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The National Herald Interviews SP Loucas Supreme President George E. Loucas holds a unique place in the history of the organization along with his namesake grandfather, as the first grandfather and grandson elected supreme president. He spoke with The National Herald about his life and the family's longstanding involvement in AHEPA that proved pivotal in his life's journey so far. read the interview    AHEPA Happenings | District 4 Mass Initiation Supreme President George E. Loucas, Supreme Secretary George Horiates, Supreme Governor George Papaspyrou, District 4 Governor Charles Mackenzie, and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis presided over a mass initiation ceremony held in Harrisburg, Pa., Nov. 19. Congratulations and welcome to our new brothers!   ICYMI | Giving Thanks for Your Support At this time of year, we are reminded that we have plenty for which to be thankful. We are especially grateful to our volunteer members who give unselfishly of their time and resources in service to the community ... read Supreme President Loucas's Thanksgiving message Also: Gratitude and Appreciation of American Values at AHEPA Family Thanksgiving Dinner (GreekNews Online) Did You Miss It?  The Ahepan Fall 2018 Catch highlights from the 96th Supreme Convention, our visits to devastated areas of Attica and Thessaloniki in support for USA-Thessaloniki International Fair 2018, and, of course, see how our chapters are working to strengthen their communities through service. check it out    Congressional Hellenic Caucus Membership is 126. Help It Grow.    Although Congress is heading into the homestretch of the 115th Congress, there is still time to increase the membership of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in 1995.  It is co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and its co-founder, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).   Membership in the Hellenic Caucus stands at 126.   Is your U.S. representative a member?  Click here to find out. Download & Share: Action Alert to help you outreach to your U.S. representative  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   December  11 | New Realities in the Eastern Mediterranean - Supreme President George Loucas and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis will speak at an international conference held in Jerusalem 31 | Membership submission year-end deadline January 4-6 | Epiphany events, Tarpon Springs, Fla. February  1 | Deadline for the spring 2019 issue of The Ahepan 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.     US supports Cyprus' right to develop its natural wealth Cyprus Mail Online (Nov. 16)  US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis Fannon reiterated his government's support to the Republic of Cyprus' right to develop its natural wealth, adding that his country promotes energy developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region as a matter of priority.  read more   Turkey warns ExxonMobil against drilling with Greek Cypriots Associated Press (Nov.18)   Turkey's Foreign Ministry has cautioned an international energy company against cooperating with the government of Cyprus in its search for gas.  Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Sunday that the exploratory drilling ExxonMobil has started in the eastern Mediterranean "did not contribute to the region's stability" and could change "sensitive balances."  read more    Two sea scouts accept inaugural John McCain Prize on behalf of Lesvos GreekNews Online (Nov. 18)   Two sea scouts from the island of Lesvos, 18-year-old Xenophon Koukoutas and Yiannis Svoros, on Saturday accepted the inaugural John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service on behalf of the residents of their entire island, for their "heroic support of refugees fleeing mayhem throughout the Middle East and Africa."  The prize was presented by the wife of the late Senator John S. McCain, Cindy McCain, at the 10th annual Halifax International Security Forum held in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  read more    Cyprus gets back looted 6th century mosaic of St. Mark Associated Press (Nov. 18)   The communications minister of Cyprus says a rare 6th-century portrait mosaic of St. Mark which was looted from an Orthodox Christian church more than four decades ago has returned intact to the Mediterranean island nation.  read more     US backs Cyprus's right to develop resources, Pyatt says Ekathimerini (Nov. 15)   Washington supports Cyprus's right to develop its resources in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt said Thursday.  "The US has been very clear, Washington has spoken repeatedly and consistently in terms of our support for the right of Cyprus to exploit its continental shelf and its resources," Pyatt said during a conversation with Kathimerini English Edition Editor in Chief, Tom Ellis, during the Thessaloniki Summit in Greece's northern port city. read more    A stitch in time: Cyprus' Lefkaritiko lace faces grim future Associated Press (Nov. 19)   Legend has it that the intricate needlework used in embroidery known as 'Lefkaritiko lace' was of such high quality that Leonardo Da Vinci himself bought a tablecloth when he visited this mountainous village in the late 15th century and gifted it to Milan's cathedral.  Local merchant Demosthenes Rouvis contends that the zig-zag pattern adorning the tablecloth on which Jesus Christ and his disciples dine in Da Vinci's masterpiece "The Last Supper" closely resembles those found on "Lefkaritiko" embroidery.  read more  Significant Increase in U.S. Students Studying in Greece The Pappas Post (Nov. 19) There has been a significant increase in the number of American university students visiting Greece for study abroad programs, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, a State Department-funded portal that tracks the movements of U.S. students and scholars abroad.  read more   Young Greek American builds a body shop empire and fulfills a promise made to his father Hellenic News of America (Nov. 15)   Today, 32-year-old Peter Kathopoulis has made good on that promise. What started under his father as a single garage with one part-time employee has turned into a thriving collision repair business.  read more

EU: Law enforcement access to financial information: Council adopts negotiating position

ΤΥΠΟΣ Συμβούλιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης     21/11/2018  Πρόσβαση των αρχών επιβολής του νόμου σε χρηματοοικονομικές πληροφορίες: το Συμβούλιο καθορίζει διαπραγματευτική θέση Η ΕΕ βελτιώνει την πρόσβαση των μονάδων χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών και των αρχών επιβολής του νόμου σε χρηματοοικονομικές πληροφορίες προκειμένου να ενισχυθεί η καταπολέμηση της τρομοκρατίας και του σοβαρού εγκλήματος. Οι πρέσβεις στην ΕΕ συμφώνησαν σήμερα τη διαπραγματευτική θέση του Συμβουλίου σχετικά με την οδηγία για τη θέσπιση κανόνων με σκοπό τη διευκόλυνση της χρήσης χρηματοοικονομικών και άλλων πληροφοριών για την πρόληψη, την ανίχνευση, τη διερεύνηση ή τη δίωξη ορισμένων ποινικών αδικημάτων. "Εγκληματίες που διαθέτουν διάφορους τραπεζικούς λογαριασμούς σε μία ή περισσότερες χώρες μπορούν να μεταφέρουν χρήματα μέσα σε λίγες ώρες. Προκειμένου να διασφαλιστεί ότι οι αρχές επιβολής του νόμου έχουν τη δυνατότητα έρευνας και, εν ανάγκη, δέσμευσης αυτών των περιουσιακών στοιχείων προτού εξαφανιστούν, είναι αναγκαία η απευθείας και ταχεία πρόσβαση σε χρηματοοικονομικές πληροφορίες. Οι προτεινόμενοι κανόνες θα παράσχουν ένα σαφές πλαίσιο που επιτρέπει την πρόσβαση και την ανταλλαγή αυτών των πληροφοριών." κ. Herbert Kickl, υπουργός Εσωτερικών της Αυστρίας Η ισχύουσα οδηγία της ΕΕ κατά της νομιμοποίησης εσόδων από παράνομες δραστηριότητες απαιτεί από τα κράτη μέλη να δημιουργήσουν κεντρικά μητρώα τραπεζικών λογαριασμών ή συστήματα ανάκτησης δεδομένων τα οποία καθιστούν δυνατή την έγκαιρη εξακρίβωση της ταυτότητας των κατόχων τραπεζικών λογαριασμών και λογαριασμών πληρωμών και θυρίδων θησαυροφυλακίου. Προβλέπει επίσης ότι οι μονάδες χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών έχουν άμεση πρόσβαση στις πληροφορίες που τηρούνται στα εν λόγω μητρώα. Η διαπραγματευτική θέση που εγκρίθηκε ζητεί από τα κράτη μέλη: να διασφαλίζουν ότι οι αρμόδιες αρχές επιβολής του νόμου εξουσιοδοτούνται επίσης να έχουν πρόσβαση και να πραγματοποιούν αναζήτηση, αμέσως και απευθείας, σε πληροφορίες τραπεζικών λογαριασμών με σκοπό την πρόληψη, την ανίχνευση, τη διερεύνηση ή τη δίωξη ορισμένων ποινικών αδικημάτων να διασφαλίζουν ότι οι μονάδες χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών έχουν δικαίωμα έγκαιρης απάντησης σε αιτήματα των αρμόδιων αρχών επιβολής του νόμου για την παροχή χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών ή χρηματοοικονομικής ανάλυσης να καθορίζουν τις αρχές που είναι αρμόδιες για την απευθείας πρόσβαση σε πληροφορίες τραπεζικών λογαριασμών (περιλαμβανομένων τουλάχιστον των υπηρεσιών ανάκτησης περιουσιακών στοιχείων), να ζητούν πληροφορίες ή ανάλυση από τις μονάδες χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών και να ενημερώνουν την Επιτροπή να διασφαλίζουν ότι οι οικείες ορισθείσες αρμόδιες αρχές οφείλουν να απαντούν εγκαίρως σε αιτήματα της εθνικής μονάδας χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών για πληροφορίες σχετικές με την επιβολή του νόμου να διασφαλίζουν ότι οι αρμόδιες αρχές και η εθνική μονάδα χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών έχουν δικαίωμα να απαντούν (είτε απευθείας είτε μέσω της εθνικής μονάδας Ευρωπόλ) σε δεόντως αιτιολογημένα αιτήματα της Ευρωπόλ σχετικά με την παροχή πληροφοριών τραπεζικών λογαριασμών και χρηματοοικονομικών πληροφοριών Βάσει της εντολής αυτής, η Προεδρία του Συμβουλίου θα αρχίσει διαπραγματεύσεις με το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο, μόλις αυτό εγκρίνει τη θέση του. Council of the European Union

21/11/2018

	Law enforcement access to financial information: Council adopts negotiating position
	The EU is improving access to financial information by financial intelligence units and law enforcement authorities in order to strengthen the fight against terrorism and serious crime. EU ambassadors today agreed the Council's negotiating position on a directive laying down the rules facilitating the use of financial and other information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offences. "Criminals who have several bank accounts in one or more countries can transfer money in a matter of hours. To ensure that law enforcement authorities are able to investigate, and when necessary freeze, these assets before they are gone, they need direct and fast access to financial information. The proposed rules will provide a clear framework in which this information can be accessed and exchanged." Herbert Kickl, Minister of the Interior of Austria The existing EU directive on the prevention of money laundering requires member states to establish centralised bank account registries or data retrieval systems allowing the timely identification of the persons holding bank and payment accounts and safe deposit boxes. It also makes the information held in those registries directly accessible to financial intelligence units. The agreed negotiating position requires that member states: ensure that the competent law enforcement authorities also have the power to access and search directly and immediately bank account information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offences ensure that financial intelligence units are entitled to reply in a timely manner to requests for financial information or analysis from the competent law enforcement authorities define which are the competent authorities to directly access bank account information (including at least asset recovery offices) and to request information or analysis from the financial intelligence units, and notify the Commission ensure that its designated competent authorities are required to reply in a timely manner to requests for law enforcement information by the national financial intelligence unit ensure the competent authorities and the financial intelligence unit are entitled to reply (either directly or through the Europol national unit) to duly justified requests related to bank account and financial information made by Europol On the basis of this mandate, the Council Presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament once the latter has adopted its position.

Γέφυρα ζωής Α.μεΑ. πρόσκλησις

Η Γέφυρα ζωής Α.μεΑ. σας προσκαλεί σε μια ξεχωριστή γιορτή, για να γιορτάσουμε όλοι μαζί την παγκόσμια ημέρα ατόμων με αναπηρία.

Η παρουσία σας θα μας τιμήσει ιδιαίτερα ενώ ταυτόχρονα θα μοιράσει χαρά και χαμόγελα στους παιδιά του συλλόγου μας, το Σάββατο 1^η Δεκεμβρίου 2018, και ώρα 18:00 στο Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο του Δήμου Αιγάλεω «Ελληνικό Μολύβι», Ιερά οδός 154 & Νάξου (στάση μέτρο ελαιώνας).

Τα παιδιά μαζί με τους και οι εθελοντές της Γέφυρα ζωής Α.μεΑ. θα σας παρουσιάσουν ένα δείγμα των δυνατοτήτων τους σε μια ποικιλία δραστηριοτήτων, και θα σας προσφέρουν λίγη απ’ τη μαγεία της μοναδικότητας τους  

Είναι καιρός να μας γνωρίσετε καλύτερα ...

 Παρακαλώ όπως επιβεβαιώσετε την παρουσία σας

  στο email: info@gefirazois.gr η στο 211 21 43 437

Με εκτίμηση 

Η ομάδα της ΓΕΦΥΡΑ ΖΩΗΣ Α.με.Α. 

U.S.A.'s interesting latest

Protect Your Family from E. coli

Due to a recent E. coli outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising the public not to consume any type of romaine lettuce. Retailers and restaurants are advised not to serve or sell products containing romaine lettuce.This food safety alert includes all types or uses of romaine lettuce, such as whole heads or hearts, and bags and boxes of precut lettuce and salad mixes. Learn what the potential health complications are from this infection, and who is most at risk. FTC Requests Public Comment on an Application from Praxair and Linde to Approve Sale of an Industrial Gases Plant to Celanese Ltd. The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application from industrial gas suppliers Praxair, Inc. and Linde AG to divest a hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas plant to Celanese Ltd. The divestiture of the plant is required under the FTC’s October 22, 2018 proposed order, which requires Praxair and Linde to divest certain industrial gases assets to settle charges that the $80 billion merger of Praxair and Linde would violate federal antitrust law. The application proposes that Celanese Ltd. will acquire Linde’s hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas plant in Clear Lake, Texas. The Commission will decide whether to approve the application after a 30-day public comment period, which expires on Dec. 21, 2018. Comments on the application can be filed electronically, or sent to: FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington. (FTC File No. 171 0068. The staff contact is Eric Rohlck, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2681.) The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits consumers or file an antitrust complaint. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.   MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program A new MedWatch Safety Alert recall: Valsartan-containing products by Mylan: Due to detected trace amounts of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine was just added to the FDA Recalls Web Page.   You can read the complete recall alert at: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm626367.htm Mylan Initiates Voluntary Nationwide Recall of 15 Lots of Valsartan Tablets, USP, Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP, and Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP, Due to the Detection of Trace Amounts of NDEA (N-Nitrosodiethylamine) Impurity Found in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ: MYL) today announced that its U.S. based Mylan Pharmaceuticals business is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall to the consumer level of select lots of Valsartan-containing products, including six lots of Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets, USP (including the 5mg/160mg, 10mg/160mg, and 10mg/320mg strengths), seven lots of Valsartan Tablets, USP (including 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, and 320 mg strengths), and two lots of Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP 320mg/25mg strength.  These products are being recalled due to detected trace amounts of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contained in the API Valsartan, USP, manufactured by Mylan Laboratories Limited. NDEA is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). First Source Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecan and Cashew in Chocolate and Nut Tray First Source of Tonawanda, NY, is voluntarily recalling Chocolate and Nut Tray because it contains undeclared tree nuts, pecan and cashew. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to tree nuts (Pecan & Cashew) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The recalled item was distributed to 98 Wegmans Food Markets in the states of MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, and VA. The affected product was sold from November 8, 2018 to November 20, 2018. The product comes in a four-quadrant plastic tray, NET WT 37 OZ (2 LBS 5 OZ) 1.05KG, with UPC: 0 23637 43369 0, and Best Before Date of 07/09/19. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. Wegmans will place automated phone calls to notify customers who purchased the product using their Shoppers Club Card of the recall.

The White House • November 21, 2018

President Trump’s Thanksgiving message to Americans It's that time of year again, as many Americans travel far and wide to be with loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday. Gathering in places of worship and around family dinner tables, it is a time to give appreciation for all that we've been blessed with. "On Thanksgiving Day, we recall the courageous and inspiring journey of the Pilgrims who, nearly four centuries ago, ventured across the vast ocean to flee religious persecution and establish a home in the New World," President Donald J. Trump wrote in his 2018 Thanksgiving Proclamation. Facing dangerous conditions and uncertainty, the more than 100 Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and "instilled in our Nation a strong faith in God that continues to be a beacon of hope to all Americans." In recognition of their journey, President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation on November 26, 1789. But it was under President Abraham Lincoln that the day became a true national celebration on the final Thursday of November each year. "We give thanks for the family, friends, neighbors and loved ones who enrich our lives, lift our spirits, and fill our days with joy. And we give thanks to God, who continues to shed his almighty grace upon this magnificent land that we all love so very much," President Trump said yesterday from the Rose Garden. "We are truly blessed to be Americans." Thanksgiving at the White House, then and now Watch: President Trump pardons this year’s National Thanksgiving Turkey! The White House Christmas Tree has arrived! On Monday, the President joined First Lady Melania Trump as this year's White House Christmas Tree arrived by horse carriage to the North Portico. "We received the @WhiteHouse Christmas tree yesterday! It will grace the Blue Room throughout the season – hope you will come to the People’s house to see it!" the First Lady shared on Twitter this week. Each year, standing between 18 and 19 feet tall, the tree serves as the centerpiece for the White House Christmas decorations. By tradition, the winning tree farmer is determined from the results of the highly competitive National Christmas Tree Contest. This year's great honor goes to Larry Smith of Mountain Top Fraser Fir in Newland, North Carolina. "It's like winning the Super Bowl," Smith said. Watch the arrival of the 2018 White House Christmas Tree. In photos: See more of this year’s Christmas tree arrival and setup Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump receive the White House Christmas Tree | November 19, 2018