The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] She Lost her Home, But Won $1.6 Mil Luck by her Side

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

In just one night, she lost everything she had built with great pains. Jacqueline Sherman, aged 57, retired librarian and resident of the town Opelousa in Louisiana, witnessed her home being destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. For the last few weeks, she has been sleeping on the floor, at her sisters home. However, every cloud has a silver lining. And although life dealt her a tough blow, especially at an age when a person hasnt got the strength to fight back, it made sure it compensated her through her gambling passion. Whenever Sherman had some spare time, she went to Louisianas casino to try her luck. As she explained later, she didnt do it for the money, but as a stress release. Lady Luck, however, had some surprises up her sleeve, since it showered her with $1.6 million. All Sherman did was play $4.25 on a slot machine, but managed to win the Jackpot. She now plans on buying a new home in New Orleans and rebuilding her life.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Due to the Crisis with Flash ESIEA Proposes Nationwide Strike

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The board of the Journalists Union of Athens Daily newspapers (ESIEA) decided to propose a nationwide strike for all Mass Media organisations, on the occasion of the crisis that has erupted with radio station Flash. The Matter troubled the Board of Directors on their first meeting after its formation, during which they also decided to stage rallies in Athens in front of the Ministries of State and Employment, over the accumulated problems being recorded in the Press and media sectors. In the meantime, speaking on TV station NET, ESIEAs president, Panos Sombolos, announced that editors Nikos Kakaounakis, Themos Anastasiadis and Emilios Liatsos have expressed their interest to buy the radio station.

ESIEA also spoke of an attack against the employees by suspending their labour and social security rights and infringing their collective work contracts. "The situation has become critical. It can go no further. This policy has to be overturned. Our strength lies in the rallying and action of all employees in Press and Media sectors," concluded the announcement. The time of the proposed strike and rally will be decided by the Steering Committee of the collaborating Unions and the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists Unions (POESY).

KKE: "The Media Has to Belong to the State"

In an announcement, KKE spoke of "a classic example of free market at work and commercialisation of all social goods," while adding, "Thousands of employees have been left out on the street, victims of businessmen and policies in favour of the capital."

KKE repeated its support for the employees at Flash, as well as all employees laying claims for steady jobs with rights. It also noted, "The Media have to belong to the state and the social organisations and not to private owners. They are only interested in the financial and political gain and not the employees and the news."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

End of Era for Flash

Related Links:

ESIEA

[03] Death Toll Reached 162 Stan's Deadly Blow

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

The death toll from the new hurricane that has been sweeping Central America and Mexico over the last few days keeps increasing. Up until now, 162 people have been killed by the floods and landslides caused by the torrential rains. The situation took a turn for the worse on Wednesday night, when rivers overflowed in Mexico and rescue crews recovered dozens of bodies buried under the mud in remote Guatemalan towns. In the hill town of Tecpan, west of the capital, more than 30 homes were destroyed, while entire families are missing.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Stan Sweeps Through Mexico

[04] On Cultural Matters Karamanlis-Tatoulis Meeting

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis met today in Maximos Mansion and discussed matters relating to the Ministry of Culture. In his statements after the meeting, Mr Tatoulis underlined that the ministry services are doing all that is necessary to protect the ancient ruins on Santorini and reopen the archaeological site to the public. He also announced that a joint meeting will be held today between the experts judicial committee and the relevant Culture Ministry committee, which will discuss the progress of the investigations. In addition, they will be visiting the site soon in order to make the necessary decisions. Referring to the allegations that surfaced concerning Patras, European Capital of Culture 2006, the Deputy Minister stressed that the main characteristic of this effort is transparency.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Employment Minister Explained Solution After Dialogue

By Jenny Charalampidou

The next government will be responsible for decisions on the social security issue. This was stated by Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos to NET 105.8, while he added that the dialogue commenced has to be long-term and complete. "The governments term ends in 2008, and it does not intend to increase age limits for pensions," underlined Mr Panagiotopoulos, while he added that the main aim of the government is the restriction of unrecorded employment, which affects social security.

EU Wants Changes

Joaqu&#237;n Almunia proposed changes in social security and labour relations and added fiscal measures. The relevant EU Commissioner, who will meet with the Prime Minister and Minister of Economyin one hour, proposed, among others, the end of early retirement and granting incentives for staying in employment.

Mr Almunia will also meet with President of PASOK George Papandreou, while the joint Press conference with Giorgos Alogoskoufis in the afternoon, is expected with great interest.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Mistook his Brother for a Boar! Hunting Trip Ends in Tragedy

By Jenny Charalampidou

A wild boar hunting trip ended up in a family tragedy, when a 28-year-old hunter mistook his brother for game and shot him with his riffle, fatally wounding him. The incident took place in a forest area near Paranesti, Drama, where the hunters, three brothers and a family friend, arrived yesterday afternoon to hunt wild boars. The four men tried to ambush their game, but the fun trip was converted into a tragedy. One of the hunters saw some movement in the bushes nearby and shot his rifle, but instead of killing a wild boar, he killed his 39-year-old brother. Two days ago, another accident took place in the same area, when a Bulgarian hunter was injured by pellets from a friends rifle.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Rally Staged at Athens Airport

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ERA

The members of the technical services Union at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport staged a two-hour rally from 6am to 8am on Thursday. In their announcement, the employees said they were protesting against the closure of Olympic Airlines, while they condemned the plans concerning the retirement and transfer of OA employees. In addition, they urged the management to brief the political leadership and company shareholder that the removal of technical personnel would break up the companys production departments. The employees remained in front of the technical base until 8am, at which time they returned back to their jobs.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Meeting Between Gul-Rehn EU-Turkey Contacts Begin

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The European Union Commissioner in charge of enlargement Olli Rehn started his contacts with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul, in Turkey. Mr Rehn, who will be supervising the neighbouring countrys accession course in the EU, stated to Mr Gul that Turkey will have to immediately resolve its internal affairs and harmonise its internal law with the community. "Turkey will be under strict supervision," added the EU Commissioner.

Later on, Mr Olli Rehn will meet with Minister of State and head of the Turkish governments negotiators Mr Ali Babajan, President of the Opposition Republican Peoples Party Mr Deniz Baykal, Presidents of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the EU Adjustment Committee of the Turkish Parliament Mehmet Dulger and Yakar Yakis respectively.

Mr Rehn will attend a dinner hosted by President of the European Commission delegation Hansjoerg Kretschmer, to all EU Ambassadors.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] For Bird Flu Solution from the Past

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

A virus, which killed 50 million people worldwide in 1918, has been recreated in an American lab with the aim of finding a solution to bird flu by examining the mysteries surrounding its virulence. As per researchers, the Spanish flu virus (H1N1) may have originated from poultry and eventually managed to affect humans. In order to recreate the virus, American scientists went to Alaska and extracted frozen tissue from a woman that had been buried under ice in November 1918. Other tissues, which had been extracted from other Spanish flu victims and kept in formaldehyde, also contributed towards recreating the virus genetic code.

Common Elements

Using preserved samples of the 1918 virus, the scientists recreated the virus with the help of a process called reverse genetics. After some decades, the virus was resurrected in a maximum-security laboratory owned by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It was then tested on rats, poultry embryos and human lung cells.

The researchers produced several types of the virus, using genes from other flu viruses, in order to pinpoint the elements that rendered it deadly.

Just like the original virus, this recreated virus killed the rats within a few days, while it also kills poultry embryos in the same way as the H5N1 virus (bird flu).

The research, which is being published today in the Science and Nature journals, will offer valuable information towards combating the virus and creating drugs.

Experts are saying that todays human flu viruses are all descendants of the 1918 flu, which means that people have some immunity to them. However, what is frightening about H5N1 is that people do not have any immunity to it, expressing fears that it could cause the first pandemic of the 21st century.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] At a Toronto Nursing Home Mystery Deadly Viral Outbreak

By Jenny Charalampidou

Canadian health officials announced that another six people have died from a mystery respiratory illness at a Toronto nursery home. In addition, some 90 people have developed the flu-like symptoms. The first case recorded at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged was last week. Thirty-four senior citizens, as well as two employees and two visitors, are being hospitalised, while most of patients are showing signs of recovery.

Authorities Put Fears to Rest

Ontarios Health Minister George Smitherman stressed there was no indication that the virus, which caused the specific illness, has spread.

Furthermore, medical experts reassured that the disease is not related to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which resulted in the death of 44 people in Toronto two years ago.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] Expecting First Child Together Patter of Tiny Feet for Cruise-Holmes

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are expecting their first child together. The famous Hollywood couple, which got engaged recently, is sealing its relationship in the best possible way, the joy of a child. Meanwhile, the two actors are also silencing those who were spreading rumours of them being together for publicity purposes. The happy announcement was made by People magazine, while it was also confirmed by Cruises spokeswoman. The American actor, who is at the moment shooting Mission Impossible 3, already has two children from his marriage to Nicole Kidman, Connor aged 10 and Isabella aged 12, while it would be Holmes first child.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] For Domestic Garbage Only Refuse Dump Reopens

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Ano Liossia hygienic refuse burial area finally reopened on Wednesday at 19:00. After nine days on strike, employees postponed their actions and garbage trucks got back to business as usual. However, only domestic garbage are taken to the refuse dump, as employees have warned they will close it down again, if EYDAP (Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company) even thinks of transferring sewage sludge from Psittalia. In Athens, cleaning crews are giving priority to districts around sensitive areas, like schools and hospitals. The bags with the thousands of tonnes of rubbish are being removed and the bins are then washed clean and disinfected. As per competent bodies, in two days the city will be clean again, as crews will be working day and night.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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