Transcript in the news of August 16, 2007 (With some misspelled words) >>> Increasing numbers of
Russians describe themselves as Orthodox Christians.
The church has a higher public
profile than at any time since
the collapse of communism.
That has troubled academics who
fear the church's influence is
growing too strong.
James Roberts reports.
>> The Russian Orthodox church
has moved out of the shadows.
Once its every step was watched
by the Soviet secret police.
Now it in every day life.
These believers are crossing
the country in celebration of
the revival of their faith.
>> We want Russia to return to
her rightful place, to become
an Orthodox country again.
This will make Russia the
magnificent, powerful state it
was before.
>> This church stands on the
site where communist
revolutionaries shot Russia's
last emperor.
Nicholas the second is revered
as a saint.
This concert was to mark the
anniversary of the Czar's
death.
When you are at ceremonies like
this, it feels like something
which has always been a parts
of Russian life, but of course
this is actually a revival of
traditions severely suppressed
for most of the last century.
As that revival continues, the
profile of the church in
Russian society is becoming
more and more visible.
That doesn't please everyone.
Secularists fear the church is
too involved in the affairs of
the state.
>> Politically, the church is
playing a very important role.
It has become the idea logical
corner stone of the regime, but
sadly our government forgets
their own constitution which
says the church is separated
from the state.
>> All over Russia places of
worship are being restored.
The Orthodox's church strength
as a social and political force
is also taking shape.
James Roger is, bbc news.
>> Stay with bbc world.
Still to come in this
programme.
Viva las Vegas
>> Long live elvis, 30 years
after his death, his fans still
saying he is the king.
>>> A huge fire has torn
through the northern suburbs of
athens, the flames fanned by
gale force winds, and cast a s mucpital.
>> It was a towering inferno.
The fire spread down the velocity
that those in its way had to
run for their liveS.
Gale force winds inflicted
double jeopardy, fueli
flames and grounding the water
aircrafT.
No where seemed safe as embers
warmed by the wind.Desperation, people grabbed
whatever they could to fight
one of the more dramatic fires
of the summer in which huge
areas of forest tri across been destroyed.
Four fires began almost
simultaneously raising suspicion
of arsoN.
>> This fire is another serious
blow to the health of the creek
capital, because the
dewoodland mns
en overcrowded city.
>> Every year they are trying
to burn everything because they
want to build and build and
build.
>> These fires have become a
major political issuE.
The government, which today
called a snap general election
has been criticized for its
handling of the crisis,
bombing aircraft it belatedly
brought in as reinforcements
helped to bring the flames
under control.
>>> Campaigners are saying
holiday makers are pushing somes endangered
species on the brink of
extinction.
The wwf wantst
careful.
>>> Yea since
f rockin' roll left this
r
the anniversary is being md
by scos elvis imper son
--mperson perim impersonate ares.
T have
ulven though thousands
have.
>> They have cone
memphis hoping to a name
for themselvess
, even though
most agree he is an impossible
act to follow.
>> There is only one elviS.
One elviS.
They can put all of them
together and we wouldn't make
that much in elvis's pinky.
>> Last night at gracelands, up
to 70,000 fans joined a candle
lit vigil, taking turns to file
past his grave.
Many were still queueing as the
sun came up.
>> We have been here for 13
hours waiting to get t come up
and go by -- do the candlelight
vigil.
>> 13 hours
>> 13 hours and it is well
worth it.
>> He is one of ten finalists
in the official elvis look
alike contest.
He makes his living impersone
impersonating the king and
victory here would change his
life.
>> It doesn't bear thinking
about because it would be
amazing, it really would, if
that happened, it would be
amazing, and i am sure that
decent job opptundes wrobably go up
sltas well.Hree decades since his
death, yld be forgiven
for thinking that the king has
never left the building.
A court in miami hasd an american citizen,
jose psr
charges of
he and two codefendants were
found guilty consra to
murder kidnap and maim people
overseas
overseas.
The defense team says he will
appeal against the verdict
which is likely to bring a life
sentence.
>>> This is bbc world news.
>>> I'm mike embley in london.
Thanks for being with us.
Many
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* Because production of these transcripts depend on a
variety of factors, there are occasional spelling errors. |