The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-08

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Epicentre in Andravida

08 Ιουν 2008 15:39:0 (Last updated: 08 Ιουν 2008 18:44:4)

An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale was registered in north-western Peloponnese at 15:25. The epicentre was located at Andramida, reported the Geodynamic Institute of Thesssaloniki and the Athens Observatory. As the quake took place only 10 kilometres below the surface, it was felt in the biggest part of Greece. Moreover, many aftershocks have followed with the most powerful, 4.7-magntitude, registered at 15:55. The prefectures of Ilia and Achaia have encountered most problems, while as per information, one man lost his life and several were injured. The Athens Observatory advises calm to the quake-stricken people, while Mayors and special teams have been asked to check quake-stricken houses so as collapses are averted.

One Man Killed and over 20 Injured

As per information and inhabitants reports buildings in Andravida in Amaliada, Vartholomio and other parts of northern Ilia and western Achaia have sustained damages. Information about a man who was killed when his the roof of his house collapsed in Kato Ahagia has been confirmed. Ten more were also injured in the same area, while four remain hospitalized in Amaliada Hospital and one was injured in Lefkada. Information on trapped people remains unclear.

Furthemore, 15 more people were transferred to Patras Hospital as they suffered injuries. In parallel, as per reports, two houses have collapsed in the Patras industrial area, while houses in Amaliada, Pyrgos, Lechaina and Patras have sustained damages. The Fire Brigade speaks of trapped people in a house that collapsed in Vartholomio and Fostena.

In Fostaina, a small girl was retrieved from the rubble of a collapsed house, while EMAK forces rescued a three-member foreign family from the rubble in Vartholomio.

Besides, a landslide on the 74 kilometre of the Tripolis-Ancient Olympia national road near Lefkochori, Gortyinia has disrupted traffic.

At the same time, special rescue teams are heading to the quake-stricken areas to offer their help.

Meanwhile, the train services in Patras and Pyrgos have been suspended for precautionary reasons.

Finally, a group of civil engineers is visiting the quake-hit areas to check all schools.

[02] Crude Oil to Hit $150

08 Ιουν 2008 14:55:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Oil prices are surging out of control as Energy Ministers of the leading industrialized countries and the four most developed Asian countries, meeting in Japan, failed to reach an agreement on common proposals for exodus from the crisis. Oil prices went up $9 a barrel in one single day to hit Friday a record $139 and close at $138.54 for July delivery contracts while Brent closed at $137.69. Morgan Stanley released a report forecasting a "short-term spike in oil prices," as high as $150 a barrel by July 4.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

Price Rises an E.U Issue

Oil to Hit $150

[03] Dispute over Responsibilities

08 Ιουν 2008 10:53:0

By Athina Saloustrou

While oil rally is expected to spark a new wave of price rises, a dispute over responsibilities has broken out among industrialists, super markets, multinational companies and retailers. The issue will be brought on at the EU Summit Meeting as agreed during the recent meeting between Prime-minister Kostas Karamanlis and French President Nikolas Sarkozy, who underlined that the EU must take measures to deal with the problem. In the meantime, the Greek Government plans to put the issue forward during the Employment Ministers meeting held in Luxemburg tomorrow. Greeces Employment Minister Fani Pali Petralia referred to the problem in her yesterdays meeting with the Prime-minister. "Cartels must be combated" stressed Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis in an interview with newspaper "Eleftherotypia", adding that Employment Ministry measures are in the right direction, however, they must be effected to bear fruit. Furthermore, Mr. Hatzidakis maintains that the Competition Committee must impose higher fines in profiteering cases. In the meantime, consumer organizations invite consumers to boycott fresh milk sold over 1 euro as its price is 45% higher in Greece compared to other European countries. In parallel, crude oil rally continues with economic analysts forecasting that its price will rise to $150 per barrel by July. South Korea announcement to allocate 10.2 billion dollars aid to citizens facing problems due to high cost of fuel is most characteristic of the global crisis. Furthermore, the G8 group of countries, China, India and South Korea warned today that there is "emergency need" for increase in oil production to deal with price rises. The Energy Ministers of the above countries, who met in Japan, also underlined the immediate need for investments in the energy sector.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Sold for Illegal Adoption

08 Ιουν 2008 13:03:0

By Athina Saloustrou

Police continue search to find the two boys from Orestiada, sold by their parents according to their mothers confession. There was a nationwide search-with tens of sectors and ministries placed on the alert- for the two boys after their disappearance. Peoples response was moving after the activation of the Amber Alert system. Some 10 days after their disappearance the case begins to clear. A lawsuit has been filed against the boys parents and another couple relatives of theirs following the mothers statement that Aihan, 7 and Ahmet, 8 were given to relatives who in turn would look for a family to adopt them. In other words, they are suspected of having sold their children and then they said that the boys had disappeared. The parents and one of the relatives have been arrested while the police continue search for the other relative, a woman and the boys.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Rumors and Publications on Siemens

Justice has not discovered any politicians being responsible for illegal actions on the Siemens case and thus there is no reason for the brief to be taken to Parliament. An Appeals Examiner will examine the case. The issue was stirred up by the Press, which in turn caused political wrangling. Although PASOK (Socialists) has asked the setting up of an Examining Committee, Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis did not rule out this development provided the Examiner completes his examination. In parallel, he rejected allegations against Kyriakos Mitsotakis, stressing that democracy cannot operate on the basis of rumors.

Meanwhile ND Sectetary Lefteris Zagoritis told Eleftheros Typos newspaper that the ND party has not been involved in the case.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Siemens: Investigations Continue

[06] Rubbish Threatens Thessaloniki

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Thessaloniki is facing a grave problem with collection of rubbish as residents of the areas have blocked road access to Mavrorahi and Taggarades landfills. Demonstrators in Mavrorahi landfill maintain that works have not been completed putting their health at risk while demonstrators-residents and municipal authorities- at Taggarades claim that the landfill is "overfull" and can not receive any more garbage. In the meantime, residents of three municipalities in east Thessaloniki are staging a demonstration demanding the operation of Mavrorahi landfill and closure of Taggarades.

Thessaloniki Court will tomorrow try two cases claiming temporary suspension of Mavrorahi landfill filed by Assiros municipality and sectors of the region. It should be mentioned that the same sectors had taken recourse to the State Council against the experimental operation of Mavrorahi landfill, which had rejected their appeal.

On its part, the Union of Local Administration authorities of broader Thessaloniki region has sent a letter to municipalities inviting them to send a representative to the court trial maintaining that they have "legal interest" as rubbish collection which is within their competence-is being hampered. The president of the Union Yiannis Zournas said: "I consider unacceptable to keep uncontrollable landfills and fight against the most modern European landfill, which will open opportunity for the closure of all Thessaloniki prefecture landfills".

The Union of Local Administration authorities of broader Thessaloniki region has assured that the Environment Ministry has renewed approval of environmental terms for the experimental operation of Mavrorahi landfill and there is no problem with its operation while the regular permit will be issued after the end of the experimental stage.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] According to Latest Poll

08 Ιουν 2008 13:19:0

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

A new opinion poll shows Irish voters who support the European Union reform treaty have a narrow lead over the "No" camp ahead of a June 12 referendum, the only national vote on the issue among 27 EU member states. According to a poll conducted by the Red C Institute on behalf of "Sunday Business Post" newspaper, Yes supporters have a 3% lead with 42% points in intention of vote over No supporters who gather 39%. The poll was conducted on a sample of 1000 persons since the beginning of June, and this is the last poll that can be legally released ahead of the referendum. The poll also shows a large number of undecided. TNS MBBI poll released on Friday shows No supporters in the lead with 35% in intention of voting against 30% by Yes supporters.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Japan: Six Dead in Knife Attack

A man armed with a knife has killed six people and wounded 12 others in central Tokyo. The suspect told police "I came to Akihabara alone to kill people". "I was tired of life. I was sick of everything," he added. There are a woman and three men aged 19, 47 and 74 among the victims while another 12 people have been wounded. The incident occurred in the Akihabara district, a busy shopping area known as Electric Town that is popular with young people and tourists.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] The Feast Began

By Ampelakis Spyros

Sources: NET

EURO 2008, co-organized by Austria and Switzerland opened with a spectacular but plane ceremony where colours and traditional pictures of Switzerland prevailed at the crowded stadium in Basel. Teams competing in the final stage, are divided in 16 groups while Greeks in mind and heart are expecting Tuesdays game when their favourite team faces Sweden. However, in the opening match of the European Championship the Czech Republic had some luck over co-host Switzerland giving it a winning start to EURO 2008 1-0 while in the game which concluded the premier of the first group Portugal deserved their 2-0 win over Turkey.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] Myanmar: New Constitution Ratified

By Athina Saloustrou

The ratification of Myanmars new Constitution annuls the victory of Aung San Suu Kyis party in 1990, read pro-government paper New Light of Myanmar. Kyis National League for Democracy (LND) clinched a resounding victory at the 1990 elections, whose results were never recognized by the military rule. The paper further stressed that the ratification of the Constitution also invalidates LNDs claims. The military junta reiterated that 92% of the people said Yes to the new charter, which includes legal clauses forbidding Suu Kyi and the opposition members to run for office at the 2010 elections. It also enables the army to take over &#188; of the House seats, meaning that they could easy get grip of the Government, declaring the country in a state of emergency.

The referendum was staged by the military authorities shortly after devastating Cyclone Nargis wreaked havoc, claiming more than 133,000 lives and leaving 2.4 million people homeless.

LND refused to recognize the referendums results, underlining that the military junta had better look after the cyclone victims, instead of staging referenda.

Translated by Areti Christou

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