The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] 153 Were Killed, 19 Were Injured

21 Αυγ 2008 08:46:00 (Last updated: 21 Αυγ 2008 09:30:30)

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ΝΕΤ-105.8, ANA-MPA

A Spanair airliner heading for the Canary Islands crashed on takeoff and burst into flame at Madrids international airport. As many as 153 people on board perished in the crash, while another 19 sustained injuries.

The death toll has risen to 153, said Development Minister Magdalena Alvarez, who rushed to the crash scene from the very first moment.

There were 164 passengers and a nine-member crew aboard the airliner, said Spanair, owned by Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS).

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced their most heartfelt sympathy over the plane crash.

This was the worst plane crash Spain has suffered since 19 February 1985, when jet crashed in Bilbao, killing 148 people.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Aircraft Crashed in Madrid Airport

[02] He Masterminded Mylonas' Abduction

21 Αυγ 2008 10:27:00 (Last updated: 21 Αυγ 2008 10:50:37)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

Notorious criminal Vassilis Paleokostas, who had been on the run after his jailbreak in June 2006, was seized late on Wednesday. He is accused of masterminding the abduction of Giorgos Mylonas, head of the Northern Greek Industries Association. Paleokostas was arrested inside a house in the town of Souroti, northern Greece, along with an accomplice of his. Earlier, two more gang members had been arrested in Thessaloniki, while a suspect possessing marked banknotes from the ransom given for Mylonas release had been brought to the Chania police headquarters. Yet another person allegedly involved in the abduction has already been detained accused of other offences.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Vassilis Paleokostas Seized

[03] Industrial Actions Were Suspended

20 Αυγ 2008 23:31:00 (Last updated: 21 Αυγ 2008 00:04:32)

Sources: NET, ANA

Cretes petrol station owners decided late on Wednesday to suspend their strikes, after the petroleum companies assured them that the fuel prices would earn them the legal profits. Marathon talks between the associations of the petrol station owners and the companies and the Development Minister preceded the agreement.

[04] New Round of Talks Opens Thursday Evening

21 Αυγ 2008 09:55:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

UN special envoy Matthew Nimetz will hold Thursday afternoon separate talks with the FYROM President and Prime Minister on the name row.

Nimetz will travel Friday in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, to meet with Greek negotiator ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis.

Asked to comment on Ban Ki-Moons claims, whereby there are other matters to be settled between Athens and Skopje, Greeces Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said that Moons letter to the Skopje Prime Minister clearly said that Nimetzs involvement relates to the name issue.

The Greek FM noted, "any country can claim anything, but this does not mean that we share its positions."

[05] Sharif Threatens to Quit Pakistan Coalition

Sources: REUTERS

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has threatened to pull his party out of Pakistans ruling coalition it it does not decide by Friday to reinstate judges purged by former president Pervez Musharraf, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The deadlock over the judges opened up cracks in the coalition led by slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) soon after Musharraf, faced with the threat of impeachment, resigned on Monday.

Sharif told the newspaper that the sacking of the judges last year had shaken the foundations of the country and it was necessary to restore them to their jobs.

The departure of Sharifs party from the coalition would not force an election, analysts have said, adding that the PPP, the biggest in parliament, should be able to gather enough support to remain in government.

[06] Pullout at a Snail's Pace

21 Αυγ 2008 09:09:00 (Last updated: 21 Αυγ 2008 09:57:54)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Russian Upper House is to hold an emergency session on Monday to examine the likelihood of recognizing the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. At the same time, Russia rejected a UN-sponsored draft demanding an immediate Russian pullout. In the meantime, the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Georgia has been rather slow, with Russian claiming it would keep its forces near a security zone around the two breakaway provinces for as long as it is viewed necessary.

Moscow also made it rather plain that the agreement to have parts of a U.S. missile defense shield in Poland set up does nothing but triggering an armament race, also warning that its reactions would not be reduced to diplomatic protests.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had a telephone conversation on the Middle East peace process with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmer, in view of the Syrian Presidents forthcoming visit to Moscow. The talks focused on their bilateral relations, following Russias conflict with Georgia. Russia has blamed Israel for supplying Georgia with military equipment.

Related News:

Russia Says "No" to the UN

[07] Greek Tornado Duo Finishes 10th

By Ampelakis Spyros

The Greek due Kostas Trigonis and Iordanis Paschalides, who stood good chances of claiming a Tornado medal, landed tenth place. Fernando Echavarri and Anton Paz of Spain won gold. Australians Ashby and Bunddock held onto the silver medal position, with Santiago Lange and Carlos Espinola of Argentina winning bronze.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Stergiou & Smalios Eliminated

By Thanasis Karlos

Antonia Stergiou of Greece did not do well in the Womens High Jump prelims. Clearing 1.85m, way below her personal best of 1.97m, Stergiou finished 12th in Group A and was eliminated.

Giannis-Giorgos Smalios of Greece also failed to advance to the final of the Mens Javelin Throw, since his best throw of 71.87m earned him 13th place in Group B of the preliminary round.

"My participation was a rocking experience. I failed to achieve something better. I wasnt in good condition. Competing in such a packed stadium was fantastic," commented Smalios.

[09] Tsoumeleka Finishes 9th in Women's 20km Walk

By Thanasis Karlos

Athanasia Tsoumeleka, the Greek athlete who won gold in Athens in the womens 20 km walk, finished ninth in Beijing setting a new Greek record time of 1:27.54. Evaggelia Ksynou finished 25th clocking 1:32:19 and Despina Zapounidou 41st, clocking 1:39:11.

Tsoumeleka: "I Thank Those Who Stood by Me"

"Despite the problems I had been facing, I set a new Greek record and thats why Im satisfied. All the girls performed well. The weather conditions were harsh, but the race was quick. Many thanks to the people who are close to me and my team mates who defied the rain and came here to stand by me," said Tsoumeleka.

Ksynou: "My Participation Was a Dream"

"My participation in the Olympic Games was a dream that came true. My goal was to finish the race and I achieved a new personal best. The weather conditions were harsh, but I did my best. I thank all those who were by my side. I was a little stressed before the race, but I left everything behind after the startoff," commented Ksynou.

Zapounidou: "My Best Experience Ever"

"Everything turned out well, although I was way below by personal best. The conditions were good and the Olympic experience is unique. It is my best experience ever," said Despina Zapounidou.

Translated by Areti Christou

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