Latest News from Greece
European Court rules that Greek dads have rights to paid parental leave too
Greek law provides that a male civil servant is not entitled to paid parental leave if his wife does not work or exercise any profession, unless it is considered that, due to a serious illness or injury, the wife is unable to meet the needs related to the upbringing of the child.
German press focus on Varoufakis’ Plan B for hacking tax codes
The international press is abuzz with former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis admission that Plan B for Greece involved “hacking” into Greek taxpayers personal tax codes.
German daily Die Welt made reference to a secret operation Grexit where the former minister hacked from his own ministry.
Troika wants 30% slashes to Greece’s already butchered pensions
Greece’s creditors are eyeing further slashes to already butchered pensions that have been scissored during previous bailout deals. IMF Chief Delia Velculescu – obsessed with further cuts to Greece’s low pensions – spearheads the plan for social security reforms that include pension cuts of as much as 30%.
Greece-Troika battle starts from get-go with accomodation choice questioned
The Greek Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government’s negotiations with its international creditors is in full swing even though their chief negotiators have delayed their arrival until Tuesday due to “technical reasons”.
There’s something about Delia. Who is the new IMF Chief to Greece? (pics + vid)
Delia Velculescu has replaced Rishi Goyal as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) head representative to Greece. Rumors state that the replacement was due to his rigid and uncompromising behavior during negotiations as well as Velcusescu’s own experience in assessing Greece’s financial affairs.
What is really behind the eurozone's woes?
One of the most popular explanations behind the eurozone?s, and specifically Greece?s, woes is that the common currency area, unlike the United States, lacks a fiscal union. I was a firm adherent of this view until recently, but recent research has led me to question my views.
Greece, creditors to begin bailout talks next week: govt source
Greece and its international creditors will begin talks on a new international bailout worth up to 86 billion euros ($94 billion) for the crisis-hit country next week, a Greek government source said July 25.
Greeks give more blood during the economic crisis
Voluntary blood donation has increased in Greece during the last two years of the crisis. Head of the country’s blood donation center Haris Matsoukas said that 51% of donations are from volunteers and 41% are from friends or family of patients with another 2% from members of the armed forces and 5% from the Swiss Red Cross.
Who is undermining Greek bailout talks? Govt fears extreme factions
The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government fears that efforts are being made to undermine a deal between Greece and its creditors so as to prevent Greece from getting access to funds from the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). The Greek government leadership is concerned that an accident may take place, sending Greece on a course towards a Grexit.
Elections: Greek politicial leaders don’t see the point of holding them
Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been asked by opposition party leaders to postpone elections after a new bailout program is completed. The request came during the luncheon at the presidency on Friday, however Tsipras did not reply.
Greece-Troika to meet on Tuesday… but time is running out
Time is running out for Greece to secure a bailout worth up to 86 billion euros over three years.. Bloomberg reports that an e-mail from the Greek Finance Ministry states that talks will start on Tuesday due to technical reasons. Delays in the talks could risk finding a solution for Greece’s funding by the August 20 deadline.
Happy Birthday Princess Maria Olympia of the Greek Republic (Photos)
She calls herself Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and she turned 19 on July 25. The eldest daughter of Crown Prince Pavlos (without a throne) and Crown Prince Marie-Chantal, ex-royalty of Greece, was born in 1996 in New York City.
Spain, Italy predict dismal olive oil harvests
Drought and disease in Spain and Italy, respectively, have pushed the price of olive oil up 10 percent so far this year, amid warnings from suppliers that harvests are the worst they have seen, according to an article in the Guardian over the weekend.