The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Suicide Bombers behind the Attacks Strong Evidence

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters

As per new information, suicide bombers are to be held accountable for the terrorist blasts in London on July 7. The perpetrators are believed to be four Pakistani males aged between 19 and 30 born in Britain. On his part, British Home Secretary Charles Clarke stated that the police believe that ht suspects belonged to a wider community enjoying international connections. He pointed out, though, that this possibility should be further investigated. Clarke also noted that he was deeply shocked by the fact that the suicide bombers were born and lived in Britain and he added that he will do everything in his power to talk his European partners into keeping telecommunication records to facilitate the anti-terror investigations conducted by the police. The front pages of the British newspapers are indicative of the shock caused in Britain. The Sun spoke of "Boy Bombers", while the Daily Mail spoke of "Suicide Bombers from the suburbs", and added that the perpetrators came from west Yorkshire, north of Britain. The Times reported, The conclusion that the terrorists were from Britain is terrifying.

Britain is Shocked

A 19-year-old suspect from Leeds had changed and turned to religion. He went off the rails and his parents were very worried. They wanted to instil some discipline in him, said his cousin to the Times newspaper.

Another suspect, a 22-year-old sports graduate was described as A smiling person who talked to everyone, by his 19-year-old team-mate Mohamed Ansaar Riaz .

I find it hard to believe that he went to London to explode a bomb. It was not in his nature to do something like that, Riaz added. I played cricket with him ten days ago. He was not interested in politics, he concluded.

At the same time, another neighbour, who requested his identity not be revealed, told ITN News that the 22-year-old had spent two months in Afghanistan and four months in the city of Lahore Pakistan.

According to the Guardian newspaper, the disappearance of one of the four suspects that had been reported by his family, who were worried for their son had gone to London with his mates and had not returned, shed light to the polices investigations.

At the same time, the British newspaper citing intelligence sources, reported that the government is likely to mount an investigation on the role the religious leaders of the Muslim community in Britain play in boosting fundamentalism within groups of young British Muslims.

On its part, the Financial Times noted that the problem concerns Europe and stressed that the British Presidency should work with a view to creating a basis of cooperation at EU level. Todays emergency meeting between the Justice and Interior Ministers in Brussels is viewed as a chance to mark this effort.

The identification of the bodies is still in progress. So far, eleven bodies have been identified, reported Scotland Yard. It is noteworthy that the death toll has risen to 52 and 700 wounded.

A Concert to Commemorate the Victims

In the meantime, a concert with the participation of famous stars will be taking place in the Battersea Park on Saturday to commemorate the victims of the Londons blasts.

As per Londons Mayor Ken Livingstone, the concert under the title Unified London aims at showing that the British capital maintains its right to celebrate as the city of all nations, religious and cultures, exactly what those who planted the bombs despise.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Terrorism at the Focus

One Suspect Arrested in London

[02] Unscheduled Meeting in Brussels Terrorism at the Focus

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA - NET 105,8

Under the shadow of the terrorist blasts in London on July 7 and Al-Qaedas threats for new attacks, the EU Justice and Interior Ministers are to hold a meeting in Brussels with a view to issuing a proclamation against terrorism. The European Commission is expected to suggest additional measures, including monitoring of telecommunications, a measure that has prompted fierce reactions. Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras, and Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis will represent Greece. A meeting on the same subject had been called after attacks in Madrid that killed 191 people, in March 2004.

Monitoring Internet

The British Presidency is in favour of recording and filing of telephone calls, text messages, e-mail and the use of the Internet in general.

At the European Parliaments foreign affairs committee, British Home Secretary Jack Straw urged the MEPs to rush over the legislative process so that measures be put into effect immediately.

Furthermore, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced an initiative aiming to compel countries to lift the status of confidentiality that dominates the banks accounts.

In the meantime, the Italian Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu submitted a string of anti-terror measures, which is believed to facilitate detaining suspects without any prior charges, to the Italian Parliament.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Launch Set to Go All Is Set in Cape Canaveral

By Thanasis Karlos

The space shuttle Discovery will be launched as scheduled at 15:31pm today from the Kennedy Space Centre, bound for the International Space Station (ISS), despite the problem that arose at the last minute. NASA technicians replaced two damaged heat-resistant tiles. "The issue has been resolved. Launch is a go," said NASA spokesperson Mike Rein. On the other hand, Discovery vehicle manager Stephanie Stilson described the repair as minor. However, according to the NASA weather forecasters, there is a 40% chance of weather prohibiting the launch. If Discoverys launch is delayed, NASA can attempt it twice more before having to break for a few days to refuel the crafts onboard power generators.

Memories Awoken by the Damage

The two tiles were damaged when a plastic window cover weighing less than 1 kilogram fell off Discovery when the spacecraft sat on the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The damage caused by falling debris brought back bad memories, because that was precisely the problem that doomed Columbia.

In that case, Columbias left wing was damaged by a chunk of foam insulation that weighed 0.76 kilograms. The damage opened a hole in Columbias skin that let in superheated gas during re-entry, tearing the ship apart and killing all seven astronauts.

Related News:

See You in Space

Ready to Launch

[04] In Pakistan with 125 Fatalities Bloody Train Accident

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters

At least 125 were killed and more than 1,000 were injured in a train accident in the town of Ghotki in southern Pakistan. Geo television, which speaks of 200 fatalities, said that the accident occurred when a train coming from the city of Lahore hit another train at the station. A third train also hit the derailed carriages. The rescue teams, which rushed in the area, along with the police are looking for victims and believe that the death toll is to rise. As for the causes, mechanical failure is thought to be the most probable one. "In my view it was a technical mistake," Ghotki police chief Agha Mohammad Tahir told the Geo television. It is noteworthy that steely opponents of the Pakistani government, including armed tribes, have repeatedly attacked railway lines in the past. For the time being, however, this possibility is ruled out.

In the meantime, survivors of the collision speak of chaos and destruction. I was sleeping, when a bang woke me up. I was ejected, everything was in dust, I fell on the floor and fainted, told Reuters Amin, a passenger searching for his son in the ruins.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Objections by Parliaments Scientific Board Evaluation Bill Accepted in Principle

By Vagelis Theodorou

Although the Parliaments Scientific Board insisted that some of the regulations for the evaluation of Universities and Technological Institutes presented constitutional problems, the relevant Education Ministry bill was voted for in principle. Deputy Education Minister Spyros Taliadouros noted the danger of Greece, its educational institutes and its students being isolated in case the proper evaluation procedures are not followed. The other government MPs agreed to that, pointing out the lack of an evaluation system in Greece. On the other hand, PASOKs representatives declared that they would be voting against the regulations, invoking vagueness as far as the obligations of the State are concerned in the case when an Institute receives a negative evaluation. KKE spoke of submission of Institutes to the laws of the market, while SYN claimed that the proposed evaluation method does not solve the problems, but creates even more. However, Mr Taliadouros rejected the arguments of the Opposition, saying that the sole aim was to safeguard and improve the quality of the educational system.

Questions by the Scientific Board

In the meantime, as per the Scientific Boards report, the bill does to specify the legal consequences following the evaluation. In addition, banning the higher education institutes from trying to find alternate ways to improve the quality of education may not be in tune with the constitutional self-governing of Higher Education.

Meanwhile, the Board also voiced its concerns over the selection process for the members of the Higher Education Safeguarding and Quality Authority, which will be performing the evaluation, since the draw would be done by the Authority.

Finally, the report posed the issue of unconstitutionality, noting that the Deans Council would not have any legal authority, thus becoming an administrative body with the sole responsibility of appointing the members of the Authority in question.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Molyviatis Speech at the Security Council Humanitarian Crises at the Focus

By Vagelis Theodorou

The role of the Security Council in the humanitarian crises of the planet was the main topic on the daily agenda, following the recommendation of Greek FM Petros Molyviatis, in the context of Greeces presidency over the leading UN body for the month of July. During the meeting, which was also attended by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Mr Molyviatis stressed that dealing with humanitarian crises promptly and effectively is of vital importance. He also mentioned that some measures to prevent the crises in question might include the reinforcement of a Rule of Law, disarmament and reforms to the security sector. Furthermore, the Member-States and other interested countries were offered the opportunity to discuss the ways that the Security Council tries to stop the circle of clashes and prevent further outbreaks of violence in societies facing such problems, thus preserving peace and security.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Greece to the Security Council Presidency

[07] Four Casualties Fight in Kolonos

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ANA - NET 105,8

A bloody fight occurred late on Tuesday night in a coffee shop in Kolonos. As per first information, a Greek man entered the coffee shop, and for reasons that remain unknown, had a fight with three Albanians. The crossfire resulted in four injured, while one Albanian is in a critical condition. The Greek was transferred to the Hippokrateio Hospital, two of the Albanians to the Red Cross Hospital while the third to the Geniko Kratiko Nikaias Hopsital. Policemen rushed to the crime scene and to the hospitals to investigate the reasons behind the incidence.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] In Iraq with 2 Fatalities and 16 Wounded Attack Against Sunni Mosque

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters

Tension escalates between Sunni and Shiites Muslims in Iraq. A suicide attack in a Sunni mosque late on Tuesday night in Jalowla near the Iranian border killed two people and wounded 16, six of whom were in a serious condition. As per police, the explosive device went off prematurely, while the suicide bomber was getting ready for the attack inside the mosque. This attack is viewed as retaliatory action for the continuous attacks in Sunni mosques mounted by Shiite Muslims aiming at overthrowing the Shiite-dominated government.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] By the Israeli Army Israelis Take Retaliatory Actions

By Vicky Keleri

Last nights suicide attack in the town of Netanya, Israel, cast a shadow of tension in the Middle East. In retaliation for the attack, which was the first over the last five months, the Israeli army sealed off the West Bank and the Gaza Strip until fresh orders are received, an Israeli army spokesperson, who requested his identity not be revealed, told AFP. Earlier, a Palestinian police officer was killed during a raid launched by the Israeli army forces in Tulkarem.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Dialogue for the Salary Scale

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) representatives are meeting today with the Ministers of Interior and Economy to discuss the new collective work agreement, which will set the pay rises of public sector employees in 2006. The unified salary scale, and the heavy and health-hazardous occupations will be at the focus. Prokopis Pavlopoulos declared that the dialogue would start from zero, while, among other things, ADEDY is asking for a minimum wage of 1,200 euros for all newly-hired public sector employees, and the institutional upgrading of the public sector in matters concerning hierarchy and evaluation of employees.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] The Relief of Nature

By Vagelis Theodorou

If you feel pressured by everyday commitments and end up shouting at the wrong people, there are ways for you to release that energy. You can try yoga, physical exercise, or anything else that takes your fancy, but at least, do not follow the advice given by a German marriage counsellor. The man in question, who lives in Recklinghausen, suggested to his 43-year-old client to run around the trees in his local park naked and scream at them, rather than scream at his wife. Dieter Braun decided to follow this stress release technique, but was actually arrested! Visitors to the park, who saw the man running around naked, notified the police and the man was eventually charged with causing a public nuisance. Mr Braun said that taking his clothes off made him feel more relaxed, while he added, If I didnt go to the woods and scream at the trees then my marriage would probably be over.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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