Greece turns to military to restore fuel supplies

Associated Press Writer= ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece said Friday it will use military trucks, navy vessels and commandeered fuel tankers to restore gasoline supplies cut by a strike that has hurt the country's industry and vital tourism trade at the height of vacation season.

Government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis told The Associated Press that the emergency plan would take effect "as quickly as possible" to insure that vital public services were not affected by the protest, which is in its fifth day.

Earlier, striking truckers vowed to continue their protest in defiance on an emergency order to return to work.

Clashes broke out at an oil refinery in northern Greece leaving two people hurt, police said, after strikers clashed with riot police while trying to block a government-seized truck from leaving.

Greece is racing to push through austerity measures needed to secure continued international rescue loans to prop up its debt-strapped economy, with the next loan installment due in mid-September.

Inspectors from the European Union and International Monetary Fund are currently in Athens to review progress of cost-cutting reforms.

"The law will be upheld," Petalotis said. "Our information is that most mobilization notices have now been handed out. Those who do not comply are violating the law and can lose their operating license and face the consequences of criminal prosecution."

The truckers have rejected a compromise offer by the government to offset the financial impact of liberalizing their closed-shop profession.

Sweeping labor reforms targeting previously protected professional groups follow months of strikes and protests over other belt-tightening measures that included sale tax hikes, and cuts in pensions and civil service pay — all in the midst of recession that has seen unemployment spike to around 12 percent.

The fuel strike has hurt Greek industry and tourism, with shortages likely to affect travel this weekend.

"This is a catastrophe. The decision was taken on the busiest day of the year, at peak season ... I don't know what's worse, what is actually happening today or the bad publicity this is giving us," George Telonis, head of the Greek Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies, told The Associated Press.

"The season so far has not gone too badly, with about a 3 percent drop on the year, despite all the strikes and difficulties ... because we have a very strong product. But I am very worried that damage will be done if this strike continues," he added.

He said the fuel strike will hammer last-minute bookings and popular holiday excursions to beaches and ancient sites.

Hoteliers at resorts in northern Greece, which are mostly accessed by car, have reported a steeper drop in bookings this year — more than 15 percent, according to their associations.

"We are helping customers find open gas stations so that they can get home," said Grigoris Tasios, head of the Halkidiki Hotel Association, of resorts in northern Greece. "About one or two gas stations are currently supplied in a 50-kilometer (30-mile) radius, when normally there would be at least 10."

George Amvrazis, managing director of the Greek Hotel Federation, said the strikes had already tarnished Greece's image.

"This has taken a toll on mainland resorts. You won't set out to a resort if you're not sure if you can fill up your gas tank," Amvrazis said. "This current protest, together with all the others, has set the Greece brand back for years."


Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9198862

Spain Defeats the Netherlands to Win First World Cup

JOHANNESBURG -- Exhaustion etched on their faces, fatigued bodies ready to betray them, the players knew just one goal would be enough to win the elusive World Cup for their nation.

As the clock ticked toward penalty kicks, the shivering crowd at Soccer City Stadium grew anxious.

Spain or the Netherlands would win its first championship if only someone could find the net.

Andres Iniesta did, and Spain rules the soccer world at long, long last.Spain won its last four games by a score of 1-0 -- a tight margin that characterized the month-long tournament.The goal in the 116th minute came off a turnover by the Dutch defense that Fabregas controlled just outside the penalty area. Iniesta stayed on the right and sneaked in to grab the pass and put his shot to the far post. Stekelenburg barely brushed it with his fingertips as it soared into the net.

And with that, Iniesta tore off his jersey and raced to the corner where he was mobbed by his teammates.

Several Dutch players wiped away tears as they received their runners-up medals -- yet again. They had won every qualifying match and all six previous games in South Africa before the bitter ending.

The Netherlands now has more victories in World Cup games without a title than any nation: 19. Spain held that dubious record with 24.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk took off his silver medal as soon as he left the podium, a look of disgust on his face.Iker Casillas, the captain, accepted the trophy from FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who was bundled in a scarf since temperatures dipped into the 40s on this chilly winter's night in the Southern Hemisphere.

Casillas, voted the World Cup's top goalkeeper, kissed the distinctive gold award and raised it for all to see while cameras flashed and confetti flew throughout the still-full stadium.

"This really is quite a cup," Casillas said. "The European Championship was the most important moment of our lives, but today is much bigger than anything else."

Soon, the entire team and staff gathered at midfield for a group photo. The players bounced up and down to the World Cup theme song, then took a victory lap as the trophy was passed to each member of the squad.And after the game, Iniesta took time to salute Paul the Octopus, who correctly picked the winner of eight matches.

"As for the octopus, what can I say?" Iniesta said, smiling. "We won and I'm sure the octopus will be more popular in Spain."


Source: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/07/11/spain-defeats-netherlands-win-world-cup/

Google says China licence renewed by government

The Chinese government has renewed Google's licence to operate in China, the internet giant has said, ending a long-running stand-off between the two.

Google gave no details of the licence renewal.

There had been speculation China would revoke the licence after Google began redirecting Chinese users to its unfiltered search site in Hong Kong.But last month, in a conciliatory move towards Beijing, Google said it would no longer automatically redirect users.Instead, Chinese users would be sent to a "landing page", which would send them to the Hong Kong site.Google's share price rose 2.8% in Friday trading following the announcement.

On Thursday, Google boss Eric Schmidt said that he expected the Chinese government to renew the licence.In January, Google said it might pull out of China following what it called a "sophisticated" cyber attack originating from the country.

The attacks targeted the e-mail accounts of Chinese human rights activists, along with the computers and infrastructure of Google and several other US firms.Following the threat to withdraw, some passers-by laid flowers outside Google's offices to thank the company for standing up for its principles.


The licence renewal is key to Google. Losing business in China, which already has more internet users than any other country despite relatively low penetration, could harm the company's future growth prospects.

Analysts welcomed the renewal, but warned that fundamental differences between Google and China remained.

"It is good news for the Chinese consumer and good news for the Chinese internet industry that Google is still available in the country in some shape or form," said Ted Dean at Beijing-based business advisory firm BDA.


Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10566318.stm

NZ whaling activist escapes jail but remains defiant

A anti-whaling activist from New Zealand who was handed a suspended sentence for obstructing the annual Japanese whale hunt has vowed to continue his crusade.

Peter Bethune was deported from Japan after receiving a suspended two-year sentence for obstructing Japanese whaling in the Antarctic Ocean.Speaking on his return home, Bethune said he would never give up his fight.But the 45-year-old said he was unsure if he would return to Antarctic waters.Bethune was detained aboard a Japanese whaler in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean in February after clambering aboard. He was arrested when the vessel returned to Japan.

The former member of the conservation group Sea Shepherd was escorted by immigration officers onto an Air New Zealand flight bound for Auckland on Friday.


Throwing stink bombs

Speaking in the city on Saturday, Bethune said that he was ready for a coffee.

"I want to go to a coffee shop," he told the NZ Herald newspaper.

"In prison, there's nothing to do. You are stuck in a cell 23-and-a-half hours a day and I have been looking forward to going to a coffee shop and having a coffee and a muffin."

AFP news agency reported that Bethune said he would never give up his fight to stop Japanese whaling.The activist, who spent four months in a Tokyo jail, had pleaded guilty to four out of five charges but had denied assault.He had admitted charges of trespassing, vandalism, possession of a knife and obstructing business.Bethune was also found guilty of assault, by throwing stink bombs made of butyric acid - rancid butter - at whalers.He was part of the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling group, which tries each year to block Japan's annual hunt.

He was the captain of the Ady Gil, a speed boat split in two during a clash with the whalers on 6 January.Earlier, he had told his trial that he had wanted to confront the Japanese ship's captain and hand him a $3 million bill for the destruction of the vessel.Large numbers of police officers were on duty outside the court in Tokyo where the verdict was delivered on Wednesday.Japan abandoned commercial whaling in 1986 after agreeing to a global moratorium.

But it says that whaling is part of its culture and catches hundreds of whales each year as part of what it calls a scientific research programme.


Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10583592.stm

N.B.A.’s Season of Suspense Ends as James Chooses Heat

With one dramatic declaration, lasting 16 words and only a few seconds, LeBron James shook the sporting world and the N.B.A. on Thursday, announcing that he would play next season for the Miami Heat.

James, the most coveted free agent in league history, made that decision on national television at about 9:27 p.m. Eastern time, ending a frantic recruitment period that lasted eight days and involved six teams.

It was an intensely anticipated moment and an emotional one for James. He first stumbled over his words before finally declaring, “This fall, I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.”

In doing so, the 25-year-old James spurned the Cleveland Cavaliers, his hometown team, and the only franchise he has known. A native of nearby Akron, James was a teenager when the Cavaliers made him the first pick of the draft in 2003.

James briefly became emotional when the reporter Jim Gray asked him about leaving his hometown team.

“This is tough,” he said. “It’s very tough, because you feel like you let a lot of people down.”

James added: “I never wanted to leave Cleveland. And my heart will always be around that area.” In Miami, James will join two other stars of this heralded free-agent class, Dwyane Wade, 28, and Chris Bosh, 26, to form the most powerful threesome in the league. They should become instant favorites in the Eastern Conference, joining the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic. James said he did not make a final decision until he woke up Thursday morning. However, by then there were widespread reports that he had chosen, or was strongly leaning toward Miami. James said he did not make a final decision until he woke up Thursday morning. However, by then there were widespread reports that he had chosen, or was strongly leaning toward Miami.


Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/sports/basketball/09nba.html?_r=1

World Cup 2010: Spain overcome Germany after Carles Puyol winner

Spain made history by repeating themselves. The country appears in a World Cup final for the first time because it has hit on a formula for glory. They face Holland in Johannesburg on Sunday after winning every match in the knockout phase 1-0, with the goal in Durban coming through an overwhelming header from Carles Puyol.

That breakthrough arrived when Xavi found the centre-half with a corner-kick in the 73rd minute as Spain showed they need not impress solely with mellifluous passing. There is still something idiosyncratic about an expansive approach that brings narrow wins. The syndrome is especially galling for Germany, who lost by this score to Spain in the Euro 2008 final. The 1-0 results are a falsehood if they suggest that Vicente del Bosque's side grind out results. Their play is enjoyable as well as masterful and Holland will require every ounce of strategic intelligence and combativeness if they are not to vanish from the game. Germany was vigilant as they aimed to take the sting out of Spain. There were moments that would have heartened Low after the opening half-hour. The midfielder Piotr Trochowski, introduced for the suspended Thomas Muller, hit a good shot that was turned behind by Iker Casillas.

Having failed to damage Germany, Spain might have been in deep trouble on the verge of the interval. Mesut Ozil broke free and Sergio Ramos caught him with a challenge from behind. The contact had occurred just before the Germany midfielder entered the penalty area and the Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai saw no offence.

The second half contained a more direct approach from Del Bosque's men. Since this is Spain, nothing coarse was entailed, but the attacking was intense and Xabi Alonso got himself into positions for drives that went wide. All the same, it scarcely amounted to a reign of terror. If there was satisfaction for Spain in that spell it sprung from the knowledge that they had pinned down Germany. Andrés Iniesta got possession in the inside-left channel and his cut-back was nearly turned in by Villa. There was more intent and a higher tempo to Spain's work for a period.


Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/07/germany-spain-world-cup-match-report

Russia and US 'planning spy swap'

Moscow and Washington are moving rapidly towards a spy swap that would exchange 10 accused Russian agents arrested in the US last week for alleged western spies jailed by Russia.The Russian authorities were preparing to send a scientist, convicted six years ago of passing atomic secrets to US intelligence, to Britain as part of the swap, his family said. Igor Sutyagin was transferred from a remote Arctic penal colony to Moscow in preparation for the exchange. His father told the Guardian he was one of those to be used as "collateral" in the deal.

In the US, the New York Times reported that officials are in discussions with the lawyers of the alleged long-term, deep-cover Russian agents detained last week over plea bargains that would see them swiftly convicted of minor offences and sent back to Moscow. Five of the alleged spies were moved to New York at short notice today after court hearings were cancelled.

An exchange would avoid protracted and potentially embarrassing trials for both countries. The alleged spies' lack of success and the FBI's weak case would come under close scrutiny.



Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/07/russia-us-spy-igor-sutyagin