The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] At a Muslim Shrine in Pakistan Strong Explosion

By Anna Kourti

Eighteen people were killed and many more injured in an explosion at a Muslim shrine in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. According to the private TV channel Geo, the explosion was recorded at 11:20am (local time) at the Barri Imam shrine, which is close to government buildings and diplomatic missions. As per eyewitnesses, a man entered the shrine at the time of prayer and blew himself up. The Ministrys general secretary said that it is not clear yet whether its was a suicide bomb, or a bomb detonated by remote control Thousands of Sunnis and Shiites were participating in festivities at the time of the explosion.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] The Software of Love

By Tina Valaoura

An idea of Chinese programmers to make a program for PCs which will rid the love struck from love letter writing proved to be very popular. The inventors of the program "Magic Love Letters" claim that their creation can write up to 10,000 different versions of letters. The only thing required from the user is his and the recipients name, and the things they wish to be included in the text. All the above are taken into consideration and combined with the necessary brain storm and voila! The letter is ready to be sent via email! For the rushed and desperate in love, 100 classic letters are ready to be used, and the only thing needed is for the name to be filled out.

According to Chinese newspaper Chutian Daily, in a few days, more than 20,000 people downloaded the program. It is noteworthy to say that to some it seemed like a very impersonal idea. "Its not a bad thing," says Professor Zhou Yunqing of the University of Wuhan. " With this software, some people can better express their inner feelings without misunderstanding," he claims. Yes, but there is also the view that if it doesnt come naturally you best leave it alone!

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] It's Party Time!

By Ilias Papaioannou

For another year, the 12 best teams of the sport, separated into 3 groups, for 6 weekends in 29 around the world will give a special show of 72 games of high quality to thousands and millions of viewers. The 3 best teams and the organizing country of Serbia and Montenegro will qualify to the final four, which will be hosted in Belgrade from July 8 to 10. The prize that awaits the winner is 13 million dollars. After all these facts, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), can boast that this event cannot be compared to any other sporting event.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] The Burial of Charilaos Florakis

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Since this afternoon, Charilaos Florakis is resting in the Thessaly land that he so much loved, in Paliozoglopi of the municipality of Itamos, in Agrafa. Hundreds of people accompanied him to his last residence, in a place that has a view of his rebel hideouts, as he had asked in his will.

The burial ceremony started at 15:00 from the central square of Rachoula, after a salutation by actor Kostas Kazakos with a poem by Giannis Ritsos, while members of the Larisa choir sang rebel songs. The final destination was the land that the historical leader wished to be buried in, at Ai Lia, eight kilometres away.

With songs and tears, friends, comrades and ideological opponents accompanied him, while gunshots were heard. The final farewell was a mourning folk song and the voices of his comrades that the fight never ends.

KKE General Secreatry Aleka Papariga, members of the Political Office, MPs of the party, the local leadership of Itamos attended the funeral, while the town decided to turn his house into a museum bearing his name, while it made a commitment to complete works on the road from Rachoula to Itamos which was his wish.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Four Hierarchs Invited Without a Suffragant

By Anna Kourti

The Patriarchate Synod will convene on Monday in Jerusalem to elect a suffragant, as decided this morning by the three-member administrative committee. The four Hierarchs who sided with Eirinaios were also invited to attend the Synod. Commenting on the decision by the Panorthodox Synod to denounce Eirinaios, Metropolitan Bishop Chrysostomos of Paphos declared, "The right cure requires everything rotten to be cut off." In his statements upon returning to Cyprus, the Metropolitan Bishop of Paphos noted that the situation saddened everyone and not just the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Samina Trial Postponed

By Anna Kourti

The trial of the nine people accused of the Samina shipwreck has been postponed until next Friday. The President of the Piraeus Three-Member Court of Felony Appeals reached the decision due to lack of seating space in the courtroom. It should be noted that the witnesses for the public prosecution were to testify on the first day of the trial.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

"Samina" Case Taken to Court

[07] By 4 US guards and one interrogator Koran Mishandlings in Guantanamo

By Athina Saloustrou

The US military has identified five incidents of "mishandling of a Koran" by US personnel at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. As per the prison warden, Brigadier General Jay Hood, four US guards and one interrogator were involved in the cases. Hood refused to specify the nature of the mishandling of the Muslims Holy Book at the prison for foreign terrorism suspects. However, he denied allegations that the Koran had been flushed down a toilet. Hood told reports at the Pentagon that only five out of the 13 allegations of mishandling the Koran were confirmed.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Fears for Nuclear Test Fighter Jets Guard South Korea

Fifteen F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter jets have been deployed in South Korea, following an order issued by the US air force. Tensions are escalating on the peninsula with the possibility of a North Korean nuclear test. The radar-evading planes began flying from Holloman Air Force Base in southern New Mexico to US air bases in South Korea. According to a Holloman spokesperson, the operation started this week and the deployment is expected to last four months. He further added that the F-117A deployment was not linked to rising tensions in the region, noting it was "part of an ongoing measure to maintain a credible deterrent posture and presence in the region."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Helicopter Crash Kills Two

By Anna Kourti

Two American soldiers were killed when the helicopter they were onboard crashed near Baquba, north of Baghdad. As per the announcement issued by the US army, the "Two Task Force Liberty soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed near Baquba on May 26. Coalition forces responded to the scene and secured the site."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] "Europe Should Ratify It" Final Pleas by Chirac

By Athina Saloustrou

As per The London Times, the President of France, Jacques Chirac, is expected to appeal to all the EU Member-States to ratify the European Constitution, even if the French reject it in the referendum that will be taking place on 29 May. Quoting French diplomats, The Times further added that Mr Chirac is expected to support the initiatives so that the European Constitution will remain alive, despite the French No, because his Government does not want France to be considered as an obstacle in the EUs plans. However, European diplomats noted that if the French vote No with a great majority, then the Euroconstitution is doomed. Furthermore, if it is followed by a loud No by the Dutch, then there are no chances of it being revived.

'No' Gains Ground

Furthermore, the No vote keeps gaining ground in the various opinion polls, since it reached 55%, recording a new increase as per a new poll by the Ipsos Institute, which was made public yesterday afternoon. According to another poll publicised yesterday morning, the voters who intended to vote No had reached 54%. The Ipsos poll was conducted on 24 and 25 May and was the twelfth consecutive poll that gave a great lead to No.

The number of undecided, though, has increased marginally. In the latest opinion poll 11% of those asked declared that they might change their opinion, while in the previous poll (20 and 21 May) the number of undecided was two percentile units lower. Furthermore 23% did not answer, as opposed to 26% in the previous poll.

Finally, a Yes victory seems very unlikely since 23% (-11 units) predicts that Yes will prevail as opposed to 49% (+8 units) who predict a victory of No.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] Unemployed Decreased by 42,500 Unemployment Drops in April

By Athina Saloustrou

The number of unemployed decreased by 42,500 in April compared to the same month in 2004. As per the data published by OAED (Office of Employment and Manpower) the number of unemployed on their records was 512,000 as opposed to 554,500 last year. Employment Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos noted that, despite the fact that the number of recorded unemployed decreased by 7.7%, the main aim is to decease unemployment by three percentile units until the end of their term in office. Commenting on the latest developments, Deputy Employment Minister Gerasimos Giakoumatos declared that the Government was faced with increased unemployment, left behind by the PASOK government, while he noted that the situation is improving. Furthermore, he added, "The situation we inherited mainly affects women and younger people, as well as a number of sensitive groups, proliferating the problems of social cohesion."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] As per the Supreme Administrative Court Indicative Prices Deemed Illegal

By Athina Saloustrou

The Supreme Administrative Court deemed the decisions of the Development Ministry and the 2003 price regulation provisions illegal. As per the provisions, the Greek producing and bottling companies were obliged to mark the indicative retail price on the packaging, while at the same time they banned the sale of the products at higher prices than the ones marked. According to a series of decisions issued by the 4th division of the Supreme Administrative Court, the provisions and the Ministry decisions were contrary to the constitutional right of equality, as overseas companies were not required to do the same. In another decision the SAC ruled illegal the price regulation of coffees and beverages, since no ministerial decision setting the criteria, terms and conditions for the specific products had been issued. These rulings pave the way for freeing prices of bottled water, soft drinks, coffees and other products sold in canteens at airports, railway stations, hospitals etc. The union of Greek Shipowners, the federation of food industries and another nine companies had appealed to the SAC.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[13] No Injuries or Victims Explosions in Spain

By Anna Kourti

Two bombs exploded on Thursday night in the Barakaldo train station in Spains Basque region. Fortunately, no injuries or victims were recorded. The Spanish authorities are suspecting that the bombing attacks may be linked to the Basque group ETA, as a retaliation to the arrest of the leader of Batasuna, Arnaldo Otegi, who was led to jail yesterday accused of being a member of ETA. Batasuna is an outlawed political party with links to ETA. As per Otegis lawyer, the Basque politician will be released today, after paying the bail amount of 400,000 .

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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