The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Last Wave of Holidaymakers on the Go

Good weather favours the traditional mass exodus in the second half of August (Dekapentavgoustos). Weather forecast predicts temperature about 35C and winds 6-7 Beaufort force, the August meltemi. Police are out in force to deal with any problems in the national road network. A ban on over 1.5 tones lorries is in effect from 16:00-22:00.

Ships & Planes Reach 100% Capacity

Road works along the Athens âPatra national road ( Metamorfosi-Skarfeia, Elefsina-Korinthos) as well as Thessaloniki-Evzonoi and Korinthos-Tripolis motorways have been suspended till Monday, August, 17 to facilitate motorists.

Ferries to some islands in the Aegean and Crete set off at 100% capacity from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina. Thirty-two ferry services leave from the port of Piraeus and 20 from the port of Rafina on Friday.

Also domestic flights taking off from E. Benizelos airport are fully booked and Hellenic Railways Trains almost reach 100% capacity.

News item: 25788

[02] California Fires Threaten Homes

Last Updated on Friday, 14 August 2009 09:14

California wildfire has forced over 2000 people to flee their homes and threatened over 1000 houses. The fire broke out on Wednesday evening but has not been brought under control due to strong winds. The blaze is burning a forest land in northern California, in Santa Cruz mountain.

Recall Memories from Last summer

Hundreds of firefighters are battling blazes, that has burned down 1000 acres of forest land, to prevent homes from burning down.

The new fire brings back memories of last year's nightmarish summer when wildfires had threatened residential areas from Santa Cruz to San Francisco.

Source: CNN

News item: 25786

[03] Shocking Confession by Attila Photographer

Last Updated on Thursday, 13 August 2009 21:30

Attila photographer Ergun Konouksever said that he was an eyewitness in the murder of the 5 Cypriot hostages, a war crime revealed after 35 years. Not only had he witnessed the murder of the Greek-Cypriot war hostages but he had also referred the cases to the UN and the EU, said the photographer.

Speaking to NET, Ergun Konouksever said, âthe pictures are the ones I had taken. When Greek-Cypriots fell hostage, Turkish-Cypriot officers treated them well, and lit them cigarettes. As invasion continued the officers handed Greek-Cypriot hostages over to Turkish-Cypriot troops with the order to hold them in prison and left. Shortly after they came to angry words and the Turkish-Cypriot fighters killed them. Some want us enemies but there is no such question. It is worthless to remember the case after 35 years , as the 5Greek-Turkish Cypriot soldiers do not come back.

Apart from the photographer's option , international observers on the scene say that Turkish officers killed the Greek-Cypriot hostages in cold-blood . Also Konousever maintains that he has no picture from the 16 films he had shot.

News item: 25779

[04] Hong Kong Researchers Raise Hopes for Drugs Effective in Killing Flu A Virus

Professor Lau Yu-lung at the University of Hong Kong described the infected human cells as "factories that will produce viruses.""These drugs attack the viruses specifically. This approach kills the factories that are producing viruses."

Malik Peiris, also part of the research team, said the drugs could enhance immune responses of the human body.That was especially important as flu viruses mutate constantly, which reduces the efficacy of vaccines, he added.

The researchers plan to move next into animal and then human clinical testing.

Sources: ÁNA-ĚPA-French News Agency

News item: 25802

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