Keep Talking Greece

PSI-Clock Is Ticking; FinMin: We’re On a Very Delicate Point of Negotiations

January 19, 2012 1

The PSI-clock is ticking and according to Greek media there might be official announcement about the progress of the talks even within the day. Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told members of the Parliament, that “the talks are at a very delicate point” and described the discussions about whether the …

Two Greek Pilots Safe After Serious F-16 Incident

January 19, 2012 Comments Off on Two Greek Pilots Safe After Serious F-16 Incident

A serious F-16 incident with possible fatal consequences was averted due to the prowess of the Greek pilots on Thursday morning at the NATO Larissa Air Base. The two-seater fighter jet, type F-16D Blk 52 from the 110 Combat Wing was on “touch and go” training when the landing gear of the aircraft …

First Internet Strike Ever due to SOPA & PIPA; Jan 18/12

January 18, 2012 2

This is the first internet strike ever! Wikipedia, Reddit, BoingBoing and hundreds of other websites go dark on January 18, 2012 in order to protes the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) — two anti-piracy bills that are currently making their way through th US- Congress. “This …

S&P Downgraded EFSF, the Euro Zone Rescue Fund

January 17, 2012 Comments Off on S&P Downgraded EFSF, the Euro Zone Rescue Fund

For some stupid reason I had to laugh when I read the news that rating agency Standard & Poor’s downgraded the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), the rescue and bailout fund of the euro zone. It blew in my mind a mixture of the “Vacuum Cleaner Beast” and the “Nowhere man” …

Greek FinMin: No Power Cuts to Those Proving Unable To Pay Property Tax – No Deadline for Corrections

January 16, 2012 4

The Greek Finance Ministry was forced to issue another corrective notice after the outcry against the orders to cut off the power to those electricity subscribers who have not paid the emergency property tax. According to a FinMin statement, there will be no power cut offs to those who can prove …

Greek Seamen Partly Join the 24h Strike of Jan 17/2012

January 16, 2012 Comments Off on Greek Seamen Partly Join the 24h Strike of Jan 17/2012

Five seamen trade unions decided to join the 24-hour strike of the Greek private sector scheduled for January 17, 2012. Therefore, those willing to travel by boat and ferry tomorrow might face major difficulties. You are best advised to check with local port authorities and your travel agent, if you insist …

Greek Public Hospitals Illegally Collected Fees from ER Patients

January 16, 2012 Comments Off on Greek Public Hospitals Illegally Collected Fees from ER Patients

It took the Greek Health Ministry almost a year to find out that public hospitals managers were illegally raising a levy of €5 from each patient seeking the accident and emergency departments. The relevant law provided that a fee of €5 would be paid only by people seeking the outpatient clinics at …

Dogs: Vaccine Against Canine Leishmaniasis (Kalazar) Available in Greece

January 16, 2012 Comments Off on Dogs: Vaccine Against Canine Leishmaniasis (Kalazar) Available in Greece

The much awaited vaccine against often fatal ending disease of Canine Leishmaniasis or Kalazar in dogs is finally available in Greece. As January 16th 2011, the vaccine can be pbtained at vet clinics. The vaccine contains proteins of Cani Leish parasite that will produce antibodies in the immune system of our canine …

PSI: Greeks Head to IMF as IIF Complains and Hedge Funds Warn of Default

January 16, 2012 10

Petros Chistodoulou and Giorgos Zanias, heads of Greece’s Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) and the Council of Economic Advisers respectively, are heading to Washington for talks with representatives on the International Monetary Fund on the restructuring programme fo the Greek debt. Negotiations between the Greek government and private creditors on the …

Greek PM Papademos: Abandoning the Euro Isn’t an Option

January 16, 2012 2

In his very first interview since he took office, Greece’s Prime Minister Lucas Papademos talked about the challenges the country faces and categorically rejected an exit from the euro zone and return to drachma. Speaking to US-network CNBC, Papademos said he was confident that the country would avoid a default …

“We’ll Cut Hands Off” Union Warns Against Power Cuts Off Due to Unpaid Property Tax

January 16, 2012 1

This is going to be the mother of all electricity battles! the management of Greece’s state power company DEH ordered the electricity cut off in 20,000 Greek households for failing to have paid the ’emergency property tax’. The orders come into force as the 80-days deadline for paying the first …

Loukanikos: Athens Riot Dog Enjoys Return of “Indignant” Greeks (video)

January 15, 2012 1

That was a real “Long Time Not Seen” and a happy “Glad to see you, Wuff-ack”. Athens famous riot dog Loukanikos returned to Syntagma Square together with the “Indignant” Greeks on Sunday and took immediately position and joined the “indignant” front. When the riot policemen tried to push the demonstrators away …