The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-20

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Celebration Events in Meliti Smooth

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA-ΜNA

Celebration events in Meliti, Florina, on the occasion of Prophet Ilias religious celebrations in the frontier station of Niki, continue smoothly. Local residents and a small number of visitors from Skopje are participating. On Sunday morning members of "Chrysi Avgi" leftist organization, gathered at the place the events took place and protested against the excursionist from Skopje. Police forces asked them to move from the area and tension was de escalated.

Strong Police Forces

Tension escalated when a bus with about a group of 40 members so called "Aigeates" coming from Australia appeared and headed to Meliti in order to participate to the religious celebrations. But Greek authorities having orders issued by prosecution asked from the driver to return to Skopje. Fearing possible incidents the driver followed the order.

The Skopje music-dance band TANETS that participates in the celebration almost every year will perform as scheduled today. Parliamentary members of Florina prefecture, Mr. Kostandinidids and Lianis condemned the incidents. The residents of the area praised the stance of the police that managed to prevent serious incidents triggered by members of extreme political groups which could have ruined the celebration.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Fire in Nafplio in Progress

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜNA

There is high risk of fires today in many areas of the country while authorities warn citizens to be cautious. There is a fire in progress that broke out in a forestall area in Karnazeika of Nafplio. Fire fighting forces, 27 firemen, 2 planes and a helicopter are trying to put it out. Another fire broke out at 14:00 in Galazia Akti in Lagonisi near a residential area. 10 fire fighting vehicles, 30 firemen, a plane and a helicopter are battling with flames. Meantime, the fire in Ano Liosia is under control.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] PKK Releases German Hostages

Sources: ANA-MPA

PKK has released the three German tourists it had arrested in eastern Turkey 11 years ago, reported a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman. The Turkish Foreign minister informed his German counterpart about the three climbers.

European Commissioner G&#252;nter Verheugen had called the PKK this morning to release the three German tourists it had abducted in Turkey on 9 July, as such acts are not to the interest of the Kurdish people.

PKK stated last week that it would not release the three German hostages unless Berlin put an end to repressive measures against the 600,000 Kurds living in Germany.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Successful Rescue Operation

Sources: ANA

The rescue operation of two men, aged 42 and 27, who had lost their orientation at the Tripiti gorge, south of Chania, concluded at 05:00. The two men had set off at 17:00, Friday to walk on Mt Lefka Ori and through the Tripiti gorge in order to reach Profiti Ilias church, where a feast was taking place. However, when they lost their orientation when they entered the Tripiti gorge, they called the police from their mobile phones. The police located the men and transferred them to safety. Both men are well.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Obama in Afghanistan

Sources: ANA-MPA, Reuters

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Sunday, the second day of a visit to Afghanistan that is meant to bolster the senators foreign policy credentials. Obama has previously criticised Karzai, who has led Afghanistan since U.S.-led and Afghan forces toppled the hardline Islamist Taliban in 2001, but said the purpose of this trip was to listen rather than deliver strong messages. Obama, part of a congressional delegation, was at the heavily guarded Afghan presidential palace in the capital Kabul and was having lunch with Karzai, a palace official said. The Illinois senator will also visit Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and Britain on a foreign tour he hopes will help answer Republican criticism that he does not have the experience to be commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Obama last week criticised Karzai in an interview with CNN. "I think the Karzai government has not gotten out of the bunker and helped to organise Afghanistan, and the government, the judiciary, police forces, in ways that would give people confidence. So there are a lot of problems there," he said.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] "Poverty Fund Is a Must"

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

In an interview with Imerisia newspaper, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis stresses that due to todays bad economic situation worldwide; the Poverty Fund is a top priority, as the high of cost of living had unpredictable repercussions on the economy. He also adds that measures for low incomes will be announced in September and the incorporation of special accounts to the state budget will be announced in August. Regarding Germanos buyout by Cosmote he reiterates that OTE has benefited from that move, stressing that t he decision was taken by OTEs Managing Director Panagis Vourloumis.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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