The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Accused of Masterminding Mylonas' Abduction

20 Αυγ 2008 23:19:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Notorious criminal Vassilis Paleokostas 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. The two men were taken to the police headquarters in Thessaloniki.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Greece Downed 80-78 by Argentina

By Ampelakis Spyros

Sources: ANA

After a nail-biting game, the Greek national basketball team was downed 80-78 by reigning Olympic champion Argentina and lost its chance to claim its first Olympic medal ever. Argentina will now play against the USA on Friday. Vassilis Spanoulis of Greece missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, dashing Greeces Olympic dreams. The score per period: 22-23, 39-40, 56-55, 80-78.

ARGENTINA: Scola 11, Ginobili 24, Gonzalez, Oberto, Prigioni 7, Delfino 23, Gutierrez 3, Nocioni12.

GREECE: Papaloukas 4, Bourousis 12, Zisis 5 (1), Spanoulis 9, Vasilopoulos 10 (2), Fotsis 17 (3), Printezis, Tsartsaris 13, Diamantides 6 (2), Schortsianitis 2, Pelekanos.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] I Would Never Do Anything to "Kill" Myself

20 Αυγ 2008 17:57:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ΝΕΤ-105.8, ΝΕΤ, ANA-MPA

Greek Justice will decide whether Greek champion Fani Halkia, who was tested positive to M3, is guilty or innocent. She does not feel guilty, though, and sleeps well at nights.

The front cover of Eleftheria paper that hosted her interview read: "I Have a Clear Conscience."

"I sleep well at nights, because never did I do something that could get me killed or dishonour my country and my hometown," argued Halkia.

From the very first moment, both the 29yo athlete and her coach spoke of sabotage.

"I have sent all substances I had been taken to the National Organisation for Medicines to have them tested and I am waiting for the results. The sooner the evidence reaches justice, the sooner everything will come to light." However, nothing has been sent to the National Organisation for Medicines.

In the meantime, First Instance Court Prosecutor Panayiotis Poulios have been given the file with the evidence the International Olympic Committee collected on Halkias case, since the IOC decided to file a lawsuit.

[04] Priority to Consumers

20 Αυγ 2008 17:11:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA

Greeces Development Minister Christos Folias said, "There is a crystal clear political will to help free competition come into being, exhausting all available institutional capabilities. A price ceiling on fuels is to help towards that end."

"Competition rules should be respected by all parties," noted Folias, also adding, "we [the government] are determined to put an end to practices that do not honour the Greek market." "No one is above the law," argued the Development Minister.

Asked to comment on statements by Cretes prefectures, whereby they cannot put the Ministrys decision into practice, because they are understaffed, Folias claimed, "And they remembered that now?"

Imposing a price ceiling on fuel, which came late and in a wrong manner, proved the Governments failed policy, PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) press spokesman Giorgos Papakonstantinou told NET radio station.

The Development Minister rushed in the middle of the summer to surprise everyone with patchworks and improvisations, noted LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally).

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] He Is Due on Mt Athos

20 Αυγ 2008 15:10:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was warmly welcomed Wednesday noon in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. He is due to visit Mt Athos to attend the festive events commemorating 500 years since the death of Saint Nifon, second founder of Dionisios Monastery.

Upon his arrival at the Macedonia Airport, Bartholomew said he was happy to be in Greece and in the land of Macedonia.

"On behalf of the Mother Church, I am here to convey feelings of affection, love and blessing to the pious people of Greece. I am praying these days for the victims of the Caucasus war and I am praying for peace in our region and in the world," said the Ecumenical Patriarch.

Related News:

Bartholomew to Visit Mt Athos

[06] Tsoumeleka Tested for Drugs Prior to Startoff

By Ampelakis Spyros

So far, the Greek athletes have been tested for prohibited substances upon their arrival at the Olympic Village. The first to be submitted to a surprise WADA test was judoka Ilias Iliades. Bronze Olympic medallist in Triple Jump Pigi Devetzi was tested a few days later.

On Wednesday, however, WADA experts paid a surprise visit to the Greek quarter of the Olympic Village and took samples from Athanasia Tsoumeleka, the Greek athlete who won gold in Athens in the womens 20 km walk, just a few hours before startoff.

Translated by Areti Christou

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