The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Oil Nears US$125

By Athina Saloustrou

Crude oil hit another all times record in the Asian markets Friday morning reaching US$124.70 per barrel. In parallel, North Sea Brent oil is continuing its upward trend, rising by 85 cents to US$123.69 per barrel. Analysts believe that nothing appears that will stop the upward trend of the oil, as investors are now investing mainly in the oil market. Crude has risen by 13% since the beginning of May. In the last week, its price rose by US$12 in New York, while London Brent rose by US$13. A Kanetsu Asset Management analyst said that investors are investing in the oil market as this proves to be profitable.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Aquamarine Reaches Piraeus

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Cruiser Aquamarine arrived in Piraeus after 08:00 Friday, after the damage it had suffered Thursday was partly restored.

The vessel had hit the pier at Heraklion port while departing. For safety reasons, it then sailed to Milos for inspection instead to Santorini.

The captain of the cruiser will be appear before the Prosecutor in Syros.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Humanitarian Aid Delayed

By Betty Savourdou

One week after being hit by cyclone Nargis the military regime in Myanmar has said yes to the dispatch of international aid but no to foreign aid groups. The UN believes that the cyclone has hit 1.5 million people, while estimates bring the number of dead to 100,000. In parallel, the state TV in Myanmar reports that the official number of dead is 22,980 and the missing 42,119.

However, a UN aircraft carrying humanitarian aid was allowed to land in Burma on Thursday, while a Greek C-130 aircraft carrying food and medicines also received permission to land.

At the same time, the US Ambassador in the UN appeared angry over the Burma government's delay to accept aid, adding that the government cannot cope with the situation.

Meanwhile, the junta insists on holding a referendum, calling on all citizens to vote in favour of the Constitution that had been hammered out by the army, without referring to cyclone-hit people. Meanwhile, the junta has called on the citizens to vote in favour of the Constitution that had been hammered out by the army, without referring to cyclone-hit people.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Burma 'wants aid not foreigners'

[04] The Archbishop Visits Phanar

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Archbishop Ieronymos is paying his first official visit to Phanar, where he will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Saturday. During his three-day visit, he will co-officiate with the Patriarch at Zoodochos Pigi Monastery of Baloukli.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Al Qaeda Leader in Iraq Arrested

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

As per the Iraqi authorities, a person arrested Wednesday by the US and Iraqi forces admitted he is the Al Qaeda leader in Iraq. In an interview with the Iraqi TV, Interior ministry spokesman Maj-Gen Abdul-Karim Khalaf reported that security forces had "arrested one of al-Qaedas leaders at midnight and during the primary investigations he admitted that he was Abu Hamza al-Muhajir".

The Egyptian-born militant took over the leadership of the group from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi shortly after he was killed in a US air strike in June 2006.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Al-Qaeda Iraq leader 'arrested'

[06] The Israeli PM Suspected of Corruption

By Athina Saloustrou

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is suspected of illicitly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars when he served as Mayor in Jerusalem and as Minister of Commerce. Jewish US businessman Morris "Moshe" Talansky is said to have given Olmert hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to finance his pre-election campaigns in 1993, 1998 and 1999 as Mayor. Olmert stated that if charged, he would resign. However, he denied the accusations. Olmert said Talansky had helped him raise election funds but he insisted everything had been legal. Talansky contributions were towards two mayoral campaigns for Jerusalem, one campaign for chairman of the Likud Party and another to cover campaign debt retroactively, according to the prime minister.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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