The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-01-31

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Nine Iraqis, three US soldiers killed in attacks

Guerrillas killed nine people in a car bomb blast outside a police station in the Iraq city of Mosul today, and a separate bomb attack on a US convoy north of Baghdad killed three American soldiers.

[02] Bad weather recedes but leaves problems behind

Local and regional authorities are focusing efforts on restoring extensive damage caused throughout the country by a recent wave of bad weather, as the extreme phenomena gradually recede. Wheel chains continue to be vital for vehicles in the northern prefectures of Florina, Kozani, Kastoria and Ioannina. Meanwhile, a ban on coastal shipping from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina is still in force, due to galeforce winds.

[03] Turkish Cypriots may cede land to Greek side says Turkish PM

Turkish Cypriots could cede territory to the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot side, to push forward the UN peace process on Cyprus, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying today. Turkey faces mounting international pressure to end the decades-long stalement on the divided island before Greek Cypriots join the European Union in May, or risk ruining Ankara's own bid to join the bloc.

[04] Ministries accuse opposition of preventing company's bourse listing

In a joint announcement, the Finance and Development ministries have accused the opposition of a concerted effort to prevent the entry of the Hellenic Tourist Property company into the Athens Stock Exchange. The ministries charge that the climate of the past few days and statements made by the opposition are obviously targeting the abolition of the company and the governments endeavours and successful work.

[05] ND leader concludes tour of western Macedonia

With charges of manipulated promotions at the Foreign Ministry and selective personnel hirings at the Merchant Marine Ministry, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis concluded his pre-election tour of Western Macedonia today. Addressing a rally of party supporters in Kastoria, the ND leader reiterated accusations against the government of corruption and vested interests, saying that the government, which was on its way out, was proceeding with the settlement of accounts. He added that stock exchange crimes could not be overlooked or written off.

[06] ND leads Pasok in opinion polls, but Papandreou more popular than Karamanlis

Greece's conservative opposition - benefitting from a forest land controversy - has clawed back some of the lead it lost to ruling Pasok party, ahead of the March 7 general elections, a new opinion poll indicated today. Conducted by Kappa Research, between January 26 and 29, the poll shows the opposition New Democracy party leading in voters' preferences with 40.2% support, compared to 36.4% for Pasok. However, future Pasok leader George Papandreou is still ahead of ND leader Costas Karamanlis as the best candidate for prime minister.

[07] Papandreou woos farmers with financial aid

A package of measures to shore up farmers income and pensions, through a revision of the 3rd EU Support Framework, was announced today in Karditsa by Foreign Minister George Papandreou and future Pasok leader George Papandreou, on a pre-election tour of northern Greece. He also pledged favourable provisions to cut down on compound interest and the granting of long-term loans to facilitate payments for agricultural equipment.

[08] Weather forecast

A cloudy day is forecast, with lights showers or sleet in the eastern and southern parts of the country. Temperatures in Athens will range from 1 to 13 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from -2 to 11 degrees.

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