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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Between Alogoskoufis and Venizelos

09 Σεπ 2008 21:37:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The debate on the new taxation bill opened in Parliament on Tuesday amid industrial actions and high tenses. The new tax measures aspire to curtail tax evasion and boost transparency in public affairs by abolishing special accounts, argued the government. In the meantime, the Finance Ministers intention to have cost-of-living indexes reintroduced has caused upset, since about 3 million tax payers will be called on to justify higher spending. The government argued that the new system would be realistic, without burdening employees and pensioners. The opposition parties, on the other hand, branded it as a "drain-dry" policy. Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis touched on the bills goals following his meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis on Tuesday morning. He noted that the bill means to address a major social plague, tax evasion.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Focusing on Economy

[02] Polydoras Lashes Out

Sources: NET, ANA-MPA

Conservative MP Byron Polydoras made his comeback to the political scene with a rather biting article in Eleftheros Typos paper. He underlined the need to have the partys honour and dignity saved, blasting ministers, "best buddies" and "best men." Polydoras slammed image maker Giannis Loulis, defended the MPs right to freely expressing their opinions and lashed out at ministers. "Cant he see that the irreparable damage is coming from the ministers he trusts the most, "best buddies," "best men" and newly-come "golden boys"?, he wondered. Polydoras also blasted those who claim that Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is tied down due to his governments slight majority, calling on them to stop seeking for alibis and scapegoats in the rebel MPs, for they are flogging a dead horse. "We should undo what is wrong in the government and in the party. We should save whatever we can and above all the partys honour and dignity. Things that are probably beyond the comprehension of analysts and those who are taking advantage of the others labour," commented in his interview. In the meantime, Voulgarakis case has not ceased triggering reactions within the ruling party and the opposition.

[03] Hoping to Solve Mysteries of Universe

Sources: REUTERS

International physicists at a vast underground complex near Geneva launch a 20-year project on Wednesday to re-enact the "Big Bang" to try to explain the origins of the universe and how it came to harbour life.

In a giant machine called the Large Hadron Collider, or LHC, at the CERN research centre straddling the Franco-Swiss border, they plan to smash particles together to create, on a small-scale, re-enactments of the event that started up the cosmos.

The LHC will use giant magnets housed in cathedral-size caverns to fire beams of energy particles around a 27-km (17-mile) tunnel where they will collide at close to the speed of light.

Computers will record what happens each time in these mini versions of the primeval fireball and the vast store of material gathered will be analysed by some 10,000 scientists around the globe for clues on what came next.

Scientists at CERN, the 54-year-old European Organisation for Nuclear Research, close to the foothills of the French Jura mountains, will pursue concepts such as "dark matter," "dark energy", extra dimensions and, most of all, the "Higgs Boson" believed to have made it all possible.

"The LHC was conceived to radically change our vision of the universe," said CERNs French Director-General Robert Aymar. "Whatever discoveries it brings, mankinds understanding of our worlds origins will be greatly enriched."

CERN scientists have been at pains to deny suggestions by some critics that the experiment could create tiny black holes of intense gravity that could suck in the whole planet.

[04] Beijing: Three More Medals

Sources: NET, ANA-MPA

The Greek team at the Beijing Paralympic Games added three more medals to its bag.

Grigoris Polychronides claimed silver medal in Individual BC3 Boccia, after losing 3-2 to Park Keon-woo of South Korea.

Giorgos Kapellakis clinched silver medal in the S2 final of Mens 100m Freestyle, after the bronze he won at the S2 final of Mens 200m Freestyle.

Finally, Anastasios Tsiou earned bronze medal in the Mens Shot Put F57-58 final.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] A. Papariga Visits TIF

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: NET-ANA-MPA

Aleka Papariga, secretary general of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), visited the 73rd Thessaloniki International Fair escorted by party MPs and officials. Papariga urged the employees to turn their backs on the policies that serve monopolies. She accepted that despite the 20-year-long frustration, the anti-labour measures taken by both the Conservative and Socialist governments are being implemented, and called on employees to realise their power and free themselves from the David and Goliath syndrome.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] PASOK's Political Council

09 Σεπ 2008 19:55:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ANA-ΜPA

The sitting of PASOKs (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) Political Council concluded. The Karamanlis administration has run its course, said Socialist leader George Papandreou. The Conservative government failed to live up to the peoples expectations and Karamanlis presence in Thessaloniki proved that the citizens have lost their faith in the government, due to its persistence in serving certain interests at the expense of the people, he also added. Touching on the governments exploitation of the world crisis, Papandreou stressed that the governments effort to hide behind the world crisis is perceived by the Greek people as the governments crisis. The government squeezed the low-income earners for the sake of the few, nourishing a sense of insecurity that makes people feel poorer. Papandreou then went on to add that PASOK is willing to claim its responsibilities, urging everyone to work harder. "It is us who must talk about the peoples problems and provide solutions," commented Papandreou.

In Thessaloniki, Papandreou said that he will give reliable answers to how PASOKs pledges will come into being. The Socialist leader is due in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, because, as he said, he wishes to draw attention to three key matters before delivering his speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair. The first is the governments failure to protect the peoples income, the second the governments failure to offer a qualitative life and the third the governments inability to approach long-running strategic investments. PASOKs efforts to provide solutions, added Papandreou, require social and political consensus. "We [PASOK] are the reliable solution because we know who we express, we know what we want and how to achieve it. PASOK is ready to govern with vision, principles and specific, realistic and reliable suggestions," argued Papandreou. Asked how PASOK will manage to fund its pledges, Papandreou said, "We did it in 1981, we did it in 1993, since we achieved development and social cohesion and we will do it now." He finally urged his party officials to commit themselves to their duties towards themselves and the party, concluding, "I know what my duty is."

Translated by Areti Christou

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