Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-08-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Illegal migrant smuggling using fake passports at airport

[02] Updated memorandum unveiled on Fri.; targets met, others eyed

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Illegal migrant smuggling using fake passports at airport

The two foreign nationals, 26 and 23, were arrested at the airport when presenting what turned out to be fake Spanish passports. The pair was accompanied by a child, also supplied with a fake passport.

According to reports, the two local men checked-in for the foreign nationals at the ticket counter. Another unidentified woman was arrested as well. Police said the second pair is suspected of checking-in for another duo of illegals the previous day.

[02] Updated memorandum unveiled on Fri.; targets met, others eyed

Among other things, the updated memorandum anticipates the detailing of measures to fulfill targets set for the Greek economy, including changes in labour market status, deregulation of so-called "closed professions" and the electrical power sector, as well as interventions vis-a-vis salaries in public utilities.

The updated memorandum notes that "the policies of the Greek government remain fully orientated towards the safeguarding of fiscal viability, securing the stability of the monetary system and the strengthening of potential growth and competitiveness."

It is further noted that "the quantitative performance criteria set for the end of June were all met, as a result of the dynamic implementation of the fiscal adjustment programme."

However, deviations are ascertained from the targets of decreasing expenditures in public sector agencies, such as hospitals and local governments, which are covered by the greater decrease in expenditures in other sectors achieved so far, resulting in primary expenditures of the budget over the January-June 2010 six-month period being decreased by 5.6 billion euros in excess of the target set. According to the memorandum, at the end of the year the decrease in primary expenditures in excess of targets is estimated to amount to four billion euros.

As regards growth, the memorandum anticipates a decrease of 4 percent in 2010 and a decrease of 2.5 percent in 2011. The assessment regarding harmonised inflation is that it will approach 4.75 percent for this year.

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Fridayâs unveiling of an updated memorandum between Greece and the "troika" and its effect on practically all public sectors dominated the headlines in Athensâ dailies on Saturday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "5,327 wildfires around Greece."

AVGI: "âMemorandum 2â brings turmoil. Collapse of public revenues brings back plans for additional measures in 2010."

AVRIANI: "Burning increases in utility bills."

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Memorandum No. 2 brings shocking new measures."

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Taxes up, salaries down in 2011."

ESTIA: "Greece full of beggars. Extremely worrying social phenomenon appears."

ETHNOS: "Shock therapy for utilities, hospitals â Troika pressure for new wave of changes as of September."

IMERISSIA: "Recession reaches 35-year record. GDPâs shrinkage unprecedented in duration and intensity".

KATHIMERINI: "Strict dictates of new memorandum. Public sector salaries, social security reform, labour relations, closed professions, utilities under scrutiny."

NIKI: "Pittance salaries, Brussels prices. Buying power of Greeks returns to 1984".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Additional taxes of 6.9 billion euros in upcoming two-year period.

RIZOSPASTIS: "Updated memorandum: New anti-popular overturns by government, troika."

TA NEA: "Second wave of changes as of September."

VIMA: "Troika 10 commandments for five billion euros of taxes."

VRADYNI: "Behold the latest austerity measures. Commission demands immediate measures to save four billion euros."

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