New York Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Astoria (AP Photo/Hans Pennink) NEW YORK – Greek-American Senator Michael Gianaris was appointed by Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to serve […] The post Gianaris to be Highest Ranking Member of State Senate from NYC appeared first on The National Herald.
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Wednesday, November 28, 2018
GREECE is NPL cutting laggard
At a time when nonperforming loans are decreasing significantly in the eurozone, GREECE is not only the member-state with the highest NPL rate, but it ...
Greek Police Arrest Dozens in Gold Smuggling Network
ATHENS, Greece — Police in Greece say they have arrested 63 people accused of running a major gold smuggling operation, using a network of pawn shops that rapidly expanded during the country's severe ...
Greece Remembers Fidel Castro and Expresses Support for Cuba
28 de noviembre de 2018, 15:32Athens, Nov 28 (Prensa Latina) Participants in the 20th International Meeting of Communists, Workers Parties (EIPCO) held here, paid tribute to Fidel Castro in the second ...
Princess Theodora GREECE Shares Exciting Engagement News
Soaps.com has learned that Bold and Beautiful actress Theodora GREECE (Alison) is engaged to be married to American lawyer, Matt Kumar. GREECE ...
The Greek National Opera Presents MANON This December
Manon, presented by the Greek National Opera and directed by Thomas Moschopoulos, comes to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center this December. The opera is set to open December 12, 2018 and ...
UEFA charges AEK Athens and Ajax after violent scenes at Champions League match in Greece
UEFA has charged both AEK Athens and Ajax following the violent scenes at their Champions League match on Tuesday night. Ajax fans were attacked before kick off in the Greek capital as home ...
Movies from Iran to compete in Greece Olympia festival
“The Skier” by Fereidun Najafi will go on screen in the official competition while “Butterfly” by Maryam Khalilzadeh will compete in the short animated film section. “The Skier” tells the story of a b...
Jailed Greek Cleaning Lady Released, 10-Year Sentence Reviewed
ATHENS – A kindergarten Greek cleaning lady who was given a 10-year jail sentence for forging a certificate saying she had a sixth grade education […] The post Jailed Greek Cleaning Lady Released, 10-Year Sentence Reviewed appeared first on The National Herald.
George Behrakis Saves Greek Youth from Smoking
ATHENS – Eight years ago, prominent Lowell, MA businessman George Behrakis launched the antismoking campaign “Smoke Free Greece,” geared toward Greece’s youth. His goal was […] The post George Behrakis Saves Greek Youth from Smoking appeared first on The National Herald.
“Smoke-Free Greece”: Behrakis’ Life-Saving Contribution
In my travels from New York to Athens and back, when arriving at the airport in Athens the first thing that catches my attention, and […] The post “Smoke-Free Greece”: Behrakis’ Life-Saving Contribution appeared first on The National Herald.
Refugees, Migrants in Greek Detention Centers Face Cold, Dark Winter
Budget cuts imposed by the ruling Radical Left SYRIZA-led coalition have rendered Greece’s asylum system unable to keep up with a torrent of applications to […] The post Refugees, Migrants in Greek Detention Centers Face Cold, Dark Winter appeared first on The National Herald.
Greek-American Indicted in Connection with Fraudulent Online Car Sales
MIAMI, FL – Merkourios Alexopoulos, 46, and Sabrina Schnekker, 32, of Miami Beach, were arrested on an indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit wire […] The post Greek-American Indicted in Connection with Fraudulent Online Car Sales appeared first on The National Herald.
To Shed Bank Loans, Eurobank Picking up Grivalia Properties
ATHENS – Aiming to shake off bad loans and raise capital, Greece’s third-largest lender, Eurobank, will scoop up real-estate company Grivalia for some 780 million […] The post To Shed Bank Loans, Eurobank Picking up Grivalia Properties appeared first on The National Herald.
Greek Education Minister in Fanar to discuss the State-Church relations
As positive and constructive described the meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Fanari the Greek Education Minister Kostas GavroglouRepresenting the state G
GREECE home to best beach in the world
There's no denying GREECE is synonymous with beautiful beaches, and this week it was further cemented by online travel agency Flight Network.
European Prevention prize: Winning projects from Bulgaria, GREECE and Turkey
Three projects from Bulgaria, GREECE and Turkey were awarded the Pompidou Group's 2018 European Prevention Prize. Prize winners in 2018 – Civil ...
GREECE tries "hair of the dog" bank recap plan
By Christopher Thompson. (The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist.) LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters Breakingviews) - After a night of heavy ...
Illegal gold trade gangs dismantled in GREECE, 59 arrested
Since the start of the debt crisis in late 2009 which brought GREECE to the brink of default, many Greeks bought gold and silver, fearing potential loss of ...
Extensive Damage As Storm “Penelope” Sweeps GREECE
The isle of Corfu, Karpenisi, Agrinio, Tripoli and Nafpaktos and many other areas in western and central GREECE suffered severe damage this week ...
Study reveals unknown fault zone in northern GREECE
The geological study for the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) pipeline in northern GREECE has revealed a previously uncharted fault ...
Worker Strikes in Greece Now a Meaningless Routine
The announcement of Wednesday’s general strike in Greece by the two largest labor unions was the second this month. An earlier strike took place on November 14. And if one was to report on any ...
Iranian 'The skier' to compete in Olympia, Greece
Tehran, November 28, IRNA - 'The skier' directed by Fereydoun Najafi is screened at the 21 st International Film Festival of Olympia, Greece. 'The skier' produced by Mohammad Ahmadi, is the only repre...
Greek parliament approves reduction of property and business tax, as well as aid to weakest
The first 100 days since exiting the memoranda is just the beginning This is how the Greek Prime Minister presented a new set of positive measures to MPs aiming atrestoring in
Workers' strike against austerity measures grinds Greece to a halt
GREECE ground to a halt today after public transport was disrupted and ports shut down as workers staged a 24-hour stoppage against the Syriza government’s austerity measures. The strike was called by ...
5 best Greek restaurants in Toronto selected by OpenTable diners
Looking for the best restaurants in Toronto? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new fav...
Greek court suspends cleaner's 10-year jail term over CV lie
A Greek appeals court has suspended the 10-year prison sentence imposed on a school cleaner for lying on her CV. Earlier this month a regional court found the 53-year-old, who worked at a nursery scho...
4 Migrants Hit by Greek Train May Have Been Asleep on Tracks
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Four migrants killed by a train in northern Greece may have been sleeping on the tracks when they were hit, authorities said Wednesday. The victims were two men and two wom...
AEK Athens v Ajax: Greek side charged by Uefa for crowd disturbances
Greek side AEK Athens have been charged by Uefa after objects, including a petrol bomb, were thrown during their Champions League home defeat by Ajax. They have also been charged over crowd disturbanc...
Egypt’s defence minister heads to Crete for Medusa 7 drills with Greece, Cyprus
Egypt’s Minister of Defence, Mohamed Zaki, travelled to Greece on Wednesday to witness the major exercise of the country’s joint drills with the Greek and Cypriot naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea ...
Songs from a bygone Greek era
Cyprus’ music scene continues to grow with Zaatar Food Arts in Old Nicosia dedicated to creating artistic nights whether in the form of theatre, dance or music. On Friday it will bring band Trio ...
Market Chatter: Greek State-Controlled DEPA Acquires Shell's Stake in Domestic Gas Supplier, Distributor
Shell (RDS.A, RDS.B) has sold its 49% stake in EPA Attikis and EDA Attikis to Greece's state-controlled DEPA gas company, Reuters reported. The deal to buy stakes in the domestic gas supplier and dist...
The most incredible all-inclusive places to stay in Greece
All-inclusive holidays don't always have to mean wasteful buffets and unlimited alcohol. In Greece, there are a host of elegant and excellent-value hotels with all-inclusive packages. The key features ...
ND Leader Mitsotakis: Tax Incentives for Electric Motors
ATHENS – Greece is at risk of lagging behind in the major technological revolution that is taking place, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos […] The post ND Leader Mitsotakis: Tax Incentives for Electric Motors appeared first on The National Herald.
Greek government to pay out fresh 710 million euro social dividend
An amendment tabled in parliament on Wednesday paved the way for the payment of a social dividend that could exceed 710 million euros which have already been set aside based on cu
Boost for growth as poverty declines
The state of the Greek economy is increasingly improving which is reflected in economic indices capturing this reality As evidenced by the latest figures released Greek economic
4 migrants hit by Greek train may have been asleep on lines
A coroner has increased to four the number of fatalities after a night train in northern Greece ran over a group of migrants who may have been sleeping on the lines. Nikos Kisnidis told The ...
Thousands march, disrupt transport in Greek strike
Thousands of people protested in Athens on Wednesday in a 24-hour strike over higher wages and pensions that disrupted ferries and trains. Around 7,000 people responded to a call by Greece's main ...
Greek cleaning lady’s 10-year jail sentence for CV fib suspended
A Greek appeals court suspended a 10-year jail term imposed on a cleaner whose conviction for lying on her CV about finishing primary school triggered outrage in the country. The 53-year-old woman ...
Major Tax Cuts and “Social Dividends” Announced in Greek Parliament
The Greek government announced Wednesday that the Uniform Real Estate Ownership Tax (ENFIA) will be significantly reduced for over 5.1 million property owners. In addition, the state will ...
Simitis says government should abandon scandal-mongering and focus on Greece’s future
'The motivations of the pre-electoral period should not lead us into adventures that are analogous to what we experienced and paid for in 2015,' the ex-PM said. In a rare public statement, former prim...
POLITICO Slovakia Playbook, presented by EGBA: Fico returns - Šefčovič says - Slovakia’s Nigel Farage quits
[POLITICO London Playbook] Welcome to POLITICO’s special edition European Elections Playbook series. I’m Ryan Heath, political editor at POLITICO, and I’ll be exploring the intersection of national and European politics in 15 EU countries in weekly newsletters up until the May 2019 poll. This week’s edition comes to you in partnership with Peter Bárdy and Pavol Štrba at the Slovak news outlet Aktuality. Next week: Greece, in association with Kathimerini. View in your browser | Read this newsletter in Slovakian VISIT THE DEDICATED SLOVAKIA PAGE ON POLITICO’S EU ELECTIONS HUB. Like what you’re reading? Sign up for our European Elections Playbooks and occasional major news alerts. THE BASICS POLITICAL TURNING POINT: In February 2018, Slovakians woke up to a terrifying prospect: With the brutal murder of 27-year-old investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírova, the country’s political system — currently led by the social democratic Smer party — was spiralling further into corruption and gangsterism. Kuciak had been investigating links between the Italian ‘Ndrangheta mafia and close associates of then Prime Minister Robert Fico. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Bratislava to protest the killing under the slogan “For A Decent Slovakia.” The demonstrations — Slovakia’s most significant protests since the fall of communism in 1989 — ultimately forced Fico and his interior minister to resign. Slovaks have continued to make their voices heard, most recently in protests reacting to Fico’s latest attack on the media earlier this month. But when it comes to the ballot box, they have been less vocal: Only 13 percent voted in the 2014 European election, the lowest turnout in all EU countries. BUT HOW MUCH HAS REALLY CHANGED? Fico may have been forced from office, but many doubt he was forced from power. Polls have barely shifted since street protests began — the ruling party is polling today at 22 percent, the same rating it achieved the day Fico resigned (March 15), and just 3 percent below its result the day Kuciak was murdered (February 19). Fico has also become a rather successful internet troll and journalist-basher: One of his key campaigns has been to spread the theory that protests against him were financed by Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros. **A MESSAGE FROM THE EUROPEAN GAMING AND BETTING ASSOCIATION (EGBA): The European Commission needs to fix the damaging fragmentation of consumer protection rules for online gambling to ensure players have a high level of protection across all EU member countries. While the vast majority of gamblers play for fun and in a responsible way, approximately 1 percent are problem gamblers — and more needs to be done to protect them.** WELCOME TO SLOVA-KIA: From Kia to Volkswagen to Jaguar, the country produces more cars for capita than any other country on earth — over 1 million cars a year in a country of 5.4 million people. Next in line are electric cars: The European commissioner from Slovakia, Maros Šefčovič, opened the country’s first ultra-fast car battery charging station last week. One 15-minute charge will get you 400 kilometers. BUT ITS CAR-DRIVEN TRANSFORMATION HAS BEEN AN UNEVEN ONE. Slovakia is one of the EU’s most regionally divided countries. Bratislava, close to Vienna, is the 6th richest city in the European Union. The Slovak capital’s GDP is 184 percent of the EU average. At the other end of the scale, eastern Slovakia’s GDP is just 53 percent of the EU average. In the dominant car industry, those making Jaguar cars can expect to earn around €715 a month before tax. Just getting the Jaguar plant took millions in controversial subsidies, and the traffic in the nearby historical town of Nitra is getting worse. Then there’s the fact that the country’s highways are still a nightmare for many. Construction of Slovakia’s main highway, between Bratislava in the west and Košice in the east, began in 1972. Forty-six years later, some 150 km of the 510-km route have yet to be built. That’s not all the EU’s fault, or even democratic-era Slovakia’s fault, but it’s a surprise given the EU’s sacred belief in the value of its regional subsidies and infrastructure funds. EUROPEAN TIGER OR EUROPEAN DETROIT? Slovakia’s push to become a major car-manufacturing hub also puts it at risk of becoming Europe’s Detroit, should efforts to diversify its economy fail. POWER & POLITICS With the next Slovakian national election due in 2020, next year’s European Parliament election is the first big electoral test for the government since the political crisis triggered by Kuciak’s murder prompted Fico’s resignation. MORE RESIGNATIONS AHEAD? Miroslav Lajčák has said he will resign as foreign minister if the Slovak government refuses to ratify the United Nations pact on migration. Slovak PM Peter Pellegrini told reporters Sunday after the EU’s Brexit summit that the country would not support the global pact “under any circumstances.” Slovakia will need to find a new minister “if it takes the road of xenophobia, intolerance,” Lajčák said in response. Fico has pushed for Slovakia to reject the pact, and a vacancy caused by Lajčák’s resignation would offer a simple route for his return to government. A FRAGMENTED POLITICAL LANDSCAPE: Ruling party Smer is polling just above 20 percent, with another eight parties clustered between 4 and 13 percent, according to the latest figures. EUROSKEPTIC FORCES ON THE RISE: In the latest Slovakian opinion poll, some 40 percent of voters say they would vote for one of the country’s four Euroskeptic parties: Freedom and Solidarity, the People’s Party, SME Rodina (We Are Family), and the Slovak National party (SNS), which are all on the right of the political spectrum. NEW-PARTY FACTOR: We Are Family and SNS are polling at a combined 21 percent of the vote, putting them on track for a combined three seats out of 14. SNS is best described as a newly re-awakened party. Although once a part of the governments of former PMs Vladimír Mečiar and Fico, it has been dormant for years. WHAT SLOVAKS SAY THEY’RE WORRIED ABOUT: More than three times as many Slovaks think their voice counts in the EU — 43 percent — as bothered to vote in 2014. But only three in 10 think the EU is headed in the right direction, marginally more than the one in four who think Slovakia is headed in the right direction. DATA, VISUALIZED How much Slovaks earn and what they think about the EU. The issues that concern Slovaks and other Europeans. Slovakia polling results and predictions. Voting rights information in Slovakia. Slovak turnout in 2014 EU election. [Graphic] 2019 PREDICTIONS WHO’S AHEAD? Polling numbers shift slightly with each new national poll, but there has been no fundamental change in more than two years. Smer is in first place and the conservative Freedom and Solidarity party is in second, with a host of smaller parties jockeying to get into double-digit polling numbers. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TURNOUT: Smer, currently polling around 22 percent, is likely to get around 47,000 votes more than Freedom and Solidarity. But 80 times that number of voters — some 3.8 million — didn’t bother showing up and casting a ballot the last time around, in 2014. In other words, Smer could easily be beaten if more Slovaks turn up to vote. WHY THE BAD TURNOUT? A favorite Slovak saying is, “If you love it, there’s nothing to think about.” That may go a long way toward explaining Slovak turnout at EU elections. A majority of Slovaks profess to supporting the EU. Unlike its neighbors, the country joined the EU and its leadership has remained steadfastly pro-EU. THE YOUTH VOTE: “Only 6 percent of young people came out to vote, but when I talk to them they are very pro-EU, very environmentally conscious, they speak languages. I am still struggling with that number,” Commission Vice President Maros Šefčovič told Playbook. WHO IS RUNNING? Šefčovič will lead the social democrat list, after withdrawing from the Commission president race. Richard Sulík, the Slovakian Nigel Farage — and a favorite on German television because of his fluent German — will not stand again at the head of the second biggest party, the Freedom and Solidarity party list, Dennik reported. Instead, Eugen Jurzyca, an economist and former education minister will lead party’s slate for the 2019 election. Former journalist Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová will also be a candidate. COULD EMMANUEL MACRON RECRUIT IN SLOVAKIA? It would be slim pickings. The most likely source of recruits for the French president’s liberal push would be disaffected MEPs from the ruling party, or the centrist Most-Híd party, which is aligned with the European People’s Party and one of the four parties in the ruling coalition. Possible high-profile individual recruits include former Most-Híd Justice Minister Lucia Žitňanská and MP František Šebej. Marek Maďarič, a former social democrat minister of culture, was rumored to be considering an independent bid for the Slovak presidency in 2019 but is still not officially back in politics. EXTRA SEAT FOR SLOVAKIA IN 2019 ELECTION: Slovakia will go from 13 to 14 seats as part of a (partly Brexit-inspired) update to Parliament’s seat allocation. Currently, Smer is on track to win four seats, while second-placed Freedom and Solidarity is on track to win two. We also predict far-right People’s Party and conservative Ordinary People will win two seats each. The remaining four seats will be spread among minor parties that skew right. See a regularly updated prediction on the Slovakia country page of POLITICO’s EU election hub. Because there are two parties from the European Conservatives and Reformists in Slovakia — Freedom and Solidarity, and Ordinary People — the right-wing European grouping could become as strong as the Socialists and Democrats. Parties with less than 5 percent of the vote will be excluded from winning a seat in Parliament. BY THE NUMBERS: Ladbroke’s betting odds: Betting on Smer (S&D) to win the most seats will gain you €1.66 for each euro wagered, if they win. The return for Freedom and Solidarity (ECR) is €2.75, and for People’s Party (Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy) is €5. MEET THE MEPS Slovakia’s delegation consists of nine men and four women. None of the country’s 13 MEPs have made it onto POLITICO’s annual “MEPs who matter” lists. PÁL CSÁKY, a European People’s Party MEP, represents the Hungarian community in Slovakia, making him part of Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán’s sphere of influence. MONIKA BEŇOVÁ, an MEP for the Socialists & Democrats, and ANNA ZÁBORSKÁ, an EPP MEP, haven’t authored a rapporteur’s report since 2015. Eduard Kukan is one of the European Parliament’s few independent MEPs. Vladimír Maňka is a member of the Parliament bureau — the institution’s executive committee — and a quaestor (or the Parliament’s version of a school prefect). Miroslav Mikolášik, József Nagy and IVAN ŠTEFANEC, all EPP MEPs, and BRANISLAV ŠKRIPEK and JANA ŽITŇANSKÁ, both members of ECR, are the only members of the delegation to have authored a rapporteur parliament report in 2018. Richard Sulík is best known as Slovakia’s Nigel Farage, as a result of his views of migrants and Greece’s membership of the eurozone (he has low opinions of both). Boris Zala, an S&D MEP, has never written a parliamentary report and doesn’t bother to even publish his CV. Had long career as a journalist and in national politics before election to the European Parliament. PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW Europe’s vice-president for energy, Maroš Šefčovič, was Slovakia’s first contender for European Commission president, before withdrawing earlier this month and backing Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans as _Spitzenkandidat _instead. Šefčovič spoke to Playbook last Friday. HIS 2019 PLAN: The Slovak commissioner will focus on a “visionary” state of the energy union report in February, before turning to the election campaign. He also intends to push for a new — greener, more innovative — approach to industrial policy and a most assertive trade policy at the Socialist congress in Lisbon in early December. Ultimately, he expects to be nominated for a third term as commissioner, he said. “Pellegrini confirmed my nomination and I hope to be vice president for the economic modernization of Europe,” he said. TOP ELECTION REQUEST: He wants national politicians to “put their heart into it” to help boost turnout, instead of letting the election be cast as “something for a narrow group of European activists.” “We cannot allow nationalists to steal the feeling of patriotism,” he said. “You can be a proud Slovak and a proud European at the same time.” SPREAD THE WORD: Pro-Europeans have to use more effective tools to communicate a “positive message” in order to counter the “single issue campaigns” that nationalist and populists spread “with ease on social media,” he said. Slovaks are mostly pro-EU, according to Šefčovič, but are subjected to bad coverage of what the EU does. “When we got only silly coverage of the [2014] election about salaries, vacuum cleaners and bananas, they ask: Why bother? We need to debate serious stuff.” THE SOLUTION? Politicians need to talk to European voters “constantly, not just in campaigns” in order to contain Euroskepticism, the Slovak commissioner said, adding that he’s grateful Slovakia hasn’t joined neighboring Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic in creating headaches for the EU. **A MESSAGE FROM THE EUROPEAN GAMING AND BETTING ASSOCIATION (EGBA): Most EU member states either have a licensing regime for online gambling or, like Slovakia, are currently in the process of adopting one. Slovakia’s new gambling law is currently under discussion in the national Parliament and EGBA hopes the new law will be adopted quickly. However, for the new law to be a success, it must ensure that the vast majority of Slovakian players are playing with the online gambling websites which will be licensed and regulated in Slovakia. This will allow players to be protected under Slovakian consumer protection laws, which is the main purpose for regulating this sector. To enable this, a viable licensing regime which offers competitive products is necessary to provide consumer choice and keep players within the regulated market.**
Greek Cleaning Lady Who Faked Diploma Released From Jail
An appeals court in Larissa, central Greece on Wednesday ordered the immediate release of a 53-year-old cleaner who had been imprisoned for forging her school degree in order to get the job.
Ajax fans and Greek police injured after clashes with AEK Athens fans
Six Ajax fans and three police officers have been hospitalised after violent confrontations with AEK Athens fans. Several incidents occurred before and during the Champions League match between AEK an...
Australian Dr. Con Kyriacou Accused by Patients of Sexual Assault
A Greek-Australian woman and two others who were patients of a Greek-Australian physician, Dr. Con Kyriacou, have independently lodged complaints against him for sexual assault, […] The post Australian Dr. Con Kyriacou Accused by Patients of Sexual Assault appeared first on The National Herald.
The Owl’s Legacy Brings Home Ancient Greece’s Modern World Idea
Banned for two decades because it was impertinent enough to suggest ancient Greece had little to do with contemporary Greece, the 1989 TV series The […] The post The Owl’s Legacy Brings Home Ancient Greece’s Modern World Idea appeared first on The National Herald.
N.J. Mystery: A Greek Mother, 2 Brothers, 2 Fires, Family Slain, No Suspects, No Motive
More than a week after two pre-Thanksgiving fires at the New Jersey homes of two brothers – with a family of four slain before their […] The post N.J. Mystery: A Greek Mother, 2 Brothers, 2 Fires, Family Slain, No Suspects, No Motive appeared first on The National Herald.
Erdogan Warns Cyprus, Greece Over Offshore Energy Drilling
Defied by American energy giant ExxonMobil that went ahead with drilling for oil and gas off Cyprus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said again he […] The post Erdogan Warns Cyprus, Greece Over Offshore Energy Drilling appeared first on The National Herald.
During Media Strike, Tsipras Visits Mati Fire Site
ATHENS – With no TV camera, radio crews or reporters to follow him during a 24-hour media strike, Greek Prime Minister and Radical Left SYRIZA […] The post During Media Strike, Tsipras Visits Mati Fire Site appeared first on The National Herald.