The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Battling Fires Nationwide

16 Ιουλ 2008 21:01:0

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-ΝΕΤ 105.8

The fire that broke out around 15:00 at Tembi is still raging and spreading towards the Ambelakia and Elatia villages while it had earlier threatened the first houses in the Evangelismos village. Gale force winds in the area are hampering firefighting efforts. The part of the national road at the Tembi valley which had opened to traffic around 19:45 has closed again due to poor visibility caused by thick smoke. It is very difficult to place the fire under control due to the gale force winds in the area. In the meantime, air and land forces efforts have been centered on Evangelismos village which is the main fire front although fire has spread to Ambelakia and the opposite side of the road heading to Pinios River, with these two fires not giving rise to concern. Twenty-two fire engines, 120 firefighters, 22 fire engines are in Evengelismos village while 2 aircrafts and two helicopters will continue dropping water till dark sets in. Deputy chief of Northern Greece Fire Department, Fafoutis is coordinating the operation. In the meantime, the fire that broke out in Markopoulos-Oropos is abating after burning some 65 acres of forest land and a house. Civil Protection Secretariat and Hellas Police contributed to the strong fire fighting efforts, the first by sending 8 water trucks from nearby communities and the second by keeping roads open from traffic to facilitate fire engines access. The president of the community attributed the fire to arson. Fires in Andros and Kefallonia are under partial control.Also the fire that broke out in the early hours of Wednesday at the Aspropyrgos industrial zone has been placed under control. However, fire-fighters are still trying to fully extinguish it. The Aspropyrgos fire has burned 6 company warehouses and a small number of smaller storage facilities, 5 acres of dry weed while no residences have been damaged. Finally, the two major wildfires that have been ravaging the area near the central Greek town of Oinoi , in Boiotia since Tuesday have been brought under control. The Civil Protection Secretariat has warned of high risk of fires for Wednesday. According to the Fire Department 156 fires broke out nationwide today.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Train-Bus Collision

16 Ιουλ 2008 19:13:0

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΑNA, French

At least 40 people have been killed in a collision between a train and several vehicles at a level crossing near Marsa Matruh, some 40km north-west of the capital Cairo. According to reports the accident occurred when a truck failed to stop at the crossing and pushed several waiting vehicles into the path of the train. Rescue crews continue efforts while the number of dead is expected to rise. Road accidents are frequent in Egypt due to reckless driving, poor road and vehicle maintenance and lack of enforcement of traffic regulations. Fifty-eight people were killed in 2006 and 361 were killed in 2002 in similar train accidents.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Tense Debate

16 Ιουλ 2008 18:36:0

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Tense debate on new draft-bill providing for criteria for operation permits of private Colleges was held in the Parliament on Wednesday. The draft-bill is to be submitted at the end of the week. The president of SYRIZA party parliamentary group, Alekos Alabanos warned of a wave of reactions while he attributed mobility in the issue to the governments efforts to cover up its senior member responsibilities on the Siemens case. In response, Education undersecretary, Andreas Lykourentzos spoke of populism on the part of the opposition parties underlining that colleges are not turning into private universities, on the contrary some regulations are introduced to put order in a grey zone.

ONNED president, George Papanikolaou described the new regulations as a positive development for thousands of youth who will be evaluated from a zero base while PASOK spokesman, George Papakonstantinou told NET 105.8 that reforms in the education sector is necessary, however, he called the Education Minister to upgrade state universities.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] G. Papandreou Tour of Halkididki

By Athina Saloustrou

PASOK party leader, George Papandreou on Wednesday morning visited the Thessaloniki Aristoteleio University forest in the Halkidiki village of Taxiarhis where he presented his proposal for a new growth model based on "green economy". "The country needs a new developmental model based on the environment and not on zoning plan which turns forests and beaches into concrete blocks" said among others G. Papandreou. He was given a guided tour of the premises and briefed on the activities of the Forestry Department. Mr. Papandreou said that the specific university department promotes a new Greece, the Greece of hope which respects the environment , turns to advantage the economic development of the country and in parallel gives life to villages and traditions of our country. He congratulated the deputy rector for the good work done in the Forestry school and referred to the destruction of forests by fires, particularly to last years fire in Elia, stressing that region was not burned because of unsymmetrical threats but by some who wanted to appropriate the burned land. PASOK President said that Symi Symposium will be held in Halkididki this year in order to promote the region environmentally as global warming and environment are the top subjects of this years symposium. He blamed the government for having abandoned forests. Next Mr. Papandreou visited the Women Agricultural Coopertative and the square of the village of Taxiarhis where he was warmly received. Later, he attended a luncheon hosted by Central Macedonia PASOK party deputies. He sent a clear message regarding both the Siemens case and PASOK domestic problems, speaking of unrelenting struggle against corruption.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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