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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Stiff Inspections and Sanctions for Antiviral Medicines

In the meantime, the four people who have been seriously infected with the swine flu have improved.

The condition of the 33 students of the Greek naval academy is getting better, after developing a respiratory infection while on drill.

The rest students were given medication for precautionary reasons.

News item: 25607

[02] Former Siemens Hellas CEO Convicted in Munich

Christoforakos achieved his key goal: to be convicted and appeal the court ruling at the same time.

Thus, he is buying himself some time, as he cannot be extradited to Greece for a year. However, he will by surely extradited.

Source: NET

News item: 25605

[03] Wildfire in Marathonas Contained

The wildfire that broke out near a built-up area in Marathonas was brought under control without threatening any houses. Ground and air forces are operating in the area. However, the gusty winds blowing in the area are giving the firefighters a hard time. According to authorities, the prefectures of Attica, Evia, Korinthia and Argolida are running a high risk of fire.

Blaze in Zakynthos Contained

Sixty square metres of forest was reduced to ashes by the wildfire that broke out Friday in the village of Voulimes in the Ionian island of Zakynthos.

Fearing a flare-up, firefighters remain in the area.

Source: NET 105.8

News item: 25604

[04] Greek Socialist Leader Visits Rhodes' Fire-Hit Areas

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) has drawn up plan to restore the fire-hit area and will put it into operation as soon as it comes to power, said PASOK President George Papandreou while visiting Rhodes' southern regions which were ravaged by last year's wildfire. Papandreou touched on the government's responsibilities, arguing that it lacks both a plan and the personnel to immediately tackle the crisis.

The PASOK leader visited Friday evening the village of Laermon, one of the villages ravaged the most in southern Rhodes by last year's wildfire. Local officials and PASOK deputies Christos Papoutsis and Mihalis Karhimakis welcomed him there.

The villagers gave Papandreou a warm welcome, while the local officials briefed him on the problems the fire-stricken areas are facing.

Patchworks cannot address such situations, Papandreou argued.

It takes a plan, as we have suggested, but it has to be carried out in every stricken area, said he, further adding that the local authorities have to offer their backing to an overall planning so that their areas can have prospects again.

News item: 25602

[05] Iran: Opposition Supporters Stand Trial

The news of the hearing was confirmed by Fars news agency.

Among those on trial are a French teacher accused of masterminding rioting, an Iranian employee of the French embassy and a high-profile Iranian journalist.

Source: Reuters, AFP, ANA/MPA

BBC: More Iran protesters go on trial

News item: 25597

[06] Leaving Urban Centres

The second wave of the August holidaymakers is leaving urban centres on any means they can. Traffic has been really heavy on the two national motorways since Saturday morning, while hundreds of sea services have been scheduled from the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio.

With weather being their ally, holidaymakers are leaving urban centres. Mercury is forecast to go down to 33 degrees Celsius.

Traffic jam was reported Saturday noon on the Athens-Lamia motorway near Iliki lake, due to works. Traffic police figures suggested that about 150,000 left Athens on Friday.

News item: 25596

[07] Indonesia's Most Wanted Terror Suspect Believed Killed

Last Updated on Saturday, 08 August 2009 10:28

Indonesian police shot dead a man suspected to be leading Islamic militant Noordin Mohammad Top ending an 18-hour siege in Central Java and were trying to identify his body, police sources said on Saturday.

Malaysian-born Top is a prime suspect in last month's near simultaneous suicide attacks on Jakarta's JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels which killed nine people and wounded 53.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has vowed to track down the bombers and if Top has been killed or captured it would be major coup for security forces and could reduce the chance of further attacks.

Police have launched a series of raids since Friday and two police sources close to the investigation into the hotel attacks said a man suspected to be Top was killed in Temanggung, over 250 miles southeast of Jakarta.

News item: 25594

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