The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Helicopter Has Been Located

22 Apr 2008 16:55:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Both passengers of an Olympic Airlines helicopter reported missing at 14:45 have been located and are being transferred to Saketa camp on Mt Parnitha. One of the passengers was singer Kostas Makedonas. Both men will be transferred later to a hospital. As per information, they have suffered fractures. The helicopter has been located south of Malakasa, near the railway station, where it had attempted an emergency landing. The helicopter had taken off from Eleftherios Venizelos airport and was scheduled to return back at 14:50 after first flying over the Avlona, Agios Thomas-Tatoi area. Participating in the search were a Super Puma helicopter, a C-130 military aircraft, two F-16s and a civil aviation helicopter.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Garganas on Oil

22 Apr 2008 14:43:00 (Last updated: 22 Apr 2008 18:23:06)

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA, ÍÅÔ

In the annual report of the Bank of Greece, the Governor of the Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas proposes acceleration in labour relations reforms, a reserved fiscal policy and restrained pay rises. In parallel, he appears concerned over the course of inflation and international financial developments, referring among others to the Greek economys low competition and the deficit of the current account balance. Mr Garganas hinted on GSEEs recent National Collective Agreement with employers, arguing that it includes high pay rises that do not help in the countrys competitiveness. Commenting on Mr Garganas announcements, Employment Minister Fani Palli Petralia stresses that the government and the prime minister are responsible for the economic policy.

Greek Economy Evaluation

Furthermore, Mr Garganas sees no room for complacency, estimating this years inflation at 4% and 3.5% development, not making any reference in his report about "cartels on foodstuffs". He also points out that leading enterprises that are not threatened by competition are responsible for the inflation.

However, the Bank of Greek Greece rings the alarm to Banks on loans, pointing out that they should be stricter when giving loans. The prime objective is that delayed loans should be reduced from 4.5% last year to 3.5%.

The Bank of Greece Governor described the increase of productivity as the acid test for the improvement of the Greeks standard of living. Besides, as he said, the 11.6% shortfall per capita of the Greek GNP compared of the average of the 15 EU member-states is due to the shortfall in productivity per working hour in Greece.

He also reported that unemployment and poverty percentage remain high, exceeding the average of the EU. Unemployment in 2007 was 8.3% when in the EU it was 7%, while poverty in 2006 was 21% compared to the EUs 16%.

Therefore, Mr Garganas points out that development in the Greek economy should be based on investments and exports.

From her side, PASOK (Socialists) spokesman on economy Louka Katseli commented that Mr Garganas had verified the Greek economys serious deterioration when a few days ago Eurostat had questioned the data of the budget.

In its announcement, the KKE (Greek Communist Party) describes Mr Garganas' positions not personal views but EU directives observed by the ND and PASOK parties. Therefore, they should stop pretending that they disagree.

Mr Alekos Alavanos stressed that SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) prefers the Governor of the Bank of Greece to be a Governor and not a lawyer of big multinational companies and banks.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] New Measures against Doping

By Ampelakis Spyros

Sources: ANA

The special committee set up by the state to combat doping proposes among others a rationalization of champions privileges, EOFs (National Organisation for Medicines) better use, the athletes better briefing, ESKANs (Hellenic National Council for Combating Doping) boosting and the institutionalization of stricter penalties. At todays interview, Culture Minister Michalis Liapis spoke of the support of values, praising the state as it had acted fast after the athletes samples have proved positive.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Vardinogiannis: "We are Selling 50% of PAO"

By Ampelakis Spyros

Sources: ANA

At a Press Conference, Giannis Vardinogiannis surprised all when he announced that his family wishes to sell 50% of Panathinaikos FC shares. His family intends to keep 50% of Panathinaikos FC shares and sell the rest by increasing its share capital, amounting to 80 million euros.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Pennsylvania Set for Crucial Elections

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: French News Agency, ÁNA-ÌPA

Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania are gearing up to vote in a critical battle today between White House hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. In her statements Hillary Clinton assured that she would not abandon the "race whatever the results of todays preliminary elections. Two polls released on Monday showed her ahead by 10% and 6% in the state. The state could be a decisive test in what has become an increasingly bitter fight for the Democratic nomination. While Mrs Clinton is expected to win, analysts say she needs a convincing victory, ideally with a double-digit lead, to keep her campaign alive. Clinton needs to win 65% of the votes in all primaries to send superdelegates a message that this race is not over. However, she has only reached once this percentage point, last January.With the delegates split in proportion with the vote, neither candidate is expected to win sufficient pledged delegates to seal the nomination in the remaining primaries, and the two are courting 800 or so unelected "super-delegates".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Final push for Pennsylvania vote

CNN: Clinton, Obama duke it out in decisive primary

[06] World Earth Day

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

World Earth Day this year is focused on global warming with millions of people participating in todays events around the globe. Data from the World Resources Institute show that humans have added 2.3 trillion tones of carbon dioxide gas to the atmosphere in the last two centuries. During this period an increasing number of countries are taking measures to reduce gas emissions while talks are centered on persuading governments to reach agreement to combat global warming However, Greece has been reproached by UN competent organs for not adhering to rules aimed to restrict gas emissions and exempted from mechanisms for gas emissions allowance trading due to inefficient recording of gas emissions. EU Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas had stressed to the Parliament last year that Greece runs risk of vilification by UN. "It is time the Environment Ministry did its job" said PASOK. In respose, Environment undersecretary, Stavros Kaloyiannis blamed PASOK governments inefficiency for the problems the country is now facing.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Gradual Drop of Temperature

By Anna Kourti

Occasional cloud and local rain is expected in Epirus, western mainland and Macedonia in the afternoon as of Holy Wednesday with 4-6 Beaufort strong westerly winds. The temperature in Attica will range from 13-24 Celsius and in Thessaloniki from 10-20 C. The temperature will drop across Greece on Holy Saturday, with occasional storms at Ionio and the mainland in the afternoon and snow on the highlands. The weather will improve in central and southern Greece as of Easter.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Market Getting Busier

22 Apr 2008 12:04:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Market trade is increasing every day as Easter day is approaching and consumers are doing their shopping for Easter dinner. There is efficiency of products at prices for all incomes at the Barbakios Market, however, the price of Greek lamb is higher compared to imported lamb. Price of produce has also gone slightly up. Specifically, price of domestic lamb ranges from 6 to 9 euros per kilogram while imported lamb ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 euros per kilogram. With a slight rise in prices of vegetables, Easter dinner is estimated to be 13% to 20% (from 86 to 148 euros while it cost 76 to 124 euros last year) higher compared to last year. In the meantime, state officials are carrying out inspections to combat profiteering. Pensioners staged a demonstration at Kotzia square this morning followed by a march to Barbakios market in protest against price rises and low pensions. During the Holy Week, shops in Athens will open from 09:00 to 21:00, on Holy Friday from 13:00 to 19:00 and Holy Saturday from 09:00 to 15:00. Shops in Piraeus will open one hour earlier at 08:00. Regarding super markets, they will be open from 08:00- 21:00 from Holy Monday to Holy Thursday, on Holy Friday from 13:00 to 20:00 and on Holy Saturday from 08:00 to 18:00. Super markets will be closed on April, 28 the day after Easter.

Athens city dwellers planning to drive to the Peloponnese should know that total fuel cost and tolls for round trip has gone up to 80 euros from 69 last year, a 16% increase. It has been announced that toll gates at Malgara, Elefsina, Isthmos, Zevgolatio, and Rio will not charge tolls from Saturday at 20:00 till Monday at 06:00.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

Stockbreeders Suspend Strike Actions

[09] Surging Oil Prices

Surging oil prices hit new highs on Monday continuing today near the same level in Asian markets contracts due to increased concerned over rebel attacks which cut Nigerian supplies and the refusal of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to ramp up daily output to help bring down prices. Oil prices are almost rising every day in the last 10 days due to the weak dollar fears over supplies and geopolitical tensions. Investors are also concerned over the situation in Nigeria as MEND rebels continue launching attacks against oil installations. In Singapore, light crude oil went 8 cents up to $117.56 per barrel from 117.48 closing in NY yesterday. London Brent crude settled 51 cents higher at $114.43 a barrel after hitting an all-time peak of $114.86.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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