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Welcome, 77 artists, 40 different points of Attica welcomes you by singing Erotokritos an epic romance written at 1713 by Vitsentzos Kornaros

Friday, June 27, 2014

Prison guards and inmates protest jail conditions

Greek prison guards on Friday vowed to extend action being carried out in protest at understaffing across the country’s correctional facilities until July 1. According to figures provided by unionists, who launched rolling work stoppages on Thursday, faci... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Stournaras sworn in at BoG’s helm

Yannis Stournaras was sworn in as the new governor of the Bank of Greece on Friday in the presence of President Karolos Papoulias (center) and Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis (left). After his swearing-in, former Finance Minister Stournaras expressed h... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Payment delays have cost billions

The Greek economy is estimated to have lost out on some 16 billion euros, or just under 9 percent of the country’s expected gross domestic product this year, as a result of delays in state payments to enterprises as well as in transactions between compani... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

After Town of Greece Supreme Court Decision, School Board Mulling Sectarian ...

Christian PostAfter Town of Greece Supreme Court Decision, School Board Mulling Sectarian ...Christian PostA South Carolina school board is considering a return to a prayer policy similar to Town of Greece, New York after the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of sectarian prayers at public meetings. Pickens County School Board's policy committee ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.christianpost.com

Hellenic Petroleum to issue five-year bond

Greece’s biggest refiner Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) said on Thursday it mandated Barclays Bank PLC and Credit Suisse Securities as global coordinators to issue a five-year bond. This would be the company’s second debt issue since May, when it sold $400 mil... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

S&P report takes heavy toll on stocks

The Standard & Poor’s report on Greek banks inflicted fresh losses on their respective stocks and sealed the benchmark’s end-of-week fate, as it posted the biggest weekly drop of 2014, giving up 7.35 percent from last Friday. The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) g... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Seven suspects remanded in custody over heroin racket

Seven suspects were jailed pending trial on Friday after being charged in an unfolding international heroin-trafficking probe. Five Indian crew members of the Noor One Togo-flagged tanker which is believed to have transported the drugs to Greece, a 41-yea... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Google Street View Explores the Beauty of Greece

eWeekGoogle Street View Explores the Beauty of GreeceeWeekThe lush and beautiful nation of Greece has a rich history dating back centuries in Southern Europe, where it is has been a beloved travel destination due to its architecture, its art, its people and its culture. But not everyone has yet had the ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.eweek.com

Georgios Samaras, Greek FA Arrange for Fan with Down Syndrome to Visit Brazil

Bleacher ReportGeorgios Samaras, Greek FA Arrange for Fan with Down Syndrome to Visit BrazilBleacher ReportGeorgios Samaras' last-ditch penalty kick against the Ivory Coast that propelled Greece into the knockout stages of the World Cup put him into legendary status in Greek quarters. However, in one young Celtic supporter's eyes, Samaras had already been ...Greek hero Georgios Samaras organises for little Celtic fan Jay Beatty to ...Irish MirrorVideo: Greek fans campaign to take Celtic fan Jay to meet his friend and hero ...Scottish Daily RecordVideo: Greek fans want to take young Celtic fan Jay Beatty to the World CupScotland NowIrish Times -Scotsman -Greek Reporterall 29 news articles »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT bleacherreport.com

Alpha Bank to securitise 1 billion euros of shipping loans, say sources

Greece's Alpha Bank plans to securitise about 1.0 billion euros ($1.36 billion) of shipping loans this summer in one of the first European asset-backed deals in this industry for years, a banker with Alpha Bank and another finance industry source said on ... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Constant changes in tax regulations are major headache for Greeks living abroad

“I’m in Greece for a week and instead of going on holiday, I’ve been spending all day at the tax office,” says a Greek man who works in Germany. “And the worst of it is that I’ll end up being taxed twice.” The man, who wished to remain anonymous, is certa... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Greek federation offer to pay for Armagh boy to see his hero Samaras play in Brazil

After their progression to the last 16, the Greek national team has made a classy gesture by offering to fly Armagh's Jay Beatty to Brazil. Greece are a hard team to like on the field, as they play dour, defensive football, but there's no doubting that off ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT entertainment.ie

Costa Rica vs. Greece: Betting Odds, World Cup Prediction, Match Preview

Bleacher ReportCosta Rica vs. Greece: Betting Odds, World Cup Prediction, Match PreviewBleacher ReportCosta Rica and Greece came into the World Cup with the worst betting odds to win their respective groups. However, Costa Rica has been the biggest surprise of the tournament winning the Group of Champions, and the Greeks came in second in their group ...Tejeda: We didn't expect GreeceFifa.comWorld Cup 2014 Round of 16; Costa Rica vs GreeceThe Costa Rican TimesFIFA 2014 Round of 16 Predictions: Match #52 Costa Rica vs. GreeceInternational Business Times AUall 66 news articles »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT bleacherreport.com

World Cup 2014: Greece supporters united in belief that Kostas Katsouranis must not face Costa Rica

But when it comes to whether veteran midfielder Kostas Katsouranis should play in that match, the majority of the Greeks on social media have said “no”. The Facebook page for 11-year-old Jay going to Brazil set up by Greeks had over 85,000 likes on Friday.

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.telegraph.co.uk

Greece-Costa Rica Preview

This World Cup just got a whole lot easier for Costa Rica. Having left former champions Uruguay, Italy and England behind to sensationally win their group - one of the toughest at the World Cup - the Costa Ricans line up against their lowest-ranked opposition so far in Greece in the second round on Sunday. It surprisingly has Costa Rica finding itself the favorite for a place in the ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT sports.yahoo.com

World Cup Quarters for Costa Rica or Greece

Fifa.comWorld Cup Quarters for Costa Rica or GreeceABC NewsHaving left former champions Uruguay, Italy and England behind to sensationally win their group — one of the toughest at the World Cup — the Costa Ricans line up against their lowest-ranked opposition so far in Greece in the second round on Sunday.Tejeda: We didn't expect GreeceFifa.comWorld Cup 2014 Round of 16; Costa Rica vs GreeceThe Costa Rican TimesGreeks won't underestimate Costa RicaTico TimesInternational Business Times AU -Sports Mole -Neos Kosmosall 56 news articles »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT abcnews.go.com

Greece star Georgios Samaras invites young Irish fan to the World Cup

A YOUNG IRISH fan is set to travel to the World Cup to watch his hero Georgios Samaras in action, after being invited to the tournament by the star himself. 11-year-old Celtic supporter Jay Beatty, who has Down’s syndrome, also encountered the Greek ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT thescore.thejournal.ie

Greece's new central bank governor sworn in

Yannis Stournaras was sworn in as new Bank of Greece governor on Friday during a ceremony presided over by Greek President Karolos Papoulias. Recently appointed Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis was also present at the ceremony. Speaking to the press fol... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Jay Beatty will not travel to Brazil, wishes Greece all the best

An eleven-year-old Scottish boy invited by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) to attend Greece’s World Cup game with Costa Rica on Sunday was unable to accept the invite as his family had already organized a vacation at the same time. Jay Beatty, who ... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Odysseas Hatzopoulos, Kaktos publisher, dies

Odysseas Hatzopoulos, 73, founder of Kaktos editions, died in an Athens hospital on Friday. Born in Athens in 1941, Hatzopoulos founded Kaktos in 1975. The publishing house specialized in translations of works by ancient Greek authors. His funeral will ta... ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Costa Ricas Jorge Luis Pinto is a Latin American José Mourinho

Jorge Luis Pinto shares coaching methods and an acerbic tongue with the Chelsea manager and believes sex can drive his players to the World Cup quarter-finals

Few would have predicted that it would be Costa Rica, representing a country of only 4.8m people and with a modest football history, that would emerge from a group of three former world champions.

But Uruguay, Italy and England the latter to a lesser extent as they were already out when they faced Los Ticos seem to have underestimated the team and their colourful coach who is something of a Latin American José Mourinho. On Sunday they face Greece with a World Cup quarter-final place at stake.

Continue reading...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com

World Cup 2014 power rankings: Colombia rule after group stage

Los Cafeteros won all three games in Group C to displace France at the top, Chile, Belgium and Algeria move up while the bottom 16 have disappointed, and all gone home

They promised to do it without Radamel Falcao, and Colombia have been as good as their word. The rampaging manner in which they topped Group C, with a 100 per cent record and a plus-seven goal difference, seems to have gone under the radar. The playmaker James Rodríguez has been the star turn, scoring in the wins against Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan and creating two goals for Jackson Martínez in the latter, but the likes of Martínez and Teófilo Gutiérrez have also stepped up to make their talismans absence seem an irrelevance. Colombias transitions from defence to attack are thrillingly swift and, even if their back line has not yet been tested to its limit, they look a very good bet to go far.

Continue reading...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com

How to Make Your Own Greek Armor

New Yorker (blog)How to Make Your Own Greek ArmorNew Yorker (blog)Intellectual life thrives on mystery. When it comes to ancient Greece, one of those mysteries is the linothorax—the flimsy-looking, hip-length armor that you see warriors wearing on Greek vases. (Linothorax means, literally, “linen chest.”) Why go to ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.newyorker.com

Greek hero Georgios Samaras organises for little Celtic fan Jay Beatty to travel to World Cup

Forget Suarez and his knashers, this is what we like to see. Big hearted Greece ace Georgios Samaras has sent a touching message to a young Irish Celtic fan and organised for him to go to Greece’s game against Costa Rica. Little Jay Beatty, from Armagh ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.irishmirror.ie

Tesco faces irate shareholders at AGM

Rolling business and financial news, including updated UK GDP for the first quarter of 2014

Tesco AGM underway, from 11am

Latest: UK economy grew by 0.8%, ONS says

Business investment up 5% in last quarter

Mark Carney: 'new normal' means rates will be lower

12.11pm BST

Nice summary of the scene at Tesco's AGM from our retail reporter Simon Neville, no longer of this parish.

The general mood of the Tesco shareholders is they don't feel listened to, letters to the board go unanswered and execs are too arrogant

12.09pm BST

First with the big Tesco AGM news RT @ITVJoel: Another shareholder unhappy with the refrigeration systems at Potters Bar

I'm going to need a new refrigeration system myself if the quality of questions doesn't improve.....

12.07pm BST

Another shareholder is taking Tesco to task about.....the quality of its fruit section

Tesco now under fire from investor questioning nutritional content of South African fruit in its produce sections

12.05pm BST

Hi @Tesco it would mean a lot to your customers if you paid living wage to your staff please! #livingwage #TescoAGM

12.04pm BST

The current board aren't getting off lightly -- they've been criticised for taking home 'million' of pounds despite Tesco's poor share performance (down 13% in the last year)

#Tesco board getting a battering from shareholders at #TescoAGM oh dear

12.00pm BST

Anon shareholder blasts Sir Terry Leahy...says was "paid millions for losing billions"

11.58am BST

Another Tesco shareholder reminds the throng that Phil Clarke's predecessor, Sir Terry Leahy, blundered by trying to crack the US market.

The ill-fated Fresh & Easy chain, estimated to have cost Tesco £2bn, was put into bankruptcy last October.

Another #Tesco shareholder criticises Clarke's predecessor, Sir Terry Leahy, for "costing billions" from failed venture in the US.

11.50am BST

Tesco has also been handed a petition with 32,000 signatures, calling on the supermarket chain to start paying the Living Wage, of £7.65 per hour, to its staff.

@graemewearden @zoewoodguardian Heres former #Tesco manager Amy going into #TescoAGM w 32,000 calling for #livingwage pic.twitter.com/9KcsqHeuhe

11.46am BST

First shareholder up says Tesco not "Madonna". It doesn't need to be loved just provide decent place to shop...

I don't remember Madonna being a hit on the high street.

11.43am BST

You can always rely on Britain's army of small investors to speak unvarnished truth to City bosses:

Here comes the shareholders. 1st one accuses Tesco of "arrogance" when the going was good.

He also seems upset about lack of soap in the men's toilets at Brent Cross... That's AGMs for you.

11.41am BST

Now it's time for Tesco's shareholders to have their say....

Broadbent makes the obligatory plea for shareholders to keep questions brief. Like asking lions to stop eating meat... TescoAGM

11.40am BST

Tesco's problems lie in its big stores, Clarke points out, rather than in its web shopping and smaller convenience stores.

He tries to calm investor concerns by selling them that Tesco's new store format is delivering results:

PC says refurbished big stores are delivering "sustained" sales uplifts #TescoAGM

If online and convenience stores were our business "we'd be shooting the lights out" says Clarke. But 80% Tesco sales in larger stores.

11.34am BST

Tesco has learned over the last two years that we need to improve our performance, Clarke adds:

Philip Clarke says Tesco will cut more prices

"Reducing prices doesn't result in an instant sales increase," Clarke tells #Tesco shareholders.

11.29am BST

Now Tesco's CEO, Philip Clarke, is on his feet at the AGM.

Clarke, under pressure given Tesco's troubles, begins with a nod to the company's previous bosses:

"Thanks to all efforts made by my predecessors we have a strong basis to rebuild a new Tesco" diplomatic start from PC

First mention of the discounters from Tesco boss. They are a "resurgent force" he admits

11.24am BST

"You and we want to see better performance and believe the steps we're taking will deliver that," Broadbent #TescoAGM

11.21am BST

Tesco is defending its turnaround strategy, saying that it's better to sacrifice some sales in the short term if it leads to better long-term prospects.

Sir Richard says running business defensively for short term gains would be wrong and mean Tesco was neglecting duties to staff and investor

Broadbent: "We want to see better performance" #tesco

11.17am BST

Shareprice down, sales in decline, Chairman of Tesco tells shareholders "living through a period of radical change" pic.twitter.com/qUgTHY71UZ

11.15am BST

Britain's largest supermarket is face to face with its shareholders, as the Tesco AGM begins.

Tesco chairman, Sir Richard Broadbent, speaks first -- blaming tough market conditions for the company's weak share price performance over the last year.

Broadbent: "We know the share price performance has been poor" Murmurs of "yes" from the share holder audience #tesco

Tesco chairman Sir Richard Broadbent admits its share price performance has been "poor" over the last year

11.08am BST

Back to this morning's UK growth data.... and Martin Beck, senior economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club, says the economy is moving from balanced recovery to expansion.

Beck says:

The foundations of growth in consumer spending are looking a bit firmer. For the first time in almost a year, GDP increased without the need for households to save a smaller proportion of their incomes. The household saving ratio in Q1 rose a touch, against widespread expectations that it would see another quarterly drop. And there was good news on rebalancing. Investment is playing an increasingly important role in driving growth, with capital spending in Q1 growing at its fastest rate since 2007.

There were also signs of an easing in imbalances in the UKs overseas position. The current account deficit narrowed in Q1, although it still remains very large by historical standards, and net trade contributed to growth. The deficit in investment income, which has been largely responsible for the ballooning current account deficit in recent quarters, saw a welcome fall. Overall it looks like the UK growth engine is now firing on all cylinders.

11.03am BST

Oh wait, we do have protestors. Tesco has dumped 184 lorry drivers in Doncaster pic.twitter.com/1r0fXK4rZp

11.01am BST

Our retail correspondent Zoe Wood is tweeting from the Tesco AGM:

ShareAction also handing over a petition with 32,000 signatures demanding intro of Living Wage for Tesco workers

Amusing mix of Tesco shareholders and hipsters attending Ted conference in same building.

No sign of Sir Terry Leahy or Lord MacLaurin amid a sea of grey-haired shareholders

11.00am BST

Tesco shareholders are gathering at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, for today's annual general meeting.

Amusing mix of Tesco shareholders and hipsters attending Ted conference in same building.

Todays demo is designed to drive home to Tescos shareholders what the company has unfairly done to our members, so the shareholders know that the companys reputation will suffer as a result.

Ex-Tesco drivers protest at Tesco AGM in London over 'unfair dismissals' at 11am today http://t.co/1H5n7nsgA4 pic.twitter.com/yZx4TQbBWU

10.55am BST

This is disappointing -- confidence in the eurozone has fallen this month.

Firms and consumers are fretting about the weakness of the recovery at home, and rising geopolitical tensions abroad.

Amongst the largest euro area economies, the ESI eased in Germany (-1.3), France (-1.2) and Italy (-1.0), while it increased in the Netherlands (+0.7) and, more significantly, in Spain (+2.2). Worth highlighting is the 4.6 points rise in Greece, bringing its ESI above the long-term average for the first time since August 2008.

10.44am BST

Chris Williamson of data firm Markit is encouraged that UK business investment has risen by 10% compared to a year ago; it bodes well for growth through 2014.

UK business investment +10.7% on year ago in Q1. PMI orders point to ongoing growth for rest of year, though waning pic.twitter.com/cBcyddw09S

10.31am BST

Despite growing solidly in the last quarter, Britain hasn't made much progress in improving its balance of payments with the rest of the world.

10.20am BST

The end of an era is looming in Kent. Model maker Hornby is closing its warehouse on the South Coast, in a move that could see it leave its historic home.

10.07am BST

Oh, and you can see the data here.

10.06am BST

The ONS also revised up its estimate for UK manufacturing growth, to +1.5% (from +1.4% before).

This is the largest increase in manufacturing output since the second quarter of 2010.

9.59am BST

So, why wasn't the UK growth rate for the last quarter revised higher, as some economists had expected given strong reports from the construction sector?

Well,the ONS did indeed revise its estimate for construction output to +1.5%, a big jump on the +0.6% first estimated.

9.53am BST

And here's another chart from today's GDP report, showing how slow the UK recovery has been compared to previous downturns:

9.48am BST

The UK economy was 0.6% away from its pre-crisis peak at the end of the last quarter, the ONS says.

9.41am BST

Here's an encouraging fact in the growth data - UK firms invested more than previously thought in the first three months of 2014, making a big contribution to growth.

The ONS reports that business investment rose by 5.0% in the quarter, up from a previous estimate of 2.7%. That means it was responsible for 0.4% of growth, or half the total expansion.

More important than the YoY 10.6% rise in business investment is that it appears to have escapted see-saw period pic.twitter.com/40JuISfJsm

GDP stats - Strong business investment means a more balanced recovery but real household income down.

9.32am BST

JUST: The UK economy grew at 0.8% in the first three months of 2014, the Office for National Statistics reports. That's in line with the previous estimate.

But the annual growth over the rate has been revised down a little, to +3.0 from +3.1%.

9.29am BST

Nearly time for the UK growth data...

9.21am BST

Upbeat news from Italy, where factory owners report that they are more optimist than at any time since the early days of the eurozone crisis.

Business morale has risen to a three year high, statistics body ISTAT reported, reaching 100.0 on its monthly index. That's the strongest reading since June 2011 -- just before Italy fell into recession.

*ITALIAN JUNE BUSINESS CONFIDENCE RISES TO 100.0 FROM 99.8 highest since June 2011

8.58am BST

Jeremy Cook of World First reckons the UK Office for National Statistics may revise up its estimate for UK growth in January-March (from 0.8%), in 30 minutes time.

He says:

UK GDP has the very real chance of being revised higher this morning following strong March surveys in construction and services output. We think that GDP will move to 0.9% on the quarter a far cry from the numbers seen in France, Germany or the US.

World First Morning Update 27th June - Japan inflation surges higher but wages lag, UK GDP and German inflation due - http://t.co/BwS9O8yoxo

8.50am BST

Here's Reuters take on Mark Carney's appearance on the Today programme:

Britain's economy is still relatively vulnerable, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said on Friday, citing high levels of household debt.

"This is an economy that's just come off its worst recession in modern history, that still is relatively vulnerable," Carney told BBC radio.

Mark Carney is a politician - and John Humphreys should treat him as such rather than going into "dignitary" mode and softpeddling this iv

8.47am BST

Joshua Raymond, analyst at City Index, predicts that Tesco will avoid a shareholder revolt today, but will probably face tough questions from investors given its underperformance in recent quarters:

#tesco AGM today. Clarke & board votes expected to go fine but expect some drama given the lack of turnaround progress & exec abandonment

8.42am BST

Here's some instant reaction to Mark Carney's interview on Radio 4 this morning:

Thanks, that's useful. *CARNEY SAYS RATE INCREASE COULD COME THIS YEAR OR IN 2015

@fwred @graemewearden Borrowers need to take responsibility for their own futures & not rely on the words of someone in a stronger position.

'the old normal is not the new normal' - Carney signals 2.5% interest rate by 2017 #r4today

Carney treading fine line on #r4today. Acknowledges drag of household debt & housing bubble on econ but avoiding talk on how to reverse them

BOE's Carney says rate increase could come this year or in 2015...well that one helps clear that up then...back to the tea leaves #ukhousing

8.39am BST

Bank of England governor Mark Carney just dropped a hint that UK interest rates could be around 2.5% in three year's time (from their record low of 0.5% today).

Carney was being interviewed on Radio 4's Today Programme, and told the nation that interest rates could start rising this year, or alternatively not until 2015 (indeed....).

Carney: Sees "Normal" Interest Rate Around 2.5%, Versus 5% Historic Average

Mark Carney: "In order to bring the economy back to full employment...the new normal is materially lower than the old normal #r4today

8.23am BST

We also have confirmation that France's economy stagnated in the first three months of this year.

Statistics bosy INSEE reported that France's GDP "held steady" (that's one way of putting it) in January-March period.

Either way, 0% growth in France in Q1 is still times better than the US.

8.07am BST

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the financial markets, the economy, business and the eurozone.

Two events coming up on an otherwise quiet-ish Friday.

Friday's Guardian front page - "Savile: reign of abuse across NHS exposed" #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/wKUX3puPwq

Continue reading...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com

Greece football federation offers to fly Armagh boy to Brazil for World Cup match

Daily MailGreece football federation offers to fly Armagh boy to Brazil for World Cup matchIrish TimesA Co Armagh boy, who received a last-minute invitation to fly out to see his footballing hero play with Greece against Costa Rica in Sunday's World Cup playoff, won't make it to Brazil after all as his family had already arranged a family holiday ...Celtic fan Jay Beatty offered chance to see Greece play Costa Rica at World CupDaily MailGreece fans launch Facebook campaign to get 'Wee Jay' to BrazilKathimeriniEverton FC transfer gossip: Martinez eyes Greece striker on a free transfer ...Liverpool Echostv.tv -The Scoreall 18 news articles »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.irishtimes.com

Istanbul-born Greek politician Eva Kaili.

Istanbul-born Greek politician Eva Kaili.Hurriyet Daily NewsUpon being asked about Turkish-Greek relations, Kaili said, “Now we are in the '[Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] ErdoÄŸan era.'” She continued, “We have been going through the most successful period regarding mutual ties. For the first time since 1922, the ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.hurriyetdailynews.com

Celtic fan Jay Beatty offered chance to see Greece play Costa Rica at World Cup

Daily MailCeltic fan Jay Beatty offered chance to see Greece play Costa Rica at World CupDaily MailThe Greek Football Association have offered young Celtic fan Jay Beatty the trip of a lifetime to see his hero Georgios Samaras in action at the World Cup. Beatty, who was carried around the pitch by Samaras on Celtic's end-of-season lap of honour ...Greece fans launch Facebook campaign to get 'Wee Jay' to BrazilKathimeriniEverton FC transfer gossip: Martinez eyes Greece striker on a free transfer ...Liverpool Echoall 16 news articles »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.dailymail.co.uk

85% of trips abroad by EU residents were in Europe

by  KG/EUROPA

In 2012, EU28 residents made 1.2 billion trips of one night or more. Almost half of these trips (48%) were for holidays and leisure, 35% for visits to relatives and friends, 13% for business and 4% for other reasons. The average trip length was 5.2 nights. The most common means of transport for trips was private or rented cars (65%), followed by air planes (15%), trains (12%), buses (6%) and water vessels (2%).

Of the number of total trips, 76% were made within the country of residence (domestic trips), while 24% were made outside (outbound trips). For these outbound trips, the main destination for EU28 residents was clearly Europe (85.4%), then followed Asia (4.5%), Africa (4.1%), North America (3.8%), Central and South America (1.9%) and Oceania (0.4%). More specifically, the top 3 destinations for outbound trips for residents of the EU28 were Spain, France and Italy.

These figures come from an online publication, Tourism trips of Europeans, from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. This publication has six chapters: characteristics of tourism trips, participation in tourism, top destinations, seasonality, expenditure and intra-EU tourism flows.

Highest share of domestic trips for residents of Romania, Spain and Greece

The highest shares of trips of EU residents within their country (domestic trips) were observed in Romania (95%), Spain and Greece (both 92%), Portugal (90%) and France (89%). On the other hand, the largest proportions of trips abroad (outbound trips) were registered by residents of Luxembourg (97%), Belgium (78%), Malta (60%) and Slovenia (55%).

The average length of stay varied from more than seven nights for residents of Greece (7.5 nights), Cyprus (7.2) and Belgium (7.1) to less than four nights for residents of Latvia (3.1), Finland (3.4), Denmark (3.6) and Hungary (3.7).

Residents of eleven Member States have Spain in their top three outbound destination

In all EU28 Member States, the top destination of outbound trips made by residents in 2012 was a neighboring or nearby country, except for residents of Romania (Italy was the top destination) and the United Kingdom (Spain).

Among the top three outbound destinations of trips, Spain was among the top three for residents of eleven Member States, Germany of ten Member States, Italy of nine, France of eight, the United Kingdom of seven and Croatia of four.

Cars are the most common way of travelling for all Member States with shares ranging from 38% for residents of Romania to 84% for Slovenia

Cars were the main means of transport for trips in 2012 for all Member States except for Malta, with the highest shares for residents of Slovenia (84% of all trips), Portugal (80%), Spain (78%), the Czech Republic (75%), France (73%) and Hungary (71%). For air transport, the highest proportions were observed for residents of Malta (57%), Cyprus (45%), Ireland (42%), Luxembourg (36%) and the United Kingdom (28%), and for rail Romania (17%), France (16%), Germany and the United Kingdom (both 14%). For buses, the largest shares were registered for residents of Romania (38%), Bulgaria (23%) and Estonia (21%), and for water transport Malta (43%), Greece (14%) and Estonia (13%).


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.neurope.eu

World Cup Posters 1930-2014

Amongst the surprise successes have been the USA (who may qualify depending on the result of their game against Germany), Nigeria, Greece and Algeria—teams that have all performed b...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT dangerousminds.net

Greek Tycoons Host Fetes Where Art Markets Are Built

BloombergGreek Tycoons Host Fetes Where Art Markets Are BuiltBloombergProjectspace Slaughterhouse Hydra, an art exhibition space on the Greek island of Hydra, sits on a cliff overlooking the Saronic Gulf. American artist Rashid Johnson speaks about his exhibition at the George Economou Collection in Athens. "Magic ...and more »

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.bloomberg.com

Greek Fest back at Headwaters Park

Greek Fest back at Headwaters ParkWANEThe festival kicked off at 11 a.m. Thursday. There's fun for the kids at the Kids Coroner and a 5K Walk/Run on Saturday. Of course there's also lots of food including gyros, Greek pizza, of course Baklava, and much more. Greek Fest runs from 11 a.m. to ...

READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT wane.com

Greek Food Festival underway in Portland

WCSH-TVGreek Food Festival underway in PortlandWCSH-TVThe Greek Food Festival is underway at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on the corner of Pleasant and Park Streets. This party is all about the food and music, and the crowds certainly lined up Thursday evening. The event's been going for almost ...Signs promoting St. George Greek Festival stolen from lawnsNews 12 New Jerseyall 2 news articles »

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An encounter with Greece's migrant prisoners, and the men who jail them

The GuardianAn encounter with Greece's migrant prisoners, and the men who jail themThe GuardianNone of them wanted to remain in Greece because of the harsh conditions of their incarceration, and hoped to get to Germany or Sweden in the near future. After 15 minutes of hurried conversation, and despite our protests, we were eventually moved on by ...

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Friday, July 4

by  Associated Press Friday, July 4 by The Associated Press, Associated Press - 26 June 2014 20:04-04:00

Today is Friday, July 4, the 185th day of 2014. There are 180 days left in the year.

Highlights in history on this date:

1187 - The Arab forces of Sultan Saladin destroy a thirsty and exhausted Crusader army at Hattin in northern Palestine, leading to the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem.

1776 - American Declaration of Independence is approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The day is now Independence Day in the United States.

1779 - French forces take Grenada in West Indies from the British, who retake it four years later.

1824 - Turks capture island of Ispara in war with Greeks.

1862 - Lewis Carroll, an Oxford University student narrates a story to a group of friends during a boat trip. The story is later published as "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

1946 - Republic of the Philippines is founded after 47 years of U.S. rule.

1957 - V. Molotov, D.J. Shepilov and G.M. Malenkov are expelled from the leadership of the Soviet Communist Party after trying to remove Nikita Khrushchev.

1974 - Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie agrees to military supervision of his government and speedup of democratic reforms.

1976 - Israeli commandos raid hijacked airliner in Entebbe, Uganda, and rescue 103 hostages. Four Israelis, seven hijackers and about 20 Ugandan soldiers are killed.

1987 - Klaus Barbie, a local Gestapo chief in World War II, is convicted of crimes against humanity in Lyon, France, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

1990 - Kremlin lifts 10-week ban on rail transport of foodstuffs into Lithuania, ending an effort to quell republic's independence movement.

1991 - Former Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze renounces his membership in the Communist Party.

1993 - Abkhazian rebels seeking independence from Georgia advance within 15 kilometers (nine miles) of Sukhumi, and both sides report heavy casualties.

1994 - Tutsi rebels seize most of Kigali and another key city in Rwanda, ending the worst of the genocide by Hutu militants in those areas.

1997 - The U.S. spacecraft Pathfinder, carrying an explorer vehicle, lands on Mars. It is the first landing on Mars since 1976.

1999 - Pope John Paul II blesses a new church that Roman citizens had promised to build 55 years earlier. On June 4, 1944, Allied troops were poised to enter Rome, citizens prayed for deliverance and an hour later German troops withdrew from the city.

2000 - Angry over British authorities' decision to restrict traditional Protestant parades in Catholic areas of Northern Ireland, youths set vehicles on fire and police trade gunshots with Protestant protesters in Belfast.

2001- Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni meet for first face-to-face peace talks in Tanzania as part of an effort to end the three-year war in Congo.

2002 - An Egyptian immigrant armed with two handguns and a hunting knife fatally shoots two people and injures several others near the El Al Israel Airlines ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport before being shot to death by a security guard.

2003 - Three suspected Muslim militants attack a Shiite mosque in Quetta, Pakistan, opening fire during Friday prayers and killing 53 people.

2004 - Indonesia's young democracy holds its first direct presidential election, coming six years after President Suharto's 32-year dictatorship was overthrown.

2005 - Two Albanians are shot and killed during celebrations of parliamentary elections in the Balkan country that had been criticized by election monitors as only partially meeting international standards.

2006 - North Korea test-fires a long-range missile and four shorter range missiles in an exercise the U.S. terms "a provocation" but not an immediate threat.

2007 - British Broadcasting Corp. reporter Alan Johnston is released after nearly four months in captivity in the Gaza Strip, where he was held by the shadowy, little-known militant group Army of Islam.

2008 - Italy grants Pompeii emergency status, a move that will allow authorities to appoint a special commissioner to oversee the site's preservation and management.

2009 - North Korea launches seven ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast in a show of military firepower that defies U.N. resolutions and draws global expressions of condemnation and concern.

2010 - Interim president Bronislaw Komorowski appears to have held off a last-minute surge from the identical twin brother of the late Polish president, who died in an April plane crash that shocked the country and forced an early election.

2011 - A belligerent Ratko Mladic repeatedly disobeys and shouts at judges during an arraignment at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal. Finally, the former Serb is thrown out of the hearing and the court enters not guilty pleas on his behalf to 11 charges of masterminding the worst atrocities of the Bosnian war.

2012 - Pakistan's decision to end a seven-month blockade of NATO troops supplies is a rate bright spot in relations with the U.S., but disagreements over issues like American drone strikes and Islamabad's support for Taliban militants still hamper a relationship vital to stability in neighboring Afghanistan.

2013 — France says it has confirmed that the nerve gas sarin was used "multiple times in a localized way" in Syria, including at least once by the regime.

Today's Birthdays:

Nathaniel Hawthorne, U.S. author (1804-1882); Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italian soldier-statesman (1807-1882); Louis Armstrong, U.S. jazz musician (1900-1971); Neil Simon, U.S. playwright (1927--); Geraldo Rivera, TV personality/news correspondent (1943--); John Waite, singer (1955--).

Thought For Today:

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away — Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862).

News Topics: General news, Christianity, Militant groups, War and unrest, Music, Crime, Government and politics, Religion, Social affairs, Entertainment, Arts and entertainment

People, Places and Companies: Lewis Carroll, Eduard Shevardnadze, Pope John Paul II, Joseph Kabila, Yoweri Museveni, Alan Johnston, Bronislaw Komorowski, Ratko Mladic, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louis Armstrong, Neil Simon, Geraldo Rivera, John Waite, Henry David Thoreau, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Pakistan, United States, Israel, Italy, France, Middle East, East Africa, Central Africa, Africa, South Asia, Asia, North America, Western Europe, Europe

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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BRAZIL BEAT: Katsouranis back, fans not happy

FORTALEZA, Brazil (AP) — Veteran Greece midfielder Costas Katsouranis is available to play for his country in Sunday's knockout round match against Costa Rica after sitting out a game because of a red card, but fans are hoping he stays on the bench.


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Unchecked development

Fresh legislation regarding the development of a new zoning plan, a bill approved by Greek Parliament on Thursday, may lead to a series of potentially very serious and harmful situations. Putting an end to restrictions regarding development in areas that ... ...

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Greece and Canada: Two tales of fiscal consolidation

Greece and Canada, one of the most creditworthy countries, are worlds apart. What they do have in common is that both are applying fiscal consolidation programs: Canada has been doing so willingly since 2011, with the aim of wiping out a deficit of 4.9 pe... ...

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Bourse index stays put as gains evaporate

The Greek bourse ended its slide on Thursday, but only just, as the morning gains evaporated while the benchmark ended virtually unchanged. Concerns over the possibility of a snap election in the fall have returned, while worries about banks’ capital requ... ...

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Illegal tobacco trade has cost state 565 mln

The state missed out on taxes of about 565 million euros last year due to the illegal tobacco trade in Greece, which showed a 4.4 percent rise year-on-year, reaching 17.8 percent of all tobacco trading, according to a survey by KPMG conducted across the E... ...

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Soccer federation invites 'Wee Jay' to Brazil

Eleven-year-old Jay Beatty as well as tens of thousands of Greece fans have had their demand answered by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO), which has invited the Celtic and avid Giorgos Samaras fan to travel to Brazil and attend Greece’s game with Co... ...

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