 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Sunday, 24 November 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-12-01Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PASOK against elimination of tax break for childrenAMNA--A framework that will boost the real economy and lead to an exit from the crisis in the wake of recent Eurogroup decisions was emphasised on Saturday by PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, who addressed a conference of his party's organising committee in downtown Athens.Venizelos noted that changes in the tax regime should not include an abolition of tax breaks for children, adding that "we will heal" the injustices in the law regarding disability pensions and the payment of the civil servants retirement lump sums.amna The PASOK leader sternly attacked main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, saying the latter 'is ignorant of the danger" and that with his statements undermine investment prospects in the country, something Venizelos called "suspicious and deplorable". Referring to PASOK's initiatives in the coming weeks, Venizelos said that on Monday PASOK will present its proposal to declare the ultra-nationalist Chryssi Avghi (Golden Dawn) party unconstitutional".amna Moreover, he added that a prerequisite for national recovery is that the current government completes its four-year tenure, while in the meantime operating with coordination, stability and with clear rules regarding not only the three-party majority but also within the government, in statements carried by the Saturday edition of "Ta Nea [02] Tsipras on renegotiation of 'memorandum'AMNA--"The minimum patriotic duty of a coalition government with mandate for the renegotiation and disengagement from the Memorandum is not to accept a repetition of the same disastrous choices," main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras was quoted by the Athens daily "Ta Nea" on Saturday.Tsipras said the government should not accept the "looting" of social security funds in order to buy back bonds and use it as a pre-election campaign "gift" to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.amna The SYRIZA leader also opined that as long as the recession escalates "semi- measures" for the debt will last for only three months. [03] The Saturday edition of Athens' dailiesThe Saturday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceChanges in the tax system and main opposition SYRIZA party's nationwide conference mostly dominated the headlines on Saturday in Athens' newspapers. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "What changes in store for tax system". AVGHI: "SYRIZA: We will undertake the responsibility and we will succeed". EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: "Storm of equivalent measures with one-billion-euros people 'friendly' ceiling". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Troika ask for abolition of conscription". ESTIA: "Tax changes an utter confusion". ETHNOS: "High voltage in PPC's rates". IMERISSIA: "Banks' future in troika's hands". KATHIMERINI: "Turbulence over the taxation - Government partners opposition". LOGOS: "Six out of 10 young people jobless". NAFTEMPORIKI: "Cracks in tax system before it's even adopted". RIZOSPASTIS: "The new tax noose will strangle working class households". TA NEA: "Taxation - Herod naked!" 6 DAYS: "SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras sends message of hope, reversal". [04] Olive oil production posts substantial increaseAMNA--Olive oil production in Greece during the current harvesting season is expected to reach 350,000 tons, up from the same period in 2011, in which production reached 295,000 tons.According to a Panhellenic Confederation of Unions of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) report, based on agriculture ministry data, local consumption of olive oil over the last three years was roughly 230,000 tons per year. Consumption has posted a 20,000-40,000 ton decline due to the economic crisis and consumers' turn to cheaper oils. Olive oil exports reached 100,000 tons and the prospects are very encouraging. Greek olive oil is exported to Italy, Germany, USA and Canada, while China and Russia are among the important emerging markets for Greek olive oil.amna The wholesale price per kilo in the current period will rise to 2.4 euros/kilo in comparison with the same period in 2011, when it fell to 1.85 euros/kilo. [05] Ministers meeting on coastal shipping liquidityAMNA--The urgent liquidity problems coastal shipping companies are facing were discussed at a meeting between Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras and Shipping & Aegean Minister Costas Moussouroulis that included banking representatives on Friday.A shortage of cash in the sector is also affected by outstanding loans taken out by the five largest shipping companies to expand their fleet, a move based on positive outlook for shipping, and revenue losses. The high cost of fuel and a review of the VAT charges, that are ultimately passed on to passengers through tickets, were not discussed, Shipping Ministry sources said, adding that a new meeting will be scheduled soon.amna VAT is currently 13 percent for a passenger and 23 percent for a vehicle, which the sector wants reduced to 9 and 16 percent respectively, as they are two of four taxes included on tickets. [06] Church eyes media reports claiming large bank accounts held by top clericsAMNA--The ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Church of Greece is reportedlyy alarmed by recent newspaper reports referring to large bank accounts held by several Metropolitans, with the same media outlets claiming that the high-ranking clerics are under investigation by the financial crimes squad (SDOE). amnaThose allegedly under investigation have denied the existence of such bank accounts, while several of the clerics maintain that the issue should be discussed by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, in order to decide on specific moves to protect its members from slander. amna Church sources denied the existence of a list of names of high-ranking possessing large bank accounts. [07] Virtual art guiding tour at New Acropolis MuseumAMNA--The New Acropolis Museum will host the work of performing artists working utilising a "virtual reality" environment in an alternative museum tour called "Symphony of a Missing Room", held between Dec. 7 and 13.The performance is part of the international MIRfestival, which supports new artists combining performance arts and new audiovisual media to offer an alternative way of experiencing the arts.amna Swedish artists Christer Lundahl and Martina Seitl focused on transforming a tour of the New Acropolis Museum into an exploration of visitors' relationship with the arts.amna The artists will give five performances a day from Friday, Dec. 7 until Thursday, Dec. 13, except for Monday, Dec. 10, a day the museum is closed. Admission is free, but phone reservations are necessary Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.