well known that changes in emotion can be reflected in changes in the heart and circulation," noted Dr Charmaine Griffiths of the British Heart Association, adding "whether sharing a joke with friends or watching a comedy, a good laugh is likely to be good for your heart and scientists are becoming increasingly interested in the possibility that a good giggle has positive effects on heart health."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Compromise is Possible said Putin New Discussions on Tehran

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: BBC, ANA, NET

The European troika asked for the urgent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the issue of Tehrans nuclear programme. France, Great Britain and Germany are preparing a decision plan and are expected to summon the IAEA to new discussions on February 2-3. Yesterday, in London, during the meeting of the five permanent members delegates of the UN Security Council (the USA, Russia, China, Great Britain and France), as well as a German delegate, all agreed that Iran should suspend its nuclear programme. On its part, Tehran noted that it is preparing a nuclear programme for the production of energy and not weapons. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin left open the possibility of a compromise, since as he said Iran did not reject the proposal of uranium enrichment being made in Russia. Moreover, following his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he called on the international community to pay "great attention" with the handling of the brief with Irans nuclear programme, rejecting the use of "tough measures."

Military Action not on Agenda

In fact, as Russian Mass Media broadcast, Irans Ambassador to Russia Gholamreza Ansari welcomed Putins proposal, which he described as a constructive way to exit the crisis. In the meantime, Western diplomats believe that Russia can be persuaded to fiercely resist Tehrans nuclear programme.

Shortly before yesterdays meeting in London, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw had stated that it is up to Iran to calm the international community. Following the meeting he noted that military action was not on the agenda of discussions, regardless that Washington left the possibility open.

Moreover, yesterday, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Defence Javier Solana voiced the optimism that Russia and China will back the initiative by the "25" and the USA for referral of Irans nuclear programme issue to the UNs Security Council. As he noted, the decision will be taken during the emergency meeting of the the IAEAs Executive Council in Vienna.

CNN's Operation Banned in Iran

In the meantime, on Monday, the operation of US television network CNN was banned, as it misinterpreted a speech by the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attributing him with the statement that the country is trying to acquire an atomic bomb. On its part, CNN apologised over an "error in translation" and stated that it is extremely sorry over the implementation of such a measure by Tehran.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: Europe pushes Iran towards U.N.

Reuters: Germany says clear consensus lacking on Iran

BBC: Europe urges emergency Iran talks

Related News:

Meeting over Nuclear Crisis

Nuclear Dispute

[05] For Facing the Avian Flu International Conference in Peking

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC, ANA

In Peking, an international conference commenced for facing deadly virus H5N1 and reinforcing funding with the participation of 90 countries and international organisations. China, the European Union and the World Bank are expecting that the distribution of 1.5 billion dollars for facing the deadly virus will be secured. Earlier, the European Union pledged to distribute aid reaching 80 million euros to the poorer countries, while the World Bank estimated that 1.2 to 1.4 million dollars should be collected for farmers who were forced to slaughter their poultry in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Before the commencement of the conference, a spokesperson for the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche will offer the WHO 20 million dosages of Tamiflu, which is believed to fight the avian flu. Roche has already permitted Indian company Hetero Drugs and Chinese Shanghai Pharmaceutical Group to manufacture Tamiflu in order to cover the needs of the local population.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Donors asked for bird flu funding

Related News:

13yo Becomes New Victim

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article