The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] A Panel of Experts on Oinousses Turkey Raises Concerns

By Jenny Charalampidou

Sources: ANA, NET, ERA

Additional measures are to be considered on Tuesday by the EU General Affairs and Trade Council to avert the spreading of the avian flu, which crossed the Greek borders on Monday. The Greek Sanitary Authorities and the EU have sounded the alarm after confirming a case tested positive for the H5 virus in a turkey farm on the Aegean Sea island of Oinousses, Greece. The sample in question had been taken on October 13 and the verification is expected on Tuesday. The EU Veterinary Committee is to announce on Thursday the measures for the protection of the Greek people. The EU General Affairs Council is to meet on the same issue in Brussels. Minister of Rural Development and Food Evangelos Basiakos is to represent Greece.

Measures After Detecting the Suspected Turkey

A suspected avian flu case that was confirmed in a turkey farm on the Aegean island of Oinousses has raised concerns. One in the nine samples form the farm was tested positive for the H5 virus.

However, it takes more than that for the sanitary authorities to determine whether the bird has been infected with the avian flu. Therefore, the owners of the farm have not been placed under quarantine, but they are under a house arrest for a week.

The Greek Ministry of Rural Development in close cooperation with the Prefecture of Chios has put a special action plan in force to deal with the possible spread of the flu, and assured that all the necessary measures ordered by the World Health Organisation have been implemented.

a. The Emergency Action Plan was implemented falling in line with the EU and the Greek legislation in force.

b. The breeding poultries are monitored and recorded.

c. The exploitation of the birds is restricted and selling their eggs is banned.

d. The movement of people, vehicles, other animals and meat from the area where the suspected case was detected is banned.

e. The people who were in close contact with those turkeys will be placed under house arrest for at least seven days. They will be subjected to clinical and lab tests.

Panic Over Vaccines

The Ministry of Health announced that the anti-flu vaccine will be administered provided a doctor has subscribed it, while the upcoming fortnight will witness a further intake of 210,000 vaccines and 42,000 anti-virus medicines.

The Greek National Organisation for Medicines decided to release 90,000 vaccines to the market, with the remaining 120,000 kept in store for the high-risk groups who really need them.

With regard to the anti-viral medicine Tamiflu believed to be the most effective against the avian flu, the Sanitary Authorities of Greece has received 32,000 packs, while further 10,000 will have been received by late November.

The Swiss pharmaceutical industry, Roche, announced on Tuesday that it is ready to narrow down its monopoly regarding the output of the Tamiflu medicine. The industry reiterated that it is willing to discuss the issuing of a special authorisation to governments and companies to produce the medicine should a pandemic break out. Roche added that the American Food and Drug Administration allowed the production of the medicine to be carried out in a factory on the US soil.

However, the World Health Organisation warns the Europeans that the medicine in question is not a vaccine and does not address everyone indiscriminately.

EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Markos Kyprianou urged the EU Member-States to gather as much stock of anti-viral medicine as possible on fear of a pandemic outbreak.

New Possible Case in Romania

Meanwhile, a possible new avian flu case was found in Romania in the Danube Delta. The Romanian Agricultural Minister said that the avian flu antibodies were detected in a swan.

The Minister noted that additional tests should be carried out to determine whether it is the deadly H5N1 virus.

Dead Pigeons in Athens

Ten dead pigeons were reported on 10 Manoutiou Street in the area of Abelokipoi in Athens. The Prefecture was immediately notified and veterinarians rushed to the scene to collect the dead pigeons and to proceed with the recommended procedures to make sure whether the incident is related to the avian flu.

Italy Concerns

Confirming an avian flu case in Italy is a matter of days, said an Italian expert, following the first case in Greece, while many regions on the Italian peninsula are considering the possibility to ban hunting.

An expert from Venice animal conservation institute underlined that Greece and Italy lie on the same parallel meaning that if the migratory birds carrying the virus reached Greece, some of them have already arrived in Italy.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Suspected Case in Greece

Concern and Measures

Europe Takes Measures

Shielded Against Virus

Possible Pandemic Ahead

[02] Spot Checks Continue Checks on Oil Adultery

By Athina Saloustrou

Spot checks for the correct delivery of heating oil to citizens, started by the Ministry of Development Directorate, continue intensively, while the General Secretariat for the Consumer issued a special leaflet, distributed by Citizen Service Centres (KEP), with useful advice on the purchase and use of heating oil. On their part, fuel station owners accuse heating oil resellers of adultery and illegal trade incidents observed in the market. In yesterdays Press conference, the President of the Fuel Station Owners, Dimitris Makryvelios, asked for the strict adherence to the heating oil distribution bill, and pointed the finger at Deputy Development Minister Giorgos Salagoudis, who as he said, is responsible for handling energy issues, underlining that some sides encourage these incidents. On his part, the Deputy Minister replying to the statements of the fuel station owners, in an announcement, stated that the Ministry of Development has already pledged to the fuel station owners that it will take up initiatives in order to advance, in collaboration with relevant Ministries, the resolution of these issues.

In the meantime, the price of crude oil on November delivery contracts recorded a decrease, in electronic exchanges in Nymex, as it is estimated that tropical rainstorm Wilma, developing in the Caribbean, is expected to affect big oil facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. The prices decreased by 38 cents reaching $63.98 per barrel. At 09:15am, in Singapore, oil was traded at $64.12 per barrel. Yesterday, oil prices on November delivery contracts, in fear of Wilma, and the cold winter expected in the USA, climbed up to$64.36 per barrel, closing at the highest level since October 3.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] The Patent Came to Light New Generation Rubber

By Vagelis Theodorou

The scientist community has taken a step towards creating an imperishable rubber material. The expert team that conducted the biochemist study at the CSIRO Industries in Australia succeeded in producing resilin, a rubber protein that offers elastic energy and resilience to insects. The protein in question could be used one day in anything from bouncy balls to medical implants, told Chris Elvin. The team of scientists used part of the resilin gene and managed to reveal the patent that had been a top secret. Now, the researchers will try to add silk gene taken from the spiders web to create a new material, as elastic as resilin and as resilient as steel.

Insects Inspired the Scientists

The resilin protein was named after the English adjective "resilient" to denote its ability to stretch over and over without losing its elastic properties.

It is a protein that is found in the wing structure of many insects, as well as in fleas allowing them to jump high.

Although the existence of the resilin gene had long been known to the scientists, the precise patent was still unknown. The Australian scientists isolated part of the gene that contains repeating sequences. They noticed that a plethora of elastic proteins are made up of such sequences of amino acids, which also come from genes with displaying repeating sequences.

Discovering the appropriate sequence cleared the way for the resilin output. The part of the gene was inserted into a coli bacteria cultivation and the brew of the microbes generated several grams of the protein pro-resilin, which is a precursor to resilin itself.

Mr Elvin stated that they aim to use the resilin protein to create spinal implants.

Related Links:

CSIRO

[04] Holy Lawsuit!

By Vagelis Theodorou

A Romanian inmate, called Pavel M., messed with God accusing Him of failing to protect him from the Devil. The local Media released Pavels complaint that read, " I, the undersigned Pavel M, currently jailed at Timisoara Penitentiary serving a 20 years sentence for murder, request legal action against God, resident in Heaven, and represented here by the Romanian Orthodox Church." As for the crimes committed by His Holiness, the inmate refers to cheating, abuse and bribery! Pavel argued that his baptism was a contract between him and God who promised him to avert him from the evil deeds. However, things did not turn out well. "God received from me various goods and prayers in exchange for forgiveness an the promise of a better life," he mentioned and concluded, "Instead, I was left in Devils hands." The lawsuit definitely sounds silly, however, the Romanian authorities went by book and sent it to the Timisoara Court of Justice. The judge is to drop the case, for it is more than impossible to bring God to court!

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] National Foreign Policy Council Foreign Policy at Focus

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8

The latest developments on the FYROM issue are at the focus of the National Foreign Policy Council, which has been convening since 11:00am, presided by Petros Molyviatis and political parties, with the exception of KKE, diplomats and academics. Furthermore, Turkeys European course and developments in Kosovo will also be discussed. The convening of the Council took place after a demand by Synaspismos. In the meantime, yesterday, the government and Opposition crossed their swords over foreign policy in Parliament. George Papandreou blamed the government of awkwardness and fear, saying, "it is missing opportunities for Greece and creating dead ends for the country." On his part, government spokesperson Theodoros Rousopoulos replied "PASOK burdens with party politics, regardless of the countrys interest." The dispute between the government and Opposition continued today, with PASOK MP Michalis Chrysochoidis stating to NET 105.8 "we are leaving the FYROM issue to a referendum or statements by Metropolitan Bishops, while our country is absent from all important developments in the Balkans," and ND MP Giorgos Kalatzis replying "party disputes do not belong in foreign policy issues. A joint strategy is needed."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] The Perpetrator, a Newly Recruit, Confessed 22-Year-Old Murdered in Corinth

By Jenny Charalampidou

Sources: ERA

The atrocious crime of the murder of a 22-year-old woman by a young soldier serving in Corinth, in a cafeteria entitled "Retro", in the Corinthian capital, occurred shortly after 22:00pm. The woman, together with her sister and a friend were drinking coffee in the cafeteria in Corinth when two soldiers started making indecent proposals, which were refuted. At some point, the 22-year-old went to the toilet where one of the soldiers followed her. There, the soldier tried to make an advance, but as she resisted he started beating her, which resulted in her fatal injury. Shortly after, the two soldiers left, while the cleaning lady found the body afterwards, and contacted the police. At dawn, the policemen went to the Corinth Camp and located the two soldiers, who were recognised by the other two friends of the woman. During preliminary investigation one confessed to the act, while the second was arrested charged with harbouring a criminal. Both soldiers will be taken to the Athens Military Court today.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Row Between India and Pakistan They Recovered Hope

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC

Ten days after the devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake that ravaged northern Pakistan on October 8, the rescue crews recovered a five-year-old girl alive from the ruins of her house in the village of Chaka. The local Media broadcast that the members of relief groups, who were distributing food to a quake-stricken camp, saw a woman running towards then asking for help. "She told us she heard someone crying in the ruins of her house and thinks it is her five-year-old daughter," said a crewmember. "We immediately started removing the rubble and we managed to recover the little girl who was unconscious," he added. The little girl was saved because she was found under a piece of furniture when her house collapsed. However, this incident is only a moment compared to the endless tragedy in store for the quake-stricken.

The tents throughout the world will not do to protect the affected by the lethal earthquake that hit Pakistan ten days ago, warned the UN, noting that the needs of the earthquake-ravaged are bigger than those after the devastating tsunami that battered the northeastern Asia in 2004.

Endless Tragedy

Following days of hard efforts the rescue crews and the Pakistani army forces managed to open the road that leads to tens of isolated villages. The landslides triggered by the earthquake had made access to those areas impossible.

However, 20% of the quake-battered regions remain inaccessible. At least as many as two million people in Kashmir, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, are believed homeless, preys to the bad weather that is about to set in

The official death toll amounts to 53,000. However, there are fears it may further increase.

At the same time, the dispute that broke out between India and Pakistan threaten to mar the coordination of he relief operations. Pakistan accepted Indian helicopters carrying humanitarian aid but said no to the Indian pilots. As per BBC, should India accept that term, the helicopters carrying humanitarian aid to Pakistan and to Pakistan-run Kashmir will be doubled.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] In the Suez Gulf Two Ships Collide

Late on Monday night, an Egyptian passenger ship collided with a Cypriot commercial vessel in the Gulf of Suez. Any details on the identity of the Cypriot vessel are not yet available. The authorities are still on the dark with regard to what caused the collision. The Egyptian ship, the Al Salam 95, carried almost 1,500 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia. The overwhelming majority of the passengers has been rescued, reported the Egyptian Transport Minister, who spoke of one dead and 20 injured. The Egyptian Minister added that the passenger ship sank shortly after the collision. When questioned on the Cypriot commercial vessel, he said he lacked any information, since the rescue operations were focused on the passenger one to save as many people as possible.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] "Saddam Trial an Important Step"

Sources: ANA, AFP

US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack hailed the Saddam Hussein trial as an important step that is to put an end to a "bleak chapter" in the Iraqi history. Mr McCormack said the former Iraqi leader is to be held accountable for the blatant suppression he imposed on his people and the death of tens of thousands of people during his twenty-year rule. However, the humanitarian group, Human Rights Watch, fears that Saddam is most likely not to be brought to a fair trial. It also pointed out the possible dangers that lie behind the material and economic aid Washington has granted for setting up the court. It is noted that the trial to commence on Wednesday relates to the slaughter of 143 Shiite peasants in 1982 in an Iraqi town north of Baghdad.

McCormack underlined that the USA alongside with other countries worked on the security measures during the preparations of the trial.

He added, however, that the hearing process will be conducted by the Iraqis, "Since it is the Iraqi people that should out the blame on those people."

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Xanthi Tops the Scoreboard

Xanthi now tops the scoreboard after the end of match day six of the Greek football championship, since it achieved a pretty easy victory against Iraklis. The final 4-0 score clearly depicts the passion of Xanthis players to chalk up this victory and the difference between the two teams. At no point, did Xanthi have a difficult time, not even when Iraklis players managed to score a goal. Lucianos opening goal in the 3 got the party started, since no one seemed to be thinking the possibility of losing this game. Iraklis managed to balance the game, but the counterattacks on the part of Xanthi were rather threatening. In the 23, Garpozis found room from the left side and forwarded the ball to Labriakos who headed it in Dilberis nets. In the 63, Labriakos scored his second personal goal in the game giving a 3-1 lead to his team. Torosidis sealed the triumph scoring the fourth goal.

Referee: Skoufitsas (Athens)

Yellow Cards: Chiquinho Katsiabis, Poursanidis, Seghiri, Lagos

XANTHI: Pizanowski, Papadimitriou, Sikov, Torosidis, Chiquinho, Karabas (60 Baykara), Emerson, Antzas, Garposis (85 Kazakis), Luciano (78 Lafata), Labriakos.

IRAKLIS: Dilberis, Drougas, Sznaucner, Seghiri, Katsiabis (74 Papazaharias), Prittas (57 Murati), Poursanidis, Herrera, Epale, Lagos, Georgiadis (72 P. Kapetanos).

Translated by Areti Christou

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