The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] In Scandal Rumours of the Last Days Karamanlis' Intervention

By Athina Saloustrou

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis reiterated the governments determination to proceed with the reforms it has announced. The above statement was made after Mr Karamanlis attended the celebrated Mass at Agios Dimitrios church in honour of the citys patron saint before the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and the Main Opposition leader. Mr Karamanlis also referred to the scandal rumours over the last days. "The vicious climate orchestrated by certain circles is not to curb our course," underlined the Prime Minister and added that the Greek citizens can identify the extreme situations and contempt them, urging the government to focus on its work. "Greece has embarked on the way of development and progress. We will proceed with the reforms the country needs, we will make changes irrespective of the reactions. There are some whose interests are disrupted, but they are few compared to those who demand drastic changes. Criticism on our work is everyones right, therefore it is welcomed and it is constructive," Mr Karamanlis added.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Given Away by a Phone Call Turned in By His Mom

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Reuters

Everything had been working smoothly until yesterday. The 7.2 million euros, he had failed to deliver to a German bank would allow him to lead the life he had always dreamt of. First, he would build a house on the Adriatic coast, Croatia. His life-long dream, though, soon turned into a nightmare for the German thief. The 38-year-old German, father to three children, was arrested in the Croatian city of Zadar while calling his mom to let her know he is ok. You see, he had been hiding out for 10 days and the woman must have been really concerned about her blue-eyed boy. Except being his moms son, the German thief was na&#239;ve, as well. He had been evading a police manhunt for 10 days and the only thing he had bought with the 7 million euros were some clothes and shoes. As per a police spokesperson, almost the entire amount of money was found in the car he had parked outside a telephone booth.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] The Drug Company Roche Tamiflu Suspended in Canada

By Anna Kourti

The EU Veterinary Committee has decided to impose an embargo on wild and exotic live birds from third countries until November 30. At the same time, the drug company Roche temporarily suspended Tamiflu in Canada until the flu season nears. As per Canadian daily The Globe and Mail, citing a letter sent by Roche, the company decided to prioritise the distribution of the drug. "During this years flu season, the company will give priority to patients who are most likely to develop flu-related implications," read the letter. In the meantime, Taiwans Sanitary Authority announced that no H5N1 cases were reported in the farm where birds suspected of transmitting the virus to the parrot in the UK, came from. The World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded the alarm, since according to its estimations, the avian flu virus is endemic in China and in many Asian regions and it could only be a matter of time before the virus mutates and is transmitted from humans to humans.

New Cases in China and India

"The 40 birds from the farm in central Taiwan were tested negative," Spokesperson for Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Taiwan Zero H5N1 cases were reported in the farm where birds suspected of transmitting the virus to the parrot in the UK, came from, announced Taiwans Sanitary Authorities. The parrot along with 148 birds coming from Surinam were sent to Britain on September 16 and were immediately placed under quarantine. Some 216 birds from Taiwan were also placed under quarantine. "Following the inspections on 40 birds from a farm in central Taiwan, no positive samples were detected," said a spokesperson for the islands Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection. Furthermore, Taiwans Prime Minister Frank Hsieh noted that there are no avian flu cases detected in his country and dismissed the British claims that birds from Taiwan had transmitted the virus to the parrot in the UK.

China New avian flu outbreak was reported in the Chinese province of Hunan. The countrys authorities reported that the H5N1 virus infected 687 chickens and ducks, 545 of which died. As per evidence released by the Chinese government, the Hong Kong Authority and the WHO, 2,487 birds were culled, including those that had been infected

India In India, 40 migratory birds were found dead last week. Lab tests are being carried out to determine whether they had been infected with the avian flu. So far no cases have been reported in India. "We have no intention of taking a risk, therefore we have sent the blood samples for lab tests," pointed out West Bengal Animal Resources Development Minister Anisur Rahaman. The authorities are considering the likelihood that the birds died after falling from their nests during a storm.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

International Conference over Bird Flu

[04] Clocks Fall Back by an Hour Daylight Saving Ends

By Anna Kourti

Clocks in Greece will fall back by an hour at 4am this Sunday 30 October (the last Sunday in October), as daylight saving time ends.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] From 12 Noon to 4pm Handbrake on Trolley Buses

By Anna Kourti

Trolley buses will not run from 12 noon to 4pm on Wednesday, due to the drivers work stoppage. Trolley bus routes will also be disrupted on Monday 31 October from 12 noon to 4pm.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Trolley Bus Schedules Disrupted

[06] Four Strong Earthquakes Spread Fears More Earthquakes in Pakistan

By Athina Saloustrou

Four earthquakes, with the strongest measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, occurred on Wednesday morning in northern Pakistan sparking fears for new landslides. So far, no victims or damages have been reported. The head of Pakistans Meteorological Department, Qamar-uz Zaman said that the 5.2 magnitude aftershock occurred at 6.43am (local time) and was felt in Islamabad and Musaffarabad, which was ravaged by the October 8 earthquake. Three aftershocks followed. "An aftershock measuring more than five on the Richter scale may cause landslides in the mountainous regions," pointed out Zaman. Following the October 8 earthquake, 978 aftershocks have been recorded in the same region. "We fear that possible landslides could make the task of the rescue crews even harder," said the spokesperson for the World Food Programme. Meanwhile, at the Summit of Genevas donors, the UN is to raise the aid package for the October 8 earthquake-stricken from 312 million dollars to 549 million dollars. The October 8 earthquake claimed the lives of nearly 54,000 people, injured 77,000 and left more than 3.3 million people homeless.

The Pakistani Authority noted that the death toll is most likely to rise, since rescue efforts under the rubble are still in progress. However, the cold weather in the affected areas makes things even worse. "The severe weather conditions expected in the upcoming weeks will involve us in a race against time to save those requested to abandon the mountainous regions," a Pakistani official added.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Eight Children Dead Tragedy in School

By Anna Kourti

Sources: REUTERS

Panic prevailed in a school in China. Eight children were killed and some 37 were injured, with five being in a critical condition, when hundreds of students climbed down the stairs of a primary school. As per Xinhua news agency, the accident occurred when the children swarmed out of evening class at a school in the western province of Sichuan. The authorities are investigating into the causes of the accident, while they have not ruled out the likelihood that part of the staircase collapsed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Security Council Resolution Includes Implementation of Measures by Syria

By Athina Saloustrou

A draft resolution drawn up by the USA and France was circulated among the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The resolution calls for the implementation of a restraint order, the freezing of assets and the imposing of a travel ban on anyone suspected of involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The resolution also calls on Syria to detain any Syrian subjects whether they are officials or civilians suspected of being involved in Hariris assassination. In the meantime, Greek FM Petros Molyviatis is to visit New York on Monday to participate in the Security Council Summit on Hariris assassination.

[09] On Israeli Soil Retaliation Without Casualties

By Anna Kourti

Sources: REUTERS, ANA

Israeli troops directed fire north of Gaza in response to Palestinian attack. Earlier, Palestinian militants had fired a rocket against Israel. Eyewitnesses reported blasts in the area near Beit Hanoun. "Israel had warned the Palestinian civilians to keep clear of the area," said a Palestinian official. Late at night, the Israeli air force conducted a bombing operation against the place where rockets are launched against the Israeli town of Sderot.

Translated by Areti Christou

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