The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-01-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Judge Murdered in Baghdad No End to Attacks

By Anna Kourti

Five American soldiers were killed and two were injured in a car accident north of Baghdad, said the US army. The accident occurred in the city of Han Bunni Shaad on Monday night. One of the injured soldiers is in serious condition. Earlier, armed men murdered an Iraqi judge as he was exiting his house in eastern Baghdad, police sources said. The judge and his son were killed during an ambush. The militants opposing the 30 January elections in Iraq have launched a series of attacks against officials of the interim government.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Talk is of a strategic move Kontominas Leaves Nova Bank

By Annita Paschalinou

Dimitris Kontominas sold 50% of his stake in Nova Bank to Portuguese bank BCP Millennium for 330 million euros. Sources close to Mr Kontominas report that this is a strategic choice, which is related to his decision to concentrate his business activities in other sectors. At the same time, Alpha Bank is proceeding with the move to buy out Serbian bank Jubanka. The Greek bank will acquire 88% of the hitherto state-controlled Serbian bank, after negotiations with the Serbian government. The National Bank of Greece has been active in Serbia for the last two years. The agreement to buy out Jubanka will be signed on Wednesday in Belgrade by the Governor of Alpha Bank, Giannis Kostopoulos.

Translated by Millie Williams

[03] British doctors suggest stimulation with a magnet Hope Against Strokes

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: BBC

A new chapter has been opened in the ways to treat people who have suffered a stroke, by the Institute of Neurology at University College, London. The researchers developed a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), according to which the stimulation or the disruption of the brain with a magnet could have significant therapeutic results on patients. TMS has been promising in the past, however the results were short-lived. The scientists improved the technique in order to have longer-lasting results, and used it on healthy volunteers, aiming the pulses at the motor cortex, which controls movement.

Stimulation or Disruption?

TMS is based on the use of an electromagnet, which is placed on the scalp and causes a very temporary disruption in the firing of neurons in the brain at the site of stimulation. The repeated magnetic pulses, which last for just a few seconds, bring neurological results.

Scientists have already applied the method on patients with partial damage to their spinal cord to improve muscle and limb movement and increase the ability to feel sensations.

Trying out the technique on volunteers after it had been improved resulted in the stimulatory effect building up within a second, while inhibitory effects developed after several seconds. In other words, by adapting the length of stimulation, the researchers can choose to either stimulate or to suppress the brain.

" We can turn up or turn down the brain at will. We believe one of the shortcomings of previous stimulation approaches was that they produced a mix of both excitation and inhibition," stated Dr John Rothwell, head of the research team.

The new TMS treatment is longer lasting, without triggering side effects. The scientists can research how far the stimulation of damaged areas in stroke patients brains can accelerate recovery.

"We plan to give patients TMS therapy before they have physiotherapy, in order to put the brain into a better state to respond to the physiotherapy," noted Dr Rothwell, referring to future plans of the research team.

Translated by Millie Williams

[04] Vioxx Behind Thousands of Cardiological Problems

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA- BBC

The evidence that has emerged from a research by the Food and Drug Administration, on the drug Vioxx, which is given to arthritis patients, has caused concern. According to the study, which was published in the medical review The Lancet, it has been evaluated that the last five years, the drug caused, only in the U.S., from 88,000 to 144,000 cases of serious heart problems. It is reminded that four moths ago the manufacturing company had to withdraw the drug from the American market, after a research indicated that Vioxx causes problems in the coronary artery. The manufacturing company, Merck & Co., faces many lawsuits from patients who accuse the company of knowing the dangers of the drug long before they with withdrew it.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Research by Australian Scientists Doing Laundry Without Rinsing

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: Nature

Scientists from the Australian National University promise to put an end to washing machine detergents. As they claim, pure water removed from gasses, is more effective on greasy stains. The usual detergents gather around lipids and trap them in hydrophobic layer, making their cleaning easier. Scientists from Australia state that degassed water, from which every tiny oxygen and nitrogen bubbles can clear up greasy stains using little or no detergent at all. As the scientific journal Nature states, the scientists have suggested that gas-free water should be contained in spray cans in order to be applied on the spot!

Bright Clothes and A Clean Environment

In order to confirm their theory, the scientists filled test tubes with oil adding degassed water and distilled water and shook them for a few seconds.

After the shaking, the tubes with degassed water became more blurred, a sign that the grease had been cleared up.

The scientist degassed the water with continuous cycles of freezing and vacuum pumping. However they state that the mass production of degassed water could become easier with more effective methods, such as the passing the water through a membrane made from hydrophobic material.

The new scientific discovery, except a good wash, also promises more respect to the environment. As the scientists evaluate, pre-packages degassed water could reduce the environmental problems, caused by common detergents, such as fertilized algal growth.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Bell Tower Attacked With Axe!

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

When your neighbor is listening to loud music you can always ask them to turn it down, because it is annoying. However, when you are living next to a church, the bells of which are ruthless on your ears, there is not much you can actually do. A man from Romania, who could not stand the loud noise of the bell tower next anymore, decided to take extreme measures. He took an axe and demolished the church door, a marble cross and a little chapel. After attacking the church and being arrested, Ioan Cozma, aged 42, said he had repeatedly asked the priest to take it easy with the bells early in the morning and late at night. "But did he listen? No, they did it louder and louder as if they wanted to make me crazy or something," said the 42-year-old.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Valentino, Dior and Armani in Paris Fashion Week Spring Arrives in the Runways

By Viki Keleri

We may be in the heart of winter and cannot think of separating from our cozy sweaters and coats, however the biggest fashion design houses have already prepared their creations for next season. Armani, Dior and Valentino presented their proposals, in the Fashion Week that is taking place, where else, but in cosmopolitan Paris. Wander through the world in Valentinos creations, travel to Empresses Josephines France as Galliano reveals in his clothes for Dior, admire the luxury in Armanis designs, discovering the wanna-haves and must-haves of the season.

A Trip in the Continents of Haute Couture

Valentinos spring collection is a trip in every part of the world. Each piece is a destination, another different world to discover. The aforementioned collection depicts its designers certainty that haute couture is an international affair.

Asia, India, Europe and South America are revealed through silk and chiffon dresses, with lacy details, while wool and cashmere items give a tone of quality.

The colors that are prominent are white and black, on their own, or in intense and alluring contrasts, but also eye catching red "explosions".

Pastels are also present, in tune with the calmness and sweetness that the most romantic season of the year emits.

When Galliano Sewed for Empress Josephine

The world-acclaimed chief designer of Dior, John Galliano, has created eccentric and tempting creations, using Empress Josephine as his muse.

He says "yes" to long and knee-high dresses with a high waist and compliments them with high boots, creating a dynamic and subversive style.

He also gives great emphasis to corsets, which give the necessary mysterious allure in his clothes. Coats with high collars and empiric essence, like those worn by Josephine are a must-have.

The colors used by Galliano are bold, just like his designs, starting from vintage pink and reach explosive shades, which in some cases dive its dynamic into deeper hues in order to be reborn again from its inhibited brilliance.

Galliano uses organza and leather for his clothes accessories and details, while his trademark hats, stylistically complete his creations.

The few privileged ones that watched Gallianos fashion show from the front seats can say, in all honesty, that he has simply created beautiful clothes.

Jewel-Like Dresses by Armani

Armani, with his collection, does not only celebrate the arrival of spring, but two more important dates, his 70th birthday and 30 years from the creation of his Haute Couture House.

He has created a line of 31 jewel-like night outfits that every woman would die to wear.

Tight dresses with long tails, skirts with short tight jackets that bring out the womans body, while giving it a sense of unsurpassable elegance, placing beads and semi-precious stones with his magic wand.

Satin and taffeta give his creations a breath of luxury. In closing, as far as colors are concerned, his designs are mainly based on black with pink, purple and metallic touches, while the chromatic explosions, such as yellow, and total white are also present.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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