The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-09

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Vlastos-Stefanakos to Testify

The case of the new crime ring broken up recently comes at the forefront. The magistrate went Sunday to the Trikala prison to take a deposition from notorious ringleader Panagiotis Vlastos who allegedly masterminded the abduction of shipping magnate Mr Panagopoulos. She will then visit the Larissa prison to take a deposition of inmate Vassilis Stefanakos, who has been involved in the ring's activities. Vlastos is expected to ask for a new deadline.

Source: NET, NET 105.8

News item: 25622

[02] Remaining Holidaymakers on the Go

The remaining August holidaymakers have been leaving urban centres for their summer break since Sunday morning. Traffic on the national motorways was heavy, yet no major problems came up. Both flights leaving the Athens International Airport and ships departing from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina were packed with travellers.

Athens Becomes Empty City

The second wave of the August holidaymakers, who started abandoning the Greek capital last Friday, reached its peak on Sunday.

About 150,000 cars are estimated to left Athens on Friday and Saturday.

The port of Piraeus attracted the bulk of the travelers who decided to spend their summer vacations in Crete and the Aegean islands.

Traffic was rather heavy at the Athens International Airport, with flights being almost packed.

Despite the gloomy forecast at the beginning of the tourist season due to the global financial crisis, Athens is like an empty city, since most of its residents left it to enjoy their summer holidays.

News item: 25621

[03] Eta Claims Responsibility for Bomb Hits

In a statement sent to the Basque newspaper, Gara, Eta admitted it was behind a car bomb hit that killed police inspector Eduardo Puelles Garcia on 19 June.

It also claimed responsibility for the bomb hit outside a Majorca barrack that killed two civil guards on 30 June.

Source: AFP, ANA/MPA

BBC: Eta responsible for police deaths

News item: 25620

[04] China: One Million Evacuated ahead of Typhoon

As many as one million people were forced to flee their houses in southeastern China ahead of Typhoon Morakot, Xinhua reports. Authorities evacuated 470,000 people from Zhejiang province and another 480,000 from Fujian, as the typhoon is expected to hit on Sunday evening.

According to the country's meteorological services, the typhoon has weakened, yet gusty winds and showers are expected to lash the said provinces.

Morakot, the eighth typhoon to hit the area this years, is heading towards China, after ravaging Taiwan, where six people were killed and at least 29 went missing.

Source: AFP, ANA/MPA

BBC: One million flee China typhoon

News item: 25618

[05] Loans Remain Expensive in Greece

Greek banks have not ceased selling expensive, although they buy cheap and the European interests rates have gone considerably down. While the interbank rate has dived below 1%, interest rates amount up to 4.5% for the fixed mortgage loans and climb to 11% for consumer credits. Both the competent authorities and the citizens have been gravely concerned over the matter, while political party spokesmen spoke of lack of restraint. In the meantime, the financial turmoil took a toll on the insurance market, as well, since more and more contracts are being cancelled.

Buying Cheap, Selling Expensive

Newspaper Ta Nea revealed that interests rates for loan and consumer loans and credit cars have gone up instead of going down.

Despite the new cuts in the international interest rates and the dive of the interbank rate, which plummeted below 1%, the interest rates for fixed home loans range from 4% to 4.5% and those for variable home loans stand at 3.1%.

Things are worse when it comes to consumer loans. In January 2008, the average interest rate stood at 10.48%. In February 2009, it climbed to 11.89%, while the latest figures have suggested it dropped to 11%.

News item: 25617

[06] New York Midair Collision Feared to Leave no Survivors

Rescue crews are searching day and night for survivors after the midair collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson River in New York. About nine people, including a child and five Italian tourists, were aboard the two planes. However, all passengers are feared dead. So far, three bodies have been recovered and a fourth has been found.

A Child among the Missing

The New York Mayor said that plane collided with the tourist helicopter while flying over the Hudson River.

The mayor said that five tourists and the pilot on board the tourist helicopter were touring the city from up above, while the three passengers, including a child, aboard the small plane were heading for New Jersey.

Although it is believed that it was the plane that hit the helicopter, US officials wait for the search operation to come to an end before estimating the situation and the conditions under which the accident took place.

Source: AFP, ANA/MPA

News item: 25616

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