CANADA news

Prime Minister highlights project to improve public transit in Maple
February 7, 2019
Maple, Ontario
In 2016, the Government of Canada launched the biggest infrastructure plan in Canadian history. Since then, we have invested in and approved thousands of infrastructure projects, including 650 public transit projects in Ontario alone.
As Canadian cities continue to grow, we need to make sure their public transit systems keep pace with current and future transportation needs. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today visited Maple, Ontario, where he highlighted an investment of over $1.8 billion from the Government of Canada to expand GO rail public transportation infrastructure, including between Barrie and Union Station in Toronto.
These improvements will be funded as part of the ongoing GO Expansion project – the single largest transit project the federal government has ever funded.
With construction soon to be under way, the project will continue to create good, middle class jobs. Once completed, it will cut traffic, reduce air pollution, grow transit ridership, and make it easier and safer for people to get around the Greater Golden Horseshoe area of Ontario.
“Smart investments in public transit help connect communities, create good, middle class jobs, and protect our environment. They also make a real difference in people’s lives, helping them get to work on time in the mornings, and be home with their families in the evenings. We will continue to work with and listen to communities, and invest in the infrastructure they need – today and into the future.”

AHEPA's newest

Regional Banquet Benefits Odyssey Charter School Video courtesy of CosmosPhilly AHEPA celebrated Odyssey Charter School's excellence in the school's delivery of tuition-free, K-12 education to 1,700 students who learn Modern Greek language, at AHEPA's Regional Banquet themed "Boundless Journey Gala," Feb. 2, 2019. Recently, OCS, located in Wilmington, Delaware, has been voted as the No. 1 public school in the state. Since its inception in 2006, OCS has been rated a "Superior School" by Delaware's Department of Education in 2008, 2009, and 2010.  Chancellor of Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Professor Pericles Mitkas offered keynote remarks. Dr. Mitkas, a 25-year Ahepan, announced a special collaborative relationship developed between Odyssey and the largest university in Greece.  More than 200 invite-only guests attended the gala, including Supreme President George E. Loucas and Daughters of PenelopeGrand President Demi Thomas, who both addressed the audience. Brother Dimitri Dandolos chaired the event, which was held at the Wilmington Country Club. Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis served as Master of Ceremonies. Special thanks goes to AHEPA Board of Trustees Vice Chair Carl R. Hollister, PSP, and Supreme Secretary George Horiates. They raised funds to underwrite the cost of the gala. As a result, there was no price of admission. Earlier in the day, Supreme Lodge officers and guests were given a tour of the OCS Educational Campus, including the school grounds, classrooms, science labs and music rooms.  Full Coverage: CosmosPhilly | Photo Gallery (via Facebook) Make Plans Today! | 2019 Supreme Convention Chicago will play host to the 97th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, July 1 to 6, 2019. The Palmer House Hilton Hotel will be the venue.  Initial details, including hotel accommodations, can be found here. Secure the $159 plus tax per night room rate by making your reservation today!  National Scholarship, Journey to Greece Applications Available The AHEPA National Educational Foundation has posted applications for its National Scholarship program and Journey to Greece program.  Deadline: to apply for a National Educational Foundation scholarship is March 31, 2019. (apply now) (promo video) Deadline: to apply for the Journey to Greece program is April 20, 2019. (apply now) (promo video) Apply Today! | 2019 AHEPAcademy Session  Calling all high school juniors! Join a select group of Greek American students from across the country for AHEPAcademy, an interactive leadership and professional development program. The 2019 session will be held June 23 to 29 at George Mason University (located in northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC).  Program overview Early Application Deadline: March 15, 2019 Extended Deadline: April 15, 2019 Share: AHEPAcademy promo video (via Facebook) Apply Today! Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Upcoming Events & Deadlines   February - March 25 - 2 | Monte Kofos Memorial Golf Tournament, Amelia Island, Florida April  14 | Greek Independence Day Parade, New York City Greek American News Digest   Editor's Note: Editorials, Commentaries, and Opinion pieces are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.     U.S. Military Finds a Warm Welcome in Once-Wary Greece       Wall Street Journal (Feb. 4)  Helicopters carrying U.S. and Greek troops landed in a field at the foot of Mount Olympus on a sunny morning late last month during a live-fire exercise in which the joint forces practiced recovering a downed pilot. read more   Leader of Greece, Visiting Turkey, Aims to Build Ties and Improve His Image at Home  (Feb. 5) Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of Greece arrived in Turkey on Tuesday for a two-day visit, his first as prime minister, amid signs of a growing understanding between him and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.  read more  United States issues a strong warning in the Security Council tying UNFICYP mandate to progress in the negotiations GreekNews Online (Jan. 30)   The UN Security Council unanimously adopted on Wednesday resolution 2453 (2019) extending the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, UNFICYP, for another six months until July 31, 2019. But taking into account the intervention of U.S. Deputy Representative Jonathan Cohen during while explain his vote, the next renewal is not going to be easy if there is no progress in the settlement negotiations, led by UN Advisor Jane Hall Lute. read more Greece, 10 Years Into Economic Crisis, Counts the Cost to Mental Health  New York Times (Feb. 3) Greece's decade-long economic crisis has taken a heavy toll: Hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost, incomes were slashed and taxes were raised. Hopes for the future were dashed. For Anna, 68, the crisis had particularly devastating consequences. Her husband, a retired bus driver, killed himself in a park two years ago at age 66 after a series of pension cuts deepened his despair. read more New Greek Airline 'Athens Spirit' Set To Take On Aegean Airlines This April Simple Flying (Feb. 2) We love new airlines here at Simple Flying, in fact, we have a whole series dedicated to them. But this new startup airline is planning on taking on the flag carrier of Greece, Aegean Airlines, right on their home turf. read more Giannis thinking of drafting Curry with 1st All-Star pick Associated Press (Feb. 5) Giannis Antetokounmpo thinks he might take Stephen Curry with his first pick in the NBA All-Star draft. Antetokounmpo is the captain of one team for the game as the top vote-getter among Eastern Conference players in fan balloting.  read more Virginia Provost Thomas Katsouleas Appointed UConn President The National Herald (Jan. 29) Thomas Katsouleas the provost and executive vice president of the University of Virginia, has been named the 16th president of the University of Connecticut. Katsouleas was approved by a unanimous voice vote at a meeting of the school's trustees on Tuesday.  read more US Embassy offers ten scholarships for Greek high schools students to study in the US ANA-MPA (Jan. 30) The U.S. Embassy in Athens announced on Wednesday the launch of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, an initiative offering ten Greek students the opportunity to travel to the United States on a one-year scholarship and stay with a host family while attending an American high school. read more

THE WHITE HOUSE's latest

The White House • February 7, 2019 50 million women “More than 100 countries prohibit women from working in specific industries, which means 2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men,” Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump writes in The Wall Street Journal this week. In 18 countries, husbands can even legally prevent their wives from working and earning their own income, she adds. Expanding economic opportunity for women isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s in America’s national interest, as well. It has the potential to boost global economic output by $12 trillion by 2025. Unleashing widespread prosperity throughout the developing world can lead to a more stable, peaceful global order. This afternoon, President Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum to launch the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, or “W-GDP.” Spearheaded by Ivanka Trump, this first-of-its-kind, whole-of-government approach to women’s economic empowerment will aim to touch 50 million lives in developing countries. That potential $12 trillion payoff “represents far more than an economic boom—it represents millions of lives full of promise: mothers who could provide for their children, daughters who could be the first to graduate from high school, and young women who could start businesses and create jobs,” Ms. Trump writes. W-GDP stands on a three-pillar premise: Increase women’s global labor force participation and advancement in the workplace by providing them with quality education, training, and support   Improve the access that female entrepreneurs and business owners have to financing and market opportunities that help grow their businesses   Eliminate the legal, regulatory, and cultural barriers that prevent women from participating in their local economies   “By investing in women around the world, we’re investing in families, we’re investing in prosperity, and we’re investing in peace,” President Trump said. How W-GDP aims to reach 50 million women in the developing world by 2025 Watch: Ivanka Trump previews the promise of W-GDP Video of the day: SOTU in 62 seconds President Trump laid out a bold vision for American greatness in his second State of the Union address on Tuesday night. In case you missed the speech—or just want to relive a few of the highlights—we’ve compiled some of the best lines of the night. Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian President Donald J. Trump, joined by Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, members of his Cabinet, and guests, signs a memorandum to launch the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative | February 7, 2019 The White House • February 6, 2019

RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT latest

Conversation with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the PRC to the Russian Federation Li Hui
7 February 2019 17:30 Moscow


The Prime Minister visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and talked with China’s Ambassador to Russia Li Hui.

Excerpts from the transcript:





Conversation with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the PRC to the Russian Federation Li Hui

Li Hui: On behalf of the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the PRC State Council Li Keqiang, I would like to convey to you sincere New Year’s holiday greetings and wishes. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the biggest and most important holiday for China. It is different from others in that it gathers all family members at one table. Today you are celebrating the Chinese New Year with us. We are very grateful to you. I would like to thank you again for coming here.

Dmitry Medvedev: Mr Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, colleagues.

I would like to congratulate you and the friendly people of China on the Lunar New Year. This is indeed your biggest holiday and it is a great holiday. We are happy to have this opportunity to meet with you today and to convey our warmest words, our friendliest wishes to the Chinese people.

Some time ago I promised Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, that I would visit you one day. Although visits are not made very often, it was very important for us to visit our Chinese friends – the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, on such a wonderful holiday. I am not sure that we haven’t spoiled your holiday and vacation with this visit because the Chinese people have two weeks off. But as far as I know, the Ambassador and the Embassy employees are working nevertheless. Thank you for receiving us at this time. Please allow me to convey to you, and via you, our best wishes and greetings on the Lunar New Year to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang.

We hope to continue our productive contacts in the New Year as well so as to promote the spirit of partnership, our strategic partnership, and cooperation, which has distinguished our relations in the past few years.

In 2019, it will be 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. In this respect, our visit to the Chinese Embassy is also symbolic. Once again, we are happy to congratulate you on thus big holiday.

Li Hui: Thank you. I am happy to welcome you to our Embassy. This is a big honour for us.

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

PRESS

Council of the European Union     8/03/2019    Presidency press release after the informal meeting of the EU Justice ministers of 8 February 2019, Bucharest, Romania Read the full text of the press release. ΤΥΠΟΣ Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης     8/2/2019 Οδηγία για το φυσικό αέριο: Το Συμβούλιο εγκρίνει διαπραγματευτική εντολή Οι πρέσβεις των κρατών μελών της ΕΕ, που συνήλθαν στο πλαίσιο της Επιτροπής των Μόνιμων Αντιπροσώπων σήμερα, έδωσαν εντολή στην Προεδρία του Συμβουλίου να αρχίσει διαπραγματεύσεις με το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο σχετικά με την τροποποίηση της οδηγίας για το φυσικό αέριο. Η προτεινόμενη τροποποίηση αποσκοπεί στην επέκταση της εφαρμογής των κανόνων της αγοράς φυσικού αερίου της ΕΕ στους αγωγούς από και προς τρίτες χώρες. Ο γενικός στόχος της προτεινόμενης τροποποίησης της οδηγίας για το φυσικό αέριο είναι να διασφαλιστεί ότι οι κανόνες που διέπουν την εσωτερική αγορά φυσικού αερίου της ΕΕ ισχύουν για τις γραμμές μεταφοράς φυσικού αερίου μεταξύ κράτους μέλους και τρίτης χώρας, μέχρι τα σύνορα της επικράτειας του κράτους μέλους και των χωρικών του υδάτων. Αυτό θα καταστήσει το νομικό πλαίσιο της ΕΕ πιο συνεπές, θα ενισχύσει τη διαφάνεια και θα εξασφαλίσει ασφάλεια δικαίου για τους επενδυτές υποδομών φυσικού αερίου και για τους χρήστες του δικτύου. Προκειμένου να ληφθεί υπόψη η τρέχουσα έλλειψη συγκεκριμένων κανόνων που να εφαρμόζονται στους αγωγούς μεταξύ κρατών μελών της ΕΕ και τρίτων χωρών, η προτεινόμενη τροποποιημένη οδηγία προβλέπει τη δυνατότητα χορήγησης παρεκκλίσεων για τους υφιστάμενους αγωγούς. Η διαπραγματευτική εντολή προβλέπει επίσης ότι οι τεχνικές συμφωνίες σχετικά με τη λειτουργία των αγωγών που έχουν συναφθεί μεταξύ των διαχειριστών συστημάτων μεταφοράς θα πρέπει να παραμείνουν σε ισχύ, υπό την προϋπόθεση ότι συμμορφώνονται με το δίκαιο της ΕΕ. Η διαπραγματευτική εντολή καθορίζει μια διαδικασία για τη διαπραγμάτευση συμφωνιών μεταξύ κρατών μελών της ΕΕ και τρίτων χωρών όσον αφορά τη λειτουργία ενός αγωγού φυσικού αερίου. Οι εν λόγω συμφωνίες θα μπορούσαν να αποτελέσουν παράδειγμα για την επίλυση τυχόν περιπτώσεων ασυμβίβαστου μεταξύ του δικαίου της ΕΕ και του δικαίου τρίτων χωρών. Σύμφωνα με την πρόταση, τα κράτη μέλη που επιθυμούν να αρχίσουν διαπραγματεύσεις με τρίτη χώρα για τη σύναψη, την τροποποίηση ή την επέκταση μιας τέτοιας συμφωνίας που θα είχε αντίκτυπο στους κοινούς κανόνες της ΕΕ, θα πρέπει να ενημερώσουν την Επιτροπή. Για το τμήμα που θα μπορούσε να επηρεάσει τους κανόνες της ΕΕ, η Επιτροπή θα εξουσιοδοτήσει στη συνέχεια το κράτος μέλος να ξεκινήσει επίσημες διαπραγματεύσεις. Ιστορικό και επόμενα βήματα Η τροποποίηση της οδηγίας για το φυσικό αέριο προτάθηκε από την Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή τον Νοέμβριο του 2017. Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο ενέκρινε τη θέση του επί του φακέλου τον Απρίλιο του 2018. Μετά τη σημερινή συμφωνία ως προς την εντολή, η Προεδρία του Συμβουλίου μπορεί να αρχίσει διαπραγματεύσεις με το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο. Πρόταση της Επιτροπής European Council     6/2/2019 Remarks by President Donald Tusk after his meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar There are 50 days left until the UK's exit from the European Union, following the decision and the will of the UK authorities. I know that still a very great number of people in the UK, and on the continent, as well as in Ireland, wish for a reversal of this decision. I have always been with you, with all my heart. But the facts are unmistakable. At the moment, the pro-Brexit stance of the UK Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition, rules out this question. Today, there is no political force and no effective leadership for remain. I say this without satisfaction, but you can't argue with the facts. Today our most important task is to prevent a no deal scenario. I would, once again, like to stress that the position of the EU27 is clear, as expressed in the documents agreed with the UK government – that is the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration – and the EU27 is not making any new offer. Let me recall that the December European Council decided that the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. I hope that tomorrow we will hear from Prime Minister May a realistic suggestion on how to end the impasse, in which the process of the orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU has found itself, following the latest votes in the House of Commons. The top priority for us, remains the issue of the border on the island of Ireland, and the guarantee to maintain the peace process in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement. There is no room for speculation here. The EU itself is first and foremost a peace project. We will not gamble with peace; or put a sell-by date on reconciliation. And this is why we insist on the backstop. Give us a believable guarantee for peace in Northern Ireland, and the UK will leave the EU as a trusted friend. I hope that the UK government will present ideas that will both respect this point of view and, at the same time, command a stable and clear majority in the House of Commons. I strongly believe that a common solution is possible, and I will do everything in my power to find it. A sense of responsibility also tells us to prepare for a possible fiasco. The Taoiseach and I have spoken about the necessary actions in case of no deal; I know that you will also be discussing this shortly with the European Commission. By the way, I've been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted Brexit, without even a sketch of a plan how to carry it out safely. Thank you.

κ. ΚΩΣΤΑ ΖΑΧΑΡΙΑΔΗ,ενημερωτικό δελτίο

Ενημερωτικό Δελτίο [#3] Εκδήλωση ΚΕΔΙΣΑ: «Πανελλαδική Έρευνα Metron Analysis για τη Συμφωνία των Πρεσπών» τάσεις και αποφάσεις 'Ομιλία  στην εκδήλωση με θέμα: «Παρουσίαση Πανελλαδικής Έρευνας Κοινής Γνώμης της Metron Analysis για την κύρωση της Συμφωνίας των Πρεσπών από την Βουλή των Ελλήνων». περισσότερα->   Τελικά τι θα γίνει με αυτό το debate που είχε προσκαλέσει ο Αλέξης Τσίπρας τον Κυριάκο Μητσοτάκη, γιατί το φοβάται ο αρχηγός της αξιωματικής αντιπολίτευσης; Συνέντευξη στην εκπομπή της ΕΤ1  «Άλλη Διάσταση» με τον Κώστα Αρβανίτη για τις πολιτικές εξελίξεις των ημερών  περισσότερα->   Γιατί προχωρήσαμε στη Συμφωνία των Πρεσπών – «Απόφαση ευθύνης» Εφ όλης της ύλης συνέντευξη για τις πολιτικές εξελίξεις των ημερών στην εκπομπή ΤWODAY με τον δημοσιογράφο Θεόδωρο Καλούδη περισσότερα->     ΑΡΘΡΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ  Προοδευτικό μέτωπο… Πως; Οι ζυμώσεις και ο διάλογος για τη δημιουργία ενός ευρύτατου προοδευτικού μετώπου, μιας πλατιάς συμπαράταξης προχωρούν σε εθνικό και ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο. Η ελληνική κυβέρνηση και ο ΣΥΡΙΖΑ θέτουν τις βάσεις για ευρύτερες πολιτικές συγκλίσεις, με αφορμή τη Συμφωνία των Πρεσπών, την επόμενη μέρα από την έξοδο των μνημονίων και τις προκλήσεις των ευρωεκλογών. Διαβάστε περισσότερα->     ΑΡΘΡΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ  Προϋποθέσεις συνεργασίας με συγκεκριμένη στόχευση Η Συμφωνία των Πρεσπών αποτέλεσε θρυαλλίδα εξελίξεων στο χώρο της κεντροαριστεράς. Πάγια θέση του Συνασπισμού και μετέπειτα του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ ήταν η επίλυση της πολυετούς διαμάχης με τη Βόρεια Μακεδονία, δέσμευση η οποία υλοποιήθηκε μεθοδικά και προσεκτικά μετά την έξοδο από το μνημόνιο από την ελληνική κυβέρνηση και τον Πρωθυπουργό Αλέξη Τσίπρα. Διαβάστε περισσότερα->