The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Heating Oil Prices between 0.58 and 0.66 Heated Inspections

By Athina Saloustrou

Development Ministry inspections on liquid fuel stations aim at stamping out profiteering in heating oil. At the same time, the fuel resellers, who are continuing their collective actions, will meet today with the leadership of the Development Ministry, asking for an extension to the deadline for the construction of larger tanks and the possibility of distributing fuel. In Athens, the price of heating oil ranges between 0.58 and 0.61 euros per litre, with an average of 0.59. In regional Greece, the price is around 0.57 in Thessaloniki and Kavala, while it even reached 0.66 in Igoumenitsa, Florina, Larissa and Chania. According to market analysts, the retail prices in regional Greece should not exceed the prices in urban centres by more than 0.02 euros per litre.

On an international level, today, the price of oil is hovering just over $63 per barrel in the Asian markets, because of fears of increase in demand due to the impending winter period. This morning, the price of black gold for November delivery contracts was at $63.79 per barrel in Singapore, up by $1.16 from the closing price in New York last Friday.

In the meantime, the price of American crude oil for November delivery contacts was just under $64 per barrel, recording a profit of $1.35, amid new fears for a blow to USAs oil facilities from another storm in the Atlantic.

Furthermore, the profits recorded in the oil companies stocks are affecting stock prices in European Stock Exchanges. BPs stocks increased by 2.2% and Totals by 2.1%, while at 11:08 (Greek local time), Londons FTSE index was up by 0.20%, Paris CAC 40 by 0.34% and Frankfurts DAX by 0.29%.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Fearing Winter

[02] Price of Oil Creeps Up Fearing Winter

By Athina Saloustrou

The price of oil has crept up to over $63 per barrel in the Asian markets, because of fears of increase in demand due to the impending winter period. This morning, the price of black gold for November delivery contracts was at $63.79 per barrel in Singapore, up by $1.16 from the closing price in New York last Friday. Victor Shum, oil analyst at Texas-headquartered Purvin & Gertz in Singapore stressed that we are approaching November, which is expected to be quite cold in the USA, while he added that markets fear that demand would skyrocket in case of a cold wave.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] EU Meeting Tomorrow Vaccine with Prescription

By Jenny Charalampidou

Sources: ÁNA, ÅRÁ, ÍÅÔ, ÂÂC

No cases of bird flu have been detected in Greece so far, following sample tests on migratory birds. Today, eight birds that were found dead in the Evros Delta will be tested in Thessaloniki, while the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council will convene tomorrow to decide on the necessary measures for combating the disease. In Greece, by ministerial decision, which will be effective until June, the anti-flu vaccine can only be obtained though chemists with a prescription. In the meantime, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche dispensed the anti-viral drug Tamiflu free of charge to Turkey and Romania, where the H5N1 bird flu virus has been detected.

Greek Authorities on Alert

No cases of bird flu have been detected in the Prefecture of Evros and its Delta, following sample tests on migratory birds, while the inspections are continuing. Eight birds were found dead yesterday, but the relevant Deputy Prefect stressed that there was no reason for concern over the dead birds. However, they, along with the rest of the samples collected over the weekend, will be sent to the Thessaloniki Veterinary Lab for testing, due to the havoc over bird flu.

Furthermore, a British lab is expected to announce by the end of the day whether the second Romanian case, which was located 30km away from the first, is also a deadly strain of the flu. The first case in Romania was located on the Danube Delta and was the same type as the case in Turkey.

In Romania, where the duck cases along River Danube were confirmed, protective measures will be implemented throughout the country, while the countrys President declared that the Health authorities would collaborate with the neighbouring countries, in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

An emergency meeting of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council has been scheduled for tomorrow in Luxemburg, to decide on the necessary measures for combating the disease. The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Evangelos Basiakos, will be representing Greece at the meeting.

Vaccine Pandemic!

While many countries are short on medical reserves that could combat an imminent spread of the flu, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche announced that it will be sending a great quantity of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu to Romania and Turkey. Roche will donate 20,000 boxes of Tamiflu to Turkey, so that the employees working in close contact with poultry can be protected, and another 2,500 to Romania. In addition, the company has also offered 3 million boxes of Tamiflu to the World Health Organisation so they cane be distributed as needed, while it also announced that it was maximising production.

However, it was estimated that 4 billion vaccine doses are needed to cover the global population, at a time when the pharmaceutical monopolies can only produce 300 million doses annually. Actually, according to some Media articles, Roche, along with Glaxo pharmaceutical conglomerate, have entered a cutthroat battle to close deals amounting to$3 billion.

Tamiflu, the only medicine that could combat the disease, has disappeared from chemists. Individuals belonging to vulnerable groups have rushed to be vaccinated, so it is very doubtful whether the ones who really need it will be able to be vaccinated. In any case, if the reserves actually run very low, Greek Plan Perseas provides for priority lists, which will be given to chemists.

The Vice President of the health sectors Steering Body, Panos Efstathiou, addressed an appeal through radio station NET 105.8, urging individuals that do not belong to vulnerable groups not to purchase anti-viral drugs. He also added that abiding to strict personal hygiene rules was enough.

British Experts Travel to Asia

As part of the measures being implemented at a European level, the British authorities are preparing for an imminent pandemic, since, as per a government official, it could kill up to 50,000 people in that country alone. British experts from the Medical Research Council, which discovered the flu virus in 1933, are preparing to travel to SE Asia (China, Vietnam and Hong Kong), in order to promote international collaboration for combating bird flu and other infections that could turn into epidemics or pandemics, in view of the international conference in December.

Romania Hundreds of Birds Slaughtered

All the birds in the second bird flu source in Maliuc, northeastern Romania, on the Danube Delta, have been slaughtered.

In addition, the citizens of the villages Maliuc and Ceamurlia de Jos, where the bird flu virus has been confirmed, have already been vaccinated against seasonal flu and they are undergoing strict medical tests to detect any possible symptoms.

The two sources have been quarantines and disinfected. On Saturday, a British lab specialising on bird flu confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus on two samples found in the village Ceamurlia de Jos, while they are expected to announce detailed results of the tests on the two birds from Maliuc, which are probably carriers of the same virus, early this week.

Canada on Alert

According to Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, Canada is on alert over the bird flu virus, stressing that a pandemic could occur only if the virus mutates and starts being transmitted from humans to humans. The Minister noted that Canada would also be affected if the virus mutates, while he added that the country is very well prepared for a possible pandemic, while the USA is asking Canada for advice to deal with the problem.

The World Health Organisation confirmed that Canada is prepared to deal with a deadly epidemic, but the Minister pointed out that the protective measures would not be enough to deal with a global disaster. The Canadian Minister made these statements just one day after the three cases of the ducks in Romania were confirmed, a fact that has sounded the alarm not only in Europe, but also the rest of the western world.

The concerns of the doctors and the health services focus on the possibility of the H5N1 virus, detected a few days ago on Turkey and Romania, mutating and getting transmitted from person to person, which would lead to unprecedented developments.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Concern and Measures

Europe Takes Measures

Shielded Against Virus

Global Alert

[04] Pets Train Better! Dogs In, Children Out

By Despina Hristopoulou

Not being able to stand the mischief of small children, Roland Ballner, owner of Cortisen Hotel in Austria, vetoed the entrance of customers under the age of 12, noting that entrance is allowed to dogs. As per the owner, children constantly hassle him, and he cannot find a way of quieting them down! Mr Ballner stated that the children are noisy, cause damage, infuriate other customers and cause panic attacks to the personnel. At the same time, parents are taking the side of their children and continue their vacation unworried, however the owner accuses them of being responsible of their behaviour. On the other hand, pets seem to have a better behaviour, as they do not bother other customers and are surely better trained than children, while they do not draw on the walls and on the white leather pillows.

This bizarre measure will be imposed as of May 12, and as per Mr Ballner reactions have been positive, while the difference is apparent by the increase of bookings.

The hotel is located at one of the best positions near Wolfgangsee Lake and cost the owner 2.5 million euros.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Between the Islands of Chios and Samos Strong Quake in the Aegean

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

A strong earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale was recorded at 8:45 on Monday morning and its epicentre was located in the sea, between the Greek islands of Chios and Samos. The tremor was felt throughout the Aegean Sea, while, despite the fact that the epicentre was 250km east of Athens, the quake was also felt in the Greek capital. There are no reports yet on victims or damages either in Greece or in Turkey. An aftershock measuring 4.1 was recorded 15 minutes after the first quake, while several smaller aftershocks followed. The director of the Athens Geodynamic Institute, Gerasimos Papadopoulos, described the aftershocks as "natural and expected", since the initial earthquake was quite strong. The seismologists are putting fears to rest, since they consider it was the main earthquake.

Although the scientists believe that it was the main earthquake, they noted that no conclusions could be drawn before the next two days.

By decision of the local Prefects, the schools on Samos, Chios and Ikaria will remain closed today.

The quake spread fear and panic among the citizens of Izmir, however, the local governor, Oguz Kagan Kyeksal, said that there were no victims or damages.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Alogoskoufis-Panagiotopoulos Meeting over Social Security

By Athina Saloustrou

The issue with the social security of bank employees will be at the focus of the meeting between Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Employment Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos at the Economy Ministry this afternoon. At the same time, the leadership of ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) will meet with Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos to discuss the Civil Servants Code. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister met with Mercantile Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis at 10:15pm, while at 11:30am, Mr Karamanlis is scheduled to hold discussions with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Of the Helios Boeing Crucial Point in Investigation

Once again, Akrivos Tsolakis, President of the Air Accidents and Incidents Investigative Committee, is in Cyprus, in order to receive new statements on the air tragedy that took place last August, in Grammatiko, and cost the lives of 121 persons. As per Mr Tsolakis, the investigations over the causes of the Helios Boeing are in a very crucial point, and are taking place in a quicker pace than expected, adding "we know where we are headed, and I can say that I know where well end." Mr Tsolakis advised the victims relatives to be patient until the verdict of the Committee emerges, whereby they can take legal measured. Furthermore, he added that four members of the Committee are in the Boeing Company facilities, in Washington, USA, in order to investigate parts of the aircraft collected from the area.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] For the 2006 General Elections Prodi vs Berlusconi

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

With 70% of the Italian Oppositions votes counted already, the former President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, will be Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconis opponent in the 2006 general elections. "This is above our every expectation," said Prodi, who gathered 73.5% of the votes. Some 4 million Italians, supporters of the centre-left coalition, proceeded to vote, while the leader of the Communist Refoundation, Fausto Bertinotti, came in second with 15.4%. All the Italian citizens had the right to vote and choose between a total of six candidates. Asked to comment on the Opposition elections, Silvio Berlusconi was very cynical, saying that Prodi can win the elections only if the left-wing supporters vote. The electoral process, though, was marred by the Mafia-style killing of a local politician, Francesco Fortugno, outside Locris polling station, in Calabria.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] In an Argentinean Jail Multi-Fatality Prison Riot

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

At least 32 prisoners were killed during a riot in a prison in Magdalena, Argentina, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The nearly 200 inmates set mattresses and clothes aflame, resulting in the death of 32 people from carbon monoxide inhalation. In addition, six people were injured, including the warden, who is being hospitalised in grave condition. Eduardo Di Rocco, the justice minister in Buenos Aires province, denied that the inmates had revolted to have visiting hours extended on Mothers Day, but attributed the incident to inmate infighting. It should be noted that such riots are quite common in Argentinean penitentiaries.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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