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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Fighting Is Raging in Caucasus

11 Αυγ 2008 19:57:00 (Last updated: 11 Αυγ 2008 22:37:10)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

Tension in Caucasus is escalating, since there has been contradictory information on Russias advance against Georgian soil. In the meantime, an EU-sponsored peace initiative has been underway. An official announcement issued by the Georgian government said Russia took control of Gori, Stalins birthplace, late on Monday evening. Located some 60km off the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, Gori is Georgias largest city. As per the announcement, the Georgian forces that had been pounding Russias positions in the capital of South Ossetia, retreated to protect Tbilisi. However, the Russian Defence Minister denied all relevant information, arguing that no Russian troop had entered in the Georgian city. Foreign press correspondents have confirmed the Russian claims, reporting, though, that Russian forces are advancing against Georgian soil, to the south of Abkhazia. In a televised address, the Georgian President said that the countrys largest part is under Russias control and asked for the international communitys contribution. In the meantime, civilians are battling to survive.

Diplomatic Fever

The French Foreign Minister and his Finn counterpart are due in Moscow to unveil a peace plan the Georgian President has already given thumbs up for. The plan calls for respect to Georgias territorial sovereignty, an immediate ceasefire and return to the former status quo.

French President Sarkozy is expected in the Russian capital on Tuesday.

The fighting between Russia and Georgia in South Ossetia has refuelled tension in Washington-Moscow ties. US top official Mat Bryza, who blamed Russia for having prepared invasion in Georgia long before, is to fly to Georgia.

Russia, on her part, has already rejected the ceasefire called by Georgia, while Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the USA of cooperating with Georgia.

From Beijing, US President George W. Bush voiced his concerns over Moscows disproportionate response and urged it to end the shelling.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown sounded on the same page, while the Foreign Minister of the G7 nations called for an immediate ceasefire.

[02] Performance of Greek Athletes on Day 3

Of all the Greek athletes that competed on day 3 of the Beijing Olympic, only the rowing crews stood out, adding new brilliant performances in their record. Giannis Christou made it to the semis of single scull, as he clocked 6:58:28 landing third place in heat 2.

Christos Tsakmakis advanced to the semis of the Canoe/Kayak Slalom, after finishing 10th in heat 1 and 5th in heat 2.

On his debut in the Beijing Olympics, Olympic medallist Nikos Kaklamanakis ranks 5th, after landing 10th place in the first race and 2nd in the second race. Antonia Frai ranks 14th, after finishing 15th in the first and second race.

Andreas Kosmatopoulos and Andreas Papadopoulos rank 16th, after finishing 5th in the first race and 26th in the second. Emilios Papathanasiou ranks 15th, after finishing 18th in the fifth race and 15th in the sixth.

In Yngling, the Greek crew consisting of Sofia Bekatorou, Sofia Papadopoulou and Virginia Kravarioti rank 10th, after landing 2nd place in the fifth race.

In swimming, none of the Greek swimmers succeeded in advancing to the next round. Romanos Alyfantis finished eighth in heat 5 of the Mens 200m Butterfly, clocking 1:57:99. Eleni Kosti also failed, landing eighth place in heat 3 of the Womens 200m Freestyle, clocking 2:04:55.

In tennis, Lena Daniilidou lost to Virginie Razzano of France in the first round of Womens Single.

Finally, in womens water polo, the Greek national team was downed 8-6 by Australia.

[03] 5 World Records in Swimming

11 Αυγ 2008 19:14:00

The breathtaking final of the Mens 4x100m Freestyle Relay and the record set by Italian Valentina Vezzali that became the first fencer in Olympic history to win three Individual Foil gold medals at three consecutive Olympics stood out on day 3 of the 29th Olympic Games.

In one of the most exciting relay finals in the swimming history, the US team smashed the word record clocking 3:08:24, overhauling the French, who finished second. This is the second gold medal that rests on Phelps chest, who, according to experts, is too close to meeting his unprecedented goal, namely eight gold medals.

Kitajima Kosuke of Japan managed to defend his Olympic title and rewrote his own world record in the Mens 100m Breaststroke final, stopping the clock at 58.91. Briton Rebecca Adlington won gold medal in he Womens 400m Freestyle, and World champion Lisbeth Trickett of Australia took gold with a time of 56.73 in the Womens 100m Butterfly.

In shooting, Abhinav Bindra of India claimed the gold medal in the Mens 10m Air Rifle, while Finlands Satu Makela-Nummela won the gold medal in the Womens Trap.

In synchronized diving, Chinese Lin Yue and Huo Liang won the mens 10m synchronized diving gold medal at the Olympic Games, scoring 468.18 points.

In weightlifting, Chinese lifter Chen Yanqing in Womens 58 kg and Zhang Xiangxiagn in Mens 62 kg won the gold medals.

In judo, Elnur Mammadli of Azerbaijan was awarded the gold medal in the Mens -73kg. Italian Giulia Quintavalle won gold in the Womens -57kg weight class in her Olympic debut. It should be noted that Rasul Boqiev of Tajikistan claimed the bronze medal in Mens -73kg, earning his country its first Olympic medal ever.

Finally, in archery, South Korea was crowned gold Olympic winner.

[04] Wildfire on Mt Athos Under Control

Sources: ANA-MPA

After reducing about five square metres of forest land into ashes, the wildfire that broke out early on Monday evening in the area of Giobanitsa near the Zografou Convent on Mount Athos was brought under control. It was a thunderbolt that started the blaze.

Thunderbolt-triggered blazes also broke out in forest lands in Halkidiki. They were immediately contained, without threatening humans or built-up areas.

Another wildfire is raging in the northern prefecture of Kastoria. The rugged place is giving firefighters a hard time. No built-up areas have been threatened.

Finally, the fire in a mine area near the village of Loutrakis in the prefecture of Pella, northern Greece, is burning for 4th day running.

[05] Anti-Smoking Gene

Sources: BBC

University of Michigan scientists have identified a gene variant found more often in people who said their first cigarette produced a "buzz". These people were much more likely to go on to become regular smokers, the journal Addiction reports.

The researchers say the finding may help development of anti-smoking drugs. It appears that for people who have a certain genetic make-up, the initial physical reaction to smoking can play a significant role in determining what happens next.

A persons decision to smoke for the first time, or carry on smoking, is not thought to be governed solely by his or her genes, but a mixture of genes, environmental factors and social pressures.

However, scientists are hoping that by cracking the genetic secrets of nicotine addiction, they could make it easier for people to wean themselves off cigarettes, or even stop them taking up the habit in the first place.

The gene in question, CHRNA5, has already been highlighted by other studies into nicotine addiction, and it has been suggested that it could increase a smokers chance of developing lung cancer.

The Michigan research, however, suggests that it could be at work from the very first instance of exposure to nicotine. Genetic data was obtained from 435 volunteers, some of whom were regular smokers, and some who had tried cigarettes but were not currently smokers. They were quizzed about how they felt about their first smoking experience.

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