The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-05-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras: âAiming at a Resounding Messageâ

The SYN President suggested the founding of a special bank for small and very small businesses as part of a drive to put an end to the banks' arbitrariness towards the small businesses.

Tsipras claim that the traders are being weighed down, while the government is doing nothing but giving away money to the banks without any conditions or guarantees and the Bond Fund is financing only the robust businesses. He then called for a strategy shift, because "just talking a lot about the backbone of the Greek economy, namely the small and very small enterprises, is not enough."

Touching on the European Parliament elections, Tsipras said that on June 7 "there should be a strong message and a resounding âWe've had enough' with this policy that gives everything to the few and strong, leaving the overwhelming majority of the Greek people incapable of tackling the financial crisis."

Finally, he voiced his satisfaction over the developments regarding the stadium of Panathinaikos FC, stating yet again his objections to the construction of a shopping mall in Votanikos district.

"Panathinaikos fans should be particularly proud not only because they are going to get an ornament, but also because their stadium will not be accompanied by economical interests and aspirations."

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 22525

[02] Papandreou: Tax System not Fair

Papandreou stressed that the existing tax system favours high-income earners and large real estate owners, weighing down the average Greek family. He then went on to pledge a fairer tax system built upon fair wealth distribution in Greece.

The Socialist leader also noted that the handling of the public wealth is not transparent and vowed to channel the revenues to emerge from the fight against tax evasion into education, health, social welfare and Greece's development. Finally, the opposition head heralded a more effective e-governance capable of stamping out red tape and restore the citizens' faith in the state.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 22515

[03] WHO Fears Flu A Pandemic

World Health Organization leaves open possibility of flu A pandemic. Senior WHO official Margaret Chan speaking at its annual conference called WHO member countries to be on alert and plan to deal with a possible future outbreak. "No one can predict how the outbreak will evolve.This virus may have given us a grace period, but we do not know how long this grace period will last.No one can say whether this is just the calm before the storm", Chan said characteristically. In the meantime, WHO said production of 4.9 vaccines against flu A was feasible. UN Gen.Sec Ban Ki Moon said that drug companies must cooperate with governments to protect the world from the worst impact of pandemic.

WHO believes that large drug industries among them Sanofi, Solvay, GSK and Novartis can produce 94.3 million vaccines a day from the moment the vaccine is ready. UN Gen. Sec Ban Ki Moon and general director Margaret Chan are to meet with delegates of drug industries' labs. Swiss Novartis said that it received the virus today and is waiting for WHO green light to start producing the vaccine.

Highest Concern in Southeast China

With a total of 8,800 confirmed cases of the new flu strain, the WHO has decided to maintain level 5 alert. Experts say that the situation in Europe is not alarming but there is every reason for concern in Southeast Asia because it is hard to predict the impact of H1N1 on the avian flu virus. In Japan, flu A confirmed cases rose from 4 to 173 in three days while over 4.000 schools closed in an effort to stop spreading of the virus. As of Saturday, the flu spread quickly to Osaka and Hiogo but no case has been confirmed in Tokyo, a big city with 36 million people population. Scientists are certain that the flu will spread to the capital of Japan.

News item: 22509

[04] Sri Lanka: Tamil Totally Defeated

Sri Lankan leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has declared the country "liberated" from Tamil Tiger rebels after a 26-year war. Mr Rajapaksa made the announcement in a speech to the country's parliament, a day after the army said rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had been killed.

Tamil media outside Sri Lanka have denied the Tiger chief's death. Army officials in their announcement today stated that Tamil leader is alive and safe. "Our beloved leader is alive and safe. He will continue to lead the fight for the pursuit of dignity and freedom of Tamil people", al rebels' head said in an announcement printed in Tamilnet.com.

News item: 22505

[05] US: Tight Measures on Fuel &Gas Emissions

US and key overseas carmakers, like General Motors and Toyota Motor of Japan, support the plan as well as California support the proposal, the official said. "Energy security and climate change are national priorities that require federal leadership, and the President's direction makes sense for the country and the industry," Fritz Henderson, the chief executive officer of General Motors, said. Chrysler said that it would now be able to concentrate its resources on developing a nationwide fleet of clean, fuel-efficient vehicles. The new regulations are said to have the backing of the car manufacturers, because they impose a single nationwide standard.

Sources: French, ÁNA-ÌPA CNN: Obama gets tough on fuel economy

News item: 22497

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