The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Abu Hafs al Masri Brigades Responsible The Work of Al Qaeda

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

A great commotion was stirred today in the London Underground when plain clothed policemen shot a man suspected for a suicide attack attempt in Stockwell Station. At the scene witnesses state that the man is dead, as the policemen threw him on the floor and shot him five times. Up to this moment there has been no official announcement by the police authorities. In the meantime, an Al Qaeda linked group, the Abu Hafs al Masri Brigades have assumed responsibility of yesterdays attacks with a post, the authenticity of which is in question, on the Internet,.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

New Manhunt

[02] After Yesterday's Terrorist Attacks New Manhunt

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: BBC- ANA- ΝΕΤ- Reuters- Sky News

As the residents of London are trying to recover from the second hit in the heart of their city, exactly two weeks after July 7, the British authorities have initiated a new manhunt for the location and arrest of the perpetrators. As it was announced shortly before, an al-Qaeda linked group has assumed responsibility of the attack, with an announcement on the Internet, while the British Mass Media broadcast that the police shot a man entering an Underground station, as a suspect of a suicide attack. Up to now, there have been several reports of arrests without Scotland Yard confirming that the arrested were related to the attacks. The British authorities are reserved in their announcements in relation to the course of the investigations, since they refuse to comment on information being broadcast by international agencies, a fact that reinforces rumors.

Scarce Information

The similarity of the attacks with the ones on July 7 and the fact that there were no victims from any explosion raise questions. British PM Tony Blair suggested calmness, since as he said the aim of the new attacks is to spread panic. On his part, Chief of Scotland Yard Sir Ian Blair spoke of a failed terrorist attack, while the Mayor of the city, Ken Livingstone, said that the residents of London will "overcome" the new hit.

The only information that has been announced by officials was given by Sir Ian Blair, according to whom, the aim of the terrorists was once again to kill, however without managing to do so, since only the detonators exploded and not the explosive devices.

Four persons were arrested by the police, three of whom were released, while the man arrested outside of the PMs residence in Downing Street, is still being held, even though he probably is not related to the attacks.

After the attacks the police made two operations in University College Hospital for the location of a dark-skinned man who according to at the scene witnesses was strapped with explosives.

In the meantime, many countries that have troops in Iraq, immediately reinforced security measures, especially after the last threatening message by Al Qaeda that calls on the Western countries to withdraw from Iraq until August 15.

Terrorists' Intentions Unknown

Information that has not been confirmed by Scotland Yard speaks of the police having collected the four bombs used in the attacks. According to British news agency Press Association, three of them have a similar size and weight with those used on July 7, while the fourth was smaller and placed in a small plastic container.

The polices investigations are mainly based on testimonies of at the scene witnesses that claim that in two cases they saw people running after the detonation of the explosive mechanisms, while the belief of the Security authorities is that the cabling of the bombs was not correctly made, thus they did not explode.

Another event, according to security specialists, is that the bombs materials had expired or there was just a bad handing from the side of the terrorists.

However, analysts estimate that it is very likely that the terrorists failed in all of the four attempts. Thus, they presume that this time the target of the attacks were not to kill but to cause chaos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

New Terror Shock in London

[03] Fight For Your Right to Change the Channel Pensioners Vs Remote Control!

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Certainly they could resemble Statler and Waldorf, the two grouchy old men in the Muppet Show. The cohabitation of two Romanian pensioners who live in an old peoples home could be described as turbulent. Both are great fans of television but their obsession over their favorite TV show sent them straight to hospital. 85-year-old Gheorghe Botezatu and 73-year-old Victor Gavrilas became the center of attention in the city of Roman, when they started an endless fight over who will get to hold the TV remote control. The verbal dispute started heating up and resulted in the two men using their fists. Of course, they used any weapon they could get their hands on as well ie their walking sticks.

The result of this TV battle was that the two men ended up in hospital, while one of the enraged elders underwent surgery, since a decisive stick hit by the opponent broke his nose.

The helpless owner of the home, Dr Lidia Mihailovii, said that their fights over the TV were an everyday occurrence, since one prefers news and the other films.

Regardless of his old age, 85-year-old Botezatu is the naughtiest one of the two, since in the past hes been caught smuggling alcohol and trying to "get it on" with the lady residents in the home.

However, after this incident, the owner of the home clearly stated that if he gets into trouble again he will be sent home!

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Early Elections on September 18 German Parliament Dissolves

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

Late on Thursday evening, the President of Germany, Horst K&#246;hler, dissolved the countrys Parliament and announced early elections on September 18. In his announcement, Mr K&#246;hler described the situation in the country as dismal, while he talked of "an unprecedented crisis" due to the millions of unemployed. In the beginning of the month German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder asked and received and no confidence vote from Parliament, which led to early elections, just a year before the completion of the governments term. Schroeders aim is to receive a new order, thus going forth reinforced in the enactment of social reforms. A favourite for Chancellorship is the leader of the Christian Democrat Party, Angela Merkel, since the voters seem to prefer the Conservative Opposition.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] In Anogia, Crete A Tradition that Kills

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET- ANA

The most important effort for firearm use to be restrained in Crete took place on Thursday night in Anogia with the signing of the declaration against firearm use in the presence of the Minister of Public Order and the Chief of the Greek police. Disarming the Cretan people is a very difficult task, since the possession and the use of firearms in many areas of the island is closely associated with the residents way of life. The tradition is kept alive, regardless of the fact that many families and villages have been stricken by it. It is noted that Mikis Theodorakis leads this initiative.

Against Illegal Firearm Possession

In the declaration, which was unanimously approved, all Cretans are called on to join the fight against illegal firearm possession and use, which as it is noted offends the islands culture.

The start for this important initiative was taken in March in Zappeion Mansion, where members of the committee convened, after an initiative by Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

"No" to Firearms Use

[06] Floods and Hail in Western Macedonia

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET- NET 105.8

A sudden 20-minute summer squall that occurred on Thursday night in central and western Macedonia caused damage and floods. The Prefectures of Kozani and Grevena were afflicted as hail flooded streets and basements, while strong gales broke tree branches. The Fire Service of Kozani received 40 calls for water drainage and tree cutting. Crops were also affected, as 500 sq acres of tobacco plants and 300 of vinicultures were destroyed in Kozani. The Prefect and crews of the Hellenic Organisation of the Agricultural Insurances (ELGA) rushed to the scene in order for damage to be recorded and compensations to be given. Power cuts occurred in Thessaloniki, while the rainfall in Imathia and Pella did not create problems.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Olympiacos Unprepared

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Olympiacos were defeated 2-1 by Jablonec in their first friendly match for the new season. Trod Sollied used almost all of his players, who were trying to assimilate 4-3-3, the new system which they have to follow. However, the coach did not seem to be happy by his team's defensive play and in the first half, the Czechs had taken the lead with 2-0. In the second half, Olympiacos had improved, but they only managed to score once in the 89' with Taralidis' goal.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Like Normal Training

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Panathinaikos were given a good opportunity on Thursday to play football after harsh training for more than three weeks. The played against Bormio and without having to speed up, the greens prevailed with an easy score of 10-0. From the score alone, one can easily understand that it was an easygoing match. However, for Malesani the match was not enough to indicate the physical condition of his players or the extent of their training. Mantzios scored 2 goals, Papadopoulos 2, Gekas 2, Conseisao 1, Olisadebe 1, Theodoridis 1, Gancev 1.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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