The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Focusing on High Cost of Living

17 Ιουν 2008 14:20:0 (Last updated: 17 Ιουν 2008 15:21:2)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Development Ministry is setting up a service that will be monitoring the market and checking prices, stated the competent minister after the end of the Inner Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. The meeting opened at 11:00 and focused on ways to combat the consequences of the international economic crisis.

The service will be set up immediately at a time when Europe is in the tumult of surging oil prices and inflation having hit the last decades record in May reaching 3.7% EU member states are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss a number of measures in the support of low-income earners and ways to keep the cost of living low.

Development Minister Christos Folias announced the setting up of the Service immediately after the end of the Inner Cabinet meeting.

During the meeting, Mr Folias and Deputy Development Minister Giorgos Vlachos briefed the attendants on the reorganization of the checks services within the framework of 41 measures launched against the high cost of living.

Mr Folias stated that the service would be set up the soonest possible, while in reply to a question as to whether the government will pay low-income earners a heating oil allowance; Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis said that when the Poverty Fund is ready he will be able to answer the above question.

International Concern

The rising oil prices, which have also been affecting the prices of other products, sent inflation in the eurozone to 3.7%, a development that has raised great concern within the EU.

European leaders are meeting in Brussels on 19 June to discuss ways of offering support to low brackets and keeping prices down.

Meanwhile, following yesterday's record oil prices at $US140 per barrel in Asian markets, oil is presently trading at $US134.48 per barrel.

Greece comes third in terms of expensive oil after Holland and Italy, while profiteers have sent commodity prices to the sky since the beginning of the year, implementing a 48% increase.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Cabinet Focuses on Expensiveness

[02] Roll Call Vote at Midnight

17 Ιουν 2008 10:36:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Plenum in Parliament will hold a debate at the oppositions request on holding a referendum in relation to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The debate will conclude with a roll call vote at midnight. Meanwhile following Irelands rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, the 27 EU Foreigner Ministers, who met in Luxemburg, committed themselves to maintain alive the Constitutional Treaty, concluding the ratification process in the rest eight member-states, as 18 have already done so. "Europe should move ahead and find answers to the problems that result from globalization," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] "I Have not Chosen Controversy"

Sources: NET, NET-105.8

In an interview with the newspaper Ta Nea PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) President George Papandreou referred to the fresh crisis that has broken out within PASOK in the last days. "It was not me who chose confrontation with Kostas Simitis," stressed Papandreou. Intra-party infighting, however, is still diving the Socialist voters, as the recent surveys have suggested. The House vote on the call for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is believed to test PASOKs unity. Kostas Simitis said he would abstain from the vote.

New Crisis in PASOK in Full Swing

"It was not me who chose to confront with Kostas Simitis," said the Socialist leader while accounting for placing former PASOK chief and ex-Prime Minister Kostas Simitis at the fringes of the partys activities.

In his interview with TA NEA paper, the PASOK President made it clear that his decision manifests he is not willing to come to terms with differentiations from party officials who wish to stand out for personal reasons, noting that inward looking policies led to the defeat in the previous elections.

Commenting on Kostas Simitis letter, Papandreou wondered, "Why should a former Prime Minister want to act in a way that exposes him personally?"

Statements

Statements on the PASOK crisis are never-ending, as whatever the developments may be, they are affecting and will affect Greeces political system even more.

The spate of intra-party squabbles was reflected in the statements of leading Socialist deputies in the Sunday press.

Theodoros Pangalos, in his interview with Eleftheros Typos paper, noted that the Simitis letter gave the impression that the party should always agree with his positions. He also brought up the issue of coalitions, arguing that there are no margins for independency any more.

"The Simitis letter was not necessary, although his positions are respected. However, neither the announcement issued by the PASOK Press office was necessary," Socialist cadre Apostolos Kaklamanis told NET state run radio. Kaklamanis also said that Papandreou would not have other party officials ousted.

MEP Katerina Batzeli told NET radio station that no political leader begins his day by ordering forced resignations. However, when his day is full of problems, then they become necessary.

"Introversion has been PASOKs biggest problem, while confrontation could have been avoided had there not been the letters," Anna Diamantopoulou told NET.

Petros Efthymiou underlined that PASOK is experiencing one of its most difficult and saddest moments in its history.

Christos Papoutsis spoke of a drive masterminded by media mechanisms to undermine PASOK.

Giorgos Lianis stressed that PASOK should rediscover the word "unity," implicitly defending Papandreous decision with regard to Simitis.

Tassos Giannitsis dismissed Simitis marginalization as a panic move and did not rule out scenarios speaking of division.

In the meantime, SYN (Coalition of the Left) officials also took a stand on the current crisis plaguing the Socialist party. SYN President Alexis Tsipras said that the two-political party system is in crisis.

Speaking on NET radio station, SYN deputy Mihalis Papagiannakis claimed: "If you asked me whether forced resignations in general are a good thing, I would say yes, provided that they result from transparent procedures."

Headlong Confrontation?

Related News:

Final Countdown

[04] Damage Repaired Immediately

17 Ιουν 2008 10:21:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A leakage of small quantity of ammonia has taken place in a deep fridge of a shop selling meat at Rentis market. The Piraeus prefecture confiscated 14 tonnes of meat in nearby shops for precautionary reasons. Meanwhile, samples of the confiscated mat have been sent to the General Chemical State Laboratory. As per original reports, the leakage was due to the overheating of the system. Although the damage was repaired, technicians of the Piraeus prefecture are standby, carrying out checks to discover the causes of the leakage.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] FESE's New Board of Directors

17 Ιουν 2008 18:14:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

President of Athens Exchange Spyros Capralos will assume office as President of the Federation of European Securities Exchanges after the Federations General Assemblys unanimous vote held in Stockholm on Tuesday.

Capralos two-year term kicks off on 18 June. Being an active FESE member, the President of Athens Exchange had been the Federations Vice President since 2006. Capralos is the first Greek Athens Exchange President to be a FESE member.

Upon the end of the vote, Capralos said: "It is a great honour to succeed Jukka Ruuska at the helm of the FESE. Fundamental changes in our sector have been made and the challenges we have to live up to in the future are many. The FESE members are capable of effectively addressing the mounting competition, and we should always bear in mind that MiFID is also providing extensive business opportunities."

As he claimed, "The key issues, on which we will focus are strategy, are neutrality towards investors, use of technology and increase in transparency and liquidity. In fact, during the recent market crisis, providing investors with security, liquidity and transparency through a multilateral exchange model offered by the Organised Market, proved their advantage. Under my new capacity, I intend to do anything in my power to boost our markets competitiveness in Europe and beyond."

Frank Gerstenschlager, member of the Deutsche B. Board of Directors, was elected Vice President.

The new FESE Board of Directors is the following:

President: Spyros Capralos, Athens Exchange

Vice President: Frank Gerstenschlager, Deutsche Borse AG

President of the Working Committee: Ramon Adarraga, BME

Members:

Christoph Bigger, SWX Swiss Exchange

Bruno Colmant, NYSE Euronext

Hans-Ole Jochumsen, NASDAQ OMX

Adam Kinsley, London Stock Exchange Group

Nontas Metaxas, Cyprus Exchange

Diarmuid OHegarty, London Metal Exchange

Marko Simoneti, Ljubljana Stock Exchange

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Scorching Hot Temperatures

By Anna Kourti

Scorching hot temperatures are expected on Wednesday and Thursday, as mercury is forecast to reach 38C. Temperatures in Attica will range from 26C to 37C and in Thessaloniki from 21C to 35C. On Wednesday, temperatures will climb to 38C, while sunny skies with patches of cloud are expected in Macedonia and Thrace. There is a slight possibility of rainstorms in the mountainous regions of Macedonia. Winds will be variable at 2 to 4 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 15C to 37C. Clear skies are also expected in western Greece, with patches of cloud forecast in the Ionian Sea, Epirus. Temperatures will range from 15C to 36C.

A drop in temperature is expected as of Friday.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] In Mosul

17 Ιουν 2008 16:54:0

Sources: REUTERS

Gunmen killed an Iraqi broadcaster in a drive-by shooting on Tuesday in the northern city of Mosul, police said. They said the killers shot Mohieldin Abdul-Hameed in the head from their car just after he left his home in Mosul, capital of Nineveh province, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, before driving off. Abdul-Hameed, in his mid-50s, was a presenter for Ninevehs local state-run TV station. Colleague Sameer Sloka told Reuters Abdul-Hameed had received death threats from militants claiming to be members of al Qaeda in Iraq before he was killed.

Iraq is the most dangerous place in the world for journalists, according to New York-based watchdog the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Around 130 reporters and 50 media assistants have been killed since the invasion, it says either by being deliberately attacked or caught up in crossfire.

[08] Concern Across Europe

17 Ιουν 2008 14:37:0

Sources: ANA-MPA

The surging crude prices across Europe and the USA have affected transport substantially. In Greece fuel prices are at a low level compared to other European countries, reports the ELPA Fuel Prices Report and EU and US organizations.

With crude prices surging, unleaded in Greece, Andorra (1.164 euros per litre), Montenegro (1.250 euros per litre), Slovenia (1,187 euros per litre) and Spain (1.230 euros per litre), is sold at a lower price when the average price is 1.164 euros per litre.

The highest petrol prices have been recorded in Holland (1.691 euro per litre), Belgium (1.609 euros per litre), Germany (1,516 euros per litre), Italy (1.528 euros per litre) and Finland (1.572 euros per litre).

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Skyrocketing Oil Prices

[09] Japan to Host Middle East Talks

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA, Reuters, AFP

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura has announced that his country will host peace talks among Israel, the Palestinian authority and Jordan before the G8 meet at the beginning of July.

Although the Israeli Foreign minister will not attend the meeting due to domestic problems, an Israeli representative will be replacing him.

Although the Palestinians and the Jordanians have accepted the invitation the exact date of the talks remains to be fixed.

The agenda at the G8 meeting will include climate change, aid to Africa and the improvement on health worldwide.

At the same time, Japan is materializing a rural-industrial programme in the West Bank that will offer work to Palestinians

Japan hosted the first Middle East peace talks in March 2007. Participating was Israeli Vice President Simon Perez, who presently serves as President.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] In Trikala

17 Ιουν 2008 12:05:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 ΑNA/ΜPA

In a KTEL (Intercity Road Transport Companies in Greece) bus collision with a truck at Gomfii, Trikala, eight passengers, including the two drivers were slightly injured. The injured have been transferred to Trikala Hospital for precautionary reasons, while the Traffic Police is investigating the case.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] Grp: B Austria 0-1 Germany

Sources: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Germany captain Michael Ballack scored a fierce second-half free kick Monday to give his team an unconvincing 1-0 win over Austria and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. After a scrappy and tense first half in which Austria troubled its underperforming opponent, Ballack smashed in a 25-meter shot in the 49th minute to send Germany through and end the hopes of its smaller neighbor.

Lineups

Germany: Jens Lehmann, Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, Philipp Lahm, Clemens Fritz (Tim Borowski, 90), Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, Lukas Podolski (Oliver Neuville, 83), Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez (Thomas Hitzlsperger, 60).

Austria: Juergen Macho, Gyorgy Garics, Martin Hiden (Christoph Leitgeb, 55), Martin Stranzl, Emanuel Pogatetz, Christian Fuchs, Rene Aufhauser (Juergen Saeumel, 63), Andreas Ivanschitz, Umit Korkmaz, Martin Harnik (Roman Kienast, 66), Erwin Hoffer.

[12] Grp B: Poland 0-1 Croatia

Sources: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ivan Klasnic scored Monday to give Croatia a 1-0 win against Poland in a European Championship match stripped of significance by Germanys defeat of Austria in the other Group B match. The 28-year-old striker became the first kidney transplant recipient to play at the European Championship, and in the 53rd minute he swept in a left-footed shot from a cross by stand-in captain Danijel Pranjic at Worthersee Stadium for his ninth goal in 30 internationals. Playing its third European tournament, Croatia won all three group games for the first time. It will play Turkey in the quarterfinals Friday in Vienna.

Lineups

Poland: Artur Boruc, Michal Zewlakow, Jakub Wawrzyniak, Marcin Wasilewski, Mariusz Lewandowski (Adam Kokoszka, 46), Dariusz Dudka, Rafal Murawski, Wojciech Lobodzinski (Euzebiusz Smolarek, 55), Jacek Krzynowek, Roger Guerreiro, Marek Saganowski (Tomasz Zahorski, 68).

Croatia: Vedran Runje, Hrvoje Vejic, Dario Simic, Dario Knezevic (Vedran Corluka, 26), Ognjen Vukojevic, Ivan Rakitic, Danijel Pranjic, Nikola Pokrivac, Jerko Leko, Mladen Petric (Niko Kranjcar, 75), Ivan Klasnic (Nikola Kalinic, 75).

[13] Amy Winehouse Hospitalized

By Vivian Papastefanou

Amy Winehouse was hospitalized after fainting in her home in London Monday afternoon, stated her public relations representative. Her father transferred her to the hospital. Her doctors are not sure why the singer fainted. Presently she undergoing tests and she may remain under surveillance in the night. The 24-year-old Grammy award winner had problems with drugs in the past, while the Media had also focused their attention on her personal life.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC News: Amy Winehouse taken to hospital

[14] 76 Dead and 1.7 Million Homeless in China

By Vivian Papastefanou

The thunderstorms that have been pounding southern China for days have killed 76 people, while about 1.7 million people were forced to abandon their homes, announced the Chinese government. The mostly hit areas are the Pearl River Delta, Canton and Shenzhen. The Vice President stated that the authorities should not underestimate the situation. Reports about the nine provinces hit by the thunderstorms number 63 dead and 13 are reported missing since 7 June. More than 1.66 million people have abandoned their homes in these zones, while vast cultivated areas have flooded. The cost of damage amounts to 1.35 billion euros. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Service forecasts strong rainfalls in the area during the week.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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