Culture Ministry to Launch E-ticket System for Greek Museums, Archaeological Sites

In efforts to tap into the benefits of the country’s archaeological offerings, Deputy Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis told a press conference on Thursday, that the ministry had decided to introduce e-tickets for access to archaeological sites and to enrich art and museum items sold in museum shops.

The e-ticket, which is expected to allow access initially to the seven archaeological sites surrounding the Acropolis (Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Keramikos, Theater of Dionysus and Hadrian’s Library) is set to launch in mid-June, just ahead of the summer tourist season.

Thessaloniki Mayor wears yellow star in protest against fascism

The mayor of the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki wore a yellow Star of David, similar to the ones worn by Jews rounded up in the city during WWII, to his swearing-in ceremony on Thursday in protest against fascism.

Newly re-elected Mayor Yiannis Boutaris, 72, pinned the badge to his jacket in response to the presence of far-right Golden Dawn MP Artemis Mathaiopoulos on the municipal council, the daily Kathimerini reported.

Government fund ready to issue loan guarantees for small firms

The Development Ministry’s guarantees fund for loans to small and medium-sized enterprises is ready to start operating with a budget of 50 million euros that can guarantee loans of up to 150 million euros.

Greeks abroad: campaign for the right to vote! (video)

Just moments away from the critical June 17 elections, a group of Greeks that live in Amsterdam set up a site to campaign for the right of Greeks living abroad to be able to vote in Greek elections. They have created a petition for people to sign, with the hope to change this unjust law. Below are their positions as found on icannotvote.org.

Greek government chasing down gangs and tax dodgers

Just a week after police smashed four major extortion and usury rackets in Thessaloniki, the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) has indicated that it is on the verge of cracking similar rings in Attica and the central port of Volos.

According to a source at SDOE, the new rings are smaller than the ones that have been operating in the northern port city but they are believed to be growing rapidly. The same source told Kathimerini that an increasing number of entrepreneurs are turning to such rackets for financial aid as banks are unable to give them loans amid tightening liquidity.

The practice of extortion rings buying winning lottery tickets en masse as a way of laundering their profits is also gaining ground, the source said.