The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-13

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Intensive Inspections Around Greece Samples Tested Positive

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET Radio 105.8, French Press Agency

The European Commission announced the existence of the avian flu in Romania, after the latest lab tests on samples turned out positive. In fact, the Commission is expected later in the day to ban imports of live birds and related poultry products from the country. On Wednesday night however, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Markos Kyprianou had nissued an announcement reassuring that lab tests in Romania were negative. As for Bucharest, it will continue to cull birds in a possible bird flu outbreak at the Danube delta. At the same time in Greece, experts continue to monitor poultry units and wetlands, while there are intensive checks at all customs. Lab results from Turkey are expected within the day. What is more, vets and agriculturalists today would decide whether to proceed with collective actions, while the Rural Development Ministry said any demonstrations are illegal and improper due to public interest.

Imports from Romania Banned

The European Commission stressed in an announcement on the issue that the three European Commissioners confirmed the H5 virus of the avian influenza was traced on two bird samples from the poultry unit at the Danube delta.

However, the Commission did not clarify whether it was the H5N1 virus, which has killed some 60 people and millions of birds in Asia.

The Commission adopted the same measures for both Turkey and Romania, ie it banned all imports of live birds and poultry products.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Global Alert

[02] Greece in Group A of EURO 2008

By Ilias Papaioannou

Qualifying to 2006 World Cup in Germany did not come true for the Greek national football team, however, Greece is ready for yet another challenge. The reigning European Champions will have to defend their title in the EURO 2008, which will be hosted in the football pitches of Austria and Switzerland. At the preliminary round scheduled to commence in September 2006, the Greek national football team will not be playing against strong teams, such as England, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Czech and Sweden, since it was included in the first group. The teams are to be divided into seven groups, with six of them consisting of six teams and one with eight. The first two teams of each group will book a ticket to the final round of the EURO 2008.

EURO 2008 Groups

Group A 1. Greece 2. The Netherlands 3. England 4. Portugal 5. Czech 6. France 7. Sweden

Group B 1. Germany 2. Croatia 3. Italy 4. Turkey 5. Poland 6. Spain 7. Romania

Group C 1. Serbia/Montenegro 2. Russia 3. Denmark 4. Bulgaria 5. Norway 6. Ukraine 7. Slovakia

Group D 1. Bosnia/Herzegovina 2. Eire 3. Belgium 4. Latvia 5. Israel 6. Scotland 7. Slovenia

Group E 1. Hungary 2. Finland 3. Estonia 4. Wales 5. Lithuania 6. Albania 7. Island

Group F 1. Georgia 2. FYROM 3. Belarus 4. Armenia 5. Northern Ireland 6. Cyprus 7. Moldavia

Group G 1. Liechtenstein 2. Azerbaijan 3. Andorra 4. Malta 5. Faroe Islands 6. Kazakhstan 7. Luxemburg 8. San Marino

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] In Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria's Capital Twenty Dead in Caucasian Battles

There are many dead among the inhabitants of Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, where armed men are launching attacks against buildings and schools since early morning. As per Russian radio station Ekho, citing a doctor, the death toll exceeds 20, while injured have reached 40. Thirty-one ambulances are trying to carry the injured to the hospital. Federal forces clash with armed gangs, trying to take them out. Eyewitnesses have said the attackers are Islamist extremists. Kabardino-Balkaria is a Muslim area in Caucasus.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] New Violent Incident Against Students Opened Fire Against Students

Chinese Authorities are deeply concerned and alerted by the assaults of unknown men against school students, even infants. A new incident occurred this morning at the Anhui province, eastern China, when a middle-aged man opened fire against students at gym class for reasons, which still remain unknown. Sixteen children were taken to hospital, six of which are hospitalised in critical condition. The perpetrator opened fire against them using homemade weapons and then ran off. An eyewitness tried to stop him, but was unsuccessful.

Fifth Assault

This is the fifth case of violence against students since 2004.

In April, a man invaded a school in south China and cut off the ear of a boy and the finger of a girl.

In late 2004, two kindergartens in Beijing were under similar attacks, resulting in the death of two children and their teacher.

In September 2004, a bus driver at the eastern Shadong province stabbed 25 primary school students.

In the same month, another man injured 28 children in Suzu.

People who suddenly lost their jobs triggered some of the assaults.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Condition of Bodies Shocks Horror With Children's Bodies

By Jenny Charalampidou

The bodies of two young children, which have been recovered from the waist down at the coasts of Chalkidiki and Volos in the last three days, have alarmed local law enforcement agencies, which continue their investigation to solve these horrifying cases. Last Sunday, a fisherman found half the body of a young child, aged 3 or so, in advanced decomposition at a beach in Olympiada, Chalkidiki, and notified the Coast Guard. The coroner who performed the autopsy said the cause of death is still undetermined because of the corpses advanced decomposition. The boy was wearing two pairs of pants, black trainers and purple socks. What is more, the body of another boy, aged 3-8, was recovered from the waist down in Plaka, Volos, but the cause of death and the boys identity still remain unknown.

All Scenarios Under the Microscope

Port Authorities in Stratoni, Chalkidiki, and Volos are primarily looking into the possibility the two boys were illegal immigrants that drowned in their effort to arrive in Greece by boat.

However, the police said the boys could have been victims of an illegal network that sold body parts. Investigations continue towards any direction.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Mystery With Dead Children

Macabre Findings in Chalkidiki

[06] Because of Avian Influenza Vets-Agriculturists Not on Strike

Vets and agriculturists have postponed their collective actions. As the President of the Veterinarians Federation said, the strike has been postponed for reasons of public health and respect towards consumers and because of the bird flu. What is more, as per the Health Ministry's remarks, their basic demands will be satisfied.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Strong Aftershock Earth Trembles in Pakistan

A strong aftershock at the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, alarmed citizens shortly after Wednesday midnight. The tremor lasted for a few seconds, but eyewitnesses said it was quite felt spreading fear among inhabitants, who are trying to recover from the 7.6 magnitude quake last Saturday. An estimated four million people have been affected in Pakistan, India and Kashmir. Rescue crews are still recovering dead bodies from the ruins. Their work because even harder due to the bad weather conditions, while hopes for finding survivors fade away day by day. The survivors are now faced with epidemics and starvation. One country after the other is dispatching aid to cover the needs of those who survived and are homeless.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Palestinians Had Abducted Them Two Journalists Freed

The two journalists, who had been abducted early on Wednesday evening in the Gaza Strip by Palestinian gunmen, were freed. The US journalist and the British reporter are in sound health and sustain no injuries. The Palestinian Interior Ministry announced the freeing of the two Westerners. Earlier, the Palestinian authorities had mounted a manhunt aiming at locating and freeing the two men. Six Palestinian gunmen, whose motives have not yet been determined, had abducted the Westerner journalists along with their Palestinian translator.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] To the European Court Greece Indicted for Combined Transports

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The European Commission decided on Wednesday Greeces indictment to the European Court due to its failure to comply with the EU law with regard to the combined transports. The indictment was prompted by a complaint filed by an Austrian transport company, which accused the Greek authorities of averting its trucks from fulfilling the last part of the road route. Moreover, the same company stated that the Greek authorities blamed it for undertaking illegal road transports. The EU law defines the combined transports as goods transports between the EU Member-States bringing together rail, inland waterway and sea transport, while reducing road transport to the initial or last part of the route.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Discussion Over Budget Continues

The Parliament's Standing Committee on Economic Affairs continues regarding the 2006 State Budget draft. Savvas Tsitouris is ND's rapporteur, Andreas Makrypidis will be the rapporteur for PASOK, Angelos Tzekis will represent KKE and Giannis Dragasakis will state SYN's positions. During yesterday's second day of discussion, the Economy Minister clarified there would be no favouring regulations for overdue debts to the Public Sector. "There will be no new taxes for 2006," reassured Savvas Tsitouridis, underlining the new budget is credible, effective and socially right. "This is the second budget in a row to have been rejected by the EU," said PASOK Parliamentarian Secretary Dimitris Reppas on NET radio 105.8.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article