The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Two Attacks Within Two Hours Targeted at Tourists Explosion of Violence in Cairo

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Al Jazeera, AP, Reuters, AFP

A series of explosions took place today in Cairo. At noon, a strong explosion that occurred near the Egyptian Museum, in central Cairo, cost the life to an Egyptian man, while three Egyptian men, two Israeli men, a Russian man and an Italian woman were injured. Two hours later, in a working-class neighborhood, two veiled women opened fire at a bus boarded by tourists. According to Reuters, one woman killed the other and following tried to commit suicide. Al Jazeera gives another version of the incident.

Series of Attacks

The second attack occurred at a working neighborhood, south of the city. The first explosion occurred at 14:00 Greek time, behind the Egyptian museum, in central Cairo. Initially, the international news agencies broadcast that this was a kamikaze bomb attack.

Following, it was denied and as it all seems the explosion occurred from a bomb placed at a bridge near the Egyptian Museum. Immediately police forces and ambulances rushed at the scene of the explosion.

A month ago, on April 7, a kamikaze bomber blew himself up in the Al Khalili Market, in Cairo and resulted to the death of two French men, an American man and the assailant.

The countrys authorities arrested nine people that they evaluated were involved in the attack.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Explosion in Cairo

[02] One Dead and Four Injured Explosion in Cairo

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Agence Francaise de Presse

A strong explosion occurred at noon in Cairo, near the Egyptian Museum. From the explosion an Arab man was killed and another four tourists, two Israelis, a Russian man and an Italian woman were injured. Initially, the international news agencies broadcast that this was a kamikaze bomb attack. Following, it was denied and as it all seems the explosion occurred from a bomb placed at a bridge near the Egyptian Museum.

Two Attacks in April

Immediately police forces and ambulances rushed at the scene of the explosion.

This is the second explosion that takes place in Egypt, within a month. On April 7, a kamikaze bomber blew himself up in the Al Khalili Market, in Cairo and resulted to the death of two French men, an American man and the assailant.

The countrys authorities arrested nine people that they evaluated were involved in the attack.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Tension at the Temple of Resurrection Holy Light Ceremony

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET- NET 105.8

The joyful message of Christs Resurrection is passed on to all Christians around the world, as is the Holy Light from the Temple of Resurrection in Jerusalem. It will arrive in Athens this evening with an Olympic Airlines flight, while following it will be transported to all faraway areas of the country. Earlier, in Jerusalem the Holy Light ceremony was inflicted by incidents. Regardless of the strict security measures, Orthodox Armenians gathered outside the Holy Tomb and started shouting threats and slogans against Patriarch Eirinaios, at the time when he was in the Sepulcher and was preparing to pass on the Holy Light to the Armenian Patriarch.

Incidents

The Arabs were lead away by Patriarchate security men, while following devastating incidents took place.

After the passing on of the Holy Light, the followers raised Patriarch Eirinaios on their hands and lead him to the exit.

Around 3,000 followers that had traveled from Greece, Cyprus and Russia to celebrate Easter arrived in Jerusalem, while Deputy Minister of Transport, Anastasios Neratzis, represented the Greek government.

The Holy Light is expected to arrive to Athens from Jerusalem in the evening with an Olympic Airlines flight.

Following, it will travel with 18 Olympic Airlines flights and the help of the army to the most faraway parts of Greece.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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A Climate of War

[04] Small Breather for Chirac The First "Oui" to Euroconstitution

By Athina Saloustrou

Todays poll of company TNS-Sofres-Unilog, which is the first since mid-March that indicated a "yes" has received 52% at the May 29 opinion poll for the European Constitution. For around a month and a half, 23 consecutive opinion polls indicated a strong "no" for the Euroconstitution. The latest opinion poll of company IFOP, which was also published today on the account of newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, states that "no" is on the lead by 52%. The 48% of the 1,000 people questioned in TNS-Sofres-Unilogs poll, answered that they will vote negatively, while a 24% answered that they are undecided. In relation to the past opinion poll by the same company that was published on April 20, "no" seemed to lose ground in the preferences of the left-wing voters, decreasing from 63% to 51%.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Shoppers Flock to Varvakeios Market At the Last Minute

By Athina Saloustrou

The prices of lamb and goat are lower, compared to the previous days, to the Varvakeios market, where shoppers are flocking to make last minute purchases. Today, the stores will be open until 15:00, super markets until 18:00 and butcher shops until 16:00, while the bakeries will be selling bread for the next three days. In the meantime, traffic is normal at the National road network, since the exit from the city centers, the largest of the previous years, seems to have been completed. The Greek people will enjoy turning their lamb on the spit with good weather according to EMY forecasts, while today rain is expected at the northeast of the country.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Bomb Explosion in Kusadasi Bomb Caught Up With Them

By Annita Paschalinou

Five policemen were injured in Kusadasi by an explosion of a bomb placed in a central part of the city, near the statue of Kemal Ataturk. The policemen had rushed to the scene in order to close off the area and defuse the mechanism. Unfortunately, the bomb exploded and resulted to five of them being injured. One is hospitalized in critical condition, as he has suffered serious abdominal injuries and one of his arms has been amputated. Up to now, no organization has taken responsibility over the attack.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] American And Russian "Gifts" to the Palestinians "Attacks of Friendship"

By Athina Saloustrou

Moscow and Washington are in a race of offering economic aid and military equipment to Palestine. American President George W Bush unblocked credits of around 20 million dollars, in order for the State Department to offer economic aid to Palestine. The decision was announced by Condoleeza Rice and was made public from the White House yesterday. From its side, Russia offered technological know-how and military equipment to the Palestinians. This was stated by Russian President, Vladimir Putin to Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas during yesterdays meeting in Ramallah, West Bank. In the first stage, Russia will equip the Palestinian Authority with helicopters, while no special reference was made over the equipment of personnel carrier tanks, which Israel opposes. However, Washington did not forget to express its concern over Russias intention to equip the Palestinians with military equipment. According to State Department spokesperson Adam Ereli, there is a danger that Russian weapons will fall in the hands of terrorists or people who use violence in order to undercut the peace process.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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Putin in Ramallah

[08] Cyprus, Malta and Latvia Join Common Currency Three New Euro Connections

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, Cyprus, Latvia and Malta, three of the 10 new EU member states, have admitted their currency to the exchange rate mechanism that connects them to the euro. Before the accession to the Eurozone these three countries have to advance the growth of the currency for at least two years, without a serious crisis, in relation with the euro, in the European exchange mechanism (MCE II). The exchange rate with the euro, in relation to the way that the currency will have a limit of permissible fluctuation +/-15%, was set at 0.585274 pound for Cyprus, 0.429300 lira for Malta and 0.702804 lat for Latvia.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Around 40% More Expensive than EU Countries Milk is the Reason

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET 105.8

The Competition Committee will receive the report of the Piraeus University at the end of May, concerning the purchase of dairy products in our country, in order to investigate if there are reasons for intervention. There is a large discussion over the reason of the price difference of Greek milk in relation to the EU countries, since it is sold more expensive than 40%, with all indications pointing to its short shelf life that has been established in Greece and does not exceed 5 days, a fact that does not allow exports abroad. Indicatively, in Greece, milk is sold for 1.14 euros, while in the EU countries for 0.65 to 0.85 euros a liter. The companies state that they can ensure milk shelf life to 7 or 8 days, something that will have positive effects on the estimates, but do not desire to discuss the issue at this given time, although they are aware that with the accession of countries such as Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, the scenery in the dairy market will radically change.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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