071213-europe
LISBON - Europe's leaders sign treaty

European Union leaders have signed the Treaty of Lisbon to reform the bloc's institutions and give it stronger leadership.

MOREINFO: At an elaborate signing ceremony at Lisbon's grandiose Jeronimos Monastery, leaders said the treaty would open a new chapter in E.U. history by giving it a more robust foreign policy and more democracy in decision making. But Britain's Prime Minister chose to sign the treaty separately, sparking debate about the country's semi-detached attitude to Europe.

SCRIPT:

One by one Europe's leaders take their turn to sign the Treaty of Lisbon.

The elaborate ceremony marks the end of a long and often difficult process.

The E.U. has been trying to reform its institutions for 10 years.

And members - including Germany - now hope it will have a more robust foreign policy and a more democratic decision making process.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL SAYING:

"We are very happy to be here. I believe this is an important day for Europe, and we have to make sure that this treaty will be ratified everywhere. And I think that Europe will enter a new stage with this treaty."

There was a party atmosphere during the signing although there was one party pooper.

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown had a prior engagement and had to sign the Treaty late and alone.

For some it was a symbolic attempt by Britain to remain semi-detached from Europe.

For others it was another political boo-boo by a leader who's struggling after a series of gaffes at home.

Britain's Foreign Minister was, of course, not dwelling on that.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID MILIBAND

"A day for Europe to look to the future."

The Treaty is a toned down version of the constitution.

It's been adapted to consider 12 new members - mostly ex-communist countries.

The Commission's President is confident it will make the E.U. more effective.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION JOSE MANUEL DURAO BARROSO SAYING:

"The treaty of Lisbon will reinforce the union's capacity to act and the ability to achieve those goals in an effective way. As such, it will help the union to deliver better results to European citizens in an even more open and transparent way"

The Treaty will now have to be ratified by every member country.

Leaders will be hoping to avoid the 2005 "No" vote in France and the Netherlands.

This time only Ireland is planning a referendum, reducing the risk of an upset.

Sonia Legg, Reuters.

spark – activate
party pooper - a person who refuses to join in the fun of a party
engagement - appointment, date

boo-boo - an embarrassing mistake
struggle - to progress with difficulty: struggled through the novel
dwelling - a place to live in; an abode
upset - A disturbance, disorder, or state of agitation.

071203-germany

GERMANY - How green is Germany?

According to some scientists, climate change is one of the biggest problems mankind is facing.

MOREINFO: U.N. climate change talks in Bali in Indonesia are currently grappling with those issues, while a G8 climate conference is also taking place in Germany at the same time. Germany may be the world's third largest industrial nation, with powerful industry and known for its fast cars, but it also has a reputation as a leader in the fight against climate change. So just how green is Germany? Joanna Partridge reports for Reuters

SCRIPT:

All eyes are on Bali as crucial talks on climate change led by the United Nations get underway.

But a G8 climate conference is also taking place in Germany - a country with many contradictory attitudes to protecting the environment.

Germany - Europe's largest economy - is the world's sixth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, and builds some of the most powerful and most polluting cars on the roads.

Add to this a government commitment to phasing out its nuclear power plants - and it doesn't appear a very "green" country.

But Germany is often hailed as one of the world's leaders in the fight against climate change.

It certainly is at the forefront of renewable energy technology, producing half the world's solar power.

And Chancellor Angela Merkel - sometimes nicknamed the "Klimakanzlerin" or climate Chancellor by the German media - made it her mission at this year's G8 summit in Heiligendamm to get the other G8 countries to agree that emissions cuts were needed in the fight against global warming.

Opening the G8 climate conference, Germany's Foreign Minister explained G8 countries have to act, and not just because they have the technological know-how:

SOUNDBITE: Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister, saying (German):

"Aside from the technological question, I am convinced that those of us who are sitting around this table, who are partially responsible for and are producers of emissions, are also obliged to use this tool."

But some green groups in Germany aren't convinced by the politicians' rhetoric.

One of their complaints is the government's unwillingness to introduce a speed limit on sections of German motorway where there isn't one.

Environmentalists argue that speed restrictions could cut CO2 output immediately.

And they also disagree with the Merkel government's move to more coal-burning plants as nuclear power is phased out.

They say that - like so many industrial countries - there's still room to do more. And they'll be watching to see what is decided here in Germany, and in Bali.

Joanna Partridge, Reuters

phase out

To bring or come to an end, one stage at a time.
hail - praise vociferously; "The critics hailed the young pianist as a new Rubinstein"

acclaim, herald

applaud - express approval of; "I applaud your efforts"

071127-brazil
RIO DE JANEIRO - Ocean swallows town

Atafona, in Brazil is a town being swallowed by the ocean as rising temperatures speeds up erosion

Researchers say a total of 183 buildings have been destroyed and the Marine lighthouse moved twice in the past 30 years

SCRIPT:

The town is called Atafona, in the delta state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

It is town that is being swallowed by the ocean as rising temperatures speed up the process of erosion.

The apocalyptic landscape seems to have emerged from a science fiction movie.

Researchers say a total of 183 buildings have been destroyed and the Marine lighthouse moved twice in the past 30 years.

Professor Gilberto Ribiero, Coordinator of the Atafona project at the Institute of Geoscience.

SOUNDBITE: Professor Gilberto Ribiero, Coordinator of the Atafona project at the Institute of Geoscience, saying: (Portuguese)

"Global warming is a fact, it is happening and nature is responding. One of the answers, for example, is the strengthening of the winds. The winds are stronger and in this region (Atafona) we saw here, the winds provoke the waves which will provoke sea erosion."

Erosion rates have risen steeply in the past years, forcing many to move from their homes and build new ones further inland.

Seventy-nine-year-old Belita Pedra, the island's oldest resident, has been forced to move six times because of erosion.

SOUNDBITE: Atafona's oldest resident Belita Pedra, saying: (Portuguese)

"This house right there, is my sixth home. The ocean took everything away. People had very good houses here, but the ocean swept everything away. My son-in-law became tired of building houses and losing them," she said, pointing towards her small house."

Atafona's destiny is uncertain, but the prospects are bleak for Pedra and her neighbors, as the ocean continues to take away the place they once called home.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters

swal·low v. swal·lowed, swal·low·ing, swal·lows

v.tr.

1. To cause (food or drink, for example) to pass through the mouth and throat into the stomach.

2. To put up with (something unpleasant): swallowed the insults and kept on working.
sweep v. swept, sweep·ing, sweeps

v.tr.

1. To clean or clear, as of dirt, with or as if with a broom or brush: sweep a chimney.

2. To clear away with or as if with a broom or brush: swept snow from the steps.

7. To clear, drive, or convey with relentless force: The flood waters swept away everything in their path.

8. To wipe out at a single stroke. Often used with away: The incident in effect swept away all her dreams.