 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Tuesday, 31 December 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-11-02Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou confers with EU OmbudsmanPrime ̀inister George Papandreou stressed his government's determination to confront every established perception and practice that was an obstacle to the implementation of the rule of law and a just state that protects the rights of its citizens, speaking to the press on Monday after a meeting with European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros.Papandreou praised Diamandouros', a former Greek Ombudsman, both in Greece and Europe, adding that they exchanged views on how to better protect citizens' rights in Greece and Europe. Diamandouros, in turn, said that the premier used "the same key-words that I use", adding that he briefed Papandreou on the institution of European Ombudsman as well as on the efforts made over the past six years to promote the rights of the Greek citizens as citizens of Europe. The Ombudsman further said that he was oriented towards advancing the just state and greater rule of law at European level, while he also noted his "excellent" cooperation with Greek Ombudsman George Kaminis, stressing "he in Greece, and I in the EU". Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister George Papandreou (L) and European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros(R). [02] Final stretch to CongressThe four contenders for the leadership of main opposition New Democracy (ND) continued their campaigns on Monday, as the former ruling party entered the final stretch to its extraordinary Congress this coming weekend, which will decide on amendments to the ND Charter's provisions aimed at expanding the voter base for the election of a new leader. The ND Central Committee unanimously decided on Saturday that the new party president should be elected by the party's registered members and by all new members who register up until the day of the election.On Saturday, main opposition New Democracy president and former premier Costas Karamanlis called for all four candidates to succeed him as party leader to agree over the election procedure and eligible voters, namely, members of the party -- including new members up until the election -- but not "friends". Karamanlis, who is stepping down as ND leader after 12 years at its helm, spoke at a central committee meeting in Athens, where he emphasised that a new leader of the party must be elected as soon as possible. Speaking during a second, unscheduled intervention, Karamanlis issued a tough-talking call to cadres, noting that "the primary goal of the (upcoming) congress is very specific. From there on, we are not preventing anyone from speaking," he said, adding that he will personally act to make sure every cadre backs the new leader. All official candidates agreed, earlier this month and following the poor election showing of the party on Oct. 4, to amend ND's charter, allowing for party members to vote for a new ND president. Moreover, he called on the four candidates to focus on "politics and substance, instead of petty politics." [03] Int'l Conference of Greek Linguistics held at Chicago UniversityThe 9th International Conference of Greek Linguistics (ICGL) with the title "The course of the Greek language throughout the centuries, approaches to its study and analysis" was held at Chicago University from 29 to 31 October under the auspices of the International Society for Greek Linguistics and the Midwest Committee for Modern Greek Linguistics.According to an announcement by the organising committee "the Greek language, one of the oldest languages in the world with unceasing historical presence from the 14th century BC until today was always a vital laboratory on the studies of linguistic changes. The recent interest on other parts of the linguistic analysis by inspecting the language as a modern system of interrelated elements of structure, sound and meaning in the frameworks of the human interaction and intercommunication, opened a new horizon on the research of Greek language'. The International Congress is held every two years since 1993, and this was the first time that it took place in North America. The biennial ICGL focuses on all aspects of the linguistic study and analysis of Greek from Ancient Greek up through Modern Greek, with greater emphasis on the later stages of the language. [04] Marine photographers discover ruins of submerged ancient cityParticipants in the International Underwater Photography Competition hosted on the north Aegean island of Thassos by the Greek marine photography center (PKYFET) were astonished by the ancient ruins they discovered and photographed at the bottom of the sea that are likely to change the island's history.According to the center's president, a special diving expedition should take place, maintaining that the ruins of an entire ancient city were discovered at the bottom of the sea, 5 miles south of the island, adding that this could be the lost Atlantis. The photographers participating in the competition also stated that they were impressed by an underwater warm fresh water spring and the variety of marine life. The photography competition was completed earlier this month. ANA-MPA/STR [05] ASE opening: Big declineEquity prices were declining at the opening of trade on Monday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), with the basic share price index down 2.06 percent, standing at 2,630.86 points at 10:55 a.m., and turnover at 41.7 million euros.Individual sector indices were moving downward, with the biggest losses in Mass Media, down 3.46 percent; Oil & Gas, down 3.20 percent; Construction, down 3.06 percent; Banks, down 2.47 percent; and Industrial Products, down 1.99 percent. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was down 2.16 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was down 1.70 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was down 1.72 percent. Of the stocks moved, 8 were up, 105 were down, and 17 were unchanged. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.