The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-11-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gale Force Winds in the Seas

Rain and storms in the west and north parts of the country has been forecast for Tuesday and gale force winds in the seas while a sailing ban for some regions is still in force. Damages due to bad weather have been reported mainly in the west parts of the country. Winds will start abating tomorrow.

Damages to Houses and Cultivations

In Ahaia, a tornado caused unprecedented damage sweeping away house-roofs, breaking window glasses, toppling trees. A wagon of a train en route to Kalamata derailed as a tree trunk was laying on the track. No injuries were reported.

In the island of Corfu strong winds caused problems in power supply and sea transport on the island of Corfu, on Monday. Heavy rainfall, storms and strong winds also caused problems in Ioannina.

A tornado damaged houses and tourist businesses on the island of Zante, on Monday. This is the second tornado in few days on Zante island, but luckily it caused limited damage.

Due to strong winds reaching 8 in Beaufort scale a sailing ban is in force for many destinations. Passengers are advised to contact local ports for information.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA Relevant link: National Metereological Service

News item: 46453

[02] Albania: Greek Bus Fell off 120m Cliff

Ten people were killed and 20 injured in a road accident near Tepelena, Albania. The bus, which belonged to a Greek long distance bus company, was travelling from Athens to Tirana. Under unknown conditions the bus plunged off a sharp cliff (120m depth) in a rainstorm, on Monday. There are no Greeks among the victims except for the bus-driver who is from Yiannena.

There were 49 passengers on the bus. The driver survived and is being treated for his injuries.

The tragic accident occurred at 21:00, on Monday while immediately about 100 police and rescue crews arrived at the scene to remove victims from the damaged bus. The operation lasted about 2.5 hours reported Albanian mass media.

The cause of the crash on this road network, where there are works in progress, is to being investigated.

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 46305

[03] Train Carrying Nuclear Waste in Dannenberg

A train carrying nuclear waste in Germany arrived in its terminal in Dannenberg, in northern Germany after a three day trip halted at many sites by protesters. The shipment will be unloaded onto trucks and driven to the storage site at Gorleben, in north-central Germany about 20 kilometers from Dannenberg.

Protesters Tried to Halt the Train Carrying Nuclear Waste

The train carrying nuclear waste has to stop overnight 25km from Dannenberg as about 3000 demonstrators had blocked the train track. Police were trying to remove protesters all night while their mission concluded this morning.

The 123 tones of nuclear waste will be unloaded onto trucks in Dannenberg, a procedure that will last till late. The trucks will then be driven to the storage site at Gorleben. Police spokesman said that no problems are expected at the storage site which is protected by a wire fence.

Source: ÁNA/ÌPA

News item: 46222

[04] Papakonstantinou: "Greece is Changing"

"Greece is changing" was the subject of the "Hellenic Observatory" annual lecture at the London School of Economics, with main speaker Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou. He referred to the austerity measures to deal with the deep fiscal crisis. "The deficit will drop by 5.5% points till the end of the year", said Mr. Papakonstantinou and ruled out debt restructuring. He also underlined that drop in deficit and stabilization of state operation institutions were basic prerequisites for growth.

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 46398

[05] Troika Delegation in Athens

Greece is to issue 6-month state bonds on Tuesday to raise 300 million euros. In the meantime, a Troika delegation has arrived in Athens to start inspections on the implementation of the memorandum in view of the third installment of the rescue package. " The austerity program implemented by the Greek government is credible", said Eurogroup president in Brussels on Monday. Furthermore, he underlined the need for additional measures to achieve fiscal targets due to recession in 2010.

Morgan Stanley report has foreseen extension of period under memorandum, underlining that it would have a positive impact on the country's creditors as it reduces risk of extension of crisis, ensures the debt would be paid and averts bankruptcy possibility of a euro zone member state.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 46281

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