Latest News from Greece
Zoe Konstantopoulou’s plans for 2016: a new movement is on its way
The former Greek speaker of the house Zoe Konstantopoulou was known for her intellect and wit, but it was her stubborness that led to her downfall.
Greek rescue guards erect Xmas tree of discarded life jackets
Rescue guards from the island of Lesbos (Mytilene) gathered discarded life jackets thrown aside after migrants perilous journey to Greece from Turkey. They created a special Christmas tree to welcome the refugees at the coast of Neapoli, a southern town of Lesbos, where the gathering of migrants has not abated at all during the Christmas season.
Extended seasonal shopping times at the end of 2015
Shops are open on the last Sunday of the year from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 27. Some department stores plan to stay open until 8 p.m.
From Monday, December 28, through to Wednesday, December 30, shops will open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for extended seasonal shopping, whereas on Thursday, December 31, shops will close at 6 p.m.
Spring in the aftermath of Xmas, but a white New Year’s Eve for Greece
A turn for the cold is expected after the sunny days of Christmas. Meteorologists say that snow flakes are on their way for New Year’s Eve and there is speculation as to whether the region of Attica will also be covered in white.
Bulgarian Banks 'Much Better' Than Before KTB Crisis - Prof Hanke
Bulgaria's banking system is "stronger" now than it was before the crisis at collapsed Corporate Commercial Bank (Corpbank or KTB), Prof Steve Hanke has opined.
Further consolidation of the system should be expected, the Bulgarian National Radio quotes him as saying in an interview.
Urla winery reviving centuries-old tradition
The winery of Urla ?arapç?l?k has resurrected the Karaburun Peninsula's long history of making wines that are sought far and wideThese are not the best times to be in the wine business in Turkey as the sector has been grappling with huge taxes and marketing obstacles. But those difficulties do not seem to have discouraged Can Ortaba? and his dedication for wine making.
'Turkey-Israel must reconcile in 4 weeks'
"Turkey-Israel relations need to normalize in the upcoming three to four weeks, otherwise the process might collapse again."
These words were uttered by Alon Liel, Israel's former ambassador to Turkey, who I talked to on the phone yesterday. Liel also served as the undersecretary of the Israeli foreign ministry and is still actively following Turkey-Israel relations.
Two leaders of Cyprus wish joint Happy New Year
The Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus have taken to the airwaves together to send out holiday wishes in both Greek and Turkish for the first time.
Greeks celebrate Christmas in Turkey with festive Istanbul rally
Members of the Greek minority in Istanbul marked Christmas on Thursday by taking out a celebration rally on Istiklal Street, Beyoglu (Pera), where they sang their traditional carols “Kalanta” and handed out sweets.
Dozens of Greeks gathered in front of the 19th century Greek school, Zografeion Lyceum. They then marked to the Consulate General of Greece.
Greek Minority Leader Disappointed With Albania Govt
The Greek minority party leader Vangjel Dule says Edi Rama is letting ties with Greece deteriorate while running the country through ‘a closed circle’.
All Greece gets for Christmas… is sun!
A sunny Christmas is in store around Greece with mostly fair weather and northerly winds.
Wind velocity will reach 6 on the Beaufort scale. It will be sunny in the northern and western parts of the country with temperatures ranging from -01C to 18C.
Scattered clouds in the eastern parts with temperatures between 0C-18C.
It’s official: Eurobarometer shows Greeks are the unhappiest people of Europe
The Eurobarometer, a series of public opinion surveys conducted on behalf of the European Commission, was released on Wednesday and shows that Greeks are not optimistic about the future. 60% of Greek respondents say they are not satisfied with their lives compared to the EU28 average of 19%.
Yanis Varoufakis: It was one big coup d’ etat championed by Eurogroup where only a psychopath can thrive!
Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis never wastes a moment when it comes to antagonizing. In an interview published in Thursday’s edition of Dutch newspaper De Wolkskrant he took swints at those who vilified him and his negotiation tactics.
Jamie Oliver ‘super excited’ to be opening up restaurant in Cyprus
Famous celebrity chef Jamie Oliver says he is ‘super excited’ to be opening up a restaurant in Cyprus after confirming the move along with PHC Group of companies. Jamie’s Italian eatery will open its doors next year. “I’m super-excited to be bringing Jamie’s Italian to Cyprus and I just know that Nicosia it’s going to be a brilliant addition to the Jamie’s Italian family,” said Oliver.