FAGE Dairy Industry Wins Over the US

Stella Tsolakidou
-
0
FAGE Dairy Industry Wins Over the US

 FAGE Dairy Industry S.A. in Johnstown, NY will be doubling its plant design within the following  year hoping to multiply by four times its plant capacity within the next two years.

Fage USA Dairy Industry is a subsidiary of Fage Yogurt, a Greece-based yogurt company. The  plant produces several varieties of its Greek-style yogurt products, for which there is huge demand in the US.

The company is already waiting for its new expansion plan to be approved by New York’s Planning Board within the following month. This expansion could turn out to be even more essential that the first one, which helped FAGE Dairy Industry enter the U.S. markets.

The Filippou Brothers’ Dairy Corporation has not only come out on top but has also managed to turn Greek style yogurt “Total” into “the talk of the town” on the other side of the Atlantic.

Construction of the Johnstown yogurt plant began in September 2006 and the plant opened in April 2008. Built at an investment of $148.3m, it employs more than 170 people and has a capacity to produce 85,000t of yogurt annually.

“Total” yogurt has already a 3% stake in the food market, while a recent research conducted by Kairos Consumers for the Panhellenic Exporters Association (PEA) has shown that FAGE yogurt is identified by 11% of the US public as an official brand.

Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Fani Toli
-
0
Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta Celebrates 100th Anniversary

For 22 years, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church has offered a taste of Greek food and a glimpse of Greek culture. But the church’s history in Augusta goes back further. The congregation celebrates its 100th anniversary as it kicks off the 22nd annual Greek Festival at 11:00 a.m on Friday.

“The three-day celebration at the church on Telfair Street attracts upwards of 20,000 visitors every year”, stated the Rev. Vasile Bitere, the priest of Holy Trinity. “Many people come to try Greek delicacies, making the festival a popular lunch- or dinner-time stop. However, that’s not all there is to the festival”, he added.

“It is great Greek food, great Greek dancing, great Greek entertainment”, Bitere said. “It’s an opportunity for the entire community to join us in our celebration”.

The festival also includes traditional Greek dancing, tours of the Church and an iconography workshop. Last year, the workshop was so popular, that it has been brought back for a second year.

“This is a historical event”, Bitere noted, adding: “We are celebrating this year with a string of events. The events are dedicated to the church’s fpunders. They put in such hard work to build this community 100 years ago”.

Greeks first arrived in Augusta in 1877, according to a church history. By 1911, a community of 162 Greek immigrants had been formed. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church has been founded later that year. Today, the church has 180 families from various backgrounds.

Penny Ballas, a member of the Church has stated that they say the Lord’s Prayer in 11 different languages, since they have Serbians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Palestinians, Russians, Egyptians, Hispanics, Georgians, and Armenias in the Church.

Church members begin working on the festival months ahead of time.

Gov’t Seeks Political Solution, October Would Be Critical

A. Makris
-
0
Gov’t Seeks Political Solution, October Would Be Critical

Greek ministers turned up droopy at the cabinet meeting on Thursday, and the left with even more question as the discussion did not focus on the country’s course.
A top minister told Capital that Greek FinMin Evangelos Venizelos was asked to clarify what he meant by saying “the agreement of July 21 either would be guaranteed as it is or we would seek something better”. But his response was far from enlightening, said the minister.
Thus, political scenarios have grown, already fuelled by the debate on a referendum. The majority of government officials oppose to early elections, while few favour a referendum.
Most of the lawmakers support a major policy initiative for concession on common positions, targeting Greek opposition. But several officials believe that inevitably Greece would have an emergency government without polls.
The final solution, reliable sources note, would depend on the decision on Greek debt at an extraordinary EU Summit on October 18.
If the debt rollover program goes smoothly and on a voluntary basis (up to 30%), then the development would appear as positive. In that case, sources add, the government would hold, provided that the compensation would not be tough.
In case of a credit event, then political development would be rapid.
(source: capital)

New York City Mayor Says US Should not Turn Away Immigrants

A. Makris
-
0
New York City Mayor Says US Should not Turn Away Immigrants

Michael Bloomberg
According to New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, America is committing “suicide” by turning away skilled immigrants.
The American Dream cannot survive if we tell the dreamers to go elsewhere, Bloomberg said during a speech.
Bloomberg is a supporter for immigration reform in the US and supports increasing green card availability for highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

Bloomberg acknowledged the divide between Republicans and Democrats on the topic of immigration but said that both political parties can and should agree that more immigrants should be allowed in on highly skilled immigration and graduate level visas.
“America no longer is the inevitable crossroads for enterprise and innovation,” Bloomberg said.

There are movements in the US government to reform immigration for highly skilled immigrants and entrepreneurs. Some US Senators have drafted legislation pushing for a “startup visa” that would grant some foreigners the right to live and work in the US.

Canada Attempts to Streamline Immigration

A. Makris
-
0
Canada Attempts to Streamline Immigration
Jason Kenney

Canada is currently struggling to deal with a backlog of immigration applications.
The backlog of immigration applications is hurting Canada’s reputation as a top immigration destination for skilled migrants. In some cases people are choosing Australia as an alternative immigration destination.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said that the situation was a “huge problem”. He has spoken frequently about the need to streamline the application process and get the backlog under control.

A number of hearings on the matter are due to take place before the House of Commons immigration committee.
Critics say that while the government talks about alleviating the backlog, they are also continuing to accept large numbers of new Canadian immigration applications, so exacerbating the problem.
“While Canada continues to welcome historically high numbers of new immigrants, and maintains the most open and generous immigration system in the world, we have to carefully manage the large number of people who want to be Canadian,” a spokesperson for Kenney told the Globe and Mail.

The government asserts that since 2008, they have reduced the rate of increase in the backlog through measures which limit immigration in certain areas, such as the investor route.
Moreover, people who apply as skilled workers and have experience in a prioritized job sector are fast tracked and have their applications approved within months.
The people who suffer the longest waiting times include parents and grandparents of permanent residents and immigrants who applied before the changes introduced in 2008.

Digitalization of Libraries in Ecumenical Patriarchate Under the Aegis of HTO

Fani Toli
-
0
Digitalization of Libraries in Ecumenical Patriarchate Under the Aegis of HTO

Greek HTO and Cosmote company have undertaken the work of digitalization and documentation of Libraries in the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Theological School of Halki.

The chairman and chief executive of HTO, Michalis Tsamaz visited the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople in order to give information about the contribution of HTO to digitalization of libraries in Patriarchate, using modern methods of analysis and access to the digitalized material.

A working team consisting of analysts, consultants, and engineers will be responsible for the creation of an information infrastructure for digitalization and documentation of written cultural documents in Patriarchate and Theological School.

Tsamaz also stated: “Within the activities of the Liability Companies of HTO and Cosmote we decided to promote the digitalization of these two libraries that are of great importance for our civilization.  Our cultural inheritance can make us pull through the current problems we are facing”.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Opinion of Inventory of Greek Minorities in Albania

Fani Toli
-
0
Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Opinion of Inventory of Greek Minorities in Albania

The Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Grigoris Delavekouras stated on Thursday, that Greek minorities’ inventory in Albania should serve as a motivation for better functioning of the Albanian Public Administration and protection of the rights of minorities in Albania.

Delavekouras also added: “The desicion-making of the representatives of the most important minorities, including Greek minority to abstain from the inventory, indicates lack of trust between minorities and the country of Albania”.

The representative underlined that respect to monorities’ rights is essential for the accession process to EU. He concluded that “Greece has relied on the existence of good relations with Albania, taking for granted the respect and protection of Greek minorities”.

Greek Academic Suggests Charities Instead of Dogfights

Fani Toli
-
0

Greek Academic, Charis Tzimitras, who has lived for 10 years in Turkey, makes a simple suggestion to the Greek Government in order to unify the two sides of Aegean Sea: “Instead of dogfights, deposit the money spent for dogfights in order to make charities in Turkey. In this way, many will realize that it is not the end of the world.”  And even if someone thinks that this is an “academic naivety”, Charis Tzimitras remains optimistic about the efficiency of this measure.

Tzimitras, who is giving lectures to the university of Bilgi in Turkey is constantly involved in both countries. Viewing the two countries within, Tzimitras admitted: “Greek public opinion intervenes more often in the everyday incidents, protesting, and organizing demonstrations. On the contrary, Turkish public opinion either does nothing or has a limited reaction to incidents. That has as a consequence; the different actions of the two Governments.”

However, Turkish Government has made it clear that Greece is neither an enemy nor a priority for Turkey. There is a current economic crisis in Greece that constitutes a chance of redifinition of Greece’s position and its priorities, such as the limitation of defense expenditures.

Patriarch of Alexandria Travels to Ethiopia

Fani Toli
-
0

On Thursday, the Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and all Africa, visited Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

This was the first visit of the Patriarch as a part of the Orthodox mission, after his election as a Patriarch of the Apostolic Throne 7 years earlier.

Metropolitan Petros of Axum, Greek Ambassador to Ethiopia, Michalis Daratzikis, Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Idris, the representative of the Greek Community in Addis Ababa and other eminent persons were waiting for the arrival of the Patriarch at the airport of the Ethiopian capital.

The Patriarch of Alexandria thanked Greek Ambassador and simultaneously congratulated Egyptian Ambassador for the Egyptian National Celebration of 6th October.  The Patriarch of Alexandria was accompanied by Nikodimos, Bishop of Nitria and Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo.

The Patriarch of Alexandria is also going to visit Malawi, where he is going to dedicate new churches of the Orthodox Metropolis of Zambia.

Roesler Backs Investment in Greece

A. Makris
-
0
Roesler Backs Investment in Greece

Germany’s economy minister backed calls to get German companies to invest in Greece to get the debt-drowned country’s economy growing again.
German Economics Minister Philipp Roesler and Greek Development Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis said Friday they had signed a memorandum of understanding over a range of measures to assist Greece in implementing structral economic reforms.
After a working breakfast as part of a day of back-to-back meetings with Greek government officials, Roesler said he and Michalis agreed it is necessary “to do everything to ensure to keep all member states in the euro zone.”
Germany has agreed to help Greece by providing assistance in reforming its bureaucracy in areas such as competition law and start-up support.
“We are determined to respond decisively to the crisis,” said Michalis. “We want to rebuild our country and give our highly qualified young people a chance.”
(source: AP, Dow Jones)

1...6,7276,7286,729...7,616Page 6,728 of 7,616