The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] It Has Returned to Earth All Is Well with Discovery

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The prolonged suspense came to an end at 5:12am ET (15:12 Greek local time), when the space shuttle Discovery landed successfully at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The delays in takeoff, the many technical faults, as well as the adverse weather conditions over Kennedy Space Centre, in Cape Canaveral, where Discovery was initially scheduled to land, had converted the mission of the space shuttle into a suspense thriller. Initially, the return was scheduled for Monday, but it was postponed due to the cloudiness and restricted visibility over Kennedy Space Centres landing strip. In the end, NASA decided it would be safer for the space shuttle, as well as the 7-member crew, to land in California. It should be noted that the cost of the mission has now increased by $1 million, since Discovery will have to be transferred back to the Kennedy Space Centre in a special Boeing 747.

Relief and Satisfaction

The landing procedure started shortly after 15:00 Greek local time and was completed at 15:12.

With 27,000 km an hour, Discovery entered the Earths atmosphere and started decreasing its speed as it was flying above the Pacific Ocean. Without any problems, it quickly overcame the dangerous part where high temperatures capable of melting steel were created.

The 7-member crew arrived smiling and satisfied regardless of the tiredness and the anxiousness.

The first words of the space shuttles commander Eileen Collins were that the 14-day mission in space was "fantastic," however she stated that the crew feels relieved upon their return to Earth.

The 48-year-old commander received praises from all for the exceptional handling of the space shuttle, and her performance with four difficult maneuvers.

US President George W Bush expressed his satisfaction over the successful mission, noting that it was important that NASA regained the trust of the American people.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Discovery Returns to Earth

[02] A Dog with a Fetish

By Despina Hristopoulou

It is not uncommon to say that bull terriers are usually fetishists with a weakness to shoes. But there are some pets that seem to have more kinky preferences. An example is Breiti, a bull terrier that except for some bizarre likings had a great appetite and swallowed everything within his reach! His owners couldnt satisfy their beloved dogs urges so they gave him away to an animal shelter. Everything was going well for 10-year-old Breiti, as the veterinarians had managed to curb his appetite and to find him a new home, but in a routine check-up they discovered a lump in his stomach. Immediately they scanned him and decided that the lump had to be removed. However, during the operation the doctors did not find anything worrying, but a lace g-string that belonged to his previous owner. As the veterinarian stated Breiti was indeed a dog with special preferences!

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Tehran Avoids Security Council Talks Extended with Tehran

By Annita Paschalinou

The decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Irans nuclear armistice will be announced on Wednesday. The proceedings of the unscheduled meeting that began on Tuesday will continue tomorrow as the content of the final document, which will be adopted, has not been decided on. The world community seems have agreed to extend talks with Tehran, after the statement of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that he is ready to start new negotiations with the EU. American President George W Bush speaks of a positive development.

Possible Committal to Security Council

Tehran states that the plant will only produce energy, but the US fear that Isfahan is re-operating to produce nuclear weapons. Earlier, Moscow had issued a strict warning for Iran to stop the production of nuclear weapons.

It is highly likely that the members of IAEA will commit Iran to the UN Security Council for the imposing of sanctions. However, a diplomatic source speaking to Reuters states that this might not happen in the time being, in order for more time to be given to the EU for further discussions with Tehran.

On Saturday, Iran rejected a package of motives submitted by Germany, France and the UK, with the support of the US, for the freeze of its nuclear programme.

Iran claims that it is using uranium enrichment for the production of electrical energy, but Washington states that Tehran is preparing nuclear weapons.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Sixty Years since Nagasaki Never Again

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

One of the darkest pages of world history reawakened in the memories of those who gathered on Tuesday morning in Nagasaki, a place that has been identified with the horror of war. Thousands of Japanese gathered in Peace Park, while the grave bell tolls reminded the elderly of the freakish moments they lived through when a B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb and spread the fear. The countrys PM, Junichiro Koizumi, was among those who met to pay homage to the thousands of dead. "This is an occasion to remember the victims, and pray for world peace," he said, while Nagasaki mayor Iccho Ito launched an appeal for the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, urging the USA to work towards this.

Painful Memories

The gathered crowd observed a minutes silence at 11:02am, the exact time when the bomb was dropped in Nagasaki, while 1000 white doves were set free, with the wish that the Japanese who perished in Hiroshima and Nagasaki rest in peace.

The bomb, nicknamed "Fat Man", killed 70,000 people instantly, while the number of people who lost their lives to radioactivity up until today is estimated at 140,000.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Coastal Navigation at Focus

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

On Thursday, the problems of coastal navigation were at the focus of the meeting between Mercantile Marinie Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis and SYN President Alekos Alavanos. After the meeting, Mr Kefalogiannis voiced his undivided support to the islanders and stated that the problems in coastal navigation will stop immediately. On his part, Mr Alavanos said that the Aegean Sea is in a state of paralysis, and noted that immediate measures have to be taken for the resolution of the situation.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Increase of Grants

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

On Tuesday, Local Administration, immigration policy and small-middle size business were at the focus of the two-hour meeting between the Minister of Interior, Prokopis Pavlopoulos with the Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis, at Maximos Mansion. Mr Pavlopoulos briefed the PM over the course of the Bill for the integration of immigrants residing in Greece, as well as about the programme "METECHO" which files under information society, and concerns the financing of small-middle size businesses. On the issue of the finances of Local Administration, Mr Pavlopoulos noted that the grants of the second semester of 2005 have been increased by 220% in comparison to the corresponding semester of 2004.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Adventure At Sea

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

All went well for the three passengers of an engine run dingy which sent an SOS while sailing near Gyaros. The rescue operation started immediately, in which Coast Guard crafts and a Super Puma helicopter participated. Also, passenger ship Aiolos Kenteris was found near the dingy named Veatriki and sheltered it. Finally, the Super Puma rescued the three persons. The dingy had sailed from Tzia to Andros, while 5-7 beaufort winds were blowing in the area.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] 3 Dead, 32 Injured New Attack in Baghdad

By Anna Kourti

As per Iraqi Interior Ministry sources, three Iraqis were killed, while another 32 were injured by a car bomb explosion in the centre of the Iraqi capital. This new attack was recorded on Tuesday morning, just hours after a wave of attacks that resulted in the death of 10 Iraqi police officers in various parts of Baghdad. Al Qaedas leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] It Broke the $64 Barrier Record Price for Oil

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The price of oil is continuing its uncontrollable upward spiral, as it exceeded the $64 barrier in the Asian and American markets, increasing by 48% since the beginning of the year. This new price increase was amplified by concerns over the recommencement of nuclear activities in Iran, as well as threats for terrorist hits against American and British targets in Saudi Arabia. The price increase is noticeable in the Greek market, as the price of unleaded fuel in some parts of the country exceeded 1 euro per litre, while the average price is at 0.94 euros per litre, as per the Development Ministry, which is conducting intensive price checks. Speaking on radio station NET 105.8, the president of the Greek Fuel Station Owners Federation, Dimitris Makryvelios, said that the prices depend on the rise in international prices and the increased demand for August. The retail price for oil in Greece is the lowest in the EU, while the net price of unleaded fuel per 6 months follows a downward trend and is very close to the average European rate, stressed Deputy Development Minister Giorgos Salagoudis. On its part, SYN spoke of "fierce profiteering and cartels," while it accused the Government of putting the interests of businesses above the interests of consumers.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Slight Increase of Unleaded

Black Gold Prices Soar

[10] Filippidis was Unlucky

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

On Tuesday, the Greek athletes, Kostas Filippidis, Gianna Kafetzi and Giorgos Sarris, which competed in the morning semifinals, did not qualify due to the bad weather conditions in Helsinki and a streak of bad luck. In the 2nd preliminary group, the Greek Champion, Filippidis was extremely unlucky, since he had to wait for the high jump structure to be repaired, and following did not manage to exceed 5.60, due to the strong winds. It is noted that his three attempts in the high jump were quite good. Thus he remained at 5.45m ranking 14th in the preliminary standings, when the seventh to the twelfth athlete qualified to the final with the same performance as the Greek Champion and even better efforts.

Kafetzi-Sarris Do Not Qualify

Gianna Kafetzi also had a bad day, as with a 6.31m jump did not qualify in the long jump final. The Greek Champion, whose personal best is 6.62m, participated in the 2nd preliminary and ranked 21 among 25 athletes.

Panagiotis Sarris had also a bad day due to his disqualification from the semifinals after the end of the 200m preliminary race in the Helsinki Track and Field Championships. The Greek Champion run the distance in 21.43 and finished fourth. Sarris had come to Finland aimed at qualifying in the 32 and following in the 16 best athletes, but his time did not allow him to do so.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Businessman Answers with Lawsuits Kouris Testifies Against Kontominas

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET 105.8

The four-hour testimonial of the publisher of newspaper Avriani, Giorgos Kouris, to First Instance Prosecutor Panagiotis Poulios was completed to at noon. The testimony was in the context of a preliminary investigation over the recent articles of the newspaper concerning the owner of Alpha television channel Dimitris Kontominas. Upon his exit from the Prosecutors office Mr Kouris stated to the journalists that he had submitted evidence that prove that the businessman received more than 1.5 million euros from Greeks living in Africa, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. In an announcement Alpha states that Mr Kouris testimonies and evidence are not only false but ridiculous as well.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Two More Certificates Revoked Less Hassle and Bureaucracy

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

The citizens daily transactions with Public Services become even more simplified. With a joint decision by the Ministries for the Interior and Public Order, two certificates that fall under the second Ministry are revoked and replaced by a solemn statement. Particularly, the decision concerns the birth certificate, which the citizen from now on will not have to exhibit in order to issue an identification card. The birth certificate will be provided by the police authority in cooperation with the Local Authority. However, in the case that the citizen provides the birth certificate then the identification card will be issued on the same day. The second certificate revoked is the criminal record for the renewal of a hunting license, which is replaced by a solemn statement of the applicant with which it confirms that there hasnt been a change in his/her criminal status. The above were mentioned during the meeting of Deputy Interior Minister Apostolos Andreoulakos with Deputy Public Order Minister Christos Markogiannakis, who stated that the two Ministries continue their collaboration for the better facilitation of the citizens.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Ministry for the Interior

Ministry of Public Order

[13] US Delegation to Meet with Talat Visit to Occupied Cyprus

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET 105.8

The US delegation that arrived in Tymbos Airport on occupied Cyprus from Istanbul on Monday night will meet with the PM of the occupied state, Mehmet Ali Talat. Earlier, State Departments deputy spokesperson, Adam Eleri, described the visit as "unofficial" and "private", noting that there is nothing illegal about it. In the meantime, he referred to the Congress advisors themselves for further information regarding their visit to occupied Cyprus. On the occasion of the issue, the State Department spokesperson repeated USAs fixed stance concerning the economic isolation of the Turkish-Cypriots.

Nicosia Plays Down the Visit

The delegation, which is made up of advisors of congressional members, is visiting the state, after an invitation extended by the Turkish-Cypriot Chamber of Industry.

At the end of their visit, the advisors will draw up a report, which they will hand in to their superiors.

On Monday, Cyprus FM, Giorgos Iakovou played down the significance of the visit, declaring that even the State Department was keeping its distances.

He also said that the illegal visit was not even a matter of Congress, since none of its members were participating in it.

In the meantime, Olli Rehn, the EU Commissioner responsible for Enlargement, voiced the belief that Turkeys accession talks will commence as scheduled on 3 October.

A week ago, Frances PM Dominique de Villepin declared that it was inconceivable for accession talks to begin, if Turkey does not recognise Cyprus.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Americans in Occupied Cyprus Today

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