The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU Ministers Reflect on a Joint Action Plan EU Takes Measures Anew

By Jenny Charalampidou

The EU Health Ministers are holding talks in London to assess the new developments and reflect on ways to avert a pandemic. The Highest Veterinary Committee is also having a meeting on the issue in Brussels. In Greece, experts voiced their belief that the avian flu virus is unlikely to have appeared in the country. The results from the viral tests on the bird samples taken from the Aegean Sea island of Oinousses and sent to a lab in Britain, are expected in the coming week. However, the serological and blood tests on eight samples taken on October 17 from the turkey farm on Oinousses were negative. In the meantime, Areios Pagos Prosecutor Mr Linos ordered a preliminary investigation into the case of the only positive bird sample from Oinousses that was lost.

New Measures in Evros' Customs

New measures are being taken in Evro's customs in a bid to avert the spread of the avian flu from the cars wheels. Therefore, cars entering Greece from Turkey and Bulgaria are disinfected, while an automatic spray system started operating as of Thursday.

In the meantime, the veterinary directorates officials of Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey will meet on Friday at 12:00 in Didimoticho, northern Greece, to reflect on a joint action plan against a possible avian flu outbreak in the common borderline area.

The test results from the 69 samples taken from migratory birds and were sent to the Thessaloniki Veterinary Centre Institutes, are to be released the coming week.

Thirteen Cases Confirmed in Thailand

The death toll from the lethal avian flu has amounted to 13 in Thailand since 2003, as the countrys Prime Minister confirmed on Thursday the death of a 48-year-old farmer who had close contact with infected chickens.

The farmer had also consumed infected chickens from his farm. The farmers son is being treated and subjected to all necessary medical tests that will allow doctors to see whether he has been infected with the H5N1 virus, too.

The Thai authorities located at least further 300 poultries that were tested positive for the avian flu virus.

Thailand has already stockpiled 725,000 doses of Tamiflu, the only drug believed to be the most efficient in combating the avian flu.

180 Infected Ducks Culled

Nearly 200 ducks were culled by the Vietnamese authorities in a farm at the Mekong Delta, this week, after the tests had confirmed the avian flu. The samples taken form the ducks were tested positive for the lethal H5N1 flu, which has claimed the lives of more than 60 people in Asia since 2003.

"We culled and buried 180 ducks after the tests results," said a Vietnamese official.

The Vietnamese government has taken measures against a possible pandemic and has already ordered a further one million Tamiflu pills.

Pilot Vaccine From Hungary Sparks Rays of Hope

At the same time, news from Budapest is rather promising.

The pilot vaccine against the avian flu already created in Hungary produced positive results for humans, as well, said the countrys Ministry for Health.

What is left is that the vaccine be perfected so that the scientists can proceed with producing a real one against the H5N1 virus in case it mutates and it transmission from humans to humans becomes a menacing reality.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

The EU on Alert

Positive Messages

Second Test Negative

[02] Sioufias Delivers Speech at Economist Conference Invitation for Investments

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Minister of Development, Dimitris Sioufas, invited Greek and foreign businesses to invest in our country, declaring the start of the proceedings of the Economist conference, in Athens. The Minister stated that Greece has upgraded its infrastructures, modernised the institutional context and shortened the procedures of advancing big investment plans. Moreover, he said that the Olympic assets, tourism, energy, IT and mercantile marine are departments with a great investment interest, since there are very big opportunities for partnerships and collaborations, aimed at the development of Olympic and tourist assets, as well as ports property. Moreover, the Minister announced that the bills on the freeing of the energy and natural gas market will be submitted in Parliament next week, while the new context on permit issuing on trade and tourist business will be given in soon, and the zoning planning for recyclable energy sources and the creation of tourist zones will begin.

It is reminded that, on Wednesday, the Minister of Economy, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, presented the new bill on foreign businesses, which among others, foresees the abolishment of tariffs incentives and changes in the taxation regime, aimed at attracting investments.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Change of Foreign Businesses Bill

[03] Suspects Arrested in the Netherlands "Bot Herders" Arrested

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The Dutch police announced arresting three suspects who had managed to hack into more than 100,000 computers via "bot" system. As per the Dutch authorities, the three men, or "bot herders" as they are called by the insiders, used the w32.Toxbot virus, released in February 2005, to infect PCs so that they can install a bot network worldwide aiming at sending junk e-mail and commit online crimes. The suspects allegedly used their network of hijacked computers, known as a botnet, in an extortion scheme against an unidentified U.S. business. The suspects were also believed to have hacked into accounts at payment service PayPal and online auction giant eBay to buy goods through the Internet.

[04] Art Imitates Life Kutcher-Moore Affair Becomes Sitcom

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Everyday life has always been an inspiration for both the big and small screen, given a catchy, moody or happy story is the key to success, since it moves people that tend to identify themselves with the heroes that remind then of something of their own lives. Sticking to the gold rule, US television producer Ashton Kutcher, who has recently married superstar Demi Moore despite her being 15 years his senior, has decided to set to a TV series telling the story of the love affair between a young man and an older woman titled "30 Year Old Grandpa." 27-year-old Kutcher will shoot a pilot episode for US television network Fox, and should the companys officials approve it, its production will commence.

The sitcom will be telling the story of a man in his 30s marrying a 40-year-old woman and becomes stepfather to her 22-year-old daughter.

Everything runs smoothly until the two women simultaneously get pregnant.

A spokesperson for the television network said that Kutchers sitcom is somehow based on his own marriage.

Moore, 42, and Kutcher, one of the most popular Hollywood couples, tied the knot on September 24 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Caribbean, Cuba, Florida In the Whirl of Wilma

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC

The Caribbean, Cuba and Florida have been declared in a state of emergency, since hurricane Wilma, which has been upgraded to category five, is moving towards these regions at a speed that exceeds 280km per hour. As per the US National Hurricane Centre, this hurricane is the strongest ever to have been reported in the Atlantic basin. Strict security measures have been taken to evacuate these areas. Almost 10,000 people have fled the coastal country of Quintana Roo, while tens of tourists left the holiday resort of Cancun. "We may have to issue an evacuation notice depending on the hurricanes movement. We are very much concerned for it is moving towards here," stated spokesperson for the disaster prevention authority Emil Rodriguez.

"Dangerous Hurricane"

On Friday, the hurricane is expected to hit the western coasts of Cuba and the authorities have ordered the mandatory evacuation of Pinar del Rio province.

"We should be on highest possible alert to deal with this really dangerous hurricane," stated Avanas Meteorological Institute head Jose Rubiera.

Furthermore, Wilma prompted the cancellation of the MTV Latin music awards. The ceremony was to be hosted in a tourist complex in Cancun with many the participation of many famous singers, such as Shakira and Ricky Martin.

In the north of Honduras, airports and ports have stopped operating. In Guatemala, which has not yet recovered from the devastating pass of hurricane Stan that hit the area two weeks ago, nearly 2,000 people have been killed so far and the government ordered the competent authorities to re-assess the evacuation plans should the weather conditions worsen.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Earthquake in Venezuela

By Anna Kourti

An earthquake measuring 4.6 magnitude on the Richter scale occurred on Wednesday near the Venezuelan town of Coro, around 300km northeast of Caracas. Neither victims, nor damages have been reported. As per Venezuelas Seismological Research Institute, the earthquake occurred at about 16:53 (23:53 Greek local time), eight km northwest of Coro, a town located at the coastal province of Falcon.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Olympiacos Reached the Bitter End

By Stathis Petropoulos

Its a shame! This expression suits Olympiacos on its excursions, away from home turf, in this years Champions League. The "red and whites" arrived in Gerland to lose a theoretically easy game, and performed the routine as they did against Real Madrid, in Spain. They looked the opponent in the eyes, resisted, attacked, at least as much as they could, but lost 2-1, in somewhat the same way they did in Spain. Which is, with a goal in the 89 by Guvou, after having tied with Kafes in the 84, and Zuninhos goal in the 4. Every thought on qualification in the next round of the event is prohibited! For another year, the aim remains steady for the UEFA, if Olympiacos will achieve as much and continue from now on, playing their best games, but also receiving a point.

Line-ups:

OLYMPIACOS (Trond Sollied): Nikopolidis, Anatolakis (91 Babangida), Kapsis, Kostoulas, Pantos, Toure, Stoltidis (85 Konstantinou), Bulut. Kafes, Okkas, Djordjevic

LYON (Gerard Houllier): Coupet, Reveillere, Cris, Cacapa, Abidal, Tiago, Diarra, Juninho, Govou (91 Clement), Malouda (75 Wiltord), Fred (70 Carew)

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] In the Capital of Peru Rare Headless Mummy Found

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters

In September, after historical studies and extended excavations, the remains of the oldest mummy were found in the area of Huaca Pucllana, in Lima. The headless mummy belongs to a high rank official of the Huari tribe, who lived 1,300 years ago. Due to the humidity of the Peru shores, the finding was in a bad state, surrounded by tunics and foods. "The mummy, which was found decapitated, belongs to the Huari tribe who had invaded Lima. The Huaris predated the Incas, which dominated South America, from Colombia to Chile, until their overthrow by Spanish conquistadors in 1530. Judging from the clothes he is wearing, this is a high rank official," stated archaeologist Isabel Flores, director of the Huaca Pucllana museum. Flores described the finding as an act of revolt against the Huaris.

The Huari Warrior Tribe

It is noted, that the Huaris were a warrior tribe that conquered the Andes and the coastal areas of Peru, sometime between 600 and 1000 AD. The tribe was known for its high quality woven textiles and ceramics. They were supplanted by the Ismas, who are possibly responsible of the mummys decapitation, which, as Flores said, took place many years after the burial of the body, in an attempt to vanish every trace of the tribe that ruled them for years.

In February 2004, in southern Peru, construction workers found two 700-year mummies, buried under a school. Moreover, thousands of Incas mummies were discovered in an ancient cemetery under a shantytown in Lima, in 2002.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Chubby Passengers Offended in Air

By Vagelis Theodorou

An air hostess working for Britannia Airways subjected an airliner to a balance inspection. No, she did not perform a technical inspection before the flight from Tenerife to London. She definitely was in the dark when it comes to the field of engineering, she had a keen eye, though, and took the plunge when the pilot was unhappy with the weight distribution in the cabin. The air hostess in question started staring the passengers one by one and singled out the most chubby ones! What was the solution she came up with? She just shifted the overweight passengers places! "She said there were too many passengers at the back of the plane and she needed eight fat people sat in rows 31 to 42 to sit nearer the front," argued one of the passengers. In the end, eight people got up and shuffled to their new rows, and the airliners took off.

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