Latest News from Greece
If SYRIZA misses targets it must go, says Lafazanis
Energy Minister Panayiotis Lafazanis believes that SYRIZA should hand over power if it is unable to secure a move away from austerity to more growth-friendly policies and establish greater national sovereignty.
Athens hopes for breakthrough
Greece is hoping that it will find enough common ground with its lenders to trigger an emergency Eurogroup before May 6, when the European Central Bank?s government board is due to meet next to decide on the provision of liquidity to Greek banks.
Restoration underway for historic Greek Consulate in western Turkey
The restoration process of a historic Greek Consulate building in the Aegean province of ?zmir has begun, with the Greek government funding the renovation despite the financial crisis engulfing the country.
The historic consulate, which was built in the late 19th century, will be fortified in a restoration that is scheduled to be completed within 400 days.
Exhibition of Samothrace artifacts at New Acropolis Museum this summer
A new exhibition at the New Acropolis Museum, entitled “Samothrace: Mysteries of the Major Gods”, will showcase 262 antiquities and artifacts from the island’s museum.
Tighter Border Security in Bulgaria, Greece Forcing Migrants to Try Deadly Sea Crossings, UNHCR Claims
Tighter security at Bulgaria's and Greece's land borders with Turkey has allegedly forced more Europe-bound migrants to try "the world's deadliest sea crossing" to arrive in Italy via the Mediterranean, according to the UN refugee agency.
Top Greek financial analyst: It’s not a patriotic duty to risk my bank deposits
One of Greece’s best known free-market economists didn’t mince her words recently in London, saying she’s pulled her bank deposits from Greek banks, while charging that the leftist SYRIZA government merely aims at “wealth redistribution” instead of creating more wealth.
Varoufakis couple on weekend getaway as bailout negotiations in critical phase
Crucial “Brussels Group” talks between Athens and its institutional lenders were underway abroad, while anxious radical leftist ministers were left in Athens, yet the question remained: where was Yanis over the weekend?
Merkel alludes to possible talks over WWII-era reparations – (Video, in German)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel left open a “window” of possibility over talks for war reparations to Greece, simply noting that “we’re carefully dealing with all that we (Germans) caused during the period of National-socialism (Nazism)”.
Her high-profile statement comes after comments by the German president, who said the sensitive issue must be re-examined.
London designer builds on the ruins of Greek textile industry
Londoner Eleni Kyriacou, aged 34, did the opposite to what most young people are doing, and moved ot Greece in the midst of the debt crisis that shrank the country’s economy by a quarter leaving millions out of work. A fashion designer, she came at a time when the once thriving textile industry was systematically shattered.
Kapoor-Rajput: Greece, a wedding destination for India’s hottest couple
India’s hottest couple Shahid Kapoor, hearthrob, and Mira Rajput, student, are to tie the knot in Greece on June 10, setting Bollywood abuzz. Reports say wedding preparations are in full swing.
BBC casts spotlight on modern Greek burial practices
The BBC feature on Greece, titled “Graveyard Overcrowding Stokes Cremation Debate in Greece”, focuses on problems concerning burials at cemeteries in Athens and Thessaloniki that are overcrowded. The cost of a permanent grave plot is at 100,000 euros, meaning that cremation – legalized in 2006 – would be a more viable option.
Thousands show up to see Sakis Rouvas perform Theodorakis’ “Axion Esti” (photos)
Thousands gathered at Nea Smyrni Square as celebrities and ordinary people showed up to watch Eurovision star Sakis Rouvas perform Mikis Theodorakis’ “Axion Esti” with lyrics by nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis. The concert, held to celebrate 90 years since the birth of the great Greek singer.
UN rapporteur to evaluate racism in Greece
United Nations Special Rapporteur Mutuma Ruteere will visit Greece from May 4-8 2015 to evaluate the situation of racism and discrimination in the country.
This is the first official mission to Greece by the independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to assess and report on the situation of racism, racial discrimination and related intolerance in the world.
Santorini wine symposium by UNESCO
UNESCO’s scientific symposium in Santorini from November 5 through to 7 will focus on the heritage and development of wine regions and their role in tourism.
Guardian points to EZ chorus of resentment of Greek FinMin
An article in the Guardian, titled “Varoufakis has achieved one thing – uniting resentment of poorer nations,” describes Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis as a “glamour boy” and points to the problems caused by the way he “waxed triumphalist about how he had outfoxed the eurozone” following Greece’s deal to extend the country’s bailout to the end of next month.