ΜΙΜΗ ΑΝΔΡΟΥΛΑΚΗ,"ΝΥΧΤΑ ΜΕ ΠΕΝΤΕ ΦΕΓΓΑΡΙΑ"..

Το ΜέΡΑ25 και ο γραμματέας του κόμματος, Γιάνης Βαρουφάκης..

Το ΜέΡΑ25 και ο γραμματέας του κόμματος, Γιάνης Βαρουφάκης σας περιμένουν τη Δευτέρα 4 Φεβρουαρίου 2019 στις 19.00 στο Δημαρχείο Ιλίου (Κάλχου 48, Νέα Λιόσια).

Στο δρόμο προς τις εθνικές εκλογές και τις ευρωεκλογές θα συζητήσουμε για την οικονομία, την πολιτική και όλα όσα απασχολούν την κοινωνία για την πορεία της χώρας και της Ευρώπης.

Το ΜέΡΑ25 είναι η φωνή όλων των ανθρώπων. Έλα να μας ακούσεις. Έλα να σε ακούσουμε. Μαζί είμαστε πιο δυνατοί.

RUSSIA's latest news..

Gathering in honour of the 10th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Local Council and the Patriarch's enthronement


The President visited the State Kremlin Palace, where events are being held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Local Council and the enthronement of the Patriarch.
January 31, 2019
17:30
The Kremlin, Moscow




At the gathering in honour of the 10th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Local Council and the Patriarch's enthronement.

Earlier, the President met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and heads of the delegations of local Orthodox churches from different countries who arrived in Moscow to participate in the festivities.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Your Holiness, primates and representatives of local Orthodox churches, priests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am glad to welcome all of you in the heart of Russia, in the Moscow Kremlin, with its holy shrines that mean a lot to every Orthodox believer.

Today’s gathering is dedicated to a special date. At the end of January 2009, the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church met to elect a new primate – Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

I would like to warmly and sincerely congratulate His Holiness on the 10th anniversary of his enthronement.

In December 2017, we came together to celebrate the centenary of the restoration of the patriarchate in our country and recognised the decisive role played by the primates of the Russian Orthodox Church in many respects in the destiny of the Fatherland, the greatness of their devotion and service to our people.

Like his outstanding predecessors, Patriarch Kirill carries out his archpastoral mission with honour. Abiding by the Christian commandments, he seeks to help people find their way to the church, to bolster their faith, and to support them in word and deed. His wisdom and honesty, his openness and generosity have earned him respect and trust both in Russia and far beyond its borders.

His Holiness and Orthodox hierarchs, together with representatives of other traditional religions, are making a significant contribution to strengthening social harmony, helping resolve profoundly important, sometimes very sensitive issues that people are concerned and worry about.

I know how much has been done in recent years to expand the Church’s social services; the enormous, tireless work in this area the churches are doing, bringing in volunteers, benefactors, and all those who seeks to selflessly help other people.

This work is invaluable; it cannot be measured by statistics, but still, allow me to cite a few figures.

In 2009, there was only one church shelter in Russia for women with children who ended up in difficult life situations. Last year their number grew to 58. More than 100 new humanitarian aid centres have opened. Nursing care and social rehabilitation services are developing.

The Russian Orthodox Church is always found where people are experiencing difficulties; it is always with people who are in trouble. That was the case in the summer of 2010, when Russia was confronted with the elements, when fires raged across many regions of our country; that was the case in Krymsk and in cities and villages of the Far East affected by floods.

Today, the Russian Orthodox Church coordinates and contributes to over 6,500 social projects, thereby significantly strengthening the efforts of the state and society in this area.

I would like to offer special thanks to Patriarch Kirill and the Church for the spiritual guidance of the Russian army. Your sincere, heartfelt words help the soldiers and officers to defend their homeland with honour, instil in them confidence in their military prowess and moral righteousness.

The educational activities of the ROC deserve great respect, as do the restoration of old churches and the building of new ones. Patriarch Kirill and I recently attended the ceremony to consecrate the foundation of one of them – a majestic cathedral commemorating the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War, named the Resurrection of Christ.

The noble devotion of the Russian Orthodox Church extends over its entire canonical territory. And we are grateful to His Holiness for his constant attention to our compatriots and the support of foreign communities, for his tireless work to build trust between countries and peoples, to expand humanitarian contacts.

I must emphasise that such honest, impeccable service that Patriarch Kirill demonstrates is an example of true love for the Fatherland and for our people, and the successes achieved in this field lay the foundation for the development of the Church for decades to come.

Your Holiness, participants of this solemn gathering,

Today, as for many centuries before, the high purpose of the Russian Orthodox Church remains exceptionally important.

I emphasise that the state will continue to actively promote constructive partnership with the Church in all significant areas, primarily, bringing up younger generations, preserving cultural heritage and solving pressing social problems.

Russia faces major challenges and ambitious goals and, without exaggeration, historic tasks in demography, social development and improvements in the quality of life, as well as efforts to achieve economic, scientific, and technological breakthroughs.

But we are well aware that in order to reach new heights, it is important to preserve our identity, unity and solidarity, which rely on values that have been cherished at all times by Orthodoxy and other traditional religions of Russia, such as compassion, honesty and justice, caring for your neighbour and family, respect for parents and children and, of course, love for the Motherland.

Neglecting these values can lead to the most destructive consequences, to the depersonalisation and degradation of the individual, and make people victims of the most vile and base manipulations.

To reiterate, the common duty of cooperation and responsibility of the state, the Church, religious leaders, and society lies in preserving and strengthening our spiritual, moral and ethical foundation, passing it on to the young, to future generations, so as not to lose ourselves in an era of turbulent global change.

Of course, we hope that the Russian Orthodox Church will remain an effective force for peace, promote friendship and neighbourliness, and support our compatriots and people belonging to Orthodox culture.

Brotherly interchurch ties have historically united nations and served to promote equitable relations between Russia and many foreign countries.

Unfortunately, we can see other examples as well where speculation, politicking and parasitism on matters of religious life have led to disunity among people and provoked anger and intolerance.

Precisely such a project that is unrelated to faith and is false through and through, focusing on the struggle for power, is unfolding in Ukraine. Regrettably, the Patriarchate of Constantinople got dragged into it. In fact, we are witnessing flagrant interference in church life. Its initiators seem to have taken after the godless people of the previous century, who expelled believers from churches and attacked and persecuted the clergy.

To reiterate, the state, the Russian authorities consider any interference in church affairs to be absolutely intolerable. We have and will always have respect for the independence of church life, all the more so in a neighbouring sovereign country. Nevertheless, we reserve the right to respond and do our best to protect human rights, including freedom of religion.

In closing, I would like to once again congratulate Patriarch Kirill on the occasion of a significant date, ten years since his enthronement. I wish His Holiness vigour, longevity and every success in his archpastoral work. May your prayers keep the Russian Orthodox Church and our Fatherland.

Thank you.

Dmitry Medvedev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discuss bilateral economic cooperation and integration in the Eurasian Economic Union
29 January 2019 18:10

Today, at the initiative of the Armenian side, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.

The officials continued their discussion of current issues in Russian-Armenian trade, economic and investment cooperation following their 25 January meeting in Moscow. They also touched on the subject of integration cooperation in the Eurasian Economic Union.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT latest

Answer to a written question - Women's rights and the empowerment of women in Pakistan - E-005679/2018(ASW)

31-01-2019 03:23 PM CET

Commission response
See question(s) E-005679/2018

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Answer to a written question - Protection of biodiversity - E-005986/2018(ASW)

31-01-2019 03:15 PM CET

Commission response
See question(s) E-005986/2018

Answer to a written question - VP/HR - Protection of bishops and priests persecuted in the Philippines - E-006168/2018(ASW)

31-01-2019 03:15 PM CET

Commission response
See question(s) E-006168/2018

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Answer to a written question - Negotiating directives for free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand - P-006245/2018(ASW)

31-01-2019 03:05 PM CET

Commission response
See question(s) P-006245/2018

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Answer to a written question - VP/HR - EU engagement in protecting cultural rights in the world - E-006169/2018(ASW)

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Συζητήσεις - Τετάρτη 30 Ιανουαρίου 2019 - Βρυξέλλες - Προσωρινή έκδοση

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In-Depth Analysis - Happy birthday? The euro at 20 - PE 631.041 - Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

31-01-2019 12:00 AM CET

We analyse the first twenty years of the euro both from an economic and an institutional perspective. We find that in particular during the period since the financial crisis, convergence as measured by a variety of indicators has not improved. Design flaws in the Eurozone institutional architecture have contributed importantly to this lack of convergence. This is why further reforms are urgently needed. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

tudy - The Economic and Monetary Union: Past, Present and Future - PE 631.040 - Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

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Twenty years of euro history confirms the euro’s stability and position as the second global currency. It also enjoys the support of majority of the euro area population and is seen as a good thing for the European Union. The European Central Bank has been successful in keeping inflation at a low level. However, the European debt and financial crisis in the 2010s created a need for deep institutional reform and this task remains unfinished. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

"NEA ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ" ενημέρωση

Αθήνα, 31 Ιανουαρίου 2019 H Ανανέωση συνεχίζεται στη Νέα Δημοκρατία: Η νέα σύνθεση της οργανωτικής δομής του κόμματος Η Νέα Δημοκρατία κάνοντας πράξη το αίτημα των πολιτών για εκ βάθρων ανανέωση στα κόμματα ανακοινώνει σήμερα τη νέα σύνθεση του κεντρικού οργανωτικού της σχήματος. Πρόκειται για τους 15 γραμματείς της και τους 140 αναπληρωτές τους, το 73% των οποίων δεν έχει αναλάβει ποτέ στο παρελθόν ανάλογη θέση. Επιπλέον, δε, το 20% εξ αυτών δεν είχε ποτέ στο παρελθόν ενεργό ανάμειξη στα κομματικά δρώμενα της Νέας Δημοκρατίας. Τα βιογραφικά τους ανταποκρίνονται πλήρως στο αίτημα της κοινωνίας να μπουν στην πολιτική πρόσωπα που έχουν διανύσει μια αυτόνομη επαγγελματική διαδρομή, με συμμετοχή στην κοινωνία των πολιτών. Το 95% έχουν πτυχία ανώτατης ή ανώτερης εκπαίδευσης, το 97% προέρχεται από τον ιδιωτικό τομέα και ο μέσος όρος ηλικίας τους είναι τα 42 έτη. Για πρώτη φορά, επίσης, υπάρχει αντιπροσωπευτική εκπροσώπηση όλων των περιφερειών της χώρας. Αυτό τον στόχο εξυπηρετεί και η νέα διάρθρωση του οργανωτικού σχήματος, με το 45% των αναπληρωτών γραμματέων να κατοικούν στην περιφέρεια και αναλαμβάνοντας στο εξής την ευθύνη να μεταφέρουν τις κεντρικές πολιτικές του κόμματος στις περιφέρειές τους αλλά και να εμπλουτίσουν παράλληλα το πρόγραμμα της ΝΔ με τα τοπικά ζητήματα του τομέα ευθύνης τους. Η Νέα Δημοκρατία προσαρμοζόμενη επίσης στις ανάγκες της εποχής, διευρύνει το αντικείμενο και τη δράση αρκετών εκ των γραμματειών της, ούτως ώστε να προσαρμοστούν απολύτως και στο κυβερνητικό της πρόγραμμα. Ενδεικτικά σημειώνεται ότι τρεις γραμματείες είναι αφιερωμένες πλέον αποκλειστικά στο στρατηγικό στόχο της Νέας Δημοκρατίας να στηρίξει τη μέση ελληνική οικογένεια που έχει πληγεί περισσότερο από την κρίση. Πρόκειται για τις γραμματείες “Οικογενειακής Πολιτικής και Ισότητας των Φύλων”. “Κοινωνικής Αλληλεγγύης, Ατόμων με Αναπηρία και Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων‘‘ και “Ποιότητας Ζωής“.

IΩΑΝΝΗ Γ. ΒΑΒΟΥΡΑΝΑΚΗ,άρθρο με αφορμή την απόφαση του Δημοτικού Συμβουλίου Αχαρνών περί κήρυξης ανεπιθύμητων στις Αχαρνές,Βουλευτών: "ΠΕΡΙ ΣΕΒΑΣΜΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΣΜΩΝ ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΑΜΟΙΒΑΙΟΤΗΤΑΣ"

ΠΕΡΙ ΣΕΒΑΣΜΟΥ ΤΩΝ  ΘΕΣΜΩΝ ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΑΜΟΙΒΑΙΟΤΗΤΑΣ

Γράφει ο ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ Γ. ΒΑΒΟΥΡΑΝΑΚΗΣ

     Διαβάζω ή ακούω δηλώσεις και γνώμες  πολλών, πολιτικών και μη, για την απόφαση του Δημοτικού Συμβουλίου του Δήμου Αχαρνών στην οποία κηρύσσονται ως ανεπιθύμητοι όσοι Βουλευτές υπερψήφισαν την συμφωνία των Πρεσπών. 

Γράφτηκαν λοιπόν ή ειπώθηκαν απόψεις, πως ο βουλευτής είναι ελεύθερος να ψηφίζει κατά συνείδηση και συμφωνώ, υπερθεματίζω, υποστηρίζω, ασπάζομαι, συνηγορώ, είμαι τέλος πάντων κι εγώ αυτής της άποψης . 

Συμφωνώ  ότι πρέπει να σέβεσαι τους θεσμούς για να έχεις την αξίωση να σε σέβονται κι εκείνοι.

     Οι βουλευτές είναι εκλεγμένοι από τον λαό και απηχούν την βούληση του στη ΒΟΥΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ.  Έτσι πρέπει να είναι. ΕΙΝΑΙ ΟΜΩΣ ;  

Για το συγκεκριμένο ζήτημα η ψηφοφορία στη  Βουλή αποτυπώνει την ΒΟΥΛΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ;

Τώρα θα μου πείτε, πρώτη φορά συμβαίνει;

ΟΧΙ δυστυχώς!!! 

Εδώ ταιριάζει γάντι το «στερνή μου γνώση να σ΄ είχα πρώτα».

Και αναφέρομαι και σ ΄ αυτούς που ψήφισαν  το κυβερνών κόμμα -τελικά θα καταλήξει απόκομμα-  και σ΄ αυτούς  που ψήφισαν άλλα. Το μεγαλύτερο κακό βέβαια έκαναν οι απέχοντες οι οποίοι υποχρεούνται πλέον να παλέψουν ώστε η αποχή να μηδενιστεί και όλοι μαζί να στείλουμε στον αγύριστο όσους ΔΕΝ ΜΑΣ ΥΠΟΛΟΓΙΖΟΥΝ. Ναι, η ψήφος μας στις επερχόμενες εκλογές πρέπει να είναι προϊόν προβληματισμού και ελέγχου.  

     Αλήθεια πόσο πολύ μας σέβονται οι Βουλευτές και πόσοι απ΄ αυτούς είναι  φύσει και θέσει ΒΟΛΕΥΤΕΣ;  Αυτοί, οι  ΒΟΛΕΥΤΕΣ, τι σεβασμό απαιτούν;

Δεν είναι αρκετός ο σεβασμός των 8000€ μηνιαίως; Θέλουν κι άλλο; Αφήστε που πιστεύω πως τη συγκεκριμένη συμφωνία ούτε που την έχουν διαβάσει.

Απλά τους είπαν να σηκώσουν το χεράκι ψηφίζοντας ότι προστάζει ο «αφέντης».

Και εμείς τρωγόμαστε, αν πρέπει να σεβόμαστε ή όχι τέτοιους τύπους;

Προσωπικά ΠΟΤΕ!!!                                                                                                                                         

Για την ύπαρξη τους ΑΔΙΑΦΟΡΩ και ευελπιστώ το διάστημα μέχρι τις εκλογές να είναι σύντομο. Μάλιστα.. «παρακαλώ τον όποιο Θεό να συντομεύσει όσο μπορεί κι αυτός».

Δεν επικαλούμαι τον Θεό του Κυβερνητικού συνονθυλεύματος γιατί δεν τον γνωρίζω ή εάν υπάρχει.

Επικαλούμαι το ΘΕΟ των ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ που τους έκανε ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ και πρέπει να συνεχίσουν έτσι.
Βλέπετε.. προσπαθώ να μην ξεφύγω. Το παλεύω ΑΓΡΙΑ να φτάσω μέχρι τις ΕΚΛΟΓΕΣ. Και τότε… ΑΛΕΣΤΑ!!!!

THE WHITE HOUSE's latest

The White House • January 29, 2019 Here is the crisis Democrats say doesn’t exist One of the biggest lies told about immigration is that border security is anti-immigrant. Legal immigrants and American citizens alike—not to mention our brave law enforcement officers—are the victims of lawlessness at our Nation’s doorstep every single day. Consider these stats. In just the past 2 years, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested more than 260,000 criminals who exploited our broken immigration system. This list includes those charged with or convicted of nearly 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes, and 4,000 homicides. That’s the debate at hand. One side thinks the murder of 4,000 people is a crisis that our Government is accountable for solving. The other says it’s a “manufactured” problem. No one argues that border security will stop all crime in America. We need other steps—such as the criminal justice reform signed into law by President Donald J. Trump last month—to make our communities safer, as well. But there is no question that better border security will save lives. Pretending it won’t is Washington cynicism at its worst. Americans can no longer afford for Congress to punt on this issue. The consequences of a broken immigration system aren’t going away on their own. For example, in just the past 6 weeks alone: A U.S. Border Patrol officer was assaulted by a criminal alien that crossed the border in Arizona.   Two suspected MS-13 gang members from Honduras were arrested last week after they illegally entered the United States.   A group of 306 Central Americans gave themselves up to Border Patrol agents in the Arizona desert, where smugglers often leave sick or abused migrants for dead after they cross the border illegally.   Border Patrol officers arrested four narcotics smugglers in Texas—discovering more than 190 pounds of drugs.   Border Patrol agents arrested two convicted sex offenders in Arizona, both convicted of crimes involving minors.   Watch how smugglers easily exploit America’s southern border. Get the facts: A crisis that is too urgent to ignore Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead President Donald J. Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen examine weapons and drugs confiscated by U.S. border officials at a roundtable in McAllen, Texas | January 10, 2019 The White House • January 28, 2019 The table is perfectly set: It’s time for Democrats to join On Friday, President Donald J. Trump set the table for a bipartisan compromise on immigration reform, reopening the Government and giving Congress a three-week window to continue negotiations to fully fund American border security. “Over the next 21 days, I expect that both Democrats and Republicans will operate in good faith,” the President announced from the White House Rose Garden. “If we make a fair deal, the American people will be proud of their Government for proving that we can put country before party.” Border security shouldn’t be controversial. In fact, America has built 654 miles of barrier over the past 15 years. It’s time to listen to our Border Patrol agents and finish the job, securing areas of the border where criminals, drug cartels, and human traffickers continue to exploit vulnerabilities in our infrastructure. “We do not need 2,000 miles of concrete wall from sea to shining sea—we never did. We never proposed that; we never wanted that,” the President said Friday. “Our proposed structures will be in pre-determined high-risk locations that have been specifically identified by the Border Patrol to stop illicit flows of people and drugs.” Experts agree. “The president is right. The wall works,” said Mark Morgan, President Obama’s former Border Patrol Chief. Need more evidence? On Friday—the very day President Trump announced a 3-week window for negotiations—U.S. border agents seized two duffel bags filled with 17 long-arm rifles, shotguns, and ammunition on a ranch near the U.S.–Mexico border in Texas. It’s common for guns and money to flow across the border in exchange for illicit drugs. Republicans are ready to make a deal that puts a stop to this lawlessness. It’s time for sensible Democrats to join them. Many have already broken ranks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s comment that border walls are “immoral.” They’re right to do so: The safety and security of American citizens must always come before politics.  Watch President Trump’s message—“Build a wall and crime will fall!” More: President Trump announces the end of the shutdown   Photo of the Day Official White House Photo by  Shealah Craighead President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem. Yesterday, January 27, marked the observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  | May 23, 2017

AHEPA Happenings | Brothers in Action

AHEPA Happenings | Brothers in Action Ahepans from Gus Cherevas - Estia-Pindus Chapter 326, Flushing, N.Y., donated $25,000 to the Youth Ministries and programs of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Flushing. Chapter 326 President Harry Yanakis presented the donation to Father Paul Palesty Proestameno. Ahepans from Chapter HJ-33, Rhodes, Greece, donated 10 new laptops to the 1st Police Division of Dodecanese, helping law enforcement to meet their operational needs of patrolling the islands. Ahepans from our newest chapter in Europe, Nikolaus Dumba Chapter 614, Vienna, Austria, are already contributing to their community. Brothers supported a Red Cross Blood Drive by donating blood. Children's Hospital Receives Albany AHEPA FamilySupport The Albany AHEPA family made a generous donation of gifts and toys for the children and young adults being treated and cared for by the Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center on Jan. 9.  read more in The National Herald AHEPA Mourns Passing of Past Trustee Tsaptsinos AHEPA is saddened to learn of the passing of Brother Ernest N. Tsaptsinos, a former member of AHEPA's Board of Trustees, and dedicated member of Ocean County Chapter 467, Toms River, N.J.  Brother Tsaptsinos, who resided in Toms River, passed away January 25, 2019.  He was 80.  "Brother Tsaptsinos served the Order with a passion and dedication that many of his fellow brothers admired," Supreme President George E. Loucas said. "We are especially grateful for his service to our country as a U.S. Army veteran during the height of the Cold War. Our deepest sympathies are with the Tsaptsinos family.  May his memory be eternal."  View Brother Tsaptsinos' Obituary 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) Announcement | 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  1 | Deadline for the spring 2019 issue of The Ahepan  (submit online) 2 | Boundless Journey Gala to Benefit Odyssey Charter School,       Wilmington, Delaware 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.     Greece Ratifies Historic Accord With Macedonia Amid Protests  Wall Street Journal (Jan. 25)  Greece ratified a U.S.-backed deal with Macedonia that aims to help stabilize the Balkan region, but which is roiling Greece's society and polarizing its political scene.  read more  Additional coverage: New York Times | Reuters | Bloomberg    Mike Pompeo hails Greek 'vision, courage' to resolve name dispute  Ekathimerini (Jan. 25) The United States welcomed on Friday the decision by Greece's Parliament to ratify the Prespes Agreement and end a long-standing dispute on the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).  read more  Touting recovery, Greece hikes wages, tests market return Associated Press (Jan. 28)   Greece announced on Monday plans to return to bond markets and to increase the minimum wage by more than expected, five months after exiting its bailout program and ahead of elections. read more Fragments of looted frescoes repatriated in Nicosia in-Cyprus (Jan. 25) Minister of Transport Vassiliki Anastasiadou handed over on Friday to Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos four fragments of frescoes which she repatriated from the Hague earlier this week. Two of the fragments have been identified as belonging to the church of Panagia Apsinthiotissa, a Greek Orthodox monastery situated in the Turkish occupied part of the island.  read more 'Not all options on the table' foreign minister warns Turkey Cyprus Mail (Jan. 28) The only type of settlement is that on the negotiations table despite Turkey's attempts to push for its own preferred solution, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.  read more New Book Highlights Greek Music in America The National Herald (Jan. 29) Greek music has a long history going back through the millennia. It should be no surprise, therefore, that wherever Greeks traveled, they brought their music with them. The collection of essays in Greek Music in America, edited by Tina Bucuvalas, highlights the history and the people who brought Greek music to the United States and continued the rich tradition to the present day.  read more Fourteen Greek proposals in Hellenic Space Agency submission for NASA's Moon exploration mission ANA-MPA (Jan. 29) Fourteen Greek agencies and companies submitted proposals in response to an invitation from the Hellenic Space Agency (ELDO), as part of its submission for participation in NASA's "Invitation to Exploration Campaign" for a mission to explore the Moon, ELDO announced on Tuesday. read more