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If we can farm metal from plants, what else can we learn from life on Earth?For the past couple of years, I’ve been working with researchers in northern Greece who are farming metal. In a remote, beautiful field, high in the Pindus mountains in Epirus, they are experimenting with a trio of shrubs known to scientists as “hyperaccumulators”: plants which have evolved the capacity to thrive in naturally metal-rich soils that are toxic to most other kinds of life. They do this by drawing the metal out of the ground and storing it in their leaves and stems, where it can be harvested like any other crop.
Devices to stop drivers speeding could be mandatory in all new cars Speed limiters could be fitted to all new cars under government plans to fall in line with a controversial European Union ruling.Ministers are set to announce consultation on a range of vehicle safety measures that reduce engine power or set off alarms if drivers exceed the speed limit. The measures would be introduced for safety reasons but are likely to be backed by environmental campaigners pushing for lower speeds to reduce emissions. They are the latest sign of a growing crackdown on speeding, with police forces increasingly enforcing 60mph speed limits on long stretches of new smart motorways.On Friday night, Tory MPs suggested the “Big Brother in your cockpit” proposals were further evidence of an “anti-driver campaign”.
Greece steps off the sidelines to support Ukraine but faces balancing act with an unconvinced publicWhen Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a speech via teleconference to Greece’s parliament last week, in which he made allusions to the political, cultural and religious ties between the two countries, it was greeted with hearty applause.But the mood changed after Mr Zelensky gave the floor – virtually speaking – to two Ukrainian fighters with Greek roots.When one of the soldiers mentioned that he was a member of the Azov battalion, a far-right militia with neo-Nazi roots, three members of Greece’s opposition party stood up and walked out. For days, the Greek media covered the incident with varying degrees of outrage, regret, condemnation, and understanding.
Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and other Cabinet ministers banned from entering Russia
Nearly one in four rape victims are girls under 16 , “unacceptable” new figures revealGirls under 16 were the victims in nearly a quarter of rape cases, according to Home Office data seen by The Independent.Around 60,000 out of 271,000 rapes recorded by police in the five years up to last spring had young girls as victims, the data shows.Roughly 26,200 of these were under 13 years-old - nearly one in 10 - according to the data requested by the Liberal Democrats.Charities said the figures for England and Wales were “unacceptable” and the true toll was likely to be higher due to the under-reporting of this crime.
Easter lunch to cost 9% more than in 2021, consumer group estimatesThe average household “basket” for the Greek Orthodox Easter feast on Sunday, April 24, will cost 45.34 euros, or 9% more than in 2021, for two people shopping from one of the country’s major supermarket chains – and this does not include the cost of the traditional lamb or goat, according to a report by the Institute for Retail Consumer Goods Research (IELKA) published on Friday. The price of the lamb and goat meat that is the centerpiece of the Easter feast has not yet settled but is considered likely to be higher as Easter approaches, while the cheapest prices are likely to be found in larger supermarket chains due to economies of scale.
Heavy Traffic in Greece before Easter, Ferry Tickets ran outHeavy traffic in Greece. The ferry tickets are over. Greeks and foreigners “take over” the islands for Easter.After two years of restrictions and measures against Covid-19, Greeks are traveling en masse to the islands. Transport companies say tickets have been bought from today to Easter for the Aegean islands and the island of Corfu. Additional ferries were launched and tickets were sold for them.In a poll, Greeks say that despite the high prices of all services and goods in two years they want to celebrate Easter free without restrictions.At the same time, the price of a kilogram of lamb reached 15 euros. Eggs and Easter cakes are 30% more expensive. 25% of Greeks say they can't afford everything at the traditional Easter table this year.
Why Orthodox and Catholic Easter Are on Different DatesUnlike most European nations, which will celebrate on April 17, Greece will adhere to the date for Orthodox Easter, which falls one week later — on April 24.Orthodox Churches still use the Julian calendar for Easter, meaning at some times that there can be a weeks-long lag behind the Gregorian.
Vlahakis: The Greek Tribe of Africa
Ukrainian Post’s ‘Russian Warship, F— You!’ Stamp Sells High On EbayThe “Russian warship, f— you!” postage stamp announced by the Ukrainian postal service Ukrposhta in March to honor the viral response of Ukrainian soldiers defending Snake Island, has eventually gone into circulation and is scoring high selling prices on ebay.
Montresta: The Hidden Greek Village Of SardiniaAlthough Sardinia is a wonderful idyllic Mediterranean island, few know that there is a Greek village.The village of Montresta in Sardinia was founded by Greeks from the Mani peninsula in 1750.
Last rites? Supermarkets’ annual Easter egg bonanza to endShoppers may soon have to hunt for chocolate eggs as anti-obesity law dictates how and where unhealthy foods can be soldFrom the Easter eggs towers by the entrance to the ad hoc bins filled with Lindt Gold Bunnies and Creme Eggs near the checkout, it takes serious willpower to resist buying chocolate in the supermarket at this time of year.In the autumn new laws, part of the government’s anti-obesity strategy, will prohibit thousands of unhealthy products, including chocolate bars, biscuits and crisps being sold from these lucrative pitches.
‘Frankenchicken’ at the centre of fight for animal welfareThe Ross 308 is one of the most successful products in consumer history, with many tens of billions sold around the world over the last decade.With its own 15-page performance manual, low production costs and a bargain price for shoppers, it is marketed as the world’s most popular meat chicken.Owned by the global breeding firm Aviagen, the Ross 308 has been bred to reach its kill weight in just 35 days, growing more than three times faster than the conventional breeds of the 1950s.While families across the country gather this weekend, the Ross 308 will be an affordable option for the Easter Sunday roast. A whole chicken can be bought for as little as £2.46.Animal welfare campaigners claim the cost of such low-priced meat is being paid for by the chickens, which grow so fast their hearts and bone structures can struggle to cope. They want retailers to stop selling the Ross 308 and the Cobb 500, the Uk’s other main fast-growing breed, citing research showing these chickens had higher mortality, lameness and muscle disease than slower-growing breeds.On the modern food plate, the chicken can be cheaper than chips. A 1.4kg Willow Farm whole chicken in Tesco costs just £2.89 (£2.07 per kg), compared to a 1.6kg bag of McCain home chips costing £3.50 (£2.19 per kg).
Shoppers may soon have to hunt for chocolate eggs as anti-obesity law dictates how and where unhealthy foods can be sold
Bye 'eck, I never took you for a bleedin' heart lefty liberal, expat
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Topic: 16/04/22 (Read 1784 times)
