The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Proposals by the "25" on Employment Focus on Lisbon Strategy

By Anna Kourti

The review of the Lisbon Strategy for employment will be the main topic of discussions during the 2nd day of the EU Summit in Brussels. The Summit proceedings are expected to be completed by 3pm, at which time the national delegations will give a Press conference. Earlier, Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis met with his Spanish counterpart, Jose Luis Zapatero, on the sidelines of the Summit, and discussed the Communitys fiscal policies. In the meantime, Messrs Karamanlis and Papadopoulos met to discuss the next moves by Athens and Nicosia on the issue with Cyprus.

Karamanlis Zapatero Meeting

The meeting between Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis and his Spanish counterpart, Jose Luis Zapatero, which took place on Wednesday morning on the sidelines of the Summit, concluded in a positive climate. Messrs Karamanlis and Zapatero discussed the developments concerning the Stability Pact and the Lisbon Strategy.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

The 25 Agreed on Deficits

[02] Who's the Daddy? Whose Child Is This?

By Betty Savourdou

More than 10% of fathers are living in a false world! This is at least what Australian experts are claiming, following the much-publicised case of the countrys Health Minister Tony Abbott, who found out after a whole 27 years that he was not the father of his son, through DNA testing! Actually, 5,000 paternity tests take place in Australia yearly and the number keeps increasing. The results? Approximately 20% of the men receive a shock when they realize that their suspicions are actually true!

"My Fellow-Student's Child"

Following the revelations, Abbotts partner back then, Cathy Donnelly, confessed that she had made love to a fellow-student once, and as a result he is the one who is Daniel OConnors father and not the Minister.

Following his birth, Daniel was given up for adoption and met Mr Abbott just last year, only to find out that he is not his biological father after all.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Two Dead, Three Injured Explosion in Lebanese Shopping Centre

By Anna Kourti

Two people were killed and another three injured, following an explosion in a shopping center in the early hours of Wednesday morning, in the Christian area Kaslik, south of Beirut. The shopping centre was completely destroyed, while serious damages were caused in nearby buildings. Earlier, Lebanons LBCI TV network, quoting information from the authorities, spoke of three dead and eight injured. As per the same sources, an Indian and a Pakistani were killed, while the injured included three citizens of Sri Lanka and a Lebanese. The police assumes that the victims were part of the centres security and cleaning crew. The causes of the explosion have not been confirmed yet. According to another police source, the explosion was a result of a bombing attack, the second in four days.

Continuing Attacks

Rescue crews are continuing their searches in the rubble for victims or trapped survivors.

This is the fourth serious incident in Lebanon since the massive explosion that targeted former PM Rafik Hariris motorcade on 14 February, which resulted in the death of Hariri and dozens of others. Furthermore, 14 April marks the 30-year anniversary since the beginning of the civil war in Lebanon.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Summer Time Begins Daylight Saving Starts on Sunday

By Anna Kourti

The clocks will turn an hour forward at 3am this coming Sunday, since daylight saving will be implemented, as per the European Parliaments Directive 200/84, as well as the Councils decision on 19 January 2001. The measure will apply until the last Sunday of October (30-10-2005), at which day, time will revert back to standard time.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Small Bomb Explosions in Milan

By Anna Kourti

Three small bombs exploded last night in Milan, causing minor damages to businesses and banks, as per the Italian Police. The first bomb exploded outside a McDonalds fast-food outlet at 2:30 am (local time). A second explosion followed outside an Intesa Bank branch office, while a third was recorded outside a Blockbusters video rental store. Up until now, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosions, while the police believe that the bombs were planted by anarchist groups.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] No Victims or Injuries Gas Pipeline Explosion

Autonomist militants blew up a gas pipeline in the Baluchistan province, southwest Pakistan. There were no injuries or victims from the attack. "A 1.5 metre section of the pipeline was blown up," declared security force commander Khair Mohammad Jamali. The pipeline carried natural gas from Shikarpur to many parts of Baluchistan. Over the last few months, Baluchistan militants have increased their attacks on gas pipelines, electricity pylons and railway lines.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Poor People!

By Annita Paschalinou

A glitch in a newspaper contest turned apparent $100,000 winners into losers and led hundreds of angry game-players to protest outside New Yorks Daily News on Monday. The "Scratch n Match" contest page in the newspapers Saturday edition included the number 13 in error in a series of 10 numbers, instead of the number 12 as intended. The "wrong" number triggered a rash of winning scratch card tickets in a contest that is set up to pay out $222,500 a week in prizes, ranging from $25 to $100,000. People who thought they had won, but hadnt, lined up outside the newspapers Manhattan offices on Monday demanding their money.

Their Good Luck Was After All Bad

The paper published an apology on Sunday and again on Monday, blaming the company that runs the contest for the daily, D.L. Blair, Inc. of Garden City, N.Y., one of the largest U.S. sweepstakes companies.

"We are outraged at D.L. Blair. We are outraged on behalf of our readers," Daily News president Les Goodstein said. "We are going to fight to make sure that everyone gets a fair shake."

Goodstein said contest players using the number 13 on cards they had thought were winners were eligible to enter a lottery-type contest to divide the available prize money, as spelled out in contest rules in the event of errors.

In an apology printed in the News, D.L. Blair said it "profoundly apologizes for and regrets any inconvenience" from the printing error.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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