The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Meeting of PASOK Parliamentary Group "ND is Unmeaning"

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

President of PASOK let out a harsh attack against the government, during the meeting of the Parliamentary Group of the party. "PASOK counterattacks as the government lacks vision, a plan and a program, and undermines and mortgages the countrys future. ND is unmeaning," said Mr Papandreou. On the issue of the bank employees social security, he accused the government of suffering from the fiscal inventory and main shareholder syndrome and attempts to cash in with the adjustment of financial interests, speaking of "a particular funding" and for "a fund for the banks." In view of the PMs trip to Brussels for the Summit Meeting, Mr Papandreou accused Mr Karamanlis of negotiating with communication tricks and going to the Summit Meeting unprepared and under rueful results, such as the main shareholder and the fiscal inventory. On the issue of Turkeys possible accession in the EU, he claimed that Mr Karamanlis has turned Greece into negligible quantity. On the issue of consensus, he stated that the confidence vote discussion in Parliament ended the use of the consensus myth as propaganda.

Commenting on the internal developments in the party, Mr Papandreou noted the need for unity and called on the members to not act as political reporters or commentators and serve the needs of the Mass Media when they appear on television.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] 7 Richter Earthquake in Pacific Ocean Disorder in California

By Tina Valaoura

On Tuesday night, a strong earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale occurred near the coast of California. According to the U.S. Geological Institute the earthquake was recorded in the Pacific Ocean at 19:50 West Coast time (05:50 Greek time), 90 km west of the California and Oregon coastlines in a depth of around 10 km. Even if the seismologists described the quake as "major" there were no reports of victims or damage. A tsunami warning was issued in the coastal shores from the California-Mexico border to Vancouver, Canada, which was lifted since there was no concern. It is noted that the epicenter of the earthquake was 146 k m west of Crescent City, California, a coastal town that had been struck by a deadly tsunami in 1964.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Just One Night to Go

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Greece is setting the pace day and night. And there is just one night and day left. Until what you may ask? Until the night of the reigning stars! And if you rush to say the Brazilian stars, then you might have to consider that Greece has many stars of its own. Actually, they are not adorning the Greeks sky, since the 23 stars have moved a little to the north, shining over Germany. And that is exactly where they will be offering magical nights, full of football fantasies. Along with Ronaldinho, Kaka and Andriano, Greeces Charisteas, Giannakopoulos, Zagorakis and Karagounis are promising unforgettable memories. Greece will be living in a dream until tomorrow night. And even if the result is not positive, so what? You dont get to play against Brazil every day; neither are you a European Champion all the time.

Vryzas-Amanatidis Participated in Training

As far as the actual players go, things are looking up for Greece.

Zisis Vryzas and Giannis Amanatidis trained as per normal in todays second last training session prior to the match against Brazil.

Actually, Vryzas was struggling a bit, but he did manage to finish the session.

Stelios Giannakopoulos and Giorgos Karagounis followed an individual training programme, but mainly as a precaution, while they will be joining the team in tomorrows session. That is not the case with Michalis Kapsis, though, who also followed an individual programme today.

Calm and Determined

The big night when the reigning European Champions will play against the reigning World Champions is approaching.

On Thursday, the Greek National team will be participating in the hardest crash test ever, as they will be taking on the best team in the world.

However, the glow of the Brazilian stars does not seem to faze Otto Rehhagels boys. On the contrary, the Greek players cant wait to battle it out with the five times World Champion, mainly because they want to honour their coach, but also offer glorious moments to the thousands of Greek fans who will be lucky enough to watch the match from the stands.

As per Michalis Kapsis, Rehhagel helped us and made us European Champions. Now it is out turn to help him by doing well in the Confederations Cup, which is being hosted in his birthplace, and also by qualifying for the World Cup. We have been talking amongst us in order to prepare as best as possible. As far as qualifying for the World Cup, our coach said that it would be hard, but our team thrives under pressure.

On the other hand, Kostas Katsouranis has got his feet firm on the ground. AEKs footballer confessed that Brazil is the absolute favourite in Thursdays match, however, he added, It is eleven of them and eleven of us. Granted, there are no gaps in that team, but we will play well and exhaust all our chances. A game against Brazil is special for any team, especially since they are World Champions and we are European Champions.

As far as Giorgos Karagounis views on Ronaldinho and Kaka, They are all great players, but I would have to say that Kaka is the best. I also want to say that we will be looking them in the eye, because this game is a challenge. We have proven that we can make it in tough matches, that is why we will aim for the best.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Five Dead and 10 Held Hostage Bloody Uprising in Brazilian Jail

By Tina Valaoura

Raw violence took control in a jail in southeastern Brazil. The clashes that occurred yesterday in jails, located 620 km west of Sao Paolo, resulted in the death of five prisoners. After their decapitation, their heads were held by their murders and cellmates for all to see.

The gruesome pictures broadcast by public television and international Mass Media were taken from the Presidente Venceslau Penitentiary, in which yesterdays clashes between rival gangs resulted in an uprising. According to a police spokesperson, the five victims were knifed and beaten to death, before they were beheaded. Following, the prisoners barricaded themselves in the facilities and held 14 wardens captive. After a 10-hour marathon negotiation, the four wardens were freed unharmed, while the prisoners have cut off communication and now the authorities are awaiting further developments.

It is noted that the bloody uprisings in Brazilian jails, which are known for their poor living conditions, is a frequent phenomenon.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Accident in Oil Storage Facilities

By Tina Valaoura

At least two people were killed and four injured in a strong explosion that occurred in oil storage facilities in Noginsk, near Moscow. The first evaluations of the Moscow police is that the accident occurred due to a violation of safety rules and a neglect from employees, during the discharge of a railway tank. However, local Governor Alexei Pantaleyev stated to Interfax news agency that the initial explosion took place in the laboratory located in the facilities.

After the explosion, two tanks and railway tanks caught on fire, while houses and a maternity hospital in a 300 m radius were evacuated for security reasons.

The Fire Department is making intensive efforts to set the fire under control.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Blair Wont Move Disagreements Cannot be Bridged

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ANA

Tony Blair appeared unwilling to make concessions regarding the matter of Britains rebates to the EU budget, raising concerns not only for the results of the upcoming Summit Meeting, but also for the cohesion of the EU. Actually, the meeting between the British PM and the French President in Paris, in the context of the latters presidency over the doubling of world aid to African countries, took place under the shadow of the French-British disagreement, which does look as if it will be bridged.

Continuing Deliberations

The British PM does not seem willing to give in concerning the EU budget. Initially, he rejected Luxemburgs proposal to freeze all rebates since 1984, as a contribution to the Community budget.

Specifically, following his talks with President Chirac, Tony Blair referred to their disagreement over the EU budget for 2007-2013.

Our talks were immensely amicable, but there is a sharp disagreement, while I cannot see how we can bridge that, declared the British PM, while he did confirm that the deliberations are continuing.

Meanwhile, Tony Blair proposed a temporary pause in the ratification process for the European Constitution, following the French and Dutch No.

On his part, the French President asked that the UK rebate be reviewed, but London counterattacked, demanding a review of the Common Agricultural Policy, which, as it mentioned, favours the French agricultural products.

Furthermore, Chirac asked for a fair and just agreement on the budget matters, in view of the Summit Meeting, urging Britain to have a share in it.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Diplomatic Obstructions

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - ANA

It remains unknown whether Turkey is prepared, as it has already announced, to sign the customs union protocol with the ten new EU Member-States, including Cyprus. According to diplomatic sources, however, Ankara will avoid making a commitment during the Summit Meeting, using the translation of the document as an excuse. As per Turkish newspaper Aksam, though, Turkish FM Abdullah Gul declared that his country would be signing the additional customs union protocol, but it is not in a hurry to have it ratified by the National Assembly. Furthermore, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared, The protocol will be translated in 20 languages, it will eventually come to us and we will study it. We will sign the Protocol, there is not a problem there, however, as you are aware, the Parliament is closing for holidays and will be reopening on 1 October.

On Annual Leave

Turkey will be represented at the EU Summit Meeting by the countrys Foreign Minister, while PM Erdogan has chosen to attend the Arab Economic Forum in Beirut.

Ankara, which will be probably declaring that signing the customs union protocol with the 10 Member-States does not constitute recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, is aware that this will be considered as a one-sided move, which will not be adopted by the 25.

The Turkish FM also claimed that the EU delayed on the matter, while had it terminated its timeframe two months ago, then Turkey would have also done the same.

Finally, Abdullah Gul added that the Turkish National Assembly is entering the holiday period and other laws have priority.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] World Record for Powell in Tsiklitiria

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The International Grand Prix Tsiklitiria, which was hosted in the Athens Olympic Stadium, offered the fans of track and field some memorable moments for yet another year. The meeting included a world record, some top performances and three national Greek records. Running like the wind, Jamaican Asafa Powell broke the world record for 100m with a time of 9.77, while the previous record was held by American Tim Montgomery (14/9/2002, Paris, 9.78). It should be noted that this is the second time that a world record is broken in the 100m run during this event, as in 1999, American Maurice Green had ran the race in 9.79. The race was very fast, as the sprinters who finished behind Powell also achieved personal records. Aziz Zakari, who finished second, went under 10 seconds (9.89) for the third time in his career, while Jamaican Michael Frater achieved a personal record with a time of 10.03.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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