The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Student in Rethymno Murdered

By Athina Saloustrou

A University student from Chania was stabbed in the chest in outside a shop near the port of Rethymno at dawn. The student was transferred to the hospital, where his death was confirmed by doctors.The culprit escaped, while as per first reports a fight on a minor cause preceded the murder. Many people have been arrested by the police, since as per information present at the scene of the murder were many people. In parallel, it appears that although the police know the culprit's name, no announcement has been made. The police have not released the culprit's name yet.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] First in Europe

16 May 2008 13:14:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Construction of the first in Europe environmentally friendly power production plant, with the use of renewable energy sources, starts today in the Pezi Rahes region, on the island of Ikaria. The construction of the Pilot Hybrid Hydro-Electric Plant of a total 20 million euros budget is expected to be completed in two years and provide 100% of electricity in winter months and 70% in summer months. Electricity need in the region is near 3.5 MW in winter and 9MW in summer. The Greek state will cover 75% of the construction cost and the EU 25%. The plant will use both wind and flowing water from a near artificial dam while the water will flow back to the dam, operating like a close circuit.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Growth Rate on the Increase

By Alexandros Moz

The chairmen of the socials bodies put the blame for the high cost of life on the state and the state-run organization, while GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and FGI (Federation of Greek Industries) blasted the government for the under-the-table agreement with the road tanker owners.

The high cost of life topped the sitting of the National Competitiveness Council. FGI dismissed the package of measures taken by the Development Ministry as ineffective. The measures are sufficient and will yield results, replied Development Minister Christos Folias.

GSEE head Mr Panagopoulos held the state the number one accountable. Tensions ran high when Panagopoulos blasted the government for striking an under-the-table deal with the strikers. FGI President Dimitris Daskalopoulos sounded on the same wavelength.

The 5th annual report of the Competitiveness Council has suggested that although growth rate in Greece is high, the country has a long way to go in terms of competitiveness.

Dimitris Kontos, the Secretary General of the Development Ministry, also attended the meeting of the National Competitiveness Council, where the annual report on 2007 competitiveness was released.

The report suggests that the problems of competitiveness in Greece cannot be easily isolated, since they are closely associated with a wide spectrum of the countrys economic and social reality. Therefore, a concerted campaign to promote key reforms and changes is urgently needed.

The Evidence

In 2007, Greeces economy posted a 4% growth rate, clearly higher than the EU average, recording at the same time a 8.3% fall in unemployment. However, competitiveness still remains low, thus suggesting the need for reform policies.

Kontos stressed that upgrading human resources holds the key to upgrading output and creating competitive advantages.

The Strategy

The governments strategy, Kontos continues, cannot but shift its attention to those activities that will provide businesses and employees with the ability to turn the existing knowledge into a new and novel one. The improvement of productivity through investments in technology and education is the only way out, as it will cover higher cost from the production of high-tech products.

The Goal

Our goal, said Kontos, is to make the best of the funds given as part of the business plan "2007-2013 Human Resources Development," so that both employees and businesses can adjust to the ever changing conditions. This proves once again that the creation of more jobs is at the centre of the national strategy for the promotion of employment and social cohesion. The two-way relation between economic growth and employment is unquestionable. The development policy aims, on the one hand, at maintaining a macroeconomic stability, developing human resources skills, boosting entepreneurism, promoting innovation and creating new jobs. Employment policies, on the other hand, mean to activate human resources and cut unemployment rate, a fact that contributes to the rise in productivity and competitiveness and boosts economic growth. Achieving the goals for innovation, competitiveness, economic growth plays a key role to Greeces number one concern for growth, employment and social cohesion.

[04] Palestinian Rocket against Synagogue

By Athina Saloustrou

Israeli military sources announced that armed Palestinians launched rockets yesterday night against Sderot, Israel resulting in damaging a synagogue. There were not casualties in the attacks. A rocket also blasted in a childrens playground without causing any casualties. "Totally 11 rockets blasted on Thursday targeting Israel," an army representative said. Israeli troopers opened fire against Palestinians in Gaza who attempted mortar raids, injuring that way Palestinians, the same source said.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] 5 People Receive New Deadline

16 May 2008 15:48:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ÍÅÔ

Two new witnesses testified as suspects to the Prosecutor Panayiotis Athanasiou who is investigating SIEMENS case. Another 5 people, former OTE and SIEMENS members have asked and have received new deadline to testify.

In the statements of cases submitted by former member of the Administrative Council of OTE, Giorgos Orphanos and present member Dionysios Dendrinos, they are denying any involvement to the vase. Another SIEMENS' member asked to put the case against him into a file as no accusation and no relation of him with OFF SHORE company has been proved.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Bank of Greece Imposed

16 May 2008 12:37:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

The Bank of Greece has imposed fines mounting up to a total of 69 million euros- to financial institutions after confirming violations in transactions transparency and omissions in procedures to legalize incomings from criminal activities. The amount of the fine depends on the kind of violation, the total volume of transactions and the efficiency of each banks procedures. The fine is a zero-interest 6-month deposit in the Bank of Greece. The Bank of Greece has clarified that it is not in its competence to inspect bank transactions transparency in 80% of the cases referred.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Mr. Vartholomaios' Meetings

By Athina Saloustrou

Ecumenical Patriarchal Vartholomaios is meeting now in Maximos Mansion with the Prime Minister Mr. Costas Karamanlis while earlier today he had a meeting with President of Republic Mr. Karolos Papoulias. In the morning Mr. Vartholomaios visited the state park after receiving an invitation by "Parnitha Observatory". The Patriarch asked from all people to join the fight for the protection of the environment and expressed his truly love and support for the fire-hit residents of Greece, stressing that it is our task to deliver to the next generations a sustainable and clean environment adding that forests are source of life. Mr. Vartholomaios referred on the fires that ravaged Greece last year saying that the environmental pollution raises serious concerns for the future of the human being. The Ecumenical Patriarch talked with students from the school of Thrakomakedonas area. Mr. Vartholomaios was welcomed and accompanied in Parnitha by the director consultant of SKAI channel Mr. Giannis Alafouzos, the director of "Kathymerini" newspaper Mr. Alexis Papahelas and by WWF Hellas representatives as "Parnitha Observatory" has been established by SKAI, "Kathymerini and WWF Hellas.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] In his New Message

16 May 2008 11:54:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ÁNA, Reuters

In his own way, Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has addressed the 60th anniversary of Israels founding in an audio message on the Internet. In his message, whose authenticity has not been verified yet, Bin Landen vowed " to continue the fight against the Jewish state and its allies and not give up an inch of Palestinian land for as long as there is still a true Muslim on erath" .His previous message was on March, 20 and had urged Muslims to continue the struggle against US forces in Iraq as a path towards liberating Palestine.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] Alogoskoufis- McCreevy Meeting

By Athina Saloustrou

During his meeting with Economics Minister, George Alogoskoufis, EU Commissioner for Internal Market called for the abolition of regulation limiting to 5% DEH voting rights. In reference to legislation providing for strict terms for the purchase of over 20% of shares in strategic DEKO, such as OTE, Mr. McCreevy maintained that regulations are unclear and called for amendments. Economics Ministry sources left open possibility for changes in some points of the bill, clarifying that the bills general concept must not change and stressing that there might be need to refer to court to resolve differences. With regards OPAP, the EU Commissioner brought up issue of monopolio while the Ministrys economic staff said that the issue involved 12 EU member states and there must be a collective resolution and not at bilateral level.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] High Security Area

16 May 2008 11:10:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ÁNA, German, Reuters

A suicide bomb blast in Sri Lankas capital, Colombo has killed nine people and wounded 90 others, of whom 75 have been transferred to hospital. According to a local television channel the bomb exploded near a Buddhist temple and a guard post in a high security region near the presidential mansion. A suicide bomber on a motorbike targeted a bus carrying policemen on a busy street in Colombo. Authorities suspect separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in the attack.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[11] Myanmar: Military Junta still Imposes Restrictions

By Athina Saloustrou

Myanmar military regime does not allow EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, who is in Myanmar, to visit the region devastated by cyclone Nargis. He said that humanitarian aid has not been distributed to cyclone victims. He said he was not given permission yesterday to visit Irrawaddy River delta but hoped to visit it today. "I was given permission to visit the area on Saturday said Louis Michel a few hours prior to conclusion of his two day visit to Yangon but unfortunately this is impossible because of my obligations in Europe". He said that Myanmar officials have agreed to examine foreign experts requests for entry permissions.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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