The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Its Hungarian Pilot Is Safe and Sound

29 Ιουν 2008 12:17:0 (Last updated: 29 Ιουν 2008 18:53:1)

By Vivian Papastefanou

A mechanical failure forced the pilot of a Cessna C182 had to ditch the light aircraft off the south coast of Crete on Sunday morning. The Hungarian pilot survived and swam to the shore. Earlier he had transferred four freefall jumpers of a local club. A DO 28 aircraft, an AB 205 helicopter and a Super Puma are flying in the area.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] In Zimbabwe

29 Ιουν 2008 17:38:0

Sources: Reueters

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was on Sunday declared landslide winner of a widely condemned election in which he was the only candidate and which African observers said was scarred by violence and intimidation. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew a week ago saying a systematic campaign of violence, which killed nearly 90 of his followers, made a free and fair vote impossible. The ballot was held in defiance of much world opinion. The electoral commission said Mugabe won 85.51 percent of the vote compared to 43.2 percent in elections in March won by Tsvangirai with 47.9 percent . Mugabe, 84 and in power since independence from Britain in 1980, was due to be sworn in for a new five-year term shortly in a ceremony at State House. Tsvangirai, who rejected Mugabes invitation to attend the swearing-in, dismissed it as meaningless.

[03] A Birthday Party Sparks Debate

By Vivian Papastefanou

An eight-year-old boy has triggered a rather unusual debate in the Swedish House, for not inviting two of his classmates to his birthday party. The boys school said that he violated the two childrens rights and reported the incident to the nations Parliament, claiming there should be no discrimination since the invitations were handed out on the school premises. The boys father filed a complaint with the parliamentary ombudsman, arguing that the two children were not invited because one had left his son out from his own party and he had had a fight with the other.

The 8yo schoolboy handed out the party invitations during class time and when it came to the teachers notice that two of the students had not been invited, he confiscated all invitations.

My son has taken it pretty hard," the boys father told the newspaper Sydsvenskan. "No one has the right to confiscate someones property in this way, its like taking someones post," he added.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] By the Agency Labor Center

29 Ιουν 2008 13:13:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ -ΝΕΤ 105,8

More than 100.000 are expected to be benefited this year by the programme of rent allowance provided by the Agency Labor Center. Beneficiaries can be provided the allowance with the pre condition that their yearly income does not transcend 12.000 yearly. The amount of the yearly financing comes up to 1380 for singles and to married rises according to the number of children. For married people with one child financing comes up to 1.680 for two children to 1.980 for 3 and 4 children to 2.580. For each child after five years old monthly benefits will rises up to 25%. On reference to Agency Labor Centers programme minister for employment stated: "Efforts for each family to have a decent residence continue. In this framework and until we reach our final goal, the programme of rent allowance provides a precious contribution which is promoted and reinforced decisively. It was promoted in the whole country in cooperation with Civilians Service Centers for the better service of beneficiaries.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Amy Winehouse Punches a Fan

By Vivian Papastefanou

Troubled Grammy award-winning singer Amy Winehouse could not help restraining her irritation during a gig in Glastonbury, Britain. While performing, the 24yo singer was involved in a scuffle with one of her fans. The security personnel stopped her, while she did not stop singing.

Despite her serious health problems, Winehouse had joined the Nelson Mandela concert in Hyde Park.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Targeting Police

29 Ιουν 2008 12:10:0

Twin blasts targeting police officers in the northern Iraqi cities of Kirkuk and Duluiyah killed seven people and injured another nine, authorities said. In the first attack, a car bomb hit a police patrol in Duluiyah, claiming seven police officers and injuring three. The second blast occurred in Kirkuk, where six civilians sustained injuries when a bomb targeting car of the citys emergency police chief went off. General Ahmed Shamirani was not in the car during the blast in Kirkuk.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] This Summer

29 Ιουν 2008 11:49:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Seeking to bolster his profile when it comes to matters of foreign policy after the criticism he has come in for by his rival Republican candidate John McCain, Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, will tour Europe and Middle East this summer. McCain, a former Vietnam prisoner of war, has questioned Obamas leading skills and his willingness to have talks with leaders of hostile nations without preconditions. Obamas visit to France, Germany, Britain, Jordan and Israel has been scheduled to take place before the conference of the Democratic Party in late August, when Barack Obama will be officially nominated to face Republican John McCain.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] By Israel

29 Ιουν 2008 11:17:0

Sources: REUTERS

Israel reopened at least three of its border crossings with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Sunday after a halt to Palestinian cross-border attacks that had strained an Egyptian-brokered truce, officials said. An Israeli military spokesman said Sufa commercial crossing, the Nahal Oz fuel transfer deport and the Erez border terminal for travellers resumed operations at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT), with some restrictions still in force. Peter Lerner, a liaison official with Israels Defence Ministry, said earlier that another commercial crossing, Karni, would also be reopened, but this could not immediately be confirmed. Israel closed the crossings on Wednesday after an Islamic Jihad rocket attack which the Palestinian faction called retaliation for the killing of one of its West Bank leaders.

[09] In Panama

29 Ιουν 2008 11:05:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

A swarm of suspected African bees killed a 66-year-old retired police officer and seriously injured his wife in the town of Purio, near Panamas capital, authorities said. The man set off a hive of bees while shaking a tree in a plantation. The couple sustained thousands of bee stings that resulted in the mans death. His wife, who is in a critical condition, escaped danger, doctors said. Bee attacks on humans in Panama is rather usual involving "killer" bees, which are hybrids of local species and African bees, which were imported to South America in the 1950s.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Extensive Damage

29 Ιουν 2008 11:01:0 (Last updated: 29 Ιουν 2008 18:53:2)

By Vivian Papastefanou

A Sprider branch in the northern Athenian suburb of Lykovrisi was badly damaged in a blaze that broke out when a group of about 15 people riding motorbikes hurled petrol bombs at the building late on Saturday. As many as 18 fire trucks and 40 firefighters rushed to the site. The fire spread, ravaging the building. The firefighters managed to contain the blaze before spreading to a nearby hypermarket. Putting out the fire at 7.30am, the firefighters found explosive devices.

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