The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-06-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Iran: EU Steps in amidst Mounting Tension

The European Union increased pressure on Iran on Monday to agree to opposition demands to investigate President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's landslide election victory and halt a crackdown on protesters.

France, Germany and Britain led the EU campaign to persuade Iran to clarify the election result despite no sign of new pressure from the United States, their partner at talks intended to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barack said that the extremists' triumph is sad news, because they will keep building a nuclear and military Iran. In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel noted that there are indications of irregularities, stressing that allegations of manipulation of the vote must be examined quickly by the responsible bodies to remove the doubts about this result

North Korea, on the other hand, congratulated Ahmadinejad on his win, arguing that it reflected his people's trust and support.Defeated moderate candidate Mirhossein Mousavi has called for an investigation and wants the result of Friday's election annulled. Tens of thousands of his supporters gathered in Tehran on Monday after earlier protests over the outcome.

News item: 23622

[02] Greece Braced for H1N1 Flu

Greece Is Safe

Although about 20 cases have been confirmed in Greece, Dimitris Avramopoulos touched on the rest of the measures that have been taken and stressed that Greece is a safe country and there are no reasons for concern. He then went on to say that measures have already been decided to come into being on September, when there is a viral infection surge.

He also underlined that Greece is stepping up all the necessary measures, although the people that have been tested positive have come from countries beyond Greece and the alert level raised by the World Health Organization does not include Greece.

Shifting his attention to the wave of tourists expected to reach Greece from abroad, Avramopoulos made it clear that all the necessary measures have been taken, adding that hospitals will be obliged to communicate with the local hospitals or health centres in case some of their clients develops flu-like symptoms.

Head of the hoteliers association Gerasimos Fokas, on his part, stressed that hotels are not hospitals, answering to initial thoughts for the creation of a room in each hotel complex to host those that would develop flu-like symptoms.

However, he asserted that working alongside with the Health Ministry to contain the spread of H1N1 flu in Greece would be to everyone's interest.

News item: 23623

[03] Bounced Checks Rise

It seems that rise in bounced checks is among the impacts of global financial crisis. According to data released by âTeiresias S.Aâ bounced checks rose by 23.5% or overall value of 335.2 million euros in May, 2009.

Compared against the same period in 2008, the number of bounced checks rose by 248.46% and in overall value by 228.46%. Specifically, bounced checks numbered 132.357 with an overall value of 1.3 billion euros.

A similar course was recorded with unpaid installments which numbered 12.414 or 18,49% rise compared to last month and 23,91% compared to same month in 2008. Speaking of their value it rose by 16,89% compared against last month and 30,32% compared to the same month in 2008.

News item: 23614

[04] Political Tension Escalating

The defeated Iranian presidential candidate has lodged a request for the holding of a peaceful rally, however, the Iranian Interior Ministry has rejected permission for a march or a rally.

Mousavi supporters clashed with policemen in Teheran during the weekend. Mousavi accuses Iranian authorities of having manipulated results from the first round of elections and called the ruling guardian council to overturn election results.

The French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, said that his government was worried about the situation and criticized "the somewhat brutal reaction" by authorities in response to demonstrations. The EU said in a statement it was "concerned about alleged irregularities" during Friday's vote.

Mousavi lodged a formal appeal to the ruling guardian council to overturn results of Friday's presidential elections. His two appeals will be examined and the result will be announced to the two presidential candidates said a spokesman of the guarding council,Iranian news agency ISNA reported. He also added that the Council has a deadline of 7 to 10 days to decide on the validity of elections.

Sources: ÁNA-ĚPA-French News Agency

News item: 23600

[05] Last-Minute Preparations Prior to the Grand Opening

Samaras termed the new Museum as a unique house of Culture for the whole world, while Dimitris Pantermalis said that the opening ceremony will be brilliant.

The Museum's official website, http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/, was also introduced Monday

The website means to introduce the Museum to the visitors, familiarizing them with its premises, its history and operation. It is an e-map making a journey to Greece's one-of-the-kind legacy, unfolding the route from the Archaic era till modern-day one. A route that does not only include exhibits and Greece's history, but it also gives the modern image of the Greek culture and civilization.

Those meaning to visit the Museum on the first three days of its operation, namely on 21, 22 and 23 June, should make sure they get their tickets using the e-ticketing service.

News item: 23598

[06] First Extra-galactic Planet Detected

Pixel-lensing technique, or gravitational microlensing,a method sensitive to finding planets in our own galaxy, ranging in sizes from Jupiter-like planets to Earth-sized ones, was used. Because light rays are bent when they pass close to a massive object, the gravity of a nearby star focuses the light from a distant star towards Earth. And recently, astronomers used gravitational microlensing to be able to see about a dozen or so stars in M31, an extraordinary accomplishment in itself.

The advantage of microlensing is that it works best for more distant objects, therefore in theory it would seem to be ideal for planet hunting in other galaxies. Using this method European astronomers claim that they have either discovered a brown dwarf or a planet. De Paolis said he was encouraged by the fact that there is a method to detect exoplanets at a far distance.

Sources: ÁNA-ĚPAOlder news items: News item: 23606

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