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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 16-08-19Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Friday, 19 August 2016 Issue No: 5231CONTENTS
[01] PM Tsipras, Turkey's Yildirim discuss refugees, energy, future meetings in phone callFuture bilateral meetings and cooperation on the refugee issue, transport and energy were discussed in a phone call between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Turkish counterpart, Binali Yildirim, initiated by the latter.According to a press release by the prime minister's office, the two leaders also discussed issues of judicial cooperation. [02] TV licenses tender on August 30The special committee that will conduct the tender for the award of the TV licenses sent the notifications to the nine candidates.The tender will take place on August 30. "The Secretariat General of Information and Communication will continue to serve its institutional role in order to protect the public interest. The Secretariat General of Information and Communication is not involved in petty games and is held accountable only to the people," the secretary general Lefteris Kretsis said in a statement. "The government attempts to award TV licenses after 27 years of lawlessness and violation of basic principles of the rule of law. We continue in this direction and the tender will be completed in a few days with success and with absolute transparency. Those that still defend the lawlessness in the broadcasting landscape should accept it. The lies are over," he added. [03] Government mulling special measures to support islands, says Interior ministerThe government is considering measures to alleviate longstanding problems facing the islands which will be announced in September, Interior Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis said on Thursday, during a visit to the island of Nisyros, in the southeastern Aegean."All the ministries are involved in [planning] island policy, following Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' instruction, and soon the relevant program will be concluded, which will be announced by the prime minister himself during a visit to a small island," he said during a meeting with local officials at the town hall. [04] We can put the country in order, ND leader Mitsotakis saysNew Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated on Thursday the new offices of the main opposition party at Moschato, southwest of Athens.Mitsotakis underlined that a new period for New Democracy begins. He also said that this was a pre-election commitment and stressed that he always meets his commitments. The leader of the main opposition added that he puts the party's internal issues in order, so that he will then be ready to put in order the country's problems. Asked whether he sees early elections, he denied to comment. [05] Justice Ministry receives Turkey's formal request for extradition of eight military staffThe Greek Justice Ministry said in announcement on Thursday that it received an official extradition request from Turkey seeking the return of eight Turkish military personnel who fled to northern Greece by helicopter after an abortive coup in Turkey.According to the announcement, the Ministry of Justice "proceeds directly with the legality check and the relevant process, and if the conditions exist, it will send the file to the competent Prosecutor's Office probably on Friday August 19." Moreover, the asylum request submitted by the eight soldiers is expected to be discussed on Friday. [06] Greece not receiving the manpower it needs from EASO, says EC spokespersonBRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni)The support in manpower provided by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to Greek islands does not meet the country's current needs, Natasha Bertaud, the European Commission's spokesperson for Migration, said on Thursday. Speaking at a press briefing, Bertaud said EASO has sent 54 experts on asylum, 48 interpreters and 16 additional people of its staff, but admitted these figures do not fully meet the needs expressed by the Greek government. She said she expects member-states to enhance their support in manpower. On the other hand, Frontex has sent 600 officers from 23 Schengen area countries to the Aegean islands, managing to cover their needs, she added. Financial News [07] Budget revenues amounts to 25.441 mln euros in Jan-JulyIn January-July 2016, the central government cash balance recorded a deficit of 1,807 million euros, compared to a deficit of 1,416 million euros in the same period in 2015.During this period, ordinary budget revenue amounted to 25,441 million euros, compared to 23,805 million euros in the corresponding period of last year. Revenues of 43 million euros regarding Securities Markets Programme (SMP) income transfers from the Bank of Greece is excluded. Ordinary budget expenditure, including expenditure of about 1,109 million euros for the repayment of arrears, amounted to 27,736 million euros, from 25,712 million euros in January-July 2015. [08] Wage employment in private sector up in JulyWage employment grew in July with the hiring/dismissal balance showing a surplus of 19,281 job positions in the month, official figures showed on Thursday.A report by the "Ergani" IT system of the Labor ministry, showed that new hirings totaled 201,793 in July, while dismissals totaled 182,512 in the month. In the January-July period, new hirings totaled 1,265,383 job positions, while dismissals amounted to 1,011,438. [09] Hoteliers in eastern Aegean islands cut prices to attract Greek touristsHoteliers in Samos, Lesvos, Chios, Kos and Leros, the islands most affected by the refugee crisis last year, are slashing prices for rooms and tourist packages by up to 50 percent for Greek tourists who will visit from August 20 until the end of October, in a bid to reverse the large drop in tourism on these islands.Responding to a proposal by Alternate Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura to boost domestic tourism before the end of the tourist season, the union of hoteliers cooperated with their members on these islands to attract tourists who choose September and October for their holidays. The Athens-Macedonian news agency is contributing to the program by producing promotional videos which will be shown abroad by foreign media and on the internet to reach the widest possible travel audience. [10] Greek stocks end higher in limited turnoverGreek stocks found support in the European markets and ended higher in the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday, rising above 570 points, after registering losses in the last two trading sessions.The composite index of the market rose 0.84 percent to end at 572.25 points with an intraday high at 573.11 points. Turnover totaled 16.764 million euros in a volume of 19,661,405 shares. The Large Cap index rose 0.89 percent and the Mid Cap index also closed 1.46 percent higher. Athens Water (3.68 pct), Eurobank (2.97 pct) and Folli Follie (2.82 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks, while Jumbo (1.91 pct), Aegean Airlines (1.69 pct) and Ellaktor (0.75 pct) recorded the biggest percentage losses of the day. Among market sectors, Financial Services (2.90 pct), Trade (2.82 pct) and Chemicals (2.67 pct) scored gains, while Personal & Domestic Products (1.23 pct), Raw Materials (0.74 pct) and Real Estate (0.26 pct) suffered losses. National Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities of the day. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 51 to 31 with another 22 issues unchanged. Trastor (20 pct), Intrakat (10 pct) and Elinoil (10 pct) were top gainers, while Alpha Astika Akinita (20 pct), Forthnet (16.04 pct) and Reds (10 pct) were top losers. [11] ADEX closing reportThe August contract on the FTSE/ASE Large Cap index was trading at a marginal discount of 0.03 percent in the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Thursday. The FTSE/ASE Large Cap index closed at 1,521.00 points, registering gains of 0.89 percent. Volume on the Large Cap index totaled 2,572 contracts with 5,326 open positions in the market.Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 10,843 contracts with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (4,061), followed by Alpha Bank (2,032), Eurobank (1,948), MIG (1,281), Piraeus Bank (962), OTE (121), OPAP (103), PPC (80), Mytilineos (62), METKA (27), Hellenic Petroleum (26), Motor Oil (23), Viohalco (7), Ellaktor (4), and GEK (2). General News [12] Tower of the Winds opens for the first time to public after restorationThe 2,000-year-old Tower of the Winds, a landmark standing inside the Roman agora in the old Athens neigbourhood of Plaka, is now open for visitors after undergoing major restoration, the Culture ministry said in a press release.The tower, built around 50 B.C. by Greek astronomer Andronikos of Cyrrhus, is 12 meters in height and 7.9 meters in diameter, has an octagonal shape and served as a timepiece. It was made of white Pentelic marble, the same used to build the Parthenon. In antiquity, it was also topped by a weathervane depicting Triton who indicated the wind direction. Each of the tower's side faces a point of the compass and is decorated by friezes depicting the eight wind deities: Boreas (N), Kaikias (NE), Eurus (E), Apeliotes (SE), Notus (S), Lips (SW), Zephyrus (W), and Skiron (NW). Restoration started on the outside walls of the marble structure in 2014, but the interior had been closed for the better part of Greece's modern history, the ministry said. The conservation project was supported by EU funds. [13] Picture of Drakolimni wins top spot in 'Wiki Loves Earth Greece 2016' competitionA stunning picture of Drakolimni (Dragon Lake) on Mt Tymfi, located in the northern Pindus mountain range, northwestern Greece, won first place at the "Wiki Loves Earth Greece 2016" photo competition.Wiki's jury chose the picture taken by user Ale30307 after two rounds of scoring. The sub-alpine lake resides at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level, in the Vikos-Aoos National Park which accepts over 100,000 visitors per year. The lake is inhabited by a species of alpine newt and is a popular trekking destination in the spring and autumn. A picture of Lake Stymfalia in rain and the Kakoperatos Cave in Samos complete the first three positions. In total, 3,344 photos were submitted by 364 users for Greece, with 92 percent of them being first-time contributors. The pictures have now been submitted to the international section of the competition This was the first time the photo contest was launched in Greece. [14] Cyprus and Greece participate in joint search and rescue exerciseA search and rescue exercise entitled Salamis 01/16 will take place on Thursday afternoon in the sea area south of Cyprus, and within its area of responsibility, according to an announcement of the Cyprus Defence Ministry.The exercise will be held with the participation of aeronautical forces in Cyprus and Greece. The coordination of the exercise will be in the hands of the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in cooperation with the General Staff of the Greek Navy. The exercise is the second of its kind between Cypriot and Greek forces this year. [15] 206 refugees and migrants arrived on Lesvos in 24hA total of 206 refugees and migrants arrived on Lesvos in the last 24 hours, that is from Wednesday until Thursday morning.None arrived on Chios and Samos. 4,084 people have been stranded on Chios and Samos after the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement. More specifically, 3,061 people are on Chios and 1,045 on Samos. Generally, 8,190 refugees and migrants are trapped on the islands of the northern Aegean. [16] Three Algerians arrested at Morias hotspotThree Algerian nationals aged 22-24 years old were arrested on Wednesday at the hotspot of Morias, Mytilene, facing charges of theft.A 23-year old Pakistan national and a 20-year old national of Cameroon were also arrested at the airport of Mytilene as they used fake documents in order to travel to Athens. [17] Six migrants returned to Turkey after implementation of EU-Turkey agreementSix migrants, four of them of Pakistani citizenship and two of Algerian citizenship, returned to Turkey after the implementaion of the EU - Turkey Agreement.They gave up their right to asylum and will be led to a migrant camp in Istanbul. Olympic Games [18] Sailers Mantis-Kagialis win bronze in Rio's 470 medal raceGreek sailing duo Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis won the bronze medal in the men's 470 medal race in Marina da Gloria, Brazil, on Thursday.The team collected 58 points and finished behind Croatia's Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic who won gold and Australia's Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan who came in second. This is the eighth medal in the history of Greek sailing and the second in the 470, after the goild medal won by Sofia Bekatorou and Emilia Tsoulfa in the 2004 Athens Olympics. [19] President congratulates Greek sailing duoPresident Prokopis Pavlopoulos sent his congratulations to the Greek sailing team of Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis who won the bronze in the men's 470 medal race in Rio's Olympics on Thursday."May your leading Olympic distinction and success, a very worthy fruit of your strenuous personal efforts and high morals, serve as a steady tailwind 'in your sails' both in your future in sports as well as your subsequent overall career," Pavlopoulos said. [20] Sports minister says he's 'proud' after Greek team wins bronze in sailingDeputy Minister for Sports Stavros Kontonis said he was proud for the success of the Greek sailing team of Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis who won the bronze in the men's 470 medal race in Rio's Olympics on Thursday."We're proud of their successes but also for their participations, as all the members of the Greek team represent us well," Kontonis said and congratulated the team, coach and sailing federation. He noted this is the fifth medal for Greece thus continuing the country's long tradition in sailing. [21] Silver medalist Spyros Gianniotis basks in the glory of Rio's winMarathon swimmer Spyros Gianniotis, who won the silver medal at the photo finish of men's 10 km swimming race in Rio's Olympics, said he is now beginning to realize what he achieved, as he spoke to the press shortly after his return to Athens on Thursday."Only today I realize what I've achieved. It was a repressed desire, mine and Nikos'," the athlete said referring to his longtime coach, Nikos Gemelos. He said he was particularly moved by the welcome he received when he stepped off the plane in Athens and thanked everyone who supported his effort. "I end my career in the most beautiful and unique way," he continued and summed up the secret to his success in the words "patience, persistence and pain". Weather forecast [22] Mostly fair weather on FridayMostly fair weather and southern winds are forecast for Friday. Wind velocity will reach 4 on the Beaufort scale. Mostly fair in the northern and the western parts of the country with temperatures ranging from 19C to 33C. Fair in the eastern parts with temperatures from 16C to 35C. Sunny over the Aegean islands and Crete, 22C-33C. Fair weather in Athens, 22C-33C. Cloudy in Thessaloniki, 19C-33C.[23] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceAVGHI: Tax audits based on an English modelDIMOKRATIA: Mockery over the EKAS pension benefit EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: Fight for one TV licence ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: Plan B for taxes on fuel ESTIA: National defence from the judges ETHNOS: 13 secrets to lower the (Uniform Real Estate Ownership Tax) ENFIA IMERISSIA: The stock market 'on holidays' KATHIMERINI: Tax audits on freelancers NAFTEMPORIKI: 9+1 changes in taxes RIZOSPASTIS: Old and new measures to destroy small and medium sized farmers TA NEA: In the aftermath of the surplus TO PONTIKI: Zero time for the society 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 210 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 210 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: MICHALIS PSILOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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