Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-02 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] ND: Taxes and pension cuts are Tsipras' New Year's gifts [02] Greek veterinary services on alert after detection of H5N8 virus in mute swan --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] ND: Taxes and pension cuts are Tsipras' New Year's gifts The government is ushering in the New Year with more tax hikes and pension and wage cuts for Greeks, New Democracy said in a press release on Monday, referring to the new set of consumption and special taxes which took effect on January. "With the start of 2017, the SYRIZA-ANEL government puts its signature to even more harder and painful measures, continuing the vicious circle of austerity. Citizens understand that their daily lives will never improve with Mr. Tsipras. As long as the SYRIZA-ANEL government remains in place, things will deteriorate," the party said. The tax increases will increase the price of coffee, tobacco, car and heating fuel, telephone calls, broadband internet and subscription TV. The government is also introducing pension and wage cuts, ND continued. "Tsipras' New Year gift includes an abolition of EKAS [benefit for low income pensioners], crippling insurance contributions of 26.95 pct, abolition of heating oil benefit, decrease in wages of special payrolls which affects from doctors to uniformed employees, abolition of tax exemptions and reduction of family allowances and welfare benefits," ND added, and reiterated its call for elections. [02] Greek veterinary services on alert after detection of H5N8 virus in mute swan Greece's veterinary services are in increased alert to prevent the transmission of H5N8 avian influenza from wild birds to poultry, after the detection of the virus in a mute swan at the Evros Delta, in northeastern Greece, last December and suspected outbreaks in Bulgaria. Tests on a mute swan found on Dec 14 near the Evros River delta showed the bird died of H5N8 avian flu, according to a report to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). In a press release issued on Monday, the prefecture of Attica reminded Athenians that it is illegal to keep poultry in non-confined spaces or outdoors. "Poultry must be kept in confined spaces, with any openings covered by covers that will prevent any contact with wild birds," the press release said.