The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Dialogue Opens

By Vivian Papastefanou

Social dialogue over social security opens in the afternoon. Ministers of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis and of Employment Panos Panagiotopoulos will meet with the presidium of the Economic and Social Committee, in order to determine the matters to be discussed. GSEE declared it will not take part in the dialogue, stressing "we will not participate in a dialogue that will take us back to the Dark Ages." Speaking on NET radio 105.8, IKA director Dimitris Kirzopoulos stated that the Social Insurance Institution "is a healthy institution, as there are no financial problems, pensions are given on time and IKA constitutes the pillar of the social system." Yesterday, the Governor of the Bank of Greece, Nikos Garganas, pointed out that a dialogue over major structural problems of the Greek Economy, including social security, should commence immediately, while he recommended the restraint of increases in wages and prices.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Shield Against Diabetes and Cataract Tea Can Be Beneficial

By Tina Valaoura

Scientists have added yet another series of beneficial attributes to the long list contained in the microscopic leaves of the beverage that is enjoyed by billions worldwide. As per a new research, which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the consumption of black and green tea may constitute a simple and cheap way to shield the human body from diabetes and even cataract, the latter being an ensuing complication of the disease.

Black Tea at the Top of the List

"Most people, scientists included, believe that green tea has more health benefits than black tea," says Joe Vinson, PhD, a chemist at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. However, this is not completely correct. This research came to show that black tea can be as beneficial as green. An earlier research showed that green tea and black tea equally inhibited atherosclerosis, a major risk factor for heart disease.

This research recorded the impact black and green tea had on diabetic rats. The researchers noticed that when the rats were being fed at levels that would be equivalent to less than five cups of tea per day for a human, both teas significantly inhibited cataract formation and decreased glucose levels.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

American Chemical Society

[03] At the Train Wreckage Looking for Survivors in Japan

By Vagelis Theodorou

24 hours have passed since the worst train accident in the last 42 years in Japan and rescue crews are continuing their search for survivors in the ruins, as there are fears many passengers remain trapped under crushed wagons. So far, 73 people (41 men and 32 women) have lost their lives, while injured have risen to 442. Three more people were freed in the early morning hours, two of which are hospitalized in a critical condition. In the meantime, police officers investigated the train company offices in search for clues with regard to the derailment, while according to first estimations the accident occurred because the train was moving too fast. In the meantime, another commuter train collided with a truck and derailed on Tuesday morning in the Imbaraki province, northeast of Tokyo, without any victims.

Searching for Clues

The tragedy occurred in Amagasaki, near Osaka, when the train derailed and hit an apartment building. Three carriages completely derailed from the tracks and one cracked open by the force of the impact.

Although the exact causes remain undefined, authorities have focused investigations on the train's speed. As per public television NHK, the train overshot a station platform and had to go back, while the 23-year-old driver had just 11 months of experience.

On Tuesday morning, Japanese police officers run an investigation at the West Japan Railway Co offices, in search for crash clues, while the Government promised to run a full-scale investigation, expressing its condolences to the victims' families.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] For Illegal Possession of Firearms Greek Ambassador Arrested

By Vivian Papastefanou

The Greek ambassador to Slovakia, Efstathios Daras, will take the stand on June 15, after being arrested in Igoumenitsa for illegal possession and smuggling of firearms. A Browning pistol was found in his luggage, as well as a silencer and 200 bullets, while he did not have a license to possess firearms. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Petros Molyviatis ordered the immediate suspension of Mr Daras' duties, as the latter had withheld Slovenian newspaper articles accusing him of weapon smuggling. The Minister also ordered a preliminary hearing in order to determine the reasons why the Greek embassy to Bratislava did not inform the central agency ofthe article, which reported that the ambassador had smuggled six firearms in Greece since last September.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] On Main Shareholder Awaiting the Commission's Answer

By Vagelis Theodorou

The outcome on the issue of the Main Shareholder law is expected to be positive for Greece. The European Commission is expected to proceed with the last phase of the preliminary procedure on Wednesday, sending an explanatory letter to Greek authorities. According to information, the Commission will not question the compatibility of the Greek Constitution to Community Law, but will ask for changes in some parts of the old and the new law. As per Brussels sources, the Commissions explanatory opinion will be urgent and will be reached without discussion, which means that Greek authorities will have a deadline of three weeks to answer.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] On Main Shareholder Awaiting the Commission's Answer

By Vagelis Theodorou

The outcome on the issue of the Main Shareholder law is expected to be positive for Greece. The European Commission is expected to proceed with the last phase of the preliminary procedure on Wednesday, sending an explanatory letter to Greek authorities. According to information, the Commission will not question the compatibility of the Greek Constitution to Community Law, but will ask for changes in some parts of the old and the new law. As per Brussels sources, the Commission's explanatory opinion will be urgent and will be reached without discussion, which means that Greek authorities will have a deadline of three weeks to answer.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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