Greece

Greece’s Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) party was divided over Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’ choice of economist Eleni Panaritis as the country’s representative to the International Monetary Fund. Just 24 hours after the decision was announced, 44 SYRIZA MPs called on the government to revoke this decision.

The euro was on the defensive on Monday after Greece missed a self-imposed Sunday deadline for reaching an agreement with its lenders to unlock aid, keeping alive fears of a debt default.

The euro eased 0.4 percent to $1.0952 EUR=, retreating from Friday's high of $1.1006. Against the yen, it slipped to 135.95 EURJPY=R from 136.49.

The situation in Greece is critical but the direct danger to European banks is relatively small, a senior official at Germany's Bundesbank told a newspaper on Monday.

Germany's EU Commissioner Guenter Oettinger said on Monday it might still be possible for Greece and its creditors to reach a deal this week.

Russia allegedly sent an official proposal to Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos offering for a joint collaboration to comanufacture Kalashnikov Rifles in Greece, according to the site onalert.gr. Initially a verbal offer was made, however a formal reply is expected by August.

The Monday after Pentecost is the holiday of the Holy Spirit. This year, it coincides with the start of June. In Greece, the day is a public holiday for white-collar workers so, banks and schools are shut though retail stores are open. Hairdressers and barbers are closed, possibly because the spirit is in the head.

A new Mykonos version of Dan Bilzerian in the making or nouveau riche nightmare?

The latest video to go “viral” on Greek-language cyber-space shows “Ms Thrace” — as from the province in NE Greece — being soaked with 15 expensive champagnes while dancing at a Mykonos beach bar.

Shaya

The consulate general of Turkey in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, reports that approximately 20 wedding ceremonies for Turkish couples took place in the metropolis every month. Local officials state that the first months of 2015 show that there are already the number reached last year.

?Halk, halk!? said the woman who was sitting opposite me. ?Tsipras is for the people, he does not make distinctions between Muslims and Christians. He took away the cars from the politicians!?