How the world sees Greece
Natural gas will be 20 percent cheaper for Greek consumers by March, while the first 5 percent drop in rates will come next month thanks to the significant decline in the commodity’s global prices, according to Environment, Energy and Climate Change Deput... ...
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Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras is in favor of revising tax exemptions and reduced value-added tax rates which currently apply in various sectors and geographical areas, according to the central bank’s intermediary report issued on Tuesday, whic... ...
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Greek shipowners have invested a total of 1.44 billion euros in acquiring 11 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers so far this year, according to a report in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal. Shippers have made that investment in anticipation of European Unio... ...
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The headlines say it all. There have been dramatic changes in the geopolitical region known as the eurozone over the last few years. In 2008 the world was riveted by the economic collapse of Europe as countries plummeted into financial ruin due to deficits out of control. Particularly hard hit were countries like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Cyprus, and Spain. For a while it seemed that countries like France and Germany were essentially keeping the eurozone together. These latter two countries put together massive bailouts and forced draconian policies, to prevent the entire region from sinking into an economic abyss. After a few years, it is interesting to see how the troubled country of Spain and the much stronger (at the time the crisis began) France have fared since the crisis and with the changing leadership the chaos created. During the eurozone crisis, France was under the leadership of Nicolas Sarkozy, who was a strong advocate of limited government and was conservative by European standards. His government struggled -- like all leaders did of every ideological stripe -- during the Eurocrisis. Like other countries that were not on the brink of ruin, Sarkozy felt compelled to help structure a plan and bailouts that, hopefully, would prevent the continent from sinking into economic ruin. Sarkozy's center-right Union for a Popular Movement was replaced by Socialist Party François Hollande. Hollande has made his focus on raising taxes across the board, with particular emphasis on soaking the rich and corporations. Meanwhile, Spain was under the rule of Prime Minister José Zapatero, of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. His policies were typical of socialist European governments -- artificially high wages, massive increases in taxes on business and the affluent, and the creation of a hostile business environment through fiscal and regulatory policies. This, accompanied by the worst macro conditions on the continent for years, created a perfect storm, as Spain became a central part of the Eurocrises. Every European leader was vulnerable after the crisis, Zapatero, who led the country from having a very modest debt ratio at the beginning of his administration, to one of the worst in the region in just a few years, was much more vulnerable than others. In 2011, Mariano Rajoy of the conservative People's Party handily won the general election and he immediately pursued a policy of fiscal austerity accompanies by a significant cut on taxes. In particular he focused on reducing corporate taxes and taxes on the affluent. The headlines that have followed the rise of the socialists in France and the conservatives in Spain have painted a stark contrast between the two. To paraphrase Charles Dickens, for Spain it is becoming the best of times and for France, the worst. Recent headlines for the Spanish economy under conservative Zapatero: "Spain Inflation Likely to Average Zero in 2015" (Yahoo News). "Spain's Unemployment Figure Falls" (Euronews) "Spain's Economy Continues to Recover" (Market Watch) Recent headlines for the French economy under socialist Hollande: "Fitch Downgrades France's Credit Rating" (RFI) "Eurogroup Warns France It Has Three Months to Show Effective Action on Deficit" (MNI Euro Insight) "France's Flailing Economy Endangering the Eurozone" (DW) These trends have followed these candidates (and their policies) consistently since they took power. Spain is finding the reduction of taxes (creating an environment that attracts the wealthy and the businesses they own) works. They are observing that lowering tax rates attracts job creators and revenue generation (verses higher rates that leads to great demands on welfare rolls and repeals revenue creation). Meanwhile, France has yet to take its deficit crisis seriously (and is being rebuked by its neighboring countries) and it has created a tax environment that has fostered long-term stagnation. The tale of these two economies is clear, profound, and even eloquent. The jury is out on whether France (and those countries that follow similar policies) will learn the lessons from this story.
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ATHENS (Reuters) - Prime Minister Antonis Samaras named his candidate on Tuesday for the Greek presidency under a gamble that, if it fails, would force snap parliamentary elections when anti-bailout leftists would probably come out on top. Samaras launched ...
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Rounding off a two-day visit to Athens on Tuesday, European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici urged the government to push through pending economic reforms and indicated that Brussels has “its preferences” in which governments it wants to dea... ...
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Police on Tuesday arrested seven suspected members of an extortion racket believed to have targeted more than 20 nightclubs in Athens, Piraeus and western Attica, occasionally using violence. The suspects, five Albanians and two Greeks, were detained on T... ...
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Long-term fiscal adjustment and a precautionary credit line from European partners were the recommendations made by Bank of Greece (BoG) governor Yannis Stournaras in his interim report on monetary policy tabled in Greek Parliament on Tuesday. A day after his warning about reduced liquidity in the market, the central banker noted an increase in the deposit base and predicted that the economy will grow 0.7% this year and 2.5% in 2015. The report stressed that there were positive prospects for the economy in 2015 as investment demand was expected to grow, along with a further increase in export activity. However, there were domestic and international risks and uncertainties, the report said, which could have an impact on the business climate in the next few months and delay or postpone economic growth, adding that economic policy should remain focused on preserving and enhancing the current trajectory with the aim to exit the crisis. BoG recommended that emphasis should be given to four priorities: a) accelerating structural reforms in the product and services markets, b) restructuring of the state operation and speeding-up administrative reform, c) strengthening active policies in labor markets, with emphasis given to training and d) continuing a fiscal effort in the coming years with focus on combating tax evasion and safeguarding the sustainability of pension funds. The Greek central bank said the domestic banking system needed to urgently address the problem of non-performing loans. Stournaras, commenting on the “next step” after the Memorandum, said that the country still needed support from a credible precautionary funding program from its European partners. “This is necessary until the country ensures a sustainable funding of its borrowing needs from international markets,” he noted. (source: ana-mpa)
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Of all the instabilities that concern international investors – from the plunging oil price to the collapsing rouble and the slowing Chinese economy, now fast transmogrifying into a systemic emerging market crisis – Greece is the one that bothers them ...
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The night was deliciously still, an occurrence rare in the Cyclades where summers are riotously gusty and winters prone to punishing gales. I was going to the island of Syros on the eve of the celebration of St. Nicholas on December 6th. I chose to arrive in a ship which was laboriously bound for Kavala in Northern Greece 26 hours after its arrival in Syros, stopping at several islands where it would disgorge a load of woe begotten teenage soldiers commencing their military service and a chorus of stout, black clad old ladies crocheting or knitting at ferocious speeds. The lack of internet on the vessel prevented my vigilant laptop from assailing me with mails, my weighty magazines remained unread and I fell asleep, my consciousness slipping away as into a warm bath. As I disembarked I was confused. How could it be so balmy when the port was saluting me with a chaotic illumination of Christmas lights? The inclination to overdecorate for the Christmas holidays on the Greek islands is incongruous. As if Santa would forsake the snowy hillocks and ice crested firs of Lapland for the Cycladic islands such as Mykonos, Santorini and Syros which is the capital of the group. These in August are craggy, sun drenched and gorgeous but in winter are craggy, bleak and damp. However winter has its beauty here and whilst the beaches are abandoned relics of insane vernal jollity, the sea still dazzles with its pristine clarity. Santa may fancy a change. Goats would replace his reindeer. St. Nicholas, who died on December 6th 343, is the patron saint of sailors. During his voyage to Jerusalem, his ship was storm tossed and a sailor fell from its mast and was killed. After St. Nicholas' ardent prayers, the seas were calmed and the man resurrected. Because of its rich sea faring history, Greece has hundreds of churches named for him. Almost all Greeks are named after a saint, therefore that saint's day is your "nameday" and easier to remember than a birthday. Prompts are available from interfering mother in laws and are emblazoned on electronic notice boards in the subway. Churches give out "eortologia" which provide daily ecclesiastical announcements concerning saints and lesser martyrs and indicate whether one should be eating, drinking and wishing or mourning, fasting and doing penance. In Syros the church of St. Nicholas the Rich, faithful to its title, is a vaulting and cavernous space reminiscent of Western European Cathedrals with lustrous murals, fluted arches expansive balconies and a cerulean dome. Its gilded interior and gigantic scale invoke a mixture of amazement, admiration and awe. It is not a place for devotees of minimalism however, being cluttered with silver icons and precious pendants from devotees. For the saint's celebration day there were additional embellishments such as floral tributes and tables loaded with loaves of bread, which wrapped tightly in cellophane, awaited the priests' blessing and were guarded by a cackle of vigilant but relatively friendly women. The vespers on the night I arrived were restrained and moving. The liturgy the next day was preceded by a lengthy cadence of bell ringing and was then amplified through the neighbourhood known as Vaporia, meaning ships because ship owners have always lived here. My grandfather was one of these and his house is 2 doors down from the church, probably built in 1860. My mother gifted it to me and inside it I have abandonned all notions of Zen vacuity. It is as unashamedly cluttered as the church itself. The furnishings are from my grandparents' day, heavy Greek Victoriana embellished by me with a stifling dose of English antiques. The house is also highly impractical. All ablutions are a daily challenge in the narrow slippery 17th century bronze tub and the dim bathroom lighting means I emerge from my make up table looking like a cross between a clown and Queen Elizabeth the First. However the high ceilings encrusted with mouldings and the fanciful paint effects compensate for the lack of a shower stall. At noon I stepped out of the house's only relatively empty space, the white marble hallway, summoned by twenty minutes of relentless bell chiming. Whoever had failed to notice that this was a big Saint's day, a holiday with closed shops, shuttered offices and jubilantly liberated school children certainly knew it now. When we had tried to sand down the balcony railings that morning, surly and scandalized upturned faces bolstered by growls of disapproval made us scuttle inside. Even the dogs were silenced into a state of canine respect. The Bishop of Syros' shiny black car dominated the street which offers no parking and the sonorous service began, grand and at high volume. What makes this liturgy exceptional is the transportation of the saint's life size silver icon down to the port of Hermoupolis. Apart from his marine connections, Saint Nicholas' other title is Nicholaos the Wonder Worker, "thaumatourgos" and he is said to put coins in the shoes of those who leave them out for him - though none were in evidence on the town's thresholds that day. Normally with the daily arrival of each hulking ferry boat, the peripheral church of St. Dimitri welcomes their churning arrival with a peal of bells. Today all the ferries lurching side by side in the harbour were given a soniferous welcome by their saint's church. The spectacle was fantastic. Enormous ships, oblivious of their daily schedules, squirted powerful water cannons into the air like ebullient whales while also releasing orange safety rockets and blowing their whistles vociferously. This interlude, under a curiosly hot sun, took at least 20 minutes and I observed it from the sun drenched terrace of our house, the stately church in front of me acknowledging the enthusiastic tributes from the ships below. I have never seen the vast church of St. Nicholas filled with people which is what occurred the evening of the Saint's day. The eloquent and innovative bishop had organized a concert to celebrate the 400 years of the death of the painter Dominicus Theotokopoulos known as El Greco. The nave was dramatically lit and a procession of the artist's expressive masterpieces flitted across a giant screen in front of the altar. The highlight of the evening was Anastasia Zannis, a Greek soprano who also sings cross over classical songs. Resplendent in a gown of heavy blue silk, she sang religious favourites such as Schubert's Ave Maria and Amazing Grace, backed by the excellent choir of the church whose voices provided a strong background to her soaring vocal clarity. The repertoire also included popular Italian and Greek songs and elicited much emotion and many tears from the audience. Anastasia radiated beauty not only from her face but from the warmth and feeling of her performance. I shall remember that evening for many years. Above her head a beaten silver model of a ship dangled from an ornate chandelier, another reminder of St. Nicholas' role in the saintly pantheon. It made me think that as a ship glides into the infinite darkness of night, this church watches over it, an illuminated sentinel protecting the vessel and her seamen whenever the waves may take them.
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Kammenos says party’s MPs will not save Samaras
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One in three Athenians uses buses to get around on a daily basis, according to new poll carried out to help promote public transport use in the Greek capital. The survey, carried out by Public Issue on behalf of the Greek branch of the World Wildlife Fund... ...
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The uncovering of the Alexander the Great-era tomb at Amphipolis in northern Greece is the subject that most intrigued Greek web users, according to statistics made public on Tuesday by Google. According to the search engine, Amphipolis was the most searc... ...
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Jennifer Aniston, the lovable and funny Greek-American actress is upset with gossip that says she hasn't had a baby because she prefers her career. The post Jennifer Aniston Angry Over Baby Talk appeared first on The National Herald.
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Greece’s three-year yields on Tuesday approached the highest level since the nation restructured its debt in 2012. The rate jumped 64 basis points to 10.90 percent after closing at 11.13 percent on Friday. [Bloomberg]... ...
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“I do not speak Greek therefore I do not know what the Greek newspapers wrote. I cannot understand why the Greek left defends the extreme right.” With these words the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker closed his speech during the debate on the European Commission’s work program, referring to his latest statements regarding his preference over the presence of “familiar faces” in the Greek government that caused main opposition SYRIZA‘s strong reaction and were also criticized by the left wing political coalition of the European Parliament, European United Left, of which SYRIZA is a member. Last Thursday, December 11, Juncker, according to EUobserver, commenting on the upcoming Greek presidential election and the possibility of snap general elections, underlined that “I think that the Greeks – who have a very difficult life – know very well what a wrong election result would mean for Greece and the Eurozone. I would not like extreme forces to come to power.” When asked if by “extreme forces” he meant leftist opposition SYRIZA, he replied: “I would like Greece to be ruled by people who have an eye and a heart for the many little people in Greece and who also understand the necessity of European processes.”
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A late selling spree on the Greek bourse day had turned profits into losses by closing time, as traders remained nervous ahead of Wednesday’s first vote for the new president in Parliament. Early signs that the tide could be turning in favor of the govern... ...
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A fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon in the tallest of the two blocks that comprise the Athens Towers complex in the neighborhood of Ambelokipi, near central Athens, caused a panic among residents and office workers but was brought under control by fir... ...
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Former rightwing rising star would refuse to rescue Samaras
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According to a recent survey conducted by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) in collaboration with the Eurobarometer, Greeks are the unhappiest European Union citizens. The survey on income and household living conditions showed that four out of ten Greeks are not satisfied with their lives, financial situation, work or living conditions. Meanwhile, for people whose income is below the poverty line, the percentage is even higher (60%). 31.7% of Greeks (56.4% in impoverished citizens) claim that they are either a little satisfied or not satisfied at all with their financial situation. Furthermore, 45% of the population (50,6% of unemployed individuals) do not trust the political system, while one out of two believes that their financial situation will worsen over the next 12 months. Up to 7.8% of people who live below the poverty line stated that they have started feeling frustrated and depressed during the last month. In addition, 74% of Greeks believe that the quality of life in the country is not good and 82% of the population feels great pressure. According to 63% of Greeks, the country’s most important issue is unemployment. A recent survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) showed that Greeks derive no happiness from their lives therefore they are the unhappiest people in Europe. The significant increase in poverty and unemployment, as well as the fact that most Greeks cannot find work in their field of expertise, has a negative impact in the population’s mental health. In the last three years (2011-2014), depression cases in the country have increased by 50%.
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Online purchases in Greece have shown significant increase in the first quarter of 2014. Three out of ten Greeks between the ages of 16 and 74 have been ordering goods or services via the internet, according to a recent survey conducted by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). While the percentage of online purchases remained stable in 2013, this year it increased for both men and women. The survey data show that 55.3% of online buyers are men and 46.7% are women. The percentage of women who shop via the internet has been gradually increasing between 2012-2014, while the deviations between men and women have decreased from 13.8% to 11.6% and 6.6%, respectively. Furthermore, 29.4% of people who shop online come from the 25-34 age group. Internet users with a high educational level amount to 51.8%, while users with an average education level stand at 38.7%. In regards to payment, 51.8% of people who purchased goods or services for personal use, paid in cash or deposited money in a bank account, 37.3% paid with a debit or credit card, 22.3% via a prepaid card or a prepaid account and 4.8% by transferring money via online banking. Most Greeks prefer to make online purchases from local companies (73.3%), while 40% shop from other European Union countries and 21% from countries outside the EU. Finally, during the first quarter of 2014, 18.7% of Greeks who go online used a cloud storage service, with 60% of men and 40% of women using the service to store photographs (76.2%), documents, spreadsheets and electronic presentations (59.2%), music (38,2%) and videos (31,9%).
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Cautious optimism prevails at the Greek government headquarters, just a few hours ahead of the critical first Presidential ballot, while members of the coalition government stress that “the beginning is half the battle.” Therefore, the cabinet members are willing to display the government’s power tomorrow by securing at least ten votes more than the coalition government’s majority (New Democracy and PASOK together have 155 MPs) and reach 165 votes (15 less than needed to elect a new President). In addition, as they leaked to the Greek press, they estimate that nothing is at stake tomorrow as there are two more ballots to come. The last one, to be held on December 29, is characterized as the most critical one for the country’s political developments. Yes, No and Maybe During the last few days, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was having consecutive meetings with his close associates, as things are changing day by day. One of them, who wishes to remain anonymous, underlined that the political time until December 29 is enough and the government is optimistic of a positive result, as there are numerous MPs that might change their vote from the first ballot to the third. The strategy to be followed until then depends on the first and the second ballots’ results.
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Today, in accordance with its Statute, the Bank of Greece submitted its Interim Report on Monetary Policy 2014 to the Speaker of the Greek Parliament and the Cabinet. In its previous Report on Monetary Policy in June 2014, the Bank of Greece, based on ...
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Greece, better known as the Hellenic Republic is a country in south- Eastern Europe, situated on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula. Greece lies at the juncture of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is the heir to the heritages of classical Greece, the ...
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Natural gas prices for industrial and household users are expected to fall by 20% in the first quarter of 2015 as a result of falling international oil prices, Greek Deputy Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Makis Papageorgiou said on Tuesday. Addressing an energy conference in Athens, Greece, Papageorgiou said natural gas prices were expected to fall by 5.0% in January, for a total decline of 20% in March, adding to a 15% discount in prices achieved after negotiations between Greek natural gas company DEPA and Russian Gazprom last year. The Greek Minister said this decline was the result of a link between natural gas prices and crude oil prices with a three-month delay, and noted that crude oil prices were expected to continue falling, with international analysts predicting a drop to around 40 US dollars per barrel, a development which could have a positive effect on the Greek economy. Papageorgiou said that Azeri Socar was currently in negotiations with competition authorities in the European Union to complete a deal of purchasing a 66% equity stake in Greek DESFA and noted that one of the plans examined was the transfer – at a later stage – of a 17% equity stake from Socar in order to cut its participation in DESFA to 49%. Commenting on a decision to scrap the South Stream natural gas pipeline project, Papageorgiou said this could speed up procedures to double the capacity of TAP pipeline to 20 billion cubic meters annually, from 10 billion in the original plan. (source: ana-mpa)
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Increased interest in covering the ballots for the election of the new President of the Hellenic Republic have shown numerous (according to some reports more than 15) foreign news agencies, television stations and newspapers, who have already sent their letters to the Greek Parliament Press Office, requesting approval of their accreditation. In addition, it became known that there are many requests for satellite connection with the Greek Parliament’s television network in view of tomorrow’s first – out of three – presidential ballot. At the same time, there is intense interest expressed by foreign embassies to be represented and watch the vote, while the parties represented in Parliament will be those who will allocate a specific number of calls to ordinary citizens. It should be noted that the Greek Parliament authorities are ready to offer their services to those covering the event and all its employees are on alert and all leave permits have been revoked. On alert is also the police, which will impose increased security measures both inside and outside the Parliament in Athens, Greece.
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A Greek cook's kitchen is well stocked with staple ingredients in order to create authentic, home cooked Greek dishes. Greek cuisine makes good use of simple, fresh ingredients, for delicious, heart-healthy Mediterranean cuisine you will want to cook again ...
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ATHENS—Greece’s central bank Tuesday slightly raised its forecast for economic growth this year to 0.7% and forecast growth of 2.5% in 2015, but warned about the possible negative effects of the political turmoil gripping the country. In its interim ...
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ATHENS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Greece's membership in the euro zone is no longer in doubt, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Pierre Moscovici stressed on Tuesday wrapping up a two-day visit in Athens. "Greece needs the euro, and euro ...
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Andrew Burgin writes on the current crisis in Greece and the prospect of SYRIZA coming to office. This article was originally published on the Left Unity website. Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras has called a presidential election, which will take ...
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Chinese leaders are visiting Belgrade to advance projects such as their plan to turn Greece's port of Piraeus into a hub for its trade with Europe. The talks involve 16 leaders of central and eastern European nations.
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After the announcement of the presidential election by the Greek coalition and the political upheaval that followed, some European Union officials expressed opinions that were characterized by many as indirect or direct intervention in Greek politics. First, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a television discussion that he doesn’t want to see “extremist forces” taking over in Greece and he would prefer to talk with “known faces” who “understand the necessities of European processes.” A few days later, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici visited Athens allegedly to show his support to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and, for some political analysts, to send the message to Greek people who only the present government can secure stability and have the support of our European partners. The argument here is whether our European “friends” are trying to influence our decisions, to tell us what to do, to dictate our policies. To decide for us. Of course, things are much simpler than that. Everyone can interpret the expression of those opinions according to their own interests. It is natural that SYRIZA members and voters will see it as a blatant intervention in Greek affairs. Τhey will use their own rhetoric to prove that, indeed, the “foreign powers,” the “European usurers,” the “occupation army,” “the colonialists,” “the blackmailers,” “the bloodsucking bankers” are trying to impose on Greek people the current, unpopular government of “traitors” for another two years, if we go to elections and they win again. All that rhetoric would be valid if those “evil powers” were in fact “foreign” and not our European partners. Because the irony is that, if indeed, we go to general elections, the fifty or so million euros needed — that’s how much the 2012 elections cost, twice — will be money borrowed from the above “colonialists,” “European usurers” and so on. Also, all political parties receive generous state subsidies with borrowed money from said “blackmailers,” “occupation army” and so on. It is true that in the present government and parliament there are politicians from PASOK and New Democracy who embezzled billions of euros from European NSRF funds and they have to answer to the Greek people, and Europe, for that. But that’s another sad story. However, the fact is that in the continuous heated argument between government and opposition, it is often forgotten that it is not “Greece against Europe” or “Greece against the troika.” Besides the IMF, we are working with our European partners in order to avoid bankruptcy and continue being partners. It is not in Europe’s interest to usurp the wealth of Greece or the wealth of its people. The EU tries to keep Greece in the euro zone. A strong euro is good for Europe and Greece as well. On Monday, EC spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said that the sole aim of EU for Greece is to keep the country in the euro zone. Europe is not our enemy. If the majority of Greek people believe that we shouldn’t be in the EU or in the euro zone, then, yes, the “foreigners” interfere with our politics. As it is now, all the opposition talk about unilateral debt write-off or the return to the drachma makes European officials nervous. But it is not because they are afraid that if SYRIZA comes to power, they won’t be able to exploit Greece anymore. It is because they want to maintain stability in the euro zone. So, when European officials express opinions regarding the outcome of the presidential election or the general elections, it is natural that they will favor the people they now cooperate with as opposed to those who call them all the above things in quotation marks. And let’s be serious for a moment: If someone wants to vote one way or another, would they really take into consideration what Juncker or Moscovici said? Some Greeks are conditioned to kill or get killed for the political party they support; is it possible that a few words could sway them?
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Microsoft is reportedly developing a new service to stream games and certain apps to any Windows device, which might even let you play Xbox games on your phone or tablet, according to ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley. The new technology, codenamed “Arcadia,” will reportedly replace Microsoft’s discontinued game streaming technology, called “Rio.” It also seems similar to the cloud service OnLive, which lets you play “console-class games on any device.” Microsoft demonstrated Rio last year, showing how “Xbox-level visual quality” games like “Halo 4” could be streamed to a Windows Phone and a Surface tablet. Perhaps “Arcadia” will allow you to similarly play Xbox One titles on your Windows devices, or even through your browser. Microsoft's Xbox One is not currently compatible with games from previous Xbox consoles, but since Rio would have allowed the Xbox One to stream those older titles, it's possible "Arcadia" will do the same. Foley also believes Microsoft’s Arcadia will extend its game and app streaming across non-Windows devices, including iOS and Android. Foley points to a new Microsoft job posting for a senior software engineer, which even makes mention of the “Arcadia” codename, and claims the candidate will be working on a “v1” product that’s “never been shipped before.” The Operating Systems Group (OSG) Arcadia team is leveraging many new app technologies to bring premium and unique experiences to Microsoft's core platforms. We are looking for bright, talented engineers to help the next big thing for Microsoft. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, experienced, driven, collaborative, and flexible. The candidate seeks the simplest and most elegant solution to complex technical and business challenges. The candidate has a 'get it done' attitude, but ensured that quality is never compromised. Working on a 'v1' product team should excite you and motivate you to ship something that's never been shipped before. A separate job listing on Microsoft’s website doesn’t mention “Arcadia,” but it mentions a “Streaming team” that will bring “premium and unique experiences to Microsoft’s core platforms.” The “Arcadia” codename may be a reference to the region in Greece — Microsoft typically uses geographic locations for its codenames — but, like its Cortana product, “Arcadia” also has significance in Microsoft’s “Halo” universe as well: it’s a region on an alien planet that’s colonized by humans. Join the conversation about this story »
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Greece's future in the euro zone may hang in the balance once more, but investors believe the market fallout from any current political turbulence can be insulated, unlike during the region's sovereign ...
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The European Court of Auditors concluded on Tuesday that millions of euros in European funding has been wasted on 20 regional airports in the bloc, three of which are located in Greece. In a special report titled "EU-funded airport infrastructure: Poor va... ...
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Prime Minister Antonis Samaras begged the Greek parliament on Tuesday not to throw away sacrifices made to keep the country solvent, a day before deputies begin a vote that could force a snap election ...
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The Amphipolis tomb was the theme of the gi-Cluster Game Jam 2014, a three-day event where computer programmers competed on creating a game about the burial monument. The gi-Cluster Game Jam 2014 that took place December 12-14 at the gi-Cluster space in the northern Athens suburb Marousi was the third Hellenic Game Jam. Seventy computer programmers, graphic designers and sound engineers worked in groups to create a game about the Amphipolis tomb. The participating teams had about 50 hours to complete the project. The purpose of the particular gi-Cluster project is to combine new technologies and creativity in order to promote Greek civilization and tourism in Greece. Contestants were judged on innovation, content quality, sound, graphics, and gameplay. “The Pixelators” were the winners of the competition and received the prize of 3,000 euros. “Macabre Entertainment” came second, winning 2,000 euros and “Synelixis” was third and received 1,000 euros. All three winning teams can enter the gi-Cluster business acceleration program for support in their future endeavors.
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Greece requested for CH-47D Chinook helicopter engines, missile warning system, radio systems, ILS marker beacons, direction finders, navigation ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.govconwire.com |
ATHENS Dec 16 (Reuters) - Greece's central bank slightly raised its forecast for economic growth this year to 0.7 percent and predicted growth of 2.5 ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.reuters.com |
The 10-year-old Celtic and Giorgios Samaras fan, Jay Beatty, has been invited to Greece to receive a sports award. The Greek Sport Journalists' ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT neoskosmos.com |
Greece requested for CH-47D Chinook helicopter engines, missile warning system, radio systems, ILS marker beacons, direction finders, navigation ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.govconwire.com |
Under the estimated $150m sale, Greece has requested ten CH-47D model Chinook helicopters and 23 T55-GA-714A engines, including 20 installed ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.army-technology.com |
Some 6,000 workers made redundant in France, Greece, Italy and Poland will receive EU aid worth €35.5 million to help them find or create jobs, ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.europarl.europa.eu |
ATHENS, Greece — A prominent Greek Jewish communal organization condemned a right-wing politician after he claimed that Jews don’t pay taxes. Panos Kammenos, leader of the small right-wing Independent Greeks Party, made the comment Monday during an ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.timesofisrael.com |
A new poll published on Tuesday, a day before Greek lawmakers start the first round of crucial voting to determine whether Parliament will elect a new president or whether the country will head to general elections, showed opposition SYRIZA gaining a 4.9 ... ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com |
The European Commission has said Greece is on course to end a draconian bailout programme in February and switch to “much lighter surveillance” despite delays concluding negotiations with rescue lenders. EU Finance Commissioner Pierre Moscovici praised ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.breakingnews.ie |
JonesTrading's Dave Lutz has what traders are buzzing about right now. Morning! US futures are dropping quickly, with S&P off 50bp and 1% off overnight highs. Lotta FX stress out there, with the Ruble not supported by the 6.5% HIKE in rates overnight. The Ruble has plunged 8% against the Dollar in early trade as Oil falls another 4%. The Ruble has lost 18% against the Dollar this week alone – sparking massive growth fears with one of Europe’s largest trading partners. The DAX is off 50bp, held back by a 1% drop in their Financials as all of the PIIGs yields break wider (despite Greek Syriza poll lead narrows). Gulf markets tumble about 8% as Brent slides below $60 (Dubai lost 7.7%, Abu Dhabi lost 5%, Qatar's bourse fell 3.6%, Kuwait lost 2.4 % and Oman was down 2%. Saudi lost 3.9%, lowest in 1 year). The Nikkei was hit for 2% as the Yen broke to 4week highs, but Shanghai leapt 2% to the highest close since 2011 on dovish hopes. India was smacked for 2% and Aussie 60bp with the miners continuing their drop as MS takes down Ore price projections. The Flight for safety amidst the Oil/Russia slowdown fears has driven Bund yields to 57bp, new record lows, and US 10YY is gapping down towards a 2% test. “Flattener” trades abound, with the 3M5Y curve down 13bp, a big headwind for Financials. The DXY is off as players seem to be leverage everywhere - so the crowded Euro short gets covered, and the crowded $ long liquidates - German 5Y Inflation metrics are collapsing as German, EU and Chinese PMIs all came in light – their 5Y breakeven at a -17bp!. Despite the drop in Inflation expectations, Safety buying has propelled Gold 2% higher, spiking over 1220/oz. Platinum is up 1% (Russia Supplier). The story is about Oil, which has dropped another 4% overnight, to under $54/barrel earlier. Front month Brent under $60 into Expiry today. Scheduled Catalysts today include Housing Starts and Permits at 8:30 and Markit US Manufacturing PMI at 9:45. API data for Crude after the closeSEE ALSO: 10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell Join the conversation about this story »
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.businessinsider.com |
The European Commission says Greece is on course to end a draconian bailout program in February and switch to "much lighter surveillance" despite delays concluding negotiations with rescue lenders. ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT news.yahoo.com |
LONDON—Greek shipowners, closely followed in the shipping industry for their investment choices, have splashed a record $1.8 billion this year to buy 11 new LNG carriers. The owners are betting that falling energy prices will spur demand for such vessels ...
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.wsj.com |
Golden Dawn members that have been in prison for almost a year are expected to be present at the Greek Parliament tomorrow, December 17. The prosecutor has granted them a one-day leave in order to participate in the election process for the new Greek President of the Republic. Specifically Nikos Michaloliakos, Christos Pappas, Ilias Kasidiaris, Yiannis Lagos, Giorgos Germenis and the now-independent MP Stathis Boukouras will be transferred from prison to the Greek House of Parliament. Greek authorities are taking extreme security measures, while many have already expressed their fears about the behavior of Golden Dawn MPs within the Parliament, since Kasidiaris and Iliopoulos have threatened about what they are planning on doing in light of Greece’s presidential election. At the moment, at least 26 Golden Dawn members — including the MPs — are in prison. All 18 Golden Dawn MPs are facing felony charges and their trial is expected to take place at the beginning of the next year.
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| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com |