The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] The tragedy and miracle that rocked the US Baby Who Cheated Death

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: ABC News

He did not want to make that journey. He cheated death and turned his back on him, when the doctors gave him just a few minutes to live. He was, after all, just two years old, and had still to experience many of lifes games. The child in question is a toddler from Long Beach who proved the medical community wrong with his determination and will to live. One month ago, little Bobby was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital in a deep coma, with all of his facial bones broken. Just a few minutes earlier, his fathers large SUV had driven over his head.

The Tragedy

On the morning of 21 February, 2-year-old Bobby Palange was playing in the snow when the unprecedented tragedy occurred.

Unaware that little Bobby was still outside in the garden, playing, his father reversed out of the garage in a Dodge Durango.

The fateful incident had occurred.

The little boy was immediately taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where the initial diagnosis was heart-stopping.

The toddler was just moments from death.

The Miracle

That was then, on 21 February, as today, three weeks later, little Bobby has managed to leave hospital.

Smiling in his mothers arms, he doesnt seem to have understood what happened.

All he has to show for his adventure are the stitches in his head, from one ear to the other.

Besides this, he has partial loss of sight in his right eye.

His mother speaks of a miracle.

"Nobody thought he could make it, not even me. But I left him in Gods hands, there was nothing else I could do," she stated, tears of joy streaming from her eyes.

The doctors also speak of a miracle, having dared a radical, complicated operation on the little boy.

The doctors transferred parts of Bobs skull to his abdomen, in order to keep them healthy until they could be reattached in position.

Translated by Millie Williams

[02] A month after the Hariri murder On the Streets for the Truth

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: CNN, BBC

Demanding that the truth shine out over the murder of Rafik Hariri and the full withdrawal of Syrian troops from their country, thousands of Lebanese citizens came out onto the streets of Beirut today. With flags, banners and slogans against Syria, and in favour of an international investigation in order to locate all those who are behind the murder of Hariri, the demonstrators surrounded the Monument of the Martyrs in the centre of Beirut, going as far as the grave of the former prime minister, Rafik Hariri. Correspondents in the area are expressing concern at the possibility of violent incidents, which also seems to be of concern to the authorities, who, after todays protest, appear to be banning further mobilisation activities.

US Hails Syria's Pledges

Todays protest, the largest since the day when Rafik Hariri was murdered, took place one day after the demonstration held in the town of Nabatiyeh, organised by members of Hezbollah.

On Sunday, supporters of Syria demonstrated against American intervention in Lebanese affairs, calling for the Syrian military presence in their country to continue.

Yesterday, the President of Syria pledged before the UN special envoy to give details in the next few days of the plan to withdraw Syrian troops from Lebanon.

The pledge was hailed by the US, with the head of American diplomacy, Condoleezza Rice stating that it was a "positive development."

Translated by Millie Williams

[03] European Socialist Initiative Papandreou Tours Lebanon and Syria

By Annita Paschalinou

George Papandreou completed his contacts in Syria and Lebanon this afternoon. The President of PASOK received assurances from the Syrian Foreign Minister that Syrian troops would be withdrawn from Lebanon, and expressed the conviction that the crisis in the relations between Syria and Lebanon would be solved by peaceful means. "This crisis must be handled peacefully, there must be an essential relationship between the two countries, based on UN decisions," he stressed, while shortly before departing for Greece, he briefed UN special envoy Ters Red Larsen on his cycle of contacts in the two countries.

European Socialist Initiative

On Sunday, George Papandreou met in Beirut with members of the Lebanese Opposition and discussed the developments following the murder of Rafik Hariri.

The visit by the President of PASOK is taking place as part of an initiative by European Socialist leaders, considering the political developments in the region.

On Sunday, the delegation of Socialist leaders visited Martyrs Square in Beirut, where Rafik Hariri has been buried, and then had a meeting with his wife.

Translated by Millie Williams

[04] She expressed sadness at political interpretations Statements from Bakoyanni on Inauguration

By Annita Paschalinou

Mrs Dora Bakoyanni made statements today explaining the reasons why she was unable to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Hellenic Republic. The mayor of Athens expressed her sadness at attempts by some Media groups to give political interpretations for her absence, stressing that clear family reasons did not allow her to attend the inauguration. "These do-gooders must realize that politicians are people too, they are not machines, they are not robots. They have family obligations, they have feelings," she stressed, noting that she had to be at her husbands side as he experienced health troubles. Dora Bakoyanni underlined that there is no question that she respects the new President, and that the choice of Karolos Papoulias as President of the Hellenic Republic was the best one possible.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] Pavlopoulos in Kaisariani

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

In a meeting this afternoon with the mayor and the municipal council of the town, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos will attempt to find a solution to the problem that has arisen over the last few days in the Municipality of Kaisariani over the construction of a monument to National Resistance at Skopeftirio. On Thursday, a meeting is scheduled between the municipal authorities and the Minister for Education. As the mayor and the members of the council announced, they will postpone the hunger strike that they have been holding since last Friday. The Municipal Council finds itself at odds with Kaisariani Shooting Company (note: Skopeftirio = shooting range), as they wish to construct a monument in Skopeftirio, while the company wishes to keep the historic site as it is.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Mayor Starts Hunger Strike

[06] Rockets Against Government Building

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

At least 15 people were injured by rockets launched on Monday against the administrative headquarters of Moscows military authorities in Grozny. Shortly after 9am (local time), unknown assailants launched six rockets against the building, most likely from the neighbouring woodland. Of the injured, two are being treated in serious condition. The attack was carried out just a few days after the leader of the Chechen separatists, Aslan Maskhadov, lost his life during an exchange of fire with Russian forces. The authorities are tightening security measures in the capital and restricting access to Grozny. However, increased measures had already been in place since Saturday, as there were indications that the separatists were preparing attacks in the capital of Chechnya. According to the police, two soldiers were killed and another two were injured on Sunday night in the village of Chali, when unidentified men opened fire on a checkpoint.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] Suicide Attack South of Baghdad

By Betty Savourdou

On Monday, a suicide bomber detonated his car near a police and military checkpoint in a town to the south of Baghdad, causing the deaths of two policemen and two civilians, apart from the bomber. The attack took place in the town of Yusufiyah, at a point known as "death triangle", where insurgents frequently make attacks against Iraqi and American security forces. In another incident, two Iraqi civilians were killed and two were seriously injured in a car explosion in Rashid, 25 km south of Baghdad. The vehicle exploded immediately after an American patrol had passed by the scene.

Translated by Millie Williams

[08] Optimism from UN Sec. Gen Kofi Annan in Ramallah

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC, ANA

The Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan will have a meeting on Monday in the West Bank with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, following Annans meeting on Sunday with the Israeli PM, Ariel Sharon. During Kofi Annans first visit to the region in four years, the Secretary General of the UN stated that there is general optimism over the peace process in the region. Furthermore, in two Israeli-Palestinian meetings which will be held on Monday at a ministerial level, topics expected to be under discussion are the transfer of control of zones of the West Bank to the Plaestinians, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Meetings Between Israeli and Palestinian Ministers

"We all feel much stringer with the recent developments, including the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, and we, as members of the Quartet (USA, EU, Russia and UN) expect there to be progress in the peace progress," stressed Annan after his meeting with Ariel Sharon on Sunday.

At the same time, two Israeli-Palestinian meetings are expected to be held on Monday at a ministerial level.

The Israeli Minister of Defence Saul Mofaz, and the Palestinian Minister of the Interior, Nasr Yusef are to discuss implementing the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement regarding the transfer of control of parts of the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority.

At the same time, the Palestinian minister responsible for prisoners, Sufian Abu Zeide, is to meet with the Israeli Minister of Justice, Gippe Levni, over the Palestinian prisoners whom Israeli has pledged to release.

Translated by Millie Williams

[09] Is he planning a domestic strike on the US? Zarqawi Threat to the US

By Betty Savourdou

The leader of the Al Qaeda network in Iraq, Abu Musab al Zarqawi is planning attacks against "easy targets" such as cinemas, restaurants and schools on US soil, warns Time Magazine. According to the magazine, Zarqawi is convinced that he needs a lot of money to enter the US legally. The magazine cites intelligence sources, which interrogated a member of the terrorist organisation and a man close to Zarqawi, who was arrested last year, as well as a leaflet circulated among many US intelligence services.

Authorities Remain Alert

"We know that Al Qaeda has not fulfilled its ambitions of attacking targets within the US," stressed American National Security minister Stephen Huntley, asked about the information.

The magazine stresses that al Zarqawi complains of a lack of "martyrs" who are willing to give their lives, as "if someone is ready to die, there is nothing in the world to stop him from doing so, even within the US."

American intelligence sources stress that there is no indication that elements of al Zarqawis organisation have spread to the US, but the authorities remain cautious, as last week the FBI issued warnings of possible attacks against railway stations in Detroit and Los Angeles.

Translated by Millie Williams

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