The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Total Destruction in the American North Nightmarish Estimation

By Annita Paschalinou

A week after the deadly sweep of Hurricane Katrina, the first piece of good news arrived from the front of the city of New Orleans. Engineers repaired the levee on 17th Street and thus the water level started lowering. However, daily life resembles a nightmare. The city has been totally destroyed and water drainage will take approximately three months. The Police Chief of New Orleans asked around 10,000 citizens, still situated in the city, to evacuate their homes since there is no potable water, electricity or foodstuffs. Moreover, there is concern over the contract of the West Nile virus. At the time when the US Authorities are trying to organise the chaos, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin estimates that the number of dead will exceed 10,000.

The Marshall Plan

As per the recent official death toll the number of victims in the states stricken is 230. In New Orleans the confirmed victims are 71.

In the state of Mississippi the death of 152 people has been confirmed, while Florida, which was stricken by Katrina on August 25, counts seven victims.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco asked for the implementation of the Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of the State.

"The residents of Louisiana will work based on a plan similar to the Marshall for the reconstruction of the State. All together we will put the State back on its feet," she said after a meeting with George W Bush on Monday.

At the same time the Authorities are concerned over an outbreak of epidemics. Speaking to CNN a high rank US Army official stated that airplanes are expected to spray insecticides in areas flooded with water, since there are fears over the West Nile virus which mosquitoes pass on to humans.

Blaze of Fury

A week after the sweep of the hurricane, criticisms over the government and the authorities neglect continue.

Among the voices of protest is former President Bill Clinton who demanded a federal investigation, in order to conclude who is responsible over the delay of help to the stricken.

Earlier, Bill Clinton and George Bush announced the creation of a special aid fund for the victims of the hurricane.

Aid to The Stricken

At the same time, more than 2,800 soldiers from Louisiana, who were stationed in Iraq, are returning to their state to assist the efforts of rescue crews. More than 60 European countries have responded to the US plea for aid to the stricken, among them Greece.

As announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Greece will send humanitarian aid, trained EMAK men and one or two cruise ships equipped with a doctor and a surgery, and will host patients and homeless. US Ambassador Charles Reese and Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary Matthew Bryza, who is on a 2-day visit in Athens, expressed the US governments appreciation to Petros Molyviatis over the humanitarian aid given. "This action proves exactly the strength of the friendship bond that connects the two countries," stated the US Ambassador shortly after the meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister. Earlier, speaking to NET Deputy FM Mr Stylianidis made clear "no incident has been recorded among the Greeks living in the stricken areas." He added that the Greek authorities with the assistance of US services have given their help wherever Greeks are situated.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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[02] New Extreme-Sport Craze in Switzerland Swing it Like Tarzan

By Vicky Keleri

It is the newest fad in the extreme-sport world and a whole country has gone crazy. Thousand of Swiss have been battling their everyday routine by rocketing their adrenaline levels in a highly unusual way. They transform themselves into Tarzan and swing from tree to tree just like their childhood hero did. Where is this happening? In special parks that have been created in the Swiss Alps and are equipped with the necessary facilities for this new sport. Special wooden platforms have been placed in treetops, from where the would-be Tarzans swing to the next tree. Hordes of visitors crammed the aforementioned adventure parks, as the fad became a "must" this summer. Among the people who participated was young Jeannette who said, "It demands full concentration so you dont have any time to think about how high you are, or what it would be like to fall. Youre really pushed to the limit." On their part, the owners of these parks argued that the need modern people have for new and heart-beating challenges nourish this new craze.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] In Beni Suef, South of Egypt Tragedy in Egyptian Theatre

By Annita Paschalinou

The death toll of a fire that broke out on Monday evening in a theater in the town of Beni Suef, 100km south of Cairo, in Egypt, is 30 dead and at least 37 injured. A lit candle, which was used as a prop in the play, fell on the wooden stage and the surrounding scenery caught on fire. Panic followed since100 people were to see the play in an experimental festival. Information states that one of the injured is in critical condition, suffering from severe burns. The firemen managed to set the fire under control after an hour.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Discussion of Proposal to PM In View of TIF Ministers of Economy and Health Meeting

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET 105.8

The Ministers of Economy and Health will propose measures for the protection of low income classes to the Prime Minister in view of his speech in the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). On Tuesday, in a meeting between Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Nikitas Kaklamanis, with the attendance of Deputy Ministers of Health Giorgos Konstantopoulos and Economy Petros Doukas, issues that concern social protection policies were discussed. "We will do everything in our power to reinforce low income classes," stated Giorgos Alogoskoufis after the meeting, while Nikitas Kaklamanis noted, "the joint proposal to the Prime Minister will include the best possible effort in the context of the budgets limits."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] ND On The Lead

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

Political parties leaderships are studying the results of the "Opinion" public opinion poll on the account of Mega Channel. As per the data of the opinion poll, New Democracy is still on the lead by 4.1%, Kostas Karamanlis is more suitable for Prime Minister, while a great disappointment is apparent over the economy. In particular, 49% describes it as very bad, and 34% as apparently bad. As per 46% of the people asked, the most important problem is unemployment, 19% stated price rises and 32% state both.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Agios Stefanos Church in Arnaia Destroyed Historic Church Burns in Chalkidiki

By Annita Paschalinou

Yesterday evening the Church of Agios Stefanos in Arnaia in Chalkidiki caught aflame. Fifteen Fire Service engines and 48 men rushed to the scene and set the fire under control, preventing its spread to neighboring houses. However, they did not manage to rescue the historical church, which burned down. The causes of the fire remain unknown. The Church of Agios Stefanos was built in 1812, while it was burned down during the 1821 Revolution and when the residents returned all they found were its walls. The Church was a three-wing basilica and its bell tower was built in 1889.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] They Set Fire to Revenge

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP

Four teenage girls, three aged 15 and the other 18, confessed on Monday to setting fire on the 18-storey apartment block in the Paris suburb of LHay-les-Roses. The blaze broke out when they set fire to the letter box of their ex friend, who lived there, to take revenge. The teenage girls are to be taken to the Public Prosecutor, who investigates the case. In the meantime, the 35-year-old Haitian who died on Monday evening in the districts hospital, raised the death toll to 17.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[08] Greece Has Potential

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Friendly games may not be offering the best picture, but Greece proved it has potential to make the difference in EUROBASKET to be held in Serbia. The Greeks coasted a 91-81 victory over Germany in the opening of the 19th Acropolis Tournament and showed that they will be ready for the premier of the European Championship. All Greek players performed well, but Fotsis was singled out and proved that he can be really helpful in the future.

Halftime From Another Planet!

Greeces dominance was overwhelming in the first part. With its iron defence and extremely fruitful offence, Panagiotis Giannakis boys took the lead from the very beginning. In the first five minutes, the score was 21-4 as a result of Tsiartsaris impeccable defence on Germanys big star Dirk Nowitzki. At that point, Panagiotis Giannakis refreshed his team and Diamantidis, Chatzivrettas, Kakiouzis, Tsiartsaris and Papadopoulos replaced Papaloukas, Zissi, Fotsis, Vasileiadis and Dikoudis.

Despite the changes, the scenery remained the same. Vasilis Spanoulis scored a three-point shot and the score was 48-17. On its part, Dirk Bowermans players did their best to reverse the score. But in vain! The Greeks were unstoppable and the halftime found Greece enjoying a 52-24 lead.

Greece Loosened Up

The team's great performance in the first part allowed Giannakis to test many schemes and players, which, as it was expected, put an end to Greece's efficiency in the offence. On the other hand, Nowitzki started reminding more of himself and the Germans managed to reduce the score to 17 points (66-49, in the 28'). However, Greece was successful in maintaining the lead and at the end of the third ten-minute period Greece was ahead with 21 points (72-51).

In the fourth period, Greece appeared tired and Germany reduced the difference in score to 10 points (84-74). Panagiotis Giannakis' cries awakened his boys and in the end Greece claimed a 91-81 victory.

GREECE: Papaloukas 11(1), Spanoulis 7(1), Zisis 9, Fotsis 19(2), Chatzivrettas 6(2), Dikoudis 10, Tsartsaris 5, Diamantidis 8, Papadopoulos 7, Kakiouzis 9(1), Bourousis, Vasileiadis

Germanny: Green 4, Pesic 2, Wuhrer 7, Hamman, Nikagbatse 7(1), Arigbabu, Nowitzki 29(1), Maras 5, Roller 6(2), Garett 11(2), Soultz 11(1), Yagla, Herber

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Great Police Operation Deadly Extremist Clashes

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

A Saudi Arabian security source announced that five Islamists suspected Al Qaeda members and two policemen were killed during the night in a shootout in the town of Dammam, in eastern Saudi Arabia. The clashes took place during the third day of a great Police operation, targeted at a residence where the suspects were hiding. Actually, on Monday, the US Consulate in the neighboring town of Dhahran closed down for security reasons. Up to now, the identity of the three dead extremists has not been announced, however, television network Al Arabiya said that at least one of them was on the countrys 36 most wanted list.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] An Indonesian Airlines Aircraft Emergency Landing

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP

An Indonesian Garunda Boeing 737-400 en route from Medan to Jakarta made an emergency landing, a day after the multi-fatality accident with a Boeing 737-200 in northern Sumatra that cost the lives of at least 145. The aircraft took off from Polonia Airport but presented a malfunction, in particular a technical problem in the fuel indicator as a company spokesperson announced. "The pilot did not want to take a risk and decided to land the aircraft at the nearest airport," he added. The aircraft with 76 passengers and a 5-member crew on board successfully landed at the Pekanbaru Airport in the province of Riau.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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[11] Epicentre in the Eastern Shores 6.1 Earthquake in Taiwan

By Annita Paschalinou

An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked Taiwan in the early morning hours. The epicentre of the earthquake was located at the eastern shores, 63km east of the town of Hualien, at a depth of 12km. Up to now there have been no reports of damage or victims. Taiwan is considered to be one of the most earthquake prone countries. One of the biggest and catastrophic earthquakes ever to strike the country was in 1999. Then, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale cost the lives of 2,400 people.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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