Britannia Radio

Trade: Greece's exports reaching saturation point

10 April, 12:57

(ANSAmed) - ATHENS, APRIL 10 - Official figures released on Monday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) show a slowdown in the growth of exports and a further reduction in industrial output, although inflation appears to be going down despite soaring fuel costs. As Athens News Agency reports, the sole positive aspect of the Greek economy in the last year or so had been the considerable growth of exports, but this is now seemingly reaching saturation point as it only expanded by 1.4% in February compared with the same month last year. The value of exports, not including oil products, amounted to just over 1.25 billion euros, against over 1.23 billion in February 2011. In the period from March 2011 to February 2012 the total value of exports grew by 6.5% from the March 2010-February 2011 period.

At the same time the reduction of imports continued at a rapid pace almost exclusively due to the drop in domestic demand. The total value of imports, not including oil products, came to 2.35 billion euros in February, down from 2.72 billion in the same month last year, shrinking by 13.7%. In the March 2011-February 2012 period imports contracted by 13.3% from the year before.

Also in February, the general index of industrial output showed an 8.3% decline from the same month in 2011.

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/economics/2012/04/10/visualizza_new.html_163395408.html

Over one million in EU funds embezzled in Calabria

Money used for private homes and gifts, say police

12 April, 12:35

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(ANSA) - Vibo Valentia, April 12 - Over one million euros in EU funding earmarked for the development of tourism accomodation in the region of Calabria was spent on private homes, said police on Thursday. Sixty-three people, including public officials, allegedly pocketed the EU money for personal use and as gifts to family members, including wedding presents, said police.

http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2012/04/12/visualizza_new.html_183738794.html

Discrimination against Roma persists in Italy, say Amnesty

International day celebrates culture and raises awareness

06 April, 15:23

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(ANSA) - Rome, April 6 - Amnesty International said on Friday in preparation for the International Roma and Sinti Day that Roma, sometimes called Gypsies, continue to face "persecution and human rights abuses" in Italy.

The non-governmental organization criticized the discriminatory climate against Roma, specifically the 2008 Nomad Emergency decree that gave government representatives in the regions of Lombardy, Lazio and Campania the authority to waive human-rights legislation and allowed forced evictions of Roma communities.

The decree was declared unlawful by the country's highest administrative court in 2011.

Discrimination against Roma is one of Italy's biggest human-rights problems, Amnesty International said in the country's section of its 2010 annual report.

The Italian government has consistently denied applying discriminatory practices regarding Roma. Celebrations for the International Roma Day focusing on raising awareness of the issues facing Romani people will kick off April 9 and include events throughout Italy. Amnesty will release a CD featuring 21 songs by Romani musicians from around Europe called Listen to Roma Rights.

http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2012/04/06/visualizza_new.html_162407353.html