Pages

Welcome, 77 artists, 40 different points of Attica welcomes you by singing Erotokritos an epic romance written at 1713 by Vitsentzos Kornaros

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Greek FM in Brussels on Friday for NATO Foreign Ministers meeting

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will be in Brussels on Friday to participate in the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers. Kotzias is expected to highlight Greece's crucial role for the stability in the region. The meeting of Foreign Ministers will also focus ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.tornosnews.gr

Lights, Cameras, get ready for the return of Greek Week

Greek Week is back and invites students back into the world of cinema classics this year as teams of Greek chapters will base their festivities around films from the big screen. Greek Week is filled with major events such as the Volleyball Tournament on ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.lionsroarnews.com

European Court: Greece must pay damages to 42 migrants in human rights case

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ordered Greece on Thursday to pay damages totaling thousands of euros to dozens of migrants who worked as fruit pickers in strawberry farms in Manolada, Elia, saying the State had failed to prevent human ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.tornosnews.gr

Cristiano Ronaldo's bust sculptor defended his statue by comparing himself to Jesus

[Cristiano Ronaldo Statue]Octavio Passos/Getty A new and unflattering bust of international soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled at a Portuguese airport on Wednesday, sending the internet and world at large into an immediate tizzy.  On Thursday, the artist behind the goofy Ronaldo statue spoke out and cited Jesus to defend himself.  "It is impossible to please the Greeks and Trojans. Neither did Jesus please everyone," Emanuel Santos told The Guardian. "This is a matter of taste, so it is not as simple as it seems." He continued: "What matters is the impact that this work generated. There is always the possibility of making a difference, I was prepared for all this. I used as a base some photos of Cristiano Ronaldo that I found on the internet, nothing specific. I put the photos next to me and started working on the bust." Most importantly, Santos said that Ronaldo himself signed off on the statue. That is, after some minor adjustments. "Cristiano saw the photos that his brother sent him. I was with the brother at Cristiano’s museum in Madeira and from the messages he sent, I could tell that he liked what he saw,"  he said. "He only asked for some wrinkles that give him a certain expression in his face when he’s about to laugh to be changed. He said it made him look older and asked for it to be thinned out a bit to make it smoother and more jovial. But they gave it the go-ahead; they liked what they saw." Considering that Ronaldo makes a hair stylist regularly touch up the hair on the wax museum statue of himself in order to keep it up to date, that Ronaldo would also have asked this sculptor to touch up some wrinkles seems completely believable.  NOW WATCH: Nate Silver has the perfect formula for winning your March Madness bracket


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.businessinsider.com

Greek Holocaust memorial smashed

A Holocaust memorial was vandalized in the town of Kavala in Greece Wednesday night, the Greek news site Ekathimerini reported. The marble-coated memorial to the 1,484 Jews from Kavala who were murdered in Nazi death camps, which was erected a year ago ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.israelnationalnews.com

Students Plan 'Peaceful Protest' Against Restrictions Imposed On Penn State GREEK Life

In light of the significant regulations placed on Penn State GREEK life today, students are planning a peaceful protest on Old Main Lawn this evening ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT onwardstate.com

Facebook event calls for peaceful protest against recent GREEK life restrictions

A Facebook eventfor a "Peaceful Protest Against the Restrictions on GREEK Life" has surfaced following Penn State's announcement regarding new ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.collegian.psu.edu

Penn State bans frat chapter, announces strict party rules after student’s death

The party is calming down for Greek life at Penn State University weeks after a student’s fatal fall at a frat party there. The university issued a series of strict new rules for fraternities and sororities Thursday — including a crackdown on kegs and ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.nydailynews.com

Get Out: RTG stages ‘Greek Mythology’

A wacky, Cliff Notes’ version of ancient history opens Friday (March 31) with “The Iliad, The Odyssey and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes of Less” at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave. With the clock ticking in front of the ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.kenoshanews.com

Refugee sets himself ablaze on Greek island of Chios

A Syrian refugee on Thursday set himself on fire on the Greek island of Chios, apparently in despair over conditions at the Vial refugee camp, a news agency reported. The report stated that the man was taken to the local hospital with severe burns.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT thenationonlineng.net

“Sense Zagori Project”, an Initiative to Promote the Region of Zagori

IOANNINA, Greece (ANA) – The National University of Athens and the Zagoria Excellence Network presented the launch of “Sense Zagori Project”, a project that concerns […] The post “Sense Zagori Project”, an Initiative to Promote the Region of Zagori appeared first on The National Herald.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com

Syrian Refugee Self-Immolates Over Delays in Asylum Request

CHIOS, Greece (ANA) – A Syrian refugee suffered serious burns on Thursday after setting himself on fire to protest his extended stay at the VIAL […] The post Syrian Refugee Self-Immolates Over Delays in Asylum Request appeared first on The National Herald.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com

Privatized Greek Airports Will Put Ticket Surcharge On Toddlers, Children

ATHENS – A private company taking over 14 Greek regional airports is going to levy taxes on children aged 2-5 for the first time, tacking […] The post Privatized Greek Airports Will Put Ticket Surcharge On Toddlers, Children appeared first on The National Herald.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com

Archdiocese Appoints a Chief Financial Officer

By Theodore Kalmoukos NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America appointed Fr. Soterios Baroody as Chief Financial Officer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese […] The post Archdiocese Appoints a Chief Financial Officer appeared first on The National Herald.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thenationalherald.com

Syrian migrant sets himself on fire in GREEK migrant camp

A Syrian man (pictured above left) set himself on fire today at a migrant camp on the GREEK island of Chios in despair over his bid to gain asylum.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.dailymail.co.uk

2013 Shooting at GREEK Farm: Bangladeshi fruit pickers win case

The Council of Europe's Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday in favor of 42 Bangladeshi nationals, and ordered the GREEK state to pay them ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.thedailystar.net

After a Student Dies, Penn State Bans a Fraternity and Liquor at All Greek Houses

Pennsylvania State University on Thursday permanently banned a fraternity after a student died and announced a sweeping set of measures designed to crack down on what officials described as “growing evidence of problems” related to hazing, alcohol ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.chronicle.com

Leftover Greek Lamb Moussaka

Leftover lamb moussaka is a great way to put a new spin on your leftover lamb roast! Tender eggplant and a hearty meat sauce, all layered up and topped with rich, creamy bechamel sauce, then baked until golden brown. Move aside Italian comfort food, it’s ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.justalittlebitofbacon.com

Penn State cracks down on Greek life in wake of N.J. teen's death

The parties will continue at Penn State University fraternities but they're going to get much tamer and more infrequent thanks to new rules implemented by the university on Thursday, almost two months after a Hunterdon County teen died from a fall during a ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.nj.com

Greece: Demy to perform on Rising Star this Sunday

Demy kept her promise and now the Greek (and not only) audience is waiting for her very first live performance of her entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, This is love. The 25 year old Greek singer is going to appear on the stage of the talent show Rising ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT esctoday.com

From obscurity in Greece to Bucks stardom, Giannis Antetokounmpo just keeps getting better

March 30, 2017 1:48pm EDT March 30, 2017 1:46pm EDT It's been a long road for "The Greek Freak." But as he sees it, his journey is just starting. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Getty Images) Updated at 1:48 p.m. ET Updated at 1:48 p.m. ET Giannis Antetokounmpo has ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.sportingnews.com

GREEK 'Survivor' contestants hurt in accident

Two contestants on Skai TV's hit reality show “Survivor” were injured in a road accident on Thursday on the Caribbean island of Dominica, where the ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.ekathimerini.com

Air Force squadrons join exercises in Greece, Netherlands

… annual Exercise Iniohos 17 in Greece. “This exercise gives us the … Adravida Air Base in western Greece, brings together pilots and flight … Arab Emirates, Israel, Italy, and Greece. Twelve Air Force F-16C Fighting …


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT world.einnews.com

Greece under fire over migrant ‘forced labor’

… top human rights court accused Greece on Thursday of failing to … triggered outrage across the country. Greek authorities, the court said, had … situation in the strawberry plantations. Greece is a gateway for migrants …


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT world.einnews.com

Greece to pay Bangladeshis over shooting

… at by their employer in Greece after demanding pay have won … court ruled on Thursday that Greece had "failed in its … . Image copyright AP Image caption Greece has been ordered to pay … in the Greek economy," he added. Nea Manolada in Greece has …


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT world.einnews.com

Greece's National Bank profitable in Q4, bad debt charges drop

ATHENS, March 30 Greece's second largest lender …


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT world.einnews.com

Migrants win Greece shooting court battle

… at by their employer in Greece after demanding pay have won … court ruled on Thursday that Greece had "failed in its … . Image copyright AP Image caption Greece has been ordered to pay … in the Greek economy," he added. Nea Manolada in Greece has …


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT world.einnews.com

Greek Education Ministry to Abolish ‘Conduct’ Grading in Schools

Twenty-eight Syriza MPs have proposed that the “decent conduct” grading of students who deviate from proper behavior should be abolished, with the education minister agreeing to the new measure. Under Presidential Decree 104 of 1979, the conduct of ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

Greek Lenders Alpha Bank, National Bank Returned to Profitability in 2016

ATHENS—Greek banks Alpha Bank and National Bank returned to profitability in 2016 and reduced their exposure to nonperforming loans. Greek lenders have been saddled with a mountain of bad debts caused by the country’s economic crisis that wiped out ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.wsj.com

Greek church donates to Boys & Girls Clubs

PORT ST. LUCIE — The Rev. John Mamangakis and Dennis Starr from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church recently met with Will Armstead, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County, to donate part of the proceeds from the 38th annual Original Greek ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.tcpalm.com

Chios: Syrian refugee set himself on fire, police officer injured too

A Syrian refugee set himself on fire in the hot spot of VIAL on the island of Chios on Thursday noon. A policeman who attempted to save him was also injured though slighter than the man. The refugee is in critical condition as he suffered severe burn injuries 85% of his body. He was rushed … The post Chios: Syrian refugee set himself on fire, police officer injured too appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.keeptalkinggreece.com

Comments Policy poll: The people have spoken

Stricter Moderation. Done. Comments anarchy is over. Done. Thank you for taking part. KTG The post Comments Policy poll: The people have spoken appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.keeptalkinggreece.com

The Latest: Syrian refugee sets self on fire at Greek camp

Greek police say a Syrian refugee suffered severe burns after setting himself on fire at a camp on the eastern Aegean Sea island of Chios. Police say the motive for the 29-year-old man's action was not immediately clear. A police statement said the refugee ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT abcnews.go.com

Beta Theta Pi permanently banned; new restrictions put on GREEK-letter groups

In light of the ongoing investigation of Beta Theta Pi and growing evidence of problems within the University's GREEK-letter community, Penn State also ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT news.psu.edu

Penn State Cancels Fall 2017 GREEK Recruitment, Imposes Additional Social Regulations

After that, students will be required to have 12 full-time credits under their belts before they're allowed to go GREEK. There's a possibility the university ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT onwardstate.com

IFC Denounces Fall Rush Cancellation, Says Students Weren't Included In Conversation

Penn State announced significant changes to the GREEK system today, including canceling fall 2017 recruitment and restricting fraternity chapters to ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT onwardstate.com

Singer Iro and Diaspora schoolchildren in GREEK music Frankfurt concert

GREEK schoolchildren of the European school of Frankfurt will sing songs of famous GREEK composers. They will rediscover their roots and will become ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.tornosnews.gr

Saddle Up, Ancient GREEK Cowpokes: Psych-Weirdo Sun Araw Goes Country On 'A Chute'

"Definitely cowboy poetry was something I got interested in." Well, that's one way to describe an ancient GREEK epic. By Cameron Stallones' reckoning, ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.npr.org

Under EU rules, asylum seekers may be uprooted a second time

An estimated 22,000 asylum seekers currently in France are in a situation of legal limbo. They are deemed eligible to apply for asylum in the EU - but under what's known as the Dublin Regulation, they have to return to the EU country where they were first formally registered. That usually means Greece, Italy or Hungary - but can also be Germany or Sweden. Our team went to meet some of these asylum seekers in Paris, who now face the prospect of being uprooted again.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.france24.com

Preparations underway for annual Easter sale at Greek church

Preparations underway for annual Easter sale at Greek church Joann Santikos mixes the ingredients to make Easter breads that will be sold at the annual St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Easter Bake Sale on Thursday, March 30, 2017. The sale, which ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.caller.com

Holocaust Memorial Vandalized in Kavala, Northern Greece

A Holocaust memorial in Kavala, northern Greece, was partially destroyed on Wednesday night, local media reported. The vandalism occurred only a few days after a holocaust monument in Arta was desecrated with paint. As reported by Ekathimerini, the vandals ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

A valiant attempt to not do a press interview

Today: when no news is news, Greeks and Trojans, Franco Baresi and xG xplained When the ladies and gentlemen of the Fourth Estate convened to fire interrogatory projectiles Arsène Wenger’s way this morning, it’s a fair bet none of them were expecting him to make an announcement on his Arsenal future. Nevertheless, just a day after the confirmation of one irreversible high-profile and potentially disastrous exit that has long divided opinion, it would have been a dereliction of journalistic duty not to enquire if there was any news of another on the way. And so it came to pass that Arsenal’s manager was peppered with questions about whether or not he’ll be staying at the club once his contract expires this summer, most of which he batted away by saying that while he’s “clear” on what he wants to do, he is not yet ready to reveal his plans. Continue reading...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com

Why Doesn't Germany Do More To Protect Itself And Europe?

In recent history no European nation has demonstrated greater military prowess then Germany. That competence had tragic consequences in World War II and colors Berlin’s approach to the world today. However, more than seven decades after that horrendous conflict’s end Germany should take on the defense responsibilities appropriate for a significant power. For years American officials have urged, asked, and even begged the Europeans to spend more on their militaries. Six years ago Defense Secretary Robert Gates argued: “The blunt reality is that there will be dwindling appetite and patience in the U.S. Congress, and in the American body politic writ large, to expend increasingly precious funds on behalf of nations that are apparently unwilling to devote the necessary resources.” But Europe’s governments consistently refused, even during the Cold War when facing what Ronald Reagan called the “Evil Empire.” Like the domestic welfare cheats of political lore, they consistently preferred dependency to work. In fact, the Europeans long have been _reducing_ military expenditures. Only four of the European members currently spend at least two percent of GDP on the military, NATO’s admittedly arbitrary standard. They include just one of the three Baltic nations which profess to be so concerned about potential Russian aggression. Only one of the largest states with the most proficient militaries, the United Kingdom, hits the mark, and only through statistical legerdemain. An independent analysis concluded that despite claims to the contrary, Poland, too, fell short, despite claims to the contrary, leaving only Estonia and Greece at two percent or above. France lags as well. But Germany, further east and most closely connected to the nations bordering Russia, does even worse. Last year Berlin devoted 1.19 percent of GDP to the military. Either Germans are cheap-riding or believe they face no serious security threat. In either case, Americans shouldn’t be expected to subsidize Germany’s defense. In fact, President Donald Trump and his officials have been pressing the issue. Defense Secretary James Mattis said “America will meet its responsibilities, but if your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals needs to show support for our common defense.” The president recently made much the same pitch: “We strongly support NATO, we only ask that all NATO members make their full and proper financial contribution to the NATO alliance, which many of them have not been doing.” Of course, that’s an unpopular argument to Europeans. They tend to dismiss this as a grubby preoccupation with money. First, if you just look at NATO costs—$2.8 billion in common funding, for instance—the Europeans argue that they look better. Of that amount, Washington provides just 22 percent, followed by Germany at 15 percent. But common funding is not force structure. NATO only has manpower and weapons to the extent that its members have manpower and weapons. Which means mostly the U.S. Second, contend the Europeans, the relationship should be about trust and solidarity. Thus speak advocates of nations that deny trust and solidarity with the country they expect to defend their own. Cynics might point out how such an attitude is more than a little convenient. Why don’t the Europeans show trust and solidarity and promote America’s security? The position of Germany is of particular note. It simultaneously bears the greatest historical responsibility for Europe’s current make-up, possesses the most abundant resources available to protect the continent, and has the most at stake in today’s European order. Berlin has spent the last seven decades atoning for its past. If Germany will not step up militarily, then who will? And if no one will, why should the U.S. continue to fill the gap? A large German increase is necessary for Europe to come anywhere close to the extra $100 billion sought from the continent. Some countries, such as Italy, continue to retrench, while others which are spending more are minor contributors. Noted Fabrice Pothier, a former NATO staffer at Rasmussen Global, “Now more than ever, $100 billion is a long shot. Other important European players—such as Italy, Spain and the Netherlands—are either too small or too economically weak to have much of an effect on the European defense budget. In this scenario, Germany’s $30 billion could make all the difference between a stronger Europe or a weaker one.” Secretary Mattis apparently worried after his first meeting with German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen that the administration’s message was not clear. Noted _Der Spiegel’s_ Konstantin von Hammerstein and Peter Mueller: “Mattis had opted for a polite formulation, saying diplomatically that there was a certain amount of ‘impatience’ in Washington regarding the German contribution to the Western alliance. In other words: It’s time to finally pay your share or things will get uncomfortable! It seemed as though von der Leyen had been lulled into complacency by the friendly atmosphere and hadn’t recognized the urgency of Mattis’ message.” However, it now appears that the Trump administration has achieved what none of its predecessors could—win a commitment from Berlin to meet the NATO two percent standard. Although German officials deny responding to Trump, the timing looks more than a little coincidental. On Saturday Chancellor Angela Merkel told a campaign rally: “Obligations have to be fulfilled and others in the world will demand that of us, and I think they’re right that Germany must fulfill its obligations too.” She earlier told a party organization: “In the 21st Century, we won’t be getting as much help as we got in the 20th. We need to greatly increase the Bundeswehr budget to get from 1.2 to two percent.” Von der Leyen also has been pressing her government to do more. She admitted that other NATO members saw Germany was “doing so well economically” and described Washington’s demands for greater burden-sharing as “fair.” At the recent Munich Security Conference she admitted “yes, we know that we must bear a larger, fairer, share of the burden for trans-Atlantic security.” And she announced: “We Germans want to accept this challenge, and we want to accept it as Europeans.” The Bundeswehr is planning to add 20,000 personnel by 2024 and take a more active role in NATO operations, such as deploying 450 troops in Lithuania. Moreover, Berlin recently inked agreements with France and the Netherlands to create joint fleets of transport and tanker planes, respectively. In January von der Leyen unveiled a $135 billion procurement program through 2030. She said: “I am sure that this will find attention and recognition in Washington.” However, Trump administration officials are likely more interested to see if Germany follows through with the Merkel government’s plans. Reaching two percent requires Germany to almost double its present outlays. Von der Leyen stated the obvious: “We’re moving in the right direction, but we can’t do it in one year.” Alas, it isn’t obvious that Germany can do it in seven years either. Recent annual increases have been modest. Last year the rate was two percent, and in 2015 just 1.2 percent. The previous two years German military outlays shrank in real terms. This year is supposed to be a more impressive 6.8 percent, but that still will barely nudge German outlays to 1.22 percent of GDP. And observers doubt Berlin will sustain similar increases in the future. Despite its past vaunted military experience, Germany faces many problems. The International Institute for Strategic Studies observed that “the Bundeswehr is already struggling with recruitment and retention” and the “German armed forces are struggling to improve their readiness levels in light of increasing demands on NATO’s eastern flank.” Moreover, “the budget cuts of previous years have led to a shortage of spare parts and maintenance problems.” Despite Berlin’s assurances, many of Germany’s neighbors are skeptical. Explained Fabrice Pothier: “The Bundeswehr is underperforming and has a limited ability to deploy its own troops or those of its allies. Germany is one of the world’s leading defense manufacturers and exporters, but too much of its defense budget is apportioned to personnel spending. No wonder, then, that German pledges to increase spending are usually met in Paris with an ironic shrug that it will only serve to make German officer pensions more attractive.” Moreover, upcoming elections might upend Germany’s pledge. Germany long has emphasized balanced budgets and resisted an active military role. Polls of public opinion are conflicting. In late 2015 the public favored expanding defense outlays by 56 to 30 percent. But in December another poll found two thirds of Germans opposed to spending more on the military. When Merkel advocated increasing military outlays even she felt constrained to add that “the matters of development and crisis prevention are also important.” In fact, the government is divided, with control of the Foreign Ministry and other positions in the hands of the Social Democratic Party, the junior member of the “grand coalition.” The SPD already has blocked some of Merkel’s defense initiatives, such as increased military sales to Saudi Arabia. Last June Sigmar Gabriel, SPD chairman, complained: “We’ve fallen back into a kind of logic I know from my youth, in which the only question being discussed is who has to spend more money to procure arms.” Other SPD officials have spoken of “NATO saber rattling.” At the recent Munich Security Conference Gabriel, now also foreign minister and vice-chancellor, doubted the wisdom of going along with U.S. pressure, though he believed Berlin would have to spend more. Gabriel opined: “One has to ask whether it would really calm Germany’s neighbors if we turned into a big military power in Europe and … spent over 60 billion euros [roughly $63 billion] a year” on the military. He suggested that outlays for refugees was a preventative measure and should count as equivalent. An overemphasis on the military, he warned, “will not allow us to fight climate change, drought or poverty.” Indeed, “military intervention also taps funding that could be better spent in combatting hunger and misery.” As for Chancellor Merkel’s promise to reach the two percent level by 2024, he tartly observed: “I don’t know where this money should come from.” Similarly, SPD Vice chairman Ralf Stegner said “Tanks instead of social security is a completely false debate.” The SPD’s parliamentary whip, Thomas Oppermann argued that “We should not make the mistake and trigger off a new arms race.” The SPD defense policy spokesman, Rainer Arnold, said simply that the two percent objective is “unrealistic.” The betting is that attention on American demands will benefit the SPD in the election this fall. While anti-Americanism is not likely to play as well as it did in 2002 when Gerhard Schroeder essentially ran against the Bush administration and its myopic plan for war in Iraq, opposition to both increased military spending and compliance with U.S. demands could energize SPD voters. Merkel’s party has responded by promising to maintain social outlays, but has not yet answered Gabriel’s question about the source of the extra money for defense. In fact, the most fundamental problem may be that many Germans perceive no threats to warrant more “defense” outlays. They aren’t consciously cheap-riding. They simply aren’t worried. Merkel argued: “We have to spend more for our external security. The conflicts of this world are currently on Europe’s doorstep, massively so.” However, a bigger military doesn’t look like the answer to Germans’ greatest security concerns: refugee flows and terrorist attacks. And no one has suggested intervening in Syria’s civil war—that is routinely seen as America’s job. As for Russia, few Germans appear to believe its brutish behavior toward Georgia and Ukraine portends an attack on Poland, let alone Germany. For all of the fretting in the Baltics and tut-tutting elsewhere in Europe and America about Moscow’s actions, no one has provided any evidence that Vladimir Putin is mad enough to try to conquer Europe. What would Russia gain by triggering a potential nuclear war while attempting to swallow the continent backed by the U.S.? What evidence is there that the cynical authoritarian ruling in Moscow has morphed into a Slavic Adolf Hitler? Berlin’s commitment to a substantial military build-up almost certainly will flag well before it reaches the two percent level. Which would result in renewed pressure from Washington. And a potential bilateral confrontation. Administration officials see Germany as key. Wrote Hammerstein and Mueller: “It is increasingly clear that things could soon become uncomfortable for Berlin. The Pentagon sees Germany as the most important country in Europe, the one that sets the tone on the Continent. If the Germans don’t pay their share, U.S. defense officials believe, smaller European countries will follow suit, essentially hiding behind Berlin’s coat tail. The pressure from Washington, in other words, is only going to grow in intensity.” And if Germany resists Secretary Mattis will be forced to confront his own red line: does he support America reducing its commitment to alliance with those unwilling to do substantially more to protect themselves? Unless the majority of NATO’s European members consistently spend a lot more on the military, an alliance showdown has only been deferred. This article was first published in Forbes online. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.huffingtonpost.com

Penn State announces Greek life changes

University Park, Centre County, Pa. - As Penn State's student conduct investigation of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity continues, more disturbing facts have emerged, including a persistent pattern of serious alcohol abuse, hazing, and the use and sale of ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.wearecentralpa.com

Syrian refugee critical after self-immolation in Chios

A Syrian refugee is in critical condition after setting himself fire on the Greek island of Chios, according to medical sources. The man, 29, sustained burns to 85 percent of his body after dousing himself in fuel around 14:00 GMT on Thursday inside the ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.aljazeera.com

European Court Fines Greece for Violation of Foreign Workers’ Rights

The European Court of Human Rights vindicated the victims and awarded damages of thousands of euros for migrants who were employed in strawberry crops in Manolada under appalling living and working conditions. Judging the appeal of 42 laborers from ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com

Migrant fruit pickers win landmark human rights case against Greek govt

[Preview] A group of 42 migrant fruit pickers who were shot at for demanding their unpaid wages have won their case against the Greek government in Europe’s highest human rights court, overturning the paltry €43 damages that were first awarded to the workers. Read Full Article at RT.com


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.rt.com

Photos: Oak Grove Elementary School's 3rd graders perform 'This Land Called Greece'

Oak Grove Elementary School's 3rd graders took to the stage for family and classmates to show what they've learned about Ancient Greece. Under the direction of music teacher Gloria Howell, they performed a show called, "This Land Called Greece.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.roanoke.com

Greece: Victory for strawberry pickers, trafficked into forced labour and shot

Following today’s victory in the European Court of Human Rights by a group of Bangladeshi strawberry pickers shot by employers for demanding unpaid wages, Amnesty International's Deputy Europe Director Gauri van Gulik said: “Today's judgment is an ...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.amnesty.org

There are Still Some Thorns that Prevent Agreement, Say EU Sources

European sources on Thursday said that progress has been recorded in the deliberations between the Greek government and the institutions, noting that there are still, however, some “thorns” that do not allow the reaching of an agreement that will pave the way for a Staff Level Agreement. According to information from Brussels the danger of […]


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com