The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-11

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] It Even Reached 66 Dollars a Barrel Upward Spiral

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Black gold is in an upward spiral, since during the past hours it broke the record of 66 dollars once again, before dropping marginally and closing at 65 dollars. The consequences in the Greek market are evident, as Olympic Airways announced increases in the ticket prices for domestic and international flights, with the exception of flights to border islands. Meanwhile, Deputy Development Minister Georgios Salagoudis called an emergency meeting for Friday with the participation of the representatives of refinery companies and filling station owners to find a way to halt the rise in oil prices. The new rise was triggered by a US government report, which spoke of an increase in fuel demand, as well as problems in the countrys oil refineries. As it was made known, the oil reserves decreased by 2.1 million barrels last week, thus increasing the price of motor fuels. Fears of terrorist hits against US and British targets in Saudi Arabia have contributed to the above factors, as well as the recent matter with Iran and the restart of the nuclear plant in Isfahan. It should be reminded that Tehran has threatened to create problems in the oil market, in the case it is referred to the UN Security Council.

Olympic Airways Increase Ticket Prices

The wave of appreciations in the Greek market was introduced by the Olympic Airways, which announced increases in the ticket prices for domestic and international flights. It should be noted that many major international airline companies have also increased their ticket prices.

In particular, as of August 22 the tickets for domestic flight will rise by six euros per destination except for flights to border islands, while as of August 16, the tickets for international flights including flights to New York, Montreal, Toronto and Johannesburg will rise by eight euros per destination.

Negative Implications for Stock Markets

The oil prices have also cast a shadow of uncertainty over the international stock markets. In New York, Dow Jones dropped by 0.20% while Nasdaq recorded 0.75% losses. The European stock markets also sustained losses, while the Athens Exchange closed to 3,309.62 down by 0.42%.

Stockbrockers Exploit Rises in Oil

The President of Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) Timos Christodoulou referred to the issue of fuels in his interview regarding the companys economic results for the first quarter.

"The fuels sale prices given by the refinery companies have been determined with transparency for the last 12 years and the possibility to squeeze it is out of the question," Mr Christodoulou said and questioned the way filling stations and fuel trading companies operate.

At the same time ELPE President described the international developments over the purchase of fuel as unpredictable and he underscored that over the last year oil prices has been used by stockbrokers who pursue their own ends. Furthermore, he maintained that the high prices are due to the large number of the existing filling stations meaning that the sales per station are limited and the earnings of the owners are increased.

Mr Christodoulou announced that the consolidated net earnings of ELPE reached 141.3 million euros during the first quarter.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Strict Checks

[02] Purchase Price Raised by 1 Cent a Kilo Producers and Industrialists Agree

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Peach growers from Pella and the representatives of the canned fruit companies have finally reached an agreement following the latters decision to raise the purchase price by 1 cent per kilo. Therefore, the price is fixed at 20 cents per kilo as opposed to the current price of 19 cents, while the initial request made by the peach growers was 23 cents per kilo. The President of the Skydra-Edessa Agricultural Cooperatives Savvas Moisiades said that after the Rural Development Ministrys commitment to raise the prise to 21 cents, the peach growers are awaiting a further rise so that the final price is fixed at 22 cents. A new meeting with the Deputy Rural Development Minister Alexandros Kontos has been scheduled for next Wednesday.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Peach Owners Open Roads

[03] Space Adventures Sells Trips to Moon Ride to The Moon

By Annita Paschalinou

Space Adventures is vying to outdo itself when it comes to original ideas and services. A day after space shuttle Discovery successfully returned to Earth, the private company that made the International Space Station a tourist destination announced that it will have sent the first tourists to orbit the far side of the Moon by 2009 the latest. The return ticket has been fixed to 100 million dollars and as per the company, many travellers with an inquiring mind are well-disposed to spend so much money.

Mission to The Far Side of The Moon

Visitors to the moon will be travelling with a Soyuz TMA spacecraft, which will be modified so as to make the trip much more interesting. An 18-inch window will be placed so that the passengers can take photos from the moons surface.

The would-be tourists will be able to view the Earth from lunar orbit and to admire the far side of the moon, which is full of craters as a result of the hits from asteroids and meteorites.

Suggested itineraries

In its effort to meet the needs of the most demanding travellers, Space Adventure plans to suggest two different itineraries.

The first includes a 5 1/2-day lunar flight and 21 days at the International Space Centre, while the second is a three-day free flight in low-Earth obit with the six remaining ones flying around the moon.

Flying around the Moon is a great challenge for Space Adventures, with its next step being to be sending tourist on the surface of the moon.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Discussion Over Municipal Elections

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

This morning, the political developments as well as NDs positions in relation to the changes investigated over the electoral system of the 2006 Municipal elections were at the focus of the meeting between Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis with Central Committee Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis at Maximos Mansion. The New Democracy Secretary briefed the PM over his visit in Thessaloniki where he held meetings with ND party members. Upon his exit from Maximos Mansion, Mr Meimarakis repeated that the emergence of Mayor from the first Sunday is being considered, and added that "ND is a party that discusses with bodies, addresses issues and submits proposals". Moreover, he estimated that the system is more analogical and obstructs transactions in the second round, while he added that the Mayor could be elected by a separate ballot and the Municipal advisers by a single one. Meimarakis proposals met with strong reactions on the part of the Opposition parties.

The suggestion that the elected mayors assume power as of November instead of January as is the case is also included in the proposals submitted by Mr Meimarakis. The idea is that mayors be free of the previous budget. Mr Meimarakis also proposes that the 2010 Municipal elections be held in May instead of November so that the new mayors can take office in September.

The relevant committee of the Interior Ministry is considering the possibility to bring about changes in the way the Municipal elections are held. Any changes will have been announced by October the latest.

Opposition Parties React

The Opposition parties immediately reacted to Mr Meimarakis proposals and issued announcements stating their objection to the upcoming changes.

PASOK spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis accused Mr Meimarakis of sacrificing the interests of local governments for NDs ends. He further added, "So far, the government has been denying taking a responsible stance" with regard to the changes in the electoral system.

KKE reacted to Meimarakis proposals and noted that it will not participate in any dialogue, repeating that the partys main principle is the establishment of a simple proportional representation for the Municipal and Prefecture Councils and the immediate election of Mayors and Prefects from the above.

On its part, SYN accused the government of "having an electoral suit on its size as well as the size of the two-party political system," while it described the demand upon simple proportional representation as absolutely necessary.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] "Silence is Not Golden"

By Anna Kourti

PASOK spokesperson described the "silence" by ND parliamentarian Achilleas Karamanlis in relation to his financial audit of declaration of assets he had submitted to Parliament as bizarre. Nikos Athanasakis said that despite the fact that several days have passed since the issue was made public, Achilleas Karamanlis has not yet felt the need to give any answers. PASOK spokesperson announced the initiatives to be taken by PASOK in Parliament. "It is pretty obvious that Achilleas Karamanlis has to give in-depth explanations in Parliament. Such matters require transparency. Silence is not golden," concluded Mr Athanasakis.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] To Veroia's Prosecutor Murderer Was Found

By Annita Paschalinou

The mystery regarding the disappearance of a young woman named Kiki Kousouglou was finally solved after four months. Her boyfriend confessed to having murdered her four months ago and showed to the policemen the exact place where he had buried her body, in a rural area in Veroia north of Greece. The boyfriend of the beautiful girl had been repeatedly questioned by the policemen, however, he kept denying his being involved in her murder. Reporter Ageliki Nikoloudi was the first to make the poor girl case public through her TV show, where more clues and unknown testimonies had been presented indicating that the 20-year-old girl from the town of Veroia had been murdered.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] They Are to be Deported More Arrests

By Annita Paschalinou

Ten foreign nationals, who pose a threat to Britains national security, were arrested by the British authorities and are to be deported. British Home Secretary Charles Clarke himself announced the arrests without revealing their names. As per information, among those detained are the Jordanian cleric Abu Qatada and two others who had been held in Belmarsh Prison. Abu Qatada has been in Britain since 1993 after been granted with political asylum. Gareth Peirce, who represents Belmarsh detainees, lashed out a severe criticism over the arrests saying that they were insane and dangerous actions on the part of the British government.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New Attack in London Inevitable

[08] Last Chance for Iran Deadline for Compliance

By

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called on Iran to halt all nuclear activities. The resolution, which had to be adopted after a three-day talk, does not refer to Tehrans indictment to the UN Security Council. US President George Bush voiced his satisfaction about the IAEAs resolution on Irans nuclear programme. However, France, Britain and Germany warned that unless Iran complies with the Agencys resolution, it will be brought before the UN Security Council in September. A spokesperson of the Iranian delegation pledged that his country will not walk out of the talks with the IAEA regarding the nuclear weapons. However, Tehran described the resolution as unacceptable.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Will not Commit Tehran IAEA Meeting Today

By Despina Hristopoulou

Irans nuclear programme will be at the focus of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the afternoon. As per diplomatic sources, the document that will be given to the Agencys members for approval will not demand Irans committal to the UN Security Council. On its part, Iran warns that an upcoming committal will be a miscalculation by the EU and the US. Also, the UN General Secretary, Kofi Annan, called on Iran and the three European powers, Great Britain, France and Germany, to show reservation and continue the dialogue. Actually, he noted that he has indications that both sides are ready to continue seeking a resolution, while he made known that he had a phone conversation with new Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and asked him for reservation and a continuance of the dialogue with the Europeans.

In the meantime, the Iranian nuclear plant in Isfahan was set to full operation since the UN seals were removed from the facilities, after an authorization by the International Atomic Energy Agency to Tehran.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] As per Announcement Iraq's al Qaeda Threatens

By Anna Kourti

Four days prior to the final date for the voting of the Iraqi Constitution, Iraqs al Qaeda group threatens to kill anyone involved in the processing of the Iraqi Constitution as well as in the referendum for its adoption. The Islamic Court of the Organisation of al Qaeda in Iraq posted its announcement on the Internet. However, its authenticity has not yet been confirmed. "The court has ruled that it is a duty to uphold Gods law and kill those who have declared themselves Gods partners in drafting this void constitution. We have decided to attack all electoral stations during the referendum in mid-October," the group said in its announcement. Meanwhile, the Iraqi Shiites, who outnumber the Sunnis, have demanded autonomy in the southern regions of the country.

Shiites Demanded Autonomy

Shiite religious leaders demanded autonomy in the southern regions of the country, but their secular opponents are more sceptical fearing that such a move would enhance the power of the Shiite religious leaders.

On their part, the Sunnis of Iraq are highly concerned since a possible autonomy in the south of the country along with the Kurds autonomy in the north will deprive them of any access to Iraqs rich oil resources.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Dani is Olympiacos Player

By Ilias Papaioannou

Spanish striker Daniel Garcia Lara will be a player of Olympiacos for the next 2+1 years. The 31-year-old former player of Espanol, successfully passed his medical exams and signed the "red and white" contract. The simple announcement of the Piraeus FC concerning the acquirement, states the following: "Olympiacos FC announces the acquiring of the international Spanish striker, Dani Garcia Lara". The player, who in the past has played in Real Madrid and Barcelona, will depart for Spain in order to participate immediately in his new teams training session, and follow the instructions of his coach Trond Sollied.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Dani in Piraeus

[12] Abandoning Road Blockades Peach Owners Open Roads

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

On Thursday, three junctions of the Thessaloniki-Edessa National Road have reopened, as they were closed off by the Pella peach growers in a protest over the low prices that canned fruit factory owners bought their product. The peach growers describe the above gesture as one of good will, in view of the decisions of the factory owners who are convening over the matter. The proposal made during yesterdays three-party meeting in the Ministry of Rural Development for the rise by one cent of the sale price by factories left the growers partly satisfied, however they expect a better proposal. On their part, factory owners are investigating the event of covering the cost of the growers transport expenses. As it was made known by President of the Skydra-Edessa Agricultural Cooperatives Savvas Moisiades the meeting of the peach growers is currently underway.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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