The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] By the Felony Charges for Cosmote-Germanos Deal

12 Ιουλ 2008 11:42:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

The felony charges pressed against all persons responsible for the Cosmote-Germanos deal has triggered off a wave of reactions both by politicians and those involved in the buyout of Germanos by Cosmote. The felony charges relate to breach of trust, manipulation of exchange market and money laundering. While the preliminary investigation was in full swing, board members of OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation), Cosmote and Germanos Group were questioned as suspects. Commenting on the developments, the Socialist party (PASOK) said it was proved right to bring up the matter and posed new questions over the deal with Deutsche Telekom. Cosmote, on the other hand, issued an announcement defending the deal, terming it as a move of strategic importance and transparency. The announcement went on to stress that Justice will confirm its soundness. Businessman Panos Germanos, on his part, claimed that the prosecution launched is completely inconsistent with reality. "I am totally surprised that a typical buyout deal between two listed companies, a transparent deal that is a usual international practice and that was hailed by the entire spectrum of the world business and economic community, is twisted," continued Germanos.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Criminal Charges Over Germanos' Case

[02] Wildfires in Skyros and Megara

By Athina Saloustrou

Two major wildfires have been burning in the island of Skyros and Megara since Saturday morning. Firefighters and air tankers have been deployed in the areas, however the strong winds are giving them a hard time. In the meantime, another blaze that broke out on Saturday morning near the southern Greek city of Megalopoli, where the energy centre of the countrys Public Power Corp is located, has been contained. The Civil Protection authority has issued fire warnings, naming the areas across the country that are running the highest risks. All relevant state authorities have been informed, so that they can be on standby.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] On Siemens' Case

12 Ιουλ 2008 15:49:0

By Athina Saloustrou

The debate between government and opposition party on Siemens case continues. In his interview in "The Axia" newspaper PASOK president Mr. Giorgos Papandreou stated that the Prime Minister lost his chance to clear the case having his support. On reference to the case former Prime Minister Mr. Costas Simitis, delivering a speech in Chania, Crete stated that "those who took advantage of our trust are inacceptable and condemmable, stressing that responsibilities must be attributed to PASOK and New Democracy members involved in the case.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Denies the Charges

12 Ιουλ 2008 18:10:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ -ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

A 32 years old farmer from Heraklion, Crete is the criminal who attempted to kill 3 policemen in the Police Drug Department of Malades, Crete 22 June. The 32 years old is charged of planting cannabis. He had been arrested before but he had denied any participation in the cannabis plantation. After searching the plantation, police found his fingerprints in a plastic watering bottle which was hidden behind plants. The farmer will testify to the prosecutor of Supreme Court.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] He was 53 Years Old

12 Ιουλ 2008 16:24:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

U.S. President George W. Bushs former press secretary Tony Snow has died of cancer, the White House said on Saturday. Snow, 53, who had been a conservative radio and television commentator, resigned in August 2007 as Bushs spokesman after taking the job the previous year. Snow learned in March last year that the cancer he had fought earlier had returned. But he said his decision to leave was for financial, not health, reasons. Snow has worked as a journalist and TV and radio programmes editor to FOX Nws. In May 2006 he became the third representative of George Bush since he became president of US in 2001.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] SYRIZA Stages 2-Day Political Event

By Athina Saloustrou

The key point of SYRIZAs (Coalition of the Radical Left) policy is a blow to the two-political party system and neo-liberalism, so that a new Left-centred social and political majority can be introduced. This was the meaning of the speech that opened the two-day event staged by the party in central Athens. "We are the enemy of the two-political party system. We have been provoked by the system and we should not hesitate to strike, since the country has been in an impasse, and make the difference," stressed Alekos Alavanos, head of SYRIZAs parliamentary group. "We will usher in the new in comparison to major problems, including poverty and unemployment," continued Alavanos.

[07] Greek PM in Paris

By Athina Saloustrou

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is flying Saturday to Paris to attend the Mediterranean Union Summit, as well as the celebrations for Frances national anniversary scheduled for Monday. President of the Cypriot Republic Demetris Christofias is also due in the French capital, where he will hold talks with the UN Secretary General on the sidelines of the Summit. Ban ki-Moon will also meet with Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on coming Tuesday in Berlin, while Australias former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was named new UN special envoy for Cyprus.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] For Their Summer Break

12 Ιουλ 2008 11:59:0

By Athina Saloustrou

Traffic in the ports of Rafina and Piraeus is really heavy, as passenger ships heading from Crete, the Cyclades, the North Aegean Islands and the Dodecanese are full. As per figures released by the Ministry of Mercantile Marine, as many as 60 sea services have been scheduled to leave Piraeus port and about 40 ones Rafinas. In the meantime, Express Lemnos passenger ship with 400 passengers on board en route from Lavrio to the island of Lemnos returned to the port of Lavrio late on Friday, due to a mechanical failure.

[09] Killing Three People

12 Ιουλ 2008 11:40:0

By Athina Saloustrou

Three people were killed and two more were injured when an ambulance collided head-on with a car in northern Greece late on Friday night. The impact was so strong that all three of the four passengers of the ambulance, the driver, 41, the patient, 81 and the doctor escorting her, breathed their last. The cars driver, 39, and a paramedic, 53, sustained injuries. In the meantime, in another car crash that also took place in northern Greece, a 22yo driver was killed when he hit a PPC column.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Head-on Collision Claims 16 Lives in Brazil

By Athina Saloustrou

At least 16 people have been killed after a buss collided head-on with fuel tanker in NE Brazil. The multi-fatality crash took place in the state of Rondonia. Several passengers were charred by the fire that broke out shortly after the crash. Authorities fear the death toll could rise, since a lot of the injured ones are in critical condition. The bus was carrying 35 members of a non-government organisation to the states capital.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Killed His Mother with Kitchen Knife

By Athina Saloustrou

For reasons remaining sketchy, a 59yo male stabbed Friday his mother to death with a kitchen knife inside their house near the small town of Kyparissia, southern Greece. The killer turned himself in and confessed. He was arrested and referred to the local prosecutor.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Wildfires still Ravaging California

By Athina Saloustrou

The wildfires that have been ravaging California since 21 June have reduced more than 200,000 square km to ashes more than 200,000 square km. A person was recovered dead in a burnt-out house in the town of Concow. Nearly 50 houses were burnt out in Concow, while as many as 10,000 people in Concow and Paradise had to flee their houses. They are the most devastating wildfires over the last years, with 1,700 blazes burning since mid June. As many as 20,000 firefighters, joined by colleagues from Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, are battling to contain the fires.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called up an extra 2,000 National Guard troops to support firefighting efforts, while the first victim of the wildfires was recovered. The charred body was located inside his house on Wednesday.

More than 20,000 firefighters have managed to put out 1,450 blazes, yet another 322 are still burning mostly in northern California. Of them, 3,000 have been deployed in the area of Paradise.

The wildfires broke out nearly two months earlier than usual, due to the drought, the worse the state of California has suffered since 1894.

Translated by Areti Christou

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