The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Pessimism about the Future

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-ΝΕΤ 105.8

As per the six-month Eurobarometre research, Greeks appear pessimistic about the future and concerned over the possibility of not finding a job. Two out of three are concerned over the high cost of living (65%) and unemployment (66%), not having confidence to the Parliament, the government and the Media. In parallel, one in two Europeans (52%) shares the same concerns. Two out of three Greeks (65%) are facing difficulty in paying their bills, while fewer from one out of two Europeans (47%) are facing the same problem. Greece ranks fifth among the countries the citizens of which cannot pay their bills. Turkey comes first (84% of citizens), FYROM comes second (79%), Bulgaria third (76%), Portugal fourth (71%) and Greece comes last.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Mobility for FYROM

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: NET-MPA

UN special mediator Matthew Nimetz will meet with the Greek negotiator on the FYROM name issue in New York on 14 July. On 11 July, he will meet with FYROM negotiator Dimirov. Meanwhile, during the signing ceremony of the protocols for Albania and Croatias entry to NATO held in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer referred to the FYROM name issue. He asked from FYROM to be more flexible with the name issue, adding that there will always be a place for the above country when the name issue is resolved.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Archaeologists Go on Strike

By Nasos Bratsos

Archaeologists are holding a strike Thursday 10 July. The Greek Archaeologists Association is holding a 24-hour strike on that day and the Attica-Mainland Association a four-hour stoppage from 11:00-15:00. In parallel, a meeting entitled "The role of public museums today" will be held in the Culture Ministry. Archaeologists are fighting for pay rises and a change in the working conditions. Moreover, they are opposed to the change of the bill publicized recently turning the Acropolis Museum to a legal person governed by public law.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Appeal for Economic Aid

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA-AFP

Afghanistans government and the United Nations launched a 404-million dollar appeal on Wednesday to help feed 4.5 million vulnerable Afghans. Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili said rising global food prices combined with poor crop harvests in Afghanistan and a drought has pushed millions in the already impoverished country below the poverty line. "The timing and need for this appeal should not be underestimated. Millions of Afghanistans most vulnerable families are at risk unless we act now," he told a board of donors, ambassadors and aid agencies. Harvests of non-irrigated wheat -- the countrys dietary staple food -- dropped by up to 80 percent this year mainly because of the drought, as well as ongoing fighting between extremists and military forces.

"This year we are facing a food crisis and we are strongly concerned if our international friends do not help us avoid a human tragedy," Khalili said. Afghan minister for agriculture, irrigation and livestock Obaidullah Ramin said the drought had also caused shortages of drinking water and food for animals, hitting hard communities relying on livestock. Afghanistan is also reliant on aid supplies of wheat and other grains, leaving it vulnerable to soaring global prices, part of an international crisis that has sparked hunger, poverty and riots in some countries. The UNs deputy special representative to Afghanistan Bo Asplund said the situation had become "more dire" since the last appeal launched in January.

[05] Fires in Progress

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

The fires in Astakos municipality, Aitoloakarnania, in Fanari, Preveza, Chania and a gorge in Kefallonia are still burning. A big forestland and olive trees are burning. Firemen and eight fire-fighting planes are fighting the blaze. The fire on Mt Mainalo, Karpenisi is abating, while the fire in Arachnaio, Argolida prefecture is under partial control. The fire in Plagiari, Giannitsa, Pella is under control after turning to ashes about 500,000 square metres of holm oaks. Finally, the Fire Brigade is on alert to combat the fire that is spreading from FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) to Greece.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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