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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-12-18The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] NEWS IN ENGLISHERA-5. THE VOICE OF GREECE18/12/2001 8:45:00 μμ [02] Weather forecastSnow and cold in the entire country is forecast for today. The weather will gradually improve overnight. Winds north-northeasterly, strong to very strong, turning gale force at sea and easing off overnight. Snow is expected in Athens, easing off during the day but remaining in the east and north of the city. Temperatures between 0C and 3C similar weather in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from -6C to -3C.[03] Problems due to bad weather conditionsHeavy snow and below zero temperatures have caused serious problems to sea, air and road transport, cut off hundreds of mountain villages and closed schools and airports in Northern Greece. A train with 110 passengers remains immobilised in Didimotiho, unable to continue its route due to snow over 2 m high. Snow chains necessary inmost parts of the national roads. A ban on ferry routes to the islands of Hios and Mytilini, ferry routes to other islands leave on schedule. The entire Achaia province has been declared in a state of emergency after the torrential rain during the weekend which brought heavy floods to the city of Patras where a father and his son are still missing after their automobile was swept away by floodwaters on Saturday night. The Environment Ministry has decided to grant 200 thousand drs compensation to each family victim of the floods.[04] Parliament debate on the 2002 state budget.A debate on the 2002 state budget began in the parliament yesterday, and will conclude on Friday with speeches by political party leaders and a roll-call vote. The government was strongly criticised by the opposition during the first day of the debate yesterday while the ruling Pasok party described the targets of the 2002 state budget ambitious but feasible.[05] Carbage collectors strike continuesAthens garbage collectors continue their ongoing strike for the 4th day, as rubbish piled up in the city streets. Repeated appeals by the Athens municipal authorities to refrain from putting garbage outside have been ignored by the city residents. Interior Minister Kostas Scandalidis met with representatives of the sanitation workers but agreement was not reached on their demands for pay increase. A court decision regarding demands of garbage collectors working under contract with the state is expected today.National Defence Minister in Brussels. Minister of National Defence Giannos Papantoniou left for Brussels yesterday to participate in the NATO Defence Ministers meeting to be held from December 17-19. On Wednesday, Mr. Papantoniou will travel to Atalya, Turkey, to participate in the annual meeting of Southeastern Europe countries Defence Ministers, which will take place on December 19-20. [06] Euro coin starter pack for the public to get used to the new currencyEuro coin starter packs that went on sale yesterday proved popular with the public.Available until December 28, the kits were devised to allow the public to get used to the new European single currency that will be officially introduced as from January 1st. At a cost of 5.000 drachmas, each pack contains the full range of euro coins worth 14.67 euros. Kits of up to 300 euros are also available for businesses. Buyers complained that some bank branches had requested the identity cards or tax numbers of customers wishing to purchase the packs while supplies in some banks were quickly exhausted. Three digit telephone number 198 gives 24-hour information on the euro-currency. [07] Dialogue before the privatisation of the Agricultural bankAgricultural cooperatives call for a broad dialogue with the government before it proceeds with the privatisation of the Agricultural bank.[08] Rio-Antirio channel closed from 1 to 5 p.m todayThe Rio-Antirio channel closed from 1-5 pm this afternoon due to a work stoppage staged by the union of ferry-boat officers.[09] IKA doctors offices closed on Thursday after 10a.mIKA doctors offices in Athens and Pireus closed from 10 o clock on Thursday due to a general assembly of IKA doctors.[10] N.D party honorary President admitted the Mayo bank account in LondonIn an interview with the private television channel MEGA last night ND honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis admitted the existence of the Mayo bank account in London and other bank accounts in Germany which as he stressed where opened by friends of the ND party before he had assumed the post of the party s President.Mr. Mitsotakis categorically denied allegations by former intelligence officer Grilakis about the CIA involvement in the 1989 elections in Greece. He also underlined that Dora Bakoyianni was the main target of these attacks. [11] Inter-religion meeting in Brussels under the Ecumenic Patriarch and the E.U initiativeFollowing an initiave by the Ecumenic Patriarch Vartholomeos and the E.U an inter-religion dialogue is being held in Brussels on December 19-20.In an interview here with the Athens News Agency, Ecumenic Patriarch Vartholomeos, representing approximately 250 million Eastern Orthodox faithful around the world, stressed that the initiative for an international conference amongst the worlds religious leaders has been universally endorsed, something he said demonstrated the international community s respect and trust to the Patriarchate. We consider this initiative very useful and necessary because it will convey the message that religions are factors of unity, cooperation and solidarity for individuals and peoples, and not a division factor the Patriarch said, stressing: that after Sept. 11 attacks on the US religions should demonstrate their unity and desire for cooperation against terrorism and support of universal peace. Patriarch Vartholomeos also underlined that extremist elements are everywhere, and that they should not be identified with any specific religion. [12] Greece contributes to the EU peace keeping force in AfganistanGreece will contribute with 180 military officers in the EU peace keeping force in Afganistan within the framework of the mission for the maintainance of order in the region of Kabul.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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