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How the world sees Greece
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Greeks to vote for local officials in foretaste of EU elections
Greeks vote on May 18 to elect representatives in the country’s municipalities and prefectures in a last confrontation between the government of Antonis Samaras and the main opposition Syriza party before next week’s European elections.
The local governme... ...
Greek bronze medalist Pollatou killed in car crash
Greek gymnast Anna Pollatou, who won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, was killed in a car crash on Saturday, local media reported. "The Greek Gymnastics Federation expresses its condolences to the relatives of Anna Pollatou and feels deep sorrow for the untimely loss of a gymnast who was a role model," the national body said in a statement. "She was a young woman who had much to ...
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Turkey's foreign minister says US vice president's Cyprus visit important for peace talks
by
Associated Press
Turkey: US vice president's Cyprus visit key
Associated Press - 17 May 2014 11:55-04:00
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Turkey's foreign minister says U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit to ethnically split Cyprus next week sends an important message of American support for renewed talks aimed at unifying the island.
Ahmet Davutoglu says Biden's three-day trip — the first by a U.S. vice president in 52 years — "isn't an ordinary visit."
Davutoglu was speaking at a press conference Saturday after talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains 35,000 troops in the breakaway north.
Negotiations resumed in February after the two sides agreed on a joint statement outlining key principles of an envisioned federation.
News Topics: General news, Peace process, Diplomacy, International relations, Government and politicsPeople, Places and Companies: Joe Biden, Ahmet Davutoglu, Dervis Eroglu, Turkey, Cyprus, United States, Middle East, Western Europe, Europe, North America
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Skeleton in "black hole" sheds light on early Americans
A skeleton discovered in a watery grave called Hoyo Negro – or black hole - has shed light on the origins of the original people of the Americas. The skeleton of a teenage girl, found in a cave in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is between 12,000 and 13,000 years old and the most intact human remains of that era. Dubbed Naia, in refrence to Greek water nymphs, she lay submerged more than 150 feet below the water, until cave divers came upon her. “It’s difficult to say...
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Emir of Qatar Creating Emirate in the Ionian Sea
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, after the purchase of the Greek island Oxia in the Ionian Sea, Greece, is planning to buy seven more islands located in the Echinades group, Ionian Sea. As reported, the family of the Emir of Qatar, has already bought half the island of Petalas and will soon proceed in purchasing the whole area. The acquisition of Petalas is considered very important as it is the biggest island in the Echinades group. Al-Thani bought the island of Oxia for 5.6 million euros from the Greek-Australian family Stamoulis. The investment, is expected to be around 250-300 million euros. Oxia covers a surface area of about 500 hectares which is half the size of the Italian island Capri and is 38 km away from the island of Ithaca. Al-Thani plans to transform the island into a luxury resort which will include a five-star hotel, a boutique hotel, two tourist resorts, a series of bungalows on the beach, bars, restaurants, a shopping area, sports facilities and a heliport. Part of the island is under the protection of the environmental organization “Natura 2000,” but the rest can be used for commercial purposes. However, The “transformation” project is moving at snail’s pace due to bureaucracy.
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Thessaloniki to Vote on Water Privatization
The citizens of Thessaloniki, northern Greece are invited to vote on Sunday in an unofficial referendum concerning water privatization while casting their ballot in the local and regional elections. In 2011, the Greek government announced its plans to privatize Eyath, the state-run company that provides the city’s 1.5 million residents with water and sanitation services. The denationalization process is underway and two multinational companies have made it to the second phase of the tender for the utility. The Greek law does not allow for the citizens to be consulted on government policy unless they are ratified by presidential decree or an enhanced majority of MPs. However, the citizens of Thessaloniki believe that the results of the referendum will clearly show that they want water to remain in public ownership. The decision to privatize the city’s water supply has caused the reaction of several coalition groups, including political parties, trade unions and the Orthodox church. The polls show that over 70% of the citizens are against Eyath’s privatization. They believe that such services must stay public to ensure quality, safety and affordable services under democratic control. Referendum on water privatization banned The Greek Ministry of Interior deemed the referendum organized by the city’s municipalities as “illegal.” The Interior Minister, Yiannis Michelakis with a circular sent on Saturday, May 17 to the municipalities of Thessaloniki banned the referendum.
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Ukraine Crisis Dominates EU Energy Ministers’ Meeting in Athens
Europe is considering increasing the size of security stockpiles of natural gas that member-states are obliged to have in storage in between 50 and 60 days, instead of the 30 days envisaged by current directives, in case of a possible supply crisis due to developments in Ukraine, European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger said in Athens on Friday. The Commissioner was speaking at a press conference that wrapped up an informal EU energy ministers’ council held in Athens, Greece. In a joint press conference with Greece ‘s Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis, Oettinger stressed that Russia must continue to meet its contractual obligations to the EU and the countries of the Western Balkans, the Ukraine and Moldova, refraining from using natural gas supply as a “weapon.” Commenting on a letter sent to EU leaders on Thursday by Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he said that Ukraine must pay in advance for any natural gas it imports from Russia, the Commissioner said that negotiations will be held over the next 15 days so that security of supply remains guaranteed. Oettinger also noted that the Russian side now only demanded pre-payment of imports, while in previous communications had also called for a settlement of Ukraine’s debts and the activation of the ‘take or pay’ clause. He also said that a uniform price for natural gas in the EU should arise from the operation of the market and not through a political decision. Maniatis noted that events in Ukraine and the short-term and long-term measures for coping with an EU supply crisis had been among the issues discussed at the council meeting. These had included increasing security stockpiles (to be examined with respect to cost), emergency plans, installing reverse flow mechanisms in interstate pipelines, measures to reduce demand, as well as turning to internal energy sources and diversifying supply routes and sources. Oettinger stressed the last point, pointing out that if there were more than one provider, then no one could be blackmailed. Energy security will also be discussed at the ministers’ council in June, at which point the EU will make an announcement. Other issues covered at the Athens meeting included energy infrastructure, energy efficiency and conservation and climate change targets until 2030. Replying to questions about the privatization of the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA), Maniatis said that EU approval was still pending, while Oettinger clarified that the process will be completed within 2014. (source: ana-mpa)
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Greek Island of Elafonisos On Sale
The magical island of Elafonisos, located in the southern edge of Peloponnese, Greece will be included in the portfolio of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED), causing widespread reactions. More specifically, TAIPED is selling 175 acres of the breathtaking beaches of Sarakiniko and Simos. Locals as well as international environmental organizations are protesting against the sale of the beautiful island. The area is under the protection of the European program “Natura 2000″ due to the endemic plant species that exist on the island’s beaches and the wider area of Elafonisos. The residents believe that the island’s exploitation will destroy the natural environment. According to Elafonisos Association of Scientists, the beach of Simos is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, while it has been included in the list of the top ten beaches of the world. The Mayor of Elafonisos, Panagiotis Psaromatis with a letter to the president of TAIPED and the Greek Finance Minister, expressed his opposition to the government’s plans. “We will by all means continue to protect our unique and sensitive natural environment,” he said. In 2013, “Guardian” placed Elafonisos first on a list of top ten areas with the most beautiful beaches in Greece. The German magazine “Geo-Saison” has described the island as “a paradise on earth.”
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Greek Ministry of Labor Offers 100,000 Free Vacations
The Greek Ministry of Labor announced that it will offer free vacations to 100,000 employees, unemployed and pensioners. The Greek state will cover their accommodation costs for up to five nights. According to the Labor Minister, Yiannis Vroutsis, the Social Tourism program will be running from August 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015. It is estimated that it will cost about 10 million dollars. The height of the subsidy will depend on the type of tourist accommodation. Those who can apply for Social Tourism vouchers are employees registered with IKA, unemployed who have been receiving unemployment benefit for at least 2 months and unemployed registered in the disabled registry of Greece’s Employment Service (OAED). Those who had participated in last year’s Social Tourism program are not eligible to receive vouchers. Beneficiaries of the program are also families with children aged 5-24 years, the spouses of the beneficiaries and assistants of people with disabilities.
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Sneak Preview from TNH’s Travel Guide: My Summer in Greece: a non-Greek Tween Mythophile’s Hellenic Odyssey
By Sarah Nagengast (January, 2014) It’s January, and I’m helping my family plan a ski trip! We love the cold, snow, and steep hills of Vermont. But as I get excited about it I remember my last vacation, a trip this past summer to warm, sunny Greece. That was also a setting that I loved! […]
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National Bank Of Greece (ADR) (NYSE:NBG) Plans To Do Away With A Minority Stake In Finansbank
Denver, CO – (Stocksntrade) – 05/17/2014 – The Athens based lender, National Bank of Greece (ADR) (NYSE:NBG), contemplates on selling a stake in Istanbul-based Finansback AS, Turley’s seventh largest bank by market value. The demand for Turkish ...
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Who is Manchester United’s first summer signing Vanja Milinkovic?
Source: metro.co.uk - Saturday, May 17, 2014 New Manchester United goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic Manchester United have made teenage goalkeeper Vanja Milkinkovic-Savic their first summer signing. Here are ten things you didn’t know about the Serbian stopper. 1 Full name Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, he is a 17-year-old goalkeeper, having been born on February 20, 1997. 2 He is seen as one for the future and will be allowed to stay with his current club FK Vojvodina next season before arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2015. 3 Despite his tender years, he is exceptionally tall – standing at 6ft 7ins. 4 Vanja comes from a sporting family. His dad Nikola Milinkovic played football for FK Becej while his mum was a basketball player. 5 He made six appearances for Serbia in the qualifying phase for the Uefa Under-17 Championship, making his debut in a 6-0 victory over Andorra last October. MORE: United trio in Korean meatball ad Vanja Milinkovic-Savic stands tall among his Serbia under-17 team mates 6 Milinkovic has conceded just three goals in those appearances and has still to finish on the losing side, enjoying further wins over Estonia, Republic of Ireland and Georgia plus draws with Greece and Germany. 7 United spotted him when he gave an impressive performance during that 1-1 draw with the Germans in March and invited him to England for trials. 8 FK Vojvodina acted quickly after hearing of United’s interest and he signed his first professional deal on April 2. His oldeAll Related
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Worried Greeks Flee For Pensions
Anxious that there will be an increase in the retirement age and reduced benefits, hundreds of thousands of Greeks are fleeing the public and private sector to grab a pension now, even as the number of workers supporting the system has fallen because of record unemployment caused by harsh austerity measures. Workers are also anxious that this month’s elections for Greek municipalities and the European Parliament could jeopardize the government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, the New Democracy leader, and his fast-fading partner the PASOK Socialists and lead to unfavorable changes in pensions. The government has slashed pension benefits as well as for auxiliary pensions on orders from international lenders and worries are growing that it could get even worse despite a promise by Samaras there wouldn’t be any more measures. Some retirees are living on pensions as low as 300 euros ($410) a month before taxes. Workers from a growing number of sectors, increasing tax offices, municipal authorities and teachers because of uncertainty over pensions. It can take a year or longer before retirees get their first check and they are barred from working during retirement. Pensioners have also seen their lump sums, money deducted from their checks for decades, cut up to 38 percent although the country’s highest court has deemed that unconstitutional. The government has not reacted to that. Auxiliary pensions have also been cut or eliminated for pensioners, who have to wait up to two years or more before getting those benefits. Speaking on Skai TV, Labor and Security Minister Yiannis Vroutsis said rumors about an increase in the retirement age weren’t true and tried to appease worried workers who are on the verge of fulfilling criteria for retiring. Retirement applications in the private sector have grown due to fears that the retirement age will be extended and that pensions will be reduced from January 1, 2015. While insecurity is soaring in the public sector, especially for those approaching retirement and the mothers of young children, in the private sector the waiting time for the issue of pensions by the Social Security Foundation (IKA) has grown longer than ever, with central IKA offices finding it impossible to serve the huge numbers of workers seeking clarifications, while there are also concerns regarding auxiliary pensions. Incentives to work beyond the retirement age have virtually been eliminated, as the chances of an increase in the size of pensions are next to zero for those who do choose to stay on, deterring workers from taking the risk. According to the latest data from the ministry, the number of people receiving pensions related to age, disability or death from IKA has grown by 17 percent in the last six months, while expenditure has increased by 24 percent. In April IKA issued 206,436 more pensions than in October and spent 209.3 million more on pensions than six months earlier.
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Frantic Greeks Run For Pensions
Fearful of an increase in the retirement age and reduced benefits, hundreds of thousands of Greeks are fleeing the public and private sector to grab a pension now.
The post Frantic Greeks Run For Pensions appeared first on The National Herald.
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Macaroni Mother’s Day Memories
HOUSTON, TX – I just got off the phone with my daughter after trying to decide on a restaurant for Mother’s Day. We settled on Mexican food. Big surprise in Houston. It has to be a buffet. Big surprise for Greeks. She’s also getting me a purse for the summer season, which lasts about six […]
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Greece to hold local elections on Sunday
Some 9.8 million Greeks are expected to go to ballot boxes in the first round of local elections to choose their local leaders on Sunday. The polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. local time (5 a.m. GMT) to 7 p.m. local time. If a leading electoral ...
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Samaras Says Coalition Will Win
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said his New Democracy and partner PASOK will will elections for municipalities and the EU parliament but might need to bring in another party.
The post Samaras Says Coalition Will Win appeared first on The National Herald.
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Delta Resumes Athens-New York Flights
U.S.' Delta Airlines on May 18 will start its summer schedule of non-stop flights between Athens and New York, a route it used to run year-round.
The post Delta Resumes Athens-New York Flights appeared first on The National Herald.
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Strauss-Kahn Says Greece Crushed
Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said austerity measures worsened Greece's economic crisis and called them "unbearable."
The post Strauss-Kahn Says Greece Crushed appeared first on The National Herald.
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Migrants’ voting ban aids Greece’s far-right in Euro elections – claim
A controversial move in Greece to ban second-generation migrants from voting will help the far-right in European elections, it’s been claimed. Roman Gerodimos, an expert on Greek politics at Bournemouth University, says the ‘disenfranchising’ of ...
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German Bonds Post Weekly Gain on ECB; Greek Debt Falls
Economic TimesGerman Bonds Post Weekly Gain on ECB; Greek Debt FallsBloombergGreek bonds declined even after the Finance Ministry recalled a directive detailing capital gains taxes on bond transactions by foreign investors. Yields rose as backing for Prime Minister Antonis Samaras's coalition partner Pasok, which dominated ...Europe Stocks Slide as GDP Number DisappointsWall Street JournalGLOBAL MARKETS-Shares fall for third day on growth worryReuters UKThe Dollar And Bonds Stabilize After Yesterday's WildingSeeking Alphaall 61 news articles »
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Greece: Uncertain steps in hydrocarbon exploration
Greece, unlike Cyprus, lacks the resolve, determination and organisation to embark on a comprehensive programme for the development of its not insignificant hydrocarbon resources. This appears to be the main conclusion of a select team of experts who ...
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Lenders conclude Greek Cypriot mission
International lenders have successfully concluded a fourth review of the Greek Cypriot administration's bailed-out economy and anticipate a shallower recession in 2014 than initially expected, the island's finance minister said on Saturday. "It was noted ...
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Despite economic improvement, protest vote poses major test for Greece's governing coalition
Greece's rickety coalition government faces its first electoral test in local and regional voting Sunday — followed in a week by the nationwide European parliamentary elections that the left-wing opposition has billed as a referendum on the country's bailout.
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Greek coalition faces major test in midterm vote
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's rickety coalition government faces its first electoral test in local and regional voting Sunday — followed in a week by the nationwide European parliamentary elections that the left-wing opposition has billed as a referendum on the country's bailout.
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The last warning
by
Kassandra
The European Parliament elections might be ‘won’ by the centre-right EPP or the centre-left S&D, but the real winners will be the extremists, especially on the far-right, who may get up to a third of the seats.
Indeed it is highly likely that in France, the far right Front National of Marie LePen will top the poll, while this may happen in other countries as well, such as Greece, where the situation has got out of control and the government coalition is in state of panic.
The unfortunate and terrifying electoral outcome, however, may serve as the last warning for European society before an escalating breakout of social unrest.
This social eruption will be the result of the Brussels/IMF forced austerity, which brought to the peoples of Europe, especially in the South, only misery, the rapid depletion of the middle class and a fast growing social class of neo-poor which will express itself politically, next Sunday, May 25.
Hopefully, the unprecedented increase of the far right in Europe, will force traditional political parties to renovate and drastically change policies.
There is only one answer; new young uncorrupt people in politics and economic relaxation. Print money in Frankfurt, push to an annual inflation of five to seven percent per year for the next five years and freezing of debts.
This inflationary move was suggested by the British economist Will Hutton several years ago. If we had listened, we would be in real recovery now.
We didn’t and the medicine still needs to be applied.
If it isn’t, I do not want even to think about what will happen.
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The Untouchables
by
New Europe
“In politics, there are things that are said but not done and things that are done but not said,” is attributed to Greek president, Konstantinos Karamanlis, whose name is given to the bridge that unites the two main buildings of the European Parliament in Brussels.
As an ever decreasing percentage of Europeans head to the polls for this week’s European Parliament elections, it is important to remember how the EU, especially the Commission President has treated certain member states.
Veteran EU correspondent, Peter Spiegel has written in the Financial Times about the G20 summit in November 2011, after the then Greek prime minister, George Papandreou had called for a referendum on the €172 billion bailout programme. Papandreou hoped that this would force people to choose and give him a mandate to enact the harsh reforms that were being demanded from Greece.
At the G20, Papandreou was subjected to the wrath of the French president and what Sarkozy’s finance minister later called “psychological warfare.”
According to the account, while the room was erupting, President Barroso sat quietly. Secretly, Barroso had contacted Greek opposition leader, and current prime minister, Antonis Samaras and they discussed ‘technocrats’ who could take over from the elected Greek PM, then as the meeting ended, Barroso swiftly struck a deal with Evangelos Venizelos, who had sensed the end of Papendreou, but remained ambitious.
By the time the Greeks returned to Athens the referendum and the president were finished.
That’s not all that happened at the G20. Former US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner reveals, in his book “Stress Test” that “European officials” were asking the US to help them push Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi out of office.
“We can’t have his blood on our hands,” Geithner replied.
On our back page we discuss the disturbing machinations used by Merkel and Van Rompuy that have kept four national leaders from running for European office.
It is difficult to imagine more damning accounts of the way the EU is acting behind the scenes.
The reports of the President of the Commission conspiring to overthrow the government of a member state is not one of the things that “are done but not said”. It is simply not done. Because they undo Europe.
Europe is being undone. Like a fish, it rots from the head first.
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For a progressive alternative to austerity and sovereign debt crisis in Europe
by
John Milios
1. The Euro-Crisis as a Process of Conservative Transformation
Jean-Claude Trichet, as President of the European Central Bank (ECB), noted in a press conference in March 2008: “The fundamentals of the euro area economy remain sound and the euro area economy does not suffer from major economic imbalances”. When asked about the implications of the US subprime crisis into the euro area (EA) economy, he raised concerns about inflation. Six years later, all these statements sound like black humor.
The EA is experiencing a severe sovereign debt crisis. Growth prospects are weak and fragile. Unemployment levels in the countries of the so-called European ‘periphery’ have reached hitherto unthinkable levels and the risk of deflation is by no means negligible.
The monetary aspect of the EA is unique. No solid and uniform fiscal authority stands behind the ECB. The latter, thus, cannot be effective in its role as lender of last resort and market maker of last resort. In this context, governments will not always have the necessary liquidity to pay off bondholders.
This should not be taken as a real sacrifice on the part of the ruling economic elites. On the contrary, it is considered as a welcome condition for the organization of restrictive neoliberal strategies, because wage cuts and the disintegration of the welfare state can be presented by the political elites as the only route to financial stability. Nevertheless, this has turned out to be a risky trade-off. In other words, for the ruling neoliberal elites crisis is just the other way to implement the neoliberal strategies, more unorthodoxly and violently this time.
This strategy justifies the principle of austerity in the context of the EA: the crisis (low growth) is by and large being used as a means to further neo-liberalize state governance. The debt problem is used as means to reinforce neoliberal reforms throughout Europe.
2. A Progressive Alternative
The European Left fights against austerity and for a resolution of the sovereign debt problem at the European level. This is the reason why SYRIZA insists on a political resolution of the country’s debt problem, which should contain on the one hand the writing-off of a considerable part of the Greek sovereign debt, and on the other a revised repayment schedule of the rest, based on the concept of a ‘growth clause’, according to the ‘model’ put forward by the London Debt Agreement in the year 1953, regarding the restructuring of the sovereign debt of the Federal Republic of Germany.
However, what is appropriate for Greece and other small over-indebted EA economies may not be appropriate for big European economies. In other words, debt forgiveness all over EA is rather unfeasible, given the magnitude of the overall EA sovereign debt (9.2 trillion euros). However, an alternative progressive approach is possible:
The ECB acquires a significant part of the outstanding sovereign debts (in market prices) of the EA countries and converts them into zero interest perpetuities. These will appear as assets in its balance sheet while there will be a proportional increase in the monetary base in the side of liabilities. Debts will not be forgiven. Individual states will agree to buy them back in the far future.
A simple illustration can clarify the point.
Let’s suppose that the ECB buys at market values Italian sovereign debt to the level of 100% of the country’s GDP, and carries its nominal value forward for 7 decades (with a discount rate of 1%). Assuming a 3% average annual nominal growth for the next 70 years, by the time that Italy buys back the debt from the ECB its nominal amount will correspond approximately to 25% of its future GDP. This would be a manageable addition to the existing debt of the time.
This model of unconventional monetary intervention will give to progressive governments in the EA the necessary condition to develop social and welfare policies to the interest of the working classes and social majority, and to replace the neoliberal agenda with a program of social and economic reconstruction.
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Commemorating the 1914-23 Greek Pontic Genocide
Various events took place in Athens during the week of May 5, 2014, in memory of the Greek Pontic genocide by the Ottoman Empire under Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal during World War I. The aftermath during 1914–1923, claimed aproximately 200,000 to 250,000 deaths and is commemorated each year on May 19. Last Saturday, the regional unit of Athens performed a prayer for the dead under Greece’s Archbishop Ieronymos II, while representatives of the Greek parliament, the Greek armed forces and Pontiac associations laid wreaths at commemorative memorials. “May 19 should be established as a memorial day across Europe, as has happened for the Holocaust, so as to remember the victims of Kemalism which equals fascism. The key part of Mustafa Kemal must not be suppressed,” Professor of Social Sciences and member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) Theofanis Malkidis mentioned. The systematic ethnic cleansing of the Greek Pontic population residing in Asia Minor, central Anatolia, Pontus, and the former Russian Caucasus province was part of a wider Ottoman plan to annihilate the Christian population living within Turkey, including Greeks, Syrians and Armenians. Among the leading reasons for the mass extinction was the fear that the minority population would aid the Ottoman Empire’s enemies, and a belief among nationalist Turks that in order to form a modern nation it was necessary to free Turkish territories from all ethnic minority groups that could threaten the integrity of a modern Turkish Islamist nation. The Ottomans foremost feared the Pontic population not only because of their rapidly growing numbers that had reached 700,000 by the early 20th century, but also because of the minority’s cultural and economic growth. Cities like Samsous, Trapezous and Kerasous displayed a remarkable growth with dozens of schools, newspapers, theaters and other amenities. The rise of the Young Turks movement, however, would put a brutal end to the thriving Greek community of the area. While the Greek state was busy solving internal political and territorial disputes and in no position to open new fronts with Turkey, the Pontic population, as well as many Greeks across Asia Minor, were dislocated and systematically exterminated. The few Pontic resistance groups were completely crushed by joint German, Russian and Ottoman forces, and by the time the Asia Minor catastrophe reached its peak in 1922, more than 250,000 Pontic Greeks had already lost their lives in concentration camps. Of the survivors, the majority were transferred to Greece following the 1919-22 Greco-Turkish war, thus almost eliminating the Pontus area of its Greek ethnic presence. Until today, the Greek genocide in Pontus has experienced limited recognition, with the parliaments of Greece, Cyprus and Sweden, the IAGS and some other organizations having adopted resolutions recognizing the government-sponsored massacre as genocide. The United Nations, the European Parliament, and the Council of Europe, however, have not made any related statements, the reason for which can be traced back to the absence of relevant information, and the Greek side not seeking recognition for the events. The Turkish state also follows a direct political line of denialism, declining to recognize any genocides taking place by the Turkish government and its officials, including the widely acknowledged Armenian and Assyrian genocides.
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Camping in Greece
If you enjoy the outdoors and getting back to nature then a camping holiday in Greece is worth considering. The country is a fantastic destination for all types of holidays, but for those who really enjoy living outdoors amongst stunning scenery then ...
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What remains of Greece. A photographer speaks
Greece in ruins in a photo-story. An idea by the reporter Nikos Pylos, in collaboration with the Open Society Foundation, which tells the true impact of the economic crisis for the project Moving Walls 21. The reasons, the photographer says, is to show the ...
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Greece Athena High School wins Rochester Rocs!
Did you ever dream of hitting it big on Broadway or becoming a Hollywood star? When it comes to the arts, there is a lot of young talent in Rochester. All week, News10NBC has been asking you to tell us what the best drama club around town is. Hundreds of ...
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Greece is the most anti-Semitic country in Europe
This content has not been independently verified. More than a quarter of the world is anti-Semitic. Greece was the most anti-Semitic country in Europe, at 69 percent, and Sweden the least, at 4 percent.
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Tuneful twosome stepping down in Greece
Tuneful twosome stepping down in GreeceRochester Democrat and ChronicleAfter 44 years of leading the Greece Choral Society, Ralph Zecchino is stepping down from his conductor's podium. Zecchino and his wife and longtime piano-playing accompanist, Sandy, are calling it quits after two more shows in July. The tuneful ...Greece Choral Society looking for new directorNews 10NBCall 2 news articles »
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Greek-American Rocker Sentence to Six Years for Attempting to Hire a Hit Man to Kill His Wife
VISTA, CA – Tim Lambesis, the 33 year-old tattoo-clad lead singer of the rock band As I Lay Dying, was sentenced to six years in prison after having pled guilty to hiring a hit man to kill his estranged wife, Meggan, the Los Angeles Times reported. At the sentencing Meggan, his wife of eight years, […]
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Greek Food Festival to offer roasted lamb, baklava and more this weekend in ...
Greek Food Festival to offer roasted lamb, baklava and more this weekend in ...al.comMONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Greek Orthodox Church will host the 24th annual Greek Food Festival today and Saturday in Montgomery. The event, which offers dine in or take out, will feature authentic Greek food and pastries. The menu includes roasted ...Festival celebrating everything Greek this weekendJacksonville Daily NewsGreek food festival on tap at Brockton churchEnterprise NewsAnnual festival to highlight the best of Greek culture, religion this weekendMarietta Daily JournalWECT-TV6 -TWC Newsall 7 news articles »
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Greece must score goals to survive
Greece must score goals if they must not return home early from Brazil during the 20th FIFA World Cup as in their two previous outings. At USA 1994, they departed for home empty-handed with no points and no goals following group stage defeats to Argentina ...
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“Beach Here, Geeett ur Beach Here!” (Greece Sells Seashores)
One of the most accepted disgraces in Greece is that private developers have bought up or just flat out stolen much of the prime seafront property, particularly in Athens, and cluttered it with taverns and admission fees for people to use public beaches. Most of it is unlawful but has been allowed to go on […]
The post “Beach Here, Geeett ur Beach Here!” (Greece Sells Seashores) appeared first on The National Herald.
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Combative Tsipras gives Syriza a boost
Mr Tsipras’ performance is boosting confidence within the Syriza party that it can prevail in Greece in next week’s election to the European parliament
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The Capital Region Greek Festival is here
The Capital Region Greek Festival is herePatriot-NewsThe Capital Region Greek Festival in Wormleysburg attracts more than 30,000 people who come for the authentic Greek food, Olympic Flames dancers and packages of Greek pastries. Organizers say it is one of the largest food festivals in Pennsylvania.Greek culture on display during Greek FestivalCarlisle Sentinelall 3 news articles »
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Greek Festival celebrates country's culture, food
MANSFIELD — Some say you’re not Greek unless you know how to dance the Syrto, the most popular dance in Greece. But for the next two days, you can pretend. The annual Greek Festival kicked off Friday at the Greek Orthodox Church, 265 West Third Street.
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Greek Week expands beyond traditional affiliations
Lawrence’s annual “Greek Week” kicked off Monday, May 12 with a lip sync competition in the Wriston Auditorium. Greek Week is a time for Greek organizations to show off their pride and to engage the larger campus community.
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Alexis Tsipras uses EU campaign to connect with voters in Greece
KathimeriniAlexis Tsipras uses EU campaign to connect with voters in GreeceFinancial TimesMr Tsipras' combative performance, streamed live to leftwing Greek websites and broadcast on state television, is bolstering confidence within Mr Tsipras' Syriza party that it can prevail in Greece in next week's election to the European parliament.Greece 18-25 May: Our patience is overSocialist ResistanceJuncker Says Tsipras Unfit To Lead Greece, EUGreek ReporterGREECE - Factors to Watch on May 16ReutersKathimeriniall 80 news articles »
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Greece 18-25 May: Our patience is over
KathimeriniGreece 18-25 May: Our patience is overSocialist ResistanceThe most critical electoral battle in modern Greece will is taking place this month. May 18 is the first round of the local elections. May 25 is the second round of these as well as the euro-elections will be held. The stakes are huge. Both these ...Juncker Says Tsipras Unfit To Lead Greece, EUGreek ReporterGREECE - Factors to Watch on May 16ReutersAlexis Tsipras uses EU campaign to connect with voters in GreeceFinancial TimesKathimeriniall 81 news articles »
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Greek cleaners win anti-austerity class-action
A court decision on Monday, made public on Friday, said 397 cleaners had been erroneously suspended eight months ago and could get their jobs back. The cleaners, fired from the Greek Finance Ministry and tax offices as part of cut spending, have been ...
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Freebie Friday: Opera, Greek festival and camping advice
Freebie Friday: Opera, Greek festival and camping adviceKPRC HoustonWE ARE STARTING WITH THE GREEK FESTIVAL. HAVE YOU BEEN? NOT YET. HAVE WANTED TO GO. IT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR. IT IS ALL WEEKEND LONG. I WAS GOING TO SAY, THE FOOD ALONE MAKES IT WELL WORTH YOUR TIME. GRAB A ...and more »
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The Rangos Plan for Solid Waste Disposal in Greece
By Evan C. Lambrou - Special to The National Herald NEW YORK – Everyone knows Greece is in a terrible financial bind. Economists predict a protracted recession for at least the next 5-10 years. But with an overall unemployment rate still hovering around 27-28 percent, Greece is actually experiencing a depression-level economy, not just a […]
The post The Rangos Plan for Solid Waste Disposal in Greece appeared first on The National Herald.
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Greek Lip Sync unites fraternities and sororities
At 9:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12 the Wriston Auditorium was overflowing with people. Every seat was full and every walkway was crowded with people. Over the course of an hour, the audience howled with laughter and cheered for their fellow students.
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Beware of Greeks bearing myths
Beware of Greeks bearing mythsFinancial TimesWhenever I hear that the Greeks are back (I mean the ancient ones: the modern ones are another story), I mutter to myself, “but when did they go away?” A substantial chunk of my misspent youth was devoted to reading plays by Sophocles, in the original ...
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COMMENTARY: There's little to celebrate in Greece v. Galloway prayer decision
COMMENTARY: There's little to celebrate in Greece v. Galloway prayer decisionReligion News ServiceFrankly, the 5-4 decision in Greece v. Galloway dealt a legal blow to the authenticity of the spiritual practice of prayer. It's little more than a ruling on the legality of making social, political and governmental statements (not personal prayers) in ...NC County Tries to Reinstate Previous Prayer Policy Following Supreme Court's ...Christian PostUse common sense on town meeting prayersDesMoinesRegister.comSupreme Court rules on public prayer — but should it?Foster's Daily DemocratHuffington Postall 58 news articles »
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