The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Encouraging News on H1N1

Last Updated on Saturday, 01 August 2009 18:29

News on new flu H1N1 from Argentina, the nation hardest hit by the swine flu after the US, emerge optimistic as the virus seems not to have mutated generating hopes that a flu vaccine will protect the world population. In the meantime, contradictory is news about passengers and crew aboard an Italian cruise ship that anchored in a port in south France.

Contradictory News on Cruise Ship Cases

Healthy young adults seem to be the most vulnerable group of people to become infected.

A shipping company has refused that 60 crew members and passengers aboard a cruise ship had been infected by H1N1, as it was initially announced. However, the sick passengers will remain in isolation till they fully recover.

In the meantime, news from Argentina, where winter has set in, is highly encouraging. According to doctors there are only 100.000 people infected in Argentina, a number not considered particularly high. Furthermore, the virus does appear to have mutated while the overwhelming majority of patients respond to anti virus drugs.

Developments so far indicate that healthy young adults seem to be the most vulnerable group of people to become infected.

H1N1 Deaths in North and South America

The latest official data on H1N1 deaths bring the number over 600 people in South and North America.

The largest number of victims is recorded in Argentina (165), Mexico (146), Chile (95), Brazil (83), Peru (29), Costa Rica ( 22), Paraguai (19), Colombia (17), Guatemala ( 10), Bolivia (9) and Honduras (4).

In the US another 51 people were added in the list of deaths from the swine flu (Ç1Í1).

Source: ÍÅÔ - ÁNA Relevant Article: Reserved Optimism in Britain

News item: 25403

[02] Fires in Kehries- Diakofto

A fire is raging at an oil standardization factory in Diakofto in the prefecture of Ahaia. Twenty firefigthers and 9 fire brigades are participating in fire fighting efforts while the Athens-Patra old national road remains closed near the town of Diakofto. Traffic runs through the town at low speed. A big fire broke out in forest land in Kehries in the prefecture of Korinthia threatening houses and farm land.

Fire in Mampso under Control

A fire that broke out at 12:45 in an inaccessible forest region in Mampsos has been brought under control. Firefighters and residents took part in fire fighting efforts as well as two water bomber aircrafts.

Source: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA

News item: 25402

[03] Mass Exodus of Holiday Makers

First weekend of August sees mass exodus of Athenian holiday makers. Means of transportation, sea, air land are fully booked. Movement is high at the Piraeus port with ships sailing at 100% capacity. KTEL has scheduled extra services to meet increased number of passengers. Traffic is heavy on the national road networks while the major problems are noted on the Athens-Korinthos high-way with 4km long car queues .

Amfilohia-Yiannena Long Car Queue

Traffic is running smoothly along the Athens-Lamia highway expect for a 7km part of the road in Malakasa where works are in progress and motorists are moving with low speeds. There are also problems at the Amfilohia junction towards Yiannena, where there is a 10km car queue.

Ships-Planes Fully Booked

Increased movement at the Athens Airport with flights to the islands fully booked. Ships are sailing at 100% capacity from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina.

For Saturday, 30 island services have been scheduled to leave from Piraeus port, 19 from rafina, 6 from Lavrio, and 51 services for the islands of Argosaronikos.

For Sunday: 29 island services from Piraeus, 21 from Rafina, 8 from Lavrio, and 58 for the islands of Argosaronikos.

Source: ÍÅÔ -ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA

News item: 25401

[04] Philippines Mourn Corazon Aquino

The Philippines has declared a 10-day national mourning for its former leader Corazon Aquino, 76, who died on Saturday morning after a 16-month battle against colon cancer, diagnosed in March 2008. Aquino underwent surgery and received chemotherapy but recently had refused further treatment. She was admitted to hospital in June. "Our mother peacefully passed away at 03:18 of cardio-respiratory arrest," her son, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, told the media.

Aquino, known as Cory to millions of Filipinos, was president from 1986 to 1992. But she is remembered as the housewife who led the 1986 "People Power" revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Heroine for Philippine

Mrs Aquino was catapulted into politics following the murder of her husband, the prominent Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who had been preparing to run for president. He had already spent seven years in prison following President Marcos's declaration of martial law, with his wife as his only contact with the outside world.

Mrs Aquino said of her husband's death: "What is more important is that he did not die in vain and that his sacrifice, certainly, awakened the Filipino people from their apathy and indifference."She was a reluctant leader at the start. Accusing Marcos of ordering the murder, Aquino led protest marches, but was hesitant when snap elections were called in1986. "What on earth do I know about being president?" she said before taking up the challenge to run against Marcos. Both candidates claimed victory in the election, but Marcos fled into exile when the army turned against him.

After winning the presidential elections in 1986, she went on to run a country deeply divided after years of martial law and communist insurgency. She battled several coup attempts against her rule, protected the country's fledgling democracy and freed political prisoners.

In recent years, she campaigned against former President Estrada, but then reconciled with him to join protests against incumbent President Gloria Arroyo over allegations of vote-rigging and corruption. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 and later received several awards and citations for her work to promote democracy and human rights.

Born on January 25, 1933 into one of the country's richest families, the Cojuangcos, Aquino grew up in a world of wealth and politics, being the daughter of a three-time congressman. She married Benigno, one of the country's most promising politicians, and they had four daughters and a son before he was thrown into prison by Marcos and then forced into exile.

Aquino seemed frail in later years, but was still game for a fight when she thought it necessary. She brought half a million people onto the street in the 1990s when her successor Ramos flirted with the idea of trying to extend his term in office.

She was involved in protests that brought an end to the presidency of Joseph Estrada in 2001, and has supported the campaign to remove current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after her one-time ally was accused of corruption and election fraud.

Arroyo, who is in the United States on a visit, announced a 10-day period of national mourning and said in a message: "Today the Philippines lost a national treasure. She helped lead our nation to a brighter day."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: "Like millions of people worldwide, Bill (former U.S. President Bill Clinton) and I were inspired by her quiet strength and herunshakable commitment to justice and freedom. We join the American and Filipino people in honouring her life and memory."

News item: 25398

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