The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Although Interest Rates Were Brought Down

09 Οκτ 2008 09:44:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Asian markets have reported losses yet again, although the worlds central banks brought interest rates down as part of the worldwide campaign to address the financial crisis. The Bank of Japan channelled Thursday 30 billion euros into the nations banking system, the largest amount of money given within a day ever since the financial crisis broke out. Nikkei index, however, went down by 0.50 percent to 9,157.49 points. A few hours earlier, Wall Street had suffered losses for a sixth sitting in a row, despite the concerted drive to back markets by reducing interest rates. Sustaining several fluctuations,the Wall Street sitting was marked by US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsons warning, whereby the upset would not end soon. The Athens stock market stood at 2,512 points on Wednesday losing 4.30 percent. Earlier, France, Belgium and Luxemburg had announced their intention to guarantee loans of ailing lender Dexia, while the Bush administration said it would give 40 billion dollars to AIG.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

IMF Warns of Global Slowdown

Interests Rates Brought Down

Draft-bill on Bank Deposits

[02] "Basis for a Solution"

09 Οκτ 2008 10:21:00 (Last updated: 09 Οκτ 2008 11:07:31)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis is briefing Thursday President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Socialist leader George Papandreou on UN envoy Matthew Nimetzs new proposal on the FYROM name dispute.

"Through a lot of hard work, this text could lead to a solution with no winners and losers. We have to wait for the other side, as well," Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos told NET radio station. Matthew Nimetz termed the new set of ideas he unveiled Wednesday to the two sides as the basis for a solution to the FYROM standoff, calling on the two sides to give it a serious thought. He said no timelines had been set, also arguing that "it is not the end of the road."

The revised Nimetz proposal included a composite name, but failed to satisfactorily address the Greek claim "for all uses," commented Greek diplomatic sources. According to the neighbouring countrys media, the name proposed might be "Democracy of Northern Macedonia."

"Although information is sketchy, developments do not seem positive," said the Socialist party (PASOK). KKE and SYN also expressed their opposition, while LAOS spoke of a blatant failure of the Greek Foreign Ministrys diplomatic handlings.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Nimetz's Fresh Proposal on FYROM Name-Issue

[03] New Survey

09 Οκτ 2008 08:48:00

Sources: REUTERS

Democrat Barack Obama has built a 4-point lead over Republican rival John McCain in the race for the White House, aided by growing support from women and independent voters, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Thursday.

Obama led McCain 48 percent to 44 percent among likely U.S. voters in the national poll, up from a 2 percentage-point advantage for Obama on Wednesday. The poll has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.

Obama expanded his advantage among independents to 13 points from 9 and his lead among women grew to 9 points from 7. The Illinois senator moved slightly ahead of McCain among Roman Catholic voters and now leads or is even with McCain in all age groups except those above age 70.

"Obama seems to be doing well among the groups that he really needs like women and independents," pollster John Zogby said. "McCain needs to do much better with them."

McCain, a former Navy fighter pilot and Vietnam prisoner of war who has focused on security issues, was only running even with Obama among families with a member in the military.

"That is not a good sign for McCain," Zogby said.

The tracking poll, which will sample public opinion until the Nov. 4 election, was taken Monday through Wednesday. About one-third of the survey was conducted after Tuesday nights second debate, which featured sharp exchanges on the economic crisis.

McCain had hoped the debate could help him reshape a race that has been trending toward Obama, but Zogby said the one-day sample taken after the debate showed about a 6-point advantage for Obama.

"McCain did not help himself in the debate, thats pretty clear," he said.

Obama has solidified his lead in most national polls in recent weeks as the Wall Street crisis focused attention on the economy, where polls show Obamas approach is favored by voters.

Related News:

Obama -McCain 2nd Debate Focused on Economy

[04] Car Bomb Kills 8 in Islamabad

Sources: REUTERS

A car bomb attack wounded at least eight people on Thursday at police headquarters in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, a senior police official said.

Interior Secretary Kamal Shah said a handful of people had been wounded, but there were no deaths reported so far. The explosion was caused by a car bomb, he said.

The latest attack struck a target in a high security zone, though security in the city has been increased in the wake of a suicide truck bomb that killed 55 people and destroyed the Marriott hotel on September 20.

There have been fears of more bomb attacks in reaction to an army offensive against Islamist militant strongholds in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

[05] New Survey by Metron Analysis

09 Οκτ 2008 09:58:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A new poll has given the Greek Socialists (PASOK) a narrow lead of 0.4 percent in voting intention. Conducted by Metron Analysis for ANT1 private television, the poll shows PASOK leading the race with 29 percent, with the ruling party of ND (New Democracy) coming second with 28.6 percent. SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) trails with 10.7 percent, KKE (Greek Communist Party) with 6.8 percent, LAOS (Popular Orthodox Party) with 4 percent and the Greens with 3.3 percent. However, 48 percent of the respondents believe that the Conservatives would win the elections, as opposed to 37.8 percent that opts for PASOK. When it comes to the fight against the high cost of living, 27 percent of those surveyed trust Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, compared to 24 percent that give a positive rating to Socialist leader George Papandreou.

Translated by Areti Christou

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