The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] In Thessaloniki

10 Ιουν 2008 08:13:0

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

Police authorities in Thessaloniki have launched a manhunt to locate the abductors of the president of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece, Giorgos Mylonas, 49, who is the owner of ALOUMIL, a listed Greek aluminium industry with major investments both in Greece and beyond. Mylonas was abducted shortly before midnight. While returning home, three gunmen ambushed him, drug his wife off the car, got in and forced him to drive to an unknown destination. Later on, they called the businessmans wife and told her where they had left his car, while at 3.30am, an unidentified person called a television station and dictated a text, confirming it was an abduction case. Police found Mylonas wrist watch and mobile phone at the back seat of his car. Having closed the border, police are combing the wider area of Thessaloniki, as well as its neighbouring prefectures. The anti-terrorism squad is also taking part in the manhunt. Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos held an emergency meeting at the Ministry building to examine the latest developments in the case.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Row over OTE-Deutsche Telekom Deal

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Tensions ran high on Monday at the Parliaments Financial Committee at the opening debate on the bill that ratifies the deal brokered between the Greek state and Deutsche Telekom on OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation). OTE CEO Panagis Vourloumis, as well as reps of the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission and OME-OTE (Federation of OTE Employees), have been called Tuesday to testify to the Parliaments Committee. In the meantime, OTE personnel, with the exemption of that in the quake-hit prefectures of Ilia and Achaia in southern Greece, have scheduled a strike for Tuesday.

"Innovative Agreement"

Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis termed the deal as a innovative one, not only for Greece but also for Europe.

OTE, said Alogoskoufis, will become more competitive, improve its potential and the Greek people will enjoy modern, reliable and economical telecommunication services.

The Finance Minister then went on to stress that the deal was pursued to secure OTEs future and protect the Organisation from any aggressive buyouts and uncontrollable situations.

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) rapporteur Haris Tsiokas, on the other hand, blasted the deal attributing colonial and third-world traits to its. He also reiterated that PASOK will refuse to give legal status to the agreement and that it will propose the setting up of a committee of inquiry to investigate any breach of trust at the expense of the Greek state.

KKE (Greek Communist Party) rapporteur Nikos Karathanasopoulos demanded OTEs privatization be halted by any means.

Sounding on the same wavelength, SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) rapporteur Panagiotis Lafazanis labeled the agreement a monument of OTEs submission to foreign state interests.

LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) rapporteur Makis Vorides also blasted the deal.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Asia: Crude Oil Prices Near $135

Sources: ANA-MPA

Crude oil prices rose on Tuesday, nearing 135 dollars per barrel in the Asian trading, despite a call by Saudi Arabia for talks between oil-producing and consumer nations on skyrocketing prices.

On Tuesday morning, crude oil for July delivery rose 57 cents to 134.92 dollars. North Sea Brent was also up by 44 cents, standing at 134.35 dollars.

US stocks also appeared mixed on Tuesday, after a pullback in oil prices and an unpredicted improvement of consumer market.

Dow Jones index posted a 0.58% rise, closing at 12,280.32%, while Nasdaq index fell by 0.61%, standing at 2,459.46%.

Saudi Arabia, the worlds leading producer, announced a summit between oil-producing and consumer nations to examine the reasons that have shot up oil prices.

Saudi Arabia reiterated, however, that there is no oil shortage justifying the soaring prices.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Slight Drop

[04] Jessica Albas Has a Baby Girl

Sources: ANA-MPA

Το πρώτο της παιδί, ένα κοριτσάκι, απέκτησε η ηθοποιός Τζέσικα Αλμπα ("Sin City"), σύμφωνα με δημοσιεύματα του αμερικανικού Τύπου.

Το περιοδικό US Weekly έγραψε ότι η 27χρονη ηθοποιός γέννησε το Σαββατοκύριακο, σε νοσοκομείο του Λος Αντζελες.

Η Αλμπα είχε ανακοινώσει τον περασμένο Δεκέμβριο ότι περιμένει το πρώτο της παιδί με τον 29χρονο σύζυγό της, Ουόρεν Κας.

Το ζευγάρι γνωρίστηκε το 2004, αλλά παντρεύτηκαν σε στενό κύκλο μόλις πριν από τρεις εβδομάδες.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Iran Adopts Harsh Stance

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ANA, AFP

Iran did not miss the chance to respond to Israels intention to launch attacks against it, in case it goes on with its nuclear programme and the UN-imposed sanctions prove inefficient. Vowing a "very painful" response, Iranian Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said, "If anyone is to commit such a stupid act, (the) response will be very painful. However, as soon as the comments are made, they deny it. It is evident that the words they fabricate stem from shortcomings in domestic issues." The statements by Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz were dismissed by senior Israeli officials.

[06] Reactions by Burmese Opposition

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ANA, AFP

The Burmese military rules decision to extent the house arrest of the leader of the nations democratic party, Aung San Suu Kyi, has sparked off reactions. A Peace Nobel laureate, Kyi has been in detention since 2003. On Tuesday, LND, Myanmars biggest opposition party, requested the junta accept the appeal against the ruling to have her house arrest extended. "The NLD will submit an appeal under the law as the extension of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis detention was against the law and unfair. If the State Peace and Development Council assumes that the extension of the detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was in accordance with the law, we ask them to accept the appeal and open the case in accordance with the law," read a NLD announcement.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] US Satisfied over Chavez's Comments on FARC

Sources: REUTERS

The United States welcomed on Monday statements by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez urging Colombian rebels to free hostages, but Washington said Caracas should also distance itself from the rebel group. Colombia accuses the anti-U.S. Chavez of supporting the rebels, known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. But on Sunday he urged them to release unconditionally all prisoners from jungle camps, saying Colombias decades-old civil war was anachronistic. "Those are certainly good words," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. "And we would encourage Venezuela to follow those good words with concrete actions." "The Venezuelan government should make every effort, public and private, to distance itself from any relationship it may have had with the FARC," McCormack said.

[08] Grp C: Netherlands 3-0 Italy

Sources: ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Netherlands stunned Italy 3-0 in their European Championship opener Monday, leaving the World Cup champions fighting to avoid elimination from the first round. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder scored in the first half, and standout defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst added the third on a counterattack in the 79th minute to give Italy its most lopsided loss in the history of the tournament. The Dutch carried several injuries into the match, but the Italians started with nine players over 30 and could not match the Netherlands for creativity and doggedness.

Lineups

Italy: Gianluigi Buffon, Christian Panucci, Andrea Barzagli, Marco Materazzi (Fabio Grosso, 54), Gianluca Zambrotta, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Mauro Camoranesi (Antonio Cassano, 75), Luca Toni, Antonio Di Natale (Alessandro Del Piero, 64).

Netherlands: Edwin van der Sar, Andre Ooijer, Joris Mathijsen, Khalid Boulahrouz (John Heitinga, 76), Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Orlando Engelaar, Nigel de Jong, Dirk Kuyt (Ibrahim Affelay, 81), Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Ruud van Nistelrooy (Robin van Persie, 70).

[09] Grp C: Romania 0-0 France

Sources: ASSOCIATED PRESS

France was held to a 0-0 draw by Romania on Monday in a defense-dominated match at the European Championship that lacked few clear scoring chances. Without captain Patrick Vieira and record scorer Thierry Henry, the World Cup finalists dominated possession but failed to penetrate a backline led by Gabriel Tamas. Romania played with usual defender Christian Chivu in a midfield role as part of a conservative formation drawn up by coach Victor Piturca. It worked.

Lineups

France: Gregory Coupet, Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal, Franck Ribery, Claude Makelele, Jeremy Toulalan, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka (Bafetimbi Gomis, 72), Karim Benzema (Samir Nasri, 77).

Romania: Bogdan Lobont, Cosmin Contra, Gabriel Tamas, Dorin Goian, Razvan Rat, Razvan Cocis (Paul Codrea, 64), Mirel Radoi (Nicolae Dica, 90), Cristian Chivu, Banel Nicolita, Adrian Mutu (Marius Niculae, 78), Daniel Niculae.

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