IMF Chief's Comments Regarding Papandreou's Economic Actions

The Prime Minister’s credibility has experienced a “political slap-in-the-face”, main opposition New Democracy (ND) party underlined on Wednesday, in response to previously unused excerpts of statements by IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn.  His statements were broadcast the previous evening during a popular satirical TV programme.
ND spokesman Yiannis Mihelakis stressed that “it has been revealed that Strauss-Kahn and the Premier (George Papandreou) had cooperated for months and in secrecy, while they had a systematic communication because, according to Strauss-Kahn, the Prime Minister wanted to conceal from the people the moves he made to lead the country to the IMF.”
These specific statements by Strauss-Kahn were included in a Canal+ TV network documentary, although they were ultimately edited out of the final version.
Mihelakis called on the government to give a clear response to the questions that have arisen, “because the Greek people should learn what is hidden behind the decision to seek IMF assistance. “When Papandreou stated that ‘there was enough money,  seeking IMF assistance was not an option’ as they secretly planned exactly the opposite, deceiving the Greek people,” he stressed.
(source: ana-mpa)

Economic Sentiment Index Fell from 74.2-78.4 Points

Greece’s economic sentiment index fell further in April to 74.2 points from 78.4 in March, the Institute for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) said on Wednesday. In a monthly report, IOBE attributed this decline to a worsening climate in the manufacturing and retail commerce sectors and said consumer confidence continued falling during that month.
IOBE said the economic sentiment index fell to 2010 levels, evidence that businesses’ and consumers’ expectations failed to improve in the twelve months since the country resorted to a European support mechanism. Business expectations remain poor while most consumers continue having doubts over an economic recovery in the country.
(source: ana-mpa)

Eleven Chinese Couples Marry on Santorini


Vows of eternal love were exchanged today on Santorini by eleven couples from China, who chose the gorgeous island to get married.  The wedding ceremony took place at the terrace of hotel Atlantis with a view of Caldera. The brides were beautiful and enjoyed their fairy tale. The newly-weds danced accompanied by traditional Greek songs and drank lots of champagne.

800 Retired Lawmakers Ask For Retroactive Increases

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An old story of retired lawmakers asking for retroactive increases in pension has been revived recently. A total amount of about 800 former members of Greek parliament asks for increases of €250,000 each or about €200m totally.
According to a resolution of the House in 1975, the remuneration of Members equates to the salaries of the presidents of the Supreme Courts. Since the increase of judges’ payments in the period 2003-2007, the former lawmakers ask for the corresponding increase of their payments.
This principle hadn’t been applied in recent years, in an effort to avoid provoking of public sentiment. Despite the two revisions of the Greek Constitution over the last decade, no one raised the issue of 1975 resolution, leading to claims by retired Members, who have no longer any fear of “political cost”, as active lawmakers don’t dare to apply for increases.
Note that Members of Parliament are entitled to receive pensions from both the House and the fund of their occupation. The right of pension is provided after serving two terms in the House (regardless of the length of each). The amount is equivalent to 80% of the parliamentary allowance, which is around €5,000 per month.
(source: capital)

Victoria’s Government Allots Two-Million-Dollars for Hellenic Cultural Center Construction

Ethnic languages and multiculturalism are financed by the state budget, submitted yesterday by Ted Baillieu’s State Government of Victoria.  Two-million-dollars has been granted for the construction of the Hellenic Cultural Center.

Language teaching and community schools will be assisted financially by the State. More specifically, the Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Nicholaos Kotsiras, maintained that 16.3 million dollars will be given to schools for immigrants in the next 4 years. The Chairman of Community Languages Australia Organization, Stephan Roumaniw stated that he is really satisfied with the government as ethnic languages are an important investment for the future.

Consequently, Baillieu’s government increased by 480,000 dollars regarding the budget of Multicultural Arts Victoria, which supports multicultural art activities.

President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne Vasilis Papstergiadis, expressed his satisfaction about the government’s assistance towards multiculturalism and immigration.

 

Greece Honors Battle of Crete’s Australian Veterans

Greece will honor Australian veterans who fought in Greece during World War II. At an event held at the Greek Consulate, Greek Ambassador Alexios Christopoulos will award Australian veteran soldier Tomas Robert Morris and William Gordon’s son, Leighton Parker, a medal as they displayed unrivalled heroism in Crete.

The Consulate General in Melbourne Eleni Lianidou, will award William Atha Multon’s son and George Charles Maxwell’s grandchild medals. About 7,100 Australians fought in Crete and 274 were killed, 2,750 were injured and 3,079 were taken as prisoners. According to their evidence, most of them returned to Australia safely thanks to Crete’s people.

“Ancient Egyptian Science & Metaphysics: The Essence of Religious Allegories & The Roots of Scientific Thought” Conference Held in Alexandria May 6th

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On Friday, May 6th, an international conference on “Ancient Egyptian Science and Metaphysics: The Essence of Religious Allegories and The Roots of Scientific Thought” will be held at the Patriarchal Library of Alexandria, under the auspices of the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II.
Dr. Amanda – Aliki Maravelia is in charge of the conference organization, who is also a scientific associate of the Center for Egyptology Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences.
The aim of the conference is to trace and evaluate the ancient Egyptian worldview and religion, as well as the pre-scientific attempts of ancient Egyptians to comprehend their surroundings and existence.
Issues to be discussed include the metaphysical background of ancient Egyptian religion in ancient Egyptian astronomy, mathematics and medicine. Furthermore, the interaction between science and religion will be discussed, as it is reflected in priesthood and philosopher’s thinking.
An international scientific team will uncover unknown aspects on the issue “bringing together the principles of Egyptology, Archaestronomy, Archaeology, History and Anthropology”, according to the relevant press release.
The Conference will be open to the public.

2 Greeks of Strasbourg Appeal to ECHR for Voting Rights

In time the European Court of Human Rights will issue its final decision to sentence or not sentance Greece, concerning the 30-year-old weakness of Greek authorities to allow Greeks abroad to vote in the place where they live. The Plenary Court (the Court of Human Rights sitting in plenary session) examined today in a public hearing, the case of the appeal of two Greeks, who permanently live in Strasbourg and who are high officers of the Council of Europe, to let them know if the weakness of Greek authorities to allow Greeks abroad to vote in the place where they live is an infringement of the European Convention on Human Rights or not. The appeal of Nikolaos Sitaropoulos and Christos Giakoumopoulos was submitted to the Court, on the 20th of September 2007 and mentioned that during the Greek parliamenatry elections of 2007, they couldn’t exercise their right to vote in Strasbourg.  Greek authorities hadn’t legislated rules which would allow them to vote in their place of permanent residence. Judging their appeal on the 8th of July 2010, the Court issued a verdict of guilt for Greece, deciding that the lack of measures which allow the exercise of the voting right abroad is opposed to the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. They also decided that the right of participation in free elections was also violated. Not to mention that the Court had imposed a compensation of 2,000 Euros for legal costs. On the 22nd of November 2010 and after the Greek government’s request, the case was referred to the Plenary Court to face trial in a public hearing today.

Health Ministry Announces 4-9% Decrease in Cigarette Smokers

The number of cigarette smokers in Greece has dropped considerably for the first time in years, according to three relevant reports that suggest a decline between 4 and 9%, the Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.
Despite the fact that the implementation of the anti-smoking law is not regarded as successful, it appears that tobacco users have realized the benefits of reducing or cutting smoking altogether, Health Ministry General Secretary Antonis Dimopoulos pointed out.
The number of smokers using hospital anti-smoking clinics has doubled, while 65% of the Greeks have responded that they do not smoke when they go out. The anti-smoking legislation is seen as a positive development by 70% of respondents.
(source: ana-mpa)

New Greek Documentary Concerning Nuclear Research Hackers

An innovative Greek documentary will present the Greek hackers that managed to get into the Institute for Nuclear Research CERN, and pause one of the biggest experiments in the world!
The “white01black” documentary by Spyros Capsiles presents the access to the plans of the nuclear plant in Turkey, the dark game of the industrial espionage and other achievements by the Greek hackers. “The kids who manage the incredible” stated the director of the documentary.
“We had to drink many coffees with them and do too much talking to convince them that they can trust us. They are afraid, that their opponents may discover them” says Basilis Terzakis in his article in Espresso.
The documentary will be screened for the first time on June 2nd, at the second AthCon conference for Greeks hackers which will be held in Athens. “The hackers communicate via blogs that specialize in hacking issues and there they find common interests and create groups. This is how the team that hit CERN was created” said Bill Terzakis for the two Greeks, 40-year-old “Leonidas” and 26-year-old “Angelos” (aliases), who uploaded the manifesto text-page on CERN’s site.
The 40-year old was eating lunch and heard the news for the official experiment at CERN.
He got up to take a look at the server at CERN and as soon as he found access, he called his friend and they cooperated.
In a two-hour time period, they uploaded the text reveals Spyros Capsiles, referring to what the hackers confided to him, adding that the two Greeks did this operation in CERN: “to show themselves to another Greek team, which had accused them that they were not good at the art of hacking. “