The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Elections Second Day in Italy

By Athina Saloustrou

Poling stations opened again today in Italy for the second day of Parliamentary elections in which former PM Silvio Berlusconi appears to be leading race against his rival Walter Veltroni, as per polls. The winner will be elected today. Turnout on Sunday reached 62.5%, recording a 4-unit drop in relation to 2006. Turnout usually in Italy is high. In 1994 it reached 81%. Poling stations will close at 15:00 and the first results of exit polls will be announced immediately afterwards. Although polls point to Berlusconi as the winner of the elections, it is not clear yet who will prevail in the Senate.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Italians hold second day of polls

Related News:

Italy: Berlusconi or Veltroni?

[02] The Olympic Flame in Oman

By Athina Saloustrou

The Olympic Flame has arrived to Oman through Tanzania today, its unique route in the Middle East. No protests against China on the Tibet issue are expected to take place

The Olympic Flame arrived in Oman at 04:30 Monday through Dar el Salam, Tanzania for its unique route in the Middle East. No protests against China on the Tibet issue are expected to take place. The torch relay will cover a 20-kilemetre distance in Muscat in the afternoon due to the high temperatures prevailing in the morning announced Oman's Olympic Commission.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] "Alert" on Increase of Food Prices

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP

The President of the World Bank Robert Zoellick has asked from all member-states to intervene immediately so that the increase on food prices threatening 100 million of peoples is combated. Zoellick stated that on the basis of available analyses the doubling of prices of food in the last three years has pushed to poverty 100 million of people living poor countries. From his side, Jean Ziegler, the editor of the UN special report told Liberacion newspaper that the world is heading to a prolonged period of uprises and clashes that are related to the rise of prices and the lack of foodstuffs.

"Prolonged Period of Clashes"

PAM has asked from countries to answer to the appeal for a 500-million-dollar aid before 1 May and the answers it has received until now concern only half of this sum said Zoellick, adding the governments should intervene as this is not enough.

He also argued that we are heading towards a prolonged period of uprises, clashes and uncontrolled waves of regional destabilization that will bear the despair of the most vulnerable populations.

"Before the rise of prices 854 million people had suffered from serious malnutrition, stressing that a hecatomb is to follow.

PAM is the most important humanitarian service worldwide and plays an important role in the safety of foodstuffs. It offers aid in foodstuffs to 73 million people in total.

The World Bank believes that 33 countries in the world are threatened with political and social crisis due to the big rise of prices in agricultural products and energy.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: World Bank echoes food cost alarm

Related Links:

Liberation

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