The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Next Mission Planned for May Discovery Re-Enters Space

By Vagelis Theodorou

Nine months following its mission into Space and regardless of the problems it encountered, space shuttle Discovery is preparing to return to action. As NASA announced, Discoverys re-launch is planned from 3 to 22 May, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The NASA space shuttle will carry six crewmembers, two women and four men, and will travel to the International Space Station (ISS). Moreover, another astronaut will be integrated to the mission and is Thomas Reiter, a member of the European Space Agency (ESA). Discoverys new mission will be the first that will carry three astronauts since May 2003, as space shuttles not delivering the necessary provisions the Station can only support two crewmembers.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Attending University on a Cruise Ship Earning a Degree at Sea

By Vagelis Theodorou

Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, decided to covert a luxurious cruise ship into an educational institute. The Scholar Ship, owned by the Royal Caribbean Line, will be transformed into a university, which will take the 700 people that will board it on a knowledge trip, lasting 16 weeks. The study-at-sea program will commence in January 2007 and the ship will embark from the port of Piraeus, Greece, where it will return after stopping in eight ports on four different continents. The learning circles offered include International Business, International Communications and International Relations, while the students will relax at the pool or the theatre, or by even taking up a number of sports. Six universities are participating in the original and pricey program; however, Macquarie University will award the credits for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Casino Turns into Library

The facilities of the university at sea are truly enviable. The casinos of the cruise ship will be turned into libraries and the ballrooms into lecture halls, while the Scholar Ship will include a clinic, laundries, a study hall, restaurants, a gym and places of worship.

The cost of the programme comes to some EUR 27,000 (US $31,800)

But if you think that the Scholar Ship is just fun and games, then you are mistaken! The lessons will run as per normal and will be divided into two main units: international affairs, where students will deal with matters pertaining to the global community (economic growth, environment and conflicts among nations); and intercultural communications, where the students will review the differences and similarities between cultures from different countries.

As per the Scholar Ships administration, the students who complete the program will be better equipped to conquer a place in the 21st-centurty work arena.

A Trip to Knowledge

The Scholar Ship will embark on two trips annually, in January and September, starting from 10/1/2007.

For its maiden voyage, the floating university will depart from the port of Piraeus and will arrive in Casablanca, where it will dock from 18 to 25 January. It will then sail to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, a trip that will last from 6 to 13 February.

The Scholar Ship will then sail into Cape Town, South Africa, where it will stay for 10 days (23 February-2 March), while the next stops will be Fremantle and Perth, Australia (14-22 March).

The cruise ship will be in Singapore from 18 March to 2 April, while it will then set sail for India, where it will dock from 9 to 16 April.

The ship will then stop in Limassol, Cyprus, from 25 to 27 April, while it will arrive back in Piraeus on 1 May.

It should be noted that Macquarie University is located south of Sydney and is considered a leading institution in Science and Technology, while it is in 68th place among the leading 200 universities in the world.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

Baltimore Sun: Area educator, cruise line to offer study at sea

Guardian: Flush students to cruise towards degrees

Related Links:

Scholar Ship

Macquarie University

[03] Kyrillos Stavropoulos Threatened to Commit Suicide Incidents in Giosakis Trial

Sources: NET

On Friday, a commotion was stirred in Iakovos Giosakis and Kyrillos Stavropoulos trial over the case of illegal trade of antiquities in Kythira, when the benchs Prosecutor proposed the culpability of the accused, priest-monk Kyrillos arose in sobs and moved towards the window, threatening to put an end to his life. His relatives and attorneys rushed to restraint him, while the Prosecutors summation was stopped for half an hour. The Prosecutor of the Piraeus Three-Member Appellate Misdemeanours Court Konstantina Gika proposed the sentence to be made from a felony to a misdemeanour, which means that if it is accepted then the accused will not be indicted, as five years have passed since the committal of the crime.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Milk and Dangerous Canned Goods Red Alert for Spoiled Foodstuffs

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

The detection of foods unfit for consumption is becoming an everyday occurrence in Greece. On Thursday, just two days after 97 tonnes of condensed milk to be distributed to the army were recalled, the Prefecture of Piraeus confiscated another 2.5 tonnes of spoiled condensed milk, under the brand name Markomilk and manufactured in Lithuania, from the storage facilities of the importer in Kaminia. As per the inspectors, although the expiry date was September 2006, it had gone bad, while there were coagulated bits stuck to the inside of the can. Quantities of the milk in question have already been exported to Turkey and Cyprus, while another batch was delivered to Mercantile Marine ships. In the meantime, it was revealed that 20 tonnes of canned squid under the brand name Ocean Brand contained double the recommended quantity of cadmium.

Emergency Alert all over Greece

The Prefectures where the companies that have been supplied the dangerous squid are located were immediately notified so as to proceed with recalling the dangerous canned goods.

It was revealed that the importer, who is based in Piraeus, has distributed the canned squid to 27 companies around Greece.

The unsuitability of the product was revealed after lab tests were performed by the Institute of Food Hygiene, where samples had been sent.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] In Bulgaria Baby Trafficking Ring Halted

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET - ANA

The Bulgarian authorities broke up a five-member ring that was bringing pregnant women to Greece to give birth, while the babies were being put up for adoption illegally. Each baby was sold for 15,000 euros, while on many occasions the gang forced the women to deliver prematurely by having a c-section, so as to avoid arrest as their leave had expired. The Bulgarian police discovered 13 cases of illegal adoption just in 2004. Poor gypsy women from Bulgaria were being tempted to sell their newborns in exchange for 500-5,000 euros. In fact, in some cases, the masterminds of the ring would grant loans to their perspective victims charging exorbitant interest rates, thus forcing them to sell their babies in Greece to repay their debt. Most of the babies were sold in Athens, Volos, Katerini and Larissa over the last six years. The members of the gang are facing up to eight-year prison sentences.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Deadly Clashes in Russia

By Vicky Keleri

Clashes took place between policemen and insurgents, who were holed up at a village near Stavropol, in southern Russia, resulting in three policemen and two insurgents losing their lives. As state-run television network RTS reported, armed policemen and tanks were deplored in the village of Tukui-Mekteb, while at the same time residents were evacuated from their homes. Approximately 300 policemen were deplored in the village and the police have asked for reinforcement from the surrounding regions.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Clashes Continue in Pakistan

By Vicky Keleri

Four more persons lost their lives and three injured during new clashes, which broke out last night and this morning, between Shiites and Sunnis in Pakistan. The clashes took place in the village of Ibrahimzai. Bloodshed took place yesterday as well. In the town of Hangu, 33 persons lost their lives and tens injured in a suicide bombing against a Shiite procession.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Similar to 9/11 Bush: "Los Angeles Attack Thwarted"

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: Reuters - ÍÅÔ - ÁNA

US President George Bushs statements during his speech at the National Guard Memorial Building on Thursday have caused a stir, as he declared that, around the beginning of 2002, the USA thwarted a terrorist attack targeting the tallest building in Los Angeles. According to Bush, the planned attack was to be carried out by Jemaah Islamiyah, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, and would be similar to the 9/11 attack. Speaking at an event for the international anti-terrorist struggle, he revealed that the terrorists were plotting to use shoe bombs to hijack an airliner and crash it into the skyscraper. Initially, confusion was created since the US President said that the target was the Liberty Tower, while it was later clarified that it was the Library Tower.

As per Bush, the plot was uncovered after the arrest of an Al-Qaeda operative from a SE Asian country, during an operation to locate nuclear weapons owned by the group on US soil.

"America remains at risk, so we must remain vigilant," Bush said, adding that the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, was preparing the Los Angeles attack with the help of people from NE Asia so as not arise suspicions.

As it was revealed, the plot was halted with the assistance of two SE Asian and two South Asian countries. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was arrested in February 2002, while another three people who were participating in the operation, were also arrested. However, the White House refused to make public the countries where the arrests took place.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Bush details Qaeda plot to hit LA

Telegraph: Al-Qa'eda planned to crash airliner into LA skyscraper

New York Times: Bush Gives New Details of 2002 Qaeda Plot to Attack Los Angeles

ABC News: Bush Says Spy Work Helped Stop 2002 Attack

[09] New Video of Journalist Jill Carroll Dramatic Plea by Hostage

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

A private TV network in Kuwait aired a stirring video of US journalist Jill Carroll, who was abducted in Baghdad on 7 January, urging that the demands of her captors be met as soon as possible. In the video, Carroll was wearing an Islamic veil and said that little time is left, addressing a plea to the US Government to do what her abductors want. The journalist of the Christian Science Monitor newspaper has been kidnapped by a group calling themselves the Revenge Brigades, which demands that all the women held in Iraqi prison be released. Asked to comment on the video, a State Department official said that the USA was examining the authenticity of the tape.

Hours of Anguish

In the video, Carroll also refers to a letter she has written herself. "I sent you a letter written by my hand, but you wanted more evidence, so we are sending you this letter now to prove I am with the mujahideen," said the journalist. The station said it had a copy of the letter and it would pass it on to the authorities.

The 28-year-old journalist was working for the newspaper in the Middle East for the last three years. She had arranged to interview an Iraqi politician on the day she was abducted; however, as per her driver, who managed to escape capture, the politician did not turn up to the interview. When the three of them (an Iraqi interpreter was with them) got back into the car to leave, they were stopped by armed men, while the interpreter was shot during the kidnapping.

Her family, who has thanked everyone working towards the release of the woman, has also addressed a plea, while they remain optimistic. In addition, many governments and organisations are standing by the family, urging for Carroll to be set free.

The latest video is the third one on which Carroll has appeared. The other two were aired by Al-Jazeera.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: Captive reporter: 'There is very short time'

New York Times: Kidnapped U.S. Journalist Pleads, 'Just Do Whatever They Want'

BBC: US hostage makes third video plea

[10] Olympiacos Defeated AJ Milano

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiacos earned its first away win since November 2004 as it defeated AJ Milano 84-75 in Italy in the game for the 14th and last round of Euroleague. The "red and whites" finished in 5th place of Group B with 7 wins and 7 defeats and are awaiting the draw of the "16" on Monday. In the first half, Olympiacos could not keep up with the Italians quick pace and were behind 34-28. In the second half, the "red and whites" were better, found solutions and kept a good defence, thus tying to 51-51 and in the fourth period earned the win by 75-84. The score of the ten-minute periods: 24-19, 34-28, 51-51, 75-84.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] AEK Bade Euroleague Farewell

By Vasilis Kalpinos

AEK bade farewell to Euroleague with another defeat, this time, by GHP Bamberg 65-51 in Galatsi. The "yellow and blacks" completed their duties in the event with 3 wins and 11 defeats and ranked last in their group. On the other hand, Bamberg, which has already qualified to the next round, finished off its duties with 7 wins and 7 defeats. AEK started off quite well and in the first period managed to get the lead with 2 points, 12-10. From then on, Bamberg took control and the lead and by the end of the first half the score was 24-29. In the second half, AEK slowed down, and Bamberg got away with the score (11 points, 40-51 in the 3rd period) and in the fourth period earned an easy win by 51-65. The score of the ten-minute periods: 12-10, 24-29, 40-51, 51-65.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Concerns over Possible H5N1 Mutation UN: "Warning by Nature"

Sources: Reuters

The UN is on alert to avert an avian pandemic, as well as deal with a possible virus mutation. David Nabarro, who heads the UN drive to contain the pandemic in birds and prepare for its possible jump to humans, stressed that the detection of H5N1 cases in Nigeria constituted the culmination of the dramatic course of the disease over the last seven months, as it spread quickly across SE Asia to eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and now Africa. While there is as yet no evidence the virus has mutated to the point it can spread from human to human, "its not far away," said Nabarro. "I dont want to scare anyone, but the truth is this virus is undergoing changes slowly. This warning that nature is giving us has to be heeded," declared the UN official. However, he said that the good news is that the world is gearing up to deal with the crisis, strengthening veterinary health services, improving the readiness of human health systems and getting out the word on what people must do.

Case in Azerbaijan, Death in Indonesia

On Friday, the Azerbaijani Government announced that the deadly H5N1 virus was detected on wild birds. The countrys Health Ministry noted that the samples from wild birds in the Caspian Sea were sent for tests to London and showed the bird flu strain was present. However, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry stressed that bird flu had not yet been found in the human population.

In the meantime, the Indonesian Health Ministry announced that an Indonesian woman has died and another was in critical condition at a specialist Jakarta hospital after local tests showed both had the H5N1 bird flu virus. Blood samples of the two women, both from a suburb east of Jakarta, have been sent to a Hong Kong laboratory recognised by the World Health Organisation, so as to confirm that they had been infected by the H5N1 virus. It should be noted that Indonesia has had 16 WHO-confirmed deaths from bird flu and seven confirmed cases where patients have survived.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

H5N1 in Africa

[13] In the Centre of Manila New Protests over Cartoons

By Vicky Keleri

The protest rallies in the Muslim world for Prophet Mohammads cartoons published in European papers are continuing. In Manila, hundreds of people gathered outside a mosque after morning prayer, burnt Danish flags and chanted mottos. "We are neither afraid of America nor Europe, as we are fighting for our religion," they shouted. Fortunately, the crowd dispersed quietly, without any more incidents taking place. In an effort, to calm the spirits, the head of the Philippine Islamic Council, Taha Basman, addressed a plea for self-preservation, however, he described the publication of the cartoons as a provocation.

At the same time, the authorities of Jakarta are accusing Imam Tri Karso Hadi, the chief editor of weekly Peta, of blasphemy, because he reprinted the cartoons of Prophet Mohammad. The newspaper published the controversial drawings in the context of a story investigating the conflict that has arisen worldwide and on the occasion of the mass demonstrations in Indonesia. On the other hand, the editors of Peta, which was forced to withdraw 3,000 copies from circulation, apologised and assured everyone that they had no intention of offending Islam.

In the meantime, Malaysias PM, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, declared that a huge chasm has opened between Islam and the West following the publication of the drawings and the protests. He also added that the West and Islam would have to stop denouncing each other and try to blunt their differences.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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