The Square of Agia Eirini in the historical center of Athens is very popular, with hundreds of young and old visiting the numerous bars and restaurants each and every day. But every night, another small group of people enter the area: the homeless. the make themselves as comfortable as possible …
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EP approves Juncker’s Plan for Greece, EU-Funds to restart pouring for Jobs & Growth
The European Commission is moving forwards. Slowly. Βut it is moving. President Jean-Claude Juncker is determined to ‘rescue’ Greece and goes into EU history as the protector of the European poor and needy. And he will. His Jobs and Growth Plan for Greece was adopted by the European Parliament and …
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French President Hollande to visit Athens & explore ‘investment options’ in Greece’s privatizations party
French President Francois Holland will pay an official visit to Athens on October 22nd and 23rd 2015, to seal the close relationship between the two countries. But also to explore investment opportunities… well… not exactly… almost. According to Sunday edition of To Vima newspaper, France has great interest in participating …
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Greece’s elections: SYRIZA – ANEL coalition gov’t with 155 seats (Live Blog)
Ballot boxes close at 7 pm. Exit Polls will be published one minute after the voting concludes. First official results are expected around 9-9:30 pm 19:00 pm First Exit Polls – via state ERT TV error margin +/- 2% SYRIZA 30-34.8% New Democracy 28-32% Golden Dawn 6.5-8% PASOK , …
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Greece sends Matt Damon to go filming in …Tenerife
It is one of Greece’s notorious and chronic diseases: extensive bureaucracy, unaccommodating officials and permanent lack of flexibility. A painful and very costly disease, especially when it comes that the Greek state keeps away investments worth several million dollars or euros. The latest example of this rigid behavior that causes …
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Wealthy debtors don’t pay for electricity, but the “little Greeks” can live in the dark for several months
An unidentified number of Greeks seem to suffer from heavy deficiency of “collective consciousness“. They absolutely refuse to share common beliefs and moral attitudes which usually operate as a unifying force within a society, especially in times of a crisis, and it is often expressed in form of solidarity. I …
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Troikan trapped in elevator – Rescued by Greek Fire-brigades (video)
A member of the Troika’s “technical teams” – a legionnaire – was trapped together with his assistant in the elevator of the State General Accounting Office. The troikans had visited the SGAO in order to start inspections on the state of the Greek economy and the banks. The elevator could …
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Creditors’ new combo “The Troika Four” started inspections in Athens
I have been wondering whether the new Troika which is a Quartet should be called “The Creditors’ Quartet” or “The Troika Four” or just “Greece’s creditors”. The new combo of representatives from European Commission, International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Stability Mechanism definitely news a new short description, …
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Bailout talks in Athens: Greek Govt puzzled about where to hide 100 Troikans & Legionaries
Greece has submitted an official request to the International Monetary Fund for a new loan as it seeks a huge third bailout from its creditors, the finance ministry said. “We would like to inform you that we are seeking a new loan facility from the International Monetary Fund,” Finance Minister …
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Tsipras’ new challenge: voting of second set of “prior actions” amid SYRIZA rebels and anti-austerity protests
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras faces a new challenge today, as the Greek Parliament will vote for the second set of creditors’ “prior actions”. Tsipras faces his second major test as it is not clear whether the 39-SYRIZA “rebels” will again deny their vote for the deal with the creditors. The …
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ANIMA appeals to citizens to help wildlife at risk due to wildfires
With 52 wildfire fronts burning currently across Greece, the Association for the Protection and Welfare of Wildlife ANIMA appeals to citizens to help wildlife that is at risk. Of course, it is not only the wildlife at risk, as many dogs and cats also have sought refugee in wooded areas …
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Massive wildfires threaten Athens residential areas (picts, videos)
The fire broke out at the foothills of Mount Ymittos in the east of Greek capital Athens. Hot temperatures and strong North winds of up to 9 Beaufort, the fire went quickly out of control. It broke out at 12:38 pm in the forest park of Kareas as all as …
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Athens: Protesters clash with riot police as lawmakers vote strictest austerity of all times (picts, videos)
Molotov cocktails and stones were hurled, tear gas and flares were fired: it needed a group of anti-authoritarians and just ten minutes to turn the area around the Parliament and Syntagma Square into a battle field. Vehicles and garbage bins were set on fire, shop windows and ATMs were smashed. …
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Public sector union, municipalities, pharmacies on 24h strike, 15. July 2015
Public sector union ADEDY has called for a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, July 15th 2015. Municipalities personnel and public hospitals personnel will join the strike, aiming to protest the voting of the Brussels agreement by the Parliament. Buses, Trolley, Tram and Urban train ISAP will operate as usually. Athens Metro …
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RYANAIR Chief calls Greek Gov’t “lunatics” & “nutters” and wants exemption from Athens Airport Taxes & Fees
Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, has said that Greece elected “a bunch of lunatics”. In an outburst of solidarity with EU taxpayers, O’Leary said “You can’t be bloody retiring, sitting in a cafe drinking coffee and expecting the Germans or the Irish or the Portuguese to pay for you.” …
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Referendum: Council of State to rule over “constitutionality”, 3 rallies in downtown Athens
Greece’s agenda on Friday: 1. at 12 noon the Council of State will convene to discuss the “constitutionality of the Referendum after two citizens submitted an appeal. Ruling is expected later on the day, probably in the afternoon. 2. Three Referendum rallies in downtown Athens: YES outside the Ancient Olympic …
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Athens: Public Transport free of charge until 6. July 2015; Read details
Passengers may use all public transport means without paying ticket fare until 6th July 2015, that is during the time the banks are closed. According to Alternate Transportation Minister Christos Spirtzis the measure applies to Metro, blue buses, trolley, urban train ISAP but not Proastiakos (Metro from Doukissis Plakentias to/from …
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Spotted in Greek Pro-Europe demo: The “Protester of the Year”
I am perplexed. I have no idea what Greek Pro-Europe protesters want. They want Greece to stay in Europe without any concessions? They want the Euro but without austerity? No, the Greek Pro-Europe protesters do not belong to the extreme-leftists of SYRIZA, neither to “I reject all and everything” Communist …
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Spotted in Athens: German journalist awaiting for the “bank run”
Αll eyes are turn to Brussels today, all ears try to pick the finest nuances signaling a “deal or not a deal.” Yet, some have flown to Athens to cover reactions among the society. A German journalist was spotted outside a Greek bank armed with camera and microphone to cover …
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Holy War: St Barbara’s relic turns into a major issue for Greek government, the Church and Hospital doctors
It all started with a glorious welcome ceremony under the presence of high ranking cleric, government ministers and military officers. Carefully put in a silver casket, the remains of Saint Barbara arrived in Athens Airport on Sunday afternoon and from there they were escorted to Aegaleo suburb of Western Athens …
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