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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-04-10Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Tuesday, 10 April 2007 Issue No: 2565CONTENTS
[01] Political leaders celebrate Easter with troopsPresident of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, along with their families, celebrated Easter in Ioannina, north-western Greece.Papoulias is in Ioannina since Palm Sunday and will remain there until Monday. The president attended the Resurrection Service at the Church in Frangades and Karamanlis at the Church in Dolos, where he arrived with his family on Thursday for the Easter holiday. Earlier on Saturday, President Papoulias and Prime Minister Karamanlis held an informal meeting at Frangades. Also on Saturday, Prime Minister Karamanlis, accompanied by his wife Natasha, greeted inhabitants and visitors in Ioannina, on his way to a downtown hotel where he held an informal meeting with authorities of the prefecture, Parliamentary deputies, mayors and other agencies. The meeting focused on issues concerning the region which, as the prefect and mayor of Ioannina later said, the prime minister was already aware of. On the same day, the prime minister met with the prefect, the mayor and the regional governor of Ipiros at the prefectural office, where major projects taking place in Ipiros were examined, as well as those that will begin soon, such as the Ionia Motorway. At noon on Sunday, President Papoulias and Prime Minister Karamanlis jointly celebrated Easter with servicemen at "Alexandros Diakos" army camp in the city of Konitsa. Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party leader George Papandreou was in Patras, western Greece, on Holy Saturday and attended the Resurrection Service at the Evangelistria Cathedral in the city. On Easter Sunday, Papandreou visited the Engineers Academy in the city of Loutraki, in the Gulf of Corinth, to exchange best wishes with servicemen. Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos attended the Resurrection Service in Athens. On Easter Sunday, Papariga, National Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis and Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis visited the Naval Cadets School in Piraeus and Alavanos spent Easter on the island of Tinos. Meimarakis was accompanied by Deputy National Defence Minister Vassilis Michaloliakos and by the Armed Forces leadership. [02] PM Costas Karamanlis meets local authorities in IoanninaPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis, accompanied by his wife Natasha, greeted inhabitants and visitors in the city of Ioannina, northern Greece, on Saturday on his way to a downtown hotel where he held an informal meeting with authorities of the prefecture, Parliamentary deputies, mayors and other agencies.The meeting focused on issues concerning the region which, as the prefect and mayor of Ioannina later said, the prime minister was already aware of. Earlier, Karamanlis met with the prefect, the mayor and the regional governor of Ipiros at the prefectural office, where major projects taking place in Ipiros were examined, as well as those that will begin soon, such as the Ionia Motorway. The prime minister later left for Frangades, where President Karolos Papoulias has already arrived and they will be having an informal meeting. The President will be attending the Resurrection Service at the Church in Frangades and Karamanlis at the Church in Dolos, where he arrived with his family on Thursday for the Easter holiday. At noon on Sunday, the President and Karamanlis will be jointly celebrating Easter with servicemen at "Alexandros Diakos" army camp in the city of Konitsa. Karamanlis returning to Athens on Monday afternoon Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was scheduled to return to Athens on Monday afternoon aftrer spending the Easter holidays in the northern city of Ioannina. On Tuesday he is due to meet with Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannios, Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos. President Karolos Papoulias and the prime minister visited the "Alexandros Diakos" army camp in Konitsa on Easter Sunday and exchanged best wishes with servicemen and guests. Karamanlis said in a statement that the day of Easter is linked to the history of Hellenism and pointed out that "our history is the guide of our country." [03] Easter celebrated in great splendour, devoutness in GreeceEaster is the biggest celebration of the Orthodox Christians and the one richest in folklore. All over Greece, Easter is celebrated in great splendour and devoutness.The word "Pascha", Easter in Greek, stems from the Jewish "Pasah" which means "Passover". The corresponding Greek word for "Pascha" is "Lambrí" (Brightness) because the day of the resurrection of Christ is a day full of joy and exhilaration. On Easter Saturday morning, preparations started for the festive dinner of the night of the Resurrection and housewives cooked "maghiritsa" (a tripe and herbs soup). Shortly before midnight, people gathered in churches holding white candles which they lit with the "Holy Light" distributed by the priest. When the latter chanted "Christ is risen" (Christós Anesti), people exchanged wishes and the so-called "Kiss of Love". With the "Holy Light" of the candles they thrice made the sign of the cross on the door post over the front door of their houses for good luck. Then they all gathered around the festively laid table, they cracked red eggs and feasted on the traditional "maghiritsa". On Easter Sunday morning, in many parts of the country lamb was prepared on the spit. In other regions, the meat for the Easter table - lamb or kid - was roasted in the oven. There was a festive atmosphere everywhere and people ate and danced, usually until late into the night. [04] Holy Light arrives in Athens from JerusalemThe Holy Light arrived in Athens from Jerusalem at about 7:30 p.m on Saturday. The exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Athens received it in the Greek capital on a special Olympic Airlines flight. Honours provided for heads of state were given at the airport and from there it was distributed all over the country with special flights.In Jerusalem, Patriarch of Jerusalem Theofilos emerged from the Holy Sepulchre shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, holding the Holy Light. The Cathedral of the Resurrection in Jerusalem was full of people from all over the world who had arrived to take the light from the Patriarch's hands before leaving. Immediately after the ceremony, at which the government was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis, the Patriarch of Jerusalem wished the Greek people "Christos Anesti" (Christ has risen) on the occasion. Kassimis stressed that only the Greek Orthodox primate is called the Patriarch of Jerusalem, while the rest of the religious leaders are Patriarchs in Jerusalem. [05] US report urges Turkey to re-open Halki seminaryThe United States continued to urge high-level Turkish government officials to reach agreement with the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the re-opening of the Halki seminary on the island of Heybeli, to acknowledge the ecumenical nature of the Patriarchate, and to ensure the right of non-Turkish citizens to serve as clergy, the "Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2006" report said on Friday.The report, submitted to the US Congress by the Department of State, complements the longstanding Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2005 and takes the next step, moving from highlighting abuses to publicizing the actions and programs the United States has employed to end those abuses. The report stressed that U.S. officials engaged Turkish government officials regularly in a dialogue on religious freedom. The United States stressed the need to allow free religious expression for persons of all faiths, including Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Baha'i, none of whom have legal standing in Turkey. [06] DM Evangelos Meimarakis to attend March 25 national anniversary parade in USNEW YORK (ANA-MPA - P. Panagiotou)Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis will be representing the government at a parade oganised by the Greek American community, on the occasion of Greece's March 25 national anniversary, in Manhattan on April 15. During his stay in New York, Meimarakis will be meeting Archbishop of America Demetrius, municipal and state authorities and representatives of the Greek American community. Financial News [07] Foreign exchange rates for Friday and SaturdayReference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:U.S. dollar 1.348 Pound sterling 0.685 Danish kroner 7.513 Swedish kroner 9.345 Japanese yen 160.27 Swiss franc 1.643 Norwegian kroner 8.198 Cyprus pound 0.585 Canadian dollar 1.553 Australian dollar 1.648 [08] Foreign Exchange Rates - Until TuesdayReference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:U.S. dollar 1.348 Pound sterling 0.685 Danish kroner 7.513 Swedish kroner 9.345 Japanese yen 160.27 Swiss franc 1.643 Norwegian kroner 8.198 Cyprus pound 0.585 Canadian dollar 1.553 Australian dollar 1.648 General News [09] Naxos prosecutor launches legal proceedings against Sea Diamond captainA prosecutor on the Aegean island of Naxos on Saturday launched legal proceedings against the captain of the ill-fated Greek cruise ship Sea Diamond, that sank off the island of Santorini at dawn on Friday after striking a reef on the previous afternoon.Prosecution concerns causing a shipwreck through negligence, causing pollution to the sea through negligence and failing to apply international regulations on avoiding collisions. The prosecutor will also refer the captain to an investigator as a result of the two French nationals who have been reported missing, a 45-year-old man and his 16-year-old daughter. All the remaining senior officers of the ship who had been brought before the prosecutor have been released. The 20-year old cruise ship, run by Louis Hellenic Cruise Lines, sank at the sea area of "Old Mines" of Athenios, Santorini's harbour, after water flooded its engine room and decks 2 and 3 during the night. The rest of the passengers (1,170), mostly Americans and Germans, and 390 crew of the ship were successfully evacuated within a few hours after the ship run aground. The "Aegean 2" ship arrived in the port of Piraeus on Friday morning transporting 296 passengers and 38 member of the crew. Louis Hellenic Cruises sent sent another cruise ship "Perla" to Santorini to transport the remaining passengers. The sinking of the vessel caused an oil spill of a radius of 100 metres. Sea Diamond was launched in April 2006, operating on a seven-day sea cruise from Piraeus to the Aegean islands. [10] Sailings forbidden in area of Sea Diamond sinkingBy decision of the Thira harbour master, ships and other vessels are forbidden from approaching both the areas where the cruise ship Sea Diamond struck a reef and eventually sank last week without written permission from the port authorities, according to an announcement by the merchant marine ministry. Diving in the above areas is also forbidden without permission from the port authorities.[11] KKE calls for in-depth investigationThe Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Saturday called for an in-depth investigation of the sinking of the cruise ship."The investigation into the causes of the shipwreck of the Sea Diamond must proceed in depth and this is the responsibility of the government," KKE said in an announcement. It further said that "the government has been exposed with its jubilating in the case of the Sea Diamond," adding that "responsibilities cannot be concealed because more people were not lost." [12] Traffic jams as Easter holidaymakers drive homeTraffic jams extending over a distance of 10 kilometres have been created in the region of the Maliakos Detour, in eastern Greece, on Monday as holidaymakers drive home at the end of the Easter holidays.Vehicles were moving at very low speeds due to road works being carried out in the area and the traffic police are doing all that they can to facilitate motorists driving between the towns of Stylida and Agios Konstantinos. Along the stretch of the Thessaloniki-Athens motorway and between Stylida and Lamia, vehicles were moving along one lane only with speeds that did not exceed 40 km an hour. Traffic police advise motorists to be careful along the entire length of the national motorway, particularly at the 12 crucial locations of the Maliakos Detour where "bottleneck" phenomena appear. [13] Missing boy found safe on Monday in CreteA nine-year-old boy, Odysseas, who went missing on the island of Crete on Easter Sunday, was found safe on Monday afternoon, in Iraklio city's village of Avdos.The boy went missing at noon on Easter Sunday and a massive rescue operation was launched to locate him. A Greek Police helicopter was also used in the mission. He was eventually discovered by villagers among bushes, frightened, tattered and exhausted. The boy had speech and hearing problems. He was taken to Iraklio Hospital for precautionary reasons. [14] UN, EU and NATO simulation conference in ThessalonikiOver 300 students from universities in Greece and abroad, representing about 75 countries, will participate in the 6th international Simulation Conference of UN, European Union and NATO Bodies that will be held at the Macedonia University between April 11-15.The conference, known as ThessISMUN, is in essence a simulation exercise of the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council of the UN, the Council of Ministers of the EU and the Council of NATO. Participants in the conference will be discussing issues concerning these international organisations, such as preventing the use of nuclear weapons, the protection of children's rights, organised crime, the illegal trafficking of people, employment and equal opportunities in the EU. [15] Robbers seize bank's ATM in IraklioRobbers using a 4X4 vehicle seized an ATM belonging to the Alpha Bank, that was located outside a supermarket in the city of Iraklio at dawn on Saturday. The exact amount taken was not clear. The robbers dragged the ATM with straps and part of the machine was found later on the road leading to the town of Krousonas. Police believe that the robbery is the work of a gang since this is the second similar case in a week.Weather Forecast [16] Fair on TuesdayFair weather is forecast with local cloud over parts of the mainland. Winds northerly, light. Temperatures in Athens ranging between 9C and 23C and in Thessaloniki from 7C to 22C.[17] The Sunday editions of Athens' newspapers at a glanceADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Unemployment benefit for part-time employed as well"APOGEVMATINI: "Interior ministry circular:20 pc of new posts in public sector to be covered with voluntary transfers" AVGHI: "Easter with notebook. Prime minister pressured and sceptical" VRIANI: "Bold initiatives by Karamanlis" CHORA: "The 47 keys of tax statement" ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The silver pieces of bonds. Protagonists in scandal denouncing each other" EPOCHI: "Everything can wait. Have a nice Easter" ETHNOS: "Look at how much funds are losing today" KATHIMERINI: "Quarrels undermining government" LOGOS: "'Counter-attack' after Easter. The prime minister wants to change climate" NIKI: "No guarantees for the social insurance issue" PARON: "Majority of people demand:Take back the book" PROTO THEMA: "Triple crime in Santorini. Only luck and local people prevented new 'SAMINA'" RIZOSPASTIS: "On course for struggle celebration of class Mayday" TO VIMA: "The report on theft. Days of suffering for government after Resurrection" VRADYNI: "New package of 46.300 hirings" 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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