The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Pro-Tibetan March Ahead of Torch Relay in San Francisco

Angered over Chinese government, pro-Tibetan demonstrators marched Tuesday in San Francisco ahead of todays Olympic torch relay through the American city. "Shame on China" was one of the main slogans of the protestors, who were carrying Tibet flags and emblems. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said he contacted with French and British officials to get an idea about handling possible rioting. Several organizations have been on standby in San Francisco, the only US city to host the Olympic torch relay. Organizations blasting Chinas policy in Tibet, Burma and Darfur, and several celebs, including Hollywood actor Richard Geer and Peace Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu, have joined the demonstrations. The organizers of the relay, on the other hand, said they would not try to put out the flame, as was the case in Paris and London. Demonstrators are prepping themselves to hold protests in Buenos Aires on Friday.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: No plan to cut torch relay as U.S. protesters mass

Related News:

China Vows to Keep Torch on Track

[02] Of ND's Political Council

09 Apr 2008 11:02:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ -ΝΕΤ 105.8

Greeces national affairs, as well as the reform programme are on the table of the ruling partys Political Council session currently taking place under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. Earlier, at her speech delivered at the Economist conference, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said, "Greece will gladly welcome FYROM to the North Atlantic and European institutions, as soon as a mutually acceptable, viable and operational solution to the name issue has been achieved, with no winners and no losers." Dora Bakoyannis, who will meet Thursday with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew J. Bryza in Athens, stressed that Greece wants a stable country in its border. Furthermore, in her interview with NET state-run television, the Greek Foreign Minister underlined that Athens is ready for a solution to the problem, and went on to described Greeces red lines as correct and crystal clear.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Rhodes: 34 Years Old Man from Albania Suicides

By Athina Saloustrou

A man form Albania shot himself yesterday using a hunting carbine in Australia Avenue. Earlier in the clear space of "Pallas" cinema he had opened fire on a car and had injured a young woman from England who was inside. The driver was transferred to the hospital. According to information the man committed suicide because he thought that he had killed the passengers of the car. Police authorities investigations focus on participation to the incident of other people too.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] French Mission Leaves Colombia

Sources: REUTERS

Colombian guerrillas on Tuesday refused to allow a French medical mission to treat high-profile hostage Ingrid Betancourt in their jungle camps in another setback to attempts to free scores of guerrilla captives. The rejection was a disappointing blow to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has made it a priority to secure the freedom of the dual French-Colombian citizen kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, while campaigning for the presidency in 2002. Sarkozy said in a statement he was "deeply disappointed" and his foreign minister would travel to the region soon to review options. He said the medical mission, backed by Spain and Switzerland, would leave Colombia shortly. "France will stay fully mobilized to ensure the hostages return to life and to their families," Sarkozy said.

Betancourt, three Americans and dozens of politicians, police and soldiers are among 40 political captives whom the FARC says it wants to exchange for jailed fighters. But the guerrillas and government are deadlocked over a hostage deal. Colombias four-decade-old conflict has eased under President Alvaro Uribe, a Washington ally who has used billions of dollars in U.S. aid to fight Latin Americas oldest surviving insurgency and the cocaine trade.

[05] Hundreds Detained in Tibet

Chinese police has arrested about 952 suspects for involvement in the rioting that rocked Tibet last month, said Wednesday Tibet governor Qiangba Puncog. In a news conference held in Beijing, arrest warrants had been issued for 403 of the detainees, something that usually results in legal actions. Beijing has put down the mounting rioting to Tibets spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Tibets exiled government, which has escaped to India since 1959, has denied its involvement.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] September 11 Victims' Identified

By Athina Saloustrou

US media reported that the remaining of the bodies of three men and one woman who were killed in New Yorks terrorist attacks, September 11, 2001 in World the Trade Center was identified by the medical coroner of the towns service. The bodies were found during construction works in Point Zero taking place from October 2006 to December 2007. The identification of the bodies rose the death toll form the attacks to 2.750.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Brazil: 36 Dead in Floods

Severe rainfalls hit the southeastern part of Brazil and have caused the death of 36 people. 130.000 have been removed to other provinces, as reported by local media. Officers of civil protection announced that is very serious in Paraiba province where rainfalls killed 17 people while 140.000 have removed form their residencies in 58 communities. Rainfalls have also caused destructions in Maramhao, Piaui, Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuko. Minister of National Competence Mr. Lima stated that the federal government is planning to provide $ 360 million grand to help the flood hidden areas Seara and Bahia included.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Isolated for 17 Years

09 Apr 2008 08:22:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

A shocking story was brought to light yesterday after the intervention of Fokida District Attorney. It is a story that reminds us of "Kostalexi". Residents of the local community knew it but they were keeping it a secret. The story started 17 years ago when a mother and her juvenile then children moved to the area from Athens. From the first moment she isolated her children who were brought up without having any contact with their social surrounding. Doctors in "St. Peter" hospital of Patra who examined the children aged 20 years today could not believe their eyes, as the children suffered from malnutrition and the miserable conditions they were living was reflected in their face and body.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Couple Poisoned their Children

09 Apr 2008 08:19:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA, MNA

Police reported that a couple committed suicide yesterday after poisoning its four children in Westerhausen, Germany. The two boys aged 8 and 13 years old are hospitalized in critical condition while the girls aged 10 and 13 years old have escaped danger. "It seems like an inner family crisis. No other people were involved", a representative of the local police said. The father, 33 and the mother, 32 took the poison and died after they had poisoned their children who were found yesterday into an "aphasic" condition at their house. Their grandfather found the bodies and the children 2 hours after their parents death. Next to the bodies a plastic bottle with unidentified liquid was traced. The children were in their bedrooms. Neighbors said that the family had moved in this house three years ago and that their behavior was "very nice".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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