The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] In a Poultry Farm in France H5N1 Strain in Domestic Birds

By Vivian Papastefanou

The first outbreak by the deadly avian flu in a poultry-breeding farm in the European Union is a fact. The French Agriculture Ministry announced that H5N1 was found in Ain department in the east of France. "The deadly H5N1 strain was the cause of death of turkeys in a poultry-breeding farm in Ain," announced the French Agriculture Ministry. "Laboratory tests by the National Agency for Nutritional Safety (AFSSA) in Ploufargan, showed the virus found in the poultry breeding farm with 11,000 turkeys in Versailleux, was 99% identical to that found in the wild duck in Joyeux, in Ain department on 18 February," noted the announcement. At least 400 birds of the poultry-breeding farm were found dead last Thursday. The Ministry of Agriculture announced that all the turkeys in the specific farm have been culled and its facilities disinfected. A spokesperson of the Agriculture Ministry stated that inspection measures have been reinforced in the area, while the surveillance zone was extended to 160 counties, before the outbreak was confirmed. In the meantime, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin promised added aid, around 52 million euros, for the compensation of poultry-breeders and the reinforcement of protection measures against the deadly virus.

New Outbreak in New Delhi

At the same time, New Delhi announced the second outbreak of the deadly avian flu virus in west India, near the area where the first outbreak had been detected a week ago. The first case was detected last Saturday in the region of Nadurbar, in Maharashtra, 450km north of Bombay. As per news agency IANS, 10 persons are hospitalised under tight medical observance in the regions hospitals. Thousands of dead birds, infected by the H5N1 strain, were found in the area. The local authorities immediately ordered the culling of 200,000 chickens in the beginning of the week. Moreover, in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Health Ministry announced that a 27-year-old woman succumbed to the deadly avian flu virus. This is the 20th confirmed victim of the virus in Indonesia. The countrys Sanitation Authorities had sent samples of the patient to the US Centre of Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, Georgia.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

New Avian Flu Cases

France on Avian Alert

[02] Nine Persons Killed and 50 Injured Building Collapse in Bangladesh

By Vivian Papastefanou

A five-storey building, which housed a garments factory, warehouses as well as offices, collapsed on Saturday in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, resulting in nine persons to lose their lives and at least 50 to be injured. As per police sources, tens of persons are trapped under the rubble, since at the time of the collapse around 150 persons were working in the building. Rescue crews are trying to recover the trapped workers. So far, the causes of the buildings collapse have not been made known.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Bloody Attacks in Iraqi Towns Violence Escalates

By Vivian Papastefanou

The situation in Iraq is unsettled for another day, since bloody attacks took place in different towns, regardless of the fact that the Iraqi Government has enforced a curfew in Baghdad and another three towns of the country. This morning, in Kerbala, a car bomb exploded in an outdoor market in Al Amel, resulting in eight persons losing their lives and another 31 being injured. The car bomb was detonated by a remote control at a time when the market was filled with shoppers. In the west of Baghdad, in the morning, a strong explosion occurred during the funeral of Atwar Bahjat, an Iraqi correspondent of Arab television network Al Arabiya. As per initial reports, several security men, who were guarding the funeral procession, were killed by the explosion as Al Arabiya broadcast. Earlier, during the transport of the journalists body to the cemetery, unknown gunmen opened fire on the funeral procession, resulting in the death of a policeman and the injuring of four civilians. At dawn, unknown men blew up and destroyed a Shiite shrine in Kirkuk, in north Iraq, causing the rage of Shiite residents. Following the destruction of the shrine, hundreds of Shiites took the streets in protest. Moreover, unknown gunmen murdered 12 Shiite villagers, members of the same family, in Baquba. The same source stated that the armed attack took place at a farm in the southern suburbs of Baquba. The motives of the perpetrators remain unknown, but the authorities suspected that the attack is connected to the escalating religious clashes between Sunnis and Shiites triggered by the destruction of Samarras Shiite Golden Mosque.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Contentment in Athens and Nicosia COREPER's Decision on Turkish-Occupied Cyprus

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

Athens and Nicosia express their contentment over the resolution of the Permanent Representatives (COREPER) of the 25-nation bloc, regarding the funding of the Turkish-Cypriots via the Republic of Cyprus. Furthermore, COREPER also decided in favour of the opening of the negotiations over trade with Turkish-occupied Cyprus, under conditions set by Nicosia. The resolution, which had been pending for two years, is to be ratified by the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers on Monday. Spokesman of Greek FM, Giorgos Koumoutsakos hailed the decision as a positive development that resulted from Cyprus constructive stance. Cypriot Government spokesman Giorgos Lillikas voiced Nicosias satisfaction. Permanent Representatives of Greece and Cyprus, Vasilis Kaskarelis and Nikos Emiliou respectively, also voiced their satisfaction. "It is a really positive development, which confirms the constructive stance of the Cypriot Republic. It is a substantial step towards a new era of cooperation between the Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots," commented PASOK Parliamentarian Christos Papoutsis.

Based on the first Regulation, some 139 million euros will be granted to the Turkish-Cypriot community, while further 120 million euros are to follow in the future.

Mr Lillikas stated that the Cypriot Government commits to contribute to the implementation of the resolutions in a practical and effective fashion.

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