The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] From 10:00 to 16:00 Work Stoppage

ERTonline is participating in the six-hour work stoppage the Journalists Union if Athens Daily Newspapers has scheduled from 10:00 to 16:00, aiming to allow its members to attend the general assembly of the Union. Therefore ERTs website will not be updated from 10:00 to 16:00. The general assembly starts at 11pm at the Indoor Taekwondo Hall in Paleo Faliro.

[02] Measures against Illegal Immigration US National Guard along Border

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA-Reuters-BBC-CNN

US President George W. Bush announced tougher measures in his effort to crack down on illegal immigration, mainly coming from Mexico. Actually, he called for the deployment of 6,000 National Guard troops along the US-Mexico border within June. The role of the National Guard troops will be supporting, as they will be assigned to construct security fences and barriers and high-tech surveillance devices along the border. Bush has also asked the Congress to approve an increase in the number of Border Patrol agents to 18,000 by the end of 2008, as well as the installation of new hi-tech detection measures including hi-tech fences, new border patrol roads, and motion sensors along the southern border. This was the first time, after Bush came to power that delivered a televised address for a domestic affair.

The Debate within the Congress

The US Presidents televised address coincided with the repetition of the public debate on the illegal immigration reform within the Congress.

The Congress has long been debating on the reforms that have divided the Republicans, as the most conservative ones demand illegal immigration be cracked down, while the moderate ones champion immigrants integration, for the latter contribute to the countrys economy.

In December, the US Congress approved a plan providing for the construction of a 1,000 metre tall fence along the US-Mexico border.

That decision prompted a wave of protests, with hundreds of people taking to the streets to protest against plans to criminalise illegal immigrants.

Activists are staging a national rally in Washington on May 17.

Interestingly, some 12 million illegal immigrants live in the USA.

Bush endorses a controlled legalisation process, without amounting to citizenship.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Bush unveils immigration reforms

CNN: Bush calls for 6,000 troops along border

[03] Brazil's Jail Uprisings End

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA-Reuters

Uprisings in Sao Paulos jails were terminated late on Monday, following talks between the inmates and the police forces, while some 200 people held hostages were also set free. As per the latest account, the 180 attacks mounted by organised gangs against police forces killed 81 people, including 39 police officers, and wounded further 48.

The coordinated revolts that rocked 73 of the 144 prisons, started on Friday night and were prompted by the transfer of hundreds of prisoners of the First Command of the Capital (PCC) criminal faction to a high-security prison.

Some eight leaders of gangs trafficking drags were among those transferred. In Sao Paulo, the most densely populated and richest states in Brazil, there are 144 prisons housing a total of 125,000 inmates.

It is the biggest prison revolt in Brazils history. Similar revolts were also recorded in 29 prisons in 2001.

Then, 10,000 people were held hostage, with most of them being relatives of inmates.

Related News:

Volatile Situation in Brazil

[04] Daskalopoulos Replaces Kyriakopoulos Changing of Hands in FGI

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The annual general assembly of the Federation of Greek Industries (FGI) to be hosted Tuesday at the Athens Concert Hall will signal the changing of hands. FGI Vice-President Dimitris Daskalopoulos is expected to succeed outgoing President Oddysseas Kyriakopoulos. President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias will also attend the evening assembly, while Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will deliver a speech. Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Mr Daskalopoulos are the key speakers. PASOK leader George Papandreou will address the morning assembly, where only FGI members will be present.

[05] First Step for Panathinaikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panathinaikos put its right foot forward in the semifinal round of play-offs of Division 1 Basketball. The "greens" easily defeated Aris 83-67 in the Indoors Hall of Galatsi and earned 1-0 in the games between them. On Thursday, the two teams will play against each other once again and are aimed at tying in Alexandreio Stadium, Thessaloniki, at 19:00. It is reminded that qualification in the finals is ruled at three wins. The score of the ten-minute periods: 21-19, 46-40, 70-51, 83-67.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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