The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] New Cases Reported in Russia Parrot Infected with H5N1

By Athina Saloustrou

A new source of the avian flu was located in Russia, in the area of Altai, Siberia. The village of Pokrovka was put under quarantine, when avian flu antibodies were detected in 59 dead birds in seven farmhouses, stated a local spokesperson of the Ministry of Emergency Measures. Blood samples were sent to a lab, in order to confirm the virus, stated Russian news agency Ria Novosti. In total, avian flu was reported in seven areas of Russia. In Sweden, the results of the duck, which was found dead east of Stockholm, were negative, as the fear was voiced that it was a carrier of the deadly virus. The same did not occur in the United Kingdom, since the dead parrot, imported from Latin America, was found to be infected. The exotic bird, which was in mandatory quarantine, suffered from the avian flu, since after relevant examinations, the H5N1 strain was found, as announced by the Agriculture Ministry in London. "This is the same strain located in ducks, in the beginning of the year, in China," explained the Ministrys spokesperson. Tomorrow, the Commission is expected to decide on a probable embargo of exotic birds, after a demand by the United Kingdom. In the meantime, some 900,000 Thai volunteers will be visiting houses, in order to detect if humans are infected with the avian flu. As the Ministry of Health announced, local sanitary offices will coordinate the volunteers work, who will be locating disease cases and transporting the ill to hospitals. Moreover, 957 of the countrys hospitals will pass out questionnaires to the patients, mainly the ones who have come into contact with birds. "We are sure that these measures will stop the spread of the disease," read the Ministrys announcement.

Cases and Measures

Furthermore, in Croatia, tests, in order to conclude if the H5N1 virus infected the dead swans that were found, are being conducted. Meanwhile, Bosnia, FYROM and Montenegro banned the import of poultry from Croatia. Already, thousands of poultry have been slaughtered, in order to prevent the transmission of the virus.

In the meantime, the first tests on 18 dead pigeons found in Szeged, on the riversides of Tisza, the second largest river in Hungary, on the weekend, did not indicate that their death was caused by the avian flu. As per the head of the Veterinary Service three of the birds were sent for tests in the Animal Health National Institute, and three were tested in Szeged, while the results are expected in the coming days.

Szeged is located near the borders of Serbia and Romania, which has already confirmed the presence of H5N1 in the Danube delta.

Scientists in California, concerned that migratory birds are expected to carry the deadly virus into the USA, are taking samples from birds coming from Alaska, and implanting them in bird embryos.

"Our aim is to detect the viruses carried so we know what will happen in time," stated US Wild Animals Centre Director Walter Boise.

Ministers of Health and experts from 30 countries will discuss the event of a potential flu pandemic in Ottawa, Canada, while the EU Health Ministers will convene on the matter today and tomorrow in Luxemburg.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Avian Threat

Building Defences

[02] Doesn't Want to be a Hindrance to the Government Petros Madouvalos Resigned

By Athina Saloustrou

Speaking to the Mass Media, New Democracy Piraeus MP Petros Madouvalos announced his intention to resign from the New Democracy Parliamentary Group, on decency reasons, after the involvement of his law firm in the Kalousis case, and to remain an independent MP. As he claimed, he has not informed the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament yet. As he stated, he does not want to become a hindrance to the government, and his decision is based on sentimental reasons. Mr Madouvalos referred to the situation of the political partys organisations in Piraeus, which as he stated "do not even keep pretences."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Legal Sale Continues Brazil Says 'Yes' to Guns

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The overwhelming majority of Brazilians supported the continuation of the sale of guns, in a referendum that was conducted. As per the referendums results announced by the electoral committee, 64.78% of the voters voted for the continuation of guns sale and 35.22% for a ban. The result of the election was awaited with special interest, since the country is inflicted by the violence of rival gangs, which results in many persons being killed by gun usage. The countrys citizens voted Yes to guns, as they claimed that Police cannot protect them from gangs. The US National Rifle Association (NRA) closely observed the electoral procedure, while it stated that the final result was satisfactory.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Southwest of Crete Illegal Immigrants Located

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

On Sunday night, the Port Authority located a boat carrying 153 illegal immigrants trying to enter Greece, near the southwestern shores of Crete. The boat, accompanied by a Port Authority craft, docked in Paleochora port, where it was concluded that among the passengers, there was a dead person; the boats captain, as per the witnesses. The immigrants were temporarily hosted in a room given by the Pelekanos Municipality. As of today, the identification procedure will begin, and it is quite likely that the immigrants will be transported to Chania, with the condition that a room will be found, in order for the preliminary investigation to be completed by the Port Authority. The illegal immigrants said that they were Palestinians, and that they boarded the boat from the port of Rafa, destined for Italy, eight days ago.

Arrests in Samos

In the meantime, in the area of Kouroundere, the Port Authority and policemen arrested thirteen Afghan immigrants, who illegally arrived on the island.

After they were examined, and concluded that all were well in their health, they were transported to the reception points, where the number of immigrants reached 174, due to the deportation of some.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Upgraded by a Category Wilma Headed for Florida

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Hurricane Wilma is headed towards the southwestern coast of Florida, while during the night it was upgraded from Category 2 to 3. In the Florida Keys, 80,000 persons were forced to evacuate their homes, even if many fear that the hurricane will destroy the highway connecting the islands with mainland Florida, thus disallowing their return. At 09:00 local Greek time, the hurricane was 153km southwest of Naples, Florida. In the Gulf of Florida and the Keys there is heightened concern, since the sea level could reach 2.5m above normal. Earlier, Wilma passed by the tourist resort of Cancun, in Mexico, leaving behind seven dead and great destruction. The Mexican Authorities managed to prevent casualties by immediately transporting tourists from the beaches to makeshift refuges, while they are putting a great effort to remove the remainder, before chaos arises from the lack of food, potable water and medicine. The President of Cuba, Fidel Castro, announced the Cuban doctors will be arriving in the area, offering their services to the areas residents. Moreover, he praised the effectiveness of the Cuban Civil Protection system, which regardless of the hurricanes passing and strong winds, which afflicted the capital of Havana, there was not a single casualty.

Destruction by Alpha

At the same time, tropical rainstorm Alpha is striking Haiti and the Dominican Republic with thunderous rainstorms, which cost the lives of at least three persons near the capital of Haiti.

Thousands of persons were forced to evacuate their homes, due to floods in many areas of the Hispanola Island.

In the Dominican Republic, which shares Hispanola Island with Haiti, the authorities announced that 35,000 persons were evacuated from their homes in the southern part of the country, since Alpha has fiercely hit the area of Baraona.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] 180-Degree Turn by Israel Hamas Enters Palestinian Election

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Israel made a 180-degree turn on the issue of the Islamic organisation, Hamas, over its participation in the election in Palestine, as through government officials stated that it will not obstruct such a prospect. This unexpected turn is due to the stance by the USA, a main ally of Israel, after the meeting of George W Bush in the White House with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, who is struggling to bring Hamas to the road of politics. An official of the US government noted, that even though the USA still regards Hamas as a terrorist organisation, they are allowing the Palestinians to decide who will participate in the election, the first that will include Hamas candidates, since the organisation had boycotted the 1996 election.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Two Palestinians Dead Raid in Tulkarem

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

During the night, two Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers gunfire, in a raid in Tulkarem, West Bank. The Israeli army reconfirmed the incident, stating that the Palestinians opened fire against the Israelis, who raided Tulkarem in order to arrest some suspects. By the Palestinians fire a soldier was lightly injured. The soldiers, as per the version of the Israelis, answered back to the gunfire, killing two Palestinians.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Albanian FM in Brussels Mustafaj's Contacts on Accession

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

As of today, Albanian Foreign Minister Besnik Mustafaj is in Brussels, holding a series of contacts with European Union officials in the next three days, in order to discuss the speeding up of an agreement on the start of accession negotiations. During his visit, he will meet with relevant Commissioners of Enlargement Olli Rehn and Foreign Policy Javier Solana. On November 9, the European Commission will announce its report on the progress of the economic and institutional reforms in the country. The opinion of the Commission, on if the country is ready to start negotiations, will also be included in the report, while two days later, Olli Rehn will visit Tirana.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Undeserved Defeat in OAKA

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Three goals in the last five minutes of the derby in OAKA gave AEK three points and therefore victory against Panathinaikos in the 7th round of the Championship. In the 85'Nikos Lymberopoulos in the 85', Louay Chanko in the 88' (from a 40-metre distance!) and Vasilis Lakis in the 90' scored three unexpected goals for AEK, while Panathinaikos, which had many opportunities of scoring and changing the pace of the match, protested for Gekas' goal in the 49', which the referee unfairly cancelled as a goal from an offside position. AEK are now standing in third place on the scoreboard, while Panathinaikos have taken a downhill course, which brought them to fifth spot.

Referee: Vassaras

Yellow Cards: Lakis, Malbasa, Alexopoulos, Darlas, Gonzalez, Vindra (for protesting outside the pitch)

LINEUPS

มลส: Sorrentino, Cirillo, Alexopoulos, Malbasa (75' Georgeas), Katsouranis, Chanko, Ivic (63' Sapanis), Lakis, Soares (66' Julio Cezar), Lymberopoulos

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Nilsson, Darlas, Morris, Biscan, Seric, Conceisao, Gonzalez, Wooter, Gekas (73' Olisadebe), Torghelle (46' Papadopoulos)

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] Landing in Egaleo

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Xanthi's impressive course in this season's Championship fell on a brick wall tonight in Egaleo. Even though the home team were losing in the first half to Xanthi 0-2, with Lambriakos and Luciano's goals in the 18' and 29' respectively, they turned the match around in the rerun and claimed victory 3-2 and bagged three precious points. Fotakis in the 50' and Manousakis in the 71' and 86' scored the three amazing goals for Egaleo. The home team celebrated a much-anticipated win, while this was the first loss for Xanthi, which still top the scoreboard.

Referee: Pamboridis

Yellow Cards: Papoutsis, Antzas

LINEUPS

EGALEO: Sidibe, Papoutsis, Edousei, Psomas, Omo (63' Agritis), Zapropoulos, Fotakis, Maric, Popov, Chezareq (86' Tsatsos), Nikolopoulos (70' Manousakis)

XANTHI: Pizanowski, Papadimitriou, Sikov, Torosidis, Garpozis (62' Paviot), William De Mattia, Antzas, Emerson, Maghradze (62' Baykara), Luciano (75' Kazakis), Labriakos

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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