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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-06The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Rescue Operation Underway Multi-Fatality Plane Crash06 Aug 2005 17:45:00 (Last updated: 06 Aug 2005 22:19:47)By Despina Hristopoulou Sources: Reuters The death toll from a plane crash off the coast of Palermo, Sicily, has climbed to 14, according to Sicilys chief magistrate while five people are missing. As per the Italian authorities, another 20 people were injured. According to emergency services at least 10 people were killed and 14 injured. The Tunisair ATR 42 aircraft was forced to crash land in the sea, while a huge rescue operation commenced immediately. According to the Italian authorities, the pilot radioed Palermo airport and told them to prepare for an emergency landing, but did not make it to the airport and was forced to land in the sea. Thirty-nine passengers and crew were on board the plane, all Italians. The ATR 42 charter plane was flying from Bari, Italy, to Djerba, Tunisia. Translated by Vicky Ghionis [02] NASA Reassures There Is No Need for Concern Heading Home06 Aug 2005 18:29:00By Despina Hristopoulou Earth will welcome back space shuttle Discovery on Monday morning, as it commenced its journey back home at 10:24 (Greek local time), after spending eight days in space. NASA announced that the shuttle undocked from the International Space Station, while mission control declared that Discovery cleared the way for the first step to its planned landing at Kennedy Space Centre. The US space agency gave the green light to the return trip, while it reassured there is no need for concern for the crew. "The vehicle is in pristine condition. All the tests are good, we are ready to go. But de-orbit is not a risk free activity," declared the lead shuttle flight director. Discovery, with a crew of seven astronauts, docked on the International Space Station on 28 July at 14:18 (Greek local time), nearly 48 hours after lift-off from Kennedy Space Centre near Cape Canaveral. The shuttle was carrying equipment and supplies to the ISS. Concerns over the Return Discoverys journey home commenced as soon as the seven astronauts bade farewell to the two permanent crewmembers on the ISS. Discovery commander Eileen Collins said, "These are memories that we will have forever." Re-entry to the Earths atmosphere, at a speed of 28,000km/h, will be the hardest part of the return trip, since high temperatures will be reached. The shuttle is equipped with a heat shield; however, Discovery experienced some technical faults during lift-off, since parts of the thermal tiles fell off. The astronauts repaired the shuttle in space. Discovery is the first manned US space mission following the Columbia disaster and the death of seven astronauts on 1 February 2003, when the shuttle disintegrated over Texas during re-entry to the Earths atmosphere. Translated by Vicky Ghionis Related News: Discovery In Flight Repair [03] Devetzi and Iakovakis Qualify06 Aug 2005 15:41:00 (Last updated: 06 Aug 2005 20:57:31)By Dimitris Alexopoulos The World Athletics Championships in Helsinki started off with successes for the Greeks, since both Pigi Devetzi and Periklis Iakovakis qualified in triple jump and 400m hurdles finals respectively. The triumphs started from early on, as Pigi Devetzi, the first Greek to compete in the Championships, headed the list of qualifiers. The Olympic silver medallist needed three attempts before producing 14.72, which was the best jump out of both qualifying groups and her longest jump this year. Her previous personal best was 14.62m at the European Cup in Florence last June. Best Jump Devetzi did not start off that well, as her first effort was at 14.10m and her second was a foul. However, her third attempt at 14.72m brought her to the top of the qualifiers. Her biggest rival, Russian Tatyana Lebedeva, was in danger of missing out on the final, as she could not repeat her latest performances, most of which are over or around 15m. With only one successful attempt at 14.15m, she did not make the automatic qualifying mark of 14.35m, but qualified anyway, as she ranked 4th in Group A. The preliminaries hid many surprises, as quite a few prominent athletes failed to qualify for the final, including Italian Simona La Mantia, who finished 6th in Group B with 14.00m, and experienced Czech Šárka Kašparkova, who ranked 11th in Group B with 13.69m. Françoise Mbango Etone from Cameron, the golden Olympian in Athens last year, did not compete today, while Jamaican Trecia Smith achieved the second best performance with 14.69m. The other Greek who was competing today in triple jump, Athanasia Perra, failed to qualify, as she had three foul jumps. The twelve qualifiers for tomorrows final, which is scheduled for 19:40, are: Chrysopigi Devetzi (Greece), Trecia Smith (Jamaica), Qiuyan Huang (China), Tatyana Lebedeva (Russia), Kéné Ndoye (Senegal), Yargelis Savigne (Cuba), Magdelin Martinez (Italy), Anna Pyatykh (Russia), Viktoriya Gurova (Russia), Yamilé Aldama (Sudan), Baya Rahouli (Algeria) and Carlota Castrejana (Spain). Iakovakis in the Semis Apart from Devetzi, Periklis Iakovakis also qualified easily for the semis in the 400m hurdles. The bronze world champion in Paris (2003), competed in Heat 4 and finished first with a time of 49.22, thus qualifying for the semis, scheduled for 21:00 on Sunday, with the 5th best time today. American Kerron Clement, who ran in Heat 1, achieved the best performance today with 49.98, while 2001 and 2003 world champion Felix Sanchez from the Dominican Republic also qualified for the semis, despite his injuries lately. Sanchez finished second in Heat 3 with a time of 49.47. Greek Alexandros Papadimitriou failed to qualify in hammer throw, as he ranked 13th, missing out on the finals by just one spot. With a shot at 74.99m, the Greek champion ranked 8th in Group B and did not book a ticket for the final. His first shot was at 70.97m, while he third was a foul. Vadim Devyatovskiy from Belarus achieved the best performance out of the 30 athletes competing in the two groups today with 81.20m In the meantime, after four events, Argyro Strataki is in 19th place overall in heptathlon with 3,442 points. French Eunice Barber is first with 3,973 pts, Swedish Carolina Kluft is a very close second with 3,971 and Briton Kelly Sotherton is third with 3,871. Translated by Vicky Ghionis Related News: Iakovakis-Devetzi Stand Out [04] 60 Years Since the Devastation Mankind Remembers and Mourns06 Aug 2005 14:30:00By Annita Paschalinou Today is a day of mourning and recollection for Hiroshima, as well as the rest of the world, as its marks the 60-year anniversary since the first atomic bomb in the history of mankind was dropped. Sixty years later, 55,000 people, many of them survivors (known as Hibakusha) of the nuclear devastation gathered in Peace Park to pay homage to the 140,000 people who were killed by "Little Boy", the nuclear bomb that obliterated Hiroshima at 8:15am on 6 August 1945, signalling one of the worst moments in global history. Commemorative Ceremonies 6 August 2005. Time: 8:15am. More than 55,000 Japanese observed a minutes silence in memory of the 140,000 people who died in Hiroshima. Although 60 years have gone past since that fated morning in 1945, no one seems to be able to forget the moment when mankind came to a standstill. People of all ages, families, children, elders in wheelchairs and survivors dressed in black, arrived at Peace Park to prey for the victims and lay flowers. The state and political leaders of Japan were also present. "The citizens of Hiroshima are the witnesses of global peace," declared Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi, while Hiroshimas mayor urged the international community to stop using nuclear weapons, as a sign of respect for the 140,000 victims of "Little Boy". However, the voices of protest were also heard during the ceremony. Peace protectors shouted for the hypocritical memorial ceremonies to stop, since Japan continues to ally with the USA in war, thus condemning the collaboration between the two countries in Iraq. Translated by Vicky Ghionis [05] Suspense for the 7 Crewmembers of the Russian Sub Memories of Kursk Awakened06 Aug 2005 12:40:00By Annita Paschalinou Five years since the tragedy with the Russian submarine Kursk, when 118 seamen perished, and the Russian authorities are giving yet another a battle with time to rescue the seven crewmembers who remain trapped in a mini submarine on the Pacific Ocean floor near the Kamtsatka Peninsula. The first rescue operation was unsuccessful, since the Russian authorities only managed to pull the vessel approximately 1km closer to the shore. Due to the great depth (190m), the seven sailors cannot exit the sub and swim to the surface. The only alternatives for help are the unmanned Scorpio vessels, which can cut through thick cables and metal. USA and Britain supplied such vessels, but it remains unknown whether they will get to the site before the air supply runs out. Scorpios Provide Hope The Russian mini submarine got tangled in fishermen nets during an exercise off the coast of the Kamtsatka Peninsula on Thursday. USA, Britain and Japan are participating in the rescue operation. A US C-5 aircraft, two submersible Scorpios and a 40-member team made up of divers and specialised personnel is arriving in the area. Earlier, a British Scorpio 45 vessel, which is equipped with three cameras and can cut through thick cables, arrived on site. Air Supply Running Out The reports concerning the air supply reserves are contradictory. On Friday, the Russian authorities had mentioned that the sailors had enough air supply to last them for another 24 hours. Today, however, they also declared the same thing, noting that the crewmembers were ordered to stay in a horizontal position to save strength and air. Translated by Vicky Ghionis Related News: SOS by Mini-Sub [06] Yaya Scores the First06 Aug 2005 19:37:00By Dimitris Alexopoulos During the first half of the friendly match against Manchester City, Olympiacos was everything Trond Soleid could have wished for. Playing from the sides (mainly from the left) and with many crosses to the centre, the reigning Greek champions and Cup winners demonstrated that they have completely absorbed the game play introduced by the Norwegian coach. Yaya Toure was the key figure once again in this half, dominating in the centre. The African midfielder not only kicked a goal for Olympiacos, but was also the link between the offence and the defence. In the second half, and with Olympiacos showing signs of fatigue, Manchester City took control of the game and scored three goals in just 15 minutes. Ran out of Gas in the Second With Yaya Toure leading the pack, Trond Soleids team dominated the pitch in the first half. Olympiacos took the lead in the 27, when Toure headed in a goal off Djordjevics corner kick, while the team also missed many good opportunities to score and increase its lead. In the second half, the Greek team took a dive. With signs of fatigue evident, since the team is still preparing for the season ahead, while Manchester City is ready to go, it handed over the reins to the English club. Manchester took complete control of the game and managed to tie the score in the 65, when Vassell looped the ball over Nikopolidis and into the far corner of the net. Manchester continued to pressure Olympiacos and took the lead in the 75. Musampa laid the ball off to Ireland, whose cross found Wright-Phillips, who flicked his head to put the ball to the right of the Greek goalkeeper, making the score 2-1. But Stuart Pearces squad did not stop there. In the 79, Wright-Phillips beat one man in the challenge, glided round another and put a low right-footed shot into Nikopolidis far corner. Manchester City: James, Mills, Jordan, Onuoha, Sommeil, Sinclair, Barton, Reyna, Musampa, Cole, Vassell, De Vlieger, Sun, Richards, DLaryea, Croft, Flood, Ireland, Wright-Phillips Olympiacos: Nikopolidis, Kapsis, Kostoulas, Anatolakis. Mavrogenidis, Georgatos, Toure, Stolidis, Kafes, Konstantinou, Djordjevic. Translated by Vicky Ghionis [07] AEK Plays Quality Game06 Aug 2005 19:14:00By Dimitris Alexopoulos Playing against the very well prepared Charlton, AEK managed to not only win the friendly match by 1-3, but also offered a great show. With great performances, as well as a few dead moments, the Greek club demonstrated its maturity and the fact that it is ready for the great premiership challenge this season, raising hopes for a title at the end. Playing a quality game, the renewed team showed that the hard preparation of the last few weeks eventually paid off. The only sore point was the patchiness in the defence, with Alexopoulos, Cirillo and Kontis being hassled by Rommedahl and Jeffers. On a Good Track With Lakis in top from right from the start, and Venhlinskyy and Lymberopoulos being constant sources of danger, AEK came close to scoring a few times in the first ten minutes. It eventually took the lead in the 20, with a penalty shot kicked by Lymberopoulos, after Hreidarsson tripped Lakis in the box and referee Bennett awarded the shot. Charlton reacted immediately and after Sorondo hit the post in the 22, Rommedahl tied the score eleven minutes later. AEK took the lead once again in the 48, when Lakis cashed in on a cross by Soares, doubling his teams goals. Charlton had a chance to tie the score in the 61, when Hreidarsson was tugged back in the box and referee Bennett pointed to the penalty spot. Jeffers kicked the penalty, but the striker was denied by half-time goalkeeping replacement Sorrentino, before steering the rebound over the bar. Finally, Krassas scored AEKs third goal during injury time, after Bourboss deflected cross. Charlton: Andersen, Young, Hreidarsson, Sorondo, Perry, Ambrose (Sam 74), Murphy (Fuller 81), Smertin (Hughes 46), Rommedahl (Johansson 59), Bent (Thomas 46), Jeffers. AEK: Chiotis (Sorrentino 46), Cirillo, Alexopoulos, Sapanis, Venhlinskyy (Krassas 67), Moras (Soares 46), Lakis (Bourbos 74), Kontis (Malbasa 57), Georgeas, Lymberopoulos (Komvolidis 67), Da Silva E Souza (Kyriakidis 46). Translated by Vicky Ghionis [08] "Like a Rolling stone" by Bob Dylan The Song that Changed the World06 Aug 2005 15:29:00By Despina Hristopoulou Sources: Reuters On the occasion of its 100th issue, British magazine Uncut conducted an opinion poll to find the 100 songs, movies, TV shows and books that "changed the world". Singers, actors and celebrities from the international scene also participated in the survey. Bob Dylans song "Like a Rolling Stone" topped the poll, leaving Elvis Presleys "Heartbreak Hotel" in second place. The Beatles song "She Loves You" ranked at number three, followed by the Rolling Stones "(I Cant Get No) Satisfaction." Stanley Kubricks A Clockwork Orange emerged as the most influential film at number five, followed by The Godfather and The Godfather II films in sixth place. "The Prisoner" was the top-ranking TV series at number 10, while Jack Kerouacs novel On the Road was the highest-ranking book, in 19th place. Paul McCartney, Patti Smith, Noel Gallagher, Robert Downey Jr, Keith Richards, Lou Reed, Edward Norton and Brian Wilson were among those who gave their views for the poll. "I absolutely remember where I was when I first heard it. It got me through adolescence," rocker Patti Smith said of the winning song. On his part, ex-Beatle McCartney picked "Heartbreak Hotel" as his number one choice. "Its the way (Presley) sings it as if he is singing from the depths of hell," McCartney said. "His phrasing, use of echo, its all so beautiful. Musically, its perfect." Related Links: Uncut [09] Robin Cook Passed Away06 Aug 2005 21:11:00By Despina Hristopoulou Sources: Reuters Former British Foreign Minister Robin Cook breathed his last on Saturday, after collapsing while walking with friends on Ben Stack Mountain in Scotland. A rescue helicopter took him to Raigmore hospital in the town of Inverness, but the doctors could not keep him alive. The 59-year-old politician served as Foreign Minister from 1997 to 2001. He maintained a high public profile as a fierce critic of Prime Minister Tony Blairs decision to go to war in Iraq. Cook resigned as Leader of the House of Commons in 2003, over the governments decision to back the US-led war. 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