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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-24Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou on restoration of Democracy"The military junta of the colonels in Greece fell 34 years ago under the weight of the tragedy in Cyprus," stressed main opposition PASOK party President George Papandreou on Thursday, in his message on the occasion of the anniversary of the restoration of Democracy in Greece. "We pay tribute to those who fought, resisted, became the victims of torture, were imprisoned and gave their lives for freedom and Democracy," he stressed, adding that in the years that followed, strong Democratic institutions were established while Greece's prestige and presence in the European Union and the region of SE Europe were reinforced. "The crisis currently experienced by Greece is the most serious in the past 34 years," PASOK's leader said, underlining that the crisis is economic, social and political. "The people's trust in institutions, justice and the political system is being shaken while at the same time they find it difficult to meet their obligations and feel unprotected," he stressed. "People today want leadership," he added, stressing that they want a government that will display a sense of responsibility, dignity and consistency when dealing with their problems.Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph of main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou. [02] New media frequencies chartThe chart of digital frequencies for radio and television was unveiled in Athens on Thursday in a joint press conference by Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos and Transport and Communications Minister Costis Hatzidakis. The digital broadcast trial period will be launched on November 1, 2008 with the digital integration being fully achieved by 2015 at the latest, Roussopoulos said, adding that the European Union is urging members to adopt digital technology by 2012. The digital frequencies chart is a serious attempt to put the broadcast sector in order, Roussopouloos stated, stressing that consultations will be held with all interested parties before any joint ministerial decisions are issued setting the necessary preconditions. On his part, the transport and communications minister stated that this endeavor sets the preconditions for the transition of the Greek television to the digital age. Each channel will broadcast up to four programmes compared to the current capacity limited to just one, he said, adding that the analog television problems will soon be a thing of the past. Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph of Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos[03] Koukodimos returns to NDIn letters sent on Thursday, independent MP Costas Koukodimos informed Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis that he wished to return to ruling New Democracy's Parliamentary group. The MP's return was approved by the premier in his reply."Today, now that the case has been closed and in accordance with my statement, I state my desire to once again join New Democracy's Parliamentary Group, whose choices I have unerringly supported and continue to support," Koukodimos said in his letter. The MP had left ND's parliamentary group while public prosecutors investigated a claim by journalist Makis Triantafyllopoulos that the MP and the head of Greece's financial crimes squad Spyros Kladas were involved in some sort of secret deal to cover up financial irregularities of his partner in the "Proto Thema" newspaper, Themos Anastassiades. The investigation was dropped after public prosecutors failed to find evidence that a crime had been committed. [04] Rhodes fire burns for 3rd dayA fire on the Aegean island of Rhodes continued to rage unchecked for the third consecutive day on Thursday, having burnt through 1,000 hectares of forest and grassland since it began on Tuesday.Fire fighters managed to partially contain the flames during the night but the blaze was reignited in the morning when stronger winds began to blow in the area, spreading to surrounding forest. A strong fire-fighting force and local residents are currently trying to extinguish the flames, assisted by six water-bombing aircraft. A short while ago and in response to the difficult situation, Southern Aegean Region General Secretary Haralambos Kokkinos filed a request for additional fire-fighting planes. Caption: Water bombing aircraft dumps its load above homes in the village of Laerma on Rhodes to prevent encroaching flames from reaching the buildings on Wednesday. ANA-MPA - Nikolas Nanef [05] Mouskouri gives last concertInternationally-acclaimed Greek singer Nana Mouskouri gave the last concert of her long career at the Herod Atticus Odeon on Wednesday night, as Greek and visiting foreign officials looked on. Earlier the same evening, Mouskouri had been received the City of Athens Gold Medal of Merit from Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis at Athens' City Hall, in acknowledgement of her extensive contribution to music and culture.The concert brought to a close a 50-year international music career featuring more than 350 gold and platinum albums and 300 million album sales globally. "Today we are redressing a historical oversight - the fact that the entire world has paid tribute to her, yet the city which she promoted through her personality and song has never done so. I, therefore, ask you to accept the highest honorary distinction of the city which you sang about and celebrated, the City of Athens Gold Medal of Merit, " Kaklamanis noted as he presented Mouskouri with the award. Accepting, Mouskouri referred to her love of Greece and of her debt to music, and stressed that "the honour I am receiving today is something I will never forget." As guests of Mayor Kaklamanis, Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit and Luxembourg Mayor Paul Helminger attended the medal award ceremony. Together with Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou and Paris Mayor Bertrand Delano?, who also accepted Mayor Kaklamanisâ invitation, they attended the concert at the Herod Atticus theatre. The Ambassadors in Athens to France, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and Slovenia, as well as the charges dâaffaires of Spain, Germany, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Poland and Sweden, were also present at the ceremony. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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