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Sunday, 24 November 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-08-21Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou proposals for transparencyMain opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Friday unveiled four proposals for achieving greater transparency in the country's public life and political system, with his lengthy article appearing on PASOK website.Among others, Papandreou, the current Socialist International (SI) president and a former foreign minister, underlined the need for a dramatic reduction in election spending, a radical reform of Greece's electoral system, including the break-up of "large and cumbersome" election districts, as he said, along with the mandatory publication of all donations to parties, Internet listing of all ministerial and local government decisions, as well as an upgrading of the statements of sources of incomes for politicians and top civil servants -- an obligatory yet mostly ineffective measure to trace illegally begot wealth. "We have the volition for necessary changes to the institutional framework regarding ministers' liability, so there are no margins for machinations ... we are also ready to guarantee the separation of powers, to free the judicial system from the asphyxiating grip (of political power)," he said, adding: "We have already proposed, as PASOK, the favourable sentencing of anyone who provides evidence against rogue politicians; we will not shy away from adopting any measure that helps in uncovering the truth and the restoration of justice," he underlined. In concluding his article, Papandreou said a "political autonomy" is not a mere "flag of opportunity" for him, but a political target and a necessary condition not just for progress "but for the democratic normalcy of the country." [02] Status of wildfires on Fri.A particularly nasty wildfire that erupted on Thursday in the industrial Magoula district of western Attica prefecture -- west of Athens -- was partially under control by Friday morning. A large fire brigade force remains in the area to contain the blaze and avoid a rekindling.Wildfires on Cephallonia island, Astakos, western Greece, and in Thesprotia prefecture were also under control. According to authorities, two other wildfires broke out on Thursday and burned forestland in Gortynia, Arcadia prefecture, in the central Peloponnese. Meanwhile, yet another wildfire erupted on Friday just before noon in the Aghii Apostoli coastal resort site north of Athens. Five fire-fighting aircraft together with a large force of firefighters were dispatched to the scene. [03] Stocks continue rally Fri.Stocks prices ended the week with a high note on Friday at the Athens Stock Exchange, with the composite index of the market closing up 3.35 pct to end at 2,479.85 points. Turnover was a moderate 288.4 million euros, of which 17.2 million were block trades.Sector indices moved mostly upwards with Banks (6.14 pct), Industrials (3.28 pct) and Technology (2.69 pct) posting the biggest percentage gains of the day. Oil-Gas (0.69 pct) was the biggest sector loser of the day. The FTSE 20 index was up by 4.17 pct up, the FTSE 40 index gained 2.02 pct and the FTSE 80 picked up 1.96 percent. From the stocks moved, 165 ended up, 46 declined and 48 remained unchanged. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |