The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] For the Counter of Poverty Helping Hand for Third World

By Vicky Keleri

The G8 are a breath away from a historic agreement that will help Africa counter poverty, after a proposal by the U.S. and Great Britain of a debt relief plan of 18 of the poorest Third World nations. The proposal was made during the G8 Economy Ministers meeting in London and foresees the 100% debt cut to the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Following, it will have to be reviewed and ratified by the other members of the G8, which are Russia, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Italy.

Reservations by Germany and Japan

However, Germany and Japan hold reservations on the proposal. Germanys objection is that the debts cannot be cut from the 18 countries without criteria. According to the country, the debt cuts have to be made when progress is shown by the countries towards the improvement of their political systems and the counter of corruption. On its part, Japan evaluates that this blanket of forgiveness will create ethical dangers.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Dead Reach 30 Deadly Fire in China

By Vicky Keleri

As Xinhua news agency announced, late last night, a hotel in southern China burned down and resulted in the death of 30 people and the injuring of 15. The injured were taken to a hospital in the area, while four are in a critical state. The number of people living in the hotel has not yet been determined. The firemen needed three hours to extinguish the fire that broke out late on Friday afternoon and burned down three floors of the Huanan Hotel in Shantou, in the province of Guangdong. Already, the police have started an investigation over the causes of the fire.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Eleven People Dead Multi-Fatality Explosion in Baghdad

By Vicky Keleri

Last night, a new blast of a car packed with explosives shook a Shiite area of Baghdad. At least 11 people lost their lives, and 29 were injured as police and hospital officials announced. The car packed with explosives was parked in a street in northwest Baghdad. According to witnesses it aroused suspicion to the areas residents who gathered around it a few minutes before the explosion. The police have not yet concluded the target of the attack.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Need for Further Research Doubts for Painkillers

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: BBC - NET

A whole category of painkillers is being put under the microscope, following findings by the Universities of Nottingham, Berne and South California. As per their studies, patients using painkillers such as Ibuprofen run a 24% higher risk of heart attack, as well as increased risk of breast cancer. Actually, havoc was created in Great Britain when the newspaper Guardian revealed that ibuprofen, which was used by over 9 million patients who suffer from arthritis, was linked to heart conditions. The drugs in question are being dispensed in the UK without a medical prescription, while in Greece ibuprofen pills are dispensed with a simple medical prescription. Greek doctors, however, noted that the side effects of these type of painkillers are known, while they reassured the public that there is no need for concern.

Scientists Put Fears to Rest

Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Advil, Algofren and Brufen, which are available in the Greek market, are just some of the painkillers that contain the suspect substance. They are administered to cancer patients, people suffering from arthritis, in post-operation cases, as well as for simple headaches.

The studies were conducted on a sample of 10,000 patients. Comparative tests between patients who never suffered a heart attack and those who suffered at least one showed that the patients who had been administered the specific painkillers had at least one case of heart attack in their medical history.

However, the scientists reassured the public that there is no need for concern, while they noted that the results were based on the prerequisite of frequent and long-term use. They also claimed that the findings will be investigated further.

Last year, another popular drug belonging to the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, Vioxx, was withdrawn from the market, as it was connected to heart conditions. As per economic analysts, the whole case is just a war between pharmaceutical companies, aiming at implementing new regulations for their distribution.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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