The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Contest of the Acclaimed Artists Unique Night

By Vivian Papastefanou

The Thessaloniki Song Festival is ending with the final of the acclaimed Greek artists. PAOKs Indoor Hall has filled up with people, who came to watch the show from up close. The night is expected to impress audiences, as it is dedicated to the late Greek composer Stavros Kougioumtzidis. This special part of the show has been organised by Greek artists Dionysis Savvopoulos and Lina Nikolakopoulou and the singers will be Melina Kana, Kostas Makedonas, Maria Kougioumtzi, Andreas Karakotas, Pantelis Theocharidis, Michalis Papazisis and Manolis Chatzimanolis. In addition, composer Giorgos Chatzinasios will play some of Stavros Kougioumtzidis greatest hits on the piano. Many rehearsals have taken place at Pylaia Hall since this morning, while the dress rehearsal started at 4pm. The viewers will have the opportunity to see some great artist of the Greek music scene performing on stage and trying to win the contest. That is why the tickets are sold out. However, the real winner will be Greek music. The acclaimed artists final, which will include the song that won first place at the news artists contest on 6 October, is being broadcast live through ERTSat and www.ert.gr. The choice depends solely on the audience, since it will decide through televoting and SMSs for the best song. Ieroklis Michailidis and Dimitris Starovas will be the hosts of the evening and they promised a very exciting show, as their style and humour will surely mark this final contest.

Positive Reviews for the First Final

At noon, the organisers of the Festival invited all accredited reporters to lunch at a famous Thessaloniki ouzo tavern for a friendly talk. ERTs chairman Christos Panagopoulos, as well as commissioned board members for ERT and TIF, Giorgos Chouliaras and Nikos Kassimatis, discussed with the reporters the impressive work that has gone into organising the Festival and the positive reviews from the first final. Mr Panagopoulos noted that once again, the aim of ERT and the TIF was to open new avenues for Greek music. ERTs chairman also mentioned that the acclaimed artists received a fee to participate, while he noted that many of the artists wanted to be included. He further added that the proceeds from the ticket sales for both finals came to 70,000 euros. In addition, he mentioned that the TV ratings from the first final, reached 22%, which is a great result, since many of the private channels were airing premieres of their new shows at the same time. Finally, he noted that 60,000 people voted on the night through televoting and SMSs.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] From Romania and Turkey Embargo on Poultry Imports

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA - NET

The Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food referred to the precautionary measures being implemented in Greece to hinder the entry of avian flu to the country. The Deputy Minister also stressed that Greece is protected against this threat. As noted in the announcement, an order has been issued to ban the importation of live poultry and their products from the countries where cases of bird flu have been recorded. Furthermore, Mr Kontos contacted all relevant bodies and representatives from Prefectural Self-Governments close to the neighbouring countries and asked them to implement stricter measures. In addition, on 12-9-05, the Ministrys Veterinary Department sent a circular to all the veterinary agencies of Prefectural Self-Governments, setting out the measures that have to be implemented concerning the disease. Specifically, the measures are:

1. Surveillance programmes have been drawn up and are being implemented, aiming at locating infectious sources of the flu, in order to deal with any cases promptly.

2. A special National Laboratory for Reporting Cases of Avian Flu is already operating and is on alert to test any pathogenic samples sent by veterinary agencies.

3. The importation of live poultry, meat, and other poultry products from countries where cases of bird flu have been detected is banned, by decision of the EU and Greece.

4. The customs authorities at points of entry to the country (airports, ports, etc) are closely collaborating with the veterinary authorities and passengers travelling from countries where cases have been recorded will be thoroughly checked, in order to stop any illegal importation of poultry, food and other poultry products.

5. For the third year running, the veterinary authorities of the Rural Development Ministry will be implementing an EU programme concerning tests for bird flu on breeding, as well as wild birds.

6. The Ministry of Rural Development and Food will be in close contact with the relevant authorities of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, in order to better coordinate their efforts.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

British Contribution to Flu

[03] Public Agencies Abolished

By Annita Paschalinou

In an interview to newspaper Apogevmatini tis Kyriakis, Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis revealed the ministrys plan for helping Greece to move ahead. Alogoskoufis announced that 100 public agencies would be abolished in the next two years, a process which has been authorised by the Prime Minister. He also clarified that the civil servants working at the agencies in question would be reassigned, but in no case will they lose their jobs. The plan will be coordinated by Cabinet secretary general Argyris Karras.

Further Privatisations

The plan for narrowing down the state and helping the Economy move ahead provides for further privatisations.

Emphasis will be primarily put on the Greek Postal Savings Bank, which will be admitted to the Athens Stock Exchange, and on the further denationalisation of the Agricultural Bank and the Commercial Bank.

Integration of Benefits to Salaries

Regarding the salaries of civil servants, the minister underlined that certain benefits will be integrated to salaries as of 2006.

However, he noted that the process would take very long due to the huge fiscal cost.

The Minister admitted there are huge differences in civil servants' salaries and a deviation of salaries reaching 100% for people with the same qualifications.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] The Touch of Colours Blind Feels Colours

By Annita Paschalinou

A woman, who can recognise colours despite being blind, has baffled German scientists. 48-year-old Gabriele Simon from Wallenhorst in Germany, can recognise colours through touch, a skill which she mastered after 20 years of pure learning and concentration. Simon revealed her amazing skill during the most popular German TV show "Wetten Dass," by using her fingertips to distinguish between colours with absolute success. Colour recognition gives the 48-year-old woman more independence, as she doesn't have to rely on her family for everyday things, such as getting dressed.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] From PASOK and SYN Reactions over Nimic's Proposals

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA - NET 105.8

PASOKs section head for Foreign Policy and Defence, Christos Papoutsis, criticized the Government, following the proposals for the name of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, submitted by special mediator Matthew Nimic to Greeces Permanent Ambassador to the UN. In his statements, Mr Papoutsis noted that NDs Government is putting Greece is an increasingly tougher spot, with its policies, practices and lack of strategy. At the same time, P. Trigazis, a member of SYNs Political Secretariat, asked for the emergency convocation of the National Council for Foreign Policy. "We are afraid that we are being led into a new dead-end over a matter that has hindered and halted Greeces Balkan policies in the last decade," he declared. It should be noted that yesterday, the Greek Foreign Ministry rejected Nimics proposals, describing them as unacceptable.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Nimic's Proposals Are Unacceptable

[06] Quake Rocks Volvi Again

By Annita Paschalinou

An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale was recorded at 10:12am close to Thessaloniki. The epicentre was located between lakes Koronia (Lagada) and Volvi, at the same place as the great earthquake of 1978 took place. However, Professor Karaiskakis claimed that there is no reason for concern. Some seismic activity was also recorded between the two lakes on 12 September, when five tremors hit the area, with the biggest one measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Alarm Ends in Paris

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Associated Press

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was briefly evacuated on Sunday afternoon, following an anonymous bomb threat. The authorities asked visitors and workers to leave the monument, while a squad of explosives experts arrived at the scene. Police turned up nothing suspicious during a search and people were authorised to return to the monument after about an hour. Todays incident in the French capital comes just days after the stricter security measures were implemented in New Yorks subway, following threats of an imminent terrorist attack.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Six Died Helicopter Crash in Italy

By Vicky Keleri

Six people were tragically killed in Italy, when the helicopter they were onboard crashed. According to the Italian authorities, the accident took place close to Lake Como. The passengers were probably tourists, who nationalities have not been disclosed yet, and they had hired the helicopter to admire the sites of the area from above.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Rehhagel: "We Were Eliminated in Ukraine"

By Stathis Petropoulos

In his statements after the match with Denmark, Otto Rehhagel focused on the Greek absences throughout the preliminary phase and the lack of goals. However, he did underline qualification was lost in the match with Ukraine and not today. "Denmark's victory was a fair one," stressed the German coach and added, "The problem with the last matches is we couldn't score and this is something we repeated today. We were losing the ball too easily. I expected we would play better. Unfortunately, we did not make it. In essence, we were eliminated. In Portugal, I had the ideal lineup at my disposal. This time, we had many absences and Dellas in particular was out for a long time. Plus, we made a lot of mistakes today. Still, we were not eliminated today, that happened in the match against Ukraine, where we were better and should have won."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Contact with Turkish Authorities British Contribution to Flu

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA NET 105.8

Great Britain is sending a team of experts to Romania to assist with the laboratory tests over the bird flu, after cases of the disease were detected at the Danube delta, as announced by a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). He also added that Britain was also in touch via the European Commission with Turkish authorities, since cases of bird flu were also detected near Balikesir, western Turkey. In Romania, however, the scientists have not been able to isolate the virus in the birds that have been infected, but indicated it was less likely to be a virulent strain. The tests, though, will continue for several days. If the Romanian cases do turn out to be the deadly H5N1 virus, they would be the first evidence the strain has spread to Europe from Asia, where it has killed 65 people and millions of birds since 2003. At the same time, Poland announced that it was banning all imports of poultry and poultry products from Turley and Romania indefinitely.

Up until now, 2,000 birds were culled in western Turkey, while the authorities announced that all the birds and dogs in the area would be put down as a precaution.

This process has also commenced in Romania, while the authorities there announced that they will vaccinate the population if it is deemed necessary.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Alarm Sounded in Romania & USA

[11] Succeeding Angelina Jolie The World's Sexiest Woman Alive

By Annita Paschalinou

We all met Jessica Biel as Mary Camden in the TV show "7th Heaven." Mary, the oldest daughter and troublemaker of priest Camden's seven-member family, has been proclaimed the "Sexiest Woman Alive" for 2005 by American Esquire magazine. 23-year-old Jessica Biel has just stepped in Angelina Jolie's shoes. "She is sexy and fresh. It just seemed like Jessica Biel's moment," stated Esquire editor-in-chief David Granger. Jessica plays a supporting role in the upcoming "Elizabethtown" and starred earlier this year in "Stealth."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] He Was Crushed Under a Garage Door Six-Year-Old Dies Tragically

By Vicky Keleri

A six-year-old was fatally injured on Saturday afternoon in Stavrochori, Kilkis, when he was crushed under a garage door. Apparently, the garage owner did not see the young boy and activated the closing mechanism. The boy was found bruised a few hours later and taken to hospital, but it was too late. The garage owner was arrested at the order of the First Instance Public Prosecutor and charged with homicide by misadventure. At the same time, the Kilkis Police Department is holding a preliminary hearing on the case.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[13] To Save a Nine-year-old Girl Airlift for Life

By Vicky Keleri

On Saturday, a nine-year-old girl was hastily taken to a specialised centre in Palermo, Italy, with a C130, in order to undergo liver transplant surgery. The girl is suffering from Wilson, a rare hereditary syndrome affecting the liver, kidneys or brain. The nine-year-old girl was hospitalised in Ippokrateio Hospital, Thessaloniki, since September 14 with acute liver deficiency, which is irreversible when the patient has Wilson and needs immediate transplant.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[14] As per the FBI and Homeland Security Department Terror Threat in New York's Subway

By Annita Paschalinou

After the article in the New York Daily News on Saturday, Reuters news agency also received a copy of the memo the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security sent to New York authorities, as per which there are fears of a potential attack today, Sunday, in New York's subway. According to information, a group of terrorists would hit the subway with remote-detonated bombs hidden in briefcases, suitcases or baby trolleys. Some of the terrorists could already be in New York, while some could be arriving today. Although federal authorities are questioning the threat, the mayor of New York informed the public on Thursday on the matter.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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