The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Economic and Growth Policy at Focus PM Meets with Sioufas and Alogoskoufis

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

This morning, at Maximos Mansion, Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis met with Ministers of Economy and Development, Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Dimitris Sioufas and discussed a wide range of subjects concerning economic policy issues and also the course of the growth bill. Mr Sioufas, after the end of the meeting, stated that the implementation of the growth bill has started with very positive prospects and added that competitiveness is the next challenge for the course of Greece. "The plans and our intention is the Greek Prefecture and its growth," Mr Sioufas stated. Answering to a question over a possible government reshuffle the Minister of Development stated, "it is not necessary and it will not happen." To the question of if the government formation needs a steerer, he underlined that the government acts under the directions of the PM and does not need steering.

Dialogue and Consensus

From his side, Minister of Economy, Giorgos Alogouskoufis when asked to comment on Polizogopoulos proposal for the taxation of income over 1,500 euros, he stated that the government asked the Social and Economic Committee to steer the dialogue between the relevant bodies, adding that all the relative proposals will be evaluated. He also added that this is a long-term dialogue that the government will begin with consensus. Answering to a relative question, Mr Alogoskoufis stated that the tax of real estate possession does not exist.

The Prime Minister also met with Minister of Interior, Prokopis Pavlopoulos and discussed the latest details of the immigration policy bill.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Rebels Warn of the Death of 60 Hostages Threats of Terror in Iraq

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: Reuters

An alarm has sounded to the Iraqi authorities and alliance forces. Sunni rebels have arrested 60 people and are holding them captive in the town Madaen, near Baghdad and are threatening to kill them if the Shiites do not leave. "People from the town called me begging the Iraqi government to save their relatives who are hostages. They told me there are at least 60 hostages," stated a Shiite official, who asked to not be identified, to Reuters news agency. According to the official, the rebels are armed with heavy weapons and seems that they have taken over the town, while on the scene there are no police or government forces. " The residents told me the insurgents were wandering the streets in cars and warning people on loudspeakers that if Shiites want the hostages to be safe they must leave town," the official concluded.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] The Netherlands Oppose EU Constitution

By Vivian Papastefanou

The majority of the Dutch will chose to abstain, according to a gallop poll performed by the television program NOVA, which took place a month and a half before the referendum on June 1. The gallop poll indicated that 64% of the people questioned stated that they will stay at their home on June 1, three days after the referendum which will take place in France. According to the gallop poll, 13% will vote for the referendum and a 7% is against it. Around 15% stated that they will vote but are undecided. The Dutch government has stated that it will respect the result of the non-binding referendum only if the participation exceeds 30%. A few days before, a public opinion research for another television program presented different results. A 53% of the Dutch are planning to vote against the Constitution, a 24% supports it and a 23% is undecided.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Investigation to Locate Deadly Virus

By Despina Hristopoulou

As per an announcement issued by the World Health Organisation today, almost two thirds of the samples containing the H2N2 deadly flu virus that were accidentally sent by a US lab to 3,700 labs across the world have been destroyed. In fact, according to Klaus Storr, head of the WHO flu programme, "two thirds of the samples have been destroyed and we are hoping that the rest will be destroyed very soon." Most of the labs which received the samples of the deadly virus are located in the USA and the rest are in 17 countries. However, 12 of the countries answered they never received the H2N2 samples. WHO is running an investigation regarding what happened to the samples, which were registered to have been sent to two labs in Lebanon and Mexico. However, the samples never arrived in neither of the two places, but as Mr Storr clarified they may have never been actually sent. The investigation which is run in the USA will clarify if there had been a mistake in the list of recipients or if they were stolen while being transported.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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