The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Messages of Love and Peace Merry Christmas!

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Wishing and hoping for peace and happiness in the world, millions of Christians celebrated the Birth of Jesus Christ. Pilgrims attended the Patriarchal and Synodical Mass at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in Phanar, officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. In Athens, Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral, officiated by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens. Orthodox leaders sent messages for peace, love and justice. At his Christmas message, the Ecumenical Patriarch referred to the Love of God, which is omnipresent. On the other hand, Archbishop Christodoulos said Christmas has been turned into a celebration of consumption and not love, while Archbishop Anastasios of Albania said the Holy Infant is the sun of Justice, which the world awaits.

Faithful to the spirit of the days, the Greek Red Cross and the Athens Municipality offered meals to lonely people, the homeless and poor families.

For one more year, volunteers stick to their duty and stand by the side of our fellow citizens, who are facing problems and rally need a helping hand. At the same time, Athenians were given the chance to enjoy a quiet Christmas morning with strolls around the centre.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] 2005 Buys Time 2005 and One Second

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

New Year's Eve will last a second longer this year. Although each split second counts, scientists decided they should stall 2006 by one second, because of a timing tweak that is necessary to adjust time to the changes caused by the Earth's rotation. According to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, the adjustment will be carried out by sticking an extra second into atomic clocks worldwide at the stroke of midnight Coordinated Universal Time.

Coordinated Universal Time coincides with wintertime in London. This leap second is added in order to keep uniform timekeeping within 0.9 second of the Earth's rotational time, which can speed up or slow down because of many factors, including ocean tides.

As per the Institute, the first second to have been ever added was on 30 June 1972.

The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service is responsible for introducing a leap second. Under an international pact, the preference for leap seconds is 31 December or 30 June.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Galileo Ready for Take-Off European Step in Space

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The European Space Agency is ready to launch Galileo, on Wednesday 28 December, the first of its two experimental navigation and global positioning satellites. It is an ambitious venture, of 3.6 billion euros worth, named after famous Italian astronomer Galileo, who lived in the 17th century. The Galileo satellite navigation system aims to rival the United States' global positioning system (GPS). However, the launch has been postponed quite a few times, since clashes over funding and responsibilities did not allow setting a fixed date. Until the Fall, Germany was obstructing funding in order to ensure larger participation for German businesses.

Systems and Navigations Checks

The 600-kg GIOVE-A (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element) satellite will take off on Wednesday from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on top of a Soyuz-Fregat rocket.

Dominique Detain, executive of the European Space Agency, described the launch as a "landmark," given that the EU is taking the most decisive step towards conquering space, moving from theory to action.

The satellite would test new technologies, while it has been equipped with the most accurate atomic clock that has ever been sent in space.

Galileo means a lot to the EU and ESA. As of 2008, they are hoping to acquire significant gains from the radically growing global market of ship, airplane and car navigation.

Plausible revenues are estimated at 90 billion euros, while creating more than 100,000 job openings.

A total of 30 satellites would be developed, three of which would be the back-up. If all goes according to plan, Galileo should be fully operational by 2010.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Messages for Peace Eyes on Holy Land

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Christians around the world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ with grandeur and devoutness. In the Vatican, thousands of pilgrims attended the midnight Christmas Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, the first of Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope addressed an appeal for peace in the Holy Land and so did the Latin Patriarch while officiating Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas was also present.

Call for Spiritual Wake-Up

"In this night, when our eyes are set on Bethlehem, we wish to pray for the place where our Saviour was born and for the people who live and suffer there. We wish to pray for peace in the Holy Land," said the Pontiff in his message.

In the morning and during the first Christmas message, which he read from the balcony Saint Peter's Basilica and was telecast live to many counties, the Pope appealed to the world for "spiritual wake-up."

"Wake up, O men and women of the third millennium. The modern age is often seen as an awakening of reason from its slumbers, humanity's enlightenment after an age of darkness. Yet without the light of Christ, the light of reason is not sufficient to enlighten humanity and the world."

After his message, pope Benedict XVI wished Merry Christmas in 32 languages.

In his own message, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah, joined by Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas, called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "create life and not death."

Sabbah urged both parties to end violence and seek for a peaceful resolution, despite any consequences.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Minor tremors in Indonesia Awakening Nightmares

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The three earthquakes (measuring 4.6, 4.7 and 5.4 on the Richter scale) that were reported this morning on Nias island, Indonesia, brought back nightmarish memories. Although there were no reports on serious damages or injuries, the time of the quakes terrified inhabitants, as the 9.0 magnitude quake last Christmas had generated the deadly tsunami that scattered devastation and killed 168,000 people in South-Eastern Asia. Three months later, on 25 March 2005, a quake measuring over 8.0 on the Richter scale had claimed over 900 lives on Nias. A 5.2 magnitude quake was also reported in northern Pakistan last October, killing some 70,000 people.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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