The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-06-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Illegal Immigration Common EU Issue

Apart from illegal immigration, issues discussed during the EPP Summit included results of elections for European Parliament, Baroso candidacy, preparations for European Council and climate warming.

The Prime-minister said that EPP leaders described results of euro-elections as a big achievement and expressed their support to Jose Manuel Baroso candidacy for a second term as European Commission President.

Regarding preparation of issues for the European Council, Mr. Karamanlis stressed that talks at the EPP Summit centered on global financial crisis and particularly on unemployment.

Finally, the Prime-minister said discussion covered the crucial issue of global warming and preparations for the Copenhagen Summit on environment to be held in December.

News item: 23817

[02] Drop in Car Sales

Car sales have recorded a 3.8% drop in the first half of June compared to the same period last year as 11.550 new cars were registered against 12.004 in 2008. Furthermore, analytical lists of car sales indicate consumers turn to small and medium size vehicles.

Car import companies with the largest increase in sales are the following:

-MITSUBISHI 100,7%

-DAIHATSU 70,2%

-SUZUKI 66,9%

-LANCIA 66,6%

-SKODA 51,3%

Import companies recording the highest drop in sales are:

-RENAULT 51,5%

-MERCEDES 44,5%

-BMW 44,1%

-SEAT 35,1%

-CHRYSLER 23,9%

Following the announcement about 50% reduction of car registration taxes, potential car buyers sped to buy luxury cars. However, rumours about reintroduction of objective criteria in combination with the introduction of an environment tax brought an increase in demand for small and medium size engine capacity and apparently a shortage in this type of cars.

Import companies have sold all cars in show-rooms and at customs. To take advantage of the temporary discount on registration taxes consumers are not as selective, do not mind about color, accessories and turn to models available of other car companies.

Used car sales have sharply dropped leading over 600 shops to close down while another 1.500 shops can not pay their monthly obligations.

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News item: 23814

[03] Manhunt Is Underway

More than 30 Witnesses Have Been Questioned

In its drive to track down the shooters, the anti-terrorist squad leaves no stone unturned.

So far, more than thirty witnesses have been questioned, with five testimonies being viewed as the most important ones.

Evidence has suggested that the assailants were more than four. Three men wearing helmets walked towards the police car of the officer, who was guarding a key witness for an ELA trial. Two of them assumed positions in front of the car and the third at its left side and opened fire, shooting the 41-year-old policeman, father to a toddler, in the chest and head.

They then ran towards a nearby street, where at least one accomplice of them was waiting and they vanished into thin air.

Policemen investigating the case collected 24 cartridges from the crime site. Ballistic tests showed that nine of them come from bullets used by the Revolutionary Sect in its two previous hits against the Korydallos police station and ALTER private television.

Source: NET

News item: 23803

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