The government is exploring ways to encourage young people to return to villages, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized in an unconventional interview given on Christmas Eve to Fotini Gallou, a young journalist who decided to move back from Thessaloniki to her hometown, Proti Serres. There, she began publishing the newspaper Ta Choriatika (The Village Times). The newspaper aims to highlight both the needs of rural Greece and the advantages of returning to village life. The Prime Minister himself invited Fotini to the Maximos Mansion after learning about her initiative. Their conversation revolved around topics of particular concern to the Prime Minister: supporting rural residents, enhancing entrepreneurship and the primary sector based on each region’s unique strengths, providing incentives for young people and families to settle outside major cities (as seen recently with a package of measures for Evros), and using technology to address disparities between rural and urban areas, especially in areas like education. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ Interview Fotini Gallou: Thank you very much for the honor and the invitation. This is very significant not only for *Ta Choriatika* and for me personally but also for all the villages and the young people I aspire to represent. For us, these villages are our home, and the fact that you’re choosing to shed light on this issue is genuinely important. Kyriakos Mitsotakis: First of all, congratulations on this initiative. I came across it online and was struck by the idea of doing something so innovative and showcasing what it means to live in a rural Greek village today. Fotini Gallou: A question that concerns me and the people I aim to represent—young people and villages—is one I frequently discuss with friends living abroad, in Athens, or Thessaloniki: whether they’ll ever return to their villages. Responses vary, but everyone agrees that incentives are lacking. Recently, Ms. Zaharakis announced some incentives for villages in Evros. Is decentralization and attracting young people back to the villages part of your plans? Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Indeed, the incentives announced for northern Evros—additional financial support for those deciding to settle in the villages covered by the program—are seen as a pilot initiative. It’s a way to understand if extra financial support is what young people need to live in a village or if the problem is more complex. I imagine the first issue young people you speak with raise is employment: “If I return to the village, what job can I do? Could I innovate in the primary sector—an area many young people are interested in—and build a solid career path? Are there opportunities to work remotely while enjoying the quality of life in rural Greece? Or could I live in the village and work in a nearby urban center with more professional opportunities?” Each case is unique, but we’re keen to understand whether financial incentives could facilitate this transition. Local initiatives, like yours, are also crucial because there are limits to what the state can achieve top-down. For example, in Fourna, Evrytania, the local community organized housing and possibly other opportunities for families choosing to live in the village. We also need to address issues specific to more isolated villages. While schools are generally well-covered—we deploy many teachers to ensure every corner of Greece is served—access to healthcare, like the nearest doctor or health center, remains a challenge. Village life undoubtedly has its charms and challenges, and if the charms outweigh the challenges, the choice becomes easier. Fotini Gallou: As we approach 2025, all of Greek society faces common challenges, especially with the rising cost of living and rent. Given the growing prevalence of remote work—which you also seem to advocate—could villages be a future solution? Could decentralization help combat rising costs? Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Not only could it be a solution, but to some extent, it already is. Life in a village is undoubtedly much cheaper than in a city, let alone the capital. However, many areas in rural Greece are declining because young people are not replacing the older generations who are more connected to these places. If remote work allowed you to earn the same income as in Athens, for instance, you’d obviously save more in a village because of the lower cost of living. Housing is cheaper, especially if someone returns to a village where they have family property or a house. If this economic balance becomes more favorable while offering a higher quality of life, I firmly believe there’s potential for a return to villages. Smaller schools often offer better education quality because teachers can focus more on individual students. Technological gaps are closing—for example, digital interactive whiteboards are now in all schools from the fifth grade onward. This means a child in a remote village can have the same technological tools as one in Athens or Thessaloniki. Technology bridges isolation, which is why I believe more people will consider village life as a viable option in the future. Fotini Gallou: Young people increasingly express the desire to start innovative businesses. Are there plans for incentives or tax breaks for small entrepreneurs in villages? As you understand, a small village business isn’t just an economic indicator but also the heart of village life. Kyriakos Mitsotakis: That’s a valid point. For this reason, in our tax reforms for freelancers, we increased the population threshold from 500 to 1,500 residents to recognize the unique challenges of running a business in smaller communities. We also prioritize supporting young farmers. I’ve instructed the Ministry of Agricultural Development to cover as many young farmers as possible because they sustain village life. It’s important to realistically assess the economic activities tied to villages, with the primary sector playing a significant role. Fotini Gallou: If I may take you to my region, specifically the Kasta Tomb in the Municipality of Amphipolis, a monument that makes not just us but all of Greece proud. We know work is ongoing, but as we approach ten years, there’s concern in the local community about progress. Can you share any updates about the Kasta Tomb? Kyriakos Mitsotakis: I was briefed by the Ministry of Culture just before this interview. Significant resources are being invested in this monumental site. It takes considerable time to ensure such discoveries can be fully accessible. However, I estimate that by 2026, or at the latest 2027, the entire Kasta Tomb will be open to visitors. This will undoubtedly provide a vital development boost to the surrounding municipalities. And let us not forget that, when discussing villages as a whole, besides the primary sector, there is also small-scale tourism. This type of tourism can be connected to cultural, religious, hiking, or wine tourism—activities that are predominantly carried out in rural areas. Thus, entrepreneurial activities tied to small-scale tourism are obviously central to us, and we want to support them, particularly in the mountainous regions of mainland Greece. Fotini Gallou: I would also like to raise another concern, which applies to all villages—not just our region—and relates to your recent statement that Greece will become “the battery of Europe.” There is significant anxiety that villages will bear the brunt of this initiative. Should we be worried? Kyriakos Mitsotakis: No, I would say quite the opposite. The model we are aiming for is as follows: if, for instance, a municipality has wind turbines—which are a subject of much debate, unjustly so in my opinion—then the first beneficiaries, who will have access to very cheap or possibly even free energy, should be the residents of that municipality. Thus, if energy is produced near a certain area, the citizens must understand that they are the primary beneficiaries. Overall, renewable energy sources will lead to reduced energy costs, but the first beneficiaries should be the municipalities that host such installations. Fotini Gallou: The concerns are more about the environmental and social impacts of all this. Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Firstly, each such project is subject to an individual environmental approval process. For example, there may be a specific issue with birdlife in a particular area, and as a result, no wind turbines can be installed there. In every case, there is always respect for the environment. But we must understand that renewable energy sources represent wealth for the country as a whole. Ultimately, we will all benefit from producing more energy from the sun and wind instead of importing and paying for expensive natural gas, as we currently do. And, as I said, the first beneficiaries must be the residents of the municipalities hosting these installations. Fotini Gallou: Let’s talk about your personal experiences with villages, whether as Prime Minister or as a citizen with a special fondness for the mountains. What is your connection to villages, and which memories stand out for you? Kyriakos Mitsotakis: I remember once, as a child—I must have been 11 years old in the sixth grade—my parents decided to send me for a week to Pavlos Bakoyannis’ village, Velota in Evrytania. That was my first encounter with life in a village. Back then, it took two hours on a dirt road to get there, and the village had no electricity. I remember a Greek village without electricity. It was an incredible experience, a completely different world for me, and it has left a very vivid impression on my childhood memories. Since then, I always try, during my tours, not to visit only the major urban centers. In fact, my most cherished memories from my political journey are my visits to the small towns and villages of Greece’s regions. Generally, when people hear the Prime Minister is coming—whether they voted for him or not—a large part of the village will show up to meet him. This serves as a constant reminder that Greece is much more than Athens or the big cities. Fotini Gallou: Could a Prime Minister ever live in a village someday? Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Yes, of course! I have a very special connection to the villages of Zagori, which I’ve loved since my first visit as a camper with YMCA. I can easily imagine myself spending time in such a village and perhaps in one of the more remote ones. It’s challenging now, as we don’t have much free time, but later—why not? Fotini Gallou: You mentioned that change must also come from the grassroots. My concern has always been how we can envision a thriving society on a broader scale if we cannot achieve prosperity in even a small village. Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Societies should be able to thrive, whether on a large or small scale. Sometimes the problems faced by small villages may actually be easier to solve—provided someone takes the time to address them. These are often smaller-scale issues. Our responsibility is to address the problems of all citizens in the country, giving special attention to the more isolated areas of our homeland. It would be easy to fall into the temptation of saying, “Well, there are only a few people there, so why bother?” from the perspective of political weight. “Why focus on a village with 50 residents when you could prioritize an urban municipality with 100,000?” I’ve never taken that approach. I recall during the severe disasters caused by Hurricane Ianos, when the entire mountainous region of Argithea was cut off, we allocated a significant amount of funding to ensure that these people could have safe access as soon as possible. I have a particular interest in small mountain municipalities. I often speak with their mayors because I feel that the more effort one must make to live in an isolated place, the greater the care they expect from the state. Otherwise, they simply won’t choose to live there, and we’ll lose a large part of our soul. I believe that the Greek soul is, to a great extent, tied to life in the village. Fotini Gallou: What would you like to learn from a young person who grew up in a village? Kyriakos Mitsotakis: What is it that would make you stay in the village? I would happily hear the responses from your readers. Explore related questionsgame console 。

Canadian investment strategists expect to keep up its momentum next year, even with possible tariffs from ’s incoming administration hanging over the economy. Trump’s threats have disrupted Canadian politics and led economists to worry about a recession. Yet the is higher today than it was on U.S. election day, and the benchmark has jumped about 18 per cent this year, its best showing since 2021. Rising corporate earnings and lower will help drive the equity benchmark toward a record 28,000 points in 2025, according to some market watchers, which would mean another year of double-digit returns in 2025. Among those making that call is Philip Petursson, chief investment strategist at IG Wealth Management, who said Canadian stocks have more reasonable valuations than U.S. equities, which gives them room to catch up. “I think Canada has quite the edge over the S&P 500,” Petursson, who set his TSX target at 28,000 points, said. “If we are in an environment where U.S. inflation and interest rates are going to be a little bit higher, Canada looks quite attractive.” The TSX got off to a slow start this year before gaining speed after the Bank of Canada began its rate-cutting cycle in June. The central bank has delivered five successive rate cuts, bringing the overnight rate down to 3.25 per cent. That’s a full 125 basis points below the upper bound of the Federal Reserve’s policy rate. Policymakers in Canada will keep cutting, bringing the overnight rate to 2.5 per cent by the middle of next year, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Easier central-bank policy helped give a tailwind to technology and financial shares, making them the best performers of the TSX’s 11 major subgroups. , the biggest tech heavyweight in Canada, is up 50 per cent. Gold rallied, as it sometimes does when borrowing costs decline, boosting precious metals companies. BMO Capital Markets strategist Brian Belski has a TSX target of 28,500 by the end of next year, and expects valuations to expand thanks to rate cuts and a rebound in flows into Canadian stocks. “Overall, we believe that the Canadian recovery trade remains in its early stages,” Belski told clients last month. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg are forecasting a pickup in growth next year to 1.8 per cent, from an expected rate of 1.2 per cent this year — though Trump’s trade policy is a big source of uncertainty. The Canadian dollar has been weak — slower growth, lower rates and Trump are the key factors. But the TSX benefits “quite strongly” from that, Petursson said, because it has so many companies with a sizable percentage of U.S.-dollar earnings, which are worth more when converted back into loonies. For exporters, a lower Canadian dollar would be a partial offset to tariffs. To be sure, the TSX is still exposed to exogenous shocks. If trade war breaks out with the U.S., it would damage a Canadian economy that’s already close to stalling. estimates that gross domestic product shrank by 0.1 per cent in November, contracting for the first time this year. “A knock ’em down, drag them out, all-out trade war is kind of mutually assured destruction both for Canada and the U.S.,” Brian Madden, chief investment officer at First Avenue Investment Counsel, said. “The U.S. is bigger than us, so they probably can make that bluff more credibly than we can, but nobody really wants that.” Meanwhile, population growth is expected to slow as the government tightens the rules for immigration. “Longer term, it may be positive for GDP-per-capita growth because our infrastructure — now we’ve come to realize — couldn’t support all this population immigration coming into the country,” Christine Poole, chief executive officer at GlobeInvest Capital Management Inc., said in an interview. “But in the near term, it would probably have a negative impact on the economy because people coming into the country is a source of demand for goods and services.” Sectors where earnings are tied to domestic population growth, such as telecom, may suffer. Not everyone is bullish on the broader index. Colin Cieszynski, chief market strategist at SIA Wealth Management, called tariffs a big risk to the market outlook. He said the TSX is more likely to produce small gains, reaching around 26,000 points by the end of the upcoming year.( MENAFN - IANS) Jaipur, Dec 28 (IANS) The Rajasthan government on Friday released an advisory on 'Deepfakes' to spread awareness among individuals and organisations about the associated threats and possible ways of prevention. The advisory focuses on threats and countermeasures to ensure effective cyber hygiene and security among the general public at the ground level. The identified target audience or potential beneficiaries, according to the advisory, include both individuals as well as organisations. The advisory was issued in consonance with the cyber security measures or actionable points determined during the third National Conference of Chief Secretaries under the theme "Cyber Security: Emerging Challenges". The advisory explained Deepfake technology as an application of Artificial Intelligence in the manipulation of videos, images and even audio. The major risks associated with Deepfake technology are the spread of misinformation, fraud or scams and reputational damage. Both positive and negative applications of Deepfakes have been identified by the advisory. While positive applications can be seen in the generation of special effects in movies and engaging or interactive educational content, there are numerous negative uses as well. There is a risk of financial fraud through impersonation, disinformation to manipulate public opinion, along with emotional and financial extortion through non-consensual explicit content. The concerned advisory also highlights certain preventive steps which can be referred to by both individuals and organisations to avoid mishaps caused by Deepfake technology and its negative applications. Individuals and organisations are advised to do cross-referencing for every information and exercise extreme caution in case of personal information. Certain measures like Multi-Factor Authentication or MFA, strong privacy settings, verification protocols, and consistent security audits can aid the general public in combating the ill effects of Deepfake technology. On an individual level, the general public is advised to be cautious while sharing any information in the digital space. It is advised to assess the authenticity of the source of concerned information. The concerned advisory also provided certain preventive measures meant specifically for organisations. For organisations dealing with large amounts of company and customer data, it is advised to make use of MFA to ensure secure use, storage and transfer of data. Organisations are also advised to undertake security audits at regular intervals along with the usage of encrypted modes of communication. The advisory also suggests the formulation of crisis management plans in case of any mishap. For further assistance and information, the advisory is available for reference to the general public. MENAFN27122024000231011071ID1109035807 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Less than a month after winning the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are spending big again to add one of baseball's best pitchers to their star-studded roster. Blake Snell and the Dodgers agreed to a $182 million, five-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deal is subject to a successful physical. The two-time Cy Young Award winner broke the news personally by posting a photo of himself on social media in a Dodgers uniform — No. 7. Snell gets a $52 million signing bonus, payable on Jan. 20, and annual salaries of $26 million, of which $13 million each year will be deferred. Because Snell is a Washington state resident, the signing bonus will not be subject to California income tax. Snell would join two-way star Shohei Ohtani and fellow Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop Los Angeles' rotation, giving the Dodgers the first megadeal this offseason following Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year contract and Yamamoto's $325 million, 12-year agreement last offseason. Ohtani didn't pitch this year while recovering from right elbow surgery but is expected back on the mound in 2025. He won his third MVP award — first in the National League — following a huge season at the plate exclusively as a designated hitter. Yamamoto went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 starts as a rookie, then won twice in four October outings. Down to three healthy starting pitchers during the postseason, Los Angeles overcame a string of injuries to its projected rotation in winning the franchise's second World Series title in five years. Right-handers Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler then became free agents this fall, creating more voids on the staff. But the addition of Snell would fill a large one at the top with a legitimate ace. Snell's $36.4 million average salary would rank as the fifth-highest among active deals next year behind Ohtani ($70 million), Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler ($42 million), New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge ($40 million) and Texas pitcher Jacob deGrom ($37 million). Among expired contracts, it also was exceeded by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander (both $43.33 million) under deals they agreed to with the New York Mets. ESPN first reported the details of Snell's contract. Earlier this month, Snell opted out of his deal with San Francisco to become a free agent for the second consecutive offseason after he was slowed by injuries during his lone year with the Giants. The left-hander agreed in March to a $62 million, two-year contract that included a $17 million signing bonus payable on Jan. 15, 2026, a $15 million salary for 2024 and a $30 million salary for 2025, of which $15 million would have been deferred and payable on July 1, 2027. Snell, who turns 32 next week, went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts this year, throwing a no-hitter at Cincinnati on Aug. 2 for one of only 16 individual shutouts in the major leagues this season. He struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings. He was sidelined between April 19 and May 22 by a strained left adductor and between June 2 and July 9 by a strained left groin. Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with San Diego. He is 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA in nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23) and Giants. Because he turned down a qualifying offer from San Diego last November, the Giants were not eligible to give Snell another one and won’t receive draft-pick compensation. Los Angeles expects All-Star right-hander Tyler Glasnow and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw back in the rotation next year. Other starting candidates if healthy include right-handers Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller. Ohtani is coming off right elbow surgery in September 2023 and left shoulder surgery on Nov. 5. Glasnow didn’t pitch after Aug. 11 because of right elbow tendinitis. Kershaw, who turns 37 in March, had foot and knee surgeries on Nov. 7. He declined a $10 million player option in favor of free agency, but is expected to return to Los Angeles. May is coming back from Tommy John surgery in July 2023 and from an operation this past July to repair a tear in his esophagus. Gonsolin spent 2024 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Miller, an 11-game winner as a rookie in 2023, was sidelined early this season by shoulder inflammation. He struggled to a 2-4 record with an 8.52 ERA in 13 big league starts and ended the regular season in the minors. Yamamoto was sidelined by right triceps tightness between June 15 and Sept. 10, then returned and went 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in four postseason starts.

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A man has been charged with allegedly stabbing his ex-partner at her Donegal home. The man, who is in his 30s, was brought before a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court earlier today. The accused cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of the alleged victim. Inspector Anthony Coyle gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. The court heard that a protection order was served on the man in early November. He is charged that, at a named address in Donegal, he contravened a protection order in that he entered the home of the applicant without invitation and assaulted her by stabbing her. The charge is contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018. There was no objection to bail, which was granted by Judge Brendan O’Reilly on the accused’s own bond. Bail conditions include that he be of good behaviour and commit no further offence and reside at a name address and inform Gardai of any change. He must also comply with the terms of the protection order; have no contact, either directly or indirectly, to include social media, with the alleged injured party and any witnesses and stay away from a named address. Legal aid was granted to the man’s solicitor Mr Donough Cleary. The matter was adjourned to January 20, 2025.The World Order Is Dangerously In Flux