The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Houses Evacuated Big Fire in Rafina

By Anna Kourti

A great fire, which broke out at 10:30 this morning, is in progress at at a pine-forested area in Rafina, near Athens. Marathonos Avenue has been blocked off from Palini onwards and Attiki Odos exit to Rafina. The Police are urging citizens to avoid unnecessary transportations. According to information, several houses have been burnt, while others have been evacuated for precautionary reasons. The fire broke out at the location of Skoufeika, passed from the Agia Triada village and is heading towards Perivolakia and Agia Kyriaki. Fire fighters are having a hard time putting it out due to gales blowing in the area. 20 fire engines with 60 firemen on board, 100 more fire fighters on foot, four fire-fighting planes and two helicopters are also taking part in the operation. What is more, the Civil Protection Authority issued a fire warning for today and tomorrow, as very strong winds will be blowing during these two days.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Voted in Principle Labour Bill Voted For

By Vagelis Theodorou

With 55 votes in favour by ND Parliamentarians and 41 against by Opposition MPs, the 1st Recess Section of the Parliament voted the Labour Bill in principle. The voting process was open, following PASOKs proposal, while Parliament Speaker Anna Psarouda Benaki announced that the discussion will be completed after 15:00 with the open vote on the articles regarding working hours and overtime cost, following a demand posed by the Opposition. KKE Parliamentarians did not take part in the vote and left the Parliament. Apart from the withdrawal, there was intense wrangling in Parliament on Wednesday. George Papandreou spoke of workers humiliation, SYN asked for the Bills withdrawal, while Employment Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos stressed once more that the 8hour working day is not at stake and accused PASOK of political hypocrisy and slander.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Labour Bill on Fire

[03] Mind Your Words!

By Vagelis Theodorou

A Macaw parrot from Spain ended up in isolation for intensive lessons of proper behaviour and a fullspoon of culture. The reason? you may ask yourselves. Well, it was nothing other than its vocabulary, which only included swearwords. Barney's troubles started during a tour at the sanctuary where it is kept. The mayor was giving the grand tour to some distinguished visitors, when the parrot started launching his favourite expression to anyone that passed by, urging them to sexually please themselves! However, the mayor's visitors did not seem to mind and even laughed at the colorful parrot's behaviour. Still, the sanctuary's owner decided to take drastic measures and put naughty Barney in isolation, only allowing the bird to listen to cultural programmes on the radio, hoping it will improve its repertoire. The parrot is thought to have learnt its repertoire from its former owner - a retired truck driver - who emigrated to Spain three years ago, and by watching late night TV. Radio education isn't really working yet but he is a very funny parrot, with a lot of character, and he does say thank you whenever you give him a treat.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Indefinite Stop to Space Shuttles Stop to NASA

By Vagelis Theodorou

NASAs space shuttle fleet will remain grounded after debris fell from Discoverys external fuel tank. "Until we fix this, were not ready to go fly again," said shuttle programme manager Bill Parsons. At the same time, the Space Agency has not determined yet the size of foam that tore away from the Discovery. The big chunks of foam broke off the external fuel tank during lift-off, awakening the tragic memories of Columbia, the space shuttle that disintegrated as it re-entered the Earths atmosphere in February 2003 after a similar incident. The reappearance of the problem, which NASA thought had solved, puts a stop to the Agencys manned flights in space, a programme which took more than two and a half years and 1 billion dollars to repeat. It is noted that Discovery is expected to reach the International Space Station (ISS) today.

Intensive Controls to Pinpoint Problem

As NASA spokesperson stressed, the Agency is not in the position to define the exact size of the debris that broke off the Discovery, almost two minutes after lift-off on Wednesday.

The piece of foam that tore away from the external fuel tank ruined the image of the perfect launch and vanished hopes for a successful repetition of the space shuttle programme. The problem was located one hour after blast-off, but all visual material from the cameras on board the Discovery had to be thoroughly viewed in order to clarify what had happened.

"Call it luck or anything you like, it did not hit the shuttle," stressed Mr Parsons, underlining that things would have been worse if the debris had broken off earlier. In case there is a damage on Discovery, the 7-membered crew will remain on the ISS until a rescue craft arrives.

In Columbia, a suitcase-sized piece of foam fell off during its launch in 2003, punching a hole in the ship's wing and allowing super-heated gases to enter the airframe and pull it apart.

Discovery is taking parts and supplies to the ISS and is due to return to Earth in ten days' time, ie on August 7 at 12:46 Greek time.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Tragedy on Samos

By Anna Kourti

The murder of a 62-year old woman by her own son in the village of Mitilinioi on Samos has left the local society speechless. After a bitter quarrel with his mother, 38-year-old Marios Chrysoulis struck her a blow at the back of her head with an axe on Wednesday night. The murderer turned himself in claiming that his conflict with the victim drove him to commit the crime.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] 245 People Buried Under Mud and Rocks Lethal Landslides in India

By Anna Kourti

The number of dead is increasing at the state of Maharashtra, western India, after severe landslides caused by the extreme weather conditions in the area. At least 418 people have lost their lives, reported government officials and rescue crewmembers. It has been raining nonstop for three days in a row and the situation is chaotic in Mumbai, India's financial capital, a city inhabited by 15 million people. Heavy monsoon rains have interrupted railway and road transports, while there are huge problems with air transports. "Almost half of the deaths have been reported in Mumbai. The numbers are constantly changing and the victims will surely increase, but we continue to gather information," stressed a rescue crewmember. Over 100 people have been buried under huge quantities of mud at a village 150km south of Mumbai. It should be noted tha this is the biggest number of victims by a natural disaster to have been recorded in the country's history

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Manhunt Continues Mass Arrests in London

By Vagelis Theodorou

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in London three weeks ago, British authorities continue the investigations and the arrests of the suspects. Scotland Yard, based on the anti-terror legislation, raided and arrested on Thursday morning nine people in Tooting, south London. Six men were arrested at the first address and three at the second. Furthermore, three women, who were believed to have helped those responsible for the attempted attacks, were arrested on Wednesday. At the same time, 24-year-old bomber Yasin Hassan Omar, who has been held to Londons high-security police station since Wednesday as the first of the suspected 21 July attackers, is still being questioned. On the other hand, Londons underground has seen the largest ever deployment of police for the security of the transport system. "This is certainly the largest number of people we have had at stations, at underground stations," London transport police spokesperson Simon Lubin said and he added that the operational deployment is to avert new possible attacks and reassure passengers.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New Arrests in Britain

[08] Parliament Did Not Give Vote of Confidence Vote Against the Bulgarian Government

By Vagelis Theodorou

Political crisis in Bulgaria and a stop to Sofia's plans for accession to the EU after the Parliament did not give its vote of confidence to the Government. In the secret vote held late on Wednesday night, 120 out of 240 Parliamentarians voted against the coalition government of Socialists and the Muslim Movement of Rights and Freedoms (DPS), while 119 Parliamentarians voted in favour and one was absent. DPS is likely to ask for a repetition of the voting process. However, in case the result remains as thus, a reshuffling order will be given to the leader of the second Parliament power, former king Simeon Saxe-Coburg.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Bomb Threat Oil Refinery in Australia Evacuated

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters

Alert sounded at an oil refinery in the northern city of Brisbane, Australia, due to a bomb threat. As per the announcement issued by oil company Caltex Australia Ltd., workers at the refinery and the terminal area evacuated the facilities safely, apart from the necessary operators, who are in a safe area. The refinery's operation continues as per normal, while access has been postponed.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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