The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Wild-fires in Thiba , Samos

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA-ÍÅÔ 105.8

A fire that broke out in Bathi, on the island of Samos is still raging although 2 CL-215 water bombers were trying to put it out till sun set. According to Air Force announcement, a C-130 transported 35 firefighters from Thessaloniki to the island to help local forces extinguish the fire Still raging is the fire in Moshoodi, Thiba which is burning pine-tree forest. Eight water-bomber crafts and two helicopters are helping in fire fighting efforts along with 63 fire-fighters and 21 fire brigades. A fire in a forest region in Farsala has been put under control.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] East Attika Prefecture

01 Éïõë 2008 20:29:0

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

Competent service of East Attika Prefecture in an inspection carried out at Lavrio Customs, on June, 26, 2008 found 53.7 tones of mouldy lemons, imported from Argentina. The inspection crew ordered ban of import of the above qualtity of lemons while importers appealed for second degree inspection by the Piraeus Regional Center for Plant Protection and Quality Inspection.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] "Rift" ÏÔÅ-Lannet

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Greek Telecomunications Organization (OTE) has temporarily suspended use of some telecommunication circuits by Lannet company due to its expired debts but its announcement stresses that Lannet company subscribers can still make and receive calls. On its part, Lannet has confirmed that OTE has suspended use of some circuits and admitted that it has made efforts for a settlement of the companys pending economic issues. Lannets announcement also underlines that it is trying to resolve the problem and thanks its customers for their confidence and understanding for the temporary inconvenience and commits itself to make all possible efforts for the continuation of its good services.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] 11/9 Rescue-Dog to Be Cloned

By Athina Saloustrou

A German shepherd named Trakr, a hero of Ground Zero, that sniffed out survivors from under the rubble of New Yorks World Trade Centre on September, 11, 2001 will be cloned in cooperation with a South-Korean biotech laboratory, a California company announced today. Trakr, who lives with his owner James Symington in Los Angeles, was picked by BioArts International as the most clone-worthy canine in a competition offering an owner a free chance to replicate their pet. As Symington said Trakr and himself were among the first search-and-rescue teams to arrive at Ground Zero and they were the ones to locate the last survivor from under 9 meters of debris. The canine, now 15, suffers from a degenerative neurological disorder that impairs the use of his back legs. The disorder may be linked to exposure to toxic smoke at Ground Zero, experts say. The company said Trakrs clone could be in Symingtons household in Los Angeles before the end of the year. "I cant imagine the joy Ill feel that day," Symington said. "To know that part of him is going to live on is just beyond words.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Soaring Fines on Illegal Landfills

By Athina Saloustrou

Economics undersecretary, Yiannis Papathanasiou, in a joint press interview this morning with undersecretaries for Interior, Athanasios Nakas and Development, Stavros Kalafatis said that the EU will impose fines mounting to 7.5 million daily to any illegal landfill as of January, 1, 2009. Specifically, the 7.440.000 euros daily fine is the optimistic option of the economic sanctions on the operation of illegal landfills provided that only 492 landfills will remain in operation after the closing of 1.555 landfills nationwide. "There is indication that the EU will show understanding and allow Greece to achieve suspension of fines if only 1.555 landfills close till the end of the year", said Mr. Papathanasiou.. In response to the question, who are to pay the soaring fines, Mr. Nakos said "the amount of fines will be deducted from EU funds to Greece and subtracted from municipalities maintaining illegal landfills. The decision of the Special Intraministerial Committee for municipalities maintaining illegal landfills for decades to pay for the fines has raised strong reaction by the president of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE), Nikita Kaklamanis.

Mr. Nakos reminded that 2. 974 illegal landfills operated in the country till 2004 while 927 have been either closed or restored. Over 250 have closed in the last three months. Greece was referred to EU Court for the operation of illegal landfills in 2003 while it issued conviction ruling in 2005 for the operation of 1.125 illegal landfills which Greece pledged to have restored till December, 31, 2008. Sixty-five per cent of landfills to be restored till the end of 2008 are of mid and high risk.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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