The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Over a Possible H5N1 Human Outbreak Alarm Ends in Belgium

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET-ANA-Reuters

Concerns over avian flu are growing globally and the whole of Europe is on high alert, since the Belgian authorities announced today a possible suspect case in a journalist who returned from Turkey. Belgian Heath Minister Rudy Demotte, however, stressed the first results showed that the man was not infected with the dangerous virus. He said that the man was a Russian journalist who was on a mission in the avian flu-stricken province of Van, Turkey. Upon his arrival in Belgium on Thursday, the journalist developed flu-like symptoms and was hurried to the Saint Pierre Hospital to undergo tests. At the same time, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced today that three people infected with the avian flu in Turkey were released from hospital, while some 12, who are still being treated, have escaped danger.

New Outbreaks

The pleasant announcement was made by the Organisations spokesperson, Cristiana Salvi, who furthermore clarified that the four-year-old girl who died yesterday, Friday, in eastern Turkey did not carry deadly virus H5N1 and died of pneumonia.

Shortly after, a woman who was found positive to the virus was also released from hospital, totalling four similar cases in Turkey.

Moreover, she voiced her concern over a new avian flu outbreak, since as she noted, regardless of the measures Turkey has implemented, "bird flu is still among the poultry population and humans, particularly children, are still at risk from contact with sick birds."

The words of the WHOs spokesperson were prophetic, as they were reconfirmed by the Turkish Sanitation Authorities, which announced outbreaks in two more areas, a fact that increased the Prefectures where outbreaks were reported from 12 to 14.

At the same time, medical sources announced that two children from Dogubeyazit, the same area where three siblings died by the deadly virus last week, are considered to have been infected by the avian flu and are hospitalised in a critical condition.

Contact Between Molyviatis Gul

At the same time, Greece is on heightened alert and already today Ministers for the Interior and Rural Development called on the 13 Prefects to monitor the implementation of measures taken and to cover any gaps in personnel and equipment in Municipalities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Petros Molyviatis held a phone conversation over the issue with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.

Mr Molyviatis voiced his interest on the problem affecting Turkey, while he said that Greece could offer help, if this is needed and asked by the Turkish side.

After cordially thanking Mr Molyviatis, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that help is not needed at the time being and agreed on further communication if a problem arises.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Belgium bird flu tests negative

CCN: EU pledges $100M to bird flu fight

lesoir:Fausse alerte au H5N1

Standaard.: Geen vogelgriep in Belgie

Related News:

Measures against Mutation

[02] Between Iran and the International Community Nuclear Dispute

Sources: ANA, NET, Reuters

Irans dispute with the international community is continuing caused by its decision for the restart of its nuclear programme, as well as the decision of the European Union troika and the US for the referral of the issue to the UN Security Council. In a Press conference today in Tehran, President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad clarified that he will not proceed to a restriction of the nuclear programme, even if the Security Council orders him to do so. "It is our inalienable right to have a nuclear technology," he noted, stating that Iran will now allow intimidation by the West.

Right to Nuclear Technology Development

Moreover, he criticised the countries that demand Irans referral to the UN, posing a series of questions; an issue of manipulation of international bodies from their part: "Why do you harm the prestige of international organisations? Why do you use the Security Council? Is it your body? Your partiality [in international relations] does not put security in dangers?" he asked, demanding that the West stop speaking the language of intimidation and domination.

In closing, the Iranian President made clear that his country is not seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon, but has the right to nuclear technology and low-cost energy.

At the same time, Irans fixed stance brings the country against with the international community, which ruled out an intervention presently

The European troika (Germany, Great Britain and France) will meet in London with Americans, Russians and Chinese counterparts with the subject of urgently convening the Executive Council of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a possible referral of the Iranian brief to the UN Security Council.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Iran 'does not need nuclear arms'

CNN:Iranian leader insists on right to nuclear research

Related News:

Iran Crisis Escalates

[03] During the Destruction of Explosives Explosion Shakes Kilkis

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑΝΑ

A strong explosion, which resulted in the injury of four persons, shook the areas of Mandres and Nea Santa in Kilkis Prefecture. The injured were taken to the local hospital, two of which are still being hospitalised for precautionary reasons. As the police Directorate of Kilkis announced, the explosion occurred during the burning and destroying of explosives in a specially formed area at the production and trading factory ETVE SA. A chemist and spokesperson of the business, two employees and the Chief of the Nea Santa police department were present at the procedure. The destruction of the explosives began at 9am, as they had expired. A strong explosion wave occurred, which broke windows in several houses and stores in the surrounding areas. The Kilkis police department is carrying a preliminary investigation on the issue, while the relevant Prosecutor was briefed.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Curtain Opens for "Cultural Capital" Inauguration for "Patras 2006"

At noon, Deputy Minister of Culture Petros Tatoulis officially inaugurated the events entitled "Patras Cultural Capital of Europe" in the presence of Minister of National Defence Spilios Spiliotopoulos. Earlier, during a Press conference in the exhibition area of former papermaking factory Ladopoulos, the headquarters of the organisation, the Deputy Minister announced that the government has obtained credits of 157.5 million euros for investments in culture, adding that programme contracts will be signed in the following time period. Referring to the collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and Patras Municipality he said, "it was an unprecedented collaboration model between bodies that left their party and political beliefs behind, a collaboration which bore fruit." Mr Tatoulis did not forget to make special mention on the work of previous governments and especially the contributions of Evangelos Venizelos and Theodoros Pagalos.

Following, the official inauguration of the exhibit "Da Vinci" took place, where Minister of National Defence and MP for Achaia Spilios Spiliotopoulos said that the institution is presented as a starting point of lengthy cultural investments, as a collective idea and common aim for Patras.

Among the persons attending the inauguration were ND MPs Elsa Papadimitriou, Theofilos Vasiliou, Michalis Bekiris, Giorgos Kontogiannis, ND EU MP Rodi Kratsa, PASOK MPs Apostolos Katsifaras and Giannis Koutsoukos, Secretary of the Health Ministry Despina Despotopoulou, President of ERT Christos Panagopoulos, President for the Promotion of Greek Culture Organisation Stamatis Mavros, Patras Metropolitan Bishop Mr Chrysostomos, Prefect of Western Greece Panagiotis Kavadas, Prefect of Achaia Dimitris Katsikopoulos, President of ADEDY Spyros Papaspyros, bodies representatives and others.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Over the Policy Followed PASOK Criticised Government

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET, ANA

From Trikala, Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou criticised the Government on its economic policy. The Secretary of the PASOK National Council described the policy of the Government as anti-popular and a dead end, which as she said is not a one-way street. Moreover, she underlined that there is a strong feeling of insecurity and pessimism in Greek society by the policy followed by the Government. In closing, answering to a question concerning the question posed by six PASOK MPs to the Prime Minister over the extrajudicial ring, the PASOK Secretary said "it is an exercise of Parliamentary inspection, a right that our MPs had over an issue concerning public opinion and does not constitute an intervention to Justices work."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] By ND MPs in Chania Unifying Reply

Sources: NET, ANA

In a joint appearance in Chania, formed Deputy Minister of Public Order Christos Markogiannakis and MP Stelios Nikiforakis denied rumours over an internal dispute in New Democracy. The event was the New Years cake cutting at the Police Employees Union of the Prefecture. In fact, when Mr Markogiannakis was asked to cut the cake by President of the Union Charalabos Kounianakis, the former invited Mr Nikiforakis, exchanging a cordial handshake, as well as with General Secretary of Development Mr Manousos Voloudakis. Following, and after referring to the role and mission of the policeman and the politician, who as he said, should be at the service of the people, he called Mr Nikiforakis near him and said: "Let us cut the cake, united and amicably, replying to those who wants us as enemies." Messrs Nikoforakis and Voloudakis spoke about Mr Markogiannakis with cordial words. Tomorrow, Sunday, Mr Markogiannakis will speak at an open rally at the towns film theatre.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] At Trygona, Trikala Memorial Service for Policemen

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET, ANA

In a climate of grief, a memorial service took place in Trygona, Trikala at the sport where the two policemen were killed by Russian criminal Maxim Zhelim on December 30. A large number of people gathered paying tribute to the two men who fell during duty. The memorial service took place after an initiative of the Local Police Employees Union and the Panhellenic Confederation of Police Officers (POASY) officiated by Stagon Metropolitan Bishop Mr Serafim, who in a short speech voiced the grief and pain for the two policemen. On his part, President of POASY Mr Dimitris Kyriazidis underlined that the policemens family will never forget them and will stand by their families.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] At a Village in Pakistan Bloodshed for Al-Zawahri

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΑΝΑ, ΝΕΤ, Reuters

On Saturday, an air raid targeted at Egyptian Ayman al-Zawahri, al Qaedas second-in-command, was made by US fighter planes at a village in northern Pakistan, causing the death of at least 18 persons, among whom women and children. However, as a high-ranking Pakistani Government official clarified to Reuters news agency, that al-Zawahri was not in the village at the time of the raid. The above was also stated by Arab television network Al Arabiya, citing an al-Qaeda source. The attack caused the intense reaction of the countrys Government, which through Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed voiced its grief and discontent over the loss of human lives. "We want to reassure the world that we will never allow such an event to occur," it noted, while as the Pakistani Government stated, it will call the US Ambassador in order to deliver its strong protest.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Zawahiri 'not hit by US missile'

CNN: Source: Al-Zawahiri not among 18 killed in airstrike

Related News:

Al-Zawahri Struck Dead?

[09] 7 Died - 5 Got Injured Blast in Romanian Mine

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ANA

A blast at Anina coal mine, southwest of Romania, claimed the lives of seven miners and injured further five ones, who are being treated in a critical condition. A spokesman of the hospital said that two of the injured miners sustained serious burns, therefore they were transferred to another hospital specialising in burn treatment. A third injured miner is in a coma, since he inhaled carbon dioxide, while the rest two are expected to be released. "About 200 miners were working at the 1,200m deep mine, but they managed to come out safe and sound," said a town official.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] AEK: Not for the Faint-Hearted

By Stathis Petropoulos

Even if the numeral disadvantage is a good reason for a difficult win of a big team against a smaller one, this procedure is not an unusual occurrence for AEK. The fact that it was playing for a whole half with ten players, as opposed to Atromitos with a full team, wasnt a negative factor, as it earned a win in the last minute, specifically in the 89! The 2-1 scored by Venglinskyi in the 89 was deliverance and surely the wild celebrations were the ideal way to warm up some 6,000 fans of AEK who had frozen. Of course, until the team reached that part of the game the fans were frozen both by the cold and the anxiety, since 1-1 left AEK with important ground lost, especially in view of the derby. 1-0 was scored by Liberopoulos by a dead ball situation in the 31 and the tie came in the 44 when Georgeas decided to show his abilities as a goalkeeper, and with Sorrentino eliminated, blocked Korakakis shot. The penalty shot by Zacharopoulos was successful and Georgeas sending off a given fact.

Referee: Nikolaidis (Thessaloniki) Yellow cards: Raguel, Pappas, Zacharopoulos, Doe, Kontis, Katsouranis Red card: Georgeas

AEK: Sorrentino, Malbasa, Cirillo, Alexopoulos, Georgeas, Katsouranis, Chanko (60 Lakis), Ivic, Julio Cesar (88 Venglinskyi), Soares (46 Kontis), Liberopoulos

ATROMITOS: Michailidis, Geladaris, Mikes, Chalaris, Koutsis, Dimos (62 Sotirchos, inj) Pappas, Karadimos (58 Doe), Raguel), Korakakis (84 Katemis), Zacharopoulos

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Win for Iraklis

By Stathis Petropoulos

With quite a few complaints to the referee of the match, Briakos, Iraklis completed the game against Akratitos by 1-0, however, the win toned down the protests, since the score came about even if delayed. Iraklis started the game off good, but Akratitos was better in the first minutes, having the advantage of waiting and playing hard. The goal for Iraklis came in the 58 and scored by Prittas.

Referee: Briakos (Epirus) Red cards: 28 Dilberis 50 Zuela (2nd yellow card) Yellow cards: Seghiri Gustavo, Pagonis, Zuela

IRAKLIS: Dilberis, Drougas (29 Badis), Katsabis, Seghiri, Sznaucer, Poursanidis, Georgiadis (90 C Kapetanos), Prittas, Lagos, Epalle, Herrera (72 Stefanis)

AKRATITOS: Kostakis, Skoufalis, Zuela, Badas, Pagonis, Dieng, Gustavo, Macquet, Marinescu (83 Avramidis), De Francesco (68 Vujovic), Sales (66 Sales)

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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