ΡΟΗ ΕΙΔΗΣΕΩΝ

ΜΑΚΕΛΕΙΟ ΣΤΟ ΤΕΞΑΣ: Ποιος είναι ο άνθρωπος που εξουδετέρωσε το δράστη

Πρόσωπο της ημέρας, ήρωας, από μηχανής θεός. Αυτοί είναι οι χαρακτηρισμοί που συνοδεύουν πλέον τον 55χρονο Στίβεν Γουίλφορντ, τον κάτοικο της πόλης Sutherland Springs, που, όπως εκτιμάται, εμπόδισε τον 26χρονο Ντέβιν Κέλεϊ να σκοτώσει ακόμα περισσότερους ανθρώπους στο Τέξας.

Ο Γουίλφορντ, σύμφωνα με τοπικό διευθυντή δημόσιας ασφάλειας του Τέξας, μόλις είδε τον 26χρονο «πήρε την καραμπίνα του και πυροβόλησε προς το μέρος του».

Ο 55χρονος, ο οποίος είναι λάτρης των μηχανών, φέρεται να ειδοποιήθηκε για το μακελειό από την κόρη του.

Αν και, όπως λένε κάτοικοι της περιοχής, ο Γουίλφορντ δεν είχε στρατιωτική εκπαίδευση, εντούτοις είναι άριστος στο σημάδι και γι' αυτό όταν ήρθε «πρόσωπο με πρόσωπο» με τον Κέλεϊ δεν δίστασε στο παραμικρό. Λέγεται, μάλιστα, ότι κατάφερε να βρει το κενό που άφηνε στα πλευρά του 26χρονου το αλεξίσφαιρο γιλέκο που ο Κέλεϊ φορούσε.

«Συνεργός» του στην αντιμετώπιση του μακελάρη ήταν ο επίσης κάτοικος της περιοχής Τζόνι Λάγκεντορφ, ο οποίος έτυχε να συναντήσει τον Γουίλφορντ ενώ βρισκόταν στο αυτοκίνητό του.

Όπως περιέγραψε σε ανάρτησή της στο Facebook η φίλη του Λάγκεντορφ, «οι δύο τους ανέβηκαν στο αγροτικό και κυνήγησαν τον άρρωστο μέχρι να τον φτάσουν οι αστυνομικοί.

Ο ίδιος είπε σε δημοσιογράφους ότι χρειάστηκε να αναπτύξει ταχύτητα 152χλμ/ώρα για να τον προφτάσει, ενώ την ίδια ώρα μιλούσε με τους αστυνομικούς με τον Γουίλφορντ να σημαδεύει το όχημα του Κέλεϊ.

Το τέλος του κυνηγητού ήρθε σε μια στενή στροφή, όταν ο Κέλεϊ έχασε τον έλεγχο του αυτοκινήτου του και βγήκε εκτός δρόμου.

Σύμφωνα με τους δύο διώκτες του, ο Κέλεϊ μετά την έξοδο από το δρόμο ήταν ακίνητος, καθώς εκεί άφησε την τελευταία του πνοή.

Ακόμα, πάντως, δεν έχει διευκρινιστεί αν ο θάνατός του προήλθε από την αιμορραγία που του προκάλεσε η σφαίρα του Γουίλφορντ ή αν αυτοκτόνησε.

Willis Towers Watson: Υπερτερούν τεχνολογικά οι κινεζικές ασφαλιστικές

Έτοιμες να ξεπεράσουν τις ευρωπαϊκές και αμερικανικές ασφαλιστικές αναφορικά με την ανάπτυξη καινοτόμων λύσων στο insurtech δείχνουν οι κινεζικές επιχειρήσεις του κλάδου.

Σύμφωνα με διεθνείς ασφαλιστικούς κύκλους, αυτό οφείλεται κυρίως στην έλλειψη συγκεκριμένου ρυθμιστικού και κανονιστικού πλαισίου στις αναδυόμενες αγορές, μεταξύ των οποίων είναι και η κινεζική.

Επιπροσθέτως, σύμφωνα με τη σχετική έκθεση της Willis Towers Watson, οι αγορές αυτές είναι σε θέση να προσελκύσουν ευκολότερα περισσότερους υποψήφιους επενδυτές από τις «παραδοσιακές» ασφαλιστικές αγορές, που έχουν τη δυνατότητα ακόμα μεγαλύτερης διείσδυσης στη διεθνή ασφαλιστική αγορά.

Όπως τόνισε ο Rafal Walkiewicz, CEO της Willis Towers Watson Securities, η περίπτωση της Κίνας έχει οδηγήσει σε νέα κανάλια διανομής και στην παραγωγή καινούριων προϊόντων, που διοχετεύονται στην αγορά μέσω μιας νέας πλατφόρμας, της Taobao Insurance.

Ο Walkiewicz σημειώνει, επίσης, ότι η έκρηξη του ηλεκτρονικού εμπορίου, με την Alibaba να κυριαρχεί, έχει δημιουργήσει ανάγκη για νέα ασφαλιστικά προϊόντα στον κλάδο των Γενικών Ασφαλίσεων.

Την ίδια ώρα οι «μεγάλες» ασφαλιστικές αναθεωρούν και επανασχεδιάζουν την στρατηγική τους τόσο στην Κίνα όσο και στην ευρύτερη ασιατική αγορά.

Δημήτρης Μωύσογλου

MetLife Recognized for Innovative Customer Solutions

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) announced that its unique virtual reality solution, known as conVRse, has won the Asia Insurance Industry Award 2017 for 'Innovation of the Year'.

conVRse is a first-of-its-kind experiential Virtual Reality (VR) customer service platform designed to revolutionize interaction between insurers and customers. This solution was developed by LumenLab, MetLife's innovation center in Asia, and PNB MetLife, its joint venture in India.

This is the second consecutive year that MetLife Asia is being recognized for innovation, consolidating its position as a leader in innovation. Last year, the company won this category with its insurance product "Beautiful".

"We are delighted to be recognized as a leader for innovation in our industry and want to thank the panel of judges and AIIA team for encouraging innovation in insurance which is critical if we are to evolve into a truly customer-centric industry," said Zia Zaman, LumenLab CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of MetLife Asia. "What I like best about virtual reality is that it allows the customer to be the protagonist in their own financial journey. Our solution conVRse is a huge first step that our customers love."

This is the first time that virtual reality is being used in the insurance industry to benefit the customers' directly. The platform provides a differentiated, immersive and a personalized experience to the customer through VR headsets available at select PNB MetLife branches. The VR headset brings customers face to face with an avatar "Khushi". Khushi is a life insurance expert who can show customers all their policy related information while answering their queries. The initial response from PNB MetLife customers has been exceptional; 96% say it has had a positive impact on their brand experience.

conVRse has also won "Best Technology Initiative of The Year Award" at The National Awards For Excellence In Insurance 2017, the 'Virtual Reality' – Category at the prestigious "BFSI Digital Innovation Award", hosted by Indian Express Group, "Best Technology Innovation 2017" at the prestigious Fintelekt Insurance Award , demonstrating its business and social impact.

conVRse originated from the 2015 MetLife Asia Mobile Challenge, an internal employee innovation challenge won by three colleagues from PNB MetLife.

The Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2017 are hosted by Asia Insurance Review magazine. The panel of judges included insurance industry CEOs, industry leaders, regulators and experts from across the Asia Pacific region.

Piraeus Bank: Agreement for the Sale of Serbian Operations

Piraeus Bank announces that it has entered into an agreement to sell its Serbian banking and leasing operations to Direktna Banka A.D., a local Serbian banking group that has been strongly growing its presence in the market, for a total cash consideration between €58mn up to €61mn, depending on the financial performance of the divested assets until completion of the transaction, through a combination of direct sale price and simultaneous reduction of capital in Piraeus Bank Beograd AD.

The transaction is conditional upon the usual corporate and regulatory approvals, including those of the National Bank of Serbia and the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund. The transaction represents another step towards the implementation of Piraeus Bank's Restructuring Plan commitments, as those were agreed with the Directorate General of Competition of the European Commission.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018, following the receipt of all necessary approvals and is neutral to Piraeus' CET-1 ratio.

Mr Christos Megalou, Chief Executive Officer of Piraeus Bank, said with regards to the transaction: "In accordance with our Restructuring Plan commitments to reduce our international presence, we are announcing the sale of our Serbian operations to Direktna Banka after a highly competitive sale process. We believe that Piraeus Bank AD Beograd customers and employees will benefit from being part of an enlarged banking group and we look forward to the timely completion of the transaction".

BNP Paribas acted as financial adviser to Piraeus Bank on the transaction, whilst Clifford Chance and Andric Law Office acted as legal counsel.

Article by the Governor of the Bank of Greece Yannis Stournaras published in the newspaper "Ta Nea": The future of the euro area, and Greece

peaker: Yannis Stournaras

"The future of the euro area, and Greece"

Yannis Stournaras, Governor of the Bank of Greece

Seven years after the outbreak of the crisis with Greece in the eye of the storm, the situation has improved a lot, the major imbalances have been corrected, and the euro area economy is recovering. Nevertheless, no one can claim that all problems have been resolved or that a new crisis can be ruled out.

Once the elections in Germany are over and a government is formed, it will perhaps be an appropriate time to start a discussion on further improving the euro area architecture. Seven years after the onset of the crisis, we are wise enough to understand better than before the mistakes made, to assess the measures taken and, most importantly, to plan more effectively the next steps in order to shield the euro area. These steps, however, must be planned now. The view that we should wait for a more appropriate time is wrong and risky. The next crisis, if and when it arrives, must not find us unprepared.

The economic and social performance of the euro area needs to be improved. We need a far-reaching and ambitious, yet realistic, approach so that we can turn the monetary union into a more complete economic and monetary union that will possess adequate tools and resources to deal with unanticipated crises, as well as long-term governance rules. Failing to act now would put at risk the single currency, one of the most ambitious political and economic projects in our continent since nation-states emerged.

A key finding from the crisis is that euro area membership has stripped Member States of some policy instruments without replacing them with others, centralised at the euro area level. Moreover, the euro area lacked a crisis management mechanism.

It is true that major steps have been taken during these seven years to improve the euro area; we must design the future of the euro, building on and completing these steps: the provision of intergovernmental loans, especially to Greece; the establishment of the European Stability Mechanism and the recourse of Member States in crisis to that mechanism; the (still incomplete) banking union; macro-prudential supervision of the financial system; and major initiatives by the European Central Bank (ECB) aimed to safeguard financial stability. Also, at the national level, drastic fiscal and structural measures have been taken in order to eliminate macroeconomic imbalances, restore competitiveness and strengthen the capital adequacy of the banking system.

Given that the ECB cannot continue to shoulder the burden of stabilising the euro area almost on its own ("the only game in town") and to keep monetary policy too loose indefinitely, the next steps to strengthen the euro area architecture should include: (a) reinforcement of the macroeconomic rebalancing mechanisms, which must operate symmetrically; (b) enhancement of mechanisms for sharing risks as well as responsibilities; (c) reforms to boost economic growth, reduce unemployment and increase the resilience of the euro to future crises; (d) increased accountability of European institutions to the European Parliament.

The economic rebalancing mechanisms within the euro area should be reinforced and, in particular, should operate symmetrically, i.e. both for Member States with external deficits and for Member States with external surpluses. To this end, it must be ensured, as is already provided for in European Union rules (Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure), that the upper and lower bounds for current accounts are adhered to, in particular by Member States that accumulate large and continuous current account surpluses. This is so because, unlike the Member States that had large deficits and eliminated them, the steady and increasing accumulation of surpluses in some Member States has hampered the adjustment efforts of the deficit ones, causing a deeper recession and higher unemployment in them.

Risk-sharing within the euro area should be strengthened, for example in line with the recommendations of the 2015 Five Presidents' Report, or as specified in the European Commission's reflection paper on the deepening of the economic and monetary union (May 2017), or other proposals, such as those published by the Jacques Delors Institute in autumn 2016, that are based both on the experience from the crisis and on a number of important academic analyses. Private sector risk-sharing can be achieved through actions that will lead to a genuine financial union with fully integrated financial markets, including capital markets. These actions involve the completion of the Banking Union through the establishment of a European Deposit Insurance Scheme and a single rulebook to govern both the operation and resolution of banks.

Promoting a genuine Capital Markets Union can be achieved through legislative changes that will require harmonization with best practices regarding securitisation, accounting, insolvency law, company law, as well as property rights.

In addition to strengthening the private sector risk-sharing channels, it is necessary to create a centralised fiscal stabilisation tool in the euro area in order to absorb any strong macroeconomic shocks, i.e. there is a need for a public sector risk-sharing mechanism. This tool will provide effective protection against asymmetric shocks triggered by regional disturbances. While there is currently no willingness to set up a fiscal union, there are realistic alternative ways to move forward with the creation of a central fiscal stabilisation tool. For example, drawing on the experience of the already existing European Fund for Strategic Investments (Juncker Plan), it is possible to reach an agreement that will promote reforms in exchange for investment projects financed through a common fund of European resources. These resources could come either from an intergovernmental investment fund or from the EU budget. There has also been a proposal regarding the issuance of European "safe" bonds (ESBies) and, later on, Eurobonds by the European Stability Mechanism under the appropriate terms and when the conditions allow so. In addition, the establishment of a European unemployment insurance scheme could be considered.

At a final stage, the European Stability Mechanism could be transformed into a fully-fledged European Monetary Fund that would act as lender of last resort for Member States. Governments facing financial distress and difficulties in accessing markets would be able to borrow from the Fund, subject to appropriate conditionality.

Greater risk-sharing, e.g. through the issuance of Eurobonds, could be better received if accompanied by a greater sharing of responsibilities. In this context, it has been proposed to appoint a Euro Area Finance Minister with a veto right over national budgets and accountable to the European Parliament.
Over the last seven years, despite the mistakes and backtracking that largely explain why Greece is the only euro area country that still remains in a programme, an unprecedented, in the history of the European Union and the OECD, correction of macroeconomic imbalances has been achieved. The large "twin" deficits (fiscal and external) of 2009 have been eliminated. Labour cost competitiveness has improved by 27% and price competitiveness, in terms of GDP deflator, by 20%. Many structural reforms have been implemented in labour and product markets as well as in public administration. The banking system, while it has a high non-performing loan ratio, mainly as a result of the crisis, also has relatively high loan-loss provisions and capital adequacy ratios.

Furthermore, a strong political consensus has been formed in favour of keeping Greece in the euro area. In their majority, Greek political parties are not only in favour of the euro, but also have supported measures in the Parliament, sometimes with heavy social cost, to ensure that Greece remains in the euro area.

These measures have increased Greece's credibility towards the euro area, which, as a matter of fact, has been achieved through the significant sacrifices of the Greek people after 2010. These sacrifices imply taking responsibility for the risks assumed by the euro area and, to a much lesser extent, the rest of the international community through the IMF, as a result of the loans granted to Greece.

However, we still have a way to go before Greece can stand on its own feet without help and regain the trust of financial markets after the end of the programme, in August 2018. This will happen if the country can achieve a credit rating enabling it to refinance its debt at interest rates compatible with debt sustainability and if banks have appropriate and adequate collateral to have full access to the ECB's refinancing operations (and not only to ELA).

The first and crucial step in this direction is the timely conclusion of the third review. This will further improve confidence and the possibility of sustainable market access. The fact that there is still a lot to be done in the areas of privatisations and structural reforms means that there is considerable room for increasing the potential output of the economy on a permanent basis. What has been achieved over the past seven years is only the beginning of a new growth model based on sound fundamentals and higher competitiveness. For example, we further need more ownership of privatisations and more public-private partnerships, even in areas that used to be totally taboo, such as social security, healthcare, education; several other reforms, e.g. in the energy market, the market for goods and services, and in certain professions, in order to increase productivity and reduce the costs for consumers; an overhauling of public sector structures; measures to reduce red tape in public administration; measures to speed up judicial proceedings; full respect for the independence of institutions; encouraging and providing incentives for private sector cooperation with universities and research institutes, in order to promote innovation and the transition to a knowledge-based economy; and, of course, tackling the large volume of non-performing loans and the problem of strategic defaulters, that hamper not only the effort to restore a sound banking system but also the growth of the Greek economy. Last but not least, a great challenge is attracting foreign direct investment to fill the large investment gap, focusing on the most productive sectors of the economy.
Second, there is the issue of debt sustainability. As agreed in the Eurogroup, the partners are expected to take an appropriate initiative, if this is deemed necessary. The Bank of Greece has already made specific proposals for a mild debt restructuring, e.g. by lengthening the weighted average maturity of interest payments on EFSF loans by at least 8.5 years. The calculations show that this could make a significant contribution to debt sustainability, even if primary general government surpluses were to remain at 3.5% of GDP until 2020 only (rather than until 2022 as envisaged in the agreement) and fall to 2.0% thereafter. These two proposals, if adopted, would certainly support both the recovery of the economy and the country's creditworthiness, especially if the fiscal space thereby created, estimated at 1.5% of GDP, is used to reduce taxes on labour and capital. This mild debt reprofiling proposal is vital for Greece, while it involves only a negligible cost for its partners. The above will pave the way to the inclusion of Greek government bonds in the ECB's quantitative easing programme, which in turn will facilitate sustainable market access and further support economic recovery. This will set in motion a new virtuous circle that will signal investor confidence in Greece's economic prospects and will encourage the return of more deposits to banks, a return to financial markets after the end of the current programme, and, eventually, the full abolition of capital controls.
Third, there is the question of economic policy credibility in the long run, which would ensure unimpeded access to financial markets and avoid the repetition of past mistakes that brought Greece to the epicenter of the euro area crisis in 2010. It is clear that a credible commitment is required of all the Greek political parties that are in favour of Greece remaining in the euro area. Mario Draghi, the ECB President, who in July 2012, when centrifugal forces stemming from the Greek crisis threatened the euro area, said in London the historical phrase "the ECB will do whatever it takes", set a good example that the leaders of Greek political parties need to follow if and when this is deemed necessary.

In the interwar period, Stefan Zweig, who probably felt what was coming, wrote and read to his audience a plea to Europeans, a visionary and ambitious text, far ahead of his time but also of our own time, addressed to his contemporary European leaders. I am confident that today's euro area leaders, who will sooner or later sit at the table of negotiations to discuss the euro area's future, will read it again before they start discussions.

Interest Rates on Bank Deposits and Loans: September 2017

1. INTEREST RATES ON EURO-DENOMINATED NEW DEPOSITS AND LOANS

In September 2017, the overall weighted average interest rate on new deposits remained unchanged, while the average interest rate on new loans decreased. The interest rate spread* between loan and deposit rates decreased to 4.41 percentage points, from 4.53 points in the previous month (see Table 1).

The overall weighted average interest rate on all new deposits stood at 0.29%, unchanged from the previous month. In particular, the average interest rate on overnight deposits placed by households remained unchanged at 0.09% and the average interest rate on overnight deposits placed by non-financial corporations remained almost unchanged, at 0.13%. The average interest rate on deposits from households with an agreed maturity of up to 1 year remained at 0.62%, unchanged from the previous month.

The overall weighted average interest rate on all new loans to households and corporations decreased by 12 basis points to 4.70%.

More specifically, the average interest rate on consumer loans without a defined maturity (a category which comprises credit cards, open account loans and overdrafts) remained almost unchanged at 14.36%. The average interest rate on consumer loans with a defined maturity at a floating rate (1) decreased by 22 basis points to 8.30%.

The average interest rate on corporate loans without a defined maturity decreased by 8 basis points to 5.34%. Τhe corresponding rate on loans to sole proprietors also decreased by 5 basis points to 7.01%. The average interest rate on corporate loans with a defined maturity at a floating rate (1) decreased by 18 basis points to 4.15%. In particular, the rate on loans of up to €250,000 increased by 11 basis points to 5.44%, on loans of over €250,000 and up to €1 million decreased by 30 basis points to 4.61%, while the rate on loans of over €1 million decreased by 26 basis points to 3.97%. Finally, the average interest rate on housing loans at a floating rate (1) decreased by 7 basis points to 2.74%.

2. INTEREST RATES ON OUTSTANDING AMOUNTS OF EURO-DENOMINATED DEPOSITS AND LOANS

In September 2017, the overall weighted average interest rate on the outstanding amounts of all deposits remained unchanged, while the corresponding rate on all loans remained almost unchanged. The spread* between loan and deposit rates stood at 4.26 percentage points from 4.28 points in the previous month (see Table 2).

In more detail, the overall weighted average interest rate on the outstanding amounts of all deposits (including overnight deposits) remained unchanged at 0.31%, while the corresponding rate on all loans stood at 4.57% compared with 4.59% in the previous month.

In particular, the average interest rate on the outstanding amounts of deposits with an agreed maturity of up to 2 years placed by households stood at 0.63%, unchanged from the previous month. The average interest rate on the outstanding amounts of deposits with an agreed maturity of up to 2 years placed by non-financial corporations stood at 0.77%, almost unchanged from the previous month. The average interest rate on the outstanding amounts of housing loans with over 5 years' maturity remained unchanged at 2.36%. The corresponding rate on corporate loans remained almost unchanged at 3.69%, and the rate on loans to sole proprietors decreased by 5 basis points to 4.93%.

Capital Product Partners L.P. Announces Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results and the Successful Refinancing of Substantially All of the Partnership's Indebtedness

Capital Product Partners L.P. (the "Partnership" or "CPLP") (NASDAQ: CPLP), an international diversified shipping partnership, today released its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 and more details on the successful refinancing of substantially all of the Partnership's indebtedness.

The Partnership's net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $9.7 million compared with $11.8 million for the third quarter of 2016 and $9.8 million for the previous quarter ended June 30, 2017. After taking into account the preferred interest in net income attributable to the unit holders of the 12,983,333 Class B Convertible Preferred Units outstanding as of September 30, 2017 (the "Class B Units," and such unit holders the "Class B Unitholders"), and the interest attributable to the general partner, net income per common unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $0.05, compared to $0.07 for the third quarter of 2016 and $0.06 for the previous quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Operating surplus prior to allocations to our capital reserve and distributions to the Class B Units for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 amounted to $30.3 million, compared to $31.7 million for the third quarter of 2016 (before the $29.7 million in proceeds from the sale of shares in Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd ("HMM") that we received in connection with HMM's financial restructuring), and $30.5 million for the previous quarter ended June 30, 2017. We allocated $14.6 million to the capital reserve during the third quarter of 2017, unchanged compared to the previous quarter. Operating surplus after the quarterly allocation to the capital reserve and distributions to the Class B Unitholders was $12.9 million for the third quarter of 2017. Operating surplus is a non-GAAP financial measure used by certain investors to measure the financial performance of the Partnership and other master limited partnerships. Please refer to "Appendix A" at the end of the press release for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure with net income.

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2017 reached $62.7 million corresponding to an increase of 4.0% compared to $60.3 million during the third quarter of 2016. The increase in total revenues was primarily a result of the expansion of our fleet and the lower number of off hire days experienced by our vessels during the third quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, partly offset by lower charter rates earned by certain of our vessels compared to charter rates earned during the third quarter of 2016.

Total expenses for the third quarter of 2017 were $45.8 million compared to $42.4 million in the third quarter of 2016. Total vessel operating expenses during the third quarter of 2017 amounted to $21.4 million, an increase of 12.0% compared to $19.1 million during the third quarter of 2016. The increase primarily reflects the expansion of our fleet and the increase in the number of vessels in our fleet incurring operating expenses, following the redelivery of M/T 'Atlantas II,' M/T 'Aktoras' and M/T 'Aiolos,' which were previously employed on bareboat charters. Total expenses for the third quarter of 2017 include vessel depreciation and amortization of $18.5 million compared to $18.1 million in the third quarter of 2016, corresponding to an increase of 2.2%, also attributable to the expansion of our fleet. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2017 were $1.6 million, compared to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2016.

Total other expense, net for the third quarter of 2017 was $7.2 million compared to $6.1 million in the third quarter of 2016. Total other expense, net includes interest expense and finance costs of $7.5 million for the third quarter of 2017, compared to $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2016. The increase primarily reflects higher interest costs incurred during the third quarter of 2017, mainly as a result of an increase in the LIBOR weighted average interest rate compared to the same period in 2016 and commitment fees incurred under our new senior secured term loan facility, which is described in further detail below.

As of September 30, 2017, total partners' capital amounted to $936.8 million, an increase of $9.0 million compared to $927.8 million as of December 31, 2016. The increase primarily reflects net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the net proceeds from the issuance of common units under our at-the-market equity offering, partly offset by distributions declared and paid during the first nine months of 2017 of $38.5 million.

Total cash as of September 30, 2017 amounted to $176.2 million, of which restricted cash (under our credit facilities) amounted to $18.0 million.

As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership's total debt was $592.0 million, a decrease of $13.0 million compared to $605.0 million as of December 31, 2016 due to scheduled loan principal payments during the first nine months of 2017.

DryShips Inc. Announces Successful Delivery of Its Third Very Large Gas Carrier

DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), or DryShips or the Company, a diversified owner of ocean going cargo vessels, announced today that it has taken delivery of the previously announced high specifications third newbuilding Very Large Gas Carrier ("VLGC").

The VLGC will be employed under a time charter on a fixed rate with ten years firm duration to an oil major trading company. The Company expects a total gross backlog associated with this time charter of up to $103.8 million.

Since the beginning of this year, DryShips has taken delivery of 16 vessels and expects to take delivery of one more at the beginning of next year.

About DryShips Inc.

The Company is a diversified owner of ocean going cargo vessels that operate worldwide. The Company owns a fleet of (i) 13 Panamax drybulk vessels; (ii) 4 Newcastlemax drybulk vessels; (iii) 5 Kamsarmax drybulk vessels; (iv) 1 Very Large Crude Carrier; (v) 2 Aframax tankers; (vi) 1 Suezmax tanker; (vii) 4 Very Large Gas Carriers, 1 of which is expected to be delivered in January 2018; and (viii) 6 offshore support vessels, comprising 2 platform supply and 4 oil spill recovery vessels.

DryShips' common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market where it trades under the symbol "DRYS."

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. Announces Pricing of $50.0 Million of Senior Notes Due 2022

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK) ("Star Bulk" or the "Company") announced today that it has priced its public offering of senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the "Notes"). The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 8.30 % per year, payable quarterly in arrears on each February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15, commencing on February 15, 2018. The Notes will mature on November 15, 2022 and may be redeemed at the Company's option in whole or in part at any time or from time to time after May 15, 2019 for a price equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to May 15, 2019, the Notes may be redeemed at the Company's option at a price equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering to redeem all its outstanding 8.00% senior unsecured notes due 2019. This press release is not a redemption notice with respect to the 8.00% senior unsecured notes due 2019, which shall be provided in accordance with the applicable indenture.

The Notes are expected to commence trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market within 30 days after the Notes are first issued. The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $25.00 and integral multiples of $25.00 in excess thereof.

Morgan Stanley and Stifel are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

IAIS: Νέα καθυστέρηση για το Διεθνές Κεφαλαιακό Πρότυπο

Οι κανονιστικές και εποπτικές Αρχές σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο έχουν ήδη δώσει μεγαλύτερο χρονικό περιθώριο αναφορικά με τη γεφύρωση των υπερατλαντικών διαφορών, εξαιτίας των οποίων έχουν ήδη καθυστερήσει τη θέσπιση του πρώτου παγκόσμιου κεφαλαιακού κανόνα για τις ασφαλιστικές, προκαλώντας την αντίδραση του κλάδου.

Εκπρόσωποι της Διεθνούς Ομοσπονδίας Εποπτών Ασφάλισης (International Association of Insurance Supervisors-IAIS) δήλωσαν ότι τα μέλη της έφτασαν σε συμφωνία κατά τη διάρκεια σύσκεψης στην Κουάλα Λουμπούρ, χαράζοντας κοινή γραμμή προς τη σύγκλιση, για τη δημιουργία ενός ενιαίου Διεθνούς Κεφαλαιακού Προτύπου (International Capital Standard-ICS).

Όπως τόνισαν, στόχος είναι να διευκολύνουν τους επενδυτές ως προς τη σύγκριση ασφαλιστικών προερχόμενων από διάφορες χώρες, «φωτίζοντας» τον τρόπο εσωτερικής τους λειτουργίας.

Μάλιστα, σε μια προσπάθεια να διατηρηθούν «ζεστές» τόσο οι ΗΠΑ όσο και η Ευρώπη, η IAIS επισημαίνει ότι θα υπάρξει μια εισαγωγή σε δύο φάσεις, σε συνέχεια της αναθεωρημένης έκδοσης του προσχέδιου του Προτύπου, που αναμένεται να δημοσιοποιηθεί στα τέλη του 2019.

Σημειώνεται ότι μετά από μια 5ετή περίοδο παρακολούθησης θα υπάρξει η φάση της εφαρμογής, ενώ ήδη από τον περασμένο Ιούλιο έχει δημοσιοποιηθεί προς δοκιμή η πρώτη εκδοχή του ICS, με τη δεύτερη να περιλαμβάνει τις όποιες αλλαγές θα έχουν εγκριθεί.

Σύμφωνα με διεθνείς ασφαλιστικούς κύκλους, αυτό που περιμένουν με αγωνία οι ασφαλιστικές διεθνώς είναι να ξεκαθαριστεί ο κανόνας υπολογισμού των κεφαλαιακών απαιτήσεων.

ΕΚΤ: Σταθερό το κόστος δανεισμού επιχειρήσεων και νοικοκυριών τον Σεπτέμβριο

Σταθερό παρέμεινε το μέσο κόστος δανεισμού επιχειρήσεων και νοικοκυριών της Ευρωζώνης τον Σεπτέμβριο, σύμφωνα με στοιχεία της Ευρωπαϊκής Κεντρικής Τράπεζας (ΕΚΤ).

Ο σύνθετος δείκτης κόστους δανεισμού για τις επιχειρήσεις, που αντανακλά το μέσο επιτόκιο όλων των δανείων τους, διατηρήθηκε σε γενικές γραμμές αμετάβλητος στο 1,72%.

Αντίστοιχα, ο σύνθετος δείκτης κόστους δανεισμού των νοικοκυριών για αγορά κατοικίας παρέμεινε σε γενικές γραμμές αμετάβλητος στο 1,89%. Αμετάβλητο παρέμεινε και το μέσο επιτόκιο νέων καταθέσεων από επιχειρήσεις και νοικοκυριά.

Εντυπωσιακή εμφάνιση Γιούνκερ σε πανεπιστήμιο της Πορτογαλίας

Γνωστός για την άνεσή του, μπροστά και πίσω από τις κάμερες, ο πρόεδρος της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής, Ζαν Κλοντ Γιούνκερ, παρακολούθησε τελετή βράβευσης στο Πανεπιστήμιο της Κοΐμπρα στην Πορτογαλία, ντυμένος με την παραδοσιακή στολή.

Ο πρόεδρος της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής βραβεύτηκε για τη συμβολή του στην ενοποίηση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.

Το βραβείο δόθηκε από τον πανεπιστημιακό κοσμήτορα, Joao Gabriel Silva, ο οποίος ανέλαβε την ξενάγηση του Προέδρου τόσο στο Πανεπιστήμιο όσο και στην πρώην πρωτεύουσα της χώρας Κοϊμπρα.

Σε ομιλία του, ο καθηγητής δικαίου, Juncker Fernando Alves Correia, δήλωσε ότι ο Πρόεδρος της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής αποτελεί μια «σημαντική προσωπικότητα στην οικοδόμηση και ενοποίηση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης», ενώ δεν παρέλειψε να υπογραμμίσει και τη «δομημένη πολιτική σκέψη» του επικεφαλής.

Η Κέιτ Μίντλετον περιμένει δίδυμα – Διπλή χαρά για το παλάτι

Η Κέιτ Μίντλετον, όπως αποκαλύπτει το περιοδικό Life & Style, περιμένει δίδυμα κοριτσάκια και μάλιστα με τον Πρίγκιπα Ουίλιαμ, ψάχνουν ήδη ονόματα, ενώ ετοιμάζουν τα δωμάτιά τους.

«Η Κέιτ και ο Ουίλιαμ ξαφνιάστηκαν όταν το έμαθαν» αποκαλύπτει πηγή από το εσωτερικό του παλατιού. Οι κοντινοί τους άνθρωποι, μάλιστα, λένε πως η Κέιτ περιμένει κοριτσάκια και πως είναι πανομοιότυπα.

Μάλιστα, οι πρώτοι άνθρωποι που έμαθαν τα «διπλά» νέα του ζευγαριού ήταν η μητέρα της Κέιτ, η Κάρολ Μίντλετον και η αδερφή της Πίππα. «Τους τηλεφώνησε με μεγάλη χαρά για να τους πει τα νέα», αποκαλύπτει πηγή του παλατιού.

Όσον αφορά στα ονόματά τους το πριγκιπικό ζεύγος δεν έχει καταλήξει ακόμη σε κάποια συγκεκριμένα, ωστόσο δεν επιθυμούν να ξεκινάει από το ίδιο γράμμα.

«Έχουν καταρτίσει μια λίστα με ονόματα μωρών που αρέσουν και στους δύο, μεταξύ των οποίων Βικτώρια, Αλίκη, Ολίβια, Αλεξάνδρα και Ελίζαμπεθ». Τα δίδυμα θα ζήσουν όπως και η υπόλοιπη οικογένεια στο Διαμέρισμα 1A στο παλάτι του Κένσινγκτον, το οποίο περιλαμβάνει εννέα μπάνια, τρεις κουζίνες και ένα περσικό χαλί αξίας 50.000 δολαρίων, όπου τα μικρά μπορούν να αρχίσουν να μπουσουλάνε, όταν με το καλό έρθει εκείνη η ώρα. Η Κέιτ και ο Ουίλιαμ επί του παρόντος σχεδιάζουν τα νέα παιδικά δωμάτια», λέει η πηγή του παλατιού.

«Τα δίδυμα θα κοιμούνται σε χωριστές κρεβατοκάμαρες, αλλά θα μοιράζονται την αίθουσα παιχνιδιών με τον Τζορτζ και τη Σάρλοτ. Η Κέιτ πιστεύει πως είναι σημαντικό για τα δύο μεγαλύτερα παιδιά της να συνδεθούν συναισθηματικά με τα νεογέννητα».

Να θυμίσουμε ότι η Δούκισσα του Κέμπριτζ θα γεννήσει τον Απρίλιο.

ERGO: Νέα διαφήμιση μέσα από την ελληνική λέξη «έργο»

Το νέο τηλεοπτικό σποτ της ERGO και πώς επικοινωνεί το brand name της μέσα από την ελληνική λέξη «έργο»

Νέα Διαφήμιση Ergo ! Έργο με Πάθος ή Κατά Λάθος ! Ανθρώπων Έργο : Διαχρονικό Ανατρεπτικό Ψυχής Ζωής.

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Γ. ΒΡΟΥΤΣΗΣ: Επιχείρηση “πλαστογραφίας” και “παραχάραξης” της αλήθειας από τον ΣΥΡΙΖΑ

Είναι βέβαιο, ότι αν υπήρχε η δυνατότητα μέτρησης του πολιτικού θράσους, η κυβέρνηση ΣΥΡΙΖΑ-ΑΝΕΛ θα είχε σπάσει κάθε ρεκόρ!

Την περίοδο διακυβέρνησης ΣΑΜΑΡΑ, στο υπουργείο Εργασίας συντελέστηκε μια εργώδης, συγκροτημένη και στοχευμένη προσπάθεια για τις αδύναμες κοινωνικές ομάδες και την αντιμετώπιση της ακραίας φτώχειας.

Για πρώτη φορά επιχειρήθηκε και υλοποιήθηκε στην Ελλάδα, αυτό που για πολλά χρόνια πριν, εφαρμοζόταν ήδη στις άλλες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες. Μια μεταρρύθμιση, που προήλθε μέσα από τη δομική αναμόρφωση του κατακερματισμένου και αναποτελεσματικού κοινωνικού κράτους.

Πράγματι, μετά από 2 ολόκληρα χρόνια- ο στόχος επιτεύχθηκε και η προσπάθεια απέδωσε καρπούς, καθώς υλοποιήθηκε το Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα (ΦΕΚ 3018/7-11-2014, τεύχος Β΄), η μεγαλύτερη κοινωνική μεταρρύθμιση μετά τη μεταπολίτευση!

Οι απίστευτες καταγγελίες και οι λυσσώδεις αντιδράσεις του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ -την περίοδο εκείνη- που στρέφονταν κατά της εφαρμογής και υλοποίησης του Ελάχιστου Εγγυημένου Εισοδήματος, υπήρξαν παροιμιώδεις.

Σήμερα -3 χρόνια μετά- και με το Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα να εφαρμόζεται καθολικά σε ολόκληρη την Ελλάδα, η κυβέρνηση ΣΥΡΙΖΑ-ΑΝΕΛ επιχειρεί με θρασύτητα να αλλοιώσει και να “παραχαράξει” την αλήθεια.

Αρχικά “βαφτίζοντας” το Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα σε Κοινωνικό Εισόδημα Αλληλεγγύης (ΚΕΑ) και εν συνεχεία –σήμερα- με διαφημιστικά σποτ, επιχειρεί να οικειοποιηθεί τη μεγαλύτερη κοινωνική μεταρρύθμιση, που όχι μόνο δεν υποστήριξε, αλλά που αμφισβήτησε και καθυστέρησε σημαντικά στα πρώτα χρόνια της εφαρμογής του.

Όμως, όσο και αν προσπαθούν δεν θα τα καταφέρουν!

Το Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα -η μεγαλύτερη κοινωνική μεταρρύθμιση στην Ελλάδα μετά τη μεταπολίτευση- είναι έργο της κυβέρνησης Σαμαρά και αυτό είναι κάτι που θυμούνται και αναγνωρίζουν όλοι.

Κανείς δεν μπορεί –με “πλαστογραφίες” και ψέματα- να “παραχαράξει” την αλήθεια!

Έρχονται βροχές και καταιγίδες - Έκτακτο δελτίο επιδείνωσης καιρού

Έκτακτο δελτίο επιδείνωσης καιρικών φαινομένων εξέδωσε το πρωί της Παρασκευής η Εθνική Μετεωρολογική Υπηρεσία για τον καιρό του Σαββάτου, καθώς σε μεγάλο μέρος της χώρας αναμένονται βροχές και ισχυρές καταιγίδες.

Σύμφωνα με την ΕΜΥ, η καταιγίδα που θα είναι σύντομης διάρκειας θα πλήξει την Ανατολική Θεσσαλία και Στερεά, τις Σποράδες και την Εύβοια, ενώ από το απόγευμα και μετά τα Δωδεκάνησα και την Κρήτη.

SWISS RE: Η αύξηση στις τιμές των ασφαλίστρων θα ισοσκελίσει τις απώλειες

Οι ζημίες από τις πρόσφατες φυσικές καταστροφές μπορούν να ισοσκελιστούν μόνο με αύξηση στις τιμές των ασφαλίστρων στις πληγείσες περιοχές, εκτιμούν οι άνθρωποι της Swiss Re.

Συγκεκριμένα, ο οικονομικός διευθυντής, David Cote, τόνισε σε δηλώσεις του ότι προσβλέπουν σε μια αύξηση ακόμα και της τάξης του 50%, που θα αποτελέσει το «αντίδοτο» στις απώλειες ύψους 500 εκατ. δολαρίων που κατεγράφησαν.

Μάλιστα, η Swiss Re συντάσσεται με μια διευρυμένη ομάδα αποτελούμενη από ασφαλιστικές και αντασφαλιστικές που ζητούν αύξηση των επιτοκίων, ώστε να αντιμετωπιστεί το φαινόμενο των διαρκώς μειούμενων τιμών.

Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι η Swiss Re δεν δημοσιοποίησε σχετικά νούμερα ξεχωριστά για το τέταρτο τρίμηνο, για το οποίο εκτιμάται ότι οι αποζημιώσεις από τους τυφώνες Χάρβεϊ, Ίρμα και Μαρία στις ΗΠΑ και τους δύο σεισμούς στο Μεξικό θα φτάσουν τα 3,6 δισ. δολάρια, αλλά για το εννιάμηνο του έτους. Πληροφορίες, πάντως, θέλουν την εταιρεία για το διάστημα Ιούλιος – Σεπτέμβριος να καταγράφει απώλειες ύψους 1,7 δισ. δολαρίων.

Πάντως, μολονότι συνολικά οι αντασφαλιστικές κατέγραψαν σημαντικές απώλειες, τα κόστη από τις φυσικές καταστροφές αναμένεται να αποσυμπιέσουν τις τιμές στην αντασφαλιστική αγορά.

Σημειώνεται ότι η αγορά έχει πιεστεί πολύ για αρκετά χρόνια λόγω των πτωτικών τιμών της ασφαλιστικής βιομηχανίας και του διεθνούς περιβάλλοντος χαμηλών επιτοκίων.

«Είμαστε πεπεισμένοι ότι, λόγω των συνθηκών, θα υπάρξουν αλλαγές στις τιμολογήσεις», επισήμανε ο Cole.

Τονίζεται ότι την ίδια άποψη μοιράστηκε και ο διευθύνων σύμβουλος της Hannover Re, Ulrich Wallin, ο οποίος έκανε λόγο για αυξήσεις της τάξης του 40-50% στις πληγείσες από τις φυσικές καταστροφές περιοχές.

Coordinators: Τα «Συναισθήματα στον Εργασιακό Χώρο» στο επίκεντρο σεμιναρίου

«Συναισθήματα στον Εργασιακό Χώρο» είναι το θέμα του σεμιναρίου που διοργανώνει ο Εκπαιδευτικός Φορέας Coordinators Α.Ε.Ε.Κ.

Τα μαθήματα θα διεξαχθούν σε διάστημα τριών ημερών και απογευματινές ώρες τον Νοέμβριο 2017 και θα είναι διάρκειας 15 ωρών.

ΟΑΕΔ: Τα εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα δύναται να επιδοτηθούν μέσω του ΟΑΕΔ (Λαέκ).

Περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με τα προγράμματα στα τηλέφωνα: 2105734000 mail Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. και στο www.1co.gr.