Daily Archives: June 13, 2014

Στα $3,2 τρις ο συνολικός πλούτος των Αυστραλών.

Μπορεί να μην το μαρτυρά το δικό σας πορτοφόλι ή ο τραπεζικός σας λογαριασμός, αλλά, σύμφωνα με έρευνα της Boston Consulting Group, το 2013 ο αριθμός των εκατομμυριούχων της χώρας αυξήθηκε κατά 40.000. Συνολικά, με την εκπνοή του οικονομικού έτους 2012-2013, ο αριθμός των νοικοκυριών η περιουσία των οποίων ξεπερνούσε το $1 εκατ. έφτασε τις 195,000.

Η αύξηση των εκατομμυριούχων το 2013 σε σχέση με τον αντίστοιχο αριθμό το 2012 ήταν της τάξης του 28% ενώ ο πλούτος μας – τους αν εσείς δεν νοιώθετε πλούσιος- αυξάνονταν κατά $1 δις την μέρα κατά το ίδιος οικονομικό έτος.

Στην τελευταία έκθεση της Boston Consulting Group που από το 2001 μετρά τον πλούτο των Αυστραλών, εκτός από έναν τρελό χορό εκατομμυρίων, δισεκατομμυρίων και τρισεκατομμυρίων συμπεριλαμβάνονται και σημαντικές επισημάνσεις. Μία απ’ αυτές ότι το ποσοστό αύξησης των εκατομμυριούχων της χώρας το 2013 ήταν το μεγαλύτερο που παρατηρήθηκε από το 2008 όταν ξέσπασε η Παγκόσμια Οικονομική Κρίση.

Σημαντική επίσης και η επισήμανση, έστω και αν κάποιοι απ’ εσάς μπορεί να την αμφισβητήσετε, ότι στην Αυστραλία η κατανομή του πλούτου είναι «δικαιότερη» σε σύγκριση με αυτό που ισχύει και συμβαίνει στις ΗΠΑ, την Ελβετία, τη Σιγκαπούρη ή το Χονγκ Κονγκ. Και αυτό γιατί εδώ η συσσώρευση πλούτου, όπως, τουλάχιστον, αποκαλύπτουν οι αριθμοί, δεν αποτελεί μοναδικό προνόμιο των ήδη πλουσίων αλλά και πολλών που από άποψη οικονομικής ευρωστίας ανήκουν στην λεγόμενη «μεσαία τάξη».

Και ενώ τα εκατομμύρια ζεσταίνουν τις τσέπες μας ή -πιο εύστοχα- τις τσέπες πολλών συμπολιτών μας, να αναφέρουμε ότι στην Αυστραλία το ένα στα 50 νοικοκυριά είναι αυτό με τα εκατομμύρια ενώ στις ΗΠΑ η αντίστοιχη συχνότητα εκατομμυριούχων είναι 1 στα 18 νοικοκυριά.

Πηγή: Νέος Κόσμος

Kimon Taliadoros ready for the World Cup.

Proudly representing Australia in the international football scene, former Socceroos Stan Lazaridis, Charlie Yankos, Kimon Taliadoros and Peter Raskopoulos share their opinions on this year’s World Cup.

There are probably six teams that can win this World Cup for me. I think a lot of the South American teams – Brazil, Argentina – are going to be favourites. Maybe Colombia and Uruguay are going to have good World Cup but I don’t think they can win.
Then you have Spain or Germany from the European side that are going to be very hard to beat. Another team that I think will do well is Belgium.
When it comes to Greece, I think Greece has a very good chance to make it to quarterfinals.
My heart is with Australia and Greece, but I have to be honest – I don’t think Australia can get through the group. But let’s not judge Australia. A lot of young players came in, first time at the World Cup. I want them to go there and play with no fear, to play relaxed and to play together and give everything they have, and I think if they do that we won’t get disgraced and we may even surprise someone.
Ange Postecoglou is a very good appointment. I like what he has done until now. Of course, we can’t expect him to go there and make the boys play well, he has only been there for six months. He had to let go of some senior players. He kept Bresciano, Cahill, and he has some really good young players like Mile Jedinak, Spiranovic.

Kimon Taliadoros
(9 caps)

The competition is being held in South America, and no European team has ever won there. It’s hard to imagine that would change at this World Cup, with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile all being so competitive.
From an Australian perspective I think we are all quite realistic about the challenges we face and the stage we are at in the team life cycle. We are at the start of hopefully building an era of becoming more competitive.
When Greece won the European championship, it showed they were starting to fulfil some of the potential they have always shown as a football nation. Now teams find it difficult to beat Greece.
Ange Postecoglou is the person I hold in the highest esteem as a former teammate at South Melbourne Hellas. He was my captain, he always led by deed and action and is a super motivator and a great student of the game. So one thing that the Socceroos do have is a football zealot at the helm, a man experienced at the international level, with great commitment to his football philosophy, which I think in many ways reflects the modern Australian approach to football.

Charlie Yankos
(49 caps and in Brazil to support the team)

I believe it will be a South American team to win the Cup. If not, then Germany. They did exceptionally well at the last World Cup and they have a lot of good players. Most people are going to predict Brazil. They have a great team, they are experienced, but also under a lot of pressure at home and a huge amount of expectation. The only other dark horse from that perspective – if Messi plays and he plays to his potential – then I believe Argentina could have a shot at it.
From Australia and Greece, no one is going to expect much, that’s the reality. Potentially there will be some upsets, but I don’t think that the upsets would be enough to push people past the first group. Do the upsets mean that Australia can beat Spain – no, I don’t think so! People have to appreciate that we have a relatively new coach in this environment, we’ve got young players. In terms of experience and exposure at the highest level of football – it’s not there. If they go out there and play as hard as they possibly can, that’s what we should be proud about, it doesn’t matter what the result is.
Ange – I think it’s a hard one, it will be challenging for him. His preparation has only really been when the squad got together 10 days ago. And then the new players – it’s not like they had 30-40 games for the team, these kids haven’t done that.
As a person I think Ange is wonderful. He’s gained the respect of all supporters as a person, due to his engagement for the game with the people. I think that needed to happen. We needed to have a bit more connection between the Australian representation and the people. Just the team – they didn’t want reporters, spectators around – whereas Ange has a different philosophy – engage with people.

Peter Raskopoulos
(14 caps)

My thoughts are on Brazil and Spain, one of the two. I don’t think Australia will go through the first round, but I still have faith in Greece, they still have the possibility of going through to the second round. They are a team that doesn’t allow too many goals, so they have better chances than Australia.
There is no easy group. Everyone keeps saying that Group C is difficult – but you’ll always find teams that surprise in the group, and you’ll always find those that don’t perform up to expectations. Australia is obviously in a difficult group with Spain and the Netherlands, but all groups are difficult.
When it comes to Ange Postecoglou – I played against Ange, and I know him quite well. I think he is going to do a great job, but I also think we don’t have the quality of players that we had in previous years. So, in realistic terms, I think it’s a building thing for Ange, looking to the future, the Asia Cup and the following World Cup. He’s done a great job, he picked a lot of young kids, and hopefully it will pay off in the next couple of years.

source: Neos Kosmos

Ανησυχητική δεν είναι τόσο η ποσότητα, αλλά η συχνότητα με την οποία πίνουν.

Πρόσφατη μελέτη της ερευνήτριας Hanna Watling, από το Πανεπιστήμιο Τεχνολογίας Κουίνσλαντ αποκαλύπτει ότι οι γυναίκες μέσης ηλικίας στην Αυστραλία καταναλώνουν πιο συχνά αλκοόλ από… τις κόρες τους!

Σύμφωνα με την κ. Watling, ανησυχητική δεν είναι τόσο η ποσότητα, αλλά η συχνότητα με την οποία πίνουν. Ωστόσο, περίπου 13% των γυναικών 45-59 ετών πίνουν κατά μέσο όρο περισσότερα από δύο ποτά την ημέρα.

Εκτιμάται ότι όταν οι γυναίκες αυξάνουν την ημερήσια κατανάλωση αλκοόλ από δύο σε τρία ποτήρια, ο κίνδυνος θανάτου που διατρέχουν από παθήσεις που σχετίζονται με το αλκοόλ, όπως καρδιακές, ηπατικές, υψηλή πίεση και ο κίνδυνος καρκίνου τριπλασιάζεται!

Η μελέτη πρόκειται να συνεχιστεί με διαδικτυακή έρευνα με σκοπό να εντοπιστούν οι αιτίες που βρίσκονται πίσω από τα πρώτα ευρήματα. Στην έρευνα συμμετέχουν μεσήλικες γυναίκες που έχουν καταναλώσει αλκοόλ τουλάχιστον μία φορά τον τελευταίο μήνα.

Οι νεότερες γυναίκες πίνουν περισσότερο, όμως όσο μεγαλώνουν φαίνεται ότι προσφεύγουν στην κατανάλωση αλκοόλ όχι για να μεθύσουν, αλλά επειδή το αλκοόλ αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό κομμάτι της καθημερινότητάς τους, όπως, για παράδειγμα, πίνοντας κρασί στη διάρκεια του δείπνου ή βλέποντας τηλεόραση.

«Το αλκοόλ, επίσης, γίνεται τρόπος αντιμετώπισης του στρες που προκαλεί η πολυάσχολη ζωή, οι οικογενειακές ανησυχίες, η εργασιακή πίεση ή οι κοινωνικές υποχρεώσεις.
«Αυτό που μας ανησυχεί είναι ότι αυτές οι γυναίκες πίνουν μετρημένα αλλά συχνά μπορεί να καταλήγουν να καταναλώσουν μεγαλύτερη ποσότητα αλκοόλ από αυτές που πίνουν πολύ αλλά λιγότερο συχνά» επισήμανε η κ. Watling.

Πηγή:Νέος Κόσμος

L-R: Dimitrios Belias and George Germanos. Photo supplied.

A Melbourne based crime syndicate believed to be behind a number of heists claiming more than $6 million is now being investigated by Victoria Police over three executions.

According to the Melbourne daily Herald Sun, police now suspect that the same gang is involved in cold-blooded killings and other criminal activity spanning 22 years.

The taskforce, which is running Operation Tideland, has been investigating a link between the heists and the murders since January this year.
“We are investigating the three murders but also a number of historical armed robberies that we believe have been committed by the same sophisticated criminal syndicate,” taskforce head detective Sen-Sgt Mark Burnett said, speaking to the Herald Sun.

The murders under investigations are those of George Germanos at Armadale in 2001, Dimitrios Belias in St Kilda Road in 1999 and Maryanna Lanciana at Werribee in 1994.

Victoria Police offered two $1 million rewards earlier this year for leads that might result in the arrest of the killer of Dimitrios Belias and George Germanos.
Dimitrios Bellias was killed in an execution-style murder in a car park on St Kilda Road in 1999, while George Germanos was fatally shot in 2001 and his body was found in a park in Armadale.

People able to assist the investigations can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au

source: Neos Kosmos

Tim Cahill weary of Chille’s tactics. Photo: AAP/Dan Himbrechts.

Mark Bresciano in training and a hopeful to start on Friday.

Socceroos striker Tim Cahill is expecting the Chileans to try and put him off his game with some underhanded tactics when they clash in their World Cup opener on Saturday morning (AEST).

The Socceroos had their first partially closed training session on Wednesday since arriving to Brazil as they looked to fine-tune their gameplan for the crucial first clash in Cuiaba, Brazil.

All 23 squad members have all been declared fit and were all at training on Wednesday with veteran playmaker Mark Bresciano, who has been battling a back complaint, a likely starter.

“The way Mark Bresciano has been training, I feel that he looks confident,” Cahill said.

“There’s 23 players that are ready to go and I’m hoping that Bresc is one of those.”

Cahill, Australia’s biggest threat up front, will start at the point of attack against Chile with Tommy Oar set to be on the left wing and Mathew Leckie on the right.

With Cahill’s aerial advantage, the veteran striker is prepared for a bit of rough and tumble play from the Chileans in the box.

“I know for a fact that they’ll have someone, or a few holding and shirt pulling and things like that to put me off my game. But that’s no different to what I’ve had in the past,” he said.

“It’s a competition where a little nudge can change the way you head a ball or the way you attack a ball or even defend a ball.

“So it will be no different to the way we’re going to be and for us we’re up for every single battle. We’re going to stand up and be counted.

“Hopefully the referees clamp down on it this campaign.”

Chile’s key midfielder Arturo Vidal is set to miss the clash with inflammation on his knee after having surgery last month.

The Juventus star was reported to have re-joined team training on Wednesday and appeared to be moving well.

Cahill said he would not be surprised if creating doubt about Vidal’s availability was just a tactical move from coach Jorge Sampaoli.

“It may be a tactical advantage for them, maybe he’ll show up on the day and play,” Cahill said.

“So for us we have to worry about ourselves. Vidal is a player that brings a lot to their team but at the same time, whoever steps in can do just as good a job as he can for Chile.”

Source: AAP

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has no concern about being ignored – and largely written off – by the football world heading into Saturday morning’s [AEST] opening World Cup clash against Chile in Cuiaba.

As the lowest-ranked team in Brazil, Australia have been cast by the press and public alike as the whipping boys of a group that also contains the finalists of the last World Cup, champions Spain and runners-up The Netherlands.

But speaking for the last time for tournament begins, Postecoglou looked relaxed, confident and utterly unfazed about his side being so widely derided.

“It doesn’t bother us one bit. People don’t pay attention to us, that’s fine. We understand it’s a very tough group,” he said on Thursday night [local time]. “If you look at the rankings, then I’m sure people see us as outsiders, but that’s ok. We prepare the same. We know it’s going to be a tough group to play in but we’ll be preparing for that and we’re ready for it.”

However, Postecoglou is under no illusions about the quality of La Roja, a side many believe are more than capable of shocking the established superpowers of the group.

“We’ve analysed them, they’re a very good team and they’ve had great success in recent times,” he said. “From their perspective, they must feel as though they can make a great impact at this tournament. They’re exceptionally strong unit and their form is very good. For us, we know it will be a massive challenge.”

One key factor in Australia’s favour is that Mark Bresciano has been passed fit to play and will start as the Socceroos’ number 10. Postecoglou originally said the playmaker was the only “gamble” in the final 23 due to his fitness but said Bresciano had come through the past week in supreme condition.

“Absolutely, he’s trained really well and, more importantly, he’s recovered from every training session really well, so he’s ready to go, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “I think he’s really looking forward to it. He’s got that steely look in his eye and he’s ready to play. There’s no doubt in my mind that, fitness-wise and physically, he’s right to go.”

Asked whether he was concerned that Australia’s attack was too reliant on Tim Cahill, Postecoglou the forward line was more than a one-man band.

“I’m not worried. If he keeps scoring, I’m pretty happy and at least we’ve got someone there who is very threatening and Timmy looks very sharp” he said. “But I don’t think that’s our only avenue to goal. We’ve been working on a few things and we certainly believe we can be a threat in other areas. But there’s no doubt they’ll have to pay attention to Timmy because if he does get half-a-chance, particularly in the air, he can hurt any opposition. From our perspective, we’ll use that.”

While they might be largely anonymous to the many foreign observers, Postecoglou is also confident the other teams in the group will be very clear on Australia’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Maybe for the public, we’re an unknown entity, but I’m sure Chile have done their homework on us and will be well-prepared,” he said. “We’re preparing for a tough encounter and they’ll be looking to nullifying our strengths and look to areas where they think they can expose us. I’m sure they’ve taken no shortcuts in their preparation.”

Despite consternation arising from some controversial refereeing decisions in the tournament’s opening match, Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia, Postecoglou said his team would have a good idea about what to expect.

“All teams have had a visit from the officials and they’ve told every country what they’ll be looking for. We’re aware of what the referees are looking at,” he said. “But the referees have got their job to do and we’ve got ours. We’re not going to pre-empt what might happen.”

The 48-year old manager praised the commitment of travelling supporters, with as many as 15,000 Australian fans making the trek to South America.

“Football in our country is growing all the time and people are very passionate about our national team and there’s quite a lot that have travelled over here – it’s a long trip from Australia,” he said. “The fact that they’ve put the time away to come and support us means a lot and tomorrow when we walk out, they’ll feel that support and it’s very important for us.”

source: smh.com.au

Ανοιχτή πρόκληση Abbott στους Αμερικανούς επιχειρηματίες.

Ανοιχτή πρόσκληση στους Αμερικανούς επιχειρηματίες να επενδύσουν στην αυστραλιανή οικονομία έκανε ο πρωθυπουργός, Tony Abbott, κατά τη διάρκεια της επίσκεψής του στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες Αμερικής.

Σε κάθε ευκαιρία, ο πρωθυπουργός υπενθύμισε στο ακροατήριό του ότι η Αυστραλία «είναι ανοιχτή για εμπορικές και οικονομικές δραστηριότητες από ιδιωτικές επιχειρήσεις, οι οποίες είναι οι μηχανές δημιουργίας θέσεων απασχόλησης». Ο κ. Abbott έψεξε όσους απορρίπτουν τις ξένες επενδύσεις υπογραμμίζοντας, ότι «όσοι πιστεύουν στη δημιουργία θέσεων απασχόλησης δεν πρέπει να μισούν τις επιχειρήσεις που δίνουν δουλειά στους άνεργους».

Σε εκδήλωση, στην οποία παρέστησαν Αμερικανοί και Αυστραλοί επιχειρηματίες, ο κ. Abbott διαβεβαίωσε, ότι ο προϋπολογισμός της κυβέρνησής του για το νέο οικονομικό έτος επικεντρώνει στα έργα υποδομής, τα οποία είναι αναγκαία για τη μελλοντική ανάπτυξη της εθνικής οικονομίας.

Ο πρωθυπουργός υπενθύμισε σε πολυεθνικές εταιρίες την υποχρέωσή τους να πληρώνουν τους «νενομισμένους» φόρους στις χώρες που δραστηριοποιούνται, αναφερόμενος προφανώς στις επιχειρήσεις που δραστηριοποιούνται στην Αυστραλία και φοροδιαφεύγουν συστηματικά.
Τα οικονομικά μηνύματα του Αυστραλού πρωθυπουργού ενίσχυσαν την εικόνα της Αυστραλίας, ως χώρας με ισχυρή οικονομία και υποδομές για επενδύσεις. Αντίθετα, οι δηλώσεις του για την κλιματική αλλαγή και τις προθέσεις της κυβέρνησής του έχουν προκαλέσει αρνητικές αντιδράσεις.

Ήδη το θέμα ετέθη από τον γενικό γραμματέα του ΟΗΕ, Μπαν Κι Μουν, και εκτιμάται ότι η μόλυνση του περιβάλλοντος και η αντιμετώπισή του θα τεθεί και από τον πρόεδρο Ομπάμα με τον οποίον θα συναντηθεί ο κ. Abbott.

Μετά τη συνάντησή του με τον Καναδό ομόλογό του στην Οτάβα, ο κ. Abbott δήλωσε, ότι η κλιματική αλλαγή «είναι σημαντικό πρόβλημα, αλλά δεν είναι το μεγαλύτερο πρόβλημα που αντιμετωπίζει η ανθρωπότητα. Πρότεινε, δε, τρόπους αντιμετώπισης της αλλαγής, που δεν θα «καθηλώνουν τις οικονομίες των χωρών».
Η δήλωση προκάλεσε άμεση αντίδραση του εκπροσώπου του γενικού γραμματέα του ΟΗΕ, ο οποίος δήλωσε στο SKY News, ότι ενάντια στις εκτιμήσεις του Αυστραλού πρωθυπουργού η κλιματική αλλαγή είναι το μείζον πρόβλημα της ανθρωπότητας.

Ο αρχηγός της αξιωματικής αντιπολίτευσης, Bill Shorten, χαρακτήρισε «αναχρονιστικές» τις ιδέες του πρωθυπουργού για την κλιματική αλλαγή και «προβληματικές» για τον ίδιο και τη χώρα.

Ο κ. Abbott επισκέφθηκε και το Μνημείο των θυμάτων της επίθεσης στους δίδυμους πύργους του Μανχάταν, το Σεπτέμβριο του 2001, όπου έχασαν τη ζωή τους και δέκα Αυστραλοί.

Πηγή: Νέος Κόσμος

Cometh the hour: Neymar eases the tension in the ground with a long-range equaliser Photo: GETTY IMAGES

This was a World Cup in just one game with brilliance, calamity and controversy. And, with it, Brazil had the victory they so desperately craved and could not possibly have dealt with being deprived; the tournament exploded into life.