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How the world sees Greece
Monday, December 23, 2013
Whole Foods Severs Ties With Chobani, Citing GMO Concerns
It’s another blow for Chobani as the year draws to an end. The popular Greek yogurt company will no longer be sold at Whole Foods stores starting in early 2014. This move by Whole Foods is unrelated to the Chobani recall that happened earlier this year.
Greece offers free electricity in bid to stem soaring smog levels
Greece has started offering free electricity to many low-income families in an effort to curb the use of firewood, which officials say has caused "alarming levels" of air pollution. In recent weeks, pollution levels have soared in the capital and other major cities. In particular, the amount of particulate matter in the air over the northern suburbs of Athens was measured at twice its normal ...
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Greece to build Holocaust memorial in Thessaloniki
HaaretzGreece to build Holocaust memorial in ThessalonikiHaaretzThe Thessaloniki Jewish community said the project was a long-held dream and particularly important at a time when Greece is struggling to deal with the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party which has 18 seats in parliament. “At a time when anti-Semitism and ...Greece City of Thessaloniki Plans Holocaust Center at Death Camp Train StationJewish Daily ForwardHolocaust Museum to Be Build in GreeceGreek ReporterGreek City to Build Holocaust Museum and Research CenterThe Jewish Pressall 23 news articles »
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EU rights agency decries 'mainstreaming' of extremism in Hungary, Greece
EU rights agency decries 'mainstreaming' of extremism in Hungary, GreeceJerusalem PostThe European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency issued a series of recommendations last week aimed at stemming the “mainstreaming of elements of extremist ideology in political and public discourse” throughout the continent, particularly in Greece and ...
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Famous Greek Composer Mikis Theodorakis Hospitalized
World renowned Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis was rushed to the Medical Center of Athens, Greece, where he was hospitalized with a lower respiratory tract infection. Theodorakis had a high fever and was quickly admitted so that the doctors ...
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Angel Gurria: Greece First in the World for Structural Reforms
Greek ReporterAngel Gurria: Greece First in the World for Structural ReformsGreek ReporterGurria gave Samaras a recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an overview for Greece, and praised the country's efforts, crediting the Prime Minister as he declared that Greece is the world leader of structural reforms.
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Privacy watchdog blocks plan to install CCTV cameras on Athens metro trains
Greece’s privacy watchdog has ruled that public transport authorities cannot install CCTV cameras in metro trains, deeming that such a move would not be in the interests of passengers.
The Hellenic Data Protection Authority said in a ruling that STASY, th... ...
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Second tranche of heating oil subsidy due to be paid out on Tuesday
Homeowners who have applied to receive heating oil subsidies are likely to receive the second instalment on Tuesday, Greece’s general secretary for revenues Haris Theocharis revealed on Monday.
Responding to a question via Twitter on Monday, Theocharis sa... ...
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Four Turks arrested in Greece for smuggling migrants
Four Turkish men have been arrested in northwestern Greece after being caught trying to smuggle seven Syrian and Afghan migrants to Italy.
Police said the arrests took place on Sunday as the men helped the immigrants onto a truck on the Athens-Ioannina hi... ...
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Greek police arrest four suspected members of kidnap gang
Police said on Monday they had arrested four members of a gang that is thought to have kidnapped a 27-year-old in July and obtained 20,500 euros in ransom money before returning the man to his family.
Police said the gang has a total of 10 members and tha... ...
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Greek City to Build Holocaust Museum and Research Center
Jewish Daily ForwardGreek City to Build Holocaust Museum and Research CenterThe Jewish PressThe northern Greek city of Thessaloniki will build a Holocaust research center at the site where some 50,000 of the city's Jews were deported to Nazi death camps. “This is the fulfilment of a historic responsibility for Thessaloniki,” city Mayor ...Holocaust Museum to Be Build in GreeceGreek ReporterThessaloniki to build Holocaust museum and research centerJerusalem Postall 17 news articles »
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Greece offers free electricity after firewood-induced smog causes health concerns
Raw StoryGreece offers free electricity after firewood-induced smog causes health concernsRaw StoryGreeks have turned to burning wood as energy prices have soared over the last two years thanks to tax hikes required by Greece's EU-IMF loan bailout. A new property tax was added to electricity bills in 2011 and the price of heating fuel also increased ...Athens Smog Levels Concern DoctorsGreek ReporterEnvironment: Greece; alarming smog levels in AthensANSAmedSecond tranche of heating oil subsidy due to be paid out on TuesdayKathimeriniall 6 news articles »
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Greece City of Thessaloniki Plans Holocaust Center at Death Camp Train Station
Jewish Daily ForwardGreece City of Thessaloniki Plans Holocaust Center at Death Camp Train StationJewish Daily Forward... marking the 70th anniversary of the deportation of Jews. getty images. Always Remember: Participants in a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the deportation of Jews from Greece toss flowers on the railroad tracks in the city of Thessaloniki.Holocaust Museum to Be Build in GreeceGreek ReporterThessaloniki to build Holocaust museum and research centerJerusalem Postall 17 news articles »
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Palestinian college student keeper of a fading tradition _ ringing the bells of Bethlehem
by
Associated Press
Ringing the bells of Bethlehem a fading tradition
by MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press - 23 December 2013 10:41-05:00
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian college student is one of the last keepers of a fading tradition — ringing the bells of Bethlehem.
Twice a week, Khadir Jaraiseh climbs to the roof of the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto where tradition says Jesus was born. He pulls the ropes of four bells in a rooftop tower for a total of 33 times to symbolize the number of years Jesus was believed to have lived.
Jaraiseh rings the bells for prayer services of the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of three denominations that administer the basilica, one of Christianity's holiest shrines. The Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox denominations at the Nativity church — each of which has its own set of bells — have switched to automatic bell-ringing.
But there's something special about the traditional approach, said Jaraiseh, who uses both hands and a floor pedal to pull the ropes.
"I feel like I'm making music and talking to God," said the 22-year-old, who has worked at the church for four years and is studying to become a tourist guide. "There is nothing better than working in the place of Jesus' birth."
Jaraiseh rings the bells two days a week and an older colleague covers the remaining five days. During the Christmas season, his task is particularly enjoyable, he said.
His rooftop perch offers a view of old stone houses and cobblestone alleys in the center of Bethlehem.
On Sunday, patches of snow were left on rooftops, remnants of a rare snow storm that hit earlier this month. Much of the church was covered in scaffolding, as part of urgent repairs of a leaking roof — the first facelift in 600 years. Below, Manger Square was filled with tour groups, including visitors from India and Africa.
But the postcard-like vista is disrupted by a string of Israeli settlements and Israel's West Bank separation barrier in the background. Around Bethlehem, the barrier is made up of ugly gray cement slabs, one of the many manifestations of the festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel portrays the barrier as a defense against militants, while Palestinians say it's an excuse for another Israeli land grab.
The conflict is ever-present in the Palestinian territories, even during the Christmas season, though not always acutely felt. Tensions have dropped in recent years, the U.S. is making a new attempt to broker a peace deal, Bethlehem hotel rooms are booked through December and the number of visitors is rising steadily.
Jaraiseh said Christmas remains the highlight of his year despite the political situation. "We wait for it, it's a happy day and we feel happy, regardless," he said.
The Armenians mark Christmas on Jan. 19. The day before, Jaraiseh will ring the bells for longer, while the Christmas Eve procession of the Armenian patriarch makes its way into church. Though he is the bell-ringer for the Armenians, Jaraiseh is Roman Catholic and celebrates Christmas this week.
The Greek Orthodox switched to a computerized system after their bell ringer died a few years ago.
"We just press the button, without any need to go up to the roof in bad or good weather," said Issa Talgiyeh, a Greek Orthodox priest. "This is much easier," he said — though he acknowledged that the bells rung by hand sound more beautiful.
The Roman Catholics went the same route, using a generator to back up the system.
The Armenians initially had five bells that were installed in 1923. One was damaged during Israel's 2002 siege of the church when Palestinian gunmen were holed up inside the shrine for 40 days.
Khat Joundourian, a senior Armenian priest, said his church decided to preserve tradition.
"What if one day the computer (for the bells) doesn't work or needs to be reset?" he said. "Would we skip the call to prayer?"
News Topics: General news, Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, Eastern Orthodox Church, Christmas, Territorial disputes, Roman Catholicism, Religion, Social affairs, Holidays, Occasions, Lifestyle, War and unrestPeople, Places and Companies: Palestinian territories, West Bank, Israel, Middle East
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Venizelos Under Siege As PASOK Fades
ATHENS – PASOK Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos has had some explaining to do to his cadre of advisors and party members and lawmakers fearful that the once-dominant party will disappear off the radar screen of Greek politics because of his never-ending support of harsh austerity measures that are antithetical to the group’s charter and as […]
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Glimmer of Hope in Dim Greece?
ATHENS – There’s record unemployment. One in in five live in poverty. Seven in 10 young say they want to leave the country. People have lost nearly half their disposable income to austerity measures. Public worker firings are coming. Banks are going to start foreclosing on homes. Protests that used to be accompanied by anarchist […]
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Greek Banks Didn’t Want Foreclosures
ATHENS – While Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ coalition government celebrated when Parliament approved a unified property tax and a partial lifting of a ban on foreclosures, Greek banks weren’t happy about it. Pressured by international lenders, the New Democracy Conservative party leader and his partner, PASOK Socialist chief Evangelos Venizelos – whose party put the […]
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River of Immigrants Coming to America
It is no surprise that in the year 2013 we immigrants constitute 37 percent of the 8.2 million people who live in the City of New York, according to a report by the relevant municipal department. That is the highest percentage of immigrants in the city in almost 100 years. The only difference is that […]
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Greek Stocks Soar, Up by 45% in 2013, World’s #1
While past investors have been burned badly playing the Athens Stock Exchange, this year – even during a crushing economic crisis – it has been the world’s best performer, surging 45 percent in dollar terms, far ahead of second-place Ireland – also a bailout country – at 35 percent. Global stock markets have reflected the […]
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Dangerous Smog Covers Greek Cities
ATHENS – With people unable to afford heavily-taxed heating oil and having their power turned off for non-payment of electric bills turning to burning wood, plastic, furniture, leaves, construction debris and whatever is flammable to keep warm, the air over Greece’s cities, especially at night, has become toxic to the elderly and asthma sufferers. The […]
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Cyprus Red Cross Feeds Needy
NICOSIA – The depth of Cyprus’ growing economic crisis was apparent on Dec. 23 when even people in BMW’s shopped up to accept food stuffs and other necessities in Christmas packages handed out by the island’s Red Cross. The organization said it handed out about 3,500 packages which contain 30 essential items such as sugar, […]
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Greek unemployment decreases mildly in Q3
Youth unemployment rate stands at 57.2 percent. The jobless rate has fallen for the second time in a row on a quarterly basis after the record high of 27.4 percent at the year's beginning. Despite the drop, Greece has the highest unemployment rate in Eurozone.
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Greek Banks Relieved by Freeze on Foreclosures
The American newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, commented on the recent decision of the Greek government to extend for one more year, the suspension of foreclosures on primary residences. The vote on the law governing foreclosures is described ...
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Financial Times: Greece First in Global Equities
Greek ReporterFinancial Times: Greece First in Global EquitiesGreek ReporterThe Daily Mail and Financial Times have written on the Athens Stock Exchange, noting that Greece is first in world market shares. An article entitled “Greek Markets Reflect Recovery of Developed World's Economies” pointed out the significant stock ...
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Greek policeman kills himself after fatal accident
ATHENS, Greece: Greek authorities say an off-duty policeman shot himself dead out of remorse after knocking over and killing an elderly woman in a traffic accident in Athens.
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Doctors warn about smog levels in Athens and other Greek cities
KathimeriniDoctors warn about smog levels in Athens and other Greek citiesKathimeriniThe Athens Medical Association added its voice on Monday to those warning about smog levels in Athens due to the high number of households using fireplaces to keep warm and the weather conditions, which are not helping to disperse air pollution.
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Where Is the Rule of the Troika Leading Greece?
Where Is the Rule of the Troika Leading Greece?Huffington PostSince 2010, Greece is under the rule of the Troika (IMF, European Commission [EC] , European Central Bank [ECB]), which rules under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a document expounding what is expected to be executed by the ...
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Greek policeman kills himself after causing death of elderly woman in traffic accident
GREEK authorities say an off-duty policeman shot himself dead out of remorse after knocking over and killing an elderly woman in a traffic accident in Athens. A police statement said the policeman committed suicide with his service handgun "clearly because ...
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Greek policeman commits suicide after hitting, killing pedestrian in Athens traffic accident
ATHENS, Greece - Greek authorities say an off-duty policeman shot himself dead out of remorse after knocking over and killing an elderly woman in a traffic accident in Athens. A police statement said the policeman committed suicide with his ...
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Glimmers of hope for Greek future
BBC NewsGlimmers of hope for Greek futureBBC NewsWhat is known is the story of Greece's decline, how a once-confident country has lost a quarter of its economy; of 27% unemployment - double that among the youth - of pensions slashed and homelessness up. And that is all true, it has been heartbreaking ...There is a feeling of optimism in Athens GreeceBalkans.com Business Newsall 2 news articles »
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What the Greek government expects to gain from the EU presidency
The tolerance vote of the coalition members - The dilemmas for New Democracy and PASOK parliamentary groups - Primary surplus and Berlin’s stance Despite the efforts of the communications staff of the government to downgrade the departure/deletion of ...
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Azerbaijan Buys Greek Gas Distributor Stake
AzerNewsAzerbaijan Buys Greek Gas Distributor StakeRadioFreeEurope/RadioLibertyGreece's privatization agency says Azerbaijan's state gas operator SOCAR has finalized an agreement to buy 66 percent of Greek gas distributor DESFA. The sale is part of Greece's state asset sale program originating from its EU-IMF bailout obligations.Azerbaijan seals deal for Greek gas distriNinemsnSOCAR obtains 66% share of Greek gas company DESFAAzerNewsSOCAR acquires 66 percent share package of Greek DESFATrend.azAzerbaijan Business Centerall 27 news articles »
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Greek Cypriots realize it's time to start benefiting from peace
Hurriyet Daily NewsGreek Cypriots realize it's time to start benefiting from peaceHurriyet Daily NewsGreek Cypriots have long hesitated about signing a final settlement over Cyprus' division, but the necessity of a lasting solution is slowly dawning on the island's southern half, according to Turkish Cyprus' foreign minister. Economically, the only ...We will hold a spartan but functional and goal-oriented EU Presidency, Greek ...Famagusta GazetteIn Our Pages: December 23New York Times (blog)1963 is still a historical minefieldCyprus MailTrend.azall 11 news articles »
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The Greek scholar and future Tánaiste who played for Cavan in an All-Ireland final
The Wilsons’ connection to Mullahoran, thus, can be traced back to the 18th Century ... After finishing school, he studied in UCG and UCD, gaining a degree in Classics and picking up a love of languages and of ancient Greece, which he would carry ...
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Greece's Economic Crisis Caused Local Air Pollution Levels to Up
A recent paper authored by Greek and American researchers shows than Greece's economic crisis has fostered one other issue that the country must now deal with. Long story short, the economic crisis has caused air pollution levels across Greece to up to a ...
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The Roots of “Christmas” in Ancient Greece
Christmas is the most important, and perhaps the most treasured, celebration of Christianity filled with joy and love. Every country celebrates ... According to Greek mythology, his mother was a mortal woman, Semele, and his father was Zeus ...
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'Greek Revival' Author At R.J. Julia
The author of a book that explains how to grow vegetables to enhance the Mediterranean diet as well as how to cook and serve them, will speak Saturday, Dec. 28, at 6 p.m., at R.J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison.
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Teacher Fired for Failing Greek PM's Son
Greek ReporterTeacher Fired for Failing Greek PM's SonGreek ReporterThe Greek Central Council for Secondary Education (KYSDE) announced the definitive dismissal of the teacher who a year and a half ago caught the Greek Prime Minister's son cheating on a test and gave him a failing grade in her class. After 21 years of ...and more »
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Greek new property tax ratified by legislators
Greek new property tax ratified by legislatorsXinhuaATHENS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- A much anticipated unified tax law on property in Greece promoted as part of marathon efforts to address the three-year debt crisis, was ratified by Greek lawmakers this weekend. With a razor thin majority of 152 votes in ...Greek new property tax ratified by legislators, receives mixed reviews by ...Global TimesA Humbug Xmas For Many GreeksGreek ReporterGreek government passes new property tax to help the poorStandart Newsall 5 news articles »
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Ala. man helped keep Greek tradition alive
Ala. man helped keep Greek tradition aliveAlbany Times UnionBIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — For more than 40 years, nearly every Greek wedding, funeral and baptism in Birmingham included music chanted by Angelos Petelos. "He was there at every funeral," said Toni Nordan, who learned to be a Greek chanter from ...and more »
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Greek Orthodox church nearly done with 10-year effort to paint saints
Greek Orthodox church nearly done with 10-year effort to paint saintsSun-SentinelAt Sunday Mass, children point to the freshly painted ceiling. They crane their necks at the larger-than-life icon of Jesus Christ, offering a blessing with his right hand and holding the gospels in his left, on the colorful sanctuary dome. This ...
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NY forum illustrates confidence in Greek prospects
KathimeriniNY forum illustrates confidence in Greek prospectsKathimeriniThe annual investment forum of Capital Link held last week in New York sent a positive message about investment prospects in Greece. The newly found confidence is based on improvements in the competitiveness of the Greek economy, the reduction of the ...Banks should act now to get cleaned upNeos Kosmosall 3 news articles »
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Greece names Paul Holahan finance director
Greece names Paul Holahan finance directorRochester Democrat and ChroniclePaul Holahan, outgoing city of Rochester commissioner of Environmental Services, has been appointed finance director for the Town of Greece. Greece Supervisor-elect Bill Reilich announced the appointment on Friday. Holahan will begin his new job on Jan ...and more »
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A politically unstable Greece takes over EU Presidency
KathimeriniA politically unstable Greece takes over EU PresidencyHurriyet Daily NewsAs of the 1st of January Greece – a country among the worst hit by the crisis and still suffering under the strictest austerity packages -is taking over the EU presidency for the next six months. This is a big challenge for the weak government ...EU summit conclusions touch on several key issues for GreeceKathimeriniAntonis Samaras: SRM One of Greek EU Presidency's Main PrioritiesGreek ReporterGreece PM Expects 'Imminent' Recovery of Greek EconomyWall Street JournalInternational Business Times UKall 16 news articles »
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A Dickensian Christmas For Greece's New Poor
A Dickensian Christmas For Greece's New PoorDaily BeastThe Klimaka center, like many NGOs across Greece, is picking up where the Greek government has failed. Klimaka offers support—psychological, social, and for basic primary needs—to a growing number of homeless and near-homeless people in Greece.
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