The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Mt Athos

23 Αυγ 2008 13:05:00 (Last updated: 23 Αυγ 2008 15:31:56)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had an unscheduled meeting with UN envoy Matthew Nimetz, who visited Mt Athos, after his negotiations on the FYROM name row in Thessaloniki. The meeting was also attended by Greek ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis wgo escorted Nimetz in his trip to Athos. "We touched on several issues, briefed him on the negotiations taking place between Skopje and Athens. His Excellency encouraged me to continue my mission," commented Nimetz after the meeting. As per information, the two men discussed matters pertaining to the regions Orthodox Churches, peace and human rights.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Aiming to Break up Mylonas' Gang

23 Αυγ 2008 13:24:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The police investigation aiming to break up the gang that masterminded the abduction of high-profile Greek businessman Giorgos Mylonas is in full swing. Eight arrestees, including notorious criminal Vassilia Paleokostas, and three key suspects of the abduction were referred to the Thessaloniki Prosecutor amid tight security. Charged with felonies, the defendants were given a deadline to testify.

The police manhunt is taking place across Greece, with emphasis placed on certain bank branches to see whether more people are involved in the case. According to the evidence collected so far, insiders possibly helped them with the laundering of the ransom money.

Related News:

New Arrests

[03] Attention Shifted to Doping

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has allegedly blamed the OAKA anti-doping lab for being incapable of detecting athletes who have taken performance-enhancing drugs. According to a press report that appeared in TA NEA paper, both the International Olympic Committee and WADA are gravely concerned over the fact that had the eleven Greek weightlifters not been detected by the Cologne labs, the rest would not have been detected, either. The press report read that the anti-doping agency had been supposed to conduct tests for the M3 substance since 2005, since it was on WADAs list with the prohibited substances. In the meantime, the statements International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge allegedly made against Greece have sparked fiery reactions. According to Greek Olympic Committee President Minos Kyriakou, Rogge said that Greece claimed gold in doping, trailed by Bulgaria and Russia.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Russian troops in Key Positions

Russia will maintain control of the main road linking Georgias capital Tbilisi with the Black Sea port aimed to create a "security zone" near the separatist territory of South Ossetia.

Georgias authorities said today that Russian troops are erecting checkpoints in 8 positions to check traffic to South Ossetia through the east-west highway in Georgian territory. Negotiations on the checkpoint positions are being carried out with Georgias Security Council secretary, who said today that agreement on positions have not been finalized yet.

The security zone mainly includes the largest part of the road linking Georgian port Poti with the city Senaki, in west Georgia where the Russian forces have control of a significant military airport. Observers believe that Russia plans to control about 15km from the borders of South Ossetia into Georgian territory. According Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy chief of the Russian General Staff, Russian troops have withdrawn and only peacekeepers have remained.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Airbus Makes Emergency Landing

Easyjet, "Airbus" plane carrying 130 passengers made an emergency landing in France after the crew reported smoke in the cockpit. The plane, en route from London to Cagliari in Sardinia, landed at Nice in southeastern France where the pilot and copilot were taken to hospital for tests after suffering breathing problems. The airways company attributed the incident to "an electrical problem" in the cockpit. However the smoke had dispersed by the time firefighters arrived at the cockpit. Passengers are all well.They were were due to take another flight to their destination later in the day. Port authorities are investigating the incident.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Ethymiou Discharged from hospital

Socialist deputy Petros Efthymiou, who was attacked Friday in central Athens, was discharged Saturday from hospital. Sustaining a minor brain damage, he spent the night in hospital for precautionary reasons.

Exiting the hospital, he once again expressed his gratitude to lawyer Rouvas, who prevented a murderous blow, and thanked the journalists for the way they handled the matter. Efthymiou said he was not able to recognize the assailant from the photos of suspects shown to him, yet he voiced his conviction that he would be arrested.

The Greek political world unanimously condemned the attack, while Efthymiou spoke of a murderous para-state. In the meantime, a manhunt to locate and arrest the assailant of the attack is in full swing.

Related News:

Attack Unanimously Condemned

[07] Hong Kong: Typhoon Nuri Weakens

Sources: REUTERS

Typhoon Nuri, which shut down much of Hong Kong for a day, was gradually weakening on Saturday after making landfall in China, though it disrupted hundreds of flights and left three people dead in Guangdong province.

Hong Kong, which was forced to cancel or delay hundreds of flights when Nuri made a rare direct hit on the city on Friday faced an aviation crunch early on Saturday as thousands of stranded passengers flocked to the airport.

The typhoon was the most severe to hit Hong Kong in five years, toppling scaffolding and trees. Dozens of people were injured and one man who went swimming was washed away by heavy swells. The typhoon has now been downgraded to a weak tropical depression.

[08] Karzai Condemns Civilian Deaths

Sources: REUTERS

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned a U.S-led coalition air strike that the government says killed 76 civilians, most of them women and children.

Civilian deaths in military operations are an emotive issue for Afghans, many of whom feel international forces take too little care when launching air strikes, undermining support for the presence of foreign troops.

The US military says only armed Taliban militants were killed in Fridays attack.

Nearly 700 civilians were killed in the first six months of this year, 255 of them by Afghan government and international troops, the rest by Taliban militants.

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemns the uncoordinated air strike by coalition forces in Shindand district of Herat province which resulted in the death of at least 70 people including women and children," the presidents office said in a statement.

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