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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

Monday, November 3, 2014

Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures: Marbles Will Return to Greece

Chairman of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, David Hill, during an interview with the Greek service of the Australian SBS state radio network, expressed his belief that the Parthenon marbles — now on display at London’s British Museum — will ultimately return to Greece. Australian based Mr. Hill will appear at Sydney’s cinemas on Sunday, promoting “Promachos,” a film on the reunification of the Parthenon marbles. He will also be discussing the issue with viewers. “We have moved forward now since the modern campaign began with Melina Mercouri many years ago. We are not in any rush to take the issue to court. Greeks are still hoping that Britain will agree to negotiation or mediation with UNESCO. There is a new deadline set for six months in which Britain must respond to UNESCO. It is only after these six months and if Britain continues to say no, that Greece will entertain the legal options,” Mr. Hill underlined. Furthermore, chairman of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures appeared confident that the Greek side will have no problems establishing that lord Elgin stole the marbles, but “there is a little more to be done” in order to move in that direction, since the British Museum’s defense, is that the marbles were donated to them by the British government. “Elgin had sold the sculptures to the British government 200 years ago,” Mr. Hill declared, concluding that Greece’s odds are good of winning if the case forges on with legal action. International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures was formed in 2005 and currently consists of representatives from 17 countries. “Promachos” is a love story about two Athenians who find redemption and transcendence through the Parthenon marbles. The feature film touches on the themes that are inscribed in the marbles, including agones, loyalty, and rebirth. At its core, Promachos is about the test of true love through sacrifice.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

Fiscal figures are hostage to politics

The Greek story is based on a simple assumption: An economic turnaround, followed by strong real GDP growth rates in the next few years, fiscal discipline, more reforms and a debt relief agreement with the European Union. This assumption is clearly underm... ...


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Sentiment in economy posts marked recovery

Economic sentiment in Greece saw a significant improvement last month as the economy is seen to be becoming more stable and some growth is anticipated in the latter half of the year, according to the monthly survey of the Foundation for Economic and Indus... ...


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Greek federation says Ranieri's job safe

The Greek football federation Monday denied media reports that it has lost confidence in national coach Claudio Ranieri. "There is no problem of collaboration with Mr. Claudio Ranieri. The federation added that Ranieri "continues to work hard and systematically for the success of the national team with a view to qualification of our team to the 2016 European Championships in France." In an ...


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Greek president calls for national consensus on economy

ATHENS, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Greek President Karolos Papoulias called for minimum national consensus on the economy to exit the four-year debt ...


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Greek bond yields climb 11 basis points

LONDON – Greek bond yields rose on Monday after a senior European Union official said Athens was “highly unlikely” to end its bailout program without some new form of assistance that will require it to meet targets. Yields on Greek 10-year bonds rose 11 b... ...


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Greek stocks see significant gains on thin trading

The Greek bourse bucked the trend set by most other European stock markets on Monday, enjoying healthy gains, albeit on thin turnover. With the third-quarter results edging closer for most listed companies, observers consider encouraging the fact that the... ...


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Beware the hiking trails in Greece (unless you're a goat)

In Greece, often what appear to be walking paths are actually goat trails. We may have been seasoned hikers, but our climbing skills were no match ...


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BC-SOC--Greek Standings

by  Associated Press BC-SOC--Greek Standings Associated Press - 3 November 2014 14:29-05:00 BC-SOC--Greek Standings Greek Football Standings Greek League GP W D L GF GA Pts PAOK Thessaloniki 8 7 1 0 21 3 22 Olympiakos 8 5 2 1 14 5 17 Veria 8 5 1 2 13 13 16 Kalloni 8 4 3 1 7 2 15 Asteras 8 4 2 2 10 9 14 Panathinaikos 8 4 1 3 10 8 13 Atromitos 8 3 2 3 5 6 11 Kerkyra 8 3 2 3 9 8 11 OFI Crete 8 3 1 4 6 12 10 PAS Giannina 8 2 4 2 7 8 10 Platanias 8 3 1 4 8 10 10 Panetolikos 8 2 4 2 11 8 10 Xanthi 8 2 3 3 11 12 9 Panionios 8 2 2 4 8 10 8 Levadiakos 8 1 3 4 7 11 6 Panthrakikos 8 1 3 4 5 10 6 Ergotelis 8 1 2 5 9 15 5 Niki Volos 8 1 1 6 3 14 4 Saturday, Nov. 1 Platanias 0, PAS Giannina 0 Veria 2, Panionios 2 Asteras 0, Olympiakos 0 Sunday, Nov. 2 Ergotelis 0, PAOK Thessaloniki 2 Niki Volos 0, Kerkyra 0 Panetolikos 5, Xanthi 2 Panthrakikos 0, OFI Crete 0 Panathinaikos 2, Atromitos 0 Monday, Nov. 3 Kalloni 0, Levadiakos 0 Saturday, Nov. 8 Ergotelis vs. Veria, 1300 GMT Kerkyra vs. Panetolikos, 1515 GMT Xanthi vs. OFI Crete, 1730 GMT Sunday, Nov. 9 Olympiakos vs. Panthrakikos, 1300 GMT Levadiakos vs. Platanias, 1515 GMT PAS Giannina vs. Niki Volos, 1515 GMT Panionios vs. Kalloni, 1515 GMT PAOK Thessaloniki vs. Panathinaikos, 1730 GMT Monday, Nov. 10 Atromitos vs. Asteras, 1730 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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President Papoulias to SYRIZA Leader: Greece Needs Consensus of Political Forces

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias received main opposition SYRIZA President Alexis Tsipras earlier today, in the first of a series of scheduled meetings with political leaders. During the meeting, the President asked Mr. Tsipras for a “minimum consensus of political forces” in order for Greece to overcome its political problems both in internal and international levels. Mr. Papoulias underlined the need for all political forces to remain united in order to face the challenges together, adding that “everything else can be figured out.” From his side, the leader of the main opposition, asked Mr. Papoulias to convene a council of the political party leaders in order to agree on a date for early general elections, before the election of a new Greek president by parliament and before a new agreement is reached with the country’s lenders, noting that the President’s request for political consensus will be discussed in detail later, after the journalists departed. Mr. Tsipras appeared positive on the consensus of political forces underlining, though, that Greek people are those deciding which path to take. Mr. Tsipras also said that the political party leaders’ council will also explore the potential for an agreement on who will be the new President of the Republic to ensure that he will be elected with a strong majority in parliament, pointing out that these two moves will send abroad a message of unity of the political powers. “The country needs stability to proceed with the democratic process in an orderly manner, with unity and not in conflict, and present to the people two plans, namely continuation of the same policy or negotiation” the President of SYRIZA said, at the same time accusing Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras,of risking destabilizing choices for leading the country to prolonged tension until the Presidential election. Mr. Papoulias has also scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras today and with DIMAR’s President, Fotis Kouvelis, tomorrow.


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Government tables reform for tackling bad loans

Outgoing Development Minister Nikos Dendias submitted to Parliament on Monday a plan for dealing with billions of euros in non-performing loans (NPLs) held by Greek businesses, a long-awaited reform which still requires the approval of the troika. Dendias... ...


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Syrian "Blood Antiquities" Proliferate Urgent Need for an International Agreement

As ISIS advances on villages and towns in northeastern Syria, it not only robs lives but exacts a cultural and historical toll all of us will pay, regardless of religion or national background. We must join together as nations to save humanity and history. The destruction by the Taliban of the monumental Buddhas at Bamiyan in Afghanistan made clear the Taliban's disregard of ancient world heritage. Similarly, Donald Rumsfeld brushed off looting of the priceless Baghdad Museum after U.S. troops entered the city. And here we are again -- only this time it is more complicated. Syria, situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, holds the living record of the story through the ages of human progress and civilization. Syria has embedded the roots of the various sects of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Kobani, site of much crisis today, sits in in close proximity to the second millennium, and later Biblical, site of Carchemish. Deir az Zor is hard by the third millennium mud-brick site of the civilization of Mari close to ISIS-controlled border crossing between Syria and Iraq. Its legacy is a cache of 22000 cuneiform clay tablets providing valuable record of those times. The partially destroyed castle Krak des Chevaliers near Homs recalls the Crusades, the early battles between Christianity and Islam. The 300 BC Seleucid site of Apamea near Homs has been clandestinely excavated by ISIS and other armed groups since 2012. Abu Bakr al Baghdadi's ISIS has amassed a kitty of over $2 billion, thirty to fifty percent of which comes from the sale of artifacts stolen and vandalized from museums and archeological sites in Syria and Iraq. In Saddam Hussein's hometown Tikrit they have destroyed the Green Church one of the oldest in Christendom. Their extreme Islamic creed, which does not allow pictorial depiction of the human form, provided ISIS the pretext for the systematic looting, trafficking and profiteering from wide range of cultural goods that represent the indelible heritage of mankind. Unlike the Taliban in Afghanistan ISIS it has honed it to a fine art in Iraq and Syria. To the Taliban the Islamic interdiction was paramount not as the revenue though they turned it a blind eye. Not much information is available on similar denuding of archeological sites in Libya like the remarkable Roman city of Leptis Magna. As part of its Syria strategy the US must include the preservation our common heritage for future generations. The initiation of a UN Security Council Resolution is imperative to outlaw the possession, transport and trade of 'blood' antiques coming out of those regions presently in the grip of inter-religious and sectarian conflict: Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya and Mali. The successful Kimberley Process for 'blood diamonds' coming out of Africa provides the model, though an even more stringent and enforceable international agreement is needed. The effort of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to bring out a red list of Syrian Cultural Objects at Risk is too meagre. Consider the importance, size and scale. The loss of these cultural goods going back to the third millennium BC epitomizes the human condition through the ages from Neolithic to Assyrian, neo-Assyrian to Greek then Roman, Biblical and Islamic. It is humankind's universal heritage and its disappearance will leave no visible markers for future generations. The size and variety of these cultural goods is vast and fully susceptible to monetization. It includes samples of writing, figural sculpture, vessels, architectural elements, accessories and instruments, stamps and cylindrical seals and tesserae and coins. The medium used in their creation is equally varied including clay and glazed ceramics, metals, ivory and glass, shell and lime-stone, bone, wood and a variety of stone like gypsum, basalt and alabaster. All of it is threatened by the nether-world of the international trade in antiquities. Satellite coverage for only 30 of 20,000 heritage sites in Syria reveals a systematic pattern of destruction and looting of all the sites. The looting and trade goes on at a furious pace while the international community remains unengaged and apathetic. We must realize the urgent need for collective action and give the forces fighting the ISIS a mandate to deal with this wanton destruction. The UN Climate Summit called for massive international effort to preserve the environment for our future generations from the depredations of climate change. A similar call to action to protect and preserve humanity's indelible heritage is its logical corollary.


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Greece Wants Debt Relief Credit Line But No Troika Memorandum

Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis wants President Karolos Papoulias to ask for a meeting of party leaders to END .article-big-block -- ...


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Greece, US to cooperate on security, minister says after Washington visit

Greek and US authorities have agreed to boost their cooperation in international security affairs with the exchange of information regarding individuals entering the European Union via Greece, Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias told reporters on Mond... ...


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Biden hopes Cyprus tensions will de-escalate through diplomacy

US Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades on Friday to discuss regional developments and express his ...


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EU Official: Greece Unable to Exit Bailout Program Without Assistance

The Greek government's intention is to complete its bailout package by the end of the year, a target that has been characterized as impossible by a ...


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Parthenon Marbles Film Premiers at Greek Film Festival

Professor Vrasidas Karalis and David Hill The Delphi Bank 21st Greek Film Festival came to a close on Sunday November 2 with a subject that is ...


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Cruise Port Spotlight: Santorini (Thira), Greece

A popular stop on many Greek Islands cruises, the approach to Santorini makes many a passenger do a double take: from the distance, the islands' ...


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Paul Delios pens Greek cookbook

Fans of Paul Delios' cooking, rejoice! The experienced Greek cuisine chef published a cookbook with more than 70 original recipes so that anyone ...


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Eat Crete: 6 Delicious Dishes from the Greek Island

We're all well acquainted with Greek cooking: gyros, skewers, pita. Dippable items with tzatziki even appear on menus where the Greek influence is ...


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New Greek org to focus on helping veterans, wounded soldiers

The newest sorority to join Wright State's Greek life is Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII). The organization's national philanthropy is arthritis research, but WSU's ...


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PM Samaras to President Papoulias: No Early Elections

Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, was received by President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, only a few hours after he received main opposition SYRIZA President, Alexis Tsipras, at the second of a series of scheduled meetings to be held with political leaders. Mr. Papoulias requested from the Prime Minister “minimum understanding” amongst the country’s political forces, a request he also expressed earlier to Mr. Tsipras. “All that is coming and all that has happened is very interesting. They have left their mark. The situation demands a minimum understanding,” was amongst the first things the President said to Mr. Samaras, as he entered his office. Mr. Samaras appeared positive in such a prospect, answering that “I heard you saying so this afternoon and absolutely agree,” while adding that “I came to brief you on the situation on the interior of the country and the international situation, about the course of the negotiations and the trip to Cyprus and Egypt.” A few minutes later, though, while exiting the Presidential Mansion, Mr. Samaras attacked main opposition SYRIZA, stressing that he will not give in to their demand for early elections, as it is something that Greek people do not desire and the markets fear. “I had the opportunity to repeat that there will be no early elections. I am deeply convinced that Greece’s parliamentary deputies, will consider responsibly and elect a president of the Republic in February. We have covered too much ground to now throw everything up into the air,” the Prime Minister concluded. Mr. Papoulias has a scheduled meeting with DIMAR’s President Fotis Kouvelis, tomorrow at 1 p.m.


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EU Official: Greece Unable to Exit its Bailout Program Without Assistance

Greece will not be able to exit its ongoing bailout program, earlier than scheduled, without an additional assistance package from its lenders, an unnamed senior European Union official stated according to Reuters. “A completely clean exit is highly unlikely,” the EU official told journalists, as the news agency pressed, adding that the Union “will have to explore what other options there are. Whatever options we may be adopting, it will be a contractual relationship between the euro area institutions and the Greek authorities.” The Greek government’s intention is to complete its bailout package by the end of the year, a target that has been characterized as impossible by a number of its European partners. Last week, Greek media spread speculation that Germany would financially help Greece after the following days of its exit, but the rumors were swiftly denied by German officials, including Minister of Finance, Wolfgang Schaeuble. “We reject reports by the Greek media, that Germany and Greece reached an agreement yesterday to further support Greece after the bailout program” spokesman of the German Finance Ministry, Frank Paul Weber, stated to Bloomberg via email. Athens is seeking a possible credit line to assist in the case of unexpected events, Reuters reported in October, explaining that the Greek side desires the credit line to come without strict conditions, arguing that it has already shown commitment to economic reform. Earlier “n October, Mr. Schaeuble declared that “Greece must resolutely continue to implement the agreed reforms. Being reliable creates confidence in the markets as well.”


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Truckers call for improvements to road network after deadly crash

A deadly crash in northern Greece last month, in which five people were killed when a truck plowed into dozens of vehicles, as well as a string of smaller incidents, have increased calls from haulers for improvements to the national road work. The federat... ...


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Man arrested for setting fire to estranged wife

A 56-year-old man in Volos, central Greece, was arrested Monday after setting his estranged wife on fire on Sunday, causing serious injuries. The man allegedly doused his 47-year-old spouse in surgical spirit and set her alight after they got into an argu... ...


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Greece hopes exhibit at Museum of History will help free Elgin Marbles from Britain

ATHENS • Greece hopes a blockbuster exhibit coming to the Canadian Museum of History next year will boost its argument for repatriating the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum, foreign minister Evangelos Venizelos said Monday. In an act the Greeks ...


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Innovative Greek Olive Oil Promotion in Australia

An original event organized for Greek-Australian children in order to promote Greek olive oil took place in the monastery of Panagia Kamariani inn, Red Hill, Victoria. Children and parents, members of the Greek Diaspora, visited the monastery where they ...


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Greek Court Must Consider Hate Motive Behind Attack on Romani Woman

Any failure of a court in Messolonghi, western Greece, to consider the racist motive in the brutal attack on a Romani woman and her nephew will be a failure of justice, Amnesty International said ahead of the opening of the trial, on November 4, of three ...


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EU officials mull bailout exit for Greece

As Greece prepares to exit its bailout package at the end of 2014, some European Union (EU) officials suggested that the Hellenic Republic would ...


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Veteran Kohl urges Europe to persist

Germany's ex-chancellor Helmut Kohl has reiterated his belief in Europe's quest for unity despite its crippling debt crises. His new book places the blame largely on a premature Greek entry into the eurozone.


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Greek bonds underperform as bailout exit plans dealt a blow

* ECB seen holding fire at Thursday's meeting * ECB to keep terms of cheap 4-year loans unchanged-sources LONDON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Greek bond yields rose on Monday after a senior European Union official said Athens was "highly unlikely" to end its bailout programme without some new form of assistance that will require it to meet targets. Yields on Greek 10-year bonds rose 11 basis points to 8 ...


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EU official: Greece needs another aid package

Ed AdamczykBRUSSELS, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Greece will likely need financial aid in 2015 after it exits its current bailout package at the end of 2014, a senior European Union official said Monday.


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Greek opposition leader calls on parties to set early election date

Greek opposition leader Alexis Tsipras on Monday called on party leaders to set a date for an early election, arguing polls must be held before the government signs any binding deals with EU/IMF lenders. Greece's government is under growing pressure ahead of a presidential vote in February, which could trigger a snap election and bring Tsipras's radical leftist Syriza party to power. Tsipras has ...


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Getty's James Cuno defends museums' right to keep ancient art

Cuno doesn't buy the argument that because an object was made in ancient Greece, Rome or the Middle East its proper home is back on its native ...


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Greece will need more aid after IMF's current bailout

Greece will need further financial support when its European bailout programme ends in December, an EU official predicted Monday, despite the ...


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Greece proposes bad debt write-off for small businesses

The move, which would be the biggest restructuring of business debt owed to Greek banks since the crisis erupted, would affect loans that have already been written off as non performing by the banks themselves. The government, which submitted an amendment ...


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String Of Scandals Attracts Extra Scrutiny For USC Greek Life

This follows a few turbulent years for USC Greek life, peppered with various incidents including an offensive email allegedly sent from a Kappa Sigma ...


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Greek market headed higher

Greek equities end higher on Monday, while the main index managed to finish above 930 level point. However turnover remained extremely limited ...


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Dish of the Week: Moussaka

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the Arabic word musaggaʽa from which the Greek and Turkish names were derived literally means ...


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In response to 'He kept asking my name'

The only complaints that we received, however, was the story we published about an ex-Greek life member's account of her own experience with ...


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Another aid package for Greece likely

A senior EU official has said Greece will not be able to do without foreign financial aid next year either. He said the crisis-hit country would not be allowed to exit its current rescue program at short notice. Greece's endeavors to exit its international ...


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Photographers write an ‘unofficial history’ of the Greek crisis

“Depression Era,” a show of 250 photographs that opens on Wednesday at the Pireos Street Annexe of the Benaki Museum, documents the far-reaching impact of Greece's brutal economic crisis on the country's urban and social fiber. The works of the exhibition... ...


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Today's Stocks: MasterCard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), National Bank of Greece (ADR) (NYSE:NBG ...

The chairman of National Bank of Greece (ADR) (NYSE:NBG) warned on Thursday that political, economic and geopolitical risks pose a threat to the ...


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Greek-Am. Michael Skiadas Kills Ex-Girlfriend’s New Boyfriend, then Himself

PORT JEFFERSON, NY – A gruesome scene unfolded Sunday evening, Nov. 2 in the Long Island town of Port Jefferson, involving a Greek-American man who shot and killed his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend, and then killed himself. Frank Panebianco and Jessica Kasten exited the Pour House Bar and Grill in Port Jefferson, ABC news reported, and […] The post Greek-Am. Michael Skiadas Kills Ex-Girlfriend’s New Boyfriend, then Himself appeared first on The National Herald.


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Greece to step up screening for Islamic militants

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's top security official says his government has accepted a request from the United States to step up screening at the country's ports and airports for suspected volunteers traveling from Europe to fight with Islamic State ...


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Teen Hit in Greece Car Crash; Changed Condition

GREECE, N.Y.-- We have an update on the condition of the teenage girl hit by a car on Latta Road on Halloween night. Greece Police said Nicole ...


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Cops: Teen struck on Halloween in stable condition

The teen struck by a minivan while trick-or-treating in Greece Friday night is in ... No charges have been filed, said Greece Police Sgt. Jared René.


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Underwater Wedding in Crete!

In recent years, the island of Crete has become a very popular wedding destination, attracting couples from across the globe. Recently, a couple held a traditional ceremony in Crete with music that included the lyra instrument and traditional rice (gamopilafo) that is widely used for wedding celebrations. There were however, two striking things that made this marriage a unique one. The groom, originally from South Africa and the bride, from Hungary, decided to exchange vows underwater. The couple who had met a few years earlier while scuba diving, opted to exchange vows wearing their scuba diving suits. The ceremony took place at hotel “Kalypso Cretan Village,” specializing in scuba diving. Crete has always been a preferred destination, not only for weddings, but for people around the world who have “fallen in love” with the island. Since the modification of laws allowing foreigners to purchase property, Greece has enjoyed a steady influx of people; Crete in particular, has become a permanent resident for some, a place of work for others, and a leisurely getaway for those who have bought a vacation home on the island, wishing to relish more frequent and extended stays. The British make up the majority of expats in Crete, but there are a variety of other nationalities, among them include German, French, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Italian, American and Australian and lets not forget the Chinese, who have been making headlines all year with the trend of group weddings — otherwise known as “Rose weddings.” In April 2014, sixteen Chinese couples from Shanghai were married in Koules Fort — among the most historical monuments in the city of Hania, located near the archaeological site of Aptera and overlooking the Souda Bay in Crete. Last spring, tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni further welcomed another 16 Chinese couples on board “Elyros” passenger ship, who set sail to Chania for a Rose Wedding. Chinese couples being wed in a group ceremony in Greece have flourished through the Rose Wedding program. The first recorded group marriage took place in 2006 at the village of Oia, Santorini.


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Convicts to be Imprisoned in Their Home Country

The Greek Ministry of Justice is to pass a new amendment in alignment with European Union directives. According to the bill, foreign convicts will be incarcerated in prisons of their home country. The law reform is based on the principle of mutual recognition of court decisions between EU countries that: impose imprisonment or restraining suspend other court decisions impose penalties alternative to imprisonment According to the new amendment, countries will recognize court decisions from other EU countries. The thinking behind the new bill is that a convict who is incarcerated inside a familiar social environment has a better chance at being reintegrated in society when he completes his sentence and this is beneficial for society. Also, a foreigner is more likely to be jailed than a national because there is the fear that he might flee the country. The new bill will bring decongestion to the already over-crowded Greek prison system, and there will also be less cost for imprisonment of foreign convicts in Greece.


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EU leaders weigh plan for Greek exit from bailout

The plan, which will be discussed at a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels on Thursday, would allow Antonis Samaras, the Greek prime ...


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