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Saturday, September 13, 2014

Olympiakos dominates OFI, wins 3-0 in Greek league ahead of Champions League debut

by  Associated Press Olympiakos beats OFI 3-0 in Greek league Associated Press - 13 September 2014 16:07-04:00 ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Defending champion Olympiakos rolled to an easy 3-0 victory over OFI in the Greek league on Saturday. OFI defender Dele Adeleye conceded the match-winner with an own goal in the 22nd minute, and Jimmy Durmaz and Alejandro Dominguez put the result away with scores in the 44th and 54th minutes, respectively. Olympiakos aimed at conserving its forces for its Champions League match on Tuesday against visiting Atletico Madrid, but still dominated the game. It had 25 attempts at goal against OFI's one, and also had a shot by Jorge Benitez hit the crossbar in the 69th. Olympiakos shares second place with PAOK, also a 3-0 winner over newcomer Niki Volos on Saturday. Veria, which overcame a first-minute goal by visiting Kerkyra to win 2-1, tops the league with three wins in as many games. News Topics: Sports, Men's soccer, Professional soccer, Soccer, Men's sports People, Places and Companies: Greece, Athens, Western Europe, Europe Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.neurope.eu

Greece Just Dodged A Bullet

A protester wearing a Greek flag stands outside Greek state television ERT headquarters in Athens June 13, 2013. Two bailouts in, Greece was desperately trying to hold on and avoid a third bailout. It looks like that's going to happen. Prime Minister ...


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Olympiakos beats OFI 3-0 in Greek league

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Defending champion Olympiakos rolled to an easy 3-0 victory over OFI in the Greek league on Saturday. OFI defender Dele ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.usatoday.com

Ukraine is flowing with blood, say bishops, warning worse could come

Ukrainian Greek-Catholic bishops from around the world, meeting in Lviv for their annual Holy Synod, have appealed to the international community to ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ecumenicalnews.com

Tsipras Promises State Salvation For Austerity-Torn Greeks

Speaking at the Thessaloniki Trade Fair, major opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras called again for national elections and said he would tear up the country's deal with international lenders, end austerity, rehire fired workers, restore the minimum wage and Christmas bonuses for pensioners, abolish a new unified property tax and seize the bank accounts of debtors to the state. The post Tsipras Promises State Salvation For Austerity-Torn Greeks appeared first on The National Herald.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com

Luxury Villas in Greece

Learn more about Luxury Villas in Greece, part of Easy Realestate Group. Join LinkedIn today for free. Follow Luxury Villas in Greece to get updates, ...


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New Greek bailout unveiled to contain debt crisis

President of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso (R), President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy (C) and Greek Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou attend the press conference after the ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.greekherald.com

After easy Basketball World Cup, Americans expect a tough gold-medal game against Serbia

by  Associated Press US, Serbia to meet for Basketball World Cup gold by BRIAN MAHONEY, Associated Press - 13 September 2014 13:59-04:00 MADRID (AP) — After a difficult summer, the Basketball World Cup has been pretty easy for the U.S. No games have been close in the final minutes, and only one was even competitive entering the final period. This depleted team that was supposed to be vulnerable has instead been invincible. The Americans believe that tough game is coming Sunday — and so does Serbia, their opponent. "They have supreme confidence and just that expectation, I think, that they feel like they're going to win," U.S. guard Stephen Curry said, "and we have that same mentality as well." Serbia is the only team left that can stop the Americans from repeating as world champions, looking to regain a title that's meant so much in its basketball history. "They are great, good team, but for sure we won't go inside the game to lose," Serbian guard Milos Teodosic said. The Americans were supposed to be here, though the road to the final was expected to be tougher once Kevin Durant, Kevin Love and Blake Griffin withdrew, and Paul George broke his right leg. But the opponent is a surprise. The Serbians barely qualified for the 24-team field as the seventh-place finisher in last year's European championship. They were only 2-3 in the group stage, advancing as the fourth and final team from the powerful Group A, but have peaked since the games became win or go home. A 90-72 rout of previously unbeaten Greece in the round of 16 was followed by an 84-56 victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals. Then the Serbians built a huge lead and held on Friday for a 90-85 victory over France, which had beat then in the group stage and knocked out tournament co-favorite Spain in the quarters. "They're just playing great basketball right now and actually it's beautiful to see. I hope I don't see that beauty tomorrow night," U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "But they've been playing lights-out basketball." The Americans have been more dominant, averaging 101.5 points and winning by 32.5 per game. Their last two games had single-digit margins at halftime, and yet they ended up winning both by a combined 71 points. "I cannot say we're going to win against the U.S, but I'm sure we're going to give all our best and try to fight, but it's going to be hard for sure," said former NBA center Nenad Krstic. The Americans have never repeated as world champions. The last team to win titles consecutively was Yugoslavia in 1998 and 2002. Krstic remembers cheering for his country mates during the latter game, held in the United States, at a gas station with his club team that was on a bus at the time. It was the last of a record five world titles won by Yugoslavia when Serbia competed as part of that nation. The Serbians have retained that basketball passion since competing under their own flag — Curry played on the U.S. team that lost to host Serbia in the championship game of the 2007 under-19 tournament. "It's tough winning silver that game, so hopefully we can be on the other side of it this time around," Curry said. Serbia is already guaranteed its first medal at the senior level. The Serbians — whose Olympic committee president is former NBA center Vlade Divac — finished fourth in 2010. "It means a lot because we are a basketball country," Krstic said. "Lots of people, whole country watch this game." The Americans say it's just as important to them, especially after all the adversity they faced before the games began. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo has said a gold medal would be the sweetest one since he took over the program in 2005, since it seemed so in doubt as big name after big name passed on the trip to Spain. "It's everything for us," U.S. forward James Harden said. "We came here with one thing on our mind, that's to win the gold medal. We came this far, doing an excellent job this far in this tournament. So one more game to complete our mission." ___ Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney News Topics: Sports, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, FIBA Basketball World Cup, Men's sports, International basketball, Men's basketball, Basketball, Events People, Places and Companies: Stephen Curry, Mike Krzyzewski, Nenad Krstic, Jerry Colangelo, James Harden, Spain, Serbia, United States, Western Europe, Europe, Eastern Europe, North America Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.neurope.eu

Greece will not need third bailout, PM Samaras tells paper

ATHENS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Greece is beating its fiscal targets and will not need a third bailout from its international creditors, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told Sunday's Realnews newspaper, confident that the country's debt will soon be deemed viable.


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

Dancers from the Cheyenne Greek Festival from the Our Faces portrait project

Greek dancers Anthony Eliopoulos, left, and Angelos Zympas pose for a portrait before a rehearsal at the Exhibition Hall in Frontier Park.Anthony and ...


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Soccer-Greek championship results and standings

Sept 13 (Infostrada Sports) - Results and standings from the Greek championship matches on Saturday Saturday, September 13PAOK Salonika 3 Niki Volos 0 Veria 2 Kerkyra 1 Standings P W D L F A Pts 1 Veria 3 3 0 0 6 3 9 -------------------------2 PAOK Salonika 3 2 1 0 8 1 7 3 Atromitos Athinon 2 2 0 0 2 0 6 4 Olympiakos Piraeus 2 1 1 0 4 2 4 5 PAS Giannina 2 1 1 0 4 2 4 -------------------------6 ...


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Greek School Prevented from Opening in Imbros

Turkish Education Ministry prevented the opening of Imbros‘ Greek school on the grounds that the building was not “ready to operate” in the upcoming school year, started on September 1. After being closed for 50 years, the Private Imbros Greek ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT eu.greekreporter.com

Serving up a Greek cultural feast; Church festival is this weekend

FILE PHOTOVasilios Brachos smiles as he prepares a gyro at the 2013 festival. The traditional Greek fare of rotisserie-roasted, sliced pork, lamb and ...


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Is This Alexander the Greats Tomb?

... modern archaeology might be solved in the coming days—and all eyes are on a huge circular structure that lies beneath an ancient Greek mound.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thedailybeast.com

Greek Village Being Sold in Turkey

The Turkish government is seeking an investor for a ghost-village once inhabited by Greek population. Greek village Levissi, now called Kayaköy, located on the Turkish coast across the Greek island of Rhodes, will be auctioned by the Culture Ministry ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT eu.greekreporter.com

Boston Museum Reorganizes Ancient Greek Collection

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts proceeded with the reorganization of its collection of ancient Greek exhibits dated between the 6th and 4th century B.C. On Tuesday, the museum will launch three interconnected permanent galleries, in a renovated space ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT usa.greekreporter.com

BC-SOC--Greek Standings

by  Associated Press BC-SOC--Greek Standings Associated Press - 13 September 2014 11:01-04:00 BC-SOC--Greek Standings Greek Football Standings Greek League GP W D L GF GA Pts Veria 3 3 0 0 6 3 9 Atromitos 2 2 0 0 2 0 6 Kalloni 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 PAOK Thessaloniki 2 1 1 0 5 1 4 Kerkyra 3 1 1 1 3 3 4 Olympiakos 2 1 1 0 4 2 4 PAS Giannina 2 1 1 0 4 2 4 Panathinaikos 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 Asteras 2 1 0 1 3 4 3 OFI Crete 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 Panionios 2 1 0 1 3 3 3 Levadiakos 2 0 1 1 2 3 1 Panetolikos 2 0 1 1 1 2 1 Panthrakikos 2 0 1 1 2 3 1 Xanthi 2 0 1 1 2 3 1 Ergotelis 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 Niki Volos 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 Platanias 2 0 0 2 0 5 0 Saturday, Sept. 13 Veria 2, Kerkyra 1 PAOK Thessaloniki vs. Niki Volos, 1515 GMT Olympiakos vs. OFI Crete, 1730 GMT Sunday, Sept. 14 Panionios vs. Asteras, 1300 GMT Atromitos vs. Panetolikos, 1515 GMT Levadiakos vs. Panthrakikos, 1515 GMT PAS Giannina vs. Xanthi, 1515 GMT Kalloni vs. Panathinaikos, 1730 GMT Monday, Sept. 15 Ergotelis vs. Platanias, 1630 GMT Saturday, Sept. 20 Xanthi vs. Levadiakos, 1300 GMT OFI Crete vs. Atromitos, 1515 GMT Olympiakos vs. Veria, 1730 GMT Sunday, Sept. 21 Niki Volos vs. Ergotelis, 1200 GMT Asteras vs. Kalloni, 1300 GMT Kerkyra vs. PAS Giannina, 1515 GMT Platanias vs. Panathinaikos, 1730 GMT Monday, Sept. 22 Panetolikos vs. PAOK Thessaloniki, 1630 GMT Panthrakikos vs. Panionios, 1630 GMT News Topics: Soccer, Men's soccer, Sports, Men's sports People, Places and Companies: Thessaloniki, Crete, Greece, 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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Fire in Athens: 2 Dead, 2 Injured

Two died in a fire late on Friday at Athens southern seaside suburb of Paleo Faliro in Greece. A 30-year-old fireman lost his life trying to save the life of a woman stuck on the 2nd floor balcony of an apartment building at 4 Ippokratous St. Sources state that both the fireman and the woman died due to excessive smoke inhalation. The fire broke out at around 9 p.m. at a plumbing store on the ground floor of the apartment block and quickly spread, engulfing the first floor. The situation was hard to control due to minor blasts as flammable chemicals in acetylene cylinders exploded. An elderly woman and another fireman also fell unconscious during the rescue effort but they were both rushed to the hospital and are out of danger, according to a press release issued by the Greek Fire Department. Forty firemen with 13 fire trucks responded to the call.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

Six Undocumented Migrants Rescued; One Child in Critical Condition

Six undocumented migrants, four men, a woman and a child, that were rescued during the night by two merchant vessels 160 nautical miles off Paleohora coast, Crete, in the sea waters of Malta, were transferred by a Super Puma helicopter to Souda, Greece. The undocumented migrants, that were possibly with other migrants on board a vessel that sank, needed medical care and were sent to Chania general hospital. According to initial information, the child is in critical condition. The two merchant vessels, British flagged CPO JAPAN and Liberian-flagged CMA CGM VERDI, collected two more migrants that died and their bodies were sent to Malta. Maltese Maritime Squadron is conducting a search in the area. (source: ana-mpa)


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

Lagarde: Talking About Greece and its Taxes Got me Death Threats

During an interview with the Financial Times, IMF chief Christine Lagarde talked about all major financial and political issues in China, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. However, when asked about Greece, she appeared hasty to move to other subjects. Lagarde only commented on taxation in Greece and raised the burning issue of tax evasion. When asked about past comments regarding tax evasion by the wealthy Greeks, she said: “I better not say too much because, you know, when I have talked about Greece and its taxes before, I got death threats and we had to increase security,” adding, “but is the shipping industry really paying its taxes? Are others? I don’t think so. The interviewer asked Lagarde if it was part of the problem that so many Greeks – or other wealthy elites – have moved to places such as London, in search of jobs or lower taxes. Lagarde sighed and acknowledged that this is not just a Greek problem. “I hear from the embassy that you have people in their thirties, say, leaving France,” she said. “When talented people feel they have to leave their own country because they don’t feel they can establish their businesses or find opportunities, it is very sad.”


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

Greek coalition concerned troika inspection may drag on

The International Monetary Fund’s denial of reports that it will host a discussion on Greek debt relief in November and Eurogroup chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem’s insistence that no talks on the next phase for the Greek economy can be held until the troika rev... ...


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Future of Greek minority in Turkey in the hands of the youth

Enrollment in İstanbul's Fener Greek High School has dwindled, alongside the city's Greek population. (Photo: Sunday's Zaman, Üsame Arı).


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The Greek Joint in Hollywood stops by Local 10

PEOPLE ON HAND FOR THE EVENT INCLUDING THE GREEK JOINT IN HOLLYWOOD. AND YOU BROUGHT JUST A REAL SPREAD HERE.


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Greek Drug User Union Fights Back against Closure of First Drug Consumption Room

I am Efi Kokkini, co-founder and Chairwoman of the Greek Drug & Substitute Users Union, a union created with tones of difficulties and zero budget in ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT inpud.wordpress.com

French Photographer-Painter Duo Pierre And Gilles Reveal Their Over-The-Top Portraits That Bare All

The inseparable French photographer-painter duo known by their first names, Pierre and Gilles, have been creating over-the-top portraits of sex kittens, mythological Greek gods, brawny athletes, bare-chested sailors, street urchins, pop celebrities, erotic Roman Catholic saints and heavenly goddesses since the late ’60s. They sit down with Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle to discuss their ingenious technique and their insatiable attraction to religious themes.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.forbes.com

Maziotis claims responsibility for April bomb at central Athens bank

Nikos Maziotis, the Revolutionary Struggle leader who was arrested this summer, claimed responsibility on Saturday for a large explosion at the Bank of Greece’s offices in central Athens on April 10. In a statement published online, Maziotis said the bomb... ...


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Minister announces new island airport, upgrades

Greece’s Infrastructure Ministry has announced the construction of one new island airport and the expansion of an existing one in order to meet international standards and ensure compliance with modern safety regulations. During an inspection last week on... ...


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Courts Orders Officers Wages Restored

Greece's high court gave the government two months to obey a ruling ordering restoration of slashed wages for uniformed officers. The post Courts Orders Officers Wages Restored appeared first on The National Herald.


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Playing Man: some modern consequences of Ancient sport

The Greek custom of requiring athletes in track and field and combat events to participate in the nude underscored this democratic ethos, perhaps ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT blog.oup.com

Foreign Real Estate Agents Interested in Crete

In recent years, more and more foreign real estate agents and companies show an active interest in the Greek real estate market. According to a chart examined by British website TheMoveChannel.com, during the period from September 2013 until August 2014, searches of real estate agents from abroad have increased significantly, especially for the island of Crete, Greece . In fact, 45% of the Google real estate searches had to do with Crete, followed by the Ionian islands. Foreign buyers are also interested in buying houses in Attica. Athens is a standard option but cannot compare to the traditional charm of the Greek islands. Even so, the Greek capital has become a “target” for 12.23% of searches for purchasing or renting houses from abroad. Meanwhile, tourists are also looking for houses in islands that are located close to Athens, so that they can have direct access to the capital. Some of the most popular options include Poros, Hydra and Aegina. While there was a decline in Greek land interest in previous years, opportunities have now changed and interest is strong. Crete is still in the top ten options, along with Kalamata, Kassiopi and the Ionian Islands. The truth is that potential buyers tend to look for houses in the islands and not in the Greek mainland. They are mostly looking for villas or cottages overlooking the sea.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

greece fakes it before it makes it

Greece is due to receive the last tranche of its second bailout before the end of the year, whereas IMF still has installments due all the way to 2016.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT venitism.blogspot.com

Croatia, Slovenia make impact at Balkan jumping champs

There was a significant swing away from the traditional dominance of Turkey and Greece as the host nation and Slovenia made a big impact at the FEI ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT horsetalk.co.nz

ODU's New Greece Study Abroad Course for Incoming Freshman One-of-a-kind in VA

A group of 10 incoming Old Dominion University freshmen explored Greece this summer as part of a new study abroad program that is rare among ...


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On the Greek Ferry Housing Libya's Government

The country's legislature has fled Tripoli and moved into a ship. It's not the first time boats from Greece have come to the rescue.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT theatlantic.feedsportal.com

Campbell, OH: Second-Highest Percentage of Greeks in the United States

CAMPBELL, OH – The New York Metropolitan area in general, and Astoria in particular, has the largest population of Greek-Americans anywhere in the United States in terms of sheer numbers. But the highest percentage of Greeks anywhere in the United States is in Tarpon Springs, FL. None of that is particularly surprising: anyone who has […] The post Campbell, OH: Second-Highest Percentage of Greeks in the United States appeared first on The National Herald.


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Greece Demands WWII Reparations

While relying on Germany for loans, Greece said it still wants World War II reparations for damages wrought by the Nazis. The post Greece Demands WWII Reparations appeared first on The National Herald.


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Massive Drop In Greek Fuel Oil Use

Whacked with big increases in fuel oil taxes, so many Greeks stopped using it last year to heat their homes that sales fell almost in half. The post Massive Drop In Greek Fuel Oil Use appeared first on The National Herald.


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Troika Tells Greece No Debt Relief Until Review’s Done

Greece's lenders warned there will be no discussion of debt relief until its envoys finish checking the books on delayed reforms. The Troika said a review must be done before there's any more talk of a third bailout either. The post Troika Tells Greece No Debt Relief Until Review’s Done appeared first on The National Herald.


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Bias in the judiciary

There was a time when the Greek justice system was shackled to the whims of political parties as appointments and often decisions were dictated by central party headquarters. Today, the judiciary may have rid itself of this bane but it is still at risk of... ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Greece on standby

Greece is nervous and stagnating. Europe too is nervous, yet in motion.


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ECHR’s decision may be a precedent for abolition of new Greek law

On September 9, the Greek Parliament passed a law criminalizing the denial of genocides recognized by the legislative body of Greece. One of them, according to Greek lawmakers, is the so-called ...


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Excavation Reveals Robes of Ancient Greek Statues

Archaeologists have uncovered the expertly crafted robes of two female stone statues standing guard at the entrance of a huge Macedonian tomb, dating back to the era of Alexander the Great, under ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.greekherald.com

How many NPLs in the Greek banking sector are also non-recoverable loans ?

Put otherwise, since NPLs continue to grow in the Greek real economy how do they impact on potential write-downs or write-offs by banks?


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How many NPLs in the Greek banking sector are also non-recoverable loans ?

Put otherwise, since NPLs continue to grow in the Greek real economy how do they impact on potential write-downs or write-offs by banks?


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thecorner.eu

European press roundup: Greek tax cuts and Portuguese sex child offenders

This week the Greek newspaper Ethnos reported about tax cuts in Greece. The Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras announced during the ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT euranetplus-inside.eu

Notts County keeper Roy Carroll on life in Greece, Euro ambitions and 3pm kick-offs

"It was very strange in getting used to it again having been in Greece where it's 35 degrees which then affects the times of training and games.


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Study: Cigarette Consumption in Greece Declines to 20 Bln Pieces

Fast Market Research, a leading company in the market research field, has conducted a study regarding cigarette consumption in Greece. The study, entitled “World Cigarettes Greece,” focused on the way the cigarette market has evolved in the country over the last 12 years. Researchers observed the changes in the smoking habits of Greek people as well as the competitive environment and economic developments in the country. The results of the study show the market trends since 1990, assess the currents of change and project the market scenarios of the future until 2022. In the 1990s and 2000s Greece’s cigarette market grew fast. However, it suffered a heavy blow due to tax increases, non-duty paid sales and prices, the trend of cigarette tobacco and mostly due to the economic crisis that hit the country a few years ago. In fact, Greece showed its 8th consecutive annual decrease in sales, which reached 20.15 billion pieces. Overall, the per capita consumption in Greece is still high compared to European standards, despite the dramatic decrease that was recorded after 2004. This year, Fast Market Research found that the per capita consumption reached 1,764 pieces, while in 2004 reached 3,146. Smoking in Greece has shown an overall decline, as well as among men. However, the percentage for women has increased and at the moment stands at 30%.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

A break with the past

by  Dan Alexe After the initial surprise, the Juncker Commission can now be judged for both its boldness and its weaknesses. Boosting the Eurozone economy was obviously the main goal behind its philosophy, and Juncker passed his first major test by presenting the new composition in an implacable, compact and elegant way. Upon announcing the distribution of jobs and portfolios, after a shrewd homage to Barroso, that was rather an exercise in diplomacy than a real tribute, it became clear that Juncker's Commission will put a definitive end to Barroso’s amorphous bureaucratic machinery, which was shaken, refurbished and restructured. The new Commission totally corresponds to Juncker’s own promises in front of the EU Parliament. It includes seven "super-Commissioners” in charge of what was initially called “clusters”, fields of competence regrouping various portfolios that cover similar fields or priorities. The new College has thus seven Vice Presidents, six in addition to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs (Federica Mogherini), each leading a project team, or what was earlier called a “cluster”. Examples include 'Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness', 'Digital Single Market' or 'Energy Union’. For ensuring the necessary authority, the "super-Commissioners” are former heads of governments or former commissioners (such as Kristalina Georgieva). One of the Vice Presidents, the Dutch Frans Timmermans, who is "First Vice President for better regulation, inter-institutional relations, rule of law and charter of fundamental rights," will have practically absolute powers, as much as Juncker himself. Timmermans will be able to stop any initiative in the Commission and will have direct access to all DGs and to the human resources of the General Secretariat. He will actually be Juncker’s alter ego. As Juncker himself put it in the press conference that followed the presentation of the new college, the two of them will act as duumvirs, the combined presidency of two consuls with equal powers in Ancient Rome. Under them, six other Vice Presidents with large powers over lower rank Commissioners (five, plus the Italian Mogherini, who, as High Representative, is automatically vice-president). Led by Juncker from Luxembourg and Timmermans from the Netherlands, with extended powers bestowed upon the Bulgarian Kristalina Georgieva and the former prime ministers of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia (plus the Italian Mogherini), the new Commission represents a victory for the smaller states, many of them Eastern European, and for Angela Merkel’s austerity policy. There is no vice-president from either France, Spain or the UK. On the other hand, a country like Poland got, with Donald Tusk, the presidency of the Council, but has also obtained, with Elżbieta BieÅ„kowska, the Internal Market and Industry portfolio. France, on the other hand, which fought hard to obtain the Economic and Financial Affairs for Pierre Moscovici, will have its Commissioner kept on a hierarchical and administrative leash, under permanent scrutiny from the duo Katainen-Dombrovskis, approved by Merkel. The new Commission represents thus a victory for the smaller states and for Angela Merkel’s austerity policy. It is obvious that conflicts could arise from the present structure of the Commission, given the implicit hierarchy imposed by the existence of seven “ uper-commissioners” supposed to rein in the “normal” Commissioners. Thus, the French Moscovici would be right in feeling that the ruthless Finn Katainen will be watching him. In his position as Economy commissioner, Moscovici will be judge and accused at the same time, especially since his country, France, announced immediately after obtaining for him the job of Economy commissioner that it won’t manage to reduce its deficit under the 3% threshold next year, in 2015. Finland’s ex-premier Katainen is the one who will supervise Moscovici’s activity. He was attacked, in March this year, by the Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman, for having advocated “growsterity,” the idea that growth can come from austerity measures. Katainen is also rumoured to have been the one to suggest that Greece could pawn the Acropolis or the island of Corfu.  Among other notable changes, there is also the melting of the Enlargement portfolio together with the Neighbourhood. Juncker had already announced — and the general consensus is — that there will be no more enlargement in the next five years. The enlargement portfolio has thus been fusioned with the European Neighbourhood Policy and entrusted to the Austrian Johannes Hahn, previously in charge of Regional Policy, now offered to the Romanian politician Corina CreÈ›u. Unsurprisingly, Trade stays in the Liberal group, the portfolio passing from the outgoing Belgian Flemish Liberal Karel De Gucht to the Swedish Cecilia Malmström, who stays over from the previous Commission. There are other attributions of portfolios that have raised eyebrows: the Hungarian Navracsics has thus been given the Citizenship and Education portfolio, while he was Justice minister under the very nationalist Hungarian premier Viktor Orban. Also, the Spanish new commissioner Cañete is criticised for having held sexist remarks, and also for owing shares in an oil company, while being offered the combined Energy and Climate portfolio… which is a contradiction in itself, while the environment has been clustered with fisheries. There is also no Human Rights portfolio, in spite of what has been anticipated, but there is one for Migration and Internal Affairs cumulated. Nothing was foreseen in this Commission for dealing with the Roma issue, and the Monetary Affairs have also disappeared (“this is for the European Central Bank to handle”, said Juncker). Anotgher novelty is that the German language is now solidly reentering the institutions, including in the press room. German comes naturally to Juncker, thanks to his native Lëtzebuergesch; Martin Selmayr, head of Juncker’s team, is a German backed by Merkel; Germans like Martin Schulz, Manfred Weber and Elmar Brok (leaders of the EU Parliament, of its EPP faction and of its Committee on Foreign Affairs) closely control the Parliament; the new Council president, the Pole Donald Tusk, can manage German, while his English is shaky and he has no French; and German is the language in which Angela Merkel talks with Putin. The decline of French is thus abrupt, although Juncker himself favours French over English, and French is a language that both Timmermans and Mogherini practice well. The otherwise massive German influence might also explain what could be a disappointing portfolio for the German Gunter Oettinger, who was in charge of the energy in the previous commission and who is now given the “Digital Economy and Society.”. After a vote in the Parliament in October, the European Commission will take office on 1 November 2014.      


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CyTA to enter Greek mobile market

WITH A focus on implementing its growth and value-adding strategy, CyTA has decided to enter the highly competitive mobile telephony market in ...


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U.S. Uses State Secrets Law To Kill Iran-Related Lawsuit

(Adds response by lawyers for both sides in lawsuit, paragraph 5) By Emily Flitter NEW YORK, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. government has moved to invoke a powerful national security law to dismiss a private lawsuit against a non-profit group, United Against A Nuclear Iran, on grounds that the case could reveal state secrets, according to a court filing on Friday. Lawyers for the government argued that proceedings in the private dispute between a Greek businessman and U.S.-based UANI could "cause harm to national security" if they are allowed to continue. The document in federal court in New York said the secrets were "properly classified national security information" which would be described in another filing that would not be made public. Greek businessman and ship owner Victor Restis last year sued UANI for defamation after UANI, whose advisors include former intelligence officials from the United States, Europe and Israel, accused him of violating sanctions on Iran by exporting oil from the country. UANI advocates economic pressure on Iran to keep over its nuclear program. Iran denies Western accusations that it has been seeking the capability to assemble nuclear weapons. One of UANI's tactics is to name and shame companies and people who do business in Iran. In an emailed statement, UANI's lawyer said he believed Restis' complaint was without merit. Restis' lawyer declined to comment before filing a formal response in court. Earlier this year, U.S. government lawyers declared their interest in the lawsuit, warning that information related to UANI could jeopardize law enforcement activities such as ongoing investigations. The state secrets privilege is more powerful than the one the government would have used to protect law enforcement activities. It refers specifically to matters of national security. It is used far more sparingly than the law enforcement privilege. In Friday's court filing U.S. Department of Justice lawyers pointed to another example in which the government invoked it to try to dismiss a defamation lawsuit in 1985 by a man claiming Penthouse Magazine had wrongly accused him of being a spy. The case is Restis et al v. American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran Inc, (dba United Against A Nuclear Iran) et al, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, No. 13-05032. (Reporting By Emily Flitter; Editing by Grant McCool)


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