A friend recently emailed me from Macedonia and said “we are witnessing a fully-fledged mafia state being endorsed for EU membership by some of the leading democracies on the planet.”

I groaned. I couldn’t be bothered. I was on the road, visiting Istanbul at the time and I didn’t have time for this. I’m fed up with stories of corrupt Balkan countries and surely this has already been covered by the international media?

You would be forgiven for not knowing where Macedonia is. It is one of the newest, smallest and most obscure countries in Europe and, from the perspective of a busy news editor, is probably irrelevant. Once a province of Yugoslavia, Macedonia declared independence in the early 1990s and managed to avoid getting invaded by the Serbs. It is located between Serbia, Kosovo, Greece, Bulgaria and Albania – and the capital city is called Skopje (pronounced “skop-yeah”). I visited Skopje in 1999, during the Kosovo crisis, and thought it was a dump.

My friend wouldn’t leave me in peace. He insisted that I “get the word out” via the Huffington Post and told me the mainstream international media don’t give a damn. As I read his email and researched the story online I realised that political corruption in Macedonia is a hundred times worse than it is in Romania, the country I’m currently based in. How can a “mafia state” about to be granted EU membership?

Reuters published a news story on 6 March which stated that “Macedonia’s opposition leader released a fresh batch of wire-taps on Friday that he said proved the government rigged elections, pursuing a surveillance scandal that has rocked the Balkan country since January.”

The only mainstream British paper which seems to have covered the story is the Financial Times, which described how the Macedonian government (allegedly) carried out a massive phone tapping campaign over six years and then blamed it on the opposition party and foreign intelligence agencies. The FT said the incumbent Prime Minister, who has been in power for nine years, is accused of “one of the worst election scandals in Europe in recent memory.”

Why is the international media not covering this story?

I can’t answer this question as I’m not plugged into media or diplomatic circles and I’m not in Macedonia (and not sure if they’d let me in after seeing this) but I can share some of the email that my old friend sent me:

“I would like to remain anonymous because I fear that I would quickly lose my business. The situation has been dire for quite a few years now.

The main opposition party have published evidence of the government’s mass wire-tapping policy along with leaked conversations of government Ministers discussing massive election fraud.

Since coming to power in 2006, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has led a campaign of ultra-nationalism and squandered the national budget on a ‘national culture’ plan. Unfortunately, the private sector has had to pay for this nationalistic madness through heavy fines from questionable inspections.

The tax inspectors arrive with pre-written decisions even though the correct legal process is that inspectors must first present their findings to an internal commission. Bypassing the commission and any due process points to a policy of revenue generation rather than standards enforcement. Fines start at €3,000 for small infractions, such as a sign not being in cyrillic, and increase substantially for larger matters.

Macedonia promotes itself as the best destination for foreign investment with taxes of just 10%. Having invested in a company there I would argue that the taxes, including random fines, are closer to 40%.

Up until 2010 business people and foreign diplomats were glad to share their opinions in the media but this is no longer the case. The government has spent years acquiring or closing all media outlets and only those praising the ruling party are allowed to broadcast or publish.

In Macedonia the critics are silenced, opponents are imprisoned, the budget is empty and ethnic tensions are reaching boiling point. What has led to this disaster?

The centrepiece of the Prime Minister’s policy is a so-called ‘cultural’ project called ‘Skopje 2014’. As much as 5% of Macedonia’s state budget – an estimated €300 million so far – has been allocated to this absurd project to build statues and monuments and reinforce Macedonia’s claim to exclusive ownership of Alexander the Great’s legacy. Even the current Minister of Finance said it was mad.

To put this into context, the average monthly salary of Macedonia’s two million citizens is one of the lowest in Europe, at less than €525.

This begs the question: if the constitution has been breached, the elections rigged and the national statistics (allegedly) falsified why does the European Union not suspend its dealings with the country?

And considering the disastrous state of public services – and that the public administration is bloated, bankrupt and unaccountable – should the IMF (International Monetary Fund) keep paying off Macedonia’s national debt?”

source: huffingtonpost.co.uk

Αυξημένη ανησυχία καταγράφει δημοσκόπηση της εταιρείας Metrisi, η οποία… πραγματοποιήθηκε στο διάστημα 31 Μαρτίου έως 2 Απριλίου.

Ειδικότερα, σε δημοσκόπηση που πραγματοποιήθηκε για λογαριασμό του ιστότοπου «ΠΡΩΤΟ ΘΕΜΑ» περίπου οι μισοί Ελληνες θεωρούν ορατό το ενδεχόμενο χρεοκοπίας το επόμενο διάστημα, αλλά και έξοδο της Ελλάδας από το ευρώ.

Την ίδια ώρα, στην πρόθεση ψήφου, ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ εξακολουθεί να προηγείται της ΝΔ με 11,6 μονάδες διαφορά, συγκεντρώνοντας ποσοστό 35,2% έναντι 23,6% της ΝΔ.

Αναλυτικότερα στην πρόθεση ψήφου: ΣΥΡΙΖΑ 35,2%, ΝΔ 23,6%, Χρυσή Αυγή 5,4%, ΠΑΣΟΚ 2,9%, ΑΝΕΛ 4,8%, ΚΚΕ 5,1%, Ποτάμι 5,4%

Πηγή:madata.gr

It is impossible for the Greek government to keep track of all existing built property. The new law hopes to rectify that.

As outlined throughout this series, the laws relative to property ownership in Greece have been changing considerably over the past several years. Illegal Structures, Energy Performance Certificates and the Hellenic Cadastre are all part of these changes. However, all these laws ultimately lead up to the final topic in this series, the Electronic Building ID Code (Illektroniki Taftotita Ktiriou).

The Electronic Building ID Code is a new type of certification that will modify the Greek real estate market as we know it today. All real private and public property will be recorded online on a complete and reliable property database.

This new certification describes the ‘as-built status’ of property, meaning what has actually been built, in terms of area and use. Pertinent documentation such as permits, drawings, Legal and Energy Certificates (discussed in Part II and III), Cadastre Details (Part IV), will all be registered electronically and each property will then be assigned a unique Building ID Code by the Ministry of Environment.

The way the system works today, it is impossible for the Greek government to keep track of all existing built property. Through this new regulation, however, all information will be monitored and electronically linked to public entities engaged with property ownership, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Hellenic Cadastre and the Public Power Corporation; all will have access to the same registered details.

This of course requires that all buildings comply with their legally issued permits. Owners holding property with any type of violations will not be able to apply for an Electronic ID Code, eventually losing their entitlement to sell, rent, transfer to family, or even inherit property. Nonetheless, owners still have time to take advantage of the grace period for compliance, effective until February 2016, and conduct an on-site ‘legal check’ of their property.

As announced by the Greek government this past month, this new requirement will come into effect in 2015. Building owners with declared property through the two major amnesty laws since 2010, Laws No. 3843/10 and 4178/13, are subject to register within the next five years and all others will gradually follow. New buildings or extensions to existing buildings as well as buildings issuing renovation and repair permits will also be among the first required to apply. All unregistered property will automatically be considered ‘illegal’ and subject to extremely high fines.

Once the Building ID Code is in effect, certificates required today when conveying real property will be replaced by the Certificate of Completion, valid for a certain number of years depending on the building type and use. In an effort to eliminate the long-lasting phenomenon of illegal undeclared property and to improve the Greek real estate market, property owners will be required to re-issue these certificates after periodical on-site inspections by certified architects.

Without a doubt, the Electronic Building ID Code is the most important of all ‘fast-tracking’ of new laws. Future property transactions, and even title searches for possible inheritance, will be simpler, faster and most importantly, more transparent. Once completed and fully implemented, it will be the key tool in the Greek real estate market, providing accurate information with a click. Property ownership in Greece will finally be protected for every single land and building owner, as well as for their inheritors.

* Katerina Sirouni was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is an architect- engineer and received her degree from the National Technical University of Athens in Greece. A licensed architect, she is a member of the National Technical Chamber in Greece, the Association of Architects in Greece, and the Hellenic Energy Inspectorate. Katerina will soon be presenting workshops in Chicago, with more tips to help Greek Americans navigate these new laws and regulations. Visit her website for details, and for more info on Greek property laws: www.ksirouni.com

source: Neos Kosmos

Power play … The crew of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s new helicopter-carrying destroyer “Izumo” attend a ceremony on its flight deck at the Japan Marine United Corp’s factory in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on March 25, 2015. Source: AFP Source: AFP

JAPAN is back. After almost 70 years of military obscurity, the island nation is exploiting loopholes in its pacifist constitution to rebuild its military. But what does the US think?  

Seventy years ago this week, United States and British forces attacked the Ryukyu Islands. Chief among the territory — which Japan regards as part of its home territory — was Okinawa island.

Within months Imperial Japan was defeated, and a strict new pacifist constitution imposed.

Now, as China races to embrace more of the East and South China Seas, and the United States’ “pivot” to Asia has slowed, it needs strong allies in the Pacific. Japan is that.

FLASHPOINT ASIA: The rising tensions to Australia’s north

Senior US and Japanese military officers say they hope the Japanese navy may soon be freed up to play a more active role in the Pacific and beyond, plying some of the world’s most hotly contested waters.

But, at home, Japan remains divided over proposed changes in the role it should play in regional security issues.

The wounds of World War II run deep. And not just inside Japan. Many Asian nations remain uncomfortable with the idea. Memories of Japan’s aircraft carriers and warships storming across the Pacific in 1942 remain strong.

On the advance … Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) fleet during a fleet review in Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo. The United States is loosening its 70-year-old leash, encouraging the build up of Japanese naval power. Source: AP /Itsuo Inouye Source: Supplied

A NEW RISING SUN

Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, commander of the US Seventh Fleet, said he expects revisions headed for approval in Japan’s parliament will make it easier for the Japanese and allied navies to cooperate more smoothly in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

It’s also one of the reasons Washington is urging an Australia-Japan submarine deal: It sees such a multibillion-dollar project as strengthening regional defence ties.

Japan is shifting its defence priorities from northern reaches near Russia to the East China Sea, where Tokyo and Beijing are locked in a dispute over a chain of uninhabited islands — part of the same Ryukyu Island chain assaulted exactly 70 years ago.

ASIAN ARMS RACE: Expensive and extensive shopping list of weapons

Japan is setting up an amphibious deployment unit similar to the US.

Marines to respond quickly to any invasion of those islands and is also planning to upgrade its air defences with F-35 stealth fighters and Global Hawk drones.

It also includes a force of small aircraft carriers (though you cannot call them that, they’re ‘helicopter destroyers’).

Defence analysis now regard Japan as having the fifth most powerful navy in the world, Behind the US, Russia, China and the United Kingdom.

Long memories … Japanese World War II veterans hold an Imperial navy flag in front of Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine after offering prayers for the country’s war dead on an anniversary of Japan’s surrender at the end of World War Two. Source: NewsCorp Source: AFP

COLLECTIVE THINKING

One of the key strategic goals for Tokyo and Washington is to allow Japan to participate in what is known as collective self-defence, meaning that it would be able to come to the aid of an ally under attack even if that did not entail a direct attack on Japan or its own military.

“They have the capacity and the capability in international waters and international airspace anywhere on the globe. That’s the important point,” Thomas told reporters earlier this week.

“The decisions that are pending with regard to collective self-defence will clearly allow the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces to interact with, frankly, a lot of international partners, not just the US Seventh Fleet, in a more flexible fashion.”

Name game … It’s a “helicopter destroyer”, not an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship. Japan remains sensitive about its growing military might. Source: USN Source: Supplied

A PLACE IN THE SUN

China’s air force recently held its first exercise in western Pacific Ocean, reportedly conducting drills between Taiwan and the Philippines. Last year, it also deployed its first aircraft carrier on manoeuvres in the East and South China Seas.

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, Japanese fighters are also on track to set a new high for emergency scrambles against airspace incursions, increasingly by Chinese aircraft.

Russia’s being belligerent again, too.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, wary of the expansion of the Chinese military, has been a major advocate of loosening post-war restrictions on Japan’s military.

Rising dragon, falling eagle … Crewmembers of the “Golden Falcons” helicopter squadron aboard the USS Blue Ridge take a break beside their aircraft during a port call in Yokohama. Source: AP Source: AP

WAKE-UP CALL

Tokyo and Washington both want Japan to be able to send its troops farther from its shores with fewer restrictions and join in a wider range of activities, from humanitarian operations to exercises in more locations and with a broader range of partners.

“There are areas that we can’t now do in a seamless way (with the allied ships), so we hope that these areas will be improved in the process of formulating the guidelines,” Vice Adm. Eiichi Funada, commander of the Japanese fleet, said alongside Thomas at the news conference on the deck of the Blue Ridge.

He said that Japan has been very concerned with the expansion of the Chinese military in recent years.

“Their recent exercises were also a matter of attention for us. We are not sure what the exact significance of the exercises was, but as part of the expansion of the Chinese military, it is something that we must watch with caution and continue to collect intelligence on.”

Thomas was more cautious.

“The fact that the PLAN — the Chinese navy — and the Chinese air force continue to expand operations in international waters and international airspace is a natural evolution for them,” he said. “The Chinese navy and more and more the Chinese air force operate globally as do the Japanese as does the United States, as do many international navies with those kinds of capabilities.”

source:news.com.au

Torrential rain hasn’t stopped protesters in Sydney. Source: Getty Images

POLICE officers are trying to disperse anti-Islamic extremism and anti-racism protesters holding competing rallies at several locations across the country including Melbourne’s Federation Square and Sydney’s Martin Place.  

Melbourne has become a battleground of competing ideologies, with a rally by the Reclaim Australia movement and counter-protest by the left-wing No Room for Racism group.

Tempers flared as a Reclaim Australia supporter scuffled with a Guy Fawkes mask-wearing socialist protester.

More than 100 officers put up a line of bodies to separate the two groups.

Police get between protesters ‘Reclaim Australia’ protesters at Federation Square. Source: News Corp Australia

Protesters clashed heavily with police. Source: News Corp Australia

Eleven horses from the mounted division were also used to hold the crowds apart in Flinders St, as scuffles broke out across the square.

Reclaim Australia members claimed to be protesting against the rise of Islamic extremism and sharia law in Australia.

Several protesters tried to break the police line, and at least two man were heavily restrained by the police.

One policeman confiscated a long piece of wood from someone at the rally.

Police formed a corridor to corral Reclaim Australia supporters through the angry crowds as the really drew to an end.

Counter-demonstrators tried to slow the exit, hurling abuse as the Reclaim attendees move through the throng.

Reclaim Australia’s speeches included an address by proclaimed “human rights expert” Daniel Nalliah.

The group’s numbers grew significantly throughout the rally, but they were still outnumbered by socialist counter-demonstrators.

Many banners could be seen like this. Source: AFP

Anti-racist groups were there to fight back. Source: News Corp Australia

It didn’t take long before things turned violent. Source: News Corp Australia

A massive cheer erupted among the Reclaim supporters as a group of members wearing blue singlets and war medals were let through to join their brethren.

“You said I wouldn’t get in — who’s he d—head now?” yelled one Reclaim supporter.

The Reclaim members sang renditions of Advance Australia Fair, but the anti-racism protesters’ chants of “immigrants are welcome, racists are not” could also be heard throughout the CBD.

Pauline Hanson joined the rallies in Brisbane. Source: News Corp Australia

In Brisbane, the rally protesting Islam has caused a tense stand-off between opposing ideologies in King George Square.

Between 200 and 300 protesters and a large turnout of police have gathered in the CBD’s centre, chanting and waving banners.

While in Sydney, on either end of Martin Place, separated by a wall of police, anti-racist and anti-Islam protesters have faced off near the scene of last year’s Lindt Cafe siege.

On the lower end braving the rain on Saturday were vocal supporters of Reclaim Australia, a group pushing nationwide rallies against “sharia law, halal tax and Islamisation”.

Many of the flag-waving crowd-goers, in the hundreds, chanted “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie — Oi, Oi, Oi” and were carrying homemade banners denouncing sharia law like in Melbourne and Brisbane.

But it was a proposition those in the anti-racist rally corner labelled absurd.

“There is no possibility of sharia law in Australia, that is absolutely ridiculous,” Tony Iltis said.

Mr Iltis was part of a smaller but passionate crowd that slammed Reclaim Australia’s “racist” slant.

“Basically they are neo-nazis who are able to not look like neo-nazis because the mainstream has become so racist,” Mr Iltis said.

“I think the Muslim community needs to know that not all Australians are racist. I think they feel intimidated and how the Jews felt in the 1930s.”

Tensions almost erupted when a woman ran on stage at the Reclaim Australia camp, grabbed the microphone and told the crowd they should be ashamed.

Riot police were quick to respond and quell any clashes.

Among the Reclaim Australia crowd, many sporting Australiana memorabilia, was Greg and his home-made sign that compared sharia law to paedophilia.

“I’m just standing up for our freedom of speech and way of life,” he said, wearing a green and gold shirt.

Rally organisers deny Reclaim Australia is racist, but say protesters have a problem with Islamic extremists who want to live by sharia law.

Event organiser Sarah Spearpoint says, like her, moderate Muslims also don’t accept extreme views of their religion.

source: news.com.au

Red Easter eggs are just as much a part of the Greek Orthodox Easter table as some of the other traditional foods, like lamb. They’re even baked into the center of tsoureki, the traditional Easter bread. The reason for this is simple – the eggs are a reminder of Christ’s resurrection. But how did this tradition evolve?

Here are some possible explanations as to why Greeks dye their eggs red for Easter:

Pagan Fertility Symbol

Before they were adopted as a Christian symbol at Easter, eggs were a pagan symbol of fertility. Eostre, the Germanic fertility goddess, would carry baskets of eggs as a way to encourage fertility. As a result of that, her followers would give her eggs as an offering. When Christianity was in its early stages, the egg was adopted as an Easter symbol, but was given a new meaning.

Decorating Eggs is an Ancient Practice

As it turns out, decorating eggs is an ancient practice. Painted ostrich eggs have been found in Africa, that are around 60,000 years old! Over the centuries, other cultures have adopted the practice of decorating eggs, as well. Yalda, a Persian fertility festival, also features decorated eggs. This festival usually falls around Norwuz, the Iranian New Year

Christians Begin Dyeing Eggs Red

Dyeing eggs red and using them as a symbol for Christ’s resurrection can be traced back to the early days of Christianity in Mesopotamia. They’re the first to have dyed the eggs red, which they did as a reminder for the blood Christ shed for us on the cross. In 1610, the Roman Catholic Church published a document called the The Roman Ritual, which contained instructions for blessing food at Easter, including Easter eggs. This tradition continues to this day, especially in countries such as Greece.

Greek Tradition of Dyeing Eggs Red

Greeks adhere to the custom of dyeing the eggs red to symbolize Christ’s blood and the egg itself reminds us of His tomb. When the egg is cracked, it represents His resurrection. No Easter table is complete without them! These are also baked in the center of tsoureki, which is the traditional Easter bread. There is also a special prayer that priests often do that blesses the eggs. In some places, people bring parts of the Easter feast to church so he can say the special prayers. However, this practice isn’t as common as it once was.

Legend of Mary Magdalene

There is a legend that gives Mary Magdalene credit for starting the tradition of the red dyed eggs. According to the stories, Mary Magdalene went to Rome to preach the Gospel. While handing him an egg, she greeted the Emperor Tiberius by saying, “Christ is Risen.” He was skeptical, and when he said that to Mary, the egg that was in her hand turned blood red.

No matter how the tradition started, one thing is certain – red Easter eggs are an important Greek Orthodox Easter tradition!

source:WorldwideGreeks.com

Η Ελλάδα δεν έχει απευθύνει αίτημα στη Ρωσία για παροχή οικονομικής βοήθειας επιβεβαίωσε ο Ρώσος υπουργός Οικονομικών Αντόν Σιλουάνοφ, απαντώντας μονολεκτικά «Όχι» σε σχετική ερώτηση του κρατικού πρακτορείου ειδήσεων ΡΙΑ-Νόβοστι.

Το ρωσικό πρακτορείο τιτλοφορεί το τηλεγράφημά του «Σιλουάνοφ: Η Ελλάδα δεν απευθύνθηκε στη Ρωσία για οικονομική βοήθεια» και υπενθυμίζει παλαιότερη δήλωση του Ρώσου υπουργού ότι η Ρωσία θα εξετάσει το ζήτημα παροχής οικονομικής βοήθειας στην Ελλάδα, εάν η χώρα απευθυνθεί για να τη ζητήσει.

Υπενθυμίζει επίσης σχετική δήλωση του υπουργού Οικονομικών Γιάνη Βαρουφάκη, ο οποίος επίσης δήλωσε τον Φεβρουάριο ότι η Ελλάδα δεν προτίθεται να ζητήσει οικονομική βοήθεια από την Ελλάδα.

Νωρίτερα την Παρασκευή, απαντώντας στο ίδιο ερώτημα ο Ντμίτρι Πεσκόφ, εκπρόσωπος Τύπου του Ρώσου προέδρου Β. Πούτιν, είπε ότι το ερώτημα πρέπει να απευθυνθεί στην ελληνική πλευρά και ότι δεν υπάρχει σχετικό ελληνικό αίτημα προς τη Ρωσία

Πηγή:zougla.gr