Monthly Archives: August 2014

Με ιδιαίτερη προσοχή και μελετώντας από πριν την κάθε τους κίνηση οι αρχαιολόγοι άρχισαν να πραγματοποιούν τα πρώτα τους βήματα για την είσοδο στον τύμβο.

Το «μυστικό» είναι αρκετά καλά σφραγισμένο καθώς η είσοδος με μια πρώτη ματιά θεωρείται αδύνατη. Στην Αμφίπολη έφτασε ομάδα Γεωλόγων προκειμένου να εξετάσουν την στατικότητα του εδάφους αλλά και με τα ειδικά όργανα που διαθέτουν να δώσουν νέα στοιχεία για το εσωτερικού του τύμβου, έτσι ώστε οι αρχαιολόγοι να καθορίσουν τι επόμενες κινήσεις τους.

Σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες οι οποίες φτάνουν με το σταγονόμετρο καθώς οι ειδικοί είναι ιδιαιτέρως φειδωλοί, το βάθος που βρίσκεται ο κάθε τάφος διαφέρει, γεγονός το οποίο όπως φαίνεται προβλημάτισε τους αρχαιολόγους.

Τα σενάρια που είδαν το φως της δημοσιότητας για μετακίνηση των δύο μαρμάρινων σφιγγών δεν ευσταθούν, όπως ανακοινώθηκε από το υπουργείο Πολιτισμού.

Το ζητούμενο είναι πλέον η ασφαλής μετακίνηση των λίθων που βρίσκονται μπροστά από την είσοδο του τύμβου και κρύβουν το μυστικό του αρχαιολογικού θησαυρού.

Γι αυτό τον λόγο έφθασε στο χώρο της αρχαιολογικής ανασκαφής γερανός προκειμένου να βοηθήσει στην απομάκρυνση των μαρμάρινων πλακών που βρίσκονται μπροστά και δίπλα στις Σφίγγες και οι οποίες εκτιμάται ότι ζυγίζουν περί τον μισό τόνο η κάθε μία.

Επίσης ο γερανός μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί και για τη συγκράτηση των όγκων προκειμένου να εξαλειφθεί ο κίνδυνος κατάρρευσης, μια τεχνική που χρησιμοποιείται και στην Ακρόπολη.

Παγκόσμιο ενδιαφέρον

Οι αποκαλύψεις στην Αμφίπολη έχουν ξεπεράσει τα ελληνικά σύνορα και δεκάδες διεθνή ΜΜΕ σπεύδουν για να μεταδώσουν στις χώρες τους τα σημαντικά ευρήματα.

Εκατοντάδες τουρίστες σπεύδουν στο σημείο προκειμένου να δουν, έστω και από μακριά -καθώς η είσοδος απαγορεύεται αυστηρά- το τεράστιο μέγεθος του τύμβου.

Πηγή: madata.gr

The average monthly salary of a fulltime worker is down to 1,265 euros.

The average salary at Greek enterprises fell a further 10.27 per cent in 2013, while the earnings drop in the construction sector was even steeper, at 15.82 per cent, according to data compiled by the Social Security Foundation (IKA). Average daily wages fell 6.92 per cent and 7.11 percent respectively.

According to the data, the average daily wage of those in full-time employment (excluding the financial sector) came to 54.66 euros and the average monthly salary to 1,265.08 euros. In part-time employment the respective rates were 25.07 euros and 445.33 euros. The average wage in the construction sector was 43.08 euros and the average salary 561.33 euros.

The IKA data show that the smaller the business the lower the remuneration. At those with fewer than 10 workers, the average daily wage for full-time work was 63.3 per cent of the average at larger firms, while the respective average salary stood at 60.78 per cent.

The wages of women in full-time employment stood at 84.4 per cent of men’s, while for part-time work the respective rate was 95.42 per cent.

Retail and wholesale commerce remained the largest employers, accounting for 21.98 per cent of jobs. Manufacturing was next with 14.42 per cent and tourism third with 10.90 per cent.

Source: Ekathimerini

A partial view of the site where archaeologists are excavating an ancient mound in Amphipolis, in the northern Greek region of Macedonia. Photo: AP/ Alexandros Michailidis.

Archaeologists uncover ancient tomb in Greece dating to end of Alexander the Great’s reign.

A vast ancient tomb unearthed in northern Greece this week most likely belonged to a prominent Macedonian of the era, the Greek government announced.
Distinguished by two sphinxes and frescoed walls and dating to 300-325 BC, there has been speculation that the tomb could contain the remains of Alexander the Great or his lawful Persian wife Roxana, and their son Alexander IV.
The tomb, in the country’s north-eastern Macedonia region, has been gradually unearthed over the past two years. A culture ministry official said that there was no evidence yet to suggest a link to Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great died in 323 BC in Babylonia – modern day Iraq – and his actual burial place still remains unknown.
The official said the Amphipolis site, about 105 kilometres north-east of Thessaloniki, near the town of Serres, appeared to be the largest ancient tomb to have been discovered in Greece.

Archaeologists expect to enter the tomb by the end of the month to determine who was buried there.

“It looks like the tomb of a prominent Macedonian of that era,” said another culture ministry official last week.

The findings so far include two sphinxes, thought to have guarded the tomb’s entrance, and a 4.5 metre-wide road leading into it, with walls on both sides covered by frescoes. It is circled by a 497-metre marble outer wall.

Experts believe a 5.2 metre tall lion sculpture, previously discovered nearby in an excavation that began in 1960, once stood atop the tomb.

According to archaeologist Katerina Peristeri, the head of the 28th Ephorate of Pre historic and Classical Antiquities, excavations over the last two years at Kasta Hill in Amphipolis have revealed a unique grave circle which dates back to the last quarter of the 4th century BC.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who visited the site this week, described the discovery as an ‘extremely significant finding’.

“The land of Macedonia continues to move and surprise us, revealing its unique treasures,” Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said.

“Everything we have been shown by Mrs Peristeri and her team underline the significance of the findings. It would be wrong of us to be tempted to start speculating,” he told the Greek daily Kathimerini.

Ancient Amphipolis was founded as an Athenian colony in 437 BC and was conquered by the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon in 357 BC.

There has been speculation that the tomb could contain the remains of Alexander the Great or his lawful Persian wife, Roxana, and their son Alexander IV.
Roxana and Alexander IV were murder by Cassander, in 311 BC, after been exiled to ancient Amphipolis, located on the banks of the river Strymonas.
Cassander was a Greek Hellenistic King of Ancient Macedon (305-297 BC), who married Alexander the Great’s half-sister Thessaloniki and founded the second largest today Greek city, Thessaloniki, named after his wife, in 317 BC.

The most famous ancient site in the region of Macedonia so far is the Vergina Tomb of Alexander’s father, Philip II, which was unearthed in 1977 by the late professor Manolis Andronikos.

source: Neos Kosmos

Melbourne’s sports precinct. Photo: flickr.

Melbourne should seriously consider 2028 Olympic Games

The Victorian government has been pushed to put in a bid for the 2028 Olympic Games and bring the world sporting event back to Melbourne.

The Committee of Melbourne, constituting academics, business and community leaders, has urged the government to consider the idea for the fact that Melbourne holds the best collection of sporting facilities within the CBD.

The committee’s chief executive Kate Roffey will push the idea further at the Sport in Victoria conference currently being held in the city.

“Melbourne has collectively the best array of sport facilities close to the CBD of any city in the world, so we’re perfectly positioned to hold an Olympic Games,” she said.

“We’ve got the intellect to know how to run these sorts of major international events.

“When you’ve got those two things together, the branding and the value you can generate out of these events in terms of exposure and having people coming here is enormous.”

Both Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and opposition major events spokesman John Eren were open to the idea of supporting the bid.

“The normal process is the city bids, with backing from state and federal government,” Premier Napthine said.

“This matter will be considered, but I believe Melbourne and Victoria are well placed to put their hand up for a future Olympic Games down the track.”

Mr Eren told 774 ABC that it was time Melbourne reclaimed its standing as the world’s sporting Mecca.

“We used to be the sporting capital of the world, but we’re second now to the UK, so we’ve lost our title and we need to get that back.”

“We have a lot of sporting infrastructure that already exists, there might be some fine tuning that needs to be made.

“Of course, any major events like that we need to have a look at our infrastructure needs, but these sorts of ideas need to be floated and we’re open to any suggestions and we’d be looking very carefully going forward in relation to announcing some policies.”

Melbourne historically hosted the Olympic Games in 1956, which was the first time they were held in the southern hemisphere. Melbourne put in a bid to host the 1996 Olympics, but was unsuccessful, losing to Atlanta.

Source: ABC

The Pontiaki Estia is hosting a fundraiser where proceeds will go towards the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial Appeal.

The Pontiaki Estia, in conjunction with the Lemnos Gallipoli Group, is hosting a fundraiser as part of its monthly mazi tavern nights, with proceeds to go towards the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial Appeal.

Join in on the festivities, as the night will commemorate the connection between Lemnos and the Anzacs throughout the Gallipoli campaign in 1915.
Entry is free and meze plates and drinks can be purchased on the night. Entertainment will be provided by local musicians from Pontian, Cretan and Thracian regions.

When: Friday 29 August at 7.00 pm
Where: Pontiaki Estia, 540 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Melbourne, 3056
To book a ticket call 03 9381 1761

source: Neos Kosmos

Having been in Melbourne for just four months, Zafeirios Karagkounis has been named as a finalist for the Victorian international student of the year award.

Despite not picking up English for seven years, Thessaloniki born Zafeirios Karagkounis has been named as a finalist for the Victorian international student of the year award.

Touching down in Melbourne four months ago, the 27-year-old had completely forgotten his English classes, but after a couple of months with his head back in the books, he is flourishing.

As part of the Victorian International Education Awards, Zafeirios has been named as one of three finalists in the English language training section of the competition.

He is joined by fellow Academia International student Nabsiri Doungsuawan and Monash University English Language Centre’s Rafael Barty Dextro.

Zafeirios was pushed to enter the competition by his teacher, who saw his amazing results so early on. The award doesn’t just look at academic excellence, but also seeks to award students who show good leadership skills.

“Zafeirios has been in my class just for a few weeks but he is already a very popular student in the class,” Academia International teacher Alexsandra Grosiak tells Neos Kosmos.

“He gets along really well with all the students from different nationalities and has made a few friends in the class. I have noticed that during group discussions, he listens to the other students and encourages them to talk by asking questions and showing a real interest in what they have to say.”

A modest man, Zafeirios says his results come down to the fact that he doesn’t want to fall behind in class.

“Every night I do my homework, my assignments, and before I go to school I study everything my teacher says,” Zafeirios tells Neos Kosmos.

He is enrolled in an upper intermediate English class which prepares international students for academic study at tertiary level or for entry into a university course.

Back in Greece, Zafeirios was studying informatics and communication, and hopes to continue down that path in Australia.

First he has to get over his aversion to writing and reading the language.

“I’d like to improve my spoken word, I love to speak English but I hate writing,” he says.

Zafeirios doesn’t fit the usual mould of Greek migrants coming to Australia right now.

He isn’t here escaping the crisis, or looking for more opportunities, he’s here for love.

“I came to Australia because my girlfriend moved here, and so I decided to move down here,” he says.

Working part-time, studying full-time, he hasn’t had much time to immerse himself in the Australian way of life, but says he has been to Oakleigh a couple of times and seen the Greek precinct to gauge how large the Greek Australian community is.

With a nomination under his belt, Zafeirios is pretty chuffed just to be nominated, but a win would indeed be the icing on the cake.

“I’m very bad with luck, but who knows?” he says about his chances.

The winners of the individual student awards will receive scholarships of up to $10,000 for study related expenses and an additional $10,000 will be awarded to the winner of the Premier’s Award for international student of the year.

The awards don’t just acknowledge great academic results, but also award students that show leadership qualities and engagement in the community.

Minister for Employment and Trade Louise Asher said the contribution international students make in Victoria is well noted.

“Our state attracts around 140,000 international student enrolments each year, and the awards showcase the unique, valuable and diverse contribution made by international education to the Victorian community.”

International education is now Victoria’s single largest export industry, contributing almost $4.5 billion to the state’s economy and providing around 30,000 jobs in 2013.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on September 9.

source: Neos Kosmos

Clive Palmer is no closer to compromise over the budget – despite assurances from the Prime Minister that the Government will consider ‘adjustments’.

The Palmer United Party leader says his senators won’t ‘sell out’ the Australian people and remains opposed to key elements of the budget, including the GP co-payment and fuel excise.

Clive Palmer will meanwhile host a self-styled climate change conference at his Queensland resort the day after the G20 summit wraps up in Brisbane. The mining magnate and Palmer United Party leader claims there are many world leaders who want to discuss climate change at the G20 in November but can’t because the issue isn’t on the agenda.

He’s hoping his counter conference on November 17 will fill the gap and attract a strong crowd to the Palmer Coolum Resort – famous for its dinosaur theme park.

‘We’ll have international leaders from all over the world and the globe, talking about climate change,’ he told ABC’s QA program on Monday.

The Abbott government has faced criticism in some quarters for not including climate change on the official G20 agenda, choosing instead to focus on economic growth, trade and job creation.

PUP will next week introduce a bill to the Senate calling for an emissions trading scheme to be set up in case Australia’s major trading partners adopt a similar scheme.

It’s unclear if Labor supports the proposal, while the government will almost certainly reject it.’We have to realise that if we want to trade with other countries and they have an ETS, they won’t allow our products to enter unless we have a similar scheme,’ he said.

Mr Palmer’s three senators and the Motoring Enthusiast Party’s Ricky Muir last month gave the government the crucial votes it needed to abolish carbon pricing in Australia.

Clive Palmer has also delivered an extraordinary tirade against Australia’s biggest trading partner, describing the Chinese government as ‘mongrels’ who shoot their own people.

In a broad spray on national television, the maverick MP accused the ‘communist Chinese government’ of trying to take over Australia’s ports to steal the nation’s natural resources.

‘I don’t mind standing up against the Chinese bastards and stopping them from doing it,’ he told ABC’s QA program on Monday. The Palmer United Party leader is embroiled in a legal battle with Chinese state-owned company CITIC Pacific, which has accused the mining magnate of siphoning off $12 million in funds.

Mr Palmer has strenuously denied accusations his company Mineralogy misused CITIC Pacific’s cash to finance PUP’s federal election campaign. He said the matter was before the Supreme Court this week and he’d keep up the fight against the ‘Chinese mongrels’.’

I’m saying that because they’re communist, because they shoot their own people, they haven’t got a justice system and they want to take over this country,’ he said. ‘We’re not going to let them do it.

‘A number of Mr Palmer’s political opponents have in the past accused the outspoken Queensland MP of jeopardising Australia’s relations with China. China is Australia’s largest trading partner, with two-way trade hitting nearly $151 billion in 2013.

source: skynews.com.au