The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] 78th Academy Award Ceremony Finishing Touches for the Oscars

By Vagelis Theodorou

Just a few hours remain until the 78th Academy Award ceremony on Sunday night at 5pm PT and the finishing touches are in place at Hollywoods Kodak Theater. The red carpet has been laid, awaiting the stars, while huge decorative Oscars adorn the entrance. At the same time, the 50 golden statuettes were carried backstage by 50 students and will be closely guarded until they are awarded to the winners. Ang Lees "Brokeback Mountain" is considered the favourite, as it has been nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Director and Actor. The other movies nominated for Best Picture are "Capote", "Crash", "Goodnight and Good Luck" and "Munich". In addition, the films "Goodnight and Good Luck", "Crash" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" are nominated for six Academy Awards.

Suspense Escalates

The nominees for Best Actor in a Leading Role are: Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Capote", Terrence Howard in "Hustle & Flow", Heath Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain", Joaquin Phoenix in "Walk the Line" and David Strathairn in "Good Night, and Good Luck."

The nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role are: Judi Dench in "Mrs. Henderson Presents", Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica", Keira Knightley in "Pride & Prejudice", Charlize Theron in "North Country" and Reese Witherspoon in "Walk the Line."

The nominees for Best Actor in Supporting Role are: George Clooney in "Syriana", Matt Dillon in "Crash", Paul Giamatti in "Cinderella Man", Jake Gyllenhaal in "Brokeback Mountain" and William Hurt in "A History of Violence."

The nominees for Best Actress in a Supporting Role are: Amy Adams in "Junebug", Catherine Keener in "Capote", Frances McDormand in "North Country", Rachel Weisz in "The Constant Gardener" and Michelle Williams in "Brokeback Mountain."

The movies nominated for Original Screenplay are: "Crash", "Good Night, and Good Luck", "Match Point, The Squid and the Whale" and "Syriana." On the other hand, the films nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay are: "Brokeback Mountain", "Capote", "The Constant Gardener", "A History of Violence" and "Munich."

Finally, the movies nominated for Best Foreign Film are: "Dont Tell" (Italy), "Joyeux No&#235;l" (France), "Paradise Now" (Palestine), "Sophie Scholl - The Final Days" (Germany) and "Tsotsi" (South Africa).

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Celebrations throughout Greece In the Beat of the Carnival

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Carnival is culminating on Sunday with celebrations throughout Greece. As always, Patras, which is also the Cultural Capital of Europe this year, holds the reins. The local parade is scheduled to start at 3pm, while the King of Carnival will be burnt at the Agios Nikolaos pier. In Athens, all the interest is focused in Zappeio, where the multi-member Magikes Svoures troupe will set the festive mood for kiddies with maypoles, jugglers, costumes, hot-air balloons and music. In addition, Carnival events will also be held in Northern Greece and specifically in Xanthi, Drama, Kavala and Kozani.

The cities organising Carnival celebrations also constituted the main destinations of the long-weekend excursionists, who abandoned the major urban centres, with the weather proving a great ally. As a matter of fact, the number of Ash Monday holidaymakers increased by 20% this year. The Traffic Police is on alert to protect and facilitate the drivers.

However, Ash Monday, the first day of Lent, is expected to be marred by rain, as the meteorologists forecast rainfalls in the NW and mainland Greece, while strong to gusty northern winds are expected in the afternoon.

It should be noted that Athens Varvakios Market will open from midnight Sunday to 1:30pm Ash Monday, while the open-air markers will operate as normal.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Last-Minute Goodies

Excursionists on the Go

[03] Prompted by Prophet Mohammad's Cartoons Zawahiri Calls for Attacks

By Vagelis Theodorou

Al-Qaedas number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, called the Muslims to arms, on the occasion of the publication of Prophet Mohammads cartoons. In a video message posted on an Islamic website, Zawahiri urged the Muslims to boycott Denmark, Norway, France and Germany, and strike the West with attacks similar to those launched against the USA, Madrid and London. At the same time, Zawahiri called for collective actions by Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan and Tunisia, directly accusing the USA and the West of "stealing the Muslims oil."

As per Al-Qaedas number two, the cartoons constitute an insult against Prophet Mohammad, while their publication was "an example of the hatred of the crusaders, who are led by America."

Meanwhile, Zawahiri called on Hamas to continue its armed struggle against Israel and not accept the "surrender accords", referring to the Oslo Accords, signed in 1993 between the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and Israel, and the Road Map, the latest UN peace plan for the Middle East.

The video message has not been authenticated yet; however it was posted on a website used by Islamic groups.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

Der Spiegel: Sawahiri fordert Muslime zum Boykott Deutschlands auf

ÂÂC: Zawahiri berates West on cartoons

[04] Kallithea Scores a Breather

By Stathis Petropoulos

In round 22 of the Greek championship, Kallithea achieved a significant victory, defeating Levadiakos by 3-2 and continuing its efforts to stay in Division 1. The home team was in high spirits right from the word go and the quick goal gave them control of the game. In the 18, Koutsospyros scored the only goal of the first half. The second goal for Kallithea was scored just two minutes after the start of the second half, when Petkovic found the mark from up close. Levadiakos got back in the game in the 60, when substitute Bushi kicked a goal to make the score 2-1. The team then missed a couple of great opportunities and was found trailing even further, when Cleber scored yet another goal for Kallithea. In the 85, Bushi converted a free kick to a goal, making the final score 3-2, while three minutes later Kallitheas Petkovic was sent off with a yellow-red card.

Referee: Kakos Yellow Cards: Koulakiotis, Petkovic, Tsiolis, Koutsospyros Sisic Red Cards: Petkovic (88, yellow-red)

KALLITHEA (Giorgos Vazakas): Bartzokas, Venetis, Koulakiotis, Belegrinis (73 Karatzas), Tsiolis, Georgiev (+90 Diamantis), Pasas, Petkovic, Cleber (80 Tsigas), Sylla, Koutsospyros

LEVADIAKOS (Takis Lemonis): Karakostas, Theodosiadis (58 Chrysafis), Anderson, Dimitropoulos, Kallimanis, Macheras, Vitali (81 Manikas), Bassala, Sisic, Alex, Rusev (46 Bushi).

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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