The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Honda Recalls 440.000 Cars with Defective Airbags

After Toyota, Japanese automaker Honda-second biggest in Japan- on Wednesday recalled more than 440,000 vehicles worldwide, mostly in North America, to fix defective airbags that killed one occupant and injured 11. This new recall brings total number of cars to 950.000 and after Toyota it is a new blow to world auto industry.

Air bag defect

Japan's second largest automaker said the defective air bag inflators could rupture, resulting in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material and possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants. An initial recall announced in November 2008 affected just under 4,000 of the 2001 Accords and Civics in the United States and 218 cars in Canada. After two more incidents involving cars not included in the original recall, the company expanded the recall in July 2009 to include an additional 440,000 model-year 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic and certain 2002 Acura TL vehicles.

Recall doesn't concern Europe

Apart from the US the recall also covers Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Australia. Specifically, 419.000 vehicles made in 2001 and 2002 were recalled from the US and Canada, 17.0000 in Japan and some 4.000 in other countries. The affected models are the Honda Accord, Civic, TL, CR-V, Odyssey, Pilot and CL in North America and the Inspire. Saber and Lagreat models are sold only in Japan.

Source: Reuters, BBC - AFP Also Read: Honda airbag problem, 437,763 vehicles recalled News item: 33133

[02] Strike Brings Disruptions in Public Sector

Public sector workers( ADEDY) have launched a 24 hour strike in protest against government income and taxation policies to tackle the large state deficit. Hospitals are operating with skeleton staff while many inbound and outbound flights have been cancelled as air-traffic controllers have joined the strike. The strike has not extended to mass means of transport (Metro and bus services) except for suburban train and Hellenic railways which would stage rotating stoppages from 06:00-09:00, 14:00- 17:00 and 22:00- 01:00. PAME is staging demonstration in private sector with rallies in 62 cities nationwide. Closed are Stadiou and Amalias roads in Athens due to demonstrators.

GCP general secretary Aleka Papariga from Syntagma Square, where PAME is staging demonstration, said: "Don't give a dime to what is said about bail out of banks, ship owners and industrialists. Unless workers manage to break the storm of measures, tougher measures will be coming".

No taxis on Thursday

Taxis will not be running from 05:00 on Thursday due to a 24 hour strike staged by the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Motorists and Union of Attica Taxi Drivers in protest against the government's taxation measures. The Finance Minsiter's recent announcements create a number of new problems making the profession more difficult to impossible.

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA

Also Read: Le Monde: Des milliers de fonctionnaires grecs manifestent contre les mesures d'austérité

El Mundo: La huelga de funcionarios en Grecia pone a prueba su plan

News item: 33131

[03] Petrol and Diesel Fuel Prices Rise

The rise in the excise duty on fuels established by the draft-bill submitted to Parliament has shot petrol and diesel fuel prices up. The petrol fuel rose by 14.3 cents and diesel increased by 6 cents. The average unleaded fuel is currently at 1.1 euros per litre. But the rise in the excise duty will shoot the average price to 1.24-1.25 euros.

The rise in the excise duty on fuels will not affect the heating oil.

Source: ANA-MPA

News item: 33132

[04] Promahonas Border Crossing Closed to Trucks

Agriculture Minister Katerina Batzelis Tuesday's meeting with representatives of Thessaly and Macedonia farmers did not reach any decisions. Farmers' representative Baggelis Boutas spoke of anti labour and anti popular policy and called on farmers to continue mobilizations. Decisions on course of mobilizations in Nikaia, Mikrothibes and Thessaly road blockades are expected on Wednesday. Greek Farmers' Coordination Body announced suspension of mobilizations.

Suspend Mobilizations

The Greek Farmers' Panhellenic Coordination Body representing 13 blocks in Thessaly and Macedonia has decided to suspend mobilizations. Their announcement says: "After 20 days of struggle, many times under particularly tough conditions, facing the government's intransigence and unwillingness to face our problems, despite Agriculture Minister K. Batzelis recognition of 40% drop in our income,.. we temporarily suspend mobilizations". Their colleagues who met with Agriculture Minister on Tuesday decided to "continue the struggle"

Picture of roadblocks

Traffic is running with no problems in Thessaloniki but Serres farmers hampered access of trucks to Promahonas border crossing. Farmers tractors remain parked at Triglia, Kalyves, Ormylia and Galatista in Halkidiki prefecture without creating any problems to motorists. Access to Doirani border crossing in Kilkis prefecture was open during the night. Tractors are also parked at 23 km on the Kozani-Larissa road and 40km on Florina-Kozani road. A small number of tractors remain at Serbion

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 33124

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