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Greek EU presidency a challenge given ongoing crisis — Analysts <b>...</b> Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak

Greek EU presidency a challenge given ongoing crisis — Analysts <b>...</b>

Posted: 29 Dec 2013 02:53 PM PST

ATHENS: Crisis-hit Greece in January takes over the six-month rotating EU presidency with a crucial European Parliament ballot looming, and the bloc divided over delicate efforts to create a banking union.

Added to Greece's own considerable economic and political troubles, these issues could prove a major challenge to the Greek presidency, analysts note.

"I don't expect that the Greek presidency will be, and can be, as smooth as other presidencies," said Zsolt Darvas, an economist and senior fellow at the Bruegel Institute in Brussels.

"It will be very difficult for Greece due to its (internal) problems, its public administration inefficiency and the time pressure imposed by the European Parliament elections," he told AFP.

In the European Parliament elections in May, eurosceptics and far-right parties are poised to score major gains that could harden the bloc's political agenda for the next five years.

Greece itself is scheduled to hold municipal elections on May 18 and 25, a process expected to bolster political forces opposed to the government's austerity policies and the economic agreement with the country's EU-IMF creditors.

Chief among them are the main opposition leftists Syriza, who have emerged as the most popular party in Greece in many of the latest opinion polls.

The government coalition is taking fire over ongoing cuts, and its majority in the 300-seat parliament fell to 153 deputies earlier this month.

And there is speculation that the coalition, composed of the conservatives and a rapidly weakening socialist party, might not even last till next year, forcing Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to call early elections by autumn if not sooner.

Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras, recently named the radical left's candidate for European Commission president, has pledged to reverse many of the spending cuts and tax hikes imposed as part of Greece's loan rescue.

A more sinister threat comes from Golden Dawn, the neo-Nazi party under investigation for serious crimes including murder and extortion.

Golden Dawn's leadership is in prison awaiting trial and several of its lawmakers have been indicted, yet the party consistently ranks third in opinion polls and could elect a number of mayors, mainly in the poverty-hit countryside.

Aware that undocumented immigration is a key factor in the rise of Golden Dawn in Greece and other far-right forces on the continent, Athens has made frontier policy one of its presidency priorities.

European officials are also expected to put emphasis on social issues, such as youth unemployment, to stem voter malaise.

The new European banking union will be on the agenda as well.

A successful Greek presidency would enable Athens to show "that Europe has concrete answers to popular expectations," a European diplomat noted.

Samaras earlier this month said that the Greek presidency would focus on fostering growth, regulating immigration and promoting maritime issues.

"This is going to be a presidency of hope. Hope for more Europe and hope for a better Europe," Samaras said.

Nikos Konstandaras, managing editor and columnist at liberal daily Kathimerini, says that Greece's European peers have a tangible interest in helping Athens see the presidency through.

"The whole of the EU understands that they have to show something that will prevent the rise of populism," Konstandaras said.

In its fifth EU presidency since joining the bloc in 1981, Athens plans to host 14 ministerial meetings and another 120 related gatherings in the first six months of 2014.

The Greeks, who are still drawing EU-IMF loans to keep their economy running, have pledged to organise a "spartan" presidency.

The overall cost is calculated at 50 million euros (US$68 million) but the foreign ministry hopes to eventually return part of the money to state coffers.

An unnamed European automaker has provided free cars to chauffeur visiting dignitaries around, and gift costs have also been drastically slashed.

"We will not be handing out ties and foulards," deputy foreign minister Dimitris Kourkoulas told a recent briefing.

"For symbolic reasons we decided not to have this cost. We will have notepads and pens to hand out to guests," he said.

The Greek presidency, taking over from Lithuania, will be officially unveiled on January 8 when the EU's 28 commissioners are to convene in Athens.

Samaras will then present the Greek priorities in Strasbourg on January 16.

Italy takes over from Greece in June. — AFP

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Tawau lass wins Sabah Idol Season 2 - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 03:08 PM PST

LAHAD DATU: Siti Zulaiha Juri was crowned the champion of the Sabah Idol Season 2.

The Tawau lass wowed the judges and the 10,000 spectators with her superb and flawless rendition of 'Jagalah Diri' at Darvel Bay Plaza last weekend.

Earlier on Siti battled with Lahad Datu's Rosli Pitri in an equally matched duet performance of Muara Hati.

For her victory, she brought home RM5,000 cash, an ATI College sponsored diploma scholarship worth RM25,000, a trophy and certificate.

Malvin Kalbin representing Kundasang/Ranau narrowly missed the coveted title by just a couple of points to secure the first runner-up position. He won RM3,000 cash, a trophy and a certificate.

Beaming with pride and happiness, he said winning the second place was already an achievement considering the tough competition.

He sang 'Senja Nan Merah' with Sitipah also from Ranau in the first round.

The second runner-up was home-grown favourite 17-year-old Rosli Pitri who literally brought the house down with his deep baritone voice belting out his frustration and grief over a lost love.

Despite his pain and discomfort having to wear a sling over his cement-plastered right hand which he broke in an accident a week ago, he sang through his pain and was rewarded with a third placing bringing home RM1,500 cash, a trophy and certificate and also the right to represent Sabah in the upcoming Borneo Idol series to be organized middle of this year.

Taking the third runner-up spot was another 17-year-old from Kemabong/Ranau, Glady Pinky Jaimus with her power-packed rendition of Beyoncé's 'Listen'. Earlier on Glady dueted with Siti Norzilah Majilin 'Cinta'.

The fourth runner-up was Alwie Jusli from Penampang whose charm and melodious vocals sent the mostly female crowd into a frenzy.

Taking home the Most Popular and Most Creative Awards were two Lahad Datu contestants — Fazli Awang and Aizar Hajan.

Keningau siblings Senisah Majilin and Siti Norzilah Majilin won the Best Showmanship and Best Costume respectively while the Most Promising Award went to Ranau's Sitipah Jahamin.

Organiser Peter Dicky Lee said the standard of this year's competition was getting better and better, with winners beating each other by a hair's breath.

"I know my judges had a difficult time in identifying the best among the best. The top five will be given recording contracts and will represent Sabah in the upcoming Borneo Idol Grand Final to be held next year," said Peter who is a singer.

Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Min was the special invited guest while host and guest of honour was Datuk Yusuf Apdal, the Lahad Datu assemblyman who was responsible for Sabah Idol Grand Final to be organised in Lahad Datu from its original venue Kota Kinabalu.

"Lahad Datu needs this popular event more than Kota Kinabalu to spruce up its once vibrant image as a safe and conducive town but as of late it had been receiving a lot of publicity for all the wrong reasons. Judging from the huge crowds and the perfect location of the venue Darvel Bay Plaza, Lahad Datu is ready for more and bigger events and I am grateful that the organiser, Peter Dicky Lee, has made the right decision to hold this history-making event in Lahad Datu," Yusuf said.

Pang said the Sabah Idol series was an excellent platform for youths to focus their talents and energy to pursue their dreams of becoming the next big stars from Sabah.

"It is also to divert them from anti-social activities like drug taking, vandalism, gang fights, loitering at shopping malls, etc.," he said.

Sabah Idol was made more special this year with the participation of the National Anti-drugs Agency as a partner to spread its anti-drugs message "Say NO To Drugs" through the reality series roadshows conducted throughout Sabah.

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Former DCM&#39;s mother passes away - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 30 Dec 2013 03:00 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Politicians, community leaders, friends and families paid their last respects to Yong Tong Ming, the late mother of former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai here yesterday.

Yong passed away at the age of 81 on December 26.

Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister cum Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Malaysia China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah branch president Datuk Lau Kok Sing, Kapitan Chong Chin Hang, Kapitan Lim Shin Min and Kapitan Lim Vun Chan.

The funeral service was conducted at Basel Church in Likas followed by the burial at Basel cemetery at Mile 5.5, Jalan Tuaran.

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Harden&#39;s case for smoke detectors in longhouses – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 28 Dec 2013 10:46 AM PST

by Kelvin Lambai reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 29, 2013, Sunday

SRI AMAN: Every longhouse in the state should install smoke detectors to provide an early warning signal in the event of a fire.

According to Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, it is also vital for the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) at each longhouse to organise a dialogue with the Fire and Rescue Department to educate its residents on fire hazards.

"The dialogue session should also include demonstrations on how to put out a fire effectively," said Harden who graced the opening of Rumah Panjang Baru, Rumah Jegai Jawa, Kampung Purai Undop yesterday.

He said several approaches need to be made to bring down the number of fire cases involving longhouses in the state.

Meanwhile, Harden who is also Simanggang assemblyman, urged for the  longhouses in Sarawak to maintain their features in traditional design.

"A traditional longhouse will act as a magnet for tourists who wants to see the unique features," he added.

According to him, during the Visit Malaysia 2014 campaign, thousands of tourists are expected to flock to see the indigenous side of Sarawak.

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Pellegrini targets four-pronged City challenge – BorneoPost Online <b>...</b>

Posted: 29 Dec 2013 03:02 PM PST

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his side can challenge for four trophies this season after moving top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Edin Dzeko struck in the second half of a nervy encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as City maintained their 100 percent home record after finally breaking down a resolute and enterprising Palace side.

With City also still in contention in the Champions League, the League Cup and the FA Cup, Pellegrini says that they are exactly where he had hoped they would be at the turn of the year.

"We know we are in the position we wanted to be at the beginning of the first half (of the season)," he said.

"We are playing in all competitions. In the Capital One (League) Cup we are in the semi-final, we qualified in the Champions League and we are at the top of the Premier League.

"Maybe eight games ago, nobody believed we could discount six points to Arsenal. We did it. We won the last seven games and we drew one. We must continue this way but we are just in the first half of the Premier League.

"The second half will be exactly the same as the first one, with five or six teams fighting for the title to the end."

Dzeko turned in Jesus Navas's cut-back in the 66th minute to secure the three points that sent City top, but Joe Hart's performance in goal was also a crucial factor.

Hart pulled off three fine saves in the second half to deny Jason Puncheon, Mile Jedinak and Joel Ward.

The England international only returned to City's starting line-up for league games in December having being dropped by Pellegrini after a string of poor performances, but he now looks back to his best.

"I think he always knew what we think about him," said Pellegrini.

"He needed a rest. He worked always very hard but he was always confident he would return to his position. He is playing at his normal performance (level) as the good goalkeeper he is."

Hart suffered a nasty cut below his eye when denying Cameron Jerome in the first half, which led to the Palace forward going off with an ankle injury and left the City goalkeeper needing lengthy treatment.

Pellegrini said that Hart's facial injury was "not serious", but City later revealed that he had required six stitches.

The City manager also bemoaned Palace's defensive approach that made it difficult for his side, which showed six changes from the 2-1 Boxing Day win over Liverpool.

But Palace manager Tony Pulis was not impressed by the claims, pointing to the fact that City themselves announced their own goalkeeper as man of the match.

"Was that the team that cost 350 million ( 577 million, 420 million euros)?" he said. "I don't talk about other teams. Didn't they give Joe Hart man of the match?"

Pulis's side remain out of the relegation zone owing to Fulham's heavy 6-0 defeat at Hull City and the manager, who replaced Ian Holloway in November, is eyeing up a few January additions to help their bid to avoid the drop.

"What we need is to turn the 1-0 defeats into victories," the former Stoke City manager said.

"It was important we tried to get up within a certain number of points of the rest of the group at the bottom of the table and it gives us a chance, and that is all you can ask for.

"If we can bring a few players in and strengthen it up a little bit, we can give it a good blast when the year turns round." — AFP

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Carcass of unknown sea creature washed ashore – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 28 Dec 2013 11:28 AM PST

by Sandy Mark Luna reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 29, 2013, Sunday

KUCHING: A nine-foot carcass, believed to be of a sea creature, was found at D'Cove Pasir Panjang Family Park yesterday.

A worker with Pelita Holding Sdn Bhd Mohd Hamzah Man made the discovery during a round of cleanliness inspection at the recreational area at 7am.

He said he saw a huge object that looked like a heap of rubbish washed ashore at the beach that emitted a foul smell.

"On closer look, I saw it was a carcass of a sea animal.

"This is the first time we have come across a carcass this size in this area.

"Inspection rounds at the beach area is our weekly routine on every Saturday morning to make sure it is clean," he told reporters.

After the discovery, Mohd Hamzah made a phone call to the patrol police and Bomba for further action.

The carcass could be that of a baby whale or a dugong, but the relevant authorities will be there tomorrow (Monday) to conduct tests on the carcass to determine its actual species.

In the meantime, the carcass was buried at the beach for sanitary purposes and to cover the foul smell of putrefaction.

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