The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Need for International Summit

18 Οκτ 2008 11:58:00

During their meeting on Friday with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, French President Nikola Sarkozy- whose country currently holds the EU presidency- and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called on Canada to take bold decisions on the economy and establish new regulations.They will today meet with US President, George Bush at Camp David to discuss the framework for a Summit Meeting to pave the way for talks on an overhaul of the worlds financial regulatory systems. In the US Economic gloom was foreshadowed by consumer confidence and new-home construction plummeting in recent weeks. Apart from Iceland Russia and Ukraine economies are facing serious problems.

Nervousness and instability prevails in global markets amid fears of recession. Interest has shifted to Camp David where US President George Bush is to meet with French President Nikola Sarkozy and President of EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso to discuss the holding of an international summit on the economy.

From Quebec, Canada the French President stressed the need for bold decisions and new regulations to overhaul the world financial system. However, Washington does not seem to rush, transferring responsibility for economic reforms to the next US administration.

Addressing Washington Chamber of Commerce, George Bush said that his governments measures to deal with the credit crisis would bear fruit but it would take some time. Investors, however, are highly concerned over continuing recession in US real estate market and new-home construction plummeting in its lowest in 17 years.

Russias basic problem is shrinkage of liquidity reserves by $33 billion dollars since the beginning of August.Iceland is on the brink of bankruptcy while the Ukraine asks for $14 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund in a bid to rescue its bank system from collapse.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] PASOK Says "Yes" to Inquiry Committee

18 Οκτ 2008 13:46:00

The government and opposition parties are working on their tactics and arguments in view of the two Parliament sessions for the setting up of inquiry and investigation committees on the Batopedi case. PASOK notified that it will vote the governments proposal for the setting up of an inquiry committee on Wednesday but has called on deputies of all political parties to vote in favour of the setting up of an investigation committee in the Parliament session, two days later.

In an interview with NET 105.8, SYRIZA spokesman, Fotis Koubelis stressed that his party agrees with the setting up of inquiry committee and investigation committees providing justification by data. Mr. Koubelis added that the Batopedi case offended Greek citizens, underlining that SYRIZA wants light to be shed in all dimensions of the case both political and penal.

The GCP said that its parliamentary group will decided on its stand. LAOS President agreed with the setting up of both committees and advised ND deputies not to abstain from Fridays parliament session.

The secretary of the ND parliamentary group, Yiannis Tragakis and the secretary of the ND party, Lefteris Zagoritis said that all ND deputies will attend both parliament sessions and the opposition will get the responses it deserves.

PASOK spokesman, George Papakonstantinou maintained that the ND is in a deadlock, adding that write off elections would be a bad message to society. Regarding PASOK law suit against Supreme Court Prosecutor, George Sanidas, Justice Minister, Sotiris Hatzidakis spoke of an attempt to threaten judicial officials.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Tragic Accident in Suburban Train Lines

Sources: ANA, MNA

A 17 years old young man was killed when he tried to cross the railway lines at the same time the suburb railway train heading to Piraeus passed through. The tragic accident occurred at 12.00. Unfortunately the driver did not have the time to respond fast. According to traffic police, there is a pedestrian crossing near the spot of the accident so the young man should not have tried to cross the train lines.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Polish Apologizing Roses to TV Reporter

Sources: ANA-MNA

Polish President Lech Kaczynski who had verbally threatened a TV reporter during the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels early this week, sent roses a few days later to apologize for his behaviour, the daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported Saturday.The incident was witnessed by a dozen Polish and Belgian journalists Wednesday evening, when Kaczynski, irritated by the questions posed by Monika Olejnik of the TVN network, screamed at her. On Friday, according to the Gazeta Wyborcza report, Kaczynski called Olejnik and apologized for his outburst and sent 11 red roses. Olejnik accepted the apology, with TVN then withdrawing a protest letter sent to the countrys broadcasting board.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Trade Unions Expected to React

18 Οκτ 2008 15:45:00

Sources: ΑNA

Metro employees are staging a work stoppage from 12:00-02.15 today. In the meantime, the Athens Court has ruled illegal and abusive work stoppages announced for next week. According to the Courts ruling employees are called to suspend mobilizations. Metro employees have announced work stoppages for next Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Greek Disappointment over US Visa

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

Greek ambassador to Washington, Alexandros Mallias conveyed to US President George Bush Greeces disappointment and displeasure over its non-inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program during an event held at the White House where the 7 new countries not needing a visa to visit the US were officially announced.

Mr. Mallias made the intervention at the Oval Office prior to the opening of the ceremony in the presence of the Secretaries of State and Domestic Security, high ranking official of the National Security Council and other ambassadors. He underlined that Greece should have been the first country to be included in the program. Earlier in response to a relevant question, White House spokesman Dana Perino had said that Greece needs to do some work for the implementation of the program but it is in the right way to be included till the end of the year.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Nicosia's Reaction

18 Οκτ 2008 12:46:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

UN General Assembly in its yesterdays session selected Turkey among new non- permanent members of the UN Security Council for the 2009-2010 period. Ambassador Minas Hatzimihail, Cyprus Republic permanent representative at the UN organization wondered: "How a country that systematically violates UN Security Council resolutions can become a member of this Body".

On his part Turkish Foreign Minister, Ali Babacan expressed his satisfaction, underlining that it was a special day for Turkey which has contributed to world peace and stability and security not only in its neighbouring region but also in remote regions.

Britain and France welcomed Turkeys selection. Britains permanent representative said that Turkey with its development has proved that democracy triumphs in the Islamic world. On his part Frances representative said that Turkey was a significant country, with which France has friendly relations and is anxious to cooperate.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Incidents at Macedonia University

By Anthi Ntaousani

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA

Minor clashes broke out at the Thessaloniki Macedonia University where students were having a party-at the early hours this morning. An unknown group of people came out of the Aristotelios University Technical school and headed towards the Macedonia University across the street where students were having a party. They clashed with some people at the party but police forces sped to the spot and blocked Egnatia road for preventive reasons. The unknown people, however, threw objects against police forces, who used tear gas to disperse them.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] Advice for Purchase of Heating-oil

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Delivery of heating- oil started on Wednesday, October, 15 and the Consumers General Secretariat tells consumers: To compare prices prior to ordering heating-oil Keep safety measures To record themselves the quantity of oil in their tank prior and after delivery, always in the presence of the delivery man. Not to trust the oil-truck meter but use their meters Measure the level of oil 5-6 minutes after filling of the tank. Pay only if height prior and after delivery of heating-oil is recorded in the receipt For further information consumers can dial 1520

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] According to New Survey

18 Οκτ 2008 11:29:00

By Anthi Ntaousani

Sources: ΑNA, Reuters

Democrat Barack Obama holds a 4-point lead over Republican John McCain in the U.S.presidential race, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Saturday. Obama leads McCain by 48% to 44% among likely U.S. voters in the four-day tracking poll, which has a margin of error of 2.9 points.

Republican Voters Appear Consolidating

Pollster John Zogby said that while Obamas overall lead had remained relatively stable between 2 and 6 points in the 12 days since the poll started, the latest figures showed a bump for McCain following Wednesdays final presidential debate."Today was the first full sample post-debate and theres a clear indication that McCain is moving up," Zogby said. He added that McCains support among Republican voters appeared to be consolidating.

McCain was backed by 91% of Republicans in the poll, while Obama drew support from just 88%t of Democrats. However, Obama still enjoyed a 16% advantage among independent voters, which many analysts expect to be a deciding factor in the November, 4 election.

"If (McCain) maintains his edge with Republicans, he stays competitive. But hes going to have to increase his share of independents," Zogby said. Obama, 47, has seen his lead widen in recent weeks amid the global financial crisis, with voters consistently giving him higher marks on economic management.

John McCain now leads in only one age group, those aged 35-49, while Obama has the edge in virtually all others including the most elderly voters.But while Obama still has an 7-point lead among women voters who could be an important factor in the election, this advantage has dropped by 4 points over the course of the last two tracking polls, Zogby said.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

New Survey Shows Obama "Leads"

[11] Killed 6 People in Costa Rica

18 Οκτ 2008 11:00:00

Sources: ΑNA

Torrential rains and flooding have left at least 6 people dead in Costa Rica and one in Nicaragua according to the two countries authorities. Emergency services have been on the alert while extreme weather conditions hit Honduras and caused extensive material damage to large regions in Central America.

An official government announcement said that 274 municipalities in Nicaragua suffered damage while 2.100 were forced to flee their houses. Regions along the central Pacific coast were worst hit.

According to the National Meteorological Institute San Jose saw the heaviest rainfall since 1944. Rescuers fear that vehicles might be under the mud which has completely covered a road on the San Jose- Nicaragua borders. Civil service officials said that the body of a 54-year old woman, missing since Wednesday, was recovered yesterday. Another 2.000 people had to be evacuated from flooded regions while schools remain closed in many areas. The heavy rainfall during the last 10 days have caused extensive damage to the road network.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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