The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] 15 Died 17 Wounded Blast West of Baghdad

By Anna Kourti

Sources: REUTERS

A roadside bomb went off near a US military patrol as it passed next to a mosque shortly after Fridays prayers, cited residents of Nasaf, a town west of Baghdad. The US troops opened fire against those exiting the mosque. According to the director of Ramadi General Hospital, 15 people were killed, including seven children, and 17 more were wounded. The US army denied troops had opened fire indiscriminately, while it failed to elaborate on whether an attack against the US patrol had been launched or whether any soldiers were wounded. Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered outside US President Bushs ranch in Texas to protest against the US military engagement in Iraq. Since March 2003, 1,843 US troops have been killed in various attacks. As per recent opinion polls, the 60% of the American people opposes the way George Bush is handling the situation in Iraq.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] British Airways Strike is Over Re-operates With Problems

By Anna Kourti

As of Friday evening, the flights of the British Airways have started operating after the strike that had been staged by the companys ground personnel was terminated. However, the problems have not yet been settled and they are likely to continue disturbing the smooth operation until Monday. A British Airways spokesperson voiced his hope that the 50% of the short-distance flights as well as the 40% of the long-distance ones will be performed on Saturday. Approximately 100 aircrafts and 1,000 pilots and crewmembers have not yet returned to their work in several airports worldwide due to the disturbances triggered by the strike. The passengers have already been notified that the BA flights will not be offering meals. Around 70,000 passengers encountered problems in this high tourist season. The companies sustained a 72m-dollar loss. Almost 100 flights were cancelled on Thursday and approximately 400 on Friday to and from the Heathrow Airport. On Friday in particular, chaos prevailed over the airport with 2,000 travellers spending their night there. It should be noted that the unprecedented hassle of thousands of travellers is due to the strike the ground personnel called in support of the 600 employees who were dismissed by Gate Gourmet, the catering company that provides the BA with meals.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Hassle in Heathrow Airport

Chaos in Heathrow Airport

[03] Similar Plane is Missing Hungarian Plane Crashes

By Anna Kourti

A Hungarian plane crashed in central Croatia resulting in the death of the two people on board. The deceased are Hungarian nationals. A plane of a similar type is also missing, reported the Croatian state-run radio on Friday. The two small planes were part of a group of eight Hungarian planes that had taken off from the Croatian capital of Zagreb, said the radio citing police sources. Six of them safely landed in the south of Croatia. The state-run radio described the flights as "recreational" without giving more details. Eyewitnesses near the town of Rakovica reported seeing a plane hit a television mast. At the same time, the radio stated that police is searching for the second plane missing.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Giorgos Zografos Passes Away

By Anna Kourti

Greek singer and actor Giorgoa Zografos was found dead on Friday in his apartment where he had been living on his own. A friend of his, who had not heard of the 69-year-old artist since the last fortnight, went to his apartment at 5 Semelis Str in Syntagma, central Athens where he felt an intense foul smell and immediately called the police and a locksmith. The policemen found his dead body in advanced decomposition. As per police, the 69-year-old artist died of pathological causes, however, a postmortem has been requested, while the police station in Syntagma is conducting a preliminary inquiry. KKE and SYN have voiced their sorrow over Zografos death.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Police Points at Tamil Tigers Minister Assassinated in Sri Lanka

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was shot dead by gunmen near his house in Colombo. Kadirgamar, who is a hardliner with regard to the conflict with the islands Tamil Tiger rebels, was shot twice in the head and once in the throat and in the body. Shortly after the attack he was carried to Colombos National Hospital, but the doctors could not save him. Government officials refused to speculate over the perpetrators responsible for the assassination, however, Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando put the blame on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Police cordoned off the roads around Kadirgamars residence, while heavily armed police officers assisted by helicopters were searching the central Kolombo. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the assassination of the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister. On her part, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called the murder of her peer a "vicious act of terror."

"Vicious Act of Terror"

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the assassination of the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister. A UN spokesperson said that Mr Annan was shocked to hear of Kadirgamar's assassination in Colombo and expressed "sympathy with all Sri Lankans in this hour of sorrow".

"He condemns in the strongest of terms this criminal and senseless act and hopes that the perpetrators will be found and brought to justice," said the spokesperson.

On her part, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described the killing of her peer as a "vicious act of terror." "I am shocked and saddened for the assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar," said Condoleezza Rice in her announcement. "He was a man of dignity, honour and integrity, who devoted his life to bringing peace to Sri Lanka," she concluded.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] At 3am Shooting Stars Shower

By Vivian Papastefanou

Anyone gazing at the sky at 3am will be enjoying a unique spectacle. Hundreds of shooting stars known as the Perseids, punctual to their annual appointment, will create a spectacular shower visible to the eye. As per scientists, the darker the place from where anyone observes the phenomenon the more impressive the visual effect. At the same time, they said that a shower of 1,000 stars per hour is expected in 2028 for the earth will be passing approximately 60,000 kilometres off the core of the comets dust responsible for the shooting star phenomenon. It should be noted that the debris from comet Swift-Tuttle are responsible for the Perseids shower. The comet in question passes near the sun every 130 years.

Translated by Areti Christou

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