The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Nimetz's Fresh Proposal on FYROM Name-Issue

Diplomats expect UN Envoy Matthew Nimetz to make a fresh proposal on the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name-issue at his meeting with the Greek and FYROM negotiators in New York this evening. The meeting will be held at the UN. Mr Nimetzs proposal will be based on a number of ideas discussed with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and FYROM Presicent Branko Tservenkofski on the sidelines of the 63 UN General Assembly. A UN spokesman stated that after todays meeting Mr Nimetz will make statements to journalists. The UN envoy had separate meetings with Messrs Adamantios Vassilakis and Dimitrov and Protoger this morning.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Obama -McCain 2nd Debate Focused on Economy

In the second debate between the two presidential rivals, much of the focus has been on the troubled economy.Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain spent most of their second presidential debate on Tuesday night arguing over strategies on how to deal with the financial crisis, however, analysts maintain that they did not propose any substantial proposals. Obama said "We are in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression in 1929, and a lot of you, I think, are worried about your jobs, your pensions, your retirement accounts", adding McCain and Republicans had supported the deregulation of the financial industry that led to the crisis. He said middle-class workers, not just Wall Street, needed a rescue package that would include tax cuts. McCain, proposed a program that would buy mortgages from homeowners facing financial problems and replace those mortgages with new, fixed-rate mortgages. His campaign said it would cost roughly $300 billion.

Asked about a possible Treasury secretary in their administrations, both candidates mentioned Omahas legendary investor Warren Buffett, a supporter of Obama.Obama said he trusted American economy, underlining the need of a leadership in Washington which will not provide for more favourable regulations to the financial system but coordination with other countries to ensure that our actions will bring results. MacCain supported that exit from crisis depended on stabilization of real estate market.

Both candidates vowed to focus on making the United States energy independent. McCain said nuclear power was a clean source of energy that would be key to battling climate change and creation of millions of job positions. Obama said he has proposed 15 billion dollars investments a year for the next 10 years to make the country independent from ME oil. The two men have taken drastically different approaches on how to deal with the millions of Americans who lack health insurance.While McCain has proposed a tax credit to allow families to finance their own health care, Obama has said he favours a system where coverage is provided through the workplace, with government funding to help uninsured families obtain coverage.

Foreign policy was the topic in the final third of the debate, and the two candidates clashed sharply over the Iraq war. Obama was an early critic of the war, while McCain has been a staunch supporter and urged the "surge" strategy to increase U.S. troops. "Senator Obama would have brought our troops home in defeat. I will bring them home in victory and in honor," McCain said. Obama said the focus on Iraq had distracted the United States from Afghanistan and the threat from Al Qaeda.

The candidates faced questions from members of a group of about 100 undecided Nashville voters identified by the Gallup polling company, which selected the questioners.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Obama, McCain battle in tense debate

[03] Eighteen Killed in Air-crash on Everest

Eighteen people, mostly foreign trekkers to the worlds tallest mountain, Mount Everest were killed when a small Nepalese private airliner crashed early this morning at Lukla in Northeastern Nepal. The plane was carrying as many as 14 foreign tourists and four Nepalese. These included 12 Germans and two Swiss. The only survivor of the aircraft was the captain, who was rushed to the hospital in Katmantu.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Australia: Causes Unknown

It will take about one month until the causes of an Australian Airbus A330-300 flying from Singapore to Perth suddenly lost height injuring 36 passengers. Several passengers said the plane had fallen around 2,000 metres while cruising over the Indian Ocean, hurling people and objects around. The aircraft was carrying 303 passengers and 10 crew-members. Qantas described the incident as a "sudden change in altitude." Qantas and air safety investigators said it was too early to speculate on what triggered the plunge, but Qantass Perth regional manager Ian Gay said investigators would look at clear air turbulence as a possible cause.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] China: Multifatality Explosion in Mine Covered

Officials in the northern Chinese province, where the scandal with the tainted milk broke out, have covered an explosion in a mine in July when 30 0 people lost their life. As per New China newsagency, 30 officials, who have covered the incident, are persecuted. The explosion has been attributed to explosives, which had been hidden illegally in the mine.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] US & India Agreement on Nuclear Technology

On Friday, the USA and India are planning to sign an agreement on the exchange of nuclear technology for the first time after 34 years. Officials who made the news public announced that the agreement is scheduled to be signed by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee in Washington.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] White House Disagrees with Releases

The White House strongly disagrees with a judge who ordered that 17 Chinese Muslims held at Guantanamo Bay should be released into the United States. White House spokeswoman, Dana Perino said the ruling could set a precedent for more releases in the US.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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