081109-Greek PM On Riots

Greek PM On Riots

Stepping into the limelight, and facing a political crisis in the aftermath of three days of rioting and unrest across Greece, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis sounded a tough line on dealing with the rioters:

(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) GREEK PRIME MINISTER COSTAS KARAMANLIS SAYING:

"I have updated the president on the situation of the last days after the unfair loss of the student. No mercy will be taken in the placing of responsibility, no one has the right to use this incident as an excuse for acts of violence against innocent citizens, against their property, against all society and against democracy. In these crucial hours all political parties are obliged to condemn the perpetrators of this violence, this is our democratic duty, this is what citizens want and it is what our national obligation dictates."

The riots have left an ugly mess on the streets of Greek cities which reflects the mood of the nation, if its newspapers are to be believed.

Karamanlis has the narrowest of majorities in the Greek parliament, and the riots are partly a reflection of popular disenchantment of his economic reform programme.

Greece is starting to feel the effects of the economic slowdown - some analysts say the current unrest could topple the fragile conservative government.

Benet Allen, Reuters

limelight - a focus of public attention; "he enjoyed being in the limelight"
aftermath - effects of, a period of time following a disastrous event: in the aftermath of war.
tough strong and difficult to break, cut, or tear: this fabric is tough and water-resistant
unrest - a feeling of restless agitation
topple - fall down, as if collapsing

081126- China Fights Weak Eyesight

China Fights Weak Eyesight

Traditional Chinese massage combined with everyday life.

To fight bad eyesight, schoolchildren are learning eye exercises in Beijing classrooms.

Some study results have showed that nine out ten school children here have bad eyesight.

A school doctor says a new series of massages are aimed at combating the deterioration of eyesight.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin with English translation) SCHOOL MEDIC, DR SHAO, SAYING:

"It is a combination of massage and applying pressure to pressure points, a mixture of sport and medicine, all merged together."

Children's eye woes have been blamed on too much studying in an overly competitive school system.

Eye exercises have been common practice in Chinese schools since Mao's era.

But the new treatment focuses on pressure points around the head, including the back of the neck and ears.

Some doctors say the solution to the problem may be even simpler.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FOUNDER OF SEKWA EYE HOSPITAL LI XIPU SAYING:

"Yes, they have to spend less time in the classroom in reading and spend more time outdoors."

A Xinhua news report cited experts saying excessive eyestrain, not genetic weakness, accounts for 45 percent of problems, while over 80 percent of university students are afflicted.

Kitty Bu reporting for Reuters in Beijing.

eyesight - normal use of the faculty of vision
aim To determine a course or direct an effort: aim for a better education.
merge To combine or unite: merging two sets of data.
woes misfortunes or problems: economic woes
blame To place responsibility for (something): blamed the crisis on poor planning.

081119-Auto Makers Need Help

Auto Makers Need Help

The leaders of the so-called Big Three of the U.S. auto industry-- General Motors, Ford and privately-held Chrysler-- were on the hot seat on Capitol Hill as they pleaded with members of the Senate Banking Committee to pass a 25 billion dollar rescue package --aimed at bolstering struggling automakers.

GM CEO Rick Wagoner warned of dire consequences for the auto industry if just one of Detroit's Big Three had to file for bankruptcy.

SOUNDBITE: GM CEO Rick Wagoner, saying (English):

"This is all about a lot more than just Detroit. It's about saving the U.S. economy from a catastrophic collapse."

Democrats in the Senate support a loan package arguing that up to three million U.S. jobs would be lost from an auto industry collapse.

But even supporters of a congressional bailout like Senator Chuck Schumer of New York warned against giving the automakers a blank check.

SOUNDBITE: Senator Chuck Schumer, saying (English):

"We must be assured that whatever aid we give you is accompanied by a real plan that shows you recognize the direction that this industry must take in order not to survive but to thrive."

Most Republicans are opposed to an auto industry bailout arguing that the rescue package is not a wise use of taxpayer money.

Senator Richard Shelby is the ranking member of the Banking Committee.

SOUNDBITE: Senator Richard Shelby saying (English):

"Are we here in the Senate being asked to facilitate a stronger more competitive auto manufacturing sector or to perpetuate market failure."

While lawmakers debated the merits of a congressional auto industry bailout, the Bush Administration let it be known that the White House is opposed to such a loan package.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

SOUNDBITE: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, saying (English):

"I believe that any solution must be a solution that leads to long-term viability -- sustainable viability here. I don't see this as the purpose of the TARP."

Analysts say it's unlikely that a bailout plan gains Congressional approval during this week's lame duck session -- which means as automakers continue to bleed cash, a rescue package may be one of the first acts that Barack Obama undertakes after he's sworn in as president in January.

Jon Decker, Reuters.

bolster to support or strengthen
undertake To take upon oneself; decide or agree to do: undertake a task.

081113-Fears For Congo's Gorillas

Fears For Congo's Gorillas

The vast camp at Kikuku is home to thousands of people fleeing the fighting in eastern Congo.

Among them are rangers who normally protect the country's rare mountain gorillas.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) JEAN BAPTISTE KADEGA, RANGER, SAYING:

"When they came to attack Rumangabo one month ago, we got aid from our director of ICCN. He gave us some vehicles, cars to take first our families."

Virunga's Gorilla Sector has been in the hands of rebel fighters for more than a year.

Last month the Rumangabo park headquarters also fell to a rebel assault, putting an end to conservation work.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIDDY MWANAKA, DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, VIRUNGA PARK, SAYING:

"Militias from Nkunda's rebels have taken the area, the sector where the gorillas live. We don't know if they are healthy, we don't know about their security, if they remain in security or not."

Diddy Mwanaka is Virunga's Director of Tourism.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DIDDY MWANAKA, DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, VIRUNGA PARK, SAYING:

"It is very very frustrating to not live near the gorillas because gorillas are creatures who we love very much."

50 rangers are among the camp's 200,000 residents.

And one of them says conditions are dire.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BALEMBA BAHAGIZI, RANGER, SAYING:

"We don't have any medical attention here. One week ago we had about ten cases of cholera in this camp."

While the rangers live in fear of fighting and disease their charges too may be suffering.

There are only 700 mountain gorillas left in the world - 200 of them are in Virunga.

Without protection its feared extinction is a real possibility.

Sonia Legg, Reuters.

dire Urgent; desperate: in dire need; dire poverty.

charge
a. Supervision; management: the scientist who had overall charge of the research project.

b. Care; custody: a child put in my charge.

081106- Leaders Congratulate Obama

Leaders Congratulate Obama

Worth staying up all night for.

In Germany, Democrats Abroad members saw Barack Obama elected President of the United States.

Across Europe, the continent's leaders began to send Obama their congratulations.

Many Europeans have been hoping that transatlantic relations would improve with Obama in the White House.

That's a view echoed by the European Union's policy chief, Javier Solana:

SOUNDBITE: Javier Solana, EU Foreign Policy Chief, saying (English):

"Many problems we have on the table, and I very much hope that we will be able to do it together, find a solution to them, together between the European Union and the United States. The European Union is willing, the European Union is ready."

Barack Obama's popularity in Europe was evident during his summer tour of the continent.

Around 200,000 people came to listen to him speak in the German capital.

At the time, he also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She says she wants to build on the discussions begun in the summer:

SOUNDBITE: Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, saying (German):

"We will be able to continue our talk we started in summer and based on deep friendship and partnership between Germany and the United States of America we will be able to solve the current problems, I am convinced of that."

The election campaign was watched closely in Berlin, Paris and London, especially given the current global financial turmoil.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he and Obama have already been discussing economic problems:

SOUNDBITE: British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, saying (English):

"I believe that over the next few months and years we can work together, first of all to sort out the economic problems that exist, secondly to build stronger economies for the future and thirdly to sort out some of the world problems, for example, in the Middle East."

While some European leaders are unsure what Obama's priorities will be when he moves into the White House in January, there's some confidence he'll bring what many see as a welcome shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Joanna Partridge, Reuters

081105-Obama Captures Historic Win

Obama Captures Historic Win

(With a projected win in California,) Democrat Barack Obama has won the 2008 presidential election -- becoming the 44th president of the United States and the first African-American to hold the nation's highest office.

Less than an hour after he was projected to receive enough electoral votes to pass the 270-vote threshold, Obama (-- with his wife Michelle by his side --) addressed hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago's Grant Park.

SOUNDBITE: Barack Obama, president-elect, saying (English):01:29

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."

Obama's message as President-elect was the same unifying message he ran on in his quest for the White House.

SOUNDBITE: Barack Obama, president-elect, saying (English):

"Out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can."

For John McCain -- he saw his hopes for victory evaporate with losses in a string of key battleground states -- including Ohio, Virginia and Florida.

McCain was gracious in defeat as he addressed disappointed supporters at a hotel ballroom in his home town of Phoenix, Arizona.

SOUNDBITE: U.S. Senator John McCain, saying (English):

11:22 "I urge all Americans who supported me ... we inherited."

Obama led a Democratic electoral landslide that also expanded the party's majorities in both chambers of the US Congress.

In a campaign dominated at the end by a flood of bad news on the economy, exit polls showed that Obama's leadership and proposals on how to handle the crisis tipped the race in his favor.

The win by Obama, son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, marks a milestone in U.S. history-- coming 45 years after the height of America's civil rights movement.

Jon Decker, Reuters.

creed - any system of principles or beliefs
sum up

To present the substance of (material) in a condensed form; summarize: sum up the day's news; concluded the lecture by summing up.
defeat Failure to win.

gracious

Adjective

1. showing kindness and courtesy

2. characterized by elegance, ease, and indulgence: gracious living

in·her·it

v. in·her·it·ed, in·her·it·ing, in·her·its

v.tr.

1.

a. To receive (property or a title, for example) from an ancestor by legal succession or will.

b. To receive by bequest or as a legacy.

2. To receive or take over from a predecessor: The new administration inherited the economic problems of the last four years.

3. Biology To receive (a characteristic) from one's parents by genetic transmission.

4. To gain (something) as one's right or portion.

v.intr.

To hold or take possession of an inheritance.
tipped - departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal; "the leaning tower of Pisa"; "the headstones were tilted"
milestone

Noun

1. a stone pillar that shows the distance in miles to or from a place

2. a significant event in a life or history: a milestone in Turkish-Bulgarian relations
height - the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development;

081015-UK Unemployment Soars

UK Unemployment Soars

UK unemployment rose at its fastest pace since the early 1990s recession and experts expect even bigger rises ahead.

The jobless figure in Britain now stands at 5.7 percent, some analysts say it could peak around eight percent in early 2010.

Banking and construction firms have been toughest hit by the financial turmoil and housing slump but jobs are being cut across the economy.

Tough work ahead for British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, (who) got a boost after his plan to recapitalise financial institutions was taken up around the world.

World governments have pledged USD 3.2 trillion to shore up banks and try to make them lend to each other again.

But although the banking crisis may have been averted, recession has not - a fact market seized upon.

Indices across Europe were well in the red with the FTSEurofirst 300 index was down over six percent.

Although only a handful of economies are officially in recession, the world's three biggest - the USA, Japan and Germany, are on the brink.

But MF Global analyst Ian Jenkins thinks some may remain relatively unscathed.

SOUNDBITE: MF Global Head of Spread Betting, Ian Jenkins saying (English):

"Maybe the ones that are going to fare slightly better than the rest are the South Americans and the emerging economies because once they've dusted themselves down they still do have a voracious consumptive base - we don't. Our consumption is going to go down. For the last year or so, or for the last ten years, has all been built on our consumption and the use of credit. They haven't gone down that road and I think they'll probably fare better."

And case in point, European new vehicle registrations fell 8.2 percent year on year in September, despite two extra working days.

The auto manufacturer's association said carmakers are finding it increasingly hard to finance their daily operations and invest in new technologies for greener vehicles - as consumers become unwilling to make large purchases or just can't find lenders willing to finance them.

rise

Verb

[rising, rose, risen]

to move from a lower to a higher position or place
pace - the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
tough strong; not easily broken, worn out etc Plastic is a tough material. hart
turmoil - a violent disturbance; "the convulsions of the stock market"
slump a severe decline in commercial activity or prices; depression
shore up - support by placing against something solid or rigid; "shore and buttress an old building"

avert
1. To turn away: avert one's eyes.

2. To ward off (something about to happen); prevent: averted an accident by turning sharply. See Synonyms at prevent.

seize (sometimes foll. by on, upon)to understand quickly: she immediately seized his idea
on the brink of very near, on the point of: on the brink of disaster

unscathed - not injured
fare To go or happen: How does it fare with you?
dust To remove dust from by wiping, brushing, or beating: dust the furniture.