The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] At Maximos Mansion Measures on Third Child

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The government committee, which is holding a meeting at Maximos Mansion chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, is considering measures to boost more than 100,000 families with three children. At the same time, the policy on medicines is also at the focus of the meeting.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Stress Halts Healing Process

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Reuters

A troubled marriage can prove detrimental to health. Medical studies have surfaced the adverse effects conflicts between spouses can produce on human body. High blood pressure, depression and inclination to heart diseases are listed among them. In addition, new evidence, though, reveal that stress stemming from disagreements within a couple slows down the production of a blood protein, which holds the key to healing wounds. As per the scientists, a 30-minute marital quarrel is enough to halt the healing process by a day.

A Protein Lies Behind

Ohio State University studied 42 married couples aged 22 to 77. Each test subject was deliberately inflicted with blisters and the scientists monitored the healing process. At the same time, each one of the participants in the study was asked to provide an in-depth description of the stress factors within the marriage.

The study demonstrated that the married couples experiencing quarrels and hostile behavioural patterns healed at a slower rate by 40%. A protein called Il-6, which belongs to wound-site production of proinflammatory cytokines and monitors the healing process, seems to be the answer. Lab tests showed that the unhappy married couples had low levels of IL-6 in their wounds, while the levels were recorded rather high in the rest of the body.

IL-6 protein is pretty beneficial when used on the wound, but when elevated levels are recorded in the organism, the protein is related to ailments connecting with ageing, including heart diseases, osteoporosis, arthritis and even certain cancer forms.

"In the past we used to relate the slow healing process to serious wounds only. The fact, though, that a 30-minute quarrel can halt the healing of even minor wounds by a whole day, clearly shows that the process in question is pretty sensitive," explained head of the research team Jan Kiecolt-Glaser.

The scientists believe that their findings may clear the way for practising a differentiated pre-surgical preparation so that hospital patients become less exposed to stress. This means that patients would have a speedier recuperation period and save money.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Archives of General Psychiatry

[03] Stated Saddam Hussein "I Am Not Afraid to Die"

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC, French Press Agency

"I am not afraid of being executed. If you want my neck you can have it," said ousted Iraqi leader on Monday, during his and seven of his former aides' trial, who are charged with the massacre of 148 Shia villagers in 1982 in Dujail. On Monday, the trial adjourned after a tense session, during which Saddam Hussein and his lawyers launched a fierce attack against two witnesses, while the Chief Justice was trying to stop Hussein, reminding him he has to respect the time limit he is allowed to talk. The trial resumed today with new witnesses.

"Fair Trial Difficult"

On his part, former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, now defending Saddam Hussein, supported it will be very difficult to have a fair trial.

Clark voiced doubts for the court's legality and stressed the bench has no jurisdiction, underling it follows US and Iraqi Government orders.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: New witnesses to challenge Saddam

[04] Alogoskoufis-Almunia Meeting Budget at Focus

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Commissions report on the course of Greek Economy will be ready by January, while as per European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Joaquin Almunia the first estimations are positive. The execution of the budget for 2005 and the perspectives for 2006 topped the meeting between Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Joaquin Almunia on Monday, before the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels. Answering reporters questions, the European Commissioner repeated that in 2005 Greek authorities fully met the Councils recommendations, while for 2006 the Eurostat is expected to announce its positions for certain temporary measures, which have been included in the draft budget. As Mr Almunia underlined, no future securitisations are included in these measures. In the meantime, the National Statistical Service of Greece announced that inflation posted a remarkable fall in November to 3.5% compared to 3.8% in October. The fall is mainly due to the drop in the fuel prices, as well as in the restrained appreciations in the food sector.

On Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) is to convene and the Eurozone Economy Ministers are expected to discuss the Economy Policy Commissions reports on dealing with the challenges of globalisation and on the national reform programmes drawn up based on the Lisbon Strategy.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Throughout the Night Riots in Panteion

By Vagelis Theodorou

Extensive incidents were reported on Tuesday early morning at Panteion University, Athens. A group of young people entered the area and taking advantage of the university immunity, started throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at the General Secretariat of Information, which has been recently housed in a nearby building. Police forces rushed on site and answered back with tear gases. Syngrou Avenue remain closed until 06:00 in the morning due to the incidents, window glasses at the General Secretariat of Information were smashed, while Panteion, nearby stores and a car sustained serious damages and garbage bins were set alight. As per information, some of the rioters remain on campus, despite the arrival of students and personnel, while the Police are on alert.

Senate Holds Emergency Meeting

As per the Police, on Monday morning anarchist group "Protovoulia Drasis" announced a 48-hour siege of Panteion.

The violent incidents started shortly after midnight, when young men started throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, set garbage bins alight and wrote mottos on walls. According to Dean Stamatis Papastamos, the University Senate will hold an emergency meeting focusing on the disgraceful incidents. At the same time, he estimated that apart from students, extremists could have been among the youth.

Speaking on NET's show "Proti Grammi" (front line), Vice Dean Thanasis Papadaskalopoulos underlined that University Authorities had voiced fears on potential incidents after the transfer of the General Secretariat of Information, adding that the institutional framework is not sufficient and guarding personnel is not enough.

It should be noted that Panteion was also claiming the building now housing the General Secretariat of Information (former Saridis factory) to turn it into a dormitory.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Stated Washington "Patriarchate Is Ecumenical"

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - ANA

Issuing a written statement, Washington adopted a clear position in favour of the Patriarchates Ecumenicalism. The State Department issued the statement answering to a question posed to deputy spokesman Adam Ereli on Monday during a Press Briefing. The statement reads, "The U.S. considers Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to be a religious leader of global standing. The U.S. takes very seriously the issue of religious freedom in Turkey, as illustrated in the 2005 International Religious Freedom Report."

It also added, "Among specific concerns highlighted in the report are issues related to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including the reopening of the Halki Seminary, as well as issues related to other religious minorities in Turkey."

The State Department statement underlined, " The U.S. has consistently raised our concerns regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate with Turkish authorities at the highest levels for many years," and set two recent examples. The first example is that President Bush "urged the re-opening of Halki Seminary in his June meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan," and the second example is that Under Secretary Karen Hughes "discussed this issue with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during her visit to Istanbul in September."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related Links:

US State Department Announcement

[07] Away Win for Xanthi

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Xanthi achieved a great away victory after defeating Panionios 2-0 in Nea Smyrni, on match day 12 of A Division. The victory also gave a psychological boost to Xanthis players, for they returned to victories after a failure streak. In the 78, Baykara opened the score for Xanthi, while Emerson sealed the victory with a second goal in the extra time. With this victory, Xanthi reached 23 points and now rests at the third place of the scoreboard along with Panathinaikos. Panionios, on the other hand, remained to nine points and are facing the danger of relegation.

Referre: Tsikinis (Messinia)

Yellow Cards: Giannopoulos, Langer, Sheppard - Antzas, Emerson

Lineups:

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Giannopoulos, Nalitzis, Kiassos (83 Sheppard), Makos, Smiljanic, Langer, Goundoulakis (66 Breska), Fernantes, Mitrou (83 Oravec), Lazaridis.

XANTHI: Pizanowski, Papadimitriou, Zapropoulos, Emerson, Labriakos, Antzas, paviot, Garpozis (86 Leo Mineiro), Baykara (90 + Fliskas), Lafata (74 De Mattia), Torosidis.

Translated by Areti Christou

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