The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Unprecedented Turnout Requiem for the Pope

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - ANA

Approximately 4,000,000 Roman Catholics and hundreds of foreign leaders swarmed the Vatican to bid the final farewell to Pope John Paul II. The Pontiffs funeral to commenced at 10am (local time) and will last for three hours, under draconian security measures. Following the procession, the body of the late Pope will be laid to rest underneath St Peters Basilica, while, as per the Popes wishes, the tombstone that will cover him will be austere, as opposed to those of his predecessors. All planes will be banned from flying over the Italian capital throughout the funeral service. A little after 7am (local time), the authorities of Rome allowed access to St Peters Square, where the worshippers formed two long queues. The President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias will be representing the Greek State, while Archbishop Christodoulos the Greek Orthodox Church.

Millions of Worshippers

At 9am (local time) the body of Pope John Paul II was placed in a coffin, inside St Peters Basilica, where he will be laid to rest after the funeral procession. The coffin was made of cypress wood and was sealed in the presence of the camerlengo, who was the late Pope's personal secretary and the most powerful man in the Vatican until the election of the new Pope, the Cardinal former Foreign Minister, as well as the Cardinal Vicar of Rome. For the first time ever, his face was covered with a white shroud, as decided by the College of Cardinals.

According to RAI TV, the number of worshippers has already exceeded 300,000. "Open up, open up," they shouted, since they fear that they may not be able to enter the square after waiting all night long. Access to the square is taking place slowly, due to the security checks by police, while even bishops and VIPs are being searched.

On the other hand, the center of Rome looks abandoned, since vehicles are not allowed to travel. Many faithful are heading towards Massimo Circus, where giant screens have been put up that will be broadcasting the funeral live.

The gates of St Peters Basilica closed a little after 11pm on Thursday, signalling the end of the pilgrimage to Pope John Paul IIs body for hundreds of thousands of faithful.

Apart from US President George Bush, dozens of other world leaders will also be attending the service. These include UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, British PM Tony Blair, and the Presidents of France, Jacques Chirac, Israel, Moshe Katsav, and Iran, Mohammed Khatami.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is scheduled to sit close to the front, arrived in the Italian capital late of Thursday afternoon, heading a delegation.

The Archbishop of Athens and the whole of Greece, Christodoulos, arrived a little later. This is the first time that leaders of the Orthodox Church will be attending the funeral of a Pontiff. The President for the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, departed Athens this morning.

In the meantime, world leaders, as well as ministers, are continuing to arrive in Rome. The Presidents of Syria, Bashar al-Assad and Poland, Alexander Kwasniewski, as well as the Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt and former Polish President Lech Walesa, arrived in Fiumicino Airport at 8am.

Meanwhile, Cubas President Fidel Castro described George Bushs presence in the Vatican as hypocritical and the Pontiff as an opponent of raw capitalism.

A prelatic memorial service for the Pope will be performed today at 11:00am (Greek time) in the St Dionysios Catholic Cathedral by the Catholic Diocese and the Apostolic Nunciature in Athens.

Calls from Israel

As per newspaper La Republica, the Vatican employees will be receiving a bonus for their service during the 26-year reign of Pope John Paul II. This bonus will amount to a months pay, as per Vatican tradition following the death of a Pope. The newspaper also noted that in older times, the employees received a second bonus after the election of the new Pope.

In the meantime, Israels Ambassador in the Vatican, Oded Ben Hur, announced today that he will be urging the College of Cardinals to elect a Pope who would continue working towards reconciling and uniting the Jews and the Christians, something that had been started by Pope John Paul II.

Speaking on Israels military radio, Mr Ben Hur declared that he would be making an official address to the Conclave within the next few days, in the hope that they would elect someone who would follow the path mapped out by the Pope, while he appeared confident that his voice would be heard.

Approximately 100 extra train routes have been scheduled by Trenitalia for the return of the pilgrims. "We have scheduled the departure of 100 trains that will carry 200,000 faithful," declared the companys spokesperson.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Pope Considered Resigning

Eternal City Floods

[02] Rapid Developments Resolution over FYROM's Name

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

The issue with FYROMs name seems to be entering the final straight. According to sources, within the next few days, UN mediator Matthew Nimitz is expected to present a proposal, which will provide a solution that would satisfy both sides. As per sources, Mr Nimitz will probably be proposing the name "Republic of Macedonia-Skopje". In the meantime, as of this morning, the Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis has been briefing the political leaders on the latest developments. PASOK wishes for a respectable solution to the issue with FYROM, as per G. Papandreou, following his meeting with Mr Molyviatis. On the other hand, Aleka Papariga declared that provided the name contains the term "Macedonia", it will be a term and condition with clear geographical meaning and without nationalistic dimensions.

Viable Solution

As per sources, Mr Nimitz will probably be proposing the name "Republic of Macedonia-Skopje", written in Slavic, a fact that was also discussed in the meeting between Papandreou and Molyviatis.

The proposal will also provide for the usage of the name by international forums and FYROMs contacts with the international community, while, as per the same sources, FYROM will also be using the name "Republic of Macedonia" both internally and throughout its bilateral relations.

On Friday, answering to a question concerning a double name, the Greek Foreign Ministrys spokesperson, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, declared on NETs show "Proti Grammi" (Frontline) that Nimitzs proposal will contain one name.

Greeces view and stance is for a viable solution on the issue of the neighbouring countrys name, in an effort to reinforce bilateral relations, as it would facilitate FYROMs progress in the Euro-Atlantic institutions, stressed Mr Koumoutsakos.

In the meantime, the alternate government spokesperson, Evangelos Antonaros, left the possibility of a convocation of the Political Leaders Council, if that is deemed necessary, open.

New Adventures in the Balkans

Furthermore, Mr Papandreou said that the Government, which worsened the situation, is responsible for handling the matter.

Following her meeting with the Foreign Minister, KKEs General Secretary appeared concerned over the developments in the Balkans, since "The USAs intervention is worsening and intensifying." She further predicted that the Balkans will be entering into new adventures, since there is talk of altering the borders following the independence of Kossovo.

As per Mrs Papariga, if the borders do change, then the situation would ignite.

Referring to FYROMs name, Mrs Papariga said that the name by itself does not secure anything, while she linked the issue to the general developments in the area.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Mobility Over Greek-Turkish and FYROM Issues

[03] By American Scientists Bionic Eyes

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: BBC

Technology comes to the rescue of humans once again. A microchip that will be placed on the back of the eye and a video camera built into a pair of glasses give hope to blind people that they may be able to see, even though vision might be blurry at the beginning. The device was designed by American scientists from John Hopkins University, Baltimore. Although the images will be just enough for the blind to recognise faces, the device constitutes a large step forward for individuals who have lost their eyesight. Anita Lifestone of the Royal National Institute for the Blind said, "This is a revolutionary piece of technology and really has the potential to change peoples lives."

Closer to Seeing

The images captured by the video camera will be transmitted to the microchip, which will translate them into impulses that the brain can interpret. Although the images produced by the artificial eye were far from perfect, they could be clear enough to allow someone who is otherwise blind to recognise faces.

As per the head of the team, Professor Gislin Dagnelie, "The retinal implant contains tiny electrodes. If you stimulate a single electrode, the person will see a single dot of light."

Scientists have already tested implants containing a handful of electrodes, but the end device will contain 50-100 to give a better overall picture.

Actually, as per the Professor, the device will start being tested on humans as of next year.

The breakthrough is likely to benefit patients with the most common cause of blindness, macular degeneration, which affects 500,000 people in the UK.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

John Hopkins University

[04] Including the Greek Market Pfizer Suspends Bextra

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters - ANA

Pfizer suspended sales of its arthritis painkiller Bextra, which is also available in Greece, following the US Food and Drug Administrations decision that its side effects outweighed its benefits. Among others, its use increased the risk of stroke and heart attacks, while it could also cause a potentially fatal skin condition, the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, an allergic reaction that usually begins as a blistering of the mouth and lips and can spread to the rest of the body. It is the second drug of the same class that is being withdrawn from the market, following Vioxx, which is expected to return to the shelves, as according to the latest opinions, it is safe.

Furthermore, the FDA asked Pfizer to add a "black box" warning - the strongest possible - to the label of its painkiller Celebrex, which belongs in the same class of drugs.

Bextra is a new drug that has been in the market for just two years, while in Greece its is prescribed to approximately 6,000 people suffering from osteoarthritis per month.

The Greek Drug Administration (EOF) announced that COX-2 drugs, the class Bextra belongs in, is not recommended for patients with heart problems. It also noted that doctors ought to be cautious when prescribing COX-2 to patients with a history of heart diseases.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Vioxx Returns

Related Links:

Pfizer

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