The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-01-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] US urges Palestinian PM to fight terro after bus bombing

The United States called on the Palestinian Prime Minister today to stop militants attacking Israelis, after the deadliest suicide bus bombing in four months killed 10 people in Jerusalem. Critics of the US policy say Washington favours the Jewish state in conflict and has not worked hard enough to find a lasting settlement.

[02] Controversial forest land amendment to be abolished by new enactment

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis today tabled in parliament a amendment , abolishing a controversial amendment on forest land, near the Porto Carras Hotel in Halkidiki. The new draft legislation will be debated in parliament next Tuesday. Earlier, New Democracy deputies had tabled an amendment, which also provided for the abolition of the previous one.

[03] Boat sinks near Evia, 2 illegal immigrants dead, 17 missing

Two people drowned and at least 17 were missing after a boat carrying dozens of illegal immigrants sank off the central Greek island of Evia today, as galeforce winds battered the Aegean Sea. A coastguard vessel, one rescue helicopter and several fishing boats that rushed to the scene, located the bodies of two people as they searched for survivors in the rough weather.

[04] US says deal on Cyprus power-sharing close

The United States said today an agreement on power-sharing in Cyprus was close, and vowed to pressure Turkish and Greek Cypriots to reach a deal in order to allow a united island to join the European Union. UN Secretary-General Kofi Anna, meeting with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos for talks in Brussels, has been pressing both sides to revive talks in a bid to arrive at a deal.

[05] Papariga to speak in Korydallos, Constantopoulos favours National Health System

Communist party General Secretary Aleka Papariga is scheduled to speak this evening at the Korydallos Cultural Centre, and tomorrow will start a tour of Crete. Meanwhile, Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos said he was in favour of a 6% increase in annual expenditure on health and the creation of a comprehensive National Health System. He made the comments during a visit to Evangelismos hospital in Athens.

[06] ND leader pledges changes in agricultural policy

During his tour of the Fthiotida prefecture today, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis promised rapid payment of compensation and allowances, reduction in VAT on farm equipment and products, as well as institutional changes in the Agriculture Ministry and the Agricultural Bank. Karamanlis accused Prime Minister Costas Simitis of being absent from European negotiations on agricultural produce.

[07] Papandreou envisages a "new, more open Pasok"

The ruling Pasok partys future leader, Foreign Minister George Papandreou today presented his vision about the governing of the country, speaking in Thessaloniki about a new and more open socialist party. Papandreou said he was ready for the battle and the rifts that will emerge in order for entrenched attitudes to be overcome, and to radically change the political scene.

[08] Weather forecast

A rainy and cold day is forecast, with snowfalls in the hills. Temperatures in Athens will range from 4 to 11 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 2 to 8 degrees.

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