The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Demands Deficit be Reduced OECD Sounds Alarm

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) urges the Greek economy to take immediate steps towards fiscal improvement and to achieve convergence. The report will be released on Thursday. As per information, OECD estimates that the reduction in deficit will not be achieved on time, therefore the government should proceed with radical changes. At the same time, OECD describes Greeces social security as a "time bomb", and predicts that unless immediate measures are taken, Greece will be caught in the middle of a grave fiscal crisis due to demographic problems. The report also underlines the importance of brave structural reforms and suggests an immediate opening up to purchases as well as bigger flexibility regarding labour be adopted.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[02] Near Sperchiada "A7 Corair" Crashes

By Anna Kourti

An A7 Corsair fell at 10am north of Sperchiada. As per Greek Air Force sources the fighter plane was on an educational flight. The pilot successfully used the ejector seat and escaped danger. Air Force helicopters rushed to the area to search for the pilot and carry him to the 251 Air Force Hospital. The causes of the fall remain to be investigated.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Discovery Launches on July 13 Ready to Launch

By Vagelis Theodorou

NASA has scheduled the first shuttle launch after Columbia tragedy in 2003 for Wednesday 13. After feverish checks employed to minimise the possibility of a new accident, Discovery and its seven-member crew leave Florida at 23:15 (Greek local time) to reach the International Space Station (ISS) carrying supplies. "Based on a very thorough and very successful flight readiness review, were currently go for launch of Discovery on 13 July," announced NASA administrator Michael Griffin. NASA has made elaborate preparations, since shuttle Atlantis will be on readiness in case of an emergency. However, NASA has failed to meet two out of the 14 recommendations made by the committee that investigated the Columbia disaster.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

NASA

[04] Traffic Forecasting Bulletin Traffic Forecast

By Vagelis Theodorou

Would you like to know the traffic conditions seven days in advance? Yes, you would! In fact, you would be thrilled, since you would avoid tragic jam, irritation and endless hooting. It is not science fiction, it is a fact. The first traffic forecasting news bulletin has been on air since the end of June in California, USA. The Beat-the-Traffic system is not less important than the long-established weather forecast. KXTN channel enables its viewers to get 3D animations of their local road network depicting the current traffic conditions, as well as the hot spots. "Congestion depends on recurring work and errand habits," said Andre Queziec president of Triangle Software, which developed the software.

Averting Traffic Jam

Beat-the-traffic uses real time information from major road routes to air its bulletin. The system also processes data from past car accidents in order to forecast the traffics disruption in case of a new accident.

It capacities seem endless, since it uses alerts on weather conditions possible to affect traffic, road works and even sporting events.

The masterminds behind this technological breakthrough believe that congestion levels depend mostly on the day of week and the time of day as well as weekly-repeated patterns. They also think that traffic, and therefore forecasts, can be thwarted by unpredicted factors. However they hope that traffic forecasts can be as common as those of weather.

For the time being, Californias drivers seem to trust the system, while it is expected to be implemented to 19 senior US cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta and San Francisco.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Beat The Traffic

[05] Clashes Ahead of G8 Injuries And Arrests

By Vagelis Theodorou

The police have formed a cordon around the Scottish capital ahead of the G8 Summit due on Wednesday in Gleneagles. In the meantime, 21 people were injured including four policemen, and 100 were arrested after clashes with the police on Tuesday morning. The incidents were reported during the "carnival for full pleasure" demonstration organised by anti-G8 activists who were dressed like clowns. According to the police spokesperson the incidents were triggered by a group of demonstrators who had maps, radios and mobile phones in their possession. At the same time, demonstrators blocked the road near the British naval base.

Draconian Security Measures

Scotlands authorities are on alert to avert any violent incidents like those that accompanied former G8 Summits.

A police cordon has been formed around the hotel scheduled to host the Summit, while the area is guarded by 3,000 ground policemen and two helicopters.

Authorities are expecting mass rallies on Wednesday. Circulation has been banned in certain parts of Edinburgh to prevent demonstrators from approaching the so-called sensitive spots housing world economic organisations.

The leaders of the eight richest counties of the world are to discuss the poverty in Africa and the climate changes. However, an agreement on the environment is viewed as impossible due to George Bush stance, who blatantly rejected any deal similar to the Kyoto Protocol. He also warned his friend and acting Summit President Tony Blair not to wait any favours in return of Britains backing on the war in Iraq.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Got Drunk Along With a Tiger!

By Vagelis Theodorou

An American tourist, probably feeling lonely in Munich, hanged out with a tiger to have some beers. The 28-year-old tourist broke into the Hollabrunn zoo at night and made his way towards the cage of the tiger. He had first stolen beer from the zoo shop lest he should visit the tiger empty-handed. After feeding the tiger, he drank so much himself that he passed out. Hollabrunn zoo keepers found the young tourist still out cold in front of the panda cage. Perhaps he intended to pay it a visit too! The American tourist was arrested and he is expected to be taken to court charged with break-in, theft and animal abuse.

Translated by Areti Christou

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