The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-03-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] No to Coalition with LAOS

The Conservative government said a resounding "no" to coalition scenarios with LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally). "Extremes are extremes and we are a big democratic political party of the centre-right and we have long before acquainted our message with the people of Greece," commented Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

LAOS head Giorgos Karatzaferis' positive response to the Prime Minister's call for consensus "has nothing to do with coalitions," argued Deputy Interior Minister Kostas Gioulekas. Macedonia-Thrace Minister Stavros Kalafatis dismissed scenarios speaking of a coalition between the ruling Conservative party and LAOS as a midsummer night's dream.

In the meantime, in his interview with Kosmos tou Ependyti paper, LAOS President Giorgos Karatzaferis branded the possibility of snap elections as detrimental to the country, while his party's press spokesman ruled out cooperation with the ruling Conservatives.

News item: 20112

[02] G20 Summit Preparations

World leaders from the G20 group of nations will meet in London at the beginning of April to discuss the economic crisis. Finance ministers of developed and emerging economies have already been meeting, under the chairmanship of British Finance Minister Alistair Darling, in preparation for the summit. Finance Ministers are called to make sure the find a common ground in the mid of serious arguments to stimulate the global economy as two strong blocks have been formed which either favour protectionism or tough new rules to regulate the financial system.

British Finance Minister Alistair Darling, who is hosting a meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Chiefs, in Horsham, south London, expressed certainty that progress would be achieved after talks during yesterday's dinner. The Horsham meeting is being held in view of the G20 developed and emerging economies Summit meeting on global financial crisis, on April, 2, in London. Despite the British Finance Minister optimism, the G20 Summit is being held at a difficult period due to mainly EU-US recent divergence in views on reform priorities to deal with the crisis. In reference to these developments, Mr. Darling stressed that countries must focus on three major problems: support economy, take measures to allow banks to start giving loans again and making sure that our actions would benefit all people and not only part of the people. Earlier speaking to BBC Radio 4 Mr. Darling said: "We are not saying to a single country, here is the five things you have got to do. What we are saying is you have to make your judgment in relation to what's happening in your own country as to what you support and to what extent you support it. What I'm looking for and I hope others are looking for too, is an explicit commitment".

News item: 20105

[03] Thessaly's Remaining Illegal Landfills to Shut by Summertime

Nakos reminded that the government had promised to reduce the 3,035 illegal landfills to 492 by the end of 2008, yet it managed to shrink them to 400.

"Local government in these two prefectures has shown its good face. In other regions, however, local governments still act at the expense of the environment and the peoples' health."

News item: 20111

[04] K. Karamanlis in Agrinio

During his visit to Rigani link, the Prime-minister said that the Agrinio ring road, a 34km project, started in 1997 but there were many delays. He underlined that pace of works had been accelerated since 2005 with a plan to open it to motorists in the coming summer. He added that Agrinio ring road was part of Ionia Road big project, a decades dream for the residents of West Greece and Epiros, which would certainly boost development in the broader region. In his speech at Aitoloakarnania Chamber, attended by representatives of regional production sectors Mr. Karamanlis called businessmen to indicate social responsibility towards their employees while referring to the financial crisis he stressed that the system must inject liquidity. Under these difficult circumstances, no one is allowed to be a mere observer or resort to petty partisan expediencies, the Prime-minister stressed, adding that we should all support citizens with responsible actions. He also referred to the government's efforts to support low-income groups, reduce fiscal deficit and keep growth event at low pace. In parallel, K. Karamanlis announced more favourable terms for loans to quake and fire hit prefectures.

Source: ΝΕΤ

News item: 20103

[05] London Taxi Rapist Convicted

A 50 year-old London cab driver was convicted of sexually assaulting 12 women between October 2006 and February 2008. Police believe that John Worboys has sexually assaulted over one hundred women during the last six years. Actually he was arrested in 2007 but he was released without charge due to insufficient evidence.

John Worboys told his victims had won money on the lottery or at a casino and invited them into joining him for a glass of champagne (mixed with powerful sedatives) in the back of his black cab. Most of the women had left the taxi without remembering anything. John Worboys former stripper and porn star, has been linked to 85 attacks in the London area dating back to 2002, but he denied all charges admitting only that he offered champagne to women to attract their interest.

News item: 20100

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