The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] For Bird Flu Meeting in Brussels

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ÁNA - ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8

An emergency meeting of European Union experts has been scheduled for today in Brussels, focusing on the issue of bird flu. The scientists are called upon to examine the threat from migratory birds to the European citizens and implement added measures to deal with the crisis, after the first case of the deadly virus in Turkey was confirmed. In addition, the Foreign Ministers of the EU will hold an emergency meeting on the same issue on Tuesday. Furthermore, British scientists are expected to announce on Saturday whether the three ducks found dead at the Danube Delta were also victims of the virus. At the same time, the Greek authorities are on alert, while Plan Perseus has already been implemented in all the hospitals throughout the country, and the Government aims at asking the relevant ministers of the Balkan and Black Sea countries to participate in a summit meeting, so as to prepare a joint action plan. Finally, following an emergency meeting between the Greek PM and the Ministers of Rural Development and Health, the citizens were advised to remain calm and not panic.

Global Concerns

Meanwhile, speaking on Europe 1 radio, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin also urged his citizens not to give in to panic

France aims at asking for the intense monitoring of migratory birds at a European level, as well as the implementation of measures to protect poultry farms, while it is expected to make relevant proposals on the issue.

In Turkey, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry decided to ban hunting of wild birds on Turkish soil, after the deadly H5N1 virus was detected northwest of the country.

Furthermore, today, the Ministry of Georgia banned all poultry imports from Romania, where the virus has been detected, as a precaution.

The ban mainly relates to live birds, poultry meat and bird food, clarified a Ministry spokesperson to the news agency Interfax.

The first cases of the flu outside Asia have alerted the competent authorities around the world.

Today, following the detection of bird flu in Turkey, the US Department of Agriculture announced that very strict bans on imports are in place, so as to protect poultry in the USA.

In the context of those measures, Turkey has not been exporting live birds or poultry meat to the USA for the last two years. In addition, they also banned imports from Mexico and Canada.

Washington has imposed restrictions on poultry imports from nearly all countries around the world, apart from France, Australia, Sweden, Spain and New Zealand. However, even live poultry imported from the abovementioned countries is quarantined.

In Venezuela, Deputy Agriculture Minister Patricia Febres announced that the country temporarily banned imports of poultry and poultry products from neighbouring Colombia, after a mild strain of avian flu was found in the country.

The measure will be in place until Colombia can guarantee its poultry is free of the flu virus.

Finally, South Korea also issued a warning, in an effort to prevent the spreading of the disease from migratory birds, which will pass from the Korean peninsula later this month.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Possible Pandemic Ahead

[02] Government Focused on Lawfulness "No One Is Above the Law"

Speaking in Parliament today, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis invited everyone to participate in the fight against corruption. As he clarified, despite the difficulties, the Government will not be lowering the flag against corruption, answering to questions posed by Alekos Alavanos and Nikos Konstantopoulos. He announced that no deals have been made with special interests, nor would there be any in the future, while he underlined, "No one is above the law," and that the Governments pledges would be fulfilled. Answering to Alekos Alavanos query about a lignite operational unit in Messinia, he noted that Government respects the law and following the negative report by the energy regulation agency, it did not accept the companys application.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Heavy Babies, Obese Adults

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Daily Mail

Scientists from the University of Southampton are claiming that besity shows its signs from a very early age, since they are now openly linking the weight of a newborn and its growth rate in the first two years to obesity. In their research, which was published in a British health journal, they noted that heavier babies, ie those with the higher body mass index (BMI), are more likely to be obese as they grow up. As the obesity epidemic in the developed nations continues to spread, health experts and keen to develop ways of tackling the problem. However, it remains unclear how early in life prevention of obesity could begin.

[04] New Generation iPod Video With Music

By Vagelis Theodorou

Apple is preparing to take over the market of portable videos, based on the success of the iPod. In collaboration with television network ABC, popular shows such as "Desperate Housewives", "Night Stalker" and "Lost", will be available on the new iPod, a day after their airing, and will be sold for 1.6 euros an episode. The aim of the company is the agreement with ABC to begin a broader collaboration with Walt Disney (which owns the television network), in order to expand the range of television programmes offered through iTunes. "Because millions of people around the world will buy this new iPod to play music, it will quickly become the most popular portable video player in history", said Apple chief Steve Jobs at the presentation of the device. The new portable device by Apple is slimmer than its "ancestors" and is equipped with 320x240 pixels and a 2.5-inch colour screen. However, Apple was late starting the race, as Microsoft, Creative and Archos have already created similar devices, while Sony recently launched a similar console, entitled PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Betting on Familiarity

As per the latest data, the portable video does not appeal to the consumers. Moreover, many devices are quite large, while many persons use illegal websites to download television shows and Hollywood blockbusters.

Apple is aspiring to win the bet against its competitors based on the iPods success, which has already sold more than 28 million devices since 2001.

"This isnt a video device", commented digital home analyst Nate Elliott on British network BBC, adding "this is a video as a feature on an iPod. When Apple are ready to do video, you will see something more complete and more video-focused", he said.

In Great Britain, the 30 GB version will cost around 219 pounds ($299 in the US), and the 60 GB version 299 pounds ($399 in the US).

Apple also launched the new generation of iMac, equipped with a video camera and faster G5 processors. The new system has a remote control and a Front Row software package, which makes the PC a digital entertainment hub, incorporating music files, photos and videos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Apple

[05] On Agricultural Policy George Papandreou Attacks

Sources: ANA, ERA

From Komotini, President of PASOK George Papandreou made a fierce attack against the government. "Before the election, New Democracy pledged much but is doing the opposite. It grew false expectations, but it cannot even manage the simple things. It does not have a vision for the agricultural world, and worst of all, it is creating a dead end for farmers", stated Mr Papandreou, speaking at the Ginning House Co-op at Ageiros Municipality, in Rodopi. "There is another way and a hope for the agricultural world, opposed to the pessimism of the ND government", he noted and pledged on discussions, in order to jointly compile the partys programme, which as he said will give new prospects for Greek farming.

Mr Papandreou also referred to the special capabilities of the area for the development of services, its change to an energy hub, and for the development of qualitative agricultural production combined with other activities such as ecotourism, health tourism and others.

President of the Rodopi Agricultural Co-ops Union Nikos Skopianos briefed the PASOK President on the farmers problems, noting that survival becomes difficult, when the area feels it was been wronged by the distribution of cotton delivery kilos, while in closing, he asked for PASOKs substantial intervention in the countering of the problem.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Nimitz Denies Likelihood of New Proposal Molyviatis-Mitreva Meeting

By Annita Paschalinou

Greek FM Petros Myliviatis will meet with his counterpart from FYROM, Ilinka Mitreva, today on the island of Rhodes, on the sidelines of an unscheduled Summit between the Foreign Ministers of southeastern Europe. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the UN mediator for the issue with FYROMs name, Matthew Nimitz, denied the likelihood of a new proposal, noting that what is needed is calmness. At the same time, the US government announced that it has nothing to do with the name. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Adam Ereli clarified that the two countries should not be looking at the US, but the UN. Meanwhile, he urged both sides to collaborate with Matthew Nimitz is order to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Actions Over Name Issue

[07] Large Cannabis Plantation in Stavros, Farsala Cannabis Growers Caught

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8, NET

The Police caught Australian drug traffickers, as they were growing a vast cannabis plantation in a greenhouse in Stavros, Farsala. Apart from the cannabis plants, the Drug Squad located and seized processing machinery used by the Australian drug traffickers. Up to now, eight persons have been arrested. This is the first time that cannabis growers are located in Greece, who also processed the product in order to produce other types of cannabis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Recorded Last Night East of Peshawar 5.3 Aftershock in Pakistan

By Jenny Charalampidou

Sources: ANA - ERA

A strong aftershock was recorded last night in northern Pakistan, measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was located 200km east of Peshawar. Many aftershocks have been recorded in the area since last Saturday, spreading fear and panic among the people. At the same time, the chief of the Pakistani army reassured that the efforts to locate survivors will not stop, despite the fact that no one believes in a miracle anymore.

Continuous Efforts in the Ruins

The spokesperson of the Pakistani Armed Forces, General Shaukat Sultan, declared today that no decision has been made yet to stop the search for survivors, following the 8 October quake.

"Hope has not been lost yet to locate survivors," stressed the chief military spokesperson, after Muzaffarabad announced that the search would stop and the operations to remove the rubble would begin shortly.

"The constant efforts to save the survivors and the aid operations will continue," declared General Sultan.

More Destructive than a Tsunami

The UN coordinator for emergency humanitarian aid spoke of a hopeless situation in the affected areas.

The World Health Organisation estimated that this earthquake was more destructive that last Decembers tsunami in the Indian Ocean, with regard to damages to infrastructure and the number of homeless.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Earth Trembles in Pakistan

[09] Distribution of Heating Oil as of Today Warm Winter?

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Heating oil started being distributed to Greek households as of Friday morning, with prices ranging from 0.59 to 0.60 euros per litre, while the liquid fuel distributors of Attica are on strike. The price, though, is higher in more remote areas, and is expected to even reach 0.65 euros per litre. However, market analysts believe that the price will be readjusted daily, since competition and the laws of the market will operate catalytically in formulating the prices. At the same time, special auditing committees will start performing more frequent inspections as of today, in order to stamp out smuggling and tax evasion.

Resellers on Strike

From early on this morning, the fuel trucks formed long queues at the Greek Refineries in Aspropyrgos, to pump heating oil and distribute it all over Greece.

The distribution of oil in Athens is proceeding as normal, despite the strike announced by heating oil resellers, who have lined up their fuel trucks along Mesogeion Avenue, in front of the Ministry of Development.

Fuel resellers in Thessaloniki, as well as fuel truck owners from the Prefecture of Pella, are also proceeding with collective actions.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Heating Oil Available on Friday

[10] Estimated Price Ranges from 50 to 60 Eurocents Heating Oil Available on Friday

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Heating oil will be available as of Friday morning. The recording of the buyers tax number (AFM) is required on sale receipts. On the issue of its price, General Secretary of the Development Ministry Nikos Stefanou, speaking to NET 105.8, estimated that it will range from 56 to 58 eurocents a litre, while gas station owners spoke of 60 eurocents a litre. At the same time, the Special Inspections Service, in a circular sent to the Operational Administrations of Athens, Thessaloniki and other regions, asked for the intensification of inspections for countering tax evasion, as well as the sale of heating oil as diesel, and the illegal trade of fuel sold for ships.

The New Measures

On the issue of the receipts, in the cases that the buyer is personally burdened with the expenses of oil purchase, the name, address and the tax number of the buyer or customer, the type and the quantity of oil, as well as the time and place of the delivery, will be recorded in sale receipts.

In the case of apartment buildings, the tax number of the buildings manager or the spokesperson of the persons purchasing the oil will be recorded on the receipts. Only the ones selling heating oil have to electronically submit the accounts of invoices and receipts given.

The managers of apartment buildings and property owners will not submit a declaration with the quantities of heating oil consumed to tax offices.

In the meantime, fuel station owners stated their opposition to the new measure, while fuel distribution companies in Attica announced a 24-hour strike, demanding a three-year extension for the construction of larger tanks.

At the same time truck owners in Pella and fuel distributors of Thessaloniki are continuing their collective actions.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Kenteris and Thanou in Court

The saga with Greek athletes Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, which commenced on 12 August 2004, just one day before the opening of the Olympic Games, is expected to come to an end in the next two days. The verdict of the case, which has been troubling world athletics for the more than a year, will basically decide on the future of the two Olympians. The hearing is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. It should be noted that the case went to the CAS, after the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) appealed against the non-guilty verdict issued by the Hellenic Association of Amateur Athletics (SEGAS).

The Hour of Judgement

On Friday, the two sides will present their case and submit written memos. After that, the Court will listen to witnesses testimonies. As for Kenteris and Thanou, they will appear before the Court on Saturday, when they will testify that they were never notified to provide samples for anti-doping testing. On the other hand, the IAAF will ask that both athletes be banned from all sports events for two years, because they violated the doping control code, and also penalised for the infamous non-shows, ie not being at the place they had declared for spot checks. On behalf of SEGAS, Charles Hollander will have to explain the reasons for the non-guilty verdict, which enraged the International Federation. Grigoris Ioannidis will be Kenteris and Thanous attorney, while Michael Belov will represent the IAAF.

The Council is made up of three arbitrators, the President and two others chosen by the two sides. The President is Yves Fortier from Canada, while the Greek athletes have chosen Christopher Campbell from the United States and the IAAF Peter Leaver from Great Britain

The two athletes are accused of three violations (non-shows): on 27 and 28 July 2004 in Tel Aviv, on 10 and 11 August in Chicago and on 12 August in Athens.

This verdict will be final and the athletes will not have the right to appeal, while the Court will not be taking any other verdicts into consideration. The CAS is expected to issue its verdict in the next four months, while the decision is expected earlier, within the next month.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] Put Me Back in Jail

A 24-year-old Algerian, who is married to an Italian, found a very original way to escape his wifes nagging. Ahmed Salhi was sentenced to nine months house arrest, after breaching immigration regulations in the town Ferrara, northern Italy. However, it turned out to be a very heavy sentence for the 24-year-old! Just after the first week of his curfew, he returned to court and begged them to put him in jail. "I need some peace. I can no longer live with her and would rather be behind bars. I cant stand her nagging," he said. The local court agreed to Salhis request and he has been jailed for the rest of his sentence.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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