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Saturday, 20 April 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-12The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Vitsas Named SYN SecretaryDimitris Vitsas was named new secretary of SYN's Central Political Committee. Delivering a speech at the Committee's sitting, head of SYRIZA's Parliamentary Group Alekos Alavanos said there is no conflict between SYN and SYRIZA. He also admitted he was to be held accountable for the outcome of the European elections, while he clearly ruled out coalition with PASOK.Source: NET Related news: SYN Elects New SecretaryOlder news items: News item: 24739 [02] Week of TestimoniesThe testimonies of the suspects of the abduction of shipping magnate Periklis Panagopoulos are much anticipated. All suspects have been detained since the previous week. Authorities have leaked no information on the way they will testify. In the meantime, authorities are probing the role of two prison guards from the Larissa prison in the abduction case.Justice Minister Orders Investigation Justice Minister N. Dendias order an investigation to shed light to the role of two prison guars of the Larrisa prison, who were allegedly bribed by an inmate. Earlier, in his interview with VIMA paper, Dendias underlined that he is well aware that the efforts to for a better prison system takes time. Socialist deputy Mihalis Chrysohoides suggested corruption be associated with organized crime. Testimonies of the Suspects In the meantime, detained gang members, including Panagiotis Vlastos, Vassilis Stefanakos and Giannis Skaftouros, are expected to testify on Monday. Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA News item: 24738 [03] CIA Withheld Counter-Terrorism ProjectThe CIA withheld information about a secret counter-terrorism program from Congress for eight years on orders from former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, the New York Times said on Saturday. Citing two unidentified sources, the newspaper said Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta disclosed Cheney's involvement in closed briefings to congressional intelligence committees late last month.Panetta, who was named to head the agency earlier this year by President Barack Obama, ended the program, which remains secret, when he first learned of its existence from subordinates on June 23, the Times said. Intelligence and congressional officials told the newspaper the agency began the program after the September 11 attacks and said it never became operational and did not involve CIA interrogation programs or domestic intelligence activities. The newspaper said its efforts to reach Cheney through relatives and associates were unsuccessful. Asked about the Times report, CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said it was not the agency's practice to discuss classified briefings. Cheney was a key advocate in the Bush administration of using controversial interrogation methods such as waterboarding on terrorism suspects and has emerged as a leading Republican critic of Obama's national security policies. Panetta has vowed not to allow coercive interrogation practices, secret prisons or the transfer of terrorist suspects to countries that may use torture, a pledge seen as a break with the agency's policies under President George W. Bush. News item: 24735 [04] H1N1 Infections Soar to 258The total number of H1N1 infections in Greece rose to 258, after another 16 cases were confirmed. Of them, 128 patients have been fully cured. In the meantime, the swine flu has killed 94 people in Argentina. The USA mourns 170 people and Mexico 121.According to the Health Ministry, of the 16 new cases: ⢠10 come from countries with confirmed H1N1 infections, ⢠three came in touch with confirmed cases, ⢠three whose contacts are under investigation. Source: NET, ANA/MPA News item: 24727 [05] SYN Elects New SecretaryThe Central Political Committee of SYN is wrapping up Sunday its two-day sitting with the election of the new secretary. SYN President Alexis Tsipras proposed Dimitris Vitsas, manager of Avgi newspaper, to be appointed to the post. In his address to the sitting, Alekos Alavanos stressed that there is no conflict between SYN and SYRIZA.Alavanos admitted he was to be held accountable for the outcome of the European elections, while he clearly ruled out coalition with PASOK. In his opening address, Alexis Tsipras sent a unifying message and opposed to scenarios speaking of a unified party. He then blasted the government and the main opposition party for their hostile stance on immigrants. Source: NET News item: 24726 [06] Patras' Immigration Camp DemolishedThe immigration camp that had been wounding the city of Patras, southern Greece, for about a decade is now part of the city's past. The makeshift settlement was demolished Sunday and the immigrants were transferred to reception centres. In the meantime, a fire that broke out due to inflammable material soon spread. Firefighters rushed to the site and contained the fire before spreading to nearby buildings. Dozens of shanties were burnt down, but there were no injuries. Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos announced in his interview with Sunday paper Kathimerini tis Kyriakis the creation of another five reception centres.Police brought 15 minors and 44 adults who lacked documents to the police station for questioning. The new reception centres will be erected in Kipoi, Kavala, Ritsona, Aspropyrgos and Rio. The Interior Minister said that after the visit of the European Commission Vice President there has been a slight reduction in the flow of illegal immigrants, and predicted that Ankara will come under greater pressure. News item: 24725 [07] Aiming to Curtail Tax EvasionNewsIn a drive to fight tax evasion, the Finance Ministry will intensify tax inspections and introduce a computer technology to cross-check tax returns. The Finance Ministry is planning a wide range of checks with a view to collect huge amounts of money from tax evaders. The cross-checking carried out last year increased state revenues by 200 million euros. Source: NETOlder news items: News item: 24724 [08] Obama: âAfrica's Future Is up to AfricansâNewsAfrica cannot be excluded from world affairs and wise governance can flourish in the continent, stressed Barack Obama in a speech to the parliament of Ghana, a western African nation seen as a model of democracy and growth for the rest of the continent. "Africa's future is up to Africans,â said Obama, vowing that the USA will back their efforts. "The 21st Century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Ghana as well,â stressed he. The US President underlined that Ghana should be a role model for the rest of the African nations. Obama praised the Ghana's governing model and underlined that it can be introduced in other African countries, as well. Scores of people packed the capital city to get a close view of the US President. The roads were full of posters and billboards welcoming the US head of state. The White House said that at least 5,000 Africans sent messages to the President in view of his visit to sub-Saharan Africa. Barack Obama first visited sub-Saharan African in his capacity as senator, going to Kenya, his father's homeland in August 2006. Source: Reuters, ANA/MPA News item: 24723 [09] China: Different Figures on Death TollNewsA week after the ethnic unrest in China's western Xinjiang region, the official deal toll stood at 184, with 137 of them being ethnic Han Chinese. Uighurs, on the other hand, said that probably more than 1,000 people were killed. In the meantime, an oil tank explosion was reported at a chemical plant in China's restive Urumqi city. Information on the causes of the blast remains sketchy. The factory's vice president said it was not due to terrorism. A week after the ethnic unrest in China's western Xinjiang region, the official deal toll stood at 184, with 137 of them being ethnic Han Chinese. Uighurs, on the other hand, said that probably more than 1,000 people were killed. In the meantime, an oil tank explosion was reported at a chemical plant in China's restive Urumqi city. Information on the causes of the blast remains sketchy. The factory's vice president said it was not due to terrorism. On Friday, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan called the ethnic clashes in Xinjiang some sort of genocide and urged Beijing to take actions against the masterminds of the unrest. Erdogan's comments came a day after the Turkish Trade Minister called for a boycott on Chinese products. News item: 24722 [10] Detainees to Testify on MondayThe criminal activities of the 16-member gang had been rather extensive, as their conversations revealed. Police are searching for new people mentioned in the conversations and involved in several crimes.After the Agia Prison head and a prison guard at the Alikarnassos prison, who were suspended, the police probe has shifted its attention to the role of two more prison guards from the Larissa prison. In the meantime, gang members Panagiotis Vlastos,Vassilis Stefanakos and Giannis Skaftouros, who are already in detention, will testify on Monday. In the meantime, police are investigation Giorgos Troboukis' claim, whereby, Apostolos Petrakis was the ringleader. All the arrestees have tried to convince authorities that they were not involved in the gang's criminal activities. Source: NET Related news: Blastos to Testify on Monday News item: 24719 The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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