The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-16

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] S. Kladas Letter to Prosecutor

By Athina Saloustrou

The lawyer of Spiros Kladas, former head of Finance Ministry Special Inspections Department, handed to State Prosecutor, Maria Gane a letter expounding his positions. Mr. Kladas was summoned to be interrogated as a suspect within the frame of investigations concerning journalist, Makis Triantafilopoulos accusations that he hampered investigation into Themos Anastasiadis 5.5 million euros case. Prosecutor Maria Gane is investigating the soundness of Mr. Triantafillopoulos accusations that independent deputy, Kostas Koukodimos intervened for a favourable settlement of the pending economic issue. From the very beginning, Spiros Kladas denies both any intervention in the case as well as obstruction of investigation in the above case. Supervisor of Special Inspections Department, Baggelis Karamanos will also face the Prosecutor today.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Eurozone Inflation Up

By Athina Saloustrou

According to Eurostat report released in Brussels today, June inflation in Greece remained at 4.9%, same level as May. Eurozone inflation rate rose to 4% from 3.7% in May compared to 1.9% last year while EU inflation rate rose to 4.3% from 4% compared to 2.1% the same period last year. Lowest rate of inflation in June was recorded in Holland (2.3%), Germany and Portugal (3.4%), while the highest inflation rates were recorded in Leetonia (17.5%), Bulgaria ( 14.7%), and Lithuania (12.7%). Compared against May, inflation in June rose in 21 EU member states, remained the same level in two member states and dropped in three member states. In the meantime, big losses in international stock markets yesterday affected the Athens and other big European Stock Markets which closed sharply down. In his speech at the National Exports Council, Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis stressed that continuous rise in oil and food prices has had an impact on households, businesses and countries economies in general. High euro, high oil and food prices and credit crisis have had an impact on state economies while George Alogoskoufis expressed concern over the impact of international crisis on the Greek economy. "Under these circumstances, investments particularly in the construction sector are either slowing down or dropping, consumption is being affected negatively and private and state debts aggravated" said the Finance Minister. Greek exports dropped by 4.6% in the first third of 2008 while they went up by 21% in May. George Alogoskoufis also referred to the problem in the operation of ports, speaking of trade unions interests which hamper their smooth operation.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Sakis Rouvas Goes to ESC Again

Greek pop icon Sakis Rouvas will sing for Greece at the 54th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Moscow in May 2009. It is the second time Rouvas was chosen as Greeces ESC entrant, as he had landed third place at the 2004 ESC singing "Shake It," composed by Nikos Terzis and written by Nektarios Tyrakis.

[04] Oil Prices Lose Ground

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA, Reuters

Oil prices lost ground for a second trading running. US crude oil for August delivery was down by $1.94 per barrel to $136.80. Earlier, it had been ranging between $139.30 and $136.63.

Brent for August delivery fell to $137.94, down by $1.92. Earlier, it had been ranging between $140.33 and $137.25.

The downward trend recorded for a second time in a row was put down to estimations whereby a growth slowdown in the USA, the worlds bigger consumer country, could diminish demand for oil.

Everyday press reports speak of car manufacturers that bring output down, air carriers that cut flights and consumers that drive less, claimed an analyst working for MF Global Ltd.

[05] First Half of 2009

16 Ιουλ 2008 13:55:0

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA, MIA

Dutch MEP Eric Meijer, the compiler of the progress reports on FYROM, said that accession talks between FYROM and the EU are likely to commence in the first half of 2009.

In his statements broadcast by FYROMs news agency, Meijer stressed that the opening of the accession talks within 2008 is quite harsh, due to French President Nicolas Sarkozys objection to any further EU enlargement and the Greek Governments persistent stance on the name issue.

Meijer underlined that the Greek side made progress by coming into terms with a composite name and urged the FYROM government not to waste the opportunity for a compromise.

He also termed that the name "Republic of Macedonia" as a perfectly acceptable name, arguing that never did he use the name FYROM.

The Dutch MEP claimed that Greece can influence conditions regarding FYROMs accession to the EU, yet it cannot influence national and lingual self-determination.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Greek FinMin Addresses National Export Council

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ANA/MPA

Addressing the sitting of the National Export Council, Greek Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis appeared concerned over the adverse influence the skyrocketing oil prices and the rise in the euro currency have on exports. Alogoskoufis stressed that the first quarter witnessed a slowdown in exports by 4.6%, although there are indications promising a rebound for May. He rushed, though, to express his optimism that the intensification of the activities of the Greek Foreign Trade Board would balance the situation, as is the case in the sectors of food, drinks and constructive materials, which have posted a 7.5% rise.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] In Her Interview with NET

16 Ιουλ 2008 12:26:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

"KKE [Greek Communist Party] became a target for political reasons," Aleka Papariga, KKE secretary general, told a NET television show. She reiterated that KKE has nothing to do with Germanos company and that the only company it is involved in is the publishing house publishing Rizospastis paper. Papariga also added that she will deny the release of figures concerning financial contributions to the party. She then went on to lash out at George Papandreou and George Karatzaferis.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Theme Park Accident in Sweden

At least 20 people were seriously injured when a theme park ride collapsed at the Liseberg theme park in Goteborg, Sweden, police said. The causes of the accident remain sketchy, eyewitnesses, though, argued that part of the Rainbow ride, which was built in 1983, went down. Some 36 people were onboard.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Malaysian Opposition Leader Arrested

By Vivian Papastefanou

Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim was arrested Wednesday for reasons that remain sketchy. The arrest was confirmed by a spokesman of Anwars People Justice Party. In 1998, when he was acting as a Vice-President, he was sentenced for sodomy and corruption. Accusations were politically motivated, Anwar had claimed. After spending six years in prison, he was released in 2004, as his sodomy conviction was annulled.

Anwar made a rather impressive comeback to his countrys political life at the 8 March parliamentary elections, before being accused of sodomy against a 23-year-old male.

Rooted in Islam, Malaysian Justice punishes "sexual deviation" with heavy penalties.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] In Cuba

16 Ιουλ 2008 09:27:0

The world crisis has prompted Cuban President Raul Castro to herald austerity measures and a gradual rise in age retirement limits. His government had to bring down the rise in employers earnings and increase age retirement limits. Addressing the first session of the National Assembly after succeeding his brother Fidel Castro, Raul stressed that despite the governments intention to have quality of life in the country improved, the ongoing hikes in oil and food prices forced him to adopt a realistic stance.

Translated by Areti Christou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article