The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-13

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] In the Southern Part of the Country

13 Οκτ 2008 17:11:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Eight civilians have been killed in violent incidents in south Afghanistan today. Six of them were killed when a road bomb went off as a minibus was passing by in Gazi province.

A commander of the local police also reported that a woman and a child were killed, while two more children were killed in the night when a rocket hit their house in Gazi, south Afghanistan. The children were transferred to hospital.

The violent incidents have intensified in the last two years despite the deployment of 70,000 multi-national soldiers, under NATO and US command.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Piraeus Bank & Proton Bank Sigh Agreement

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

Proton Bank and Piraeus Bank have signed an agreement as per which the latter will purchase 26.98% of Proton Bank through its shareholders. As per an announcement issued by Piraeus Bank the ratio will be one share of Piraeus Bank for 5.5 Proton Bank shares. The shares of Piraeus Bank will derive from the treasury stock.

Proton Bank deposits amount to 1,300 million, while its branches number 31, 19 of which are in Attica.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Piraeus Bank Likely to Take Over Proton Bank

[03] Parties Comment on the Measures of the "15"

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

Political party leaders commented on the measures taken by the eurozone member-states for the de-escalation of the crisis. PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou asked for the protection of the low-income earners income, the KKE (Communist Party of Greece) stressed that Banks should overcome their problems on their own, while SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) asked from the state to intervene to the citizens benefit. However, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros reiterated the governments commitment to implement fully measures to the protection of low income earners.

Mr Antonaros also accused PASOK of over dramatizing the issue, ruling out early elections. He also described the Banking system in Greece, citing the forecasts of the International Monetary Committee for a 2% development rate at a time when respective forecasts in Europe speak of 0% development rate.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Positive Reaction

Karamanlis: "Greece Has Shown Better Reflexes"

[04] New Christofias-Talat Meeting

Sources: ANA-MPA

The President of the Cyprus Republic Dimetres Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat held their fourth meeting today, within the framework of the talks on the resolution of the Cyprus issue.

After the meeting, UN special advisor on the Cyprus issue Alexander Downer stated that the negotiations on executive leadership, Presidency and Vice Presidency continued, adding that the negotiations would continue next Thursday under the UN sponsorship.

Mr Downer also said the two men would meet next week to continue their talks on executive leadership.

Messrs Christofias and Talat made no statements after their meeting.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] International Conference on Marine Law

Sources: NET

A conference taking place in Athens Monday is focusing on building ports for ship that seek resort, management of immigrants, issues related to shipowners' responsibility, the protection of the environment and sea transport Legist from all over the world specialized on Marine Law are attending the conference, the sessions of which were declared open at the Athens Concert Hall on Sunday by Merchant Marine Minister Anastasis Papaligouras.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] International Conference on Marine Law

Sources: NET

A conference taking place in Athens Monday is focusing on building ports for ship that seek resort, management of immigrants, issues related to shipowners' responsibility, the protection of the environment and sea transport Legist from all over the world specialized on Marine Law are attending the conference, the sessions of which were declared open at the Athens Concert Hall on Sunday by Merchant Marine Minister Anastasis Papaligouras.

The conference is being held under the auspices of the International Marine Law Association, which was founded in 1897. It is taking place in Vouliagmeni with 400 attendees and will last until Friday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Karolos Papoulias Visits Vietnam

Sources: NET, ΑNA-ΜPA

During the first day of his five-day visit to Vietnam, the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias stated he is enchanted from the country and its people. He expressed his admiration for Vietnams increasing political and economic role in south-eastern Asia, especially after decades of a relentless war in the region. Mr Papoulias referred to the global financial crisis, attributing it to greediness and "ideological alienation" from real economy and to the dissociation of responsibility from profit. Accompanied by his wife, and Deputy Merchant Marine and Foreign Ministers, as well as businessmen, Mr Papoulias has had bilateral contacts with the leadership and met with his counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Unemployment in July Drops to 7%

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/MPA

Unemployment in July dropped from last Julys 7.8% to 7%. The unemployed number about 350,000, with women and the youth being the ones hit mostly. Unemployment is high mainly in Epirus and western Macedonia, while Crete and north and south Aegean islands are enjoying the lowest unemployment percentage. The number of employed in July 2008 rose to 4,595,003 and the unemployed to 347,993.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] EU Foreign Ministers Hold Meeting

The meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers will mainly focus on the possible resumption of talks with Russia amid disagreements as to whether Moscow has fully committed itself to the peace deal with Georgia or not. Upon their arrivals, the Foreign Ministers said the drive to come to a deal with regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) would be tough.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Piraeus Bank Likely to Take Over Proton Bank

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Piraeus Bank is close to taking over Proton Bank. The Athens Exchange temporarily suspended activities of the two banks shares, upon the banks request. According to information, should the talks result in a merger, there will be a stock exchange. Market officials have put down the developments to the credit crisis and the problems some small Greek banks have come up against.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Hurricane Norbert Kills 3 in Mexico

Sources: REUTERS

Hurricane Norbert killed three people as it swept over Mexico, pelting rain and swelling rivers after tearing across the Baja California peninsula, police said on Sunday. The victims drowned in a river near the town of Alamos in the northern state of Sonora after Norbert hit the agricultural region as a Category 1 hurricane late on Saturday with sustained winds as high as 85 mph (140 kph), police said in a statement.

Civil protection workers had evacuated hundreds of people from mountainous areas prone to mudslides and near the banks of normally dry river beds at risk of flash floods. Two more people were missing in the area, police said.

It was the Norberts second landfall after earlier pummelling the Baja California peninsula as a stronger Category 2 hurricane, blowing roofs off buildings and knocking down trees.

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