The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Christmas Carols to the Political Leadership Carols to Politicians

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

It is Christmas Eve today and Christmas carols sound everywhere. Neighbourhoods and store across Greece are filled with children delivering the message of Christs birth. The politicians have put aside their disputes and were particularly happy to listen to the Christmas carols sang by children. Joyous children voices and Christmas melodies filled the Presidential Mansion. The children choirs sang the carols for the Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and his wife Natasha. The Prime Minister gave the children sweets and lucky charms.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Bin Laden's Sexy Niece

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: Reuters

Her uncle is the notorious leader of Al Qaeda. She, on the other hand, has renounced her ties with him, stated American and wished everyone would stop see her as Ladens niece. And if you have not yet got the picture, we are talking about Wafah Dufour, who, seeking to break her ties with the Laden family, posed quite provocatively for the January edition of the mens fashion magazine GQ. Wafah Dufour is the daughter of Kadens half-brother. "I was born in the States and I want the people to know Im American and I want people here to understand that Im like anyone in New York," argued Dufour, who has been using her Swiss mothers name since the 9/11 attacks. Osama bin Ladens niece, who has not yet turned 30, was born in California, but she lived most of her live in Switzerland, where her mother went after fleeing away form her marriage with Yeslam bin Laden, Osama elder half-brother. Dufour started studying law at the University of Columbia, but she dropped out. She does not speak Arabic, she is a US passport holder and avoids any contact with the members of the Laden family, including her father. However, she has not yet managed to free herself form her family name. "Having to give explanations all the time is fairly harsh," she said and added that whenever she meets someone, she gets the impression there is a huge wall in between she has to move away. As for her uncle, she pointed out that she has never met him, while she underlined that she would never date a fundamentalist Muslim.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Bin Laden niece poses for sexy photo shoot

BBC: Bin Landen niece in glamour shots

[03] Traffic Runs Smoothly White Christmas

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

The first snowflakes fell in the north of Attica in the morning. Despite the snowfall, no traffic problems have been reported on the main road networks. However, drivers heading to Mt Parnitha, the northern suburbs and to Penteli should be particularly careful, while snow chains are necessary from the monastery of Kliston to Dervenohoria. The prefecture has been on alert to deploy rescue crews wherever and whenever necessary. The residents of Northern Greece will celebrate Christmas with sunshine and freezing cold, since in the early hours of Saturday frost was reported in many regions and the temperature dropped below zero even in Thessaloniki. The lowest temperatures were recorded in the northern Greek cities of Kozani and Kastoria where the temperature fell to -4C, while Serres experienced -3C, Florina -2C, Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis -1C and Kozani 0C. Traffic runs smoothly on Macedonias road network, except for the mountainous and provincional roads of Florina and Kastoria, where the use of snow chains is necessary. As for the Christmas day and for Monday, the meteorologists predict freezing cold, frost in the early hours, rainfalls and sleet.

Excursionists Will Encounter No Traffic Problems

The freezing cold and the snowfall were not enough to daunt the Athenians and discourage them from leaving the city, although the majority of them fled Athens on Thursday and Friday. The-last-time excursionists, though, will not encounter traffic problems. The Traffic Police has launched intense inspections especially to those who will visit areas with affected by snow and frost.

Ship routes also run as scheduled, while passengers is also facilitated by OSE trains. Yesterday, it was a rather busy day for the Athens International Airport, since 501 flights were performed to all destinations, with Vienna, Larnaca, Prague and Istanbul ranking among the most popular ones.

Translated by Areti Christou

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