The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Brazilian Buried Suspects Questioned

By Betty Savourdou

Scotland Yard is already questioning the four suspects who are believed to be implicated in the failed bomb attacks against the underground system of the British capital on July 21. Two suspects were arrested on Friday after an armed Police operation in London, a third man was apprehended in Birmingham on Wednesday and a fourth man was taken into custody on Friday in Rome, where he is still held. In fact, today Rome's Appellate Court is looking into the possibility of extraditing 27-year-old Ethiopia-born British citizen Osman Hussain, who is charged with attacking the tube station at Shepherd's Bush. According to information, he does not want to be extradited. What is more, two more men were caught on Saturday in Leicester, north of London, in the context of the antiterrorist law.

The Arrested Men

It is reminded that during Saturday's operation in northern Kensington, Muktar Said Ibrahim aged 27 from Eritrea and Ramsi Mohammed.

Following, the police announced that a third man was arrested in Notting Hill, 23-year-old wabi Mohammed, brother of Ramsi, who is thought to have carried the bomb found near the Notting Hill Gate tube station.

On Wednesday, 24-year-old Yassin Hassan Omar was arrested in Birmingham.

Grief and Rage

Thousands of Brazilians were present at the funeral of their compatriot Jean Charles Menezes, who was tragically killed in London by mistaken policemen.

The death of 27-year-old Menezes has caused frictions in the relations between Brazil and the United Kingdom, as the deceased's family and the Brazilian government request light to be shed on the conditions under which the unfortunate man was shot and killed.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Major Discovery Tenth Planet?

By Betty Savourdou

Astronomers discovered a new planet, even larger than Pluto. It is the more remote object from our Sun and believed to be the 10th planet of our solar system. In particular, it is 14 billion kilometers away from the Sun, farther away than Pluto. It is the biggest object of our solar system to have been found after 1846, when Neptune was discovered. This object was first seen in 2003,but has only now been confirmed as a planet. Its discoverers are Michael Brown of Caltech, Chad Trujillo of the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii, and David Rabinowitz of Yale University.

Bigger Than Pluto

2003 UB313, the planet's temporary name, is about 3,000km across, a world of rock and ice.

Scientists say it is three times as far away as Pluto, in an orbit at an angle to the orbits of the other planets.

The planet is currently 97 Earth-Sun distances away, more than twice Pluto's average distance from the Sun.

According to scientists, this is a major breakthrough, given than this is a planet larger than Pluto. In fact, brought to the same distance from the Sun as Pluto, it would be brighter.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Escape Towards any Direction

By Tina Valaoura

August excursionists have already started evacuating the cities, as the last summer month is just a heartbeat away. There is increased traffic on the Athens-Corinth national highway, but without any particular problems, while circulation on the Athens-Lamia highway flows as per normal.

Shipping routes from the port of Piraeus are held normally, while ships and speedboats are facing no difficulties despite the strong winds blowing in Piraeus. It is estimated that more than 40,000 passengers will leave from Greece's central port today.

Regarding the ships that malfunctioned yesterday, the mechanical damages on "Romilda" were repaired and it left this morning as per normal, having on board many passengers that were supposed to travel with "Panagia Parou" and "Rodanthi", bound for Sikinos and Folegandros.

18 routes have been scheduled from Rafina today, but Sea Jet is not performing any of its itineraries.

Lastly, there are 537 flights departing from the El. Venizelos airport with over 80% complement of passengers, while there are more than 350 bus routes scheduled for Saturday.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Health Ministry Officer Abducted Attack Against Convoy

By Betty Savourdou

Two Britons lost their lives on Saturday in Basra during an attack against a British consulate convoy. The victims were working at a private security company, while there are still no reports on any injured. At the same time, it was made known that masked gunmen abducted the general manager of the Iraqi Health Ministry from her house in Baghdad.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Niangkouara Seventh

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Greek swimmer Nery Niangkouara was unlucky in the 100m freestyle final. The Greek athlete ranked seventh overall in the 11th FINA World Championships in Montreal, losing a place on the podium for a mere stroke. Spirited as always and without having prepared very well for this race, since the championships in question were not included in her goals, the black beauty did her best and was among the first three even ten metres before the finishing line. Despite her big effort, Niangkouara lost the medal and the seventh place could have been better if she could last in the end. The Greek champion covered the distance in 54.93. Jodie Henry from Australia won the gold with a time of 54.18, Malia Metella from France won the silver with 54.74 and Natalie Coughlin from the USA won the bronze with 54.74. A while later, the Greek men's 4x200 freestyle team, consisting of Andreas Zisimos, Apostolos Antonopoulos, Dimitris Magganas and Nikos Xylouris ranked eight overall with a time of 7:20.04. The USA claimed the gold medal with 7:06.68, Canada ranked second and Australia won the bronze.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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