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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Hundreds of Civilians Killed

08 Αυγ 2008 18:31:00

Sources: ANA, Reuters

With developments in South Ossetia assuming radical dimensions, a spokesman of the Georgian Foreign Ministry admitted that Georgia had lost control of a part of Tskhinvali, the capital city of the breakaway province of South Ossetia. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, while Tskhinvali has almost been destroyed by heavy artillery pounding, claimed the commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces. Ten troops of the Russian force have been killed, said Interfax news agency. In the meantime, the USA said that its troops in Georgia have not been involved in the clashes between the Russian and Georgian armies. Georgia has made the third larger contribution to the US-led allied forces in Iraq, and the US army has been training Georgian troops. A US Pentagon spokesman denied that Georgia had asked them for help.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] By UN General Secretary

08 Αυγ 2008 16:03:00 (Last updated: 08 Αυγ 2008 17:09:10)

truce during the Games

Sources: ANA.AFP

After recent clashes in Ossetia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a video appeal at the ceremony calling on warring nations to honour a traditional truce during the Games. "I call on all those engaged in hostilities to respect it." "Let them lay down their weapons, if only temporarily, so that humanity can lay claim to gold even before the Games begin," he said in a message almost two weeks before the start of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Worldwide

08 Αυγ 2008 16:50:00

Sources: ANA-MPA

On the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, activists gathered in several countries to protest Chinas poor human rights record with regard to Tibet. There were clashes and arrests. In India, about 150 Tibetan monks tried to storm the Chinese embassy. In Ankara, Turkey, a demonstrator tried to set himself on fire, while a record number of Tibetan exiles was seized in Nepal. Anti-China rallied were also staged in London and Brussels, while activists in Paris demanded freedom of Press be safeguarded in China. Three American activists that tried to protest near the Olympic venues in Beijing were arrested.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Most Expensive Olympic Games!

Sources: NET

They promised the most expensive Olympic Games opening ceremony. They modernized transport infrastructure, like airports, motorways and metro. They applied methods and policies for the reduction of air pollution. It is a fact that China has the ambition to be written history for the excellent organization of the games and for the total cost. According to official estimations Beijing will organize the most expensive games in history. The biggest amount of money was distributed in works of green, trying that way to scatter the impressions of air pollution in Beijing. The bill? More than 40 billion dollars, Beijing Olympic Games cost 20 times more than Atlanta 12 years before. What must be stressed it that Athens Olympic Games cost 16 billion dollars, Sydney 1,5 and Atlanta 1,7.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Outcry for US Methods

08 Αυγ 2008 16:26:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Recent information by humanitarian organizations revealing that American forces use wooden boxes to isolate violent prisoners has triggered outcries. The photos released to public are shocking. These boxes are two meters high and have one meter width. According to a representative of the US army, prisoners are kept there for even 12 hours while every 50 minutes somebody checks on them to see if they are all right. Members of humanitarian organizations launch accusations per inhumane conditions of imprisonment as prisoners can not even move in these boxes.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Fire Fronts under Control

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The fire burning forestland at Neos Pyrgos at the Oraii municipality has been brought under partial control, while the Fire Brigade and fire-fighting planes are trying to put the fire under control. Meanwhile, the fire that broke out at a fir forest on Mt Parnonas has been brought under partial control. Regarding the rest of the fire fronts, the Fire Brigade has reported that they are under control.

Meanwhile, the General Secretariat of Political Protection has issued a warning for Athens, Eastern Attica, Evia, Lesvos, Chios, Samos and the Cyclades, which are running a high risk for fires.

At the same time, PASOK cadres are paying a tour at the fire-hit areas of Rhodes. PASOK cadre Spyros Kouvelis stressed the need for initiatives to be taken against floods and landslides, as well as ways to boost reforestation and the management of water, which had reduced.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] By Medecin du Monde

08 Αυγ 2008 14:06:00

The Luis Valtuena International Humanitarian Photography Award, established as by Medecin du Monde, is a tribute to four humanitarian workers who were murdered in the field: Flors Sirera, Luis Valtuena and Manuel Madrazo in Rwanda and Mercedes Navarro in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Every year since 1998, this Award invites amateur and professional photographers around the world to capture the essence of humanitarian and solidarity values and actions in scenes that they have witnessed first-hand during the previous 12 months. It is opened to adult photographers of any nationality, both amateur and professional. Luis Valtuena was a professional photographer and was working as a reporter for the photography agency Cover.

[08] In Czech Republic

08 Αυγ 2008 13:36:00

Sources: ANA, Reuters, AFP

At least 6 people have died and 31 are injured when a Eurocity train collapsed ran onto a collapsed bridge in Czech Republic. Initial reports suggest the train was travelling at speeds of 140km/h (87 mph) when it hit the bridge at 1030 local time (0830GMT). The accident was reported near the eastern town of Studenka. The engine and three passenger carriages were derailed.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Kurds Sabotage BTC Oil Pipeline

Sources: ANA-MPA

Separatist Kurdish rebels claimed responsibility Friday for a blast that cut a strategic oil pipeline in Turkey. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline at Refahiye in eastern Turkey has been on fire since the blast on Tuesday night and is expected to be closed for 15 days.

The separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said the explosion was "an act of sabotage" by its militants and more details would be revealed later, according to a report on the website of the Firat news agency which is close to the rebels.

An official from Turkeys state-run oil and gas company, BOTAS, told Anatolia news agency Thursday that no trace of a sabotage had been found but a definite conclusion could be made only after the fire at the pipeline was extinguished.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, has sabotaged gas and oil pipelines in the past as part of its armed campaign for self-rule in the mainly Kurdish southeast.

The blast has sent international prices higher. As per analysts, the disruption of the oil pipeline may last longer than the Turkish authorities have said.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] Fresh Indictments on Mykonos Crime

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Prosecutor has filed fresh charges on felony and voluntary homicide against the 25-year-old man for the death of the 20-year-old Australian in Mykonos. The other three involved in the incident were also charged with voluntary homicide. Following this development, the four accused will be summoned to re-testify.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] 81 People Injured

08 Αυγ 2008 11:46:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

A hydrofoil struck a pier in Trapani port in south Italy last night, injuring 81 passengers. Ten people were injured and a 54 year-old woman succumbed to her injuries in a similar incident in the same port last year said Italian news agency Ansa. The hydrofoil was en route from Trapani port to Fabiniana island, off the west of Sicily with 144 passengers on board when it hit a pier during its entrance to the port. "It was a nightmare said a woman passenger. After the strong struck, the lights went off. I could not even see my son next to me, said the mother of a 10 year old", who was seriously injured. An investigation is conducted to find the cause of the accident.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[12] Holidaymakers Smooth Exodus

By Vivian Papastefanou

Summer holidaymakers exodus from urban centers continues without particular problems. Movement is smooth at the Piraeus and Rafina ports with 36 services to the islands departing from Piraeus port and 16 from Rafina. Also traffic is smooth in both national roads at this time. Trucks above 1.5 tone capacity are banned from national roads from 16:00 to 21:00.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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