Monday, April 29, 2013

Listen to the April 28 Ta Yp' Opsin podcast


In this week’s Ta Yp' Opsin (Consider These) news roundup podcast:
- cabinet reshuffle considerations in Greece
- the political risks of Italy's new government
- shifting austerity winds blast Merkel’s image
- "Band-Aid" solutions for sequester
- “red lines” and "game changers" in Syria
…………………………………………..
- prosek, prosecco, appellation and irony
- the comeback of the "suspended coffee"
- a space harpoon and one-way trip to Mars
- resistance wears white in Cuba
- a "fisherman" is now just a "fisher” in WA                                         

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Ta Yp’Opsin (Consider These) weekly podcast (in Greek) with Chicago journalists Elena Spilioti and George Zorbas. News, commentary and great music!

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

The comeback of the 'Suspended Coffee'

by Sylvia Poggioli, NPR

Tough economic times and growing poverty in much of Europe are reviving a humble tradition that began some one-hundred years ago in the Italian city of Naples. It's called caffè sospeso — "suspended coffee": A customer pays in advance for a person who cannot afford a cup of coffee.
The Neapolitan writer Luciano de Crescenzo used the tradition as the title of one of his books, Caffè sospeso: Saggezza quotidiana in piccoli sorsi ("Suspended coffee: Daily wisdom in small sips").
"It was a beautiful custom," he recalls. "When a person who had a break of good luck entered a cafe and ordered a cup of coffee, he didn't pay just for one, but for two cups, allowing someone less fortunate who entered later to have a cup of coffee for free."
The barista would keep a log, and when someone popped his head in the doorway of the cafe and asked, "Is there anything suspended?" the barista would nod and serve him a cup of coffee ... for free.
It's an elegant way to show generosity: an act of charity in which donors and recipients never meet each other, the donor doesn't show off and the recipient doesn't have to show gratitude.
The writer says the tradition is part of the city's philosophy of life. "In other words, it was a cup of coffee," de Crescenzo says, "offered to the rest of humankind." It was a time, he adds, when there were more customers who were poor than those who were well-off.
It's fitting that the tradition started in Naples, a city that prides itself on having the best coffee in Italy. And in a country where the first coffeehouse in Europe opened in 1683 (in Venice), that is no small claim.
Before the likes of Gaggia and Cimbali started producing the modern commercial espresso machines, Italians made coffee at home on the stovetop with a coffee maker known as a Napoletana.
Naples and coffee are inseparable, but the caffè sospeso tradition waned as Italy entered the boom years of postwar reconstruction and La Dolce Vita. For decades, the custom was confined mainly to the Christmas season.
Now, it's made a comeback. Two years ago, with the eurozone crisis already raging, unemployment rising and small businesses closing on a daily basis, more and more Italians could no longer afford the national beverage — an espresso or a cappuccino. (According to the International Coffee Organization, which represents 44 coffee exporting countries, Italian per capita annual consumption of coffee has dropped to 5.6 kilograms, the lowest level in the past six years.)
Then someone remembered the old Neapolitan custom. So several nongovernmental organizations got together and — with the support of Naples Mayor Luigi de Magistris — Dec.10 was formally declared "Suspended Coffee Day."
The practice is now spreading to other crisis-ravaged parts of Europe.
In Bulgaria, the European Union's poorest country, where several desperate people have set themselves on fire in recent months, more than 150 cafes have joined an initiative modeled on the Neapolitan "suspended coffee" tradition.
In crisis-wracked Spain, a young man from Barcelona, Gonzalo Sapina, in a few short weeks started a network called Cafes Pendientes ("pending coffees") and promoted the initiative among numerous coffee shops.
In France, several cafes now carry the logo "cafe en attente" ("waiting coffee").
And there is even a site that lists establishments that have joined the "suspended coffee" initiative — the countries range from the U.K. and Ireland and Hungary to Australia and Canada.
The prepaid cup of coffee has become a symbol of grass-roots social solidarity at a time of mounting poverty in what, until recently, were affluent Western societies.
But now, back to Naples, where coffee is not a luxury but is considered, more or less, a basic human right.
And the variety is vast: You can order an espresso "ristretto" ("tightened," i.e., stronger); or an espresso "macchiato" ("stained," i.e., with a little milk); or an espresso "corretto" ("corrected," i.e., with a shot of grappa, cognac or sambuca).
There's only one iron-clad rule: Cappuccino — which takes its name from the white and beige colors of the Capuchin friars' habits — is exclusively a breakfast beverage, and must never, never be consumed after 11 a.m. (OK, let's say noon).

TA YP OPSIN April 21 2013


 Στα Υπ’Όψιν της 21 Απριλίου, συζητάμε:

-Τ α δικαιώματα του βομβιστή της Βοστώνης
- Νέα λάθη του ΔΝΤ, νέα πλούτη για τη Γερμανία
-Ευρωκοινοβούλιο προς Τουρκία: έκθεση...ΜΗ  προόδου
-Φίλοι της Συρίας: βοηθά ο 1 στους 10
-Ιράν – Β.Κορέα- Δυτική Αφρική-Βενεζουέλα: το τρίγωνο γίνεται τετράγωνο

Και στο δεύτερο μέρος:

-Οι τετράποδοι παρηγορητές  της Βοστώνης
-Οιι κατσαρίδες-σωτήρες των εγκλωβισμένων
-Ο πρόεδρος και το ρετσίνι
-Σαλιγκάρια και τζιτζίκια: οι νέες επιδημίες στις ΗΠΑ
-Καγκουρώ στην Αυστρία ή στην Αυστραλία;

Ακούστε Τα Υπ’Όψιν με τους δημοσιογράφους Έλενα Σπηλιώτη και Γιώργο Ζορμπά στο
για ενημέρωση , συζήτηση και πολλή μουσική!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Listen to the April 21 Ta Yp' Opsin podcast


In this week’s Ta Yp' Opsin (Consider These) news roundup podcast:
- the legal challenges for the Boston bombing suspect
- gun politics and a path for people in the shadows
- the despair and exploitation in Manolada
- the bitter medicine prescription for Italy
- the austerity fever goes up and down
- the debate on boosting aid to Syrian rebels
…………………………………………..
- insects: the next big thing in disaster response
- a state of slime and a loud chorus of chirping.
- a 'lonely' call to 911 and a case of bar kill
- Austria irritated at being confused for Australia

Download here:


Ta Yp’Opsin (Consider These) weekly podcast (in Greek) with Chicago journalists Elena Spilioti and George Zorbas. News, commentary and great music!

Like our Ta Yp’Opsin (Consider These) Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/taypopsin

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

No, no, no!

"Hands off Cyprus, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Ireland"

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Members of the European United Left of the European Parliament group held up posters with the slogan "Hands off Cyprus, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Ireland".  
The European Parliament has released details of its concerns over the Cyprus bailout, following this morning's grilling of commissioner Olli Rehn. It confirms that MEPs were scathing about the Eurogroup's handing of the issue, and also condemned the decision (later reversed) to impose losses on smaller savers.
Criticism rained down on Rehn from all sides of the spectrum, with accusations of double standards and claims that Germany displayed 'near colonial' behavior.
-The Guardian
Photograph: VINCENT KESSLER/REUTERS

Monday, April 15, 2013

TA YP OPSIN April 14 2013


Στα Υπ’Όψιν της 14 Απριλίου, συζητάμε, μεταξύ άλλων:
-ΚΚΕ: Νέα ηγεσία: Η δυαρχία που είναι τρόϊκα
 
- Η Θάτσερ της ανάστασης και της οργής
- Βενεζουέλα: η Δύση θέλει τον Καπρίλες
- ΗΠΑ: ο προϋπολογισμός του συμβιβασμού και πώς φτώχυνε ο πρόεδρος
- Β.Κορέα: σενάρια, επιπλήξεις και ο τρόμος της «έκπληξης»
- Παλαιστίνη: τα παιχνίδια της δύναμης, εμπόδιο στην ανεξαρτησία
- Σομαλία: 22 χρόνια για μια ασταθή ισορροπία

Και στο δεύτερο μέρος:
- Η Θάτσερ,
o Nέλσων και ο Μάγος του Οζ: όλοι στην Πλατεία Τραφάλγκαρ
- Ο Πούτιν σε λίστα καταζητούμενων
- Οι κουτοί δάσκαλοι και το Ολοκαύτωμα
- Ολάντ: ατυχία τώρα και σε …. καμήλες
- Η μεξικάνα Μπάρμπι ( με ασσορτί τσιχουάουα) και σε ποιόν δεν αρέσει

Ακούστε Τα Υπ’ Όψιν με την Έλενα Σπηλιώτη και τον Γιώργο Ζορμπά για ειδήσεις, συζήτηση και πολλή μουσική!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1KU27prGcwUNE80LVdGN0xGSm8/edit

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Download the April 14 Ta Yp' Opsin podcast

Ta Yp' Opsin (Consider These) April 14 news roundup podcast:

- the Greek case for German reparations
- KKE’s future under a new general secretary
- Eurogroup rewards “good behavior”
- a comprehensive U.S. immigration bill?
- innovative NJ gun control measures
- the latest turmoil within the Palestinian Authority
- the “imperialist gringo empire” and the Venezuelan elections
…………………………………………..
- Thatcher statue debate stirs strong emotions
- How Hollande’s gift camel became a delicious tagine
- it’s a good thing Putin didn’t go to Finland
- NY school assignment: think like a Nazi
- Mexico Barbie’s passport and immigration politics
- “time machines” take callers back to 1993 NY
 
Download here:
 

Ta Yp’Opsin (Consider These) weekly podcast (in Greek) with Chicago journalists Elena Spilioti and George Zorbas. News, commentary and great music!

Like our Ta Yp’Opsin (Consider These) Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/taypopsin

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

TA YP ' OPSIN April 7 2013


 Στα Υπ’ Όψιν αυτής της εβδομάδας, συζητάμε:

-Το Λουξεμβούργο αφουγκράζεται την Κύπρο

-ΣΥΡΙΖΑ: κλειδιά επί...τρία

- Ο Μπερλουσκόνι περιμένει  και προτείνει: ο Ναπολιτάνο το σκέφτεται;

-Αναδίπλωση Ομπάμα: κέρδος πολιτικό, ζημία κομματική

-Β.Κορέα: φωνάζει προς τα έξω για να ακουστεί προς τα μέσα – ή όχι;

-Πακιστάν: ο Μουσάρραφ  υποψήφιος

-Βενεζουέλα: οι εκλογές της προόδου και της δεισιδαιμονίας: ποιός φοβάται τη Μαρακαπάνα;

Και στο δεύτερο μέρος:

-Ο Ομπάμα Αντίχριστος;  Όσο ζεί και ο Πώλ Μακ Κάρτνεϋ: οι  αμερικανικές  θεωρίες συνωμοσίας

-Η πύλη του Κάτω Κόσμου μιλάει τουρκικά

-Ενοικιάζονται θλιμμένοι συγγενείς

- Οι Κινέζοι δεν θέλουν να ...καούν

-Ο γάτος που έβγαλε το γυμνάσιο

- Η φυλακή  χτυπάει τη μοναξιά-  αλλά είναι παράνομο

Ακούστε τους δημοσιογράφους Σπηλιώτη και Ζορμπά στο


Για ενημέρωση, συζήτηση και πολλή μουσική!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Download the April 7 Ta Yp' Opsin podcast

Ta Yp' Opsin (Consider These) April 7 news roundup podcast:
- another delicate stage for Greece and troika
- Bank of Cyprus practices under scrutiny
- Luxembourg stung by Cyprus comparison
- the political headaches of Francois Hollande
- president Obama’s unloved budget plans
- Hillary Clinton is coming back (to conferences and bookshelves)
- the Korea crisis and the Iran nuclear dispute
…………………………………………..
- conspiracy theories, Rent-A-Mourner and a gate to hell
- fundamentalist interpretations of Islamic law attract criticism
- dogs in prison care and the cat who refuses to graduate
- UK’S new social classes and a pay-what-you-weigh policy
- jail can be a nice place for overnight stays!
 
Download here:
 

Ta Yp’Opsin (Consider These) weekly podcast (in Greek) with Chicago journalists Elena Spilioti and George Zorbas. Discussion, analysis and great music!

Monday, April 1, 2013

April Fools' 2013: From Twttr to Google Nose to Nokia's microwave

By Jonathan Skillings, CNET

This year's batch of springtime pranks includes the usual onslaught from Google, along with notable entrants from Nokia, Sony, and others. Without further ado, here are some of the highlights.

• While it waits for its Lumia smartphones to build up a head of steam, Nokia is showing off a touch screen microwave oven, the Nokia 5AM-TH1N6 Constellation, which features a Window Phone-like interface ("which can be operated with oven mitts"). Not to be outdone by Samsung Galaxy S4, this hottie packs its own eye-tracking technology, which Nokia says "stops the food from rotating when you look at it, and it automatically adjusts the temperature depending on how hungry you look."

• Twitter has apparently drawn inspiration from Wheel of Fortune for its April Fools' prank, Twttr, the lower rung on a jokey two-tiered service. With the no-cost Twttr, you get only consonants, plus that shifty letter Y. Want vowels? That'll cost you $5 a month. And for when 140 characters isn't quite enough, you can get one more -- but only one more -- in a Scrabble-like value system: "The price of the extra character is based on a bidding system reflecting the popularity of the character you would like to add."

• With Google on April Fools' Day, where does one begin? Perhaps, as is advisable whenever a possible prank appears, with a smell test -- and that would be a dead giveaway when it comes to Google Nose, all 15M+ scentibytes of it. And what's this? No more YouTube?
Well, if you believed that one, Google's got a pirate treasure map for you. Plus: Emoticons for your photos and home renovations a la Street View.

• Google also got in a playful jab at Microsoft and Windows Blue with its Gmail Blue spoof while Microsoft returned the favor with a Bing zinger.

• The folks at iFixit are known for providing clear-eyed looks at the innards of gadgets from the Apple iPad to theBlackBerry Z10. Claiming that they've been accused of "favoring one fruit over all the rest" , today they pulled apart the other part of the apple vs. orange equation. "Though the Orange's repairability is highly questionable," they wrote, "we do admire its end-of-life design. It is completely recyclable, compostable, and delicious-able."

• The long-rumored iWatch has been a tempting and tasty tech topic of late. While we're waiting for Apple to eventually show us the real thing -- if it really is really real --TechCrunch thought it would be fun to imagine the iWatch as a ... watchband
 for the iDevice of your choosing, no matter how large.

• For trendy wearable tech you can wear today, there's Google Glass, of course. The U.K.'s Guardian newspaper put a proprietary bit of, um, English on high-tech eyewear: "The motion-sensitive spectacles, known as Guardian Goggles, incorporate translucent screens in the lenses, overlaying the wearer's view of their surroundings with a real-time stream of specially curated opinions from the paper's reporters, critics and commentators. For example, simply by looking at the outside of a restaurant or cinema and pointing, the user can call up relevant Guardian reviews of the food or current films."

• Who says digital is the only way to go? Even the data-driven crowd at Wolfram Alpha, it seems, has a thing for penmanship, touting the Handwritten Knowledge Engine. "Artisanal answers, if you will," they say. But time may already be running short. "A few of the physicists already have writer's cramp, and the pop culture researchers might be next."
• Netflix reportedly has offered up someunexpected movie categories, from "Epic Nicholas Cage Meltdown" (too-easy punch line: wait, that's every Nicholas Cage movie) to "Surreal Ballets Based on a William Shatner Album" to "When You Watch Netflix, It Watches You."

In addition to cold financial calculations, there is revenge and a political price to pay when anti-austerity protests routinely feature placards depicting swastikas and pictures of German politicians with added moustaches. The Cyprus crisis could have been handled differently...