The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Oil to Hit $150

By Athina Saloustrou

OPEC appears ready to intervene to smooth out global oil market. Oil prices shot up nearly $11 a barrel in one single day to hit Friday a record $139. American crude for July delivery contract closed at $138.54 while Brent at $137.69. According to analysts a dollar decline, rise in US unemployment rate to 5.5% in May from 5% in April, inflation and slow economic growth contribute to oil surge. Morgan Stanley released a report forecasting a "short-term spike in oil prices," as high as $150 a barrel by July 4. According to analysts, European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet hints that the bank might raise interest rates in July has contributed to oil surge. "This move will lead to further decline of the dollar and surge of oil prices". Spanish Socialist leader Jose Rodriges Zapatero suggested "more careful expressions.We all respect the Central Bank but expect higher responsibility from Mr.Trichet, as his announcement sparked off rises in mortgage loans interest rates". Black Friday had an impact on Europe and US stock markets. N.Y Dow Jones fell 394 points on Friday. Geopolitical jitters had an influence on investors confidence.

Taking the stand at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, Russian President Dimitri Mentventev attributed responsibility for world economic crisis to US egotism while high concern over the world situation was expressed by US Energy Secretary as well as the Energy Secretaries of the most developed countries in Asia which are meeting in Japan. However, they failed to reach common proposals for an exodus from the crisis.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] "PASP Reversal Force "

By Athina Saloustrou

In his speech today at PASP National Congress ( Students Union supporting PASOK) held at Tae Kvo Do Stadium, George Papandreou referred to daily life issues. Issues to be discussed during the congress are the Partys Founding Declaration and Charter as well as political positions on tertiary education. "the Right wing party must fall soon otherwise the destructive slide will continue and the slogan each one for himself and whatever he grabs will prevail" said PASOK leader. George Papandreou said that in our country there are two confronting views in response to the question "how the country is ruled". One view is represented in Greece by middlemen, party factors, jobbery and violence-describing this view as "totalitarian" and "fascist".

On the other hand, there is the view of Greece of transparency, deliberations, productive forces, citizens, rules and principles, a view "deeply national and democratic", PASOK president added. He did not miss to refer to A. Papandreou saying: "when he was speaking of Greece for the Greeks" A. Papandreou did not only mean relief from US guidance and relief of traditional Left from the S.U guidance.

PASOK president called on PASP to become a force for reversal and hope for state universities, which as he said was attacked by neo-conservatism and the ND party. Describing the situation at universities and technical colleges, he said that they have become hostages of corruption of consciences, transactions, teachers indifference, isolation, formulism and a paper-degree- instead of free critical knowledge.

Mr. Papandreou said that the students movement is "hostage of the absence of EFEE" and described university asylum as "holy right". He criticized the ND party for under-funding state universities and labelled as conservative the leftist groups who oppose to changes in favour of state universities.

Mr. Papandreou said that the present model of state university has closed its circle, stressing " the answer is not the shock of private universities" but full autonomy to universities which will be evaluated and account to society. He also expressed support to state control of universities and their association with the labor market as well as allocation of 5% of GNP for their funding. Furthermore, he said that percentage of graduates who get a job one year after graduation could serve as index to evaluate tertiary education institutions.

PASOK leader also called on PASP to become a force of broader reversals and changes in the society and concluded his speech stressing that PASOK knows "there is another road", based on a new national strategy and patriotism, whose main axis will be investment on quality, knowledge, human resources and the countrys comparative advantages.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Oil Prices Threat to Quantas

By Athina Saloustrou

Skyrocketing fuel prices threaten Australian Airways Company Qantas one of the most profitable companies in the aviation sector-. " Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon warned:" Qantas already faces a $ 2 billion lift in its fuel bill next year" announcing his plans to combat rising cost of fuel by slashing capacity through cuts to routes, services and jobs. The Australian Airways company has already raised price of fares twice this year while experts did not rule out a fresh 5% rise. Apart from cuts to flights and jobs, planes will reduce sped to save on fuel. Qantas employees maintain that rises in fuel price is just an excuse to justify cuts planned a long time ago and give limited salary rises. The company gives a 3% rise in salaries while Qantas personnel claim 5%. In reaction engineers have staged work stoppages while industrial mobilization is expected to intensify.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] French Fashion King

02 Ιουν 2008 08:28:0

By Athina Saloustrou

French fashion king Yves Saint Laurent, hailed as a 20th century cultural icon who revolutionized the way women dressed, died yesterday at the age of 72. He was born on August, 1, 1936 in the then French colony of Algeria and showed a talent for design at a very young age, as at 17 he entered a Paris fashion school, and his sketch for a cocktail dress won first prize in an annual contest. Introduced to Christian Dior, Saint Laurent was hired on the spot by the creator of the "New Look" and became his chief assistant. On Diors death in 1957, Saint Laurent became chief designer and swiftly outshone his mentor. The reclusive Saint Laurents couture creations won global fine art status and he was widely considered to be one of an elite club of designers. He retired from haute couture in 2002 after a 40 year long successful career. He created signature looks, making the trouser-suit a daytime staple and the tuxedo an elegant option. He popularised safari jackets and thigh-high boots, and his transparent blouses made near-nudity acceptable in high society. French President Nicolas Sarkozy praised Saint Laurent as a creative genius. "He was convinced that beauty was a luxury that every man and woman needed," Sarkozy said in a statement.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Fashion king Saint Laurent dies

Reuters: French fashion king Yves Saint Laurent dies

[05] Papoulias-ESIEA Meeting

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA-MPA

Members of the Board of ESIEAs (Union of Athens Daily Newspapers) Educational Foundation, headed by President Panos Sobolos and President of Greek Cartoonists Kostas Vlachos visited the President of the Hellenic Republic. In view of tomorrow, which is dedicated to Environment, he presented the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias an album entitled "Environment SOS" issued by ESIEAs Educational Foundation and the Greek Cartoonists Association. The book includes Greek and English cartoons from Greek top cartoonists. As per Mr Sobolos, it will be distributed to Greek MPs and Euro Deputies, as well as to Greek Mayors.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Palestinian Houses Demolished

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ANA-AFP

The Israelis have demolished at least 200 Palestinian houses in 2007, while another 3,000 are threatened with demolition in the occupied West Bank. The figures have been released by OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). In the first three months of 2008 the Israelis demolished 124 buildings and from 2000-2007 1,600. Israel calls the area where demolitions take place "Zone C". This corresponds to 60% of the West Bank territory, which is under the Israelis' complete control. The buildings are demolished because they lack construction permits, which are issued with difficulty due to bureaucratic obstacles.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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