The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Suicide Bomber? Deadly Blast in Turkey

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters - Assoiciated Press - AFP

A powerful blast ripped through a minibus in the resort of Kusadasi, Turkey, early this morning. As per Turkish TV network NTV four people were killed and 14 were wounded. Two British citizens have been wounded said the British Foreign Affairs Ministry. Information speaks of no Greek citizens among the casualties. Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan clearly spoke of a terrorist act. He avoided, however, blaming any radical group for the attack.

Under the Shadow of Terror

I express my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims, the Turkish PM told reporters, and he added that the country will take all necessary measures to combat such phenomena.

Earlier, Kusadasi Governor Ali Biras told NTV that the police authorities are investigating the possibility of a suicide attack. He pointed out, though, that nothing has yet been confirmed.

The minibus was on its way to the towns nearest beach. Ambulances and police forces have rushed to the crime scene.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Call for Cooperation Against Terror Muslims Condemn

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA - BBC

22 Muslim leaders held a meeting at the Islamic Cultural Centre, in London, and condemned the London attacks. They issued a joint statement, which described the attacks as utterly criminal and absolutely un-Islamic. They also pinpointed that there is no excuse for taking innocent lives. Earlier, the head of the Muslim Council of Britain requested concrete steps be made to avert such atrocities in the future. At the same time, the Councils members visited Leeds and urged the Muslims to contribute to the polices investigations. The initiatives taken by the 1,600,000 Muslims residing London and their leaders are an answer to British PM Tony Blairs call for a wider participation on the part of the Muslim community in polices efforts to uproot terror. Furthermore, the British police have focused its attention on monitoring hooligan groups, fearing acts of revenge against Muslims.

Suspense for the 33-year-old Suspect

Information regarding Magdi Mahmoud al-Nashar, the Egyptian suspect that is remanded in custody in Cairo, remains inconsistent.

Egyptian Interior Minister Habib al-Adli told Egyptian newspaper Al-Jumhuriyah that Nashar had no al-Qaeda link and he described media speculation as groundless.

At the same time, the American TV network ABC reported that the 33-year-old biochemist is connected to the case and his relation to al-Qaeda is being investigating. BBC, on the other hand, reported that one of the suicide bombers, school teacher Mohammad Sidique Khan, had visited Labour MP John Trickett along with his students

MP Trickett said, I am deeply vexed by the fact that a person, who seemed to be caring for the children, would have the audacity to take the lives of innocent people.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New Suspect Arrest

[03] Message of Friendship Changes Are a Fact

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET, ANA

On Friday night, the Prime Minister repeated the governments determination to proceed with structural changes after having heard and combined all proposals. The Prime Minister is in Limnos for ONNEDs (Nea Demokratia Youth Organisation) festival on the island. Mr Karamanlis condemned the terrorist attacks in London and asked the human race not to succumb to fear, but to work hard to face the deepest causes of terrorism. At the same time, Mr Karamanlis visited the Archaeological Park of Myrina and met with the Minister for the Aegean and Island Policy, the Lesvos prefectures parliamentarians and the Prefect and with the mayors of Limnos.

Determined for Reforms

During his speech, Mr Karamanlis voiced once more the governments commitment to change all the things that pin Greek society to the ground and move towards a new perspective aiming at the collective interest and a better future starting from today. The aim, as he said, is to make Greece play a leading role political, economic and cultural- in the wider area and in Europe.

Speaking of reforms, he underlined that the government has promoted a series of changes to reshape public administration and the wider public sector, economy and growth procedures, education system and the National Health System.

At the same time, Mr Karamanlis widely referred to the need of supporting regional Greece, while he underlined that the last processes for the establishment of the Museum of Democracy in Agios Efstratios are in the final stretch. As for Limnos, the PM stressed that the government is looking into the local bodies proposal to establish a university on the island with two departments. Addressing to the young, he asked for their more immediate and massive participation in the commons, as well as for their suggestions.

Do Not Succumb to Fear

Continuing his speech, Mr Karamanlis harshly condemned the terrorist hits, the explosion of fanaticism, irrationalism and hatred, voicing his sympathy to the victims families in London, Madrid and New York.

In fact, he stressed that terrorists have no right to cite any ideology, religion, culture and that its the human races obligation not to succumb to fear, but to cooperate and deal with the deeper causes of international terrorism.

As per Mr Karamanlis, Greece is following a strategy of peace and cooperation in the modern world, with vision and realism for a Europe of common future, which becomes more democratic and social.

At the same time, he stressed that Greece aims at regulating relations with neighboring Turkey and repeated the governments support to its European orientation.

However, he clarified that the course depends primarily on Turkeys response to the EUs principles and values, to international rules and international law.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] New Study on Possible Carcinogenicity of Aspartame Are We in Danger from Aspartame?

By Annita Paschalinou

Controversy over whether sweetener Aspartame can lead to cancer continues. This time, the cancer research centre of the European Foundation of Oncology and Environmental sciences B. Ramazzini, Bologna, carried out a new study assessing the possible carcinogenicity of aspartame. The reaction of the French Agency on Sanitary Safety of Aliments (AFSAA: Agence Fran&#231;aise de S&#233;curit&#233; Sanitaire des Aliments)was immediate, underlining in an announcement that new questions have arisen after the Italian study. Furthermore, the European Food Safety Authority stressed it will evaluate the new data, taking into account the other studies and data available to date in the scientific literature on the sweetener aspartame.

France Requests More Evidence

The French Agency had conducted a thorough analysis in 2002 on the possible relation of aspartame to cancer development.

The study, which was then publicized, concluded that scientific data showed there was no relation of cause-effect in the consumption of aspartame and cerebral cancer development in humans and animals.

This conclusion was reached after many studies, including the one carried out by the Committee on Human Nutrition on a European level and publicized on December 2002.

Today, just one day after the publication of the study conducted by the European Foundation of Oncology and Environmental sciences B. Ramazzini, the issue has surfaced again and people are asking for the verification of findings.

European Authority Needs More Time

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) promised to immediately re-examine new evidence, and to take into account the Ramazzini Institute study as well as other studies and data available to date in the scientific literature on the sweetener aspartame.

However, this will probably take several months, EFSA experts said in advance. Therefore, changes in consumers diets relative to aspartame are viewed as unwise.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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