The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Two Men With Bird Flu Symptoms Checks and Information

By Athina Saloustrou

After detecting the avian influenza virus in Greece, Authorities have now focused on informing citizens and increasing checks around the state. The Ministry of Rural Development underlined there have been no cases of domestic poultry infected. Meanwhile, a 29-year-old hunter and a 19-year-old man with bird flu symptoms are hospitalised since Sunday night in Thessaloniki, at a specially designed room of the Papanikolaou hospital. The hunter had killed ducks six days ago in Kalochori and had collected them with bare hands. When he developed flu symptoms, he admitted himself to hospital for tests. As for the 19-year-old, he had taken care of an ill swan at home. Special tests will show in the next 48 hours whether the two men are positive to the H5N1 strain of the virus. As per Health Department Steering Committee vice president Panos Efstathiou, we are not talking about suspicious bird flu cases, however the two men will remain in hospital for tests and observation. Authorities advise citizens to remain calm, while the prefectures of Thessaloniki and Pieria, where the infected swans were found, have launched an awareness campaign. Inhabitants are worried though, because they keep finding dead birds. Europe is also on alert, after detecting the avian influenza virus in migratory birds in Bulgaria and Italy. Samples from another dead swan found east of Rome have also been sent to the Reference Laboratory in London.

Italy-Romania on Alert

Italian papers said on Monday that a swan found dead in Lecce, southern Italy, was infected with the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus, the sixth swan to have tested positive so far. The virus has been so far detected in wild swans in Puglia, Calabria and Sicily. Italian authorities have already placed these areas under quarantine and Health Minister Francesco Storace is expected to visit them within the day.

Romanian authorities found possible bird flu cases in poultry in Konstanca, Black Sea, said the head of the Romanian Veterinary Committee. "The first tests performed on two dead chickens in Topraisar, Constanca province, show they were probably infected with the H5N1 strain," he clarified. This village is only 40km from the borders with Bulgaria. The Veterinary Committee head said the 20 chickens of the small farm were slaughtered and the entire village was placed under quarantine. Since October, when the first cases in Romania were detected in the Danube Delta, bird flu has been detected periodically in birds in 27 villages, and authorities have culled more than 55,000 domestic birds. However, no human cases have been reported so far.

"Citizens Should Remain Calm"

Veterinarians of the Athens Prefecture Veterinary Directorate continued collecting dead birds over the weekend. The Directorate has received over 90 calls since 11 January and the dead birds have been taken to the Veterinary Lab of the Rural Development and Food Ministry. Test results so far do not link any case to the avian influenza.

Athens Prefect Giannis Sgouros said, "Citizens and implicated bodies should remain calm, in order to deal with the problem in its proper dimensions and avoid unnecessary panic. The Athens Prefecture and the Veterinary Directorate are on full alert."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Awareness Campaign

Avian Flu Biosafety Measures

Swans Tested Positive to H5N1

[02] PM to Announce Package of Measures Meetings Over Wiretaps

By Athina Saloustrou

After meeting on Monday morning with the presidents of the Hellenic Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy and the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission, Messrs Labrinopoulos and Alexandris respectively, and with distinguished academics, the Prime Minister is expected to announce the Government's decision to further shield the security and privacy of telephone conversations, on the occasion of the wiretapping scandal. Mr Karamanlis will meet at Maximos Mansion with academics Dimitris Tsatsos, Antonis Manitakis, Nikos Androulakis, P. Tsanakas, Giannis Manoledakis and Christos Kapsalis. The last two are members of the Independent Authorities. The Ministers of Justice and Transport and Communications, Messrs Anastasis Papaligouras and Michalis Liapis, will also attend the meetings, while Public Order Minister Voulgarakis will not, because the agenda of these meetings does not fall under his jurisdiction. The meetings would focus on proposals to shield the institutional framework protecting communications. A competent committee would be formed in that context. After the end of the talks, Kostas Karamanlis is expected to address a message, supporting that technological evolution requires new legislative amendments, while promising to shield the security and privacy of communications and impose stricter penalties on wiretapping cases.

At the same time, judicial authorities are investigating all possibilities towards all directions regarding the wiretapping scandal and Kostas Tsalikidis' death. The Hellenic Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy is also continuing investigations, while other mobile and landline telephony companies will also be checked in that context. However, a group of experts should be appointed to decode the pirate software. High-ranking Vodafone officials, including CEO Giorgos Koronias, will be called to testify before the examiner in the coming days.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

"Wiretaps are a National Scandal"

[03] Closing Time Obstructs Hold Up Empty-Handed Robber

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Working hours saved the employees of a bank, as they were the reason that the robber found the branch closed. The incident occurred in Zagreb, Croatia, when a man attempted to rob a bank past closing time. Dumbfounded, the employees, ten minutes after closing time, saw a masked man waving a gun and trying to open the door in order to get some fast cash. When the would-be robber finally figured out what was going on, tried to make a clean and empty-handed break. Being inconsistent may be a blessing, and if accompanied by logic then the robber will find another way to make a living.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] She Accused Iran and Syria for the Riots Rice Issued New Warnings

By Vicky Keleri

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice voiced her concern over the development of violent reactions, triggered by the publication of Prophet Muhammad's cartoons in European newspapers. In her interview on television network ABC, she accused Iran and Syria of taking protestors out on the streets at any given time to make a statement. At the same time, Rice called Iran and Syria to act responsibly, stressing any other stance could lead to an uncontrolled feeling of rage. Meanwhile, in another interview on CBS, Rice said Washington warned Damascus that these riots have to be placed under control. The governments of Syria and Iran have excellent control over these things, added the Secretary.

What the Danes Say

At the same time, an opinion poll held in Denmark indicated that more than half of those asked understand why Muslims around the world rioted because of Prophet Muhammad's cartoons.

However, less than half think it was Jyllands-Posten newspaper's mistake to publish the 12 cartoons.

In particular, according to the poll conducted by the Gallup Institute for Berlingske Tidende, 56% said they understand why the Muslims where offended by the drawings, while 41% don't see the reason.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Trouble for Cheney

By Vicky Keleri

US Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot and injured a 78-year-old man while hunting for quail in Texas. According to US television networks, Cheney sprayed birdshot into 78-year-old Harry Whittington, a fellow hunter, while trying to hit a flock of quail on Saturday afternoon. The unfortunate man, who sustained pellet wounds in the face, neck and chest was rushed into hospital and treated by the Vice President's doctors. According to hospital sources, Whittington's injuries are not serious and the condition of his health is stable. Local police authorities launched an investigation on the incident.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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