The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Caucasus in Flames

11 Αυγ 2008 14:51:00 (Last updated: 11 Αυγ 2008 18:08:32)

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105. 8 - ΑNA

The Russian military forces have entered Georgia's territory near Senaki, 40 kilometres from Abkhazia to intercept Georgia's fresh attacks against South Ossetia, the Russian Defence ministry announced. At the same time, as per the autonomists' representative, Tbilisi is escalating its operations launching mass fire against South Ossetia. As per fresh statements, the number of civilians killed in South Ossetia is about 1,600, while 15 Russian soldiers have been killed and about 70 wounded.

Diplomatic Efforts

Diplomacy is trying to put an end to the ongoing clashes between the Russian and Georgian army in South Ossetia. The West is accusing Russia of aggressiveness and Israel reports that it will continue selling arms to Georgia "only for defensive reasons". Meanwhile, Russia has rejected the peace agreement proposed by the EU, which Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili signed. As per Reuters news agency, strong forces of the Russian army are heading to South Ossetia, while the Russian President has stated that the Russian operation in South Ossetia is nearing its end, as the Russian forces are in control of Tskinvali.

In parallel, the Russian General Staff has announced that is troops will not move further than South Ossetia and invade Georgian soil. As per an announcement, the Russian General Staff recognized foreign troops, in addition to the Georgian, who are fighting against Russia. Russia has rejected the Georgias allegations that Moscow had used 50 aircrafts to bomb Georgian territory in the night. Moscow has already lost 18 soldiers and four warplanes, while the Russian PM has stated that the West is mixing the victims with the immolators. In a Press Conference, the Georgian President stated that Mosows target is to replace the Tbilisi government and control the energy routes to Caucasus. As per Mr Mikheil Saakashvili, 90% of the casualties in his country are civilians. At the same time, thousands of refugees are abandoning their homes to find safety elsewhere. Until now, 12,500 people have abandoned their homes. The UN has called on both sides to see to the safe exodus of thousands civilians, who are abandoning the Georgian soil.

Russia Will not Sign Truce

Meanwhile, as per the Russian General Staff, all ships, submarines and aircrafts that will enter the "safety zone in the Black Sea will be "eliminated."

At the same time, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer accused Russia of excessive use of violence and violation of the Georgias territorial integrity, following the extension of clashes beyond South Ossetia.

Meanwhile, Georgians are holding protest rallies at the Russian Consulates inThessaloniki and Athens today.

Greeks Well

As per the Greek Ambassador in Georgia Giorgos Hatzimichelakis, the six Greek families in South Ossetia are well. They have received instructions to head to the Vladikavkas consulate.

The Greek Embassy is on alert to offer its help or remove Greek and foreign families if necessary or if asked by the Georgian authorities.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Clashes Continue

[02] Five World Records

in 100 breaststroke, in 200 women's freestyle, in 100 backstroke, in 100 men's free style and men's 4x100-meter relay

Athletes have broken five world records in the Beijing Olympics in swimming today. Kosuke Kitajima of Japan won the 100 breaststroke, Kirsty Coventry won in 100 backstroke, Australian Eamon Sullivan in mens 100 freestyle and the US team in mens 4x100-meter relay and Federica Pelegrini in womens 200 freestyle.

Kosuke Kitajima of Japan won the 100 breaststroke in 58.91 seconds and Kirsty Coventry won her 100 backstroke in 58.77.In the 200-meter freestyle, Pellegrini lowered the record to 1 minute 55.45 seconds. Elizabeth Trickett won the gold medal in womens 100 butterfly and Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain won her gold medal in the 400 metres freestyle. USA won gold in the mens 4x100m freestyle relay on Monday, smashing the WR at the same time. Eamon Sullivan of Australia broke the mens swimming 100 metres freestyle world record on the first leg of the same race. The USA team of Michael Phelps/Garrett Weber-Gale/Cullen Jones/Jason Lezak won the title and broke the world record in a time of 3 minutes 8.24 seconds.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Check in Development Rate

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The international credit crisis and inflationary pressure have inevitably affected the Greek economy. The development rate has already decelerated in the second 2008 trimester to 3.4%, when in the respective period in 2007 it was 4%. A drop in investments and the increase of expenses have also led to the above development, which the government must tackle.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Bloody Clashes in Iraq

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA-MPA

A female suicide bomber spread death near a police station in Baquba, when she went off killing four police officers and wounding 16 more.

Security services sources had announced earlier that five women and three men were killed when an attack was launched against a public transport means.

Meanwhile, an American soldier and four civilians were killed in a double bomb attack in Tarmiyia, north Baghdad on Sunday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Briefing Centres for Farmers and Fishermen

Sources: NET

During his tour to Astipalaia, Kos and Kalymnos, Rural Development minister Alexandros Kontos announced the setting up of rural centres with scientists, who will cover the farmers and fishermen's needs.

Addressing fishermen, producers and local bodies, the minister stressed that the Aegean and Ionian islands will host rural briefing centres, manned with agriculturalists, vets, ichthyologists, depending on each island's needs.

At the same time, conventional stockbreeding will be transformed to biological and the rural road network will be modernized.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Postponement of Trial on Lefkimi's Incidents

Sources: NET 105.8

The trial of two men, who were arrested, including a priest, in Lefkimi area Corfu Island for the incidents reported on Wednesday between riot police and residents of the area, is postponed until Wednesday. Trouble started when a group of youth, protesting against a new landfill being built in the area, clashed with police. A priest and a student are being charged with regulatory offences like causing damages.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] 3 Dead in Car Accident in Chania

By

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

3 young men died at 7:30 in the morning in Chania-Kisamos highway. According to police record two cars crashed and the drivers 19 years old and 23 years old as well as one passenger 26 years old died while only one passenger, 33 years old survived bearing very serious injuries. He was transferred to Chania hospital and was submitted to surgery of spleen removal. The driver of a third car also involved in the crash was not injured. Chania traffic police ordered preliminary investigation on the causes of the accident.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Hunt for Mladic and Hadzic Intensifies

Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac stated yesterday that the Serbian forces have intensified their efforts to locate Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic and Croatian Serb leader Goran Hadzic. However, he made it clear that there is no information until now on their arrest or their intention to surrender by their own will. I have neither knowledge that something like this is coming to the end, nor that either of them is located or has an intention to surrender, Sutanovac said.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] In English

11 Αυγ 2008 09:30:00 (Last updated: 11 Αυγ 2008 12:40:38)

Ayman al-Zawahiri, the second-in-command to Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, has released his first English-language video call for jihad in Pakistan, the US-based IntelCenter said Sunday. Zawahiri "calls for the people to support jihad in Pakistan and lists a litany of grievances against the Pakistani government and US involvement there," said IntelCenter, which monitors extremist websites and communications. According to the US Company, Zawahiri decribes his personal experiences in Pakistan, in an effort to strengthen his relations with the Pakistani people, the same source refers. Zawahiri said that he chose to speak in English because he does not know Pakistans official language.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] Greece Needs Only Victory

By Giahanatzis Dimitris

Sources: ANA

Our national team is competing against Germany tomorrow (9.30 Greece hour) in a crucial game for our country in the second day of Beijing Olympic Games (Group B). History between the two teams includes a game in a pre Olympic tournament in 1992 when Germany prevailed. Greece has faced Germany 24 times and has won 12 times. What must be stressed is that in Eurobasket in 2001 the Greek team was crowned European Champions after beating Germany. Assistant coach Lefteris Kakiousis in his statements said: "We must play according to our skills; underlying that in no case should our players feel pressure which can be proved destructive. The truth is that we have gone through worse situations. Even then our team corresponded perfectly. The game against Germany is very important but we don not want to make our players feel stressed. Everyone in the Greek mission knows what he should do in order to succeed." As per the next phase, Mr. Kakiousis stated: "We have to win in three games in order to advance to the next round", while on reference to the Spanish team he added: "Spain has prevailed in all games. This is a fact. So in every competition we are competing against them, we have to face the pressure created those previous negative results. Our defeat yesterday, was clear but this was the result of the mistakes we made especially during the second and third minute of the game. We lost control of the ball and we gave our opponents the opportunity to achieve points easily", he concluded.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] Kaklamanakis 5th Papathanasiou 15th

By

In windsurfing Nikos Kaklamanakis is in the fifth position of RS:X category, Bekatorou, Papadopoulou and Kravarioti in Yngling, sailing in the 10th position, Andreas Kosmatopoulos and Andreas Papadopoulos in 470 mens in the 17th position and Antonia Frai in womens RS:X category in the 16th position. Papathanasiou is in the 15th position FINN.

[12] Christou in Rowing Semi Finals

By Ampelakis Spyros

Greek athlete Giannis Christou booked in Beijing semi finals rowing, single scull. He finished in the third place in a time of 6:58:28. His victory gains importance as he was called on the last minute to change class at about two months ago when a Chinese athlete decided to withdraw from mens single scull and sealed his participation to Beijing Olympic Games. Norways Olaf Tufte finished first (6:53:59) and Lithuanian Mindaugas Grisgonis won the second place (6:54:47).

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[13] Beijing First Doping Case

Spanish cyclist Maria Isabel Moreno has become the first competitor at the Beijing Olympics to fail a drugs test, the IOC said on Monday. Moreno, entered for the womens road race and individual time trial, tested positive for the endurance-boosting EPO drug.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[14] He was 65 Years Old

11 Αυγ 2008 09:20:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA, MNA, Reuters

Soul singer Oscar winner Isaac Hayes died today in his home, Memphis Tennessee. Hayes was found by family members, who discovered him lying next to a treadmill in a basement room at his home. Sheriffs deputies performed CPR until paramedics arrived. He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead an hour later. Hayes had won Oscar for the soundtrack of the blaxploitation movie Shaft and was the composer of classic hits like "Soul Man" and "when something is wrong with My Baby". Hayes gained fame later in his career and is widely known among young people as the voice of Chef, the laid-back womaniser on the cartoon series South Park.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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