The celebration of Greek Independence Day has already started in Philadelphia and Baltimore yesterday, with parades and other events. In Philadelphia, on the occasion of the parade (photo), the families of the area had the chance to walk in a central street near the historical centre of the city. Children of all ages from the Greek schools of the area marched in the parade dressed in beautiful traditional costumes. The Greek neighborhood of Baltimore announced the opening of the First Annual Greek Week of their city. The ceremony took place at a restaurant on the famous Eastern Avenue and it was just the beginning of a set of events for the promotion of Greek culture and the celebration of the 25th of March. The events will include several films, such as Mihalis Kakogianni’s successful “Zorbas”, and a parade dedicated to the 25th of March, which will take place on the 27th of March. Independence Day will be officially celebrated on the 25th of March, at the Greek Embassy in Washington.
Greek Independence Day Celebrations in Philadelphia & Baltimore
Greek Government Finalizes Mid-Term Package
Greek government calls up for the increase of revenue and restrain of expenditure, knowing that it would be forced to reopen the case of cutting wages, pensions and benefits, if its initial plan fails.
The medium-term package of budget measures, which will be finalized by the end of March, is valued at €22bn but it could rise significantly if the differences in budget execution do not reverse.
Sources note that the government has two options in order to reduce the state deficit to € 1bn in the period 2011-2015:
-to restrain spending and increase revenue from tax evasion, even with a year of delay.
-to proceed with further firing and cutting of wages and benefits.
The first draft plan should be approved by the cabinet and be sent in Brussels for approval by the end of the month. The government has committed to place the draft under public consultation before submitting it for voting in the House at the beginning of May.
Government officials note that there will be an attempt to convince IMF/ECB/EU that the draft measures will have the structure of the Memorandum of Understanding, but this won’t be easy because of troika’s disbelief of Greece’s ability to recover from the decreased revenues revealed in budget execution. IMF/ECB/EU representatives are expected to arrive in Athens in March to review Greek government‘s progress.
According to this scenario, the government sets numeric targets for the entire period, but focus more for 2011-2012. An amount of € 2.5-5bn is expected to be drawn through social benefits, while the imposition of income criteria will increase state revenue by € 150mn in 2011 and by € 500mn in 2012. However, this may require further cutting if the cost of insurance funds is not restrained by € 8bn.
Regarding healthcare costs, a decrease of € 2bn is expected in 2011 and € 2.5bn over the following years, while medical expenditure will be cut by €0.5-1bn and payments to medical centers by €500mn. If these targets are not met, troika will exert pressure for greater involvement of the insured in the public care system.
Greek government targets to save up to € 5bn from public wage cuts. With the €1.7bn coming from the “1 recruit to 5 retirement” regulation, the remaining amount will come from changes in payroll.
Deputy Minister of Culture & Tourism Asks London’s Greeks for Support
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism George Nikitiadis asked the powerful participation of the strong Greek business community of London in the efforts of the government, to uplift the nation’s economy. Yesterday, Mr. Nikitiadis attended the Greek Independence Ball, held every year by Greeks of London for the 25th of March. “Keep supporting Greece”, said the Deputy Minister, appealing to Greek ship-owners and representatives of the financial sector, real estate and other business activities, who are part of the Greek presence in London and participated in the event. Mr. Nikitiadis also referred extensively to Greeks of the Diaspora and their important contribution and support towards Greece.
FYROM Confronts Greece at the International Court of Justice
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is ready to confront Greece before the International Court of Justice in the Hague. The hearings began today and end on March 30th. In its application, FYROM requests the ICJ to determine that Greece at the NATO summit in Bucharest in April 2008 breached Article 11 from the Interim Accord, i.e. it objected the NATO membership invitation for FYROM, even though it would be referred to by the interim reference. FYROM also wants to bind Greece to immediately make all the necessary steps in order to respect its obligations under the present Article.
FYROM will go to the court on Monday and Tuesday, to be followed by Greece. Then, final submissions are going to be held by the Contracting Parties on March 28th and 30th. The proceedings are going to be held in public and broadcast live via the internet. The Court’s decision is going to be issued a few months later.
Ambassador Mr. George Savvaidis and Legal Adviser Mrs. Maria Telalian will lead the Greek delegation.
Culinary Champ Philip Vakos Shows Off Skills at Estia Greek Festival
Tasmanian MasterChef star Philip Vakos flew from Melbourne yesterday to show off some of his culinary skills at the Estia Greek Festival at North Hobart.
Vakos has been putting his skills to good use at his uncle’s restaurant in Melbourne for the past few months. He will soon have a restaurant of his own to complete his dream of becoming a chef.
“I don’t want to give too much away but plans for my own place are underway and will come to fruition very soon,” Vakos said.
Aromaellas, which translates appropriately to “the flavour of Greece,” will open in the Melbourne suburb of Kew in May. It will offer traditional Greek food, much like his grandmother used to make.
“It’s the food I know the best and what I personally love to eat the most. But I will be putting my own spin on some Greek classics,” he said.
Patrons at yesterday’s festival got a sneak peek at Aromaellas’ signature dessert a creme-brule, with candy-rose petals, pistachios and saffron syrup.
“It’s delightful it’s the sort of dish that everyone can enjoy, regardless of what sort of desserts they like,” Vakos said.
And while the new restaurant will be in Melbourne, Vakos hasn’t forgotten about his home state.
“Tasmanian produce will feature heavily on the menu I’ve already got plans for some Tasmanian saffron, some Huon mushrooms and, of course, some Tasmanian wines,” Vakos said.
“Tassie produce is the best in the country.”
(source: the mercury)
Greek Man Charged with Killing Grandparents
George Stephen Georgiou is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and arson. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail just after midnight on Wednesday.
The bodies of Flora and Steve Georgiou, 78 and 83, were found in their burning home on Chesapeake Drive on January 4th.
According to the arrest report, George Georgiou entered the home to coerce his grandfather into paying his father for work finished at the family business. During an interview with detectives, Georgiou stated he had previously planned to put a mask over his father to threaten his grandfather.
Investigators found two burned matches in the home–near an accelerant used to start the fire. According to the police report, DNA found on the matches was consistent with Georgiou’s DNA.
The Georgiou family is well known in the Tarpon Springs community as owners of a boat repair company, Anclote Marine Ways, and fishing vessel Miss Milwaukee.
Greece's Participation in Operation against Libya Costs 1 Million Euros Daily
The military operation against Libya has hardly started, yet a Greek television channel reported that the country’s war participation will cost one million euros per day! This spending refers to the participation of one frigate, one radar aircraft, two Super Puma helicopters and four f-16 fighter jets.
As foreign military personal is expected to arrive to debt-driven Greek air and naval bases, the nation might compensate the spending through tourism revenues!
Property Survey Reveals Greeks Scared to Purchase Homes
Most Greeks are not planning a house purchase within the next two years. They are concerned that they may be unable to meet rent and mortgage payments, according to a survey carried out by Athens’ Economic University. The findings of the survey were unveiled on Sunday by Prof. Epaminondas Panas, during a seminar held at the “Property by Helexpo” trade fair.
Eight in ten people replying to the survey, which was carried out in October-November 2010 in Attica, said that they were unlikely to buy a house in the next two years. Only 2.2 percent said that they definitely intended to buy a home in the same period.
Seven in ten said that the economic crisis in the country had increased their anxiety that they might lose their jobs. More than half claimed that they felt more anxious about property-related payments, such as rent or mortages.
(source: ana-mpa)
03/20/2011: Latest Greek Super League Results with Video
Olympiacos Piraeus thrashed AEK Athens 6-0 (video) at home in games played for the Greek Super League over the weekend, clinching this year’s title, while Panathinaikos Athens beat Kerkyra 2-1 (video) at home and PAOK Thessaloniki was held to a 2-2 draw away by struggling Atromitos Athens (video).
Ιn other action:
Xanthi – Asteras Tripoli 1-0
Aris Thessaloniki – Panseraikos Serres 3-1 (video)
Iraklis Thessaloniki – Panionios Athens 1-1
Kavala – Olympiacos Volos 0-1
Larissa – Ergotelis Crete 3-3 (video)
Standings after 27 weeks of play:
1. Olympiacos Piraeus 67 points (Champion)
2. Panathinaikos 57 (Playoffs)
3. AEK 43
4. PAOK 41
5. Olympiacos V. 41
6. Kavala 38
7. Aris 36
8. Xanthi 35
9. Iraklis 33
10. Ergotelis 33
11. Panionios 31
12. Kerkyra 30
13. Atromitos 30
14. Asteras 28
15. Larissa 25
16. Panseraikos 20 (Relegated)
Turkish Warship Challenge in the South of Karpathos
A Turkish warship controlled a ship heading towards Israel, in the south of Karpathos. The ship had sailed from Italy and while being in the South of Karpathos, it received calls from the Turkish ship. The crew asked the Italians to leave the area, because, as they stated, it was an exclusively Turkish Financial Zone! The Italian ship continued sailing towards Israel, where the incident was reported. The ship was legally sailing around the area, having the permission under International Law. As spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Delavekouras mentioned, this area is a part of Greece. He added that the country’s position concerning this issue is rather clear, such as its sovereign rights over the territory.