June 29 [ 2007-06-29 08:00 ]
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The former cabaret
dancer is now Latin America's youngest head of
state |
1974: First female president for
Argentina |
England have
Maria Estela Isabel Martinez de Peron has been sworn in as interim
leader of the Argentine Republic.
Her husband President Juan Peron delegated responsibility after doctors
said he required 24-hour medical attention and rest.
Mrs Peron, a former cabaret
dancer, is now Argentina's first female president and at 43 the youngest
Latin American head of state.
Her 78-year-old husband has not been seen in public for two weeks and
is reported to be seriously ill with bronchitis and influenza.
In a state broadcast, Mrs Peron said her husband was "conscious that
his state of health prevents him from directly attending to government
affairs until his recovery".
Mrs Peron, known to the Argentine public as 'Isabelita', is Juan
Peron's third wife and became vice-president after his return to power in
September 1973.
The couple met in a night club in Panama during Juan Peron's years of
exile after being ousted from power in a military coup in 1955.
Argentina's main power groups, including the armed forces and labour
unions, are understood to have pledged Mrs Peron their support.
But regional experts say Isabelita will be inheriting a weak economy in
a country suffering from political violence and civil
unrest. |
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There are more link-ups
planned between Mir and the shuttle |
1970: King Hussein escapes killer's
bullet | Artificially 1969: The American and
Russian spacecraft have successfully docked in orbit for the first time in
20 years.
The US shuttle Atlantis delivered a relief crew of two
cosmonauts to the Russian Mir space station, signalling a new era of space
co-operation between the two former Cold War rivals.
The operation to link the craft was led by the commander of the
Atlantis, Robert Gibson. Flying over the Mediterranean at 17,500mph, he
lined up the Mir in his sights and with barely a shudder the two craft touched.
"We have capture," he said.
After the safety of the spacecraft was confirmed with the pressure
between them equalised, Gibson opened the hatch separating them.
Propelling himself through to the Russian craft he stretched out his
arm to shake hands with his counterpart.
"It seems hard to believe we're actually there. Atlantis." commander
Robert Gibson said.
The symbolic gesture was watched live from
Moscow by US Vice President Al Gore, and by the head of NASA Dan Goldin at
the Russian control centre.
The crew of the US shuttle moved into the Mir for group photos, before
presenting the cosmonauts with gifts of chocolate, fruit and flowers. The
Russians gave the Americans gifts of bread and salt, the traditional
symbols of welcome.
Mr Gibson said: "After all the training and the preparation it seems
hard to believe we're actually there but indeed we are."
The two spacecraft will remain attached for five days, giving the Mir
crew time to stock up on fresh water, oxygen and nitrogen. The crews will
carry out a range of scientific experiments.
A further six link-ups between the shuttle and Mir are planned, before
work on the assembly of an international space station begins in orbit in
two years' time. |
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Vocabulary:
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cabaret: a restaurant or nightclub providing short
programs of live entertainment(有歌舞表演的餐館)
bronchitis:
支氣管炎
shudder:
vibration;shiver(顫抖)
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