The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Oil Prices Slightly Rebound

17 Σεπ 2008 08:52:00 (Last updated: 17 Σεπ 2008 10:57:51)

By Athina Saloustrou

Trading in Tokyo regained ground, with Nikkei earning up to 1.21%, after Wall Streets signs of recovery. Stock markets in Europe had reported up to 3% losses, with that of Moscow dropping 10%. The dive in Russia urged Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to argue that the Russian economy is stable enough to survive the repercussions of the global financial crisis. In the USA, Lehmans collapse and fears that AIG could also followed suit made FED provide an $85 billion bridge loan to AIG and keep its key interest rate at 2%. In the meantime, oil prices in Asian trading are on a recovery course, following the recent dive amid fears over the blow the US banking crisis could deliver to global economy.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Athens Stock Exchange Drops by 1.99%

Shockwaves Continue

[02] On OA's Consolidation Plan

17 Σεπ 2008 09:21:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is chairing at 11am an Inner Cabinet meeting on the issue of the Greek national air carrier, while the European Commission is expected to approve the consolidation plan submitted by the Transport Ministry as early as today. According to the plan, the private investor who is to take over the company has to keep its name and logo and run flights to isolated areas. All staff will be sacked with only those essential to Pantheon (the project envisaging the rebirth of the Olympic Airlines) being rehired for the new schedule, and with special provisions for the others. Concerned over the future, the Federation of the OA personnel have scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday. Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis reiterated, however, that those reacting to the plan to have the company privatisation have nothing to worry about.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New O.A. in April

[03] By Contaminated Milk Powder

17 Σεπ 2008 09:24:00

The number of babies that have been diagnosed with kidney illness after consuming milk powder contaminated with melamine has increased, standing at 6,244, authorities in China said on Wednesday. Three babies have already died of kidney stones. China has been rocked by a series of food scandals over the last years. In 2004, at least 13 infants died after drinking adulterated milk powder. Scores of mothers from China flooded Hong Kong to buy milk powder produced aboard, read Wednesday South China Morning Post, after Chinese television said Tuesday that melamine was detected in 69 milk products produced by 22 dairy companies.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Melamine Detected in 69 Brands of Milk in China

[04] Recall of Contracts

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Prefecture of Eastern Attica will demand the contracts that granted land in the areas of Grammatiko, Lavrio and the Olympic Village to the Vatopedi Monastery be recalled. Prefect Leonidas Kouris said Tuesday that the Prefectures probe into the land exchanges in the said areas is still underway, since the Prefecture has not yet received the joint ministerial decision, the contracts of the exchanges, as well as KEDs ruling as to whether there are other real estates within the Prefecture of Attica. In the meantime, Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Legas said that the Government would do whatever it takes to safeguard state interests. The Socialist party (PASOK) brought up anew its claim to have the cases file submitted to Parliament. Earlier, Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos had argued that truth should be revealed so that the validity of institutions was restored, adding that the Government had nothing to fear.

[05] London's Gatwick on Sale

Sources: REUTERS

British airports operator BAA said on Wednesday it is putting its Gatwick airport in London up for sale, but vowed to fight to retain the rest of its portfolio.

"We have decided to begin the process of selling Gatwick Airport immediately," Colin Matthews, chief executive of Spanish owned-BAA, told reporters in Toronto.

Sector sources said Gatwick, one of the Europes busiest airports with 35 million passengers, could fetch between $3.57 billion and $5.35 billion.

The move is a response to Britains Competition Commission, which last month said in a provisional ruling that BAA must sell three of its seven UK airports, including two of Londons Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted and one of Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland.

BAA said it disagreed with the Competition Commissions analysis, and that it will try to keep Stansted airport to the north of London as a change of ownership could interfere with the airports expansion.

[06] Possible Involvement of Al Qaeda

17 Σεπ 2008 10:02:00

By

Sources: ANA

TV network Al-Arabiya broadcasted that a trapped car full of explosives blasted in front of Yemen embassy in Sanaa. Police cordoned off the area. Yemen, the ancestral home of Osama bin Laden, has grappled with a spate of al Qaeda attacks this year, including one on the U.S. embassy, another near the Italian mission and others on Western tourists. An al Qaeda-affiliated group claimed responsibility in March for a mortar attack that missed the U.S. embassy in Sanaa but wounded 13 girls at a nearby school. The Yemeni government joined the U.S.-led war against terrorism following the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. cities.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] On Oil Facilities

17 Σεπ 2008 08:50:00

Sources: ANA-Reuters

Nigerian militants attacked a Shell oil pipeline in the Niger Delta and threatened to sabotage more oil facilities. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which is behind the hits that reduced oil output in Nigeria by 1/5, said it attacked the oil pipeline located in Rivers state. "MEND reiterates its previous warnings to all oil workers in the entire Niger Delta region to evacuate from oil facilities and halt production with immediate effect or they will have themselves to blame," the group said in an e-mailed statement. Militants also threatened to launch attacks on neighbouring nations.

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