The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-16

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Return of Holidaymakers in Heavy Winds

Increased traffic is reported in the two national roads as the return of the first wave of August holidaymakers has started. On Sunday noon an additional 2km lane was allowed to motorists en route to Athens at Rio toll station while there was a 300m bumper to bumper driving at Amfilohia junction and 500m queuing at Tragana toll station on the Athens-Lamia motorway. Due to heavy winds there are also some problems in Aegean islands speed ferry services.

News item: 25847

[02] Slave Traders' Ring Arrested

News item: 25846

[03] Kuwait Fire in Wedding Tent Kills 44

The cause of the fire has not been determined and authorities were having difficulty evacuating the injured because of relatives and onlookers flooding the scene. An inquiry was opened to determine the exact causes of the disaster but the authorities have already said that most of the victims had fallen during a stampede after the fire broke out in the tent.

It is reported that the specific tent did not meet safety standards while eyewitnesses said that it did not even have an emergency exit.

News item: 25845

[04] Wild Fires in California and Spain

High temperatures and gusty winds are hampering efforts to put out fires raging in California and Spain and burning thousands of acres of forest land. Hundreds of firefighters are working against time to contain the fires.

Driven by heavy winds large fire roaring in California has destroyed over 70.000 acres of forest land and forced people to flee their houses. Over 7.000 firefighters are working against time to contain the fires.

In Spain a wild fire has broken out in the northeastern part of the country is raging. Tens of firefighters with the assistance of water bombing air-crafts are fighting blazes that have destroyed large pieces of forest land.

Authorities have evacuated 3 farms and ordered some 350 residents to remain in their houses for preventive reasons while a regional road closed down due to the smoke. Authorities are carrying out an investigation on the cause of the fire that broke on Sunday afternoon. Fires have destroyed some 75.000 hectares of forest land , double the size of forest land burned in 2008.

News item: 25843

[05] Flying to Munich to Receive Hristoforakos

Hristoforakos lawyer Stefan Kursawe stressed that his client would respect Constitutional Court ruling and would return to Greece if extradited. Mr. Hristoforakos will only give account for the April 2003-September 2004 period as what occurred before has been written off.

In the meantime, high pitched political dispute on Mr. Hristoforakos allegations about channeling Siemens âblack moneyâ into the two large political parties' funds continues.

Ruling ND party blames PASOK for disregarding justice and lacking seriousness on the grounds of its decision to request his lawyers to release evidence proving his allegations.

On his part PASOK deputy Kostas Geitonas in an interview with âREAL NEWSâ newspaper says that he accepts the opening of his bank accounts and describes Mr. Hristoforakos allegations as his lawyers' fabrications for defense reasons.

GCP spoke of both ND and PASOK parties' hypocritical declarations about transparency in the parties' funds while SYN underlined that corrupted bipartisanship has reached its limits.

LAOS called for Mihalis Hristoforakos lawyer to appear before the Parliament Institutions and Transparency Committee.

News item: 25837

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