The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-15

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bounced Checks Rise

Bounced checks in June 2009 rose 289,9% in value and 291,7% in number compared against June last year. The total value of bounced checks since the start of the year has mounted to 1 billion and 600 million euros

Bounced checks rose in number 24.56% or 15.464 checks and in value 28.42% or 23.6 million euros compared against last month and 66,76% in number and 73,83% compared to June, in 2008.

The value of 33.732 bounced checks mounted up to 338,3 million euros in June, 2009, a 0.93% rise in value compared to May, 2009 and 1.1% drop compared to number of checks.

Bounced checks in number soared to 72.378 and in value to 117.2 million euros in the first half of 2009.

News item: 24844

[02] Strong Tremor Hits New Zealand, Tsunami Alert Lifted

A strong earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit New Zealand. Its epicenter was located about 160 kilometres west of Invercargill. The US Geological Survey warned of a tsunami. An earthquake of that magnitude may cause a devastating tsunami that can hit within a few minutes or a few hours after the earthquake, said the Survey. The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology issued a tsunami marine alert for low-lying coastal areas along the coast of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, since a small tsunami was reported moving from New Zealand to Australia. There have been no reports of damage or casualties, so far.

Source: ANA/MPA

News item: 24838

[03] Plane Crashes in Iran

Up to 168 people are feared killed when the plane they were on board crashed in northwestern Iran, said the state-run television. The Caspian Airlines aircraft was en route from Tehran to Yerevan, Armenia.

Source: Reuters, Associated Press

News item: 24836

[04] New Flu Hits Lungs

New studies have suggested that the H1N1 flu virus exhibits an ability to infect cells deep in the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia. A quality similar to the Spanish flu in 1918, which killed tens of millions. In the meantime, British researchers have drawn their attention to the confusion on the exact number of the people that have been infected with the swine flu, since it makes efforts to draw solid conclusions on the dimensions of the pandemic rather difficult.

Vaccine Production

Germany is considering vaccinating 1/3 of its population, said the German Health Ministry, which has ordered 25 million doses of the vaccine. The population groups to get vaccinated first are the hospital personnel, police officers and firefighters.

In the meantime, the World Health Organization allowed eight companies to produce vaccines.

More Precise Measurements Are Needed

Researchers of London's Imperial College suggested that better measurement methods could contain confusion, helping government to assess the seriousness of the situation and decide on the measures they should take.

Unless people are tested, no one can really know the exact number of the infections, said Dr Tini Garske, also adding that the number of the confirmed infections does not say much.

The World Health Organization has confirmed 94,512 infections and 429 deaths worldwide of the new type of flu, which was declared a pandemic last month.

The Australian Health Minister said that about 10,387 cases have been reported, further stressing that the number is likely to rise, since of the 123 people still in hospital, 58 are in the intensive care unit.

News item: 24834

[05] Illegal Immigration at the Focus

Barrot's Hints

On Tuesday, EU Commissioner and European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot blasted the refusal of the Nordic nations to show their solidarity with the nations that accept waves of illegal immigrants, dismissing, at the same time, Turkey's tactics as unacceptable.

Barrot forecast that the situation will deteriorate in the years to come. As for Greece, he said that unless the influx of illegal immigrants is controlled, there might be a social destabilization.

Bipartisan Committee Holds Meeting

The issue of illegal immigration is at the focus of the meeting of the bipartisan committee, during which Deputy Interior Minister Christos Markogiannakis is expected to brief the representatives of the opposition parties on the developments.

Source: NET

News item: 24833

[06] Premier for Summer Sales

News item: 24831

[07] Zelaya Calls for Revolt

Ortez called Obama âthat little black guy that knows nothing.â The interim government apologized to the USA.

Announcing his resignation, Ortez said "direct and indirect pressures from the United States embassy on our people and government.âThe US embassy, however, denied any involvement.

News item: 24830

[08] New Measures on H1N1 Flu

The vaccination of most sensitive population groups will kick off with children up to 15 years old and old people with cardio and respiratory problems being the first in line, said the Minister.

Children and the elderly are the first in line to get vaccinated

Avramopoulos assured that the state has taken all measures so that both the Greeks and the tourists can feel safe. He also underlined that the greatest number of those infected with the H1N1 flu virus were tourists and expatriate Greeks.

Avramopoulos assured that the state has taken all measures so that both the Greeks and the tourists can feel safe. He also underlined that the greatest number of those infected with the H1N1 flu virus were tourists and expatriate Greeks.

News item: 24841

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