Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-01-24 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] We do not agree with the reduction of the tax free threshold, Defence Min Kammenos says [02] Investigation into corruption cases a top priority, gov't spokesman says [03] Flamingos, the permanent attraction of Lefkimmi wetlands [04] The 'brain viagra' may hide in kisspeptin [05] 35 refugees arrested in Kastellorizo --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] We do not agree with the reduction of the tax free threshold, Defence Min Kammenos says "We do not agree with the reduction of the tax free threshold because it wil hurt the low incomes," Defence Minister Panos Kammenos on Tuesday said in statements to ANT1 TV. He underlined that despite the pressure and the reports for lower salaries and pensions, nothing has been confirmed. He reassured that the government is still negotiating and the economic staff is striving to close the second programme review. Kammenos accused Germany that it does not behave as an ally but as a 'loan shark' and stressed that the US traditionally support Greece in difficult times. He said he is a supporter of Donald Trump adding that his Greek Americans associates will do their best to help the country. He also praised the position of Trump that Russia is not the enemy, but the Islamist terrorism is. [02] Investigation into corruption cases a top priority, gov't spokesman says The government has set as high priority to shed light into corruption cases that have wounded the political life, State Minister and government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said in a press briefing on Tuesday. He stated that the Greek people are the victims of corruption practices adding that the investigation committee's strenuous efforts have shed light into the corruption triangle of political parties, banks and media that is to blame for the bankruptcy and the depth of the Greek crisis. He stated that the fight against corruption is not over adding that the Commission's ruling is the start. Tzanakopoulos also noted that the government expects progress in the Eurogroup on 26 January, so that we reach a plan that includes the rapid conclusion of the second review without additional measures and with participation in the ECB's quantitative easing program in the current quarter. [03] Flamingos, the permanent attraction of Lefkimmi wetlands Flamingos refuse to migrate and remain at the wetland of Alyki Lefkimmi, Corfu, throughout the year. Two hundred hectares, including a small lagoon and an abandoned land of salt marshes, form a haven on earth for the flamingos that decided to make it their permanent residence for the last three years. The wetland of Lefkimmi is included in Natura 2000 and is the richest one on Corfu because the basins are shallow and warm and work as a natural incubator for the flamingos' eggs, the director of the centre for environment education of Lefkimmi, Alekos Vlassis, said to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA). Moreover, he noted, a large number of different worms, crustaceans and other micro-organisms live in the wetland's muddy bed which are flamingos' favourite food. The flamingos and the shell ducks that are the wetland's inhabitants have become a popular attraction for bird watchers who gather in the area every year. [04] The 'brain viagra' may hide in kisspeptin A British scientistic team, led by a Greek scientist, found that an hormone called kisspeptin can enhance limbic brain activity specifically in response to sexual and couple-bonding stimuli. Furthermore, kisspeptin's enhancement of limbic brain structures also correlates with psychometric measures of reward, drive, mood, and sexual aversion, providing functional significance. In addition, kisspeptin administration attenuated negative mood. The placebo-controlled study was focused on 29 healthy heterosexual young men and aimed to explore the effects of kisspeptin administration on limbic brain activity in response to sexual and emotional stimuli. They participated in 2 study visits: one for intravenous administration of kisspeptin and one for intravenous administration of an equivalent volume of vehicle for 75 minutes. Participants completed baseline and intrainfusion questionnaires and underwent functional MRI scanning while performing image tasks. Kisspeptin administration enhanced limbic brain activity in response to sexual images, which correlated with psychometric measures. The researchers of the Department of Medicine at the Imperial London College, led by Professor Waljit Dhillo and Alexander Comninos, made the publication in the "Journal of Clinical Investigation." [05] 35 refugees arrested in Kastellorizo Thirty five refugees from Syria and Palestine, among them six children, were arrested on the island of Kastellorizo for illegal entry to Greece. The refugees had left from the opposite Turkish coasts.