Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has forecast a strong rebound in tourism this summer. Speedy vaccination drives in key markets including Britain and Israel will pave the way for tourists to return despite the current industry gloom, he told news-agency Reuters on Thursday.. “I am a realist but I am …
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Greece dismisses reports it plans to sell off pensions arrears. But…
The Greek government has dismissed a media report saying that it was planning to sell billions of euros of social security contributions owed to its pension fund to private investors. Citing senior government officials, international news agency Reuters reported late on Thursday that “the first batch of up to 12 …
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Pulitzer-winning photographer Yannis Behrakis dies at 58
Pulitzer-winning photographer, Yannis Behrakis, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 58. In his 30-year long career at Reuters, Behrakis covered main conflict areas around the world. He touched millions of people worldwide with his snapshots from the Refugee crisis in Greece. His coverage of the refugee …
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German intelligence BND spied on Interpol offices in dozen countries like in Greece and USA
Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency spied on the Interpol international police agency for years and on the group’s country liaison offices in dozens of countries such as Austria, Greece. Belgium, Spain, Denmark and the United States, German magazine Der Spiegel said. The BND spied also the Interpol headquarters in Lyon, …
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PM’s office dismisses rumors Tsipras is about to declare ‘early elections’
The office of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras categorically denied news agencies rumor reports that the PM was to announce early elections either today, Thursday, or tomorrow, Friday. The prime minister’s office described the Reuters news as “completely non-existent.” Speaking to Greek media, government sources noted that “it raises questions how …
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Schaeuble: “Greece must meet commitments or end up in impossible condition”
Our Wicked Witch of the West, the malevolent ruler of the Euro Wonderland. Finance Minister Wοflgang Schaeuble who believes that a positive word slipping for his lips would bring his fragile world into collapse. But today, the believable and the unexpected happened: he forgot to say one of his favorite …
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UPD ESM acknowledges, it is considering Debt Relief for Greece
The European Stability Mechanism has acknowledged that it is considering ways to grant debt relief to Greece, possibly by fixing the interest level at current low rates or by extending its maturities further. The ESM said in August 2015 that euro area finance ministers stood ready to consider, if necessary, …
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…and the Pulitzer goes to three Greek photographers at Reuters
Three Geek photographers members of Reuters Breaking News won this year’s Pulitzer Prize for professional photography with the Pulitzer being the highest prize for journalists and reporters in the USA. Team leader Yannis Behrakis and his two younger colleagues Alkis Kosntantinidis and Alexandros Avramidis were awarded for capturing sensational human …
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No Grexit, No Grexident. The IOUs are coming…!?
Forget the Grexit, the Grexident and the Drachma scenarios. They are out! The 20-April-bankruptcy script writers have invented a new solution: something like a parallel currency. No, not the older scenario option of using Drachma nationally and the Euro internationally. Something new: the IOUS! A form of alternative mean of …
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REUTERS: EU executive sees personal savings used to plug long-term financing gap
It looks as if taxpayers’ money is not enough for the European Union to fund investments. Therefore there are reportedly thoughts to use the savings of 500 million EU-citizens and pour them into investments. Reuters – Exclusive: EU executive sees personal savings used to plug long-term financing gap “The …
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EU source:Troika won’t go to Greece “because no one wants them” (via Reuters) *sigh*
Do the Troika inspectors boycott Greece? Have they put their visit to Athens on hold? Reuters reported so on Thursday afternoon citing two “eurozone sources”. According to Reuters, the Troika put its visit on hold because the Greek government rejected more austerity measures. The news of a possible postponement set …
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Troika-fatigue: Are Greek lawmakers tired of austerity? FinMin Stournaras claims so
Maybe. Maybe not. At least Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras claimed, that Greek lawmakers were tired of austerity and that “the fatigue of MPs” could cause a political risk for Greece’s fiscal targets. Stournaras’ interview to Reuters, woke up the tired Greek MPs especially those of coalition government partner PASOK. Those …
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German FinMin urges SYRIZA Tsipras to endorse the austerity program
The meeting between German Finance Minister Wolfgang and Greek opposition leader Alexis Tsipras from left-wing SYRIZA concluded in Berlin shortly after 2 o clock noon on Monday. As expected the two politicians found no common ground and disagreed. According to Greek private Mega TV, Tsipras presented his party’s alternative program to …
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Reuters: Greece Looks Out to Sea for Gas Wealth of $600 Billion
Offshore natural gas could dramatically change Greece’s fortunes, should early estimates of $600 billion worth of reserves be confirmed, according to a study presented to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in June and seen by Reuters. The study, collating existing scientific data, says that geological similarities indicate that reserves offshore Crete …
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Another Greek Debt “Haircut” of 70-100 Billion Euro On The Way?
Are European policymakers work on a Greek debt “Haircut”? Allegedly they do, according to a Reuters story published on Friday afternoon. Euro zone officials told so to Reuters and added that a new “haircut” of estimated voluem 70-100 billion euro would be needed. Greek Debt Crisis Fix May Cost Central …
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EU-Sauce Source: Euro Zone To Impose ATM Withdrawals Limitations, Should Greece Exit Euro
One week before the June 17 elections, a new allegedly horror-scenario lands on the heads of troubled Greek voters. In an exclusive story, an EU-source told Reuters that EU finance officials have discussed the limitation of free capital and persons across the EU and Schengen (for Greeks), should Greece abandon the euro zone. …
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Barroso-Papademos Hand-in-Hand Against Tsipras?
Why did Jose Manuel Barroso threaten Greece with euro exit right after May 6 elections? Reuters claims that the president of the European Commission made this statement after caretaker prime minister Lucas Papademos asked him to do so – in an effort to build a dam against Alexis Tsipras. According …
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IIF: Greece’s Disorderly Default Would Cost EZ One Trillion Euros
Reuters has obtained a secret report in which the Institute of International Finance (IIF) says that a Disorderly Greek default would probably cause a damage of one trillion euros to the euro zone. The impact would be hazardous for countries like Italy, Spain, Ireland and Portugal. As the “secret” report in all …
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Greek PM To Tour EU, Looking For Allies
Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou is due to tour European capital -cities- and have contacts with Leaders of European countries in order to push towards a fast track lasting solution for the Greek debt. The initiative of the Greek PM is considered necessary after delays in the Eurogroup to finalize …
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How much austerity can we bear? Greece 2010 deficit at 10% (Reuters)
Save, Save, Save in a barrel with no bottom! Greece’s debt explodes, revenues are not flowing, new budget deficits sprout every year. The wages and pensions cuts, the V.A.T. and taxes hikes made us poorer by 30-40% in 2010. Now new austerity measures will be added. Then the IMF/EU/ECB- representatives, currently …
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