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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-12-21Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM optimistic on extension of repayment periodANa-MPa/Prime Minister George Papandreou appeared optimistic that the repayment period for Greek loans will be extended while addressing the informal cabinet meeting on Monday. During his ministers unveiled their agenda for the upcoming period, as requested in a letter signed by the premier.According to sources, Papandreou said that the first major legislation to be sponsored by the government will be the new investment law, while he put an emphasis on developments in Europe, stressing that Greece should be present and have voice. ana-mpa He also underlined that the government ministries should act in coordination and MPs should have an active participation in the preparation of draft laws. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [02] Gov't: We have regained international credibilityÁÍÁ-ÌPÁ/Greece plays a leading role, provides solutions and ideas and nobody can criticize us anymore for we have regained international credibility," government spokesman George Petalotis stressed, commenting on Monday on the European Council decisions and the proposals submitted by Prime Minister George Papandreou on the Euro-bond and the stock exchange transactions tax.ana-mpaPetalotis added that the decisions reached by the EU leaders are positive and referring to 2011 he said that it will be a milestone year, as well as a year of major reforms for the country's development. Called to comment on the "occupation forces" reference included in a text that was distributed to churchgoers last Sunday, he stressed that some people do not realize the crucial decisions that are being made, adding that the text in question is out of touch with reality.ana-mpa Responding to questions, Petalotis stated that the draft law on the so-called "closed professions" will be voted following a detailed discussion aimed at benefiting the people. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [03] ND leader presents book by Wilfred MartensANA-MPa/Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras, presenting the book by former Belgian prime minister and European People's Party (EPP) president Wilfred Martens on Monday, expressed disagreement with a two-speed policy in the European Union, saying that "political unification must prevail over the economic distinctions in 'zones of different speeds'."ana-mpaSpeaking during the presentation of the book titled "Europe: I struggle I prevail", the ND leader said that "Europe of unity and solidarity must defeat Europe of mutual distrust." More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [04] Man fatally injured in skiiing accidentANA-MPa/A 25-year-old man was fatally injured while skiing at the Tria-Pente Pigadia ski resort, police reported on Monday.The unlucky skier apparently went off piste and collided with a rock while skiing. He was rushed to the Naoussa hospital by ski resort doctors, where he died shortly afterward. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [05] Cuts in social insurance contributionsANA-MPA/Social insurance contributions are to be cut by up to 25 percent by the year 2013, Alternate Labour and Social Insurance Minister George Koutroumanis announced on Monday at the Economist's Second Social Security Conference in Athens.Koutroumanis said that the reduction will begin at 10 percent in the middle of 2011 and inclusion in the measure will be open to businesses that promptly pay their social insurance contributions and have joined the labour ministry's electronic control system for businesses. The system will link businesses up with the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA), the manpower employment agency OAED and the Labour Inspectors' Corps and go online on July 1, 2011, the date when payment of contributions must be made through banks.ana-mpa Employees will be recorded in the system using a card based on their social security number that will be used to check when they are in and out of work, their working hours and any other change relating to their work. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [06] Unemployment 2.96% upANA-MPa/Unemployment increased by 2.96 percent in November 2010 relative to October 2010, according to figures released on Monday by the Greek Manpower Employment Agency OAED.In the same month, dismissals, expiry of temporary work contracts and voluntary departures from jobs increased 4.2 percent relative to November 2009 and new hirings decreased by 20.52 percent.ana-mpa The number of those registered as unemployed with OAED increased to 627,301 and subsidised unemployed numbered 206,779 in November 2010 (an increase of 23,618 or 12.89 percent relative to October 2010). More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [07] Drug dealers ring dismantledANA-MPA/The Attica drugs squad has dismantled one of the most organised rings of drug dealers operating in Greece, authorities announced on Monday. The ring, which traded in cocaine, hydroponic cannabis and ecstasy, was dismantled using information given to Greek authorities by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) via the U.S. Embassy in Athens.Using drugs from Canada hidden inside luxury vehicles imported into Greece, the ring supplied dozens of high-profile clients, including several musicians and models, in Athens, Astros Kynouria and Crete. The DEA had supplied information that a 34-year-old Greek Canadian was involved in dealing cocaine.ana-mpa Based on the tip-off, Greek authorities set up a surveillance operation lasting several months. This culminated in a coordinated police operation on Friday that led to the arrest of the Greek-Canadian and eight other people suspected of being his accomplices. These included a Greek-American, six Greek nationals and a French national. Authorities have also located the contacts of the ring and the hideouts used for the drugs, which were mainly kept in four garages in Ano Glyfada and other areas of Attica where four private Porsches were also parked. More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [08] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesThe Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe government's surprise announcement of a decrease in the level of social security contributions, a rise in unemployment, ongoing strikes in the mass transit sector in and around Athens and retail market conditions ahead of the holidays mostly dominated the headlines on Tuesday in Athens' newspapers. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Internal transfers between public sector agencies launched". AVGHI: "Explosion in lay-offs". AVRIANI: "Greece's exit from eurozone". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Alarm bell sounds for private insurance companies". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "We will shut down the state if you open closed professions" ESTIA: "Christmas with strikes". ETHNOS: "Markets in despair - Dramatic fall in turnover". IMERISSIA: "Up to 25 percent cuts in social security contributions". KATHIMERINI: "Market in strikes' vortex". LOGOS: "Merchants make dramatic plea". NAFTEMPORIKI: "Accounting books code to be permanently abolished in 2012". NIKI: "2,000 employees fired every day". RIZOSPASTIS: "New bombshell against social security". TA NEA: "Queuing up for transfers". VRADYNI: "State assets up for sale". More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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