The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Diet Fights Infertility

Sources: REUTERS

The newest low-tech fertility treatment may be a diet, researchers said on Wednesday after learning that obese men have more abnormal sperm and make less semen.

Their findings, presented at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona, Spain, add to recent research showing that obese women are more likely to be infertile.

"We felt that it was possible that male overweight might contribute to fertility problems, particularly since it is a known risk factor for problems in conceiving among women," said Dr. Ghiyath Shayeb of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

Their study of 2,037 men attending Aberdeen Fertility Centre showed that men with a normal body mass index, meaning they were neither overweight nor underweight, produced higher levels of normal sperm and more semen than those in the other groups.

"Other studies have suggested an association between male obesity and increased DNA damage in the sperm, which can be associated with reduced fertility as well," Shayeb said in a statement.

"Our findings were quite independent of any other factors and seem to suggest that men who are trying for a baby with their partners should first try to achieve an ideal body weight," he added.

He said his team will now compare conception rates between obese and normal men to see if the poorer semen quality correlates with reduced fertility.

"The mechanism for the relationship could be a number of things, different hormone levels in obese men, simple overheating of the testicles caused by excessive fat in the area, or that the lifestyle and diet that leads to obesity could also lead to poorer semen quality," Shayeb said.

[02] Fire Hell in California

Sources: ANA-MPA, Reuters

Authorities in California ordered more than 10 people living in Paradise to flee their homes, since the wildfires raging the area is feared to jump a river and spread into the town, where a blaze destroyed 74 homes in June.

"Citizens need to immediately evacuate by gathering personal belongings that will fit in your vehicle," read the mayors message, which was posted on the towns official website.

The fire threatening Paradise is just one of the about 300 wildfires burning across California.

The fire that broke out on 21 June has reduced to ashes about 20,000 hectares and destroyed 50 houses so far. As many as 2,800 firefighters are battling to contain the wildfires, however the strong winds blowing in the area are giving them a really hard time.

Another major fire front in California is ravaging Big Sur, where nearly 2,300 firefighters have been deployed. Although 35,000 hectares across the coast line have been reduced to ashes, no built-up areas are running any risks.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] UK Troops Feeling Overstretched

Sources: BBC

Nearly half of the UK soldiers are seriously thinking to leave the armed forces, suggested a survey released by the British Ministry of Defence. The survey was carried out, while 7,800 troops are in Afghanistan and 4,000 in Iraq.

The survey showed that 47% of Army and Royal Navy respondents said they often feel the need to leave the army. The same goes for 44% of those in the RAF.

Some 45% of them claimed they were not happy with the level of separation from family and friends.

Adkedabout morale within their service as a whole, 59% of the Army rated levels as "low" or "very low." In the Royal Navy that was 64%, and the Royal Marines 38%. Within the RAF, 72% said morale across the service was low.

The survey, which questioned 8,857 UK troops, was carried out between July and October 2007.

[04] Zapatero Visits Athens

Spains Prime Minister Jos&#233; Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is on an official visit to Greece. Scheduled to be welcomed by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, at 11:30am, Zapatero will then hold talks with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Socialist leader George Papandreou.

Zapatero, who arrived in Athens along with his wife on Wednesday, toured the Acropolis, walked down the Areopagitou Str, made a stop at the Spanish embassy located there and then visited the New Acropolis Museum.

[05] 7 Killed in Darfur Ambush

Sources: REUTERS

Darfur militiamen ambushed and killed seven members of a joint U.N.-African Union (UNAMID) peacekeeping mission and wounded 22 others, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

At the United Nations in New York, spokeswoman Michele Montas said the attack lasted two hours and the assailants used heavy weapons.

"The secretary-general condemns in the strongest possible terms this unacceptable act of extreme violence against AU-U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur," Montas said, urging the Sudanese government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: UN fury at Darfur militia ambush

[06] Suggested a Study by Rand Research Organisation

10 Ιουλ 2008 09:04:0

Sources: REUTERS

The US policy has to revise its policy to Iran, suggested a study carried out by the California-based Rand Research Organisation. Rand was rather negative on a possible military hit against Iran, due to its nuclear aspirations. "Attacks on Iran proper would generate a great deal of ill-will and, in our view, would be unlikely to change Iranian policy. The US policy should focus on creating conditions for effective relations over the long haul," said the report by the independent research group. "The US government has some ability to foster favourable trends in Iran, but these policies will take time to come to fruition," the Rand report concluded.

[07] Sub-Saharan Illegal Immigrants

10 Ιουλ 2008 08:55:0

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ANA, AFP

Yet another sea accident involving illegal immigrants took place in the area between Spain and Africa, where 14 Africans lost their lives. Among the victims there were nine infants. Thirty-five people, including three expectant mothers, were rescued and it was their claims aired by Spanish radio stations that spoke of 14 victims. The vessel, which was carrying Sub-Saharan Africans, was located off Almeria.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Chavez Talks with Betancourt

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP, ANA/MPA

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had a telephone conversation with Ingrid Betancourt on Wednesday. As he himself said, he expressed to Betancourt, who was set free last week after more than six years as a hostage of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), his hope to contribute "in collaboration with her" to the release of the rest of the hostages, as well as to the peace talks with the rebels.

It is time for Colombia to talk not about war or death, but about life and peace, stressed Chavez, who had a leading role in the release of six FARC hostages in January and February. Among the hostages released was Clara Rojas, Betancourts campaign manager.

Betancourt along with three Americans and three Colombians was released on 2 July by the Colombian army.

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