Latest News from Greece
Greece set to escape ban as sports law goes to parliament
By Graham Wood
Greek soccer is set to breathe a sigh of relief as the country's controversial new sports law was submitted to parliament on Wednesday with the necessary amendments to avoid a FIFA and UEFA ban from international competition.
Air of sudden positivity in negotiations between lenders – Greek gov’t
The 11th of May Eurogroup is slowly revealing itself to becoming a turning point for the Greek economy. After the recent problems in negotiations between Greece and the Institutions, the Brussels talks seem to be finding much more common ground.
Ancient Greek technology tests musk batteries on storage
By Jeremy van Loon
A technology used in ancient Greece to power clocks and fire a cannon is undergoing a revival as the world searches for better ways to store energy from wind turbines and solar panels.
Greek gov't renegotiating sale of Piraeus port with Chinese company: Report
The Greek government is renegotiating the terms under which Piraeus port will be sold to Chinese Cosco, Shipping and Tourism Minister Giorgos Stathakis said in parliament, as reported by the local media.
Dragasakis denies rift rumors
Greece's deputy Prime Minister Yiannis Dragasakis on Wednesday rejected speculation of a split within the leftist-led government following reports he was unaware of a non-paper issued by Athens before his meeting with ECB chief Mario Draghi.
Ikariotiko dance should be on UNESCO’s list! (video)
Deputy Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis received a letter from the associations of the North Eastern Aegean island of Ikaria both in Greece and abroad calling for the traditional Ikariotiko dance to be listed on UNESCO’s list for Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Greek unemployment eases to 25.4 pct in February
Greece's jobless rate dropped slightly to 25.4 percent in February from a downwardly revised 25.6 percent rate in the previous month, statistics agency ELSTAT said on Wednesday.
February's reading, based on seasonally adjusted data, is the lowest since July 2012 when unemployment stood at 25.3 percent. The jobless rate hit a record high of 27.9 percent in September 2013.
Greece paid 200-mln-euros to IMF on Wednesday
Sources from the Finance Ministry stated that Greece has made a 200-million-euro interest payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday. Earlier, Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas had told private TV MEGA that the installment would be paid.
The next 750-million-euro payment that needs to be made to the IMF is due on May 12.
Greek police 'frequently harass and abuse' marginalized people, HRW says
Police in Athens systematically harass and abuse marginalized people, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Wednesday, adding that the arbitrary detention of individuals who live or spend considerable amounts of time on the streets interferes with their access to much-needed healthcare and support services.
Mardas denies report he transferred cash abroad after joining gov't
Greece's alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas has denied a report in Germany's Bild newspaper that identified him as the government official alleged to have recently transferred 80,000 euros to a bank in Luxembourg.
Reports, which however did not reveal the name of the minister, first emerged in a Thessaloniki-based newspaper earlier in the week.
English subtitles for Epidaurus Fest. performances
English subtitles for Epidaurus ancient theater festival events last year went down well with foreign crowds whose enjoyment was maximized through understanding. This year, there will also be subtitles for the performances:
July 3-4: National Theatre of Greece – Sotiris Chatzakis “The Trojan Women” by EURIPIDES
July 10-11: Yiannis Kakleas “The Acharnians” by ARISTOPHANES
Mardas points to slander over supposed 80,000-euro transfer
Alternate Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas, speaking with private MEGA TV on Wednesday, dismissed charges against him regarding a supposed 80,000-euro transaction taking money out of Greece and putting it into a Luxembourg account. He said that he has not siphoned any money out of the country since the snap elections saw the victory of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) on January 25.
Greece said to have made 200 mln euro IMF payment due Wednesday
Greece has made a 200-million-euro interest payment to the International Monetary Fund that fell due on Wednesday, a Greek official familiar with the matter told Reuters.
"It's done, the money is on its way," the official said, on condition of anonymity.
Defense minister offers to bolster NATO, help fight against terrorism
Defense Minister Panos Kammenos on Tuesday declared that Greece was prepared to grant the use of its military bases and its forces to boost security in the region and bolster international efforts to curb terrorism, adding that NATO should rethink policy relating to its ?southern flank.?