The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-01-17

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] 3 American soldiers killed in Iraq, toll reaches 500

Guerrillas killed three US soldiers and two Iraqi officials today, taking the death toll of American soldiers in Iraq to 500 since the war to oust Saddam Hussein began last March.

[02] Police seize 33 kg of cocaine and arrest four people

Greek police today said they had seized 33 kg of cocaine, hidden in a truck in a warehouse in the port of Piraeus and arrested two Belgians, along with a Dutch and Italian man. One of the Belgians and the Dutchman are believed to be the ringleaders of an international drugs gang, smuggling large quantities of cocaine from Latin America to western Europe.

[03] New developments expected in the Cyprus issue

Tomorrows visit to Athens by Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, as well as the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans tour of European countries from January 20 to February 1, mark new developments in the long-standing Cyprus dispute. During his stay in Athens, the Cypriot president will have contacts with the Greek state and political leadership, with the aim of planning the next moves.

[04] General Confederation of Greek Labour submits demands to Greek President

The presidency of the General Confederation of Greek Labour today submitted its requests to the President of the Greek Republic, Costis Stephanopoulos, in view of the upcoming negotiations on the new collective labour agreement, scheduled to begin next Monday. After the meeting, the Confederation president said they were demanding pay increases of eight percent and a reduction in working hours.

[05] New opinion poll shows ND ahead in voters' preferences

Numerous opinion polls are being conducted as election time draws closer, with party staff assessing the data emerging. The latest survey on behalf of the radio station, Sky, which will be published in the Sunday newspaper Kathimerini tis Kyriakis, indicates that most voters consider New Democracy to be the most suitable party to rule the country, with 41.1%, compared to Pasok with 35.5 percent. To the question of which party will win the elections, ND received 44.8 percent of preferences, and Pasok 34.4 percent. However, George Papandreou is ahead of Costas Karamanlis as the most suitable for the post of prime minister, with 40.1 percent, compared to 39.3%.

[06] Opposition leader launches strong attack on Pasok

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis raised the tone of his rhetoric today, in a speech in Pyrgos, during a tour of the Peloponnese prefectures, Elia and Arcadia. He launched a strong attack on Prime Minister Simitis and George Papandreou, describing the leadership changes in Pasok as backstage manipulations, and accused the governing party of having an entrenched regime mentality.

[07] Papandreou urges reduced Greek-Turkish military spending

Foreign Minister George Papandreou asked Turkey today to join his government in a pledge to cut military spending. Papandreou, who is set to replace Prime Minister Costas Simitis as head of the ruling Pasok party, after elections on March 7, said slashing military spending would become a priority for a new Pasok government.

[08] Weather forecast

A cool, but mainly fine day is forecast, with local showers in the northwest of the country. Temperatures in Athens will range from 6 to 16 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from zero to 12 degrees.

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article