The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Submitted to Parliament on Monday Time for the Budget

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: NET

The main points of the 2006 Budget, which will be submitted to Parliament on Monday, provide for the drastic reduction of the public deficit to below 3% of the GNP, even without the securitisation; high growth rates; and boosting employment and social cohesion. The Cabinet will be convening earlier to give their final approval. As per the new Budget, revenues will increase by 3.5 billion euros, expenditures will remain at the same level as in 2004, while pay and pension rises will border on the inflation rate. Speaking on TV station NET, Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis described 2006 as a "crucial year for the Economy," repeating the need for structural changes, in order to contain expenditures to below 3%.

Reducing Unemployment

As per Mr Alogoskoufis, the Government aims for high growth rates, combined with the reduction of unemployment, for 2006.

According to Development Ministry sources, investments over the next two years will exceed 2.5 billion euros. In addition, a tender for the construction of 3 private power plant units, with a total capacity of 900MW, will be concluded within 2006, while the permits that have been granted for energy production using renewable power sources could result in investments amounting to 1.5 billion euros.

Speaking on NET, PASOKs parliamentary spokesperson, Charis Kastanidis, pointed out that the European Commission did not accept the securitisation for 2006, while he urged Mr Alogoskoufis to provide answers as to how the Government will be securing 2 billion euros without imposing new tax measures.

The Economy Minister also referred to social security, noting that talks have already commenced, while the Governments initiatives will be fulfilled after the end of the four years in office.

Finally, Mr Alogoskoufis described the countrys fiscal problem as deep, estimating that at least two terms in office are needed to deal with the problem permanently.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Greek Indexes Viewed Positive

Budget Meeting

[02] Hopping Steak!

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: BBC

Australia is in search of a new, tasty and primarily discreet name for describing kangaroo meat. Actually, the authorities have launched a relevant competition and hundreds of names have been suggested already. So what if the kangaroo-consumption sector has become quite lucrative, with exports to France, Belgium, Russia and Germany? The Australian meat eaters are offended when they see the name of the countrys national symbol on menus. In addition, the kangaroo industry is planning on launching ready-to-eat marsupial dinners, promoting a low-fat alternative to beef and lamb. Some of the proposed names include Kanga, which was rejected because it is quite obvious; Yummy; and Skippy, from the like-named hero of a popular TV series featuring a very sensible kangaroo. And although the competition was launched to appease the countrys meat eaters, the authorities should seriously take into consideration the views of animal welfare organisations, which oppose the slaughter of some four million marsupials annually.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

ABC: Bid under way to rebrand kangaroo meat

news.com.au: Your say on roo meat

[03] George Papandreou Candidate for Socialist International

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET-ANA

After the organisation's committee proposal, George Papandreou will be the sole candidate for the position of Socialist International President. Socialist International is a worldwide organisation of socialist, social democratic and labour parties. The election ceremony will take place in Athens on January 30-31, 2006. The two-day Council meeting in Athens, to be hosted by PASOK, will be attended by leaders and representatives from member parties of the Socialist International from all continents to address current key issues on the international agenda. The activities of the International around the world focus today on advancing and strengthening democracy, supporting the peaceful resolution of conflicts, securing a democratic and fair global governance, guaranteeing respect for human rights, achieving social justice and gender equality and promoting sustainable development.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Measuring 4.4 on the Richter Scale Tremor in Nafpaktos

By Vivian Papastefanou

A weak earthquake was reported a few minutes after 20:00 in Nafpaktos. The tremor, as per the Geodynamic Institute of Athens, was measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale and its epicentre was the city of Nafpaktos, 180km west of Athens. The seismic activity was felt in the nearby areas and in Patras. However, there have been no reports on damages and seismologists are monitoring the evolution of the phenomenon.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Store Room Owner before the Prosecutor Spoilt Foodstuffs on Rhodes

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ANA - NET

A store room owner will appear before the Rhodes Prosecutor on Monday, after 19 tonnes of products unfit for consumption, including flour, semolina, butter and canned tomato puree, were located on his premises and subsequently confiscated. As per the health inspections performed by employees of the Prefecture of Rhodes, the use-by dates on all flour packages and tomato puree cans had expired, while lice, worms and rat faeces were found in the flour. The spoilt goods were confiscated and destroyed. According to Presidential Decree 40/1977, criminal proceedings were brought against the store room owner for possession of dangerous and harmful foodstuffs.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] All Eight Passengers Died Air Accident in Russia

By Vivian Papastefanou

A Cessna aircraft crashed last night near Moscow while trying to land, as per Public Prosecutor Nikolay Savchenko. As per the experts' first estimations, the Cessna crashed because of a pilot error and while thick snow was falling in the area. The small plane, which lifted off from the Russian town of Voronec bound for Moscow, was wrapped up in flames right after the crash and as a result all eight passengers on board lost their lives. As per information, the son of a member of the Russian Parliament was on board the Cessna.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] 12 Dead, 14 Injured by the Tropical Storm Gamma Sweeps through Honduras

By Vagelis Theodorou

Honduras experienced the fury of nature, after being hit by tropical storm Gamma. Twelve people lost their lives and 14 were injured, while over 11,000 were forced to abandon their homes. In addition, another 13 people are missing, while many areas remain isolated, since roads and bridges sustained extensive damage. The storm has been sweeping through many areas of Central America since Saturday; however, Honduras was hit more severely. Gamma, which has started to weaken, is moving towards Cuba, where it is expected to make landfall on Monday, while scientists believe that it will also hit the Bahamas and quite possibly Florida. This is the 24th tropical storm to hit the area during the current hurricane reason, a record number according to the experts.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: New storm lashes Central America

[08] Fifth Win for Olympiacos

By Stathis Petropoulos

Olympiacos continued their winning streak in match day 5 of the A1 basketball championship, after prevailing over Makedonikos with the tough score of 83-66 on home grounds. Olympiacos were better and calmer, and obviously stronger until the end, which made the game seem like a walk in the park for them. In the first period, Makedonikos were closer in score and definitely in the game, but from halftime onwards, the home team speeded up and the guests failed to keep up. This win bring Olympiacos at the top of the standings, sharing the same spot with also undefeated Panathinaikos. The score per period: 23-18, 39-35, 60-53, 83-66.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Panionios on Home Grounds Winning Streak

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panionios claimed their third victory in this season's A1 Basketball Championship, after prevailing over PAOK 84-75 in match day 5. At the same time, the home team also preserved their home grounds winning streak. On the other hand, this was the fourth defeat for PAOK in five games and things do not look so good for the Thessalonikan team, as the position on the scoreboard is low. The score per period: 22-18, 39-34, 65-51, 84-75.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Victory for AEK

By Stathis Petropoulos

Kolossos may have gotten off to a good start, but they only managed to keep the lead for the first period, as they applied some pressure on AEK and did not leave them much room to top the score. However, from the second period onwards, Lefteris Kakiousis' team restored order, prevailed in the score and established their way through victory, even though Kolossos tried hard, but failed to avoid defeat. This was the fifth loss for Kolossos in five matches. The score per period: 20-24, 31-45, 47-59, 69-77

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Anxious Victory for Iraklis

By Stathis Petropoulos

Iraklis claimed an important victory against Larissa with 2-1 in a match where the guests should have asked more from themselves, since they missed out on the opportunity of bagging one precious point. Iraklis scored twice in the first half. In the 11' Epale was awarded a foul kick, which he easily turned into a goal and in the 21' Georgiadis sealed victory with a second goal for the home team. However, in the rerun things were tougher on Iraklis, as they slowed down, giving Larissa the opportunity to advance and go after victory. Despite the guests' many opportunities, they only managed to score one goal with Dabizas in the 85', which should have been cancelled. The finale was dramatic for Iraklis' fans, but luckily for them they claimed victory in the end.

Referee: Koukoulakis (Heraklion)

Yellow Cards: Drougas, Poursanidis, Katsiaros, Sherban Red Cards: Prittas (yellow-red card)

IRAKLIS: Abaris, Stefanis, Poursanidis, Katsabis, Drougas, Prittas, Seghiri, Georgiadis (88' P. Kapetanos), Herrera (73' Papazacharias), Epale, Lagos (80' Murrati)

LARISSA: Kotsolis, Galitsios (46' Gavrilopoulos), Simos (46' Sisic), Dabizas, Katsiaros (72' Kalantzis), Wella Junior, Digozis, Bachramis, Sherban, Aloneftis, Kyparissis

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] Tie Between Kallithea and PAOK

By Vasilis Kalpinos

The match between Kallithea and PAOK ended without a winner, as the opponents scored one goal each, leading them to draw. The guests (PAOK) took the lead in the 21' when Shikabala scored a beautiful goal, but Kallithea had not said their last word and tied some 40 minutes later, in the 65', with Koulakiotis. Both teams ended the match with one player short, as Silla and Karypidis got into a fight after Karypidis' final whistle and were given the red card.

Referee: Tsachilidis (Piraeus)

Red Cards: Silla (after the end of the match), Karypidis (after the end of the match)

Yellow Cards: Georgiev, Koutsospiros, Koulakiotis, Zagorakis, Balafas

LINEUPS

KALLITHEA: Souloganis, Karatzas (86' Belegrinis), Venetis, Koulakiotis, Tsiolis, Georgiev, Yanchev, Telkiyski (46' Koutsospiros), Passas (61' Petkovic), Silla, Lazanas

PAOK: Fernantes, Karypidis, Chasiotis, Udeze, Charalambous, Balafas, Zagorakis (78' Christodoulopoulos), Feutchine, Shikabala, Salpingidis (86' Maladenis), Mieciel (58' Megahea)

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[13] Egaleo Prevailed over Levadiakos

By Stathis Petropoulos

Levadiakos' reaction in the rerun and the pressure for a draw were not enough and Egaleo claimed their third victory on home grounds. With their experience and cool, the home team managed to take the lead in the 30' with Nikolopoulos, although Levadiakos had a few good opportunities to show for themselves. As for Egaleo, they created some fine opportunities to double their goals, but in vain, so 1-0 was the final result. Levadiakos finished the match with ten players, because Dimitropoulos was sent off with a red card for hitting Nikolopoulos.

Referee: Karatzas (Euboea)

Yellow Cards: Nikolopoulos, Zapropoulos, Pappas Red Cards: Dimitropoulos

EGALEO: Sidibe, Papoutsis, Psomas, Zapropoulos, Edusei, Omo, Fotakis, Moustogiannis (80' Tsatsos), Popov (50' Barkoglou), Chloros, Nikolopoulos (89' Cezarek)

LEVADIAKOS: Zafeiropoulos, Theodosiadis, Pastos, Dimitropoulos, Kallimanis, Massara (46' Chrysafis), Zisopoulos, Pappas (56' Bassala), Rusev (68' Lazoric), Gurma, Karakatsanis

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[14] Announced ERT President Christos Panagopoulos ERT Promotes Culture

By Vivian Papastefanou

After signing the agreement with Managing Director of Patras 2006 Mr. Christos Roilos, ERT President Christos Panagopoulos announced the promotion and coverage of all events related to "Patras European Capital of Culture 2006" Mr Panagopoulos stressed it would be a great honour for the Greek Public Radio-Television to promote and cover this cultural institution, especially now that Patras, his hometown, has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture during his presidency. As for Mr Roilos, he announced that ERT would be the major communication sponsor of the institution.

Promoting "Patras 2006" Through all ERT Media

Patras 2006 Managing Director Christos Roilos thanked ERT's president, stressing that ERT's support in promoting the institution of the Capital of Culture is of major importance for Patras' preparation course.

Mr Roilos also mentioned that the total amount of sponsoring translates into 2 million euros, while all three public television channels, its five radio stations, all its regional radio stations, ERT SAT, ERT's magazine and its website will be promoting the institution "Patras European Capital of Culture 2006" all year long.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[15] Draw in Nea Smirni

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panionios and OFI shared points and impressions in the match held in Nea Smirni for the 10th round of the Football Championship. The two teams tied 1-1 and remained close to the relegation spots. Back to the match now, the home team opened the score in the 51' with Breska, while the Cretans tied in the 76' with Sfakianakis.

Referee: Fotiadis (Thessaloniki)

Yellow Cards: Giannopoulos, Smiljanic, Makos, Kounenakis

LINEUPS

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Kontodimos (46' Magdy), Chicon, Giannopoulos, Nalitzis, Kiassos, Sheppard (46' Breska), Makos, Smiljanic, Fernantes, Oravec

OFI: Sifakis, Kounenakis, Pitsos (46' Stavrakakis), Machlas, Chadjiadrian, Gonzalez, Roubakis, Triantafyllou (62' Nwafor), Sfakianakis (81' Dentsas), Dejanov, Davidson

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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