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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-12-03Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou addresses EU Socialist Party councilThe global financial crisis can comprise a large opportunity for Europe to highlight its social face, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said during a discussion of a meeting of the European Socialist Party's Council focusing on the party's manifesto in Madrid on Monday.Papandreou stressed that the agenda was now common at local, European and global level, and consequently "we must give strength to our countries in order to give strength to the world". The effort, Papandreou said, must be founded on four values. First of all, on enhancing democracy and individual rights in order to confront the global development and the problems it creates. Second, on social justice, with increased resources for health and eduation, and increased care for youth and women. Third, emphasis on green development, as the Left agenda today was a green agenda. Fourth, on Europe playing an important role for altering the correlation of power worldwide, but also in the member countries of the European bodies. Papandreou further said that the election of Barack Obama as the next US president created the conditions so that, "all together, we will try to find solutions and advance US-Europe cooperation for the promotion of peace". Caption: Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou addressing the European Socialist Party's Council in Madrid on Monday. (ANA-MPA/K. Mavrona) [02] Education Minister on World Day of the DisabledEducation Minister Evripidis Stylianidis on Wednesday,at an event held at the ministry on the occasion of the national and World Day of the Disabled, stressed that " The only disability in life is to have a bad attitude on life" ."Education, culture and life-long learning form the right view of life over disabilities, that is, respect of human rights and respect of the diversity of the human race," stressed Stylianidis [03] Papoulias receives AMEA leadershipPresident of Republic Karolos Papoulias, on the occasion of the World Day of the Disabled, received on Wednesday members of the National Confederation of Persons with a Disability (AMEA) at the Presidential Mansion.Papoulias said that this day is very important and express the hope that it would become the starting point toward the solution of the problems faced by disabled people, which, as Papoulias said, "most of them are unsolved". On his part, the president of the Confederation Yannis Vardakastanis submitted to the President the conclusions of the Confederation's annual report on the disabled. Caption: President Karolos Papoulias(R) welcomes National Confederation of Persons with a Disability (AMEA) president Yannis Vardakastanis(L) at the Presidential mansion on Wednesday 3 December 2008. ANA-MPA/SYMELA PANTZARTZI [04] Athens Stock Exchange: RiseEquity prices were rising on Wednesday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), with the basic share price index up 0.71 percent, standing at 1,851.07 points at 14:15 p.m., and turnover at 70.8 million euros.Individual sector indices were moving mostly upward, with the biggest gains in Health, up 4.49 percent; Public Utilities, up 3.65 percent; and Telecoms, up 3.16 percent. The biggest losses were in Chemicals, down 2.01 percent; Food and Beverages, down 1.86 percent; and Oil & Gas, down 1.47 percent. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 0.68 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 1.39 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 1.13 percent. Of the stocks moved, 110 were up, 79 were down, and 45 were unchanged. [05] Acropolis Museum presentationThe specifications and mission of the New Acropolis Museum were presented on Tuesday by Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis, President of the Project Authority, the Organisation for Construction of the New Acropolis Museum and by Swiss-born Bernard Tschumi, the New Acropolis Museum chief architect, at an event held at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in London. Addressing an audience of archaeologists, architects, academics and members of the Greek émigré community on Tuesday, Bernard Tschumi said that when he undertook the project he was faced with three challenges; designing the museum in front of the Parthenon (a monument that had a major effect on Western Civilization), the peculiarity of the surrounding area with loads of ancient monuments and the museum's future mission which is to house the Parthenon Marbles. Professor Pandermalis pointed out that the New Acropolis Museum already has made an impact fuelling a debate abroad referring to a recent article posted in The Financial Times. Professor Pandermalis and New York-based architect Bernard Tschumi will be again the guests in an event at RIBA to respond to questions by students of architecture as regards the New Acropolis Museum.Caption: ANA-MPA of a view of a hall of the new Acropolis Museum in Athens [06] In memory of Maria CallasAn event in memory of Maria Callas was held at Terence Cardinal Cooke Hospital in Manhattan where the world renowned soprano was born 85 years ago on Dec. 2, 1923. A marble plaque was unveiled during the event, an initiative by the Maria Callas Cultural Association in Italy. Speaking at the event, hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute of New York with the support of the General Consulates of Greece and Italy and "Athenaeum ICC - Grand Prix Maria Callas", association president Bruno Tosi referred to the unique qualities of one of the greatest opera singers. In attendance was also Archbishop Demetrios of America who praised the initiative and referred to the "divine element" in the life of Maria Callas.Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of famous soprano Maria Callas [07] Greek PMI at record low in NovGreece's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropped to an all-time low in November, reflecting a shrinking production, new orders and employment rates in the manufacturing sector of the country. The PMI index fell to 42.3 points, down from 48.1 in October.New orders fell for the second consecutive month in November, reflecting a further weakening of demand both from domestic and foreign markets. Lower production and new orders levels led to a decline in job positions in November, at record rates. Commenting on the figures of the Greek PMI, Gemma Wallace, Markit Economics' analyst said although the consequences do not seem to affect the Greek manufacturing sector yet, the recent cut in interest rates by the European Central Bank was decided at the right time. Production and new orders fell for the second consecutive month, while sentiment in the sector has not improved despite lower interest rates and a government-sponsored 28 billion euros rescue plan. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |