Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-03-22

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] NBG completes 1.5-bln-euro covered bond issue

[02] Industrial turnover index up 3.2% in Jan.

[03] Mother, daughter suicide linked to 2006 quintuple murder of hunters

[04] Photovoltaic Enterprises Federation calls for incentives to increase photovoltaic energy use

[05] Dragon's Cave one of the most popular destinations in Kastoria

[06] BoG unveils monetary policy report

[07] Archbishop receives LAOS leader

[01] NBG completes 1.5-bln-euro covered bond issue

[02] Industrial turnover index up 3.2% in Jan.

The statistics service, in a report, said the 3.2-pct rise in the index reflected a 14.3-pct drop in the mining turnover index and a 3.5-pct rise in manufacturing turnover. The domestic market turnover index rose 1.7 pct, while the external market turnover index was up 8.0 pct in January.

The new orders index in the industrial sector fell 2.0 pct in January 2010, after a decline of 33.7-pct in the same month last year. The statistics service attributed this development to a 6.1-pct fall in the domestic market and a 4.1-pct rise in the external market.

[03] Mother, daughter suicide linked to 2006 quintuple murder of hunters

According to initial findings, the mother and 17-year-old teen are believed to have died from pesticide consumption. The bodies of the two women were found by the slain main's brother, when he returned home late Sunday night.

An autopsy will be conducted on the two bodies to determine the precise cause and time of death.

Five hunters, two brothers, two cousins and a friend of theirs, were found dead on the night of Nov. 26 near the community of Platania at Kalyvia, outside Agrinio. They all had fatal injuries caused by a shotgun.

The hunters had left their village in the morning to go hunting, but after failing to return home their relatives began to search for them. The father of the two brothers finally found them dead near a lake on Saturday night and immediately notified police.

Two days later, police announced the arrest of a 37-year-old local man in the slayings that shocked Greece.

Dionysis Foukas eventually admitted to the homicides, adding that the incident occurred during a confrontation with the hunters on his father's fields.

His 73-year-old father, a local shepherd, was charged and convicted as an accomplice.

Ôhe two men were handed down five life sentences each for the killings by a first instance court in March 2008, the son on five counts of homicide and the father for moral instigation of the killings.

(ANA-MPA)

(ANA-MPA)

[04] Photovoltaic Enterprises Federation calls for incentives to increase photovoltaic energy use

The EU policy on climate change aims at an increase in RES participation in the overall energy balance to 20 percent by 2010.

[05] Dragon's Cave one of the most popular destinations in Kastoria

The opening to the cave, which is situated close to Lake Kastoria and was discovered in 1940 by three local residents, has the shape of a dragon's mouth, thus the name.

According to local legends, a dragon guarded the cave and spurted flames from its mouth when anyone dared to approach it.

Tourist corridors have been constructed, while stalactite- and stalagmite-friendly lighting has been installed, and measures have also been taken to protect the cave's rare flora.

The Cave's interior contains impressive stalactites and seven underground lakes, 10 caverns and five tunnel-corridors. It is the only Cave in Greece with fresh-water lakes, given the proximity of Lake Kastoria.

Bones of cave bears have been discovered in the cave, dating back 10,000 years.

The exit route from the cave is through a man-made tunnel that also serves as a museum containing photographic material depicting the history and legend of the cave.

According to one legend, many centuries ago the Cave was a gold mine that was guarded by a dragon that spewed fire and poisonous fumes.

There are an estimated 10,000 recorded caves throughout Greece, and the Dragon's Cave is now among the country's 12 caves open to visitors. The Greek caves that are currently open to visitors are Petralona Cave in Halkidiki, Perama Cave in Ioannina, Alistrati Cave in Serres, Dyros Cave, Mara Cave in Drama, Dikteou Androu Cave in Crete, Mellisanthi Cave in Cephalonia, Pramaton Cave in Ioannina, Aghios Georgios Cave in Kilkis, Sykia Cave in Chios, Katsias Cave in Tripolis, and Vathi Cave.

[06] BoG unveils monetary policy report

[07] Archbishop receives LAOS leader

After the meeting, Karatzaferis said to reporters that he comprehends the state's needs but "under no circumstances must we allow the arbitrary conditions of 1987 to be created".

"Dialogue must prevail. The Church of Greece has proved throughout the centuries that it was always the first to contribute to the nation. I that positive results will arise through the dialogue. I disagree with the mentality of 'Decide and order. I am in favor of dialogue and I believe that the state will gain from this," he added.

On his part, Ieronymos expressed his satisfaction over the discussion with the LAOS leader and reiterated his position that the tax imposed on the Church is unjust, adding that "the Church always contributes, has contributed in past and will contribute again today in these circumstances".

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