Greek Economy: THE WORST IS YET TO COME ..

This year the country remains in recession sixth year in a row, and ahead of it's citizens stand major new challenges. The trend of closing businesses, strikes, reduced pays and pensions continues in this year as well, and the Greek institutions warn of worsening situation because of rising unemployment and poverty. Greeks are convinced that evil is yet to come.

Sometime before midnight, Thessaloniki Square "Aristotelus". Dozen immigrants, with music from a cell phone, with visible mood jump around the empty stage, on which for the New Year's Eve in the past performances had known Greek singers like Sakis or Despina Wanda ...
Frightened by the frequent attacks of the "Golden Dawn" in Athens, many African immigrants arrived in Thessaloniki, although there is a lot lower earning. They cell ​​CD's or hand-knitted gloves, which no one wants to buy.

"The glamour of the New Year's celebration has been long gone. Now days mostly immigrants  come to the Square. Compared to the countries from which they come from, Greece is still ideal for them, although the Greeks are desperate and without money because of the crisis. The hardest thing is first to have, and than not to have, and they say worst is yet to come" - commented some of the Thessalonians that we met in the square.

The entrance in the new year was symbolically marked with modest firework, which looked more like marking a small wedding. It is cut  on everything.

New 2013 for the majority of Greeks only brings old problems, uncertainty and even more savings and reduced incomes and pensions. Strikes remain commonplace. Communal workers, who didn't collect garbage for days  in Thessaloniki, continued with the strike in the new year, and were joined by the rail workers in the first day of 2013.

Luckiest will be satisfied to preserve their work with reduced salary, no bonuses and additional  working hours for two years until retirement. In the first half of last year, 150.000 Greeks lost  their jobs, information released recently by the European Commission (EC). The country currently faces high unemployment, which reached 26% and is among the highest in the European Union (EU). Estimates are that by the end of this year it can reach up to 30%. Before the crisis it was 7.6%.

An hour after midnight, streets of Thessaloniki were already overflowing with people. Smiling and drunk, they all rushed to their favorite bars and clubs, such is the order, bohemian, in Greek, to celebrate the new year, despite all the negative forecasts for 2013, that Greek newspapers were full of these days.

SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN RECESSION

This year the recession in Greece will be worse than what was previously expected, much worse than it was stated in the budget. Greece, which is pressed by debts, will notice higher budget deficit than predicted two months ago. It is expected that the economic activities of the state in 2013 will be reduced by 4.5%, although they were previously projected with a fall of 3.8%.

On the other hand, the Greek government intends to save 9.4 billion euros in 2013, which is significantly more than the 7.8 billion planned by the previous projection. This measure will be implemented through further reductions in state salaries, pensions and benefits.

The country that is in her sixth consecutive year in recession is expected to achieve positive growth even next year. EU in her autumn forecast predicted that Athens in 2014 will have economic growth of 0.6%, and the Greek economy will then sink in about one fifth of the level before the outbreak of the crisis ...

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Posted in: Business,Economy,World News

Greek syndrome is eating the Balkan - Greece's collapse will cause a drain of capital from the region?

Greek financial collapse could lead to a severe economic downturn in the region of the Balkans, as well as among other countries which are not in the euro area, but had years of business ties with Greece, warn economic analysts.

No one can predict how events will develop after the parliamentary elections on 17 July in Greece. Fears are not unfounded: Greek banks hold in their hands 15% of the charter capital of credit organizations of neighboring countries. Thus, the primary investments are invested in the economies of Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Albania and Serbia.

Analysts warn of the possibility of a Greek bankruptcy and say that the switch from Euro into Drachma will have negative affect for the business in the region. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development makes a defensive ferrule around Greece, and according to the bank's claims, this could prevent a massive capital drain from the Balkans. Namely, the European Bank reached an agreement with three Austrian banks, large financial investors in the region, for the unfavorable liquidity in Eastern Europe.
Problems arise in the other Western Balkan countries that do not have the Euro, but are financially related with Greece. By itself this means it is possible a deeper crisis in the Balkan countries.
Analysts recall that something similar happened in 2008, when due to the complicated financial situation, the Scandinavian countries withdrew significant funds from banks in the Baltic States, and came to the economic downturn in the region. Because Balkan countries are more unstable in economic terms from the Baltic, the consequences can be very serious.
Analysts believe that the fast transition from Euro to Drachma is not possible. The process will take at least a few years. During that time other foreign banks, among others and Russian, can buy subsidiaries in these countries, and that way replacing the Greek capital.
Experts warn that the outflow of funds to Greece from its Balkan subsidiaries will cause panic among investors and they'll begin to invest in more reliable sources, such as Germany and Switzerland ..

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Posted in: Economy,World News

In Josip Broz Tito's luxury bunker

33 years ago, inside the mountain Zlatar near Konjica in BiH, was built nuclear shelter that was the main command place of the former JNA (Jugoslavian National Army), and for that building knew only four official commanders, and workers who had to sign a contract for silence.

The construction of Tito's bunker lasted from 1953 to 1979 and cost $4.6 billion. Since the beginning of the construction of the bunker it was hidden by nature and three houses and therefore nothing could be seen that just under them is the most important object in the SFRY (Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavija) and her leader - Josip Broz Tito.

The bunker is composed of three parts. First masked part is visible from the outside, followed by supervisory residence, facility for rigorous insurance of the former president of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, and the facility for accommodation of technical support.

When passing through the hallway of the first house, a metal door opens with a thickness of 1.20 meters, and behind that door it can be found the tunnel that leads to the heart of nuclear hideout at a depth of 280 meters.

Tunnels are the link between the masked part and the nuclear hideout that can withstand a nuclear attack of 20 kilotons.

The last part of the object is in the form of a horseshoe and has 12 blocks. Inside are housed protection systems, fire prevention system, protection system against nuclear attack and climate.

The bunker has an alternative exit that does not exist on the map, and leads 170 meters high hill above the object.

More than a hundred sleeping rooms are located on an area of 6.854 square meters in which, in the case of nuclear attack, could sleep 350 people from the highest political and state peaks in Yugoslavia.

They could stay in the hideout for 6 months without any contact with the outside world. Despite the numerous rooms, significant place exist for Tito's luxury residence with five chambers.

The building is now owned by the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is guarded by five soldiers and it hosts cultural events.

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Posted in: Entertainment,World News

NY Times Man of the Year 1938!

The prestige newspaper from the United States, New York Times, has it's practice to give a noble title to one man or women that marked the following year. The newspaper gives the award "Man of the Year", every year since 1927.

The criteria for someone to get this title is determined by how much anybody contributed to what was important for the year he was chosen for, not making an objective research which will include the past of that person.

On this list you can find names as glorified as Charles Lindbergh (1925), Mohandas Ghandi (1930), Dwight Eisenhower (1940), Martin Luther King Jr. (1963), The Computer (a machine - 1982), Mark Zuckerberg (2010) and many others.
But one name between all on this list attracts huge attention. It's the name of ADOLF HITLER, who was given this title in 1938.
Just to remind us, the title was given to the man who was directly responsible for the death of 6 million Jews and 50 million others during the World War II, which he started it.
Irony knows no limits .. 

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Posted in: Entertainment,World News

Macedonians invented the first submarine?!

It is a little known fact that the ancient Macedonians were pioneers in protected underwater diving, i.e. they were the first people (for which there are records) that made some kind of a submarine. The first protected underwater diving attempts were performed using a large glass bell which used a rope to be lowered to the seabed. Inside the bell was the diver, who enjoyed the sight under water through the walls of the bell. The bell had a continuous flow of air. Certainly in this way the submarine could not reach great depths, but at the time of antiquities, it is still considered as an interesting discovery.

More researchers on the history of protected underwater diving mention Macedonians as pioneers of such diving. Thus, for example, the famous oceanographer and underwater diving expert Dr. Stephen Wood in his paper "Milestones in the history of the exploration of the oceans" clearly stated that the Macedonians were the ones who first began with a protected underwater diving. He mentions an Indian medieval illustration showing scuba diving with great glass bell, that Indians have inherited from the Macedonians. In this connection, Dr. Wood writes:

"One of the earliest reports on the use of devices which enabled the diver to enter under water with a certain degree of protection and supply of air entering in the diving bell, is one that Kolimfa has used around 330 BC according to the previous diving under water of Alexander the Great. This bell is painted by an Indian miniature painter in 1575. Testimony of such a bell appears in the 13th century in a French manuscript titled 'The True History of Alexander'."

Some insufficiently informed researchers believe that the protected underwater diving by the Macedonians is only a romantic legend, created in the Middle Ages. Namely, it is known that during the Middle Ages, were created a number of stories and legends about Alexander. Likely that these stories and legends were based on the content of older records or oral legends of antiquities, which over time, in the Middle Ages were redesigned and amended with various fantastic tales associated with his life, especially his trips. Thus, romantic legends and stories were created with fantastic motifs (Alexander encounters with various monsters, finding a water source with vitalising effect, trips to nonexistent and strange countries, etc.).. In this context, some believe that the protected underwater diving practiced by the Macedonians is only a fabrication of medieval authors.

However, such claims are arguably denied by scientist Dr. Wood, who offers ancient (not just medieval) testimonies of protected underwater diving by the Macedonians. In fact, he writes that even Aristotle mentions this diving. In connection with all this, in addition to his paper, Dr. Wood writes:

"In his work 'Probleranta', Aristotle describes the system for underwater diving of his time, and says: 'They invent device through which divers could breathe. It was a dish that descended down and of course it was not filled with water, but with air, which constantly supplied dived people."

Aristotle was born in the city of Stagira in Macedonia and he (at least by his father) is considered to be Macedonian. He was the main teacher of Alexander the Great. Thus, the testimony of Aristotle's protected underwater diving (given in the 4th century BC) refutes the opinions that it was a romantic fabrication of medieval authors.

Today almost all stakeholders in the area and beyond accept that the Macedonians were pioneers in protected underwater diving. Thus, for example, in the contemporary known general computer Encarta Encyclopedia (quote work title: Diving, underwater), as official stance is mentioned the fact that it was the Macedonians who were the first pioneers in the field of protected underwater diving. In this connection, we can read:

"Underwater diving is entering and staying under the surface because of work or study. Diving without mechanical assistance was practiced even in antiquities for collecting pearls and sponges. Different ways to supply the diver with air in order to allow him a longer stay under water were tested as early as the 4th century BC. It is believed that Alexander the Great carried out underwater diving machine that was probably a primitive form of diving bell, and Aristotle mentions the diver techniques that allowed him to breathe underwater."

Protected underwater diving by Macedonians is illustrated in a 15th century illustration. In particular it is an illustration from a French manuscript published in Rouen in 1445. The manuscript is known under the title "Old French prose - romance of Alexander." It is illustrated with a miniature featuring Alexander diving under water in a glass container, tied with ropes to a ship in which there are two persons siting. It is interesting in the illustration Alexander and his friends are dressed in what was then a French outfit. In fact, this practice (characters from older history to represent improper clothing, i.e. clothing from the time of the creation of the image) is well known in the history of art.

To conclusion is that there is a strong evidence that the Macedonians were those who remain recorded in history as pioneers in protected underwater diving and this is accepted as the official attitude of the authorities concerned in the area.

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1912 - First Balkan War

First Balkan War erupted in October 1912, in which Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria fought against the Ottoman Empire, in a coalition called "The Balkan League". The war ended with an armistice on December 3rd the same year. At the Peace Conference in London, May 30th 1913, Turkey had to give up all possessions in Europe, apart from Edirne, which the allies managed to take but failed to hold under their authority. Macedonian people took an active part in the war, fighting with expectation for freedom and independence. But instead, the Allies divided Macedonia, which, in turn, due to "inadequate separation" was the reason for the beginning of the Second Balkan War.

At the same time, Italy sends it's own troops in Libya and several islands in the Ege Sea. There are numerous uprisings in Arabia against the Turkish authority, so the large and well equipped Turkish army suffers defeat and loses in almost all fronts. The city of Thessaloniki, with more than 100.000 soldiers, most modern canons and navy with 6 submarines, surrenders to the Greek army without a fight. That same Greek army didn't managed to conquer the fortress of Janina, while the fortress of Edirne is conquered by the Bulgarian army in which for the first time were used airplanes for bombarding. Bulgarian army approached 20 km outside of Istanbul and Macedonian soldiers showed dedicated fight in stopping the counter attacks of the Ottoman army lead by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Ottoman Turks were chased away from the Balkan, but with the Peace Conference East Trakia and Edirne remained under their authority, while Macedonia was divided between Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece, which meant that the Macedonians fought in the war only to be conquered again by her neighbors. 

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Tattooed cross on forehead protected women from abduction

"Tattooed cross protects women. Christian women from Macedonia, marked with a cross between the eyes."

"The Turks are disgusted by the cross."

Due to the self-sacrifice of the Savior Jesus Christ, who with this act redeemed the world from sin, in Christian doctrine, among other things, the cross becomes a symbol of salvation. In Macedonia, which is mentioned several times in the Bible, the role of the cross during the five-century Ottoman period is more than just symbolic.

U.S. newspaper "The St. Louis Republic", in an article from the April 5, 1903, writes about the cross as the savior of Macedonian women: 

"Tattooed cross protects women. Christian women from Macedonia, marked with a cross between the eyes." According to the same article, a cross was tattooed to "all girls who showed signs of sexual maturity or extraordinary beauty, to prevent their abductions by the Turks."

Reasons why this practice was carried out are described in the article entitled "Macedonian refugees", in the illustrated accessory to the American Journal "New York Tribune" from April 5, 1903:

"It was typically in one province young Christian girls to be stolen for the harems of Turkish governors and other officials. Once the girls grew into women, a small cross was tattooed between their eyes. The cross saved these girls from the harems. Many women had their girls taken in front of their eyes by the soldiers, and if men resisted they were shot on the spot."

So, ironically, the beauty of Macedonian girl, instead of advantage and reason for pride of her parents, as in the normal world, turned into a huge flaw.
Cases of female abductions by Turkish soldiers are also mentioned in the French newspaper "La Vie Populaire", in the article of February 24, 1903, titled "The crimes in Macedonia":
"No women are protected from violence and in a number of villages have been reported cases of abductions."
In the illustrated accessory to the "New York Tribune" newspaper from April 26, 1903, this practice of tattooing young Macedonians in order to save themselves from abductions, is mentioned again:
"Rural women with indelible cross between the eyes. When they were little they showed signs of beauty and their parents mark them (with cross) to prevent Turks to grab them for the harems."
The same journal writes a brief, but clear enough sentence on how the cross saved Macedonian women from abduction:
"The Turks are disgusted by the cross."
But except that Macedonian women were seeking protection and relief from the cross, they also protected the Christianity by themselves and refused to become Muslims. Perhaps the best known example is the history of the Holy Great Martyr Zlata Meglenska, that despite the cruelest torture and threat of death refused to abandon Christianity and become a Muslim.
Abduction of young Macedonian women and their resistance against becoming Muslims, was transformed into national songs by the Macedonian people.

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Austrians against further EU enlargement

After the entrance of Croatia in mid-2012, the Austrians do not want additional accession of new countries to the European Union, according to the public opinion survey which was carried out on Monday.

Austrians oppose most on the entrance of Albania, 68% of them are against, and only 15 percent agreed while the rest did not give an opinion, on Kosovo 66 percent against and 16 percent agree, Turkey 65 percent against and 17 percent agree, Serbia 61 percent against and 19 percent agree. These are the results of a survey conducted by the Society for social Research, Austrian Society for European Policy.

Almost uniformly negative attitude have towards BIH's entry into the EU, or 58 percent against and 22 percent agree, 55 percent against and 20 percent agree for Macedonia, for Montenegro 55 percent against and 21 percent agree.

The interviewees are most prone to the entry of Iceland, i.e. 33 percent agree, and 37 percent against.
The survey was conducted by telephone and included 500 Austrians.

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Posted in: World News