Compact version |
|
Thursday, 21 November 2024 | ||
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-01-14The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] NEWS IN ENGLISHERA 5. THE VOICE OF GREECE14/1/2002 12:53:00 μμ NEWS HEADLINES - Weather forecast - Political parties describe list of terrorist suspects as ill minded, fiction spy stories - Inner cabinet meeting on Olympic Games security - Reactions on draftbill in education - New proposals for labour reforms - Revolutionary changes in state hospitals - New round of talks on the Cyprus issue - Ecumenic Patriarch' s visit to Iran - Winter sales begin [02] Weather forecastScattered cloud is forecast throughout the country, with rain likely in the west and south. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning strong in parts of the Aegean later in the day. Light cloud in Athens with temperatures between 4C and 13C ,same weather in Thessaloniki with temperatures from-4Cto.6C.[03] Political parties describe list of terrorist suspects as ill- minded, fiction spy stories.All political parties in Greece have strongly reacted to an article in the Sunday "To Karfi" newspaper, including a list of names linking Pasok party senior members with the November 17 organisation, belived to have been drawn by the group of former intelligent agent Grillakis in 1988.Press Minister, Hristos Protoppapas described the scenarios in the article as both ridiculous and funny, while the General Secretary of the Pasok party spoke of a document of shame inspired by ill-minded brains. The main opposition New Democracy (ND) party described the content of the article as a spy fiction story not worthy of serious consideration. On his part the President of the Coalition of the Left and Progress spoke of an attempt aimed at political destabilisation while the President of the Democratic movement, Dimitris Tsovolas underlined that the report was likely to serve foreign interests and petty partisan expidiencies. In the meantime, the newspapers "To Vima" and "Kathimerini" in articles in their Sunday issues maintain that police authorities are close to the arrest of November 17 terrorist suspects. [04] Inner cabinet meeting on Olympic Games securitySecurity during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens is the focus of talks at today' s meeting of the inner cabinet chaired by Prime-minister Simitis.The meeting is taking place after the contacts Mr. Simitis had with American President George Bush and in view of the forthcoming new inspection by the International Olympics Committee. Preparation of athletes and subsidies to sports federations are also among the issues to be discussed. [05] Reactions on draftbill in educationPrivate schools are open today while their owners will decide on their further stand depending on the development of the debate in parliament on the draftbill related to new regulations for lay-offs of teachers in private schools.In the meantime , in the public education sector, grammar school teachers and high school teachers tomorrow have scheduled a 24 hour strike and 3-hour work stoppage respectively demanding pay rises and withdrawal of the draftbill providing for their evaluation. [06] New proposals for labour reformsAccording to an article in the Sunday issue of the newspaper "Eleftherotypia", LABOUR Minister Dimitris Reppas is likely to present to Prime-minister Simitis the new proposals on labour reforms next week. The new proposals include slight increase in pension age limits and reduction in the main pension scheme counterbalanced by a gradual increase in supplementary pensions[07] .[08] Revolutionary changes in state hospitals.In an interview with the Newspaper "Ta Nea" , Health Minister, Alecos Papadopoulos promised of a revolutionary change in the picture and services at state hospitals till the end of the year.As he characteristically said, there would be such a change that people would not believe in the new picture of hospitals. [09] New round of talks on the Cyprus issue.The new round of direct talks between Cyprus President Glafkos Kleridis and Turkish Cypriot leader, Raulf Dektash begins on Wednesday. Today the two men will exchange documents on the issue of missing persons during the Turkish invasion of the island in 19745 at the presence of U.N special envoy to Cyrpus Alvaro de Sotto.[10] Ecumenic Patriarchs visit to Iran.Following his 40minute -meeting with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, Ecumenic Patriarch Vartholomeos stressed from Shiite-dominated Iran that a new period of dialogue between Christians and Muslims has begun.Vartholomeos visit to Iran is the first-ever by an Ecumenical Patriarch and comes amidst the Ecumenic Patriarchates initiative to start an international dialogue among the worlds major monotheistic religions. Patriarch Vartholomeos praised reformist Khatami,for his willingeness to open a window of dialogue. Today the Patriarch will meet with Iran;s senior religious leader Ayiatollah Homeini. [11] Winter sales beginThe winter sales begin today, with retailers required to mark both the original and new reduced price of goods in euros and drachmas.The sales, which end on February 28, are to begin almost two weeks late this year due to introduction of the euro on January 1 in a move to lessen confusion over the new currency. The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |