The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Brazil TV Host Ordered Killings to Boost Ratings

Brazilian Police have accused a TV presenter and politician of ordering killings of 5 people involved in organized drug trafficking to get rid of rivals and boost ratings. His TV show was halted late last year as police stepped up their inquiry. Wallace Souza denies all charges and says the claims are an attempt by rivals to smear him and that there is no evidence to back them.

But the police say he ordered killings in the state of Amazonas and alerted TV crews to get them to the scene first. The authorities believe that Mr Souza commissioned at least five murders in order to get rid of drug trafficking rivals and to boost his program ratings. They say he wanted to prove his claims that the region he represented in the state of Amazonas was plagued with crime.

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Wallace Souza faces a variety of charges, including drug trafficking and weapons possession, but remains free because for the moment his political role gives him immunity. His son Rafael, meanwhile, has been arrested on charges of murder, drug trafficking and illegally possessing guns.

Source: NET 105.8, ΑNA, Reuters

News item: 25722

[02] GNP Dropped-Unemployment 8.5%

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 August 2009 16:35

On an annual base GNP dropped by 0.2% in the second quarter in 2009 but increased by 0.3% on a three- monthly base according to a report released by the Hellenic National statistics Service (ESYE). Unemployment rate stood at 8.5% in May compared against 6.6% the same month in 2008.

The economic staff is tightening pressure for implementation of structural measures after drop of growth from 0.3% in first quarter in 2009 and 2.4% in the last quarter in 2008 to 0.2%.

On a three-month basis the situation shows improvement with growth rate going up to 0.2% from -1.2%, however, fall in investments and exports did not allow for significant improvement.

Indexes with negative influence on growth are:

- 9,2% drop in exports

- 39,5% drop in construction activities

- 11,8% drop in industrial output

But a 28.2% drop in imports in June is a counterbalance to the big drop in growth rate. To reverse negative growth climate the government is accelerating measures including incentives for middle-sized businesses.

The Greek government predicts zero growth in 2009 but on their part the European Commission sees -0.9%, OECD -1.25% AND International Monetary Fund at -1.7%.

Significant drop in bonds spread that returned to October, 2008 level from 300 to 100 units has given a breath to the state loan program.

Unemployment rate stood at 8.5% in May compared against 6.6% the same month in 2008. Number of unemployed reached 420.401 in May compared against 324.777 in the same month in 2008.

The youth aged 15-24 faces the largest unemployment rate at 25% followed by women 11.5% and lower unemployment rate for men standing at 6.3%.

Sterea Hellada, eastern and central Macedonia and Thrace face the highest unemployment rates while the Ionian islands and Crete have the lower unemployment rates.

Reactions

βEconomic developments in Greece and the EU in general indicate that both ND and PASOK strategy that serve monopolios profiteering can not combat unemployment but on the contrary it nurtures and utilizes unemployment to deal a blow to employees salaries and labour rightsβ said the GCP.

News item: 25721

[03] Green Light for Hristoforakos extradition

Munich Court of Appeal has given the green light for Mihalis Hristoforakos -former Siemens CEO-extradition to Greece. Supreme Court judge assigned with the case Nikolaos Zagorianos is flying to Germany to be briefed on extradition procedures.

Justice Ministry relevant announcement says: β Justice Minister Nikolaos Dendias was briefed on the phone by Supreme Court Prosecutor Ioannis Tentes on Munich Court of Appeals decision to hand over Mihalis Hristoforakos suspect on the Siemens bribery case to stand trial in Greece for charges after 18/3/2003, executing European arrest warrant issued by Greek Justice. It is reported that Hristoforakos extradition is likely to take place in the next days.

News item: 25719

[04] Vaccine Trials in US

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 August 2009 17:28

The flurry of swine flu vaccine trials continues with 3000 volunteers in 8 US cities taking part in pandemic vaccine trials. In the mean time, Spain has reported its ninth H1N1 case and Costa Rica President Oscar Arias was also infected by the new flu virus keeping him away from his political activities. World Health Organization announced that pandemic was fading away in countries in the southern hemisphere. In total it has killed 1.462 from the 177.457 infected in 170 countries.

Argentina, Chile, Australia and New Zealand are among the countries where the flu is fading away while swine flu cases are soaring in Asian countries Thailand, India and Vietnam. The WHO once again clarified that it has not the exact number of people infected as countries worst hit are not obliged to systematically record victims.

Brazil

In Brazil swine flu cases jumped, where number of deaths doubled reaching 192 as health Minister Zuze Temburao said.

Mexico

Health officials in Mexico on Tuesday said that number of people infected by 1N1 virus reached 162 from 149.

Mexico was considered the country where A(H1N1) flu broke out, however, the identified cases are higher in the US (353), Brazil (192) and Argentina. (165). Canadian authorities announced two new deaths bringing the number of deaths from the new flu to 66.

Spain

A 30yo man died of complications from A (H1N1) virus in Canary islands, bringing the number of deaths to 10 in Spain. The 30yo man was in the vulnerable group of people and was hospitalized since July, 29.

India

Indian authorities on Wednesday decided suspension operation of schools and colleges in Mumbai fearing spread of swine flu when 8th death linked to H1N1 virus was reported.

Rumania

Rumanian Research and Development Institute Cantacuzino has received two swine flu vaccine options from equivalent British institute and is conducting clinical trials said Rumanian Health Minister.

WHO Suggest Tamiflu for Serious Α (H1N1) Cases

World Health Organization suggest antiviral drug Tamiflu for serious Α (H1N1) cases despite studies speaking of side-effects that should be considered. The WHO suggest use of antiviral drugs for serious cases or cases that are likely to show complications. In expectance of the vaccine, WHO suggest use of either of two drugs Tamiflu by Swiss Roche and Relenza by British GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Palestinians to Allocate $8 Million for Vaccine

Palestinian authority , following a meeting in Ramala in West Bank , decided to allocate 8 million dollars for the purchase of the new vaccine.

News item: 25712

[05] Regular Start for New School Year

The Executive Committee on pandemic that met earlier at the Health Ministry has suggested new school year opening on the regular date, September, 11. Competent Education and Health Ministries will take the final decision on the new school year opening data after the meeting of the Executive Committee's Plenum next week to re- evaluate initial suggestion taking into consideration all data.

Navigator of Seas Cruiser 3-Crew Members Placed under Quarantine

Health Minister D. Abramopoulos announced that public and private day care centers would open on their regular date September, 1, and August, 17 respectively.

In the meantime, three crew members aboard Navigator of the Seas cruiser from Italy that arrived in Piraeus have been infected with H1N1 virus and another three show symptoms. The three sailors have been placed under quarantine. Piraeus port health officials issued disembarkation permission for the rest 3.658 passengers and seamen who wanted to visit Athens and Piraeus.

The cruiser will set off for Kusadasi, in Turkey on Wednesday afternoon.

Source: ΝΕΤ -ΑNA Relevant Articles: Plan to deal with H1N1in view of autumn

News item: 25711

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