Latest News from Greece
Greek govt loosens capital controls on businesses
The radical leftist SYRIZA government took a major step on Friday in loosening capital controls, allowing bank transfers abroad by Greece-based businesses by up to 50,000 euros a day.
Bank of Greece gov. Yannis Stournaras added that conditions for businesses are improving and authorities aim to resolve pending issues within the next 10 days.
Greek political hyperactivity recedes … in wake of ‘Greekment’, Parliament votes
Political “fireworks” in Greece appear to be ebbing in the wake of an agreement with creditors and subsequent votes in Parliament to ratify the deal and pass “prior actions”, while the peaking Grecian summer season means less interest in politics — thankfully — and more for beach, sun, islands and excursions to mainland villages.
Friday political highlights include:
Talks on Third Greek Bailout Delayed
Negotiations between the Greek government and the country's EU creditors on a third bailout have been delayed, the BBC reported on Friday.
The talks on a new EUR 86 B between Greece and top officials from the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the European Stability Mechanism were expected to start in Athens on Friday.
“Game of Greece” with Tsipras, Yanis, Merkel, Schauble, dragons!
Meet “Game of Greece”, a play on the international television phenomenon “Game of Thrones”, as seen by “Die Zeit”, which comes complete with 10 “episodes” dating to the country’s first “covenant” to join the future currency union.
Bogus…cash registers discovered in tax raids on Santorini, Mykonos
A much-anticipated “tax safari” has apparently commenced, with Greece’s two top holiday destinations — and suspected VAT tax evasion havens — serving as “hunting grounds” for tax inspectors.
Checks on the stunning island of Santorini turned up three undeclared cash registers, meaning that receipts were bogus.
UK woman accuses 2 compatriots of rape after she passed out at notorious party 'enclave'
The latest instance of an alcohol-fuelled sex crime was reported in the party resort of Malia, near Irakleio, Crete, as an 18-year-old British woman accused two compatriots, both 20, of raping her after she passed out.
Group of 100 thrown off train after demanding free travel to…freedom festival
Some 100 people, mostly young adults, travelling to a northern Greece festival entitled “Eleftheria” (freedom, in Greek) apparently believed that the concept also extended to free travel by rail…
PT on-the-spot report: Syrian refugees use rail to get north, out of Greece (vid+pics)
Third countries nationals, mostly refugees from Syria, as well as irregular migrants that recently sneaked into Greece on the heels of the ongoing Mideast refugee crisis, are increasingly using a railway connection to travel further north.
Swiss MP wants Greeks to give Swiss taxpayers an island
Controversial Swiss national councillor Pierre Rusconi, a member of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) , suggested that Greece should sell one of its islands to Switzerland to make up for its debts. He aired his proposal on Forum, a program broadcast on RTS.
How Canada became a haven for Greek strays (vid)
Pets in crisis are being abandoned in the streets of Greece prompting calls for help from animal shelters. “There were always strays, but now those who are not great animal lovers find an excuse to set the dog on the street,” said Vana Theodoridou, the manager of KAZ, a shelter near Athens that sends rescued dogs to Canada.
Summer creativity… Visual Art exhibitions in Greece this August
“Summer colors” exhibition.
Art L-S Gallery hosts the exhibition of the artist Danai Megreli. The exhibition, titled “Summer colors”, aims to keep the summer feel lingering on. Megreli wants to take people on a journey to the boundless blue and innocence of youth. The exhibition consists of works with oils and acrylics on canvas.
GNO: Free opera at the Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Greek National Opera is ending its artistic season of 2014-15 with a large, free concert, on Wednesday, July 29. The event takes place at the majestic archaeological site of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, offering music-goers the chance to enjoy excerpts from famous operas.
Juncker says Grexit would be disastrous – not an option!
“A Greek exit from the eurozone is definitely off the table after the agreement reached between Athens and Europeans,” the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in statements to Austria’s radio ORF.
Ancient bone mix-up: Is the real King Philip II being kept in a uni cupboard?
King Philip II of Macedon – a general extraordinaire – who transformed Greece into the dominant military power in the Balkans, paving his way for his son Alexander the Great to conquer the known world, was assassinated in 336 BC. His tomb was found in pristine condition in 1977 with the “Vergina Sun” – the symbol etched on his old coffin becoming the emblem of Macedonia.
Athens "irritated" with Belgrade "over Kosovo and Macedonia"
Greece is "irritated" by Serbia's position "regarding Kosovo and Macedonia," the Beta agency is quoting an article published on the SKAI website.
The Greek media outlet quoted unnamed "foreign ministry circles" who said that "Serbia lately made a series of incomprehensible moves, exerting pressure in the European Union to settle the (Macedonian) name issue."