The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Holidaymakers on the Go

Airports are also packed with travellers. A line of cars stretching for about half kilometre has been reported in the Elefsina toll station.

Traffic police has stepped up extra measures to facilitate travellers.

News item: 25390

[02] Wildfires in Evia Partially Contained

The wildfires burning in the areas of Avlonari and Lofiskos in Evia have been partially contained since Friday morning. Firefighters are still there to tackle any rekindling. Fire risk remains high. A 33-year-old woman was referred to the prosecutor charged with premeditated arson.

Blaze in Lesvos Island

A blaze that broke out Friday noon on Lesvos island is ravaging the area of Agia Sotira. Firefighters are battling to prevent it from spreading to a nearby forest, while no built-up areas are being threatened.

Ground and air forces are operating in the area.

Source: NET, ANA/MPA

News item: 25378

[03] H1N1 Infections in Britain Reach a Plateau

Last Updated on Friday, 31 July 2009 15:19

Swine flu cases in Britain are hoped to have reached a plateau, while Belgium and France are mourning the first deaths. Another death was reported in Saudi Arabia, while a 37-year-old woman died in Hong Kong after getting wrong medication. In the USA, authorities decided on the population groups to vaccinate first. In the meantime, the European Commission told airline companies that they cannot bar patients from travelling.

Deaths Reported in Belgium-France

Neither Belgium nor France escaped the new flu pandemic. A young woman died in Antwerp. Another one, who had already been seriously ill, breathed her last in France.

Experts in Britain, on the other hand, said that swine flu cases in the country may have reached a plateau.

Six students in China and Taiwan developed mild symptoms. They took part in a summer exchange programme. The rest of the children were placed in quarantine.

In the meantime, the European Commission said that airline companies cannot bar patients from travelling. It also said that citizens are entitled to a full refund in case they are denied boarding for medical reasons.

Source: Reuters, NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

Related news: Half US Population to Be Vaccinated

Older news items: News item: 25376

[04] Attempted Robbery Leaves One Injured

One of the two shooters responsible for an attempted robbery on Friday morning was seized after a police manhunt. The two gunmen stormed a hypermarket in Ilioupoli district, pointed their guns at an employee asking for money. The employee denied while the guard tried to stop them. One of the gunmen shot his in the leg. The guard was rushed to hospital.

Source: NET

News item: 25372

[05] Nigerian Sect Leader Shot Dead

Last Updated on Friday, 31 July 2009 09:27

The leader of Islamic sect Boko Haram blamed for unrest and scores of dead in Nigeria was killed while in police custody. Mohammed Yusuf was shot while trying to escape, authorities said.

A Reuters reported said he had seen Yusuf in a camp in the city of Maiduguri, north Nigeria, after his arrest.

Earlier, police and army forces had shelled Yusuf's stronghold and gone after his sect's supporters.

Unrest broke out last Sunday, after authorities in Nigeria seized some of his militants for plotting a hit on a police station. Armed, Fusuf's supporters stormed government buildings, churches, police stations and prisons.

The Nigerian President, who is on an official visit to Brazil, had a telephone contact with the governors of the northern regions and urged the area's religious leaders to warn people of the danger of such sects on Friday's prayer.

His sect, Boko Haram, is against Western education. It believes Nigeria's government is being corrupted by Western ideas and wants to see Islamic law imposed across Nigeria.

Source: Reuters, ANA/MPA

News item: 25361

[06] National Action Plan on Flu Unveiled

Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos unveiled Friday the national action plan against the H1N1 virus at the meeting of the Biministerial Committee. Aiming to shield the country, the measures are built upon four pillars: awareness and prevention campaign, biministerial coordination with the cooperation of the implicating ministries, the procurement of necessary materials and, as well as the contribution of the local governments in the vaccination campaign. By the Prime Minister's decision, the entire population of Greece will be vaccinated. In the meantime, a fourth serious H1N1 case was reported in Greece, while five doctors working in Kos' hospital were infected with the virus.

The Health Minister stressed that experts expect that 30-40% of the population of each country are likely to go down with the swine flu. In Greece, 95% of the confirmed cases have recovered, 15 people are in hospital and four are in a critical condition.

In the meantime, experts have stressed that vaccination is the greatest weapon against the flu, as it is capable of stopping the virus from spreading.

News item: 25359

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