The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece Warned with Veto Message to FYROM

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

After meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis sent a clear message to FYROM. "The Government's position on FYROM's name is clear. Based on the '95 intermediate agreement, we have the right to oppose participation, accession of the neighbouring country to any international organisation with any name other than Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia. Unless there has been an agreement for a mutually acceptable solution," stressed Mr Molyviatis, saying the Greek Government could exercise its veto right. The Foreign Minister also said a referendum could be held to allow the Greek people decide on Greece's future stance in relation with FYROM. The Foreign Ministry rejected the new Nimic proposal as unacceptable, stressing it equals with adopting FYROM's positions.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Awaiting the Veterinarians' Decisions Bird Flu Sounds Alarm

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8 - ANA

The avian flu has been at Europes threshold. Following the new flu cases, the European Commission banned poultry imports from Turkey, while the European Veterinary Directorate is to hold a meeting on Tuesday to decide on further steps. In the meantime, inspections are under way in Romania, where the suspected cases were reported. The Greek authorities are also on alert. Speaking on NET television station on Monday, Greek Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis underlined that the country has prepared a national action draft for a possible flu pandemic and added that there is no room for misleading the public. Furthermore, the Rural Development Ministry has worked on an inspection programme of poultry farms and wetlands, for they are passages for migratory birds. Rural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos noted that the relevant authorities are on high alert and addressed an appeal to veterinarians to postpone the collective actions they have scheduled for Thursday.

Veterinarians Meet

The avian flu is not transmitted from humans to humans, nor has the consumption of cooked chickens been classified as dangerous, claim scientists noting that their concerns are focusing on a possible virus mutation.

Speaking on NET radio station 105.8, veterinarians President Stefanos Delepoglou did not rule out the postponement of their collective actions and added that on Tuesdays meeting they are to tackle the issue with sensitivity.

In the meantime, inspections are underway in Turkey and Romania to determine whether the birds were infected with the H5N1 virus. The finals results are to be announced on Wednesday.

The Bulgarian authorities said that they are having lab tests on three birds found dead north of the country, to pinpoint whether they had been infected with the avian flu. However, they have made it clear that there are indications that the flu has reached Bulgaria.

The three dead birds were found in separate places 100km of the banks of Danube River, which is the natural border with Romania.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New Bird Flu Cases

Ban on Imports

Greek Authorities on Alert

Related Links:

Παγκόσμιος Οργανισμός Υγείας

[03] Quake-Stricken Amount to 1 Million Struggle for Survival

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: BBC - Reuters - ANA

Chaos and complete catastrophe prevail Pakistan in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that claimed the lives of 40,000 people and injured further 60,000. Aid from the international community has started reaching the affected areas. The first US military helicopters have landed in Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Pakistani-run Kashmir. Since the day the earthquake occurred, the citys residents have been living isolated from the rest of Pakistan with the army only managing to open the roads for the rescue crews on Tuesday. So far, most of the residents have been vying on their own to unearth dead and survivors from the rubble. However, there many more regions the rescue workers have not yet accessed. In the meantime, survivors are living in dire need. Dozens of thousands of quake victims spent their third night in freezing cold without food and fresh water, while anger is growing among them for they lack basic medical care. At the same time, looting cases are on the increase.

Glimmers of Hope in the Rubble

In the meantime, the rescue of an Iraqi woman and her two-year-old son from the rubble of a building in Islamabad 60 hours after the devastating earthquake nurses glimmers of hope.

This rescue "spirited us up," underlined the Pakistani Interior Minister.

The mother and her son were recovered on Monday evening and they were transferred to the citys hospital. The doctors have confirmed they are in a good state.

"They are under shock, however, they are not seriously injured," said a spokesman for the hospital. The boy does not even have a scratch, but he is being treated for precautionary reasons. The woman, whose husband died, has a broken leg.

Need for More Steps

As per the UN, the quake victims amount to one million, while it is estimated that the number will soar past 4 million people.

The international community immediately took all necessary steps to forward the relief operation by dispatching money and food supplies.

At the same time, a Pakistani high commissioner to Britain underscored that Pakistan needs more aid to deal with this unprecedented catastrophe. In the meantime, Japan announced that it will send a 20 million dollar relief package as well as 100 military helicopters to participate in the rescue operations.

In the Greek capital of Athens, the Pakistani Embassy has opened an account for the quake-stricken. If interested, Nova Bank has opened an account, whose number is 5362348.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Coronary Insufficiency Cases on the Increase Europe's Heart Grows Weak

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

More than 10 million Europeans suffer from coronary insufficiency, while this disease kills as many as 500,000 people a year in Europe. The aforementioned findings were announced at the symposium organised in Thessaloniki, north of Greece, by the Hellenic Heart Foundation, the Hellenic Pharmaceutical Association and the Thessaloniki Pharmaceutical Association. Irrespective of the fact that the disease usually prefers those older than 65, younger populations tend to develop it lately, as well, because the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to sustain normal bodily functions is due to failures that can hit people regardless of their age.

Symptoms, Causes and Confrontation

Greek cardiologist Ilias Karabinos claimed that coronary insufficiency is especially health hazardous, since, as he said, 13.5% of those to be checked in will die within the first 12 weeks. The fact that the coronary insufficiency syndrome is the terminal stage of every heart disorder can account for that.

Among the symptoms patients develop are, pulmonary edema, edema of the lower limps, shortness of breath, asthma and weight loss.

The patients history, the symptoms and a clinical test are enough for the doctor to diagnose the disease. A series of medical tests, including electrocardiogram, breast X-ray and ultrasound tests, are viewed as necessary, for they help the experts determine the causes and assess the degree of seriousness.

Prompt diagnosis can prove life saving. The sooner it is diagnosed, the more efficiently it can be dealt with.

As per Giorgos Papazahariou, professor of Cardiology, losing weight or quitting smoking, should the patient be overweight or smoker, are prerequisites for the patient regain health.

At the same time, a plethora of medicines available in market can contribute to better living standards.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Mathew Nimic's Proposal on the Name FYROM Accepts Proposal

By Annita Paschalinou

FYROM's government has a positive stance regarding Mathew Nimic's new proposal on the country's name. "Mr Nimic's new proposal constitutes a good basis for finding a mutually accepted solution to the issue with the name," said Prime Minister Vlado Bukowski in a televised message, after meeting with political party leaders. For Athens, however, the new proposal is unacceptable and as per the Foreign Ministry's announcement, Mathew Nimic did not mediate but simply accepted the positions of the one side. Facing these developments and until reaching a mutually accepted solution, the Greek government is sending a clear message on FYROM's European prospect.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Timber Factory on Fire

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

A big fire broke out at midnight in a timber factory in the industrial area of Koropi, Attica. The fire commenced at 00:30am and quickly started blazing through the entire premises of the factory. The blaze after destroying the basement of the building, spread to the ground and first floor. The firefighters did their best to put out the fire, however, the flammable materials kept feeding the fire. They had to cut the power supply, yet the high temperatures posed a considerable threat to their lives. The fire was finally putout on Tuesday morning, but the factory was completely destroyed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Ambush for Policemen New Taliban Attack

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Nineteen Afghan policemen were killed and further four were wounded in an ambush by Taliban insurgents in the province of Helmand, southern Afghanistan. The incident occurred in Registan district on Monday evening when a convoy of police vehicles escorting the provinces new governor was attacked by insurgents. The policemen opened fire and a clash followed that went on until Tuesday morning. The governor is listed among the casualties.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Hamas Militants Arrested

By Vicky Keleri

The Israeli domestic security forces Shin Beth launched a full-scale operation in the West Bank and arrested dozens of Hamas militants believed involved in attacks against Israel. As per the state-run radio station and the Israeli army, Shin Beth is thought to have disbanded three Hamas cells that have been operating in Rhamala and Hebron. A woman specialised in explosives is listed among the arrested. A high ranking Shin Beth official stated that Shin Beths intelligence service has programmes that allow them to process within minutes information on the area uprisings come from and to react to a real threat in a flash. He also said that the aforementioned programmes have averted many suicide attacks.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Praised to the Skies

By Stathis Petropoulos

With mottos of pride and victory and asking Rehhagel to stay, some 300 fans of the Greek football team, who attended today's training session, praised the Greek footballers to the skies, thus preparing the atmosphere for the last match of the World Cup preliminary round, as if Greece had qualified! The expected elimination from the World Cup has not affected the people and this constitutes one more victory for this team, which will play in a packed Karaiskakis stadium on Wednesday. "We want your proud smile, you are the winners," read a banner, which some of the fans were holding. Others had written on a piece of cloth "Otto don't go," thus asking Rehhagel not to leave the team. As for the players, they were excited and thanked the people for their warm support.

They Will Know on Wednesday

The only sure absence for Wednesday's match is Takis Fyssas, who tried to work out today, but felt pain on his leg and decided to stop. Charisteas is feeling better and participated in the training session, while Karagounis will not be able to play, because of too many yellow cards. In the meantime, there are rumours Otto Rehhagel would announce his decision on whether to stay or leave the team after the match against Georgia on Wednesday night. The proposal for his stay is valid as per Vasilis Gagatsis' statements, who also said that all Greek players have stressed their wish to keep Otto Rehhagel as the team's coach.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Alarm Sounded in Colombia New Bird Flu Cases

By Vicky Keleri

The bird flu cases in Indonesia rose to six, since the countrys Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a young male has been infected with the deadly H5N1 flu virus. The 21-year-old patient is being treated along with his nephew, who is also believed to have been infected, at the hospital of the town of Bantar, on Sumatra Island. However, the Hong Kong laboratories have not yet confirmed the Indonesian doctors diagnosis regarding the child. Of the five Indonesians that have come down with the flu, three have died. As per director general of disease control at the Ministry Nyoman Kandun, the young man had participated in the butchering of an infected chicken, and he then shared the meat with his neighbours. In the meantime, the first suspected bird flu cases have been reported in three chicken farms in Indonesia. The area, where the cases were reported, was immediately put in quarantine.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Soyuz Returns

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The successful Soyuzs landing in Kazakhstan put an end to multimillionaire Greg Olsens ride in space. Olsen is believed to have paid a 20 million dollar ticket to participate in the mission and spend ten days on the International Space Station (ISS). Mr Olsen was joined in his Soyuz capsule by US Commander William McArthur and Russian Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev, who had stayed on the ISS for six months.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Four Death Certificate! Immortal Granny!

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

It is not once and it is not twice, either. It is four times that the doctors of 97-year-old Dona Ramona have declared that the aged Colombian woman has left this vain world for good! Yet, she is still alive defying the laws of nature! This unique paradox has attracted the Media attention in Colombia. Dona appeared on TV proving that she is in sound health and started talking about the doctors wrong diagnosis showing her death certificates. "I feel fine," told the numbed TV presenters and doctors, who were watching the show, and put down the wrong diagnosis to some problems she had had in the past. The bewildered doctors tried to provide an explanation that would make sense for their repeated mistake claiming that the "immortal" 97-year-old lady had slipped into a diabetic coma. "This is the most probable explanation, otherwise it is a mad mystery," they concluded.

Translated by Areti Christou

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