The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Taxation Time

By Annita Paschalinou

From tomorrow (Wednesday) and until 1 June, tax returns for salaried workers and pensioners are to be submitted. The deadline for those whose AFM (taxation registration number) ends in 1 is on 4 May, and this is followed up to 6 May by the next numbers in succession. For the first time this year, along with tax returns, forms E9 must compulsorily be completed, even if there has been no change in real estate. The Ministry for the Economy advises those completing tax returns to be especially careful in completing the forms and honest about their income and funding. The data provided will be compared with Economy Ministry data, in an effort to combat tax evasion.

Details of Deadlines

Until 4 May: Those whose AFM ends in 1 Until 6 May: Those whose AFM ends in 2 Until 10 May: Those whose AFM ends in 3 Until 12 May: Those whose AFM ends in 4 Until 16 May: Those whose AFM ends in 5 Until 18 May: Those whose AFM ends in 6 Until 20 May: Those whose AFM ends in 7 Until 24 May: Those whose AFM ends in 8 Until 26 May: Those whose AFM ends in 9

Until 30 May: AFMs ending in 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 Until 1 June AFMs ending in 60, 70, 80, 90 and 00, or those with no AFM.

The same rule applies for citizens who will submit their tax returns via the internet. However, they will have the possibility of submitting the E2 and E3 forms from 10/6 to 10/7.

Surprise Visits

Earlier on Tuesday, the Deputy Minister of Economy Adam Regouzas paid surprise visits to tax offices and customs in Thessaloniki.

Mr Regouzas conversed with employees and citizens and gave clear orders and directions for better serving the public during the submission of tax returns for salaried workers and pensioners. Lastly, he announced that Citizen Service Centres have been scheduled to operate in Tax Offices within 2005.

Translated by Millie Williams

[02] Final Farewell

By Dimitris Kalantzis

As of today, Panos Geramanis will rest in peace in Lilantio Pedio. In a climate of grief, hundreds of colleagues and relatives, artists and ordinary people from all over Greece who knew him and loved him on ERAs radio, flooded the church of Agios Nikolaos in Chalandri for the funeral service and then escorted him at his final trip to his hometown, Vassiliko, in Euboea. With an extended applause, a small token of recognition and respect, they paid their final tribute to a beloved friend, an exceptional colleague, a famous radio producer with fanatic listeners, a tireless reporter and explorer of Greek music, our Panos Geramanis.

"The Board of ESIEA (Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspapers) bids farewell to a colleague, whose qualities are priceless to Greek journalism." These were the words of journalist Dimitris Tsalapatis, while Vasilis Nikolopoulos, who spoke on behalf of Ta Nea newspaper,said "Dear Panos, your contribution to Greek music and sports has been dearly appreaciated, while your contribution to Ta Nea has been priceless. Our newspaper will miss you a lot," ended Mr Nikolopoulos in tears.

Dimitris Chalivelakis, his friend and colleague over the past 45 years, was devastated during the funeral, while the Club of Stelios Kazantzidis' Friends paid their last respects to Panos Geramanis with a poem.

The funeral service took place in a very emotional atmosphere in the presence of political leaders, artists, journalists and Panos Geramanis' friends. KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga, PASOK spokeperson Nikos Athanasakis, Maria Damanaki, Stefanos Tzoumakas and SYN Parliamentarian Panagiotis Lafazanis were some of the politicians present in the funeral. As for artists, Marinella, Mary Linda, Kaity Grey, Poly Panou, Maria Farantouri, Manos Eleftheriou, Stamatis Kokotas, Dimitris Mitropanos and Manolis Mitsias paid their last respects.

"On behalf of KKE, we are saying goodbye to an old friend, a social fighter with a yearlong and multiform contribution to the preservation of our folk tradition and music," said Theodoros Tziantzis.

"Panos passed away shortly after my father, we were friends, he loved my father, he loved me and I loved him back, I am sure they will be hang out up there" said Grigoris Bithikotsis to reporters, while PASOK parliamentarian Mimis Androulakis said among other things that "there was noone like him nor will be."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Punishment on a Farm!

By Vagelis Theodorou

One of the most common insults hurled at the guardians of law and order is "pigs." This expression was normal fare for a 22-year-old man from New Zealand, until he was arrested and sentenced for using offensive language. The 22-year-old was probably speechless when he heard Community Magistrate Robyn Paterson at Tauranga District Court announcing his sentence. No, it was not a jail-term, or a fine. The young man was ordered to spend a day at a pig farm, in order to see from close up the difference between policemen and the animals, and then to write about his experiences! According to newspaper The Bay of Plenty Times, the man wrote: "I was very, very drunk. I have stopped drinking because of what happened. I have wasted the polices time and my time." Even though he cited dictionaries, where the term "pigs" was defined as being used to describe the police, after the time he spent with them, he understood that: "that there is nothing at all in common with a pig and a police officer."

Translated by Millie Williams

[04] Google turns to quality Five Star Search Engine

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: New Scientist, BBC

After widening its contents to six billion websites and pictures, and the possibility to make video searches, Google is preparing another step. The queen of search engines is turning to an internationally used patent and will allow results to show based on their quality and not on their relevance with the search term, as is the case today. This application of the system will initially apply to the news and is expected to further facilitate Internet users, who will now be able to read the most reliable results for the term. However, the question of what source is considered better quality and how reliable webpages will develop is the crucial point of this ambitious project. Moreover, Googles new move is sure to intensify competition with other search engines, especially Yahoo and MSN.

Reliability and Competition

Today, the search results appear either based on the search term or according to the date, so that the most recent appear at the top of the list.

This form of listing has many negative elements. For example, in a search with the term "Iraq" countless webpages could appear , but articles from big news sites, such as the BBC or CNN could disappear off the bottom of the long list.

The new patent (with the code name WO 2005/029368), will compare the track record and reliability of sources from all over the world and adjust the results list accordingly. Furthermore, it will check continually differing information on the source of information, such as the number of visitors to a webpage, the number of countries with access to it and the number of staff employed.

After taking all these factors into account, Google will decide the order in which the results are to appear.

As New Scientist reports, the success of the patent could mean that it will be applied to all search results, such as sales, which could be assessed according to price and the reputation of the company.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] Presidential Homage to the Lady of Ro

By Tina Valaoura

The President of the Hellenic Republic paid tribute to the Lady of Ro. Mr Karolos Papoulias, who was in Kastelorizo for the Easter holidays, visited the rocky Aegean island, where its sole inhabitant Despina Achladioti raised the Greek flag for decades. The President of the Hellenic Republic visited the tomb of the deceased Lady of Ro and praised her contribution in an emotional atmosphere. Following, he visited and exchanged wishes with the soldiers on duty at the post which is no more than 12 miles away from the Turkish coasts. Today, Mr Papoulias left Kastelorizo and returned to Athens, promising the 200 islanders who so warmly welcomed him to come back and see them.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] 4 Dead 5.0 Magnitude Quake in Iran

By Anna Kourti

At least 4 people lost their lives to a 5.0 magnitude tremor that occurred on Tuesday in Boroudjerd, western Iran, as broadcast the official Iranian press agency Irna. According to a local hospital official, the death toll is temporary, since injured people continue to arrive at the hospital. Almost 200 people from around the city, one of the largest in Lorestan, with 400,000 inhabitants, are in need of tents and basic commodities. In the 20th century alone more than 20 earthquakes have occurred in Iran killing more than 170,000 people, most recent among them being that in Zarradh, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale with 612 dead and 1,400 injured.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] As Turkey systematically vetoes Cyprus in NATO Cyprus Vetoes Turkey

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

Lefkosia has vetoed the participation of Turkey in collective Defence and Security institutions of the European Union, according to information broadcast by the Cyprus Radio Institute. The information states that Ankara was attempting to secure a chance to participate in administrative decisions regarding the European Amry, but Cyprus vetoed the move, stressing that "we could not give consent, while Turkey systematically vetoes the participation of Cyprus in cooperation between the European Union and NATO." The matter has been referred for discussion at a later stage in the council of permanent representatives of the 25 member-states of the European Union.

Translated by Millie Williams

[08] Geostrategic Agreement New Great Step in Energy

By Annita Paschalinou

The Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and his Italian counterpart Claudio Scajola signed contract in Paris to built a natural gas pipeline. The agreement will significantly contribute to the improvement of Greece's energy map, following the collaboration memorandum for the Bourgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline. Earlier, speaking at the International Energy Organisation Summit in Paris, the Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas presented the Greek energy policy, the initiatives and the important ventures aiming at the safe supply of the Western markets with oil, natural gas and electricity.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] No Extension Given Last Chance for IKA Debts

By Annita Paschalinou

Half of the businessmen owing money to IKA settled their debts through a favourable regulation that provides for discounts in added rates. Today was the last day of the measure and many were those who rushed to file their petitions, as there will be no extension of the deadline. The Social Insurance Foundation board expressed its content for the course of revenues and stressed that to stamp out tax evasion there will be more controls and stricter fines.

Half Settled Their Debts

Businessmen owing money to IKA rushed to settled their debts. Discounts in added rates were a strong motive for filling petitions.

With 5% in advance and 80 installments, debtors would have up to 50% discount in all added rates, while if they would chose to pay the entire sum the discount could even reach 80%.

The foundation's board expressed their content for the course of revenues and estimated that 50% of businessmen owing money to IKA used the measure.

The ones who did not had the time to be included in the favourable measure, will pay their debts in 36 installments with 8% in advance.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] The Maestro of Greek Diaspora Passed Away

By Anna Kourti

Odysseas Dimitriadis, one of the greatest conductors of the Greek Diaspora, passed away at the age of 97 at his home in Tbilisi, Georgia, from lung infection. In 1994 he had returned to Greece and was living in Athens. Lately, he had moved back to Tbilisi because of his illness and was living with his son. He was born in 1908 in Vatum. He was the maestro of the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra for more than 20 years, while in 1980 he has the major conductor of the symphonic orchestra in the Opening Ceremony of the Moscow Olympic Games. He returned to Greece in 1993. The Greek of the Diaspora had also conducted the Athens State Orchestra, while in 1998 he was awarded the "Ambassador of Hellenism" honorary distinction. The Prime Minister and Culture Minister Kostas Karamanlis voiced his condolences and added "in his long life Odysseas Dimitriadis had the privilege of speaking the cross-cultural language of music at the hearts of the people living in the then Soviet Union, in Greece and in Georgia."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Increase in traffic Return Goes Smoothly

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

Easter holidaymakers continue to return to the city today. At this time, there is an increase in traffic on both national road networks, although there are no especial problems. At Malliako, traffic police have already put the traffic flow in one direction in both lanes in the Aghios Konstantinos vicinity. With increased, almost doubled schedules to the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, holidaymakers who spend their Easter holidays on the islands are returning. There is also an increase in the number of people using Eleftherios Venizelos airport of Athens, with holidaymakers taking advantage of extra flights.

Exodus Not Without Bloodshed

Of the 800,000 cars that abandoned the capital, so far 500,000 have returned, while the rest are expected to return gradually by next Sunday.

Unfortunately, once again this year, despite the emergency traffic measures in place, the Easter holiday was not without bloodshed.

Since Maundy Thursday, 24 people have lost their lives, while since the previous Saturday 41 people have become victims of traffic accidents.

Translated by Millie Williams

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