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Saturday, February 28, 2015

Poll surge for Alexis Tsipras’ Syriza as Greeks learn to smile again

Approval ratings for radical left party soar despite U-turns forced in debt talks and collapse of tax collection, but the people still expect the government to deliverAlexis Tsipras’ left-led government may be the bane of Europe’s political establishment, but in Greece support is soaring as Athens’ new political class negotiates the country’s economic plight.One month and three days after the tough-talking firebrand assumed power, Greeks of all political persuasions appear to like what they see. A Metron Analysis poll published on Saturday showed popularity ratings for the prime minister’s radical left Syriza party at an all-time high: from the almost 36% it won in snap polls on 25 January, support for Syriza has jumped to 47.6%, a record for a movement that only three years ago was on margins of Greek politics. Continue reading...


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Greek Defense Minister to Visit the US for March 25 Celebrations

kammenos27 Greek National Defense Minister Panos Kammenos is expected to represent the government in this year's Greek Diaspora events for the ...


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City to potentially take over operation of Greek Theatre

The City Council recently rejected the parks commission's recommendation to hand over management of the Greek Theatre from its long-time operator ...


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The Americanization of Karagiozis

In the early 1900s, as Greek sojourners first began arriving in large numbers to North America they brought their sense of humor with them. The venerable Karagiosis (also spelled Karaghiozis) puppet tradition found its way, not only to the new world, but also to commercial records virtually the day Greek records were made available. For […] The post The Americanization of Karagiozis appeared first on The National Herald.


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Greek Police Arrest 2 Suspected Members of Anarchist Group

Greek police say they have arrested two people allegedly belonging to armed anarchist group Conspiracy Nuclei of Fire. The two men, aged 39 and ...


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Greek PM Accuses Spain, Portugal of Undermining his Gov't

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras delivers a speech at the ruling Syriza party central committee in Athens, February 28, 2015. | Photo: Reuters.


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UNL Greek council adopts bylaws for off-campus events

The death of a University of Nebraska-Lincoln student following an off-campus party last fall launched a conversation inside the Greek system's 23 ...


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AP Interview: Greece's repayments to ECB need discussion

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece will prioritize debt repayments to the International Monetary Fund, some of which come due in March, but repayments to the European Central Bank are "in a different league" and will need discussion with Greece's creditors ...


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Greek Premier rules out seeking third rescue deal

ATHENS: Greece's new radical left government has no intention of seeking yet another bailout deal from international creditors and will spend coming ...


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Varoufakis says loan extension safeguards the Greek financial system

Varoufakis says loan extension safeguards the Greek financial system. 37 min ago Sat 28 Feb 2015 12:07:49 GMT. Author: Mike Paterson | Category: ...


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Thousands protest Greek government in Athens

The Greek Communist Party held an anti-government rally in central Athens on Friday, with thousands turning out in the rain outside parliament as ...


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TROLLED! Greek League Suspended? Just Play Table Football!

Alejandro Rodriguez, president of Tigres, has been talking about the sensitive subject of Alan Pulido, after it was revealed that the Greek League had ...


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Greek PM alleges anti-Athens 'axis'

… :35am EST ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's leftist Prime Minister … ;s conservatives had attacked the Greek leadership when they approved the … question a major debt repayment Greece must make to the European …


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‘Xenia’: The Origins of Greek Hospitality

… Fat Greek Buffet, diners know that in addition to outstanding Greek food … the Big Fat Greek Buffet.  Opa! For an authentic Greek dining experience, enjoy a meal at the Big Fat Greek …


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Greek Govt Vice President: 'We Faced Blackmail During Negotiations'

Dragasakis Greek government Vice President Yiannis Dragasakis on Saturday offered his insight into the new leftist government's negotiations and ...


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New Democracy Leader: Tsipras Should be Ashamed

“Mr. Tsipras should be ashamed,” stated New Democracy leader and former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras referring to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ speech to SYRIZA’s Central Committee on Saturday. “He accuses me for the European People’s Party announcement, the context of which he has co-signed in the last Eurogroup decision,” said Samaras, adding that EPP’s announcement said that Greece had made a huge progress in the last few years and should keep its commitments. “He [Tsipras] must be in a great despair and fear to refer to such nonsense and create imaginary enemies to justify his own lies and impasses,” underlined Samaras. The New Democracy leader noted that the “bridge” Tsipras prepares is for the next Memorandum to which he is leading the country and that for this reason, Samaras said, he will be held accountable. “If he believes that by attacking me and our partners he can become a European politician, he does not have a single idea what is going on. He is hurting not just himself but also the country, which is in Europe and will remain in Europe. Shame!” concluded Samaras. (source: ana-mpa)


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Two Persons Alleged to Be Greek Terrorist Xeros’ Accomplices Arrested

Greek Police arrested two suspects related to convicted terrorist Christodoulos Xeros‘ case, said police sources on Saturday. The two arrested are alleged to be Xeros’ accomplices. According to Greek media, crime labs were able to match the DNA of one of the suspects with that found on a book-bomb left at the Itea police station, an envelope-bomb sent to an Athens prosecutor and an explosive device planted in a tax office in western Athens. The man’s fingerprints were also found in Xeros’ hideout in Anavyssos, where he was arrested, and the second one in Loutraki. The same sources said police may soon proceed to more arrests that could include a woman.


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AP Interview: Greek finance minister says country intends to seek talks on debt rescheduling

Greece's Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at his office, in central Athens, on Saturday, Feb.


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Greek Student Still Missing – Administrative Inquiry Coming to an End

giakoum708_0 New evidence has been brought to light by Greek investigative journalist Angeliki Nikolouli regarding the case of Greek student ...


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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras accuses Spain and Portugal of leading a conspiracy against ...

Nonetheless, Tspiras described it as a victory for Greece, saying the attack made by some German Conservatives on the Greek leadership once a ...


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Finance Minister: Greece to Seek Talks on Debt Rescheduling While Working on Reforms

Finance Minister: Greece to Seek Talks on Debt Rescheduling While Working on Reforms. ATHENS, Greece — Feb 28, 2015, 12:44 PM ET ...


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Paul Nuttall: The Anti-Democratic EU Wants to Stifle Greece

This is of course a direct riposte to the people of Greece following the election of SYRIZA in the Greek Parliamentary elections last month. SYRIZA ...


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AP Interview: Greece to seek talks on debt rescheduling

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece's finance minister says the government intends to start discussions with creditors on debt rescheduling in order to ...


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Hellas Gold and workers react to Greek gov't decision on plan permit

Hellas Gold and its workers at the gold mine in Skouries, Halkidiki, have vowed to take legal action after the government


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How Boko Haram Uses Female Suicide Bombers To Terrorize Nigeria

Every week, The WorldPost asks an expert to shed light on a topic making headlines around the world. Today, we speak with Elizabeth Pearson about Boko Haram's use of female suicide bombers. Last Sunday, a small girl strapped with explosives killed herself and five others at a market in Potiskum, a town in northeast Nigeria. Witnesses said the girl looked about 7 years old. The week before that, a young woman blew herself up at a bus station in the nearby town of Damaturu, leaving at least 10 people dead. Witnesses said they thought the bomber looked about 16. Most of the casualties were children who had been begging nearby. The bombings are widely believed to be the work of Boko Haram, the extremist group that is carrying out a brutal insurgency in northeast Nigeria and that last year kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in the town of Chibok. The group has stepped up its suicide attacks in the past year, particularly those involving girls and women. The WorldPost discussed the rise in attacks with Elizabeth Pearson, a gender and radicalization researcher in defense studies at King's College London. She's also a member of the Nigeria Security Network and has written about female suicide bombers in Nigeria. When did Boko Haram start using suicide bombers? Boko Haram carried out its first suicide bombing fairly recently, in 2011. It was a significant development. Nigeria does not have a history of suicide bombing and suicide is not culturally accepted. When did the group first use female suicide bombers? The first female suicide bombing was reported in June last year, when a middle-aged woman blew herself up at army barracks in Gombe, northeast Nigeria. This was the first of a wave of suicide attacks by women and girls in Nigeria. There were six such attacks in six weeks. Have the attacks continued at the same pace? After the first wave in the summer, there was a brief lull, but since November there have been several attacks by female suicide bombers each month. In total, 27 women and girls have reportedly been involved in suicide attacks in the country. We're also still seeing suicide bombings by men. The intensity of the attacks is striking in a global perspective. In 2014, Nigeria saw around 85 percent of all female suicide bombings around the world. Boko Haram has embraced this tactic with vigor. What do you think motivates the group to use suicide bombers? A man injured in a suicide blast is taken to hospital in Potiskum, Nigeria, Jan. 12, 2015. (AMINU ABUBAKAR/AFP/Getty Images) Many analysts understood Boko Haram's first suicide attacks to indicate growing connections between Boko Haram and international Islamic militant groups. Recently, we've seen growing evidence of such connections, whether aspirational, ideological or financial. Some of Boko Haram's recent videos resemble the work of the media wing of ISIS [the Islamic State], and there have been reports of foreign-language-speaking militants in Nigeria. Yet the use of female suicide bombers suggests Boko Haram will go out on a limb when it wants. Female suicide bombers and women on the battlefield in general are not advocated by al Qaeda-affiliated clerics. One exception was al Qaeda in Iraq under the leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi [from 2004 to 2006]. One reason Boko Haram may have adopted this tactic is to capitalize on anxiety about the Chibok schoolgirls. The first wave of female suicide bomb attacks came a few months after Boko Haram kidnapped some 300 schoolgirls in April. The fate of the schoolgirls was a source of great fear and anxiety in Nigeria, and there was much speculation as to whether they were being used in suicide attacks. There's no evidence of this, but it generated a flurry of media attention. Yet the use of female suicide bombers suggests Boko Haram will go out on a limb when it wants. The reason why they began may not be the reason why they continue. The first female suicide bombings preceded a period of territorial expansion for the group. The attacks diverted security forces, allowing the group to capture several towns in northeast Nigeria. If something works, why give it up? Their ambition shows no sign of waning. What do we know about the identity of the female bombers? We often have little or conflicting information. It's a complex situation, compounded by a lack of access to the people and the area, and by unreliable local reports. Further, a lot of attacks are not claimed by any group. Boko Haram is a loose movement, made up of different factions. How are the girls and women recruited or coerced into carrying out attacks? Recently, there have been some indications that families are involved in coercion. A 10-year-old girl who was arrested wearing a suicide vest last July was accompanied by her older sister and another older man. A 13-year-old girl arrested in December said she was coerced into carrying out a suicide attack by her father, who she described as a Boko Haram supporter. Another female suicide bomber last November was reportedly accompanied by two men, suggesting there may have been an element of doubt that she would go through with it. It has been questioned whether we can even describe the children as suicide bombers. If you are 8 years old, you simply cannot provide consent to carrying out a suicide attack. In conflict, women and men are vulnerable in different ways. Female suicide bombers may be mainly coerced, but we can't rule out that some women may be willing to participate in attacks. It's important that we should recognize that there are female supporters of Boko Haram. Although brutal, the group has a strong ideological message. If you are 8 years old, you simply cannot provide consent to carrying out a suicide attack. Does Boko Haram have a female wing? The Nigerian military first reported last July that Boko Haram has a female wing. The military had just arrested three women who it said were recruiting women to the group to be spies or marry fighters. In August, authorities detained a man who they said was training a group of female suicide bombers. But there has been little news about these cases since. But there are no signs of female fighters on the battlefield, for example, among the casualties. But women may play other roles, as they are often more able to evade authorities. In 2013, there were reports of women being arrested for smuggling weapons for Boko Haram. More recently there were arrests of male smugglers dressed as women. Do you expect female suicide bombings to continue? This tactic doesn't seem to be going away in 2015. Boko Haram does face the risk that using children as suicide bombers may end up alienating people. This is the gamble they take. Many analysts suggested that Boko Haram's use of female suicide bombers was an indication of their weakness. Many groups resort to using women suicide bombers when they're under pressure. But Boko Haram did not seem desperate. Their campaign has only grown in intensity. I don't see the group facing a shortage of recruits. They pay people to fight, they force people to fight through threats and kidnappings, and they also have a support base. They only need more people as their ambition has grown. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. More from The WorldPost's Weekly Interview Series: - Have We Got ISIS All Wrong? - Anguish In Argentina After Prosecutor's Mysterious Death - Could The New Syriza Government Be Good For Greece's Economy? - Naming The Dead: One Group's Struggle To Record Deaths From U.S. Drone Strikes In Pakistan


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Greece's Tsipras tells party, 'Battle will continue'

The Greek prime minister has told his party he won't back down in his "battle" with the country's creditors. Greece is focusing on its next move after eurozone members approved a four month extension to its bailout.


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Greece's Tsipras tells party, 'Battle will continue'

The Greek prime minister has told his party he won't back down in his "battle" with the country's creditors. Greece is focusing on its next move after eurozone members approved a four month extension to its bailout.


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Financial drama continues to unfold in Greece

While things stateside may be looking positive, more drama continues to unfold in Greece. You know things are getting contentious in the Eurozone ...


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Greek PM to present bill to address 'humanitarian crisis'

"The bill will contain specific action to provide free power and food to thousands of families that need it, to make Greece once again a civilized country.


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Humiliated Greece banks on debt relief as crisis deepens

… billing in Greek demonology as the national nemesis. "Greece will not … on Greece in 1833 by foreign powers - without seeking Greek consent … "reform" in Greece. The Greeks know from leaked IMF minutes …


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Greece: No country for young people

Many of the brightest minds in Greece are leaving the country for opportunities abroad. That will only make it harder for the economy to ever recover.


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Greece's prime minister: Bailout deal terms have been left out of loan extension agreement

by  Associated Press Greece will not seek another bailout, prime minister says Associated Press - 28 February 2015 11:45-05:00 ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's prime minister says the country won't seek a third bailout deal, having succeeded in separating the loan agreement from the "disastrous" austerity conditions imposed with the willing cooperation of previous governments. Alexis Tsipras spoke Saturday at the start of a two-day meeting of his party's, central committee. The Syriza committee will elect a new general secretary and members of the political secretariat, replacing those members who were elected to Parliament in the January election. Tsipras is Syriza's president. Tsipras warned that, although a "difficult battle in a long and difficult war" was won with the loan extension, difficulties lie ahead. "We said...many noes in the past few days," despite the sometimes unbearable pressure and blackmail, Tsipras told the party members. News Topics: Business, General news, Government and politics People, Places and Companies: Alexis Tsipras, Greece, Western Europe, Europe Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Greece Will Not Seek Another Bailout, Prime Minister Says

Greece's prime minister: Bailout deal terms have been left out of loan extension agreement


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New Poll: SYRIZA has Comfortable Lead Over New Democracy

Greek ruling party SYRIZA leads by a wide margin over main opposition New Democracy, according to a Metron Analysis opinion poll conducted on behalf of newspaper “Parapolitika,” published on Saturday. The poll was conducted right after Greece signed the Eurogroup deal. According to the survey, SYRIZA secures 42.1% in voting intent, New Democracy gets 18.3%, “To Potami” 5.7%, Golden Dawn 5.3%, Greek Communist Party (KKE) 4.1%, Independent Greeks (ANEL) 3.8%, PASOK 3%, Centrists Union 2.5%, Democrat Socialists Movement (KIDISO) 1.4% and ANDARSYA 1.1%. The vast majority of respondents (68%) said they are satisfied with Greece’s negotiations with Europe, while 23% considers the government’s handling of the talks as negative. Another 76% sees the government’s course as positive so far, versus 18% who have a negative opinion. Asked who is more suitable for Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras leads with 55% and Antonis Samaras way behind with 13%. Of those participating in the poll, 81% are in favor of Greece staying in the euro, while only 15% prefer returning to the drachma. (source: Parapolitika)


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Greece May Run Out Of Options Despite Program Extension

Greece may have secured a four-month rescue program extension, however, the country’s chances of making it on its own without needing any help are increasingly lower, as pointed out by Reuters. According to the news agency, this will result in “raising pressure on Athens to quickly implement reforms it has vocally opposed or default on debt repayments in a matter of weeks.” While Greece remains out of the markets and faces plummeting tax revenue “Athens is expected to run out of cash by the middle or end of March.” In fact, the Reuters article stresses that Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis warned that the country is going to struggle to repay its creditors. Athens is now searching for “quick fixes” to make it through the next few weeks but it is not easy to fill the financial gap. Eurozone officials hope that the liquidity crisis affecting the country will force Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to agree with the ceditors’ reform plans in late April. “The liquidity squeeze is being used to push the Greeks to very quickly start discussions on the review and finish that as soon as possible – not even waiting for the end of April,” one Eurozone official said to Reuters.


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‘International Eat a Pitogyro Day’ in Thessaloniki

There are several international days for health, social and racial discrimination, as well as other human-related matters. This year however, Thessaloniki in northern Greece will celebrate the first ever international day dedicated to pitogyro –pita with gyro and other condiments. This event may not be recognized by the United Nations or announced by an important international organization but from now on Thessalonians will honor their favorite food on May 3. The International Eat a Pitogyro Day has been organized by locals, while more than 14,000 people have RSVP’d οn the relevant Facebook page. “This event does not exclude anyone on the basis of their sex, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation (like Christmas, Mother’s day, Sinterklaas or Coming Out Day). Everybody can join the fun,” wrote the Facebook page administrators. Furthermore, the event’s Facebook page is filled with comments fueling the constant disagreement between Athenians and Thessalonians regarding the name of pitogyro, with Athenians claiming it should be called souvlaki and Thessalonians insisting on calling it pitogyro.


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Greek Government on a Collision Course with EU Membership.. Again

As the Greek government celebrates avoiding default and gaining record public support after the negotiation efforts, the currency market is not trusting ...


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Government’s Legislative Priorities Focus on Humanitarian Crisis

ATTHENS – The first draft bill to be tabled by the SYRIZA government will relate to the humanitarian crisis in Greece, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said at a cabinet meeting on Friday evening. In his address, Tsipras expressed his satisfaction over the required ratification by EU parliaments of the agreement Greece reached with its creditors, which […] The post Government’s Legislative Priorities Focus on Humanitarian Crisis appeared first on The National Herald.


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Bild provokes again

German newspaper Bild “punishes” German MPs’ for voting in favor of the Greek program


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Greece rest assured now – Bild knows best (… of the 50 shades of Weimar)

For the first time ever, the German newspaper publishes an article written in Greek – Calling Greece supposedly with compassion to return to the drachma, with ... rewards!


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Greek Prime Minister Vows No Retreat in 'Battle' with Creditors

Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, today, vowed not to back down in his "battle" with the country's creditors, in line with his election promise to abandon austerity and avoid a third bailout.


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Why Greece Should Not Switch To Bitcoin

In some discussions about Greece exiting the euro, it has been suggested that Greece should swap the euro for bitcoin. At first glance, bitcoin may ...


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Greek government vows 'no pity' in war on tax cheats

ATHENS - Greece's finance minister promised Saturday "no pity" in tackling tax evasion as the new left-wing government seeks to balance its books and avoid having to seek a third bailout. "What interests us is those who have money but who have never paid ...


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At least three GD MPs to be released ahead of trial

At least three members of Greece’s neofascist Golden Dawn party, including leader Nikos Michaloliakos, are set to be released from custody


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Greek ministry says teacher hirings to continue via ASEP

The Education Ministry issued a statement on Saturday denying that it aims to scrap the hiring process for secondary education teachers via the Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP).


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New Greek government takes softer approach to undocumented migrants

Greece remains a major point of entry to Europe for thousands of undocumented immigrants. The country's previous government had adopted a series ...


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Finance ministry defends 'vagueness' comment for Eurogroup deal

The Greek finance ministry on Saturday clarified Yanis Varoufakis' comment on "creative vagueness" in drafting the Eurogroup deal, saying the phrase was intended to describe the creativity needed to form the compromises necessary in achieving an agreement. The minister ...


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The Greek government is calling for a 'guaranteed basic income'

Within the letter sent by Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis to the European Commission, the ECB, and the IMF last night — allegedly 45 minutes before the government's Monday deadline — there was one key line that could radically transform the country's social welfare system. If it succeeds the country could redefine how we view the modern welfare state. The proposals, which have now reportedly been accepted by the Eurogroup and passed on to national governments to vote on Greece's bailout extension, contained a number of anticipated measures — including clamping down on tax avoidance and improving tax collection. But they also had one proposal that demonstrated a little more out-of-the-box thinking. Here it is: That may seem a fairly technical passage, but it speaks to one of the key debates about the future of welfare policies across the developed world. Greece is trying to provide a situation in which people, between the ages of 50-65, can remain attached to the job market even during (potentially extended) periods of joblessness. The solution? A Guaranteed Basic Income. Here's how it works. A basic income is a payment from that state that is granted to individual citizens, without means testing or having a work requirement. To its supporters it is a way of providing a basic standard of living to all citizens in a non-bureaucratic and direct fashion. While its supporters have tended to be left-wing, it has also received support from the libertarian right who view it as a way of getting around the problem of government's trying to micromanage social outcomes. As Sam Bowman, deputy director of the Adam Smith Institute, wrote last year: "The ideal welfare system is a basic income, replacing the existing anti-poverty programmes the government carries out (tax credits and most of what the Department for Work and Pensions does besides pensions and child benefit)...Like the current benefits system, this would provide a safety net. But ‘benefits traps’, where people lose as much in benefits as they earn from work, would be eliminated." The concept is to replace the convoluted welfare systems that has been built up incrementally over decades with a simple monthly payment straight into people's accounts. In a country that is suffering from high unemployment and a significant shortfall in domestic demand as a consequence, such a scheme could (in theory) offer a backstop for Greek demand. It would provide individuals with the confidence of a future income and alleviate part of the "humanitarian crisis" currently being suffered in Greece. As the letter states, one of the key planks of the Syriza-led government's plans to address the humanitarian crisis in the country is to "evaluate the pilot Minimum Guaranteed Income scheme with a view to extending it nationwide". It wouldn't be the first country to flirt with such an idea. Last year Cyprus passed a new law giving low income families a Guaranteed Minimum Income of €480 a month following its own economic crisis  — although the system has been beset by technical problems. Elsewhere, a more ambitious grass-roots movement in Switzerland calling for a 2,500 Swiss francs (£1,700) per month from the state received over 100,000 signatures needed to forced a referendum on the proposal. It is, at its core, about a redefinition of the conception that was prevalent at the inception of the modern welfare state that the point of welfare payments were to keep people "fit for work". That may have been an appropriate moniker for its time, but modern societies have developed different expectations for the quality of life that its citizens should enjoy. Just being fit enough to get into work doesn't cut it anymore. In the case of Greece it looks like such a scheme would initially be targeted at those nearing pension age in order to prevent them from taking early retirement — providing them with an income that they would otherwise draw from the state pension fund. This may be a small step in terms of what supporters of a basic income hope to achieve, but it could be another important move in bringing the concept into mainstream discussion.Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: 11 Facts That Show How Different Russia Is From The Rest Of The World


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The 20 photographs of the week

The ceasefire in Ukraine, the suspension of professional football in Greece, Madonna’s fall at the Brit awards – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week Continue reading...


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Dangerous Words From The Greek Government; I Don't Understand

All the way through this little saga of the Greek debts and their renegotiation I've been hinting (and at times insisting) that there's a much greater danger of everyone stumbling into a disaster than there is of anyone deliberately leaping into the chasm. Sometimes it's that, in the game play [...]


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