
Church donation box goes digital in Greece
Live Events
Devout regulars attending Athens's main Roman Catholic church that honours a first-century saint have discovered a 21st-century update: their donation box is now hooked up to a digital payments system.The addition of the Point of Sale (POS) device in the Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite is the first in a Greek church, even though their use is common elsewhere, including in Africa.Such was the stir created in Orthodox-dominated Greece that cameras from national broadcasters were on hand Sunday, trained on the POS's small screen -- even though it was not yet switched on.The unit was expected to be working within a week, accepting card-tap donations as small as one cent, up to a limit of 1,000 euros ($1,130).It was sitting on a wooden furniture unit alongside prayer candles that could be exchanged for donations."The first church donation box with POS: Tourists requested it, the Church made it happen", said an article on the protothema.gr news website.The cathedral's priest, Georgios Dangas, noted mildly that churches elsewhere in the Western world had been using POS units for decades."We have been asked to install a POS by tourists coming to Athens. Worshippers from all over the world who travel without cash want to give something for the church," he told AFP.He added that the expenses of running the church, the salaries of the priests and the charity work are not paid by either the Greek state or the Vatican, so the contributions were vital.Sunday mass in the church is frequently attended by women from the Philippines who work in the homes of the rich who live in nearby upscale neighbourhoods.The POS device, which was hotly debated in Greece and on social media over the weekend, may find imitators in the Orthodox Church -- the most followed religion in Greece."The man who installed it told me that priests from Orthodox churches also contacted him. But they said let's see how it goes in the Catholic Church and then we'll see," the priest said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Iran says to submit own nuclear proposal to US soon
Tehran: Iran said on Monday it will soon present a counter-proposal on a nuclear deal with the United States, after it had described Washington's offer as containing "ambiguities". Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new nuclear accord to replace the deal with major powers that US President Donald Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. The longtime foes have been locked in a diplomatic standoff over Iran's uranium enrichment , with Tehran defending it as a "non-negotiable" right and Washington describing it as a "red line". On May 31, after the fifth round of talks, Iran said it had received "elements" of a US proposal, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later saying the text contained "ambiguities". Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei criticised the US proposal as "lacking elements" reflective of the previous rounds of negotiations, without providing further details. "We will soon submit our own proposed plan to the other side through (mediator) Oman once it is finalised," Baqaei told a weekly press briefing. "It is a proposal that is reasonable, logical and balanced, and we strongly recommend that the American side value this opportunity." Iran's parliament speaker has said the US proposal failed to include the lifting of sanctions -- a key demand for Tehran, which has been reeling under their weight for years. Strategic mistake Trump, who has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions on Iran since taking office in January, has repeatedly said Tehran will not be allowed any uranium enrichment under a potential deal. On Wednesday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the US offer was "100 percent against" notions of independence and self-reliance. He insisted that uranium enrichment was "key" to Iran's nuclear programme and that the US "cannot have a say" on the issue. Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set in the 2015 deal and close though still short of the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead. Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire atomic weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. The United Nations nuclear watchdog on Monday began a Board of Governors meeting in Vienna that will last until Friday to discuss Iran's nuclear activities among other topics. "I call upon Iran urgently to cooperate fully and effectively with the International Atomic Energy Agency," said agency chief Rafael Grossi in his opening speech. "Unless and until Iran assists the agency in resolving the outstanding safeguards issues, the agency will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful," he added. Earlier, the agency released a report criticising "less than satisfactory" cooperation from Tehran, particularly in explaining past cases of nuclear material found at undeclared sites. Iran has criticised the IAEA report as unbalanced, saying it relied on "forged documents" provided by its arch foe Israel. Britain, France and Germany, the three European countries that are party to the 2015 deal, are currently weighing whether to trigger the sanctions "snapback" mechanism in the accord. The mechanism would reinstate UN sanctions in response to Iranian non-compliance -- an option that expires in October. On Friday, Araghchi warned European powers against backing a draft resolution at the IAEA accusing Tehran of non-compliance, calling it a "strategic mistake". On Monday, Baqaei said Iran has "prepared and formulated a series of steps and measures" if the resolution is passed. "Without a doubt, the response to confrontation will not be more cooperation," he added.


Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Quitting with a return ticket: How "Boomerang hiring" is redrawing the career map for Generation Z
Generation Z, a cohort known for dominating headlines for their unapologetic demeanour and for re-painting the corporate walls with bold hues. This generation shares gross dissimilarities with their predecessors, who often thought twice before saying no. Here enter young professionals in the office unafraid to speak their minds, and often 'ridicule' their bosses to their face. No wonder, terms like 'loud quitting' and 'rage quitting' have caught fire in the current workplaces. However, a recent trend known as 'Boomerang hiring' may arrest these dramatic exits popularised by Generation Z. Sure, screaming 'I QUIT' on the last day may seem like the most satisfying moment for some employees, however, it could freeze your career lifeline for years. The long-cherished belief that quitting marks the end of the chapter is quickly losing its shine in today's corporate setup. According to ADP payroll data, 35 percent of all new hires as of March 2025 were returning employees, individuals who had left their positions only to rejoin later. Quitting, only to return? Yes, this evolving pattern has been aptly sobriqueted as the boomerang trend. The trends that have gained prominence among Generation Z may now falter or fade. Burning bridges with colleagues and managers, no matter how tempting it may seem, is never a wise idea. Doing so could silently narrow the gates of future opportunities. The comeback curve While initial jobless claims stay close to lows and unemployment stands just above 4 percent, there is a surprising upward trend in returning workers. According to ADP payroll data, boomerang hires now make up 31% of all new hires on average, rising to 35% in March 2025. In the information sector, nearly two-thirds of new hires were former employees, a twofold increase from last year. The return has its reasons Boomerang hiring surged initially out of necessity in 2020 when companies rehired laid-off workers after pandemic shutdowns. But today, it's not driven by crisis, it's driven by strategy. In an increasingly cautious hiring environment, almost 60% of companies now prefer hiring returning employees, according to media reports. Even in India, the trend has made waves. Several domestic companies have reported 100% success rates with boomerang hires, suggesting this isn't just a Western phenomenon—it's a global recalibration of how value is measured in talent. Why? Because boomerang employees come equipped with context: They understand internal systems, align faster with culture, and require less time to get productive. What Generation Z must know For a generation that claps and champions purpose over performance, boomerang hiring bestows a middle ground. It allows for exploration without burning bridges, and for return without regret. Here's what Gen Z professionals should take away: Exits are the new entrances : Leaving with grace, clarity, and professionalism keeps doors open, because re-entry is now a real career path. Returning isn't regressing : Coming back is no longer seen as backtracking, it's a smart, strategic move that signals self-awareness and adaptability. Experience matters, even if it's circular : Former employees returning with external insights bring dual value—operational familiarity and broader industry perspective. Safe ground can be smart ground : In a market with limited mobility and economic uncertainty, familiar workspaces can offer more opportunity than unknown ones. Generation Z has entered the workforce as it is undergoing massive changes. With artificial intelligence penetrating and disrupting obsolete jobs, leading to layoffs and slow growth, Gen Z's career map is no longer a linear climb. Not just a trend—A strategic evolution The idea of returning to the old cubicle once was a subject of mockery. It carried a stigma and implied failure, desperation, or indecision. However, in today's economy, it refers something entirely paradoxical: Clarity and ambition. It demonstrates a professional who is confident enough to leave, wise enough to explore, and mature enough to return. The cyclical career, long considered unconventional, is becoming a defining feature of modern work. Boomerang hires aren't anomalies anymore, they're strategic assets. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Business Standard
Capri Global shares zoom 13% in trade today; why are investors buying?
Capri Global Capital share price zoomed 12.9 per cent in trade on Monday, June 9, 2025, logging a day's high at ₹171.5 per share on BSE. The buying on the counter came after the company launched its auto pay for gold loans. At 11:10 AM, Capri Global shares were trading 12.31 per cent higher at ₹170.6 per share on the BSE. In comparison, the BSE Sensex was up 0.45 per cent at 82,555.85. The company's market capitalisation stood at ₹14,076.48 crore. Its 52-week high was at ₹236 per share and 52-week low was at ₹150.6 per share. What is auto pay for gold loans? Auto pay facility for gold loans is designed to make gold loan repayments more convenient, secure, and hassle-free for customers. The auto pay feature offers customers a hassle-free and secure repayment experience by automatically debiting the due amount from their registered bank account on the scheduled date. This reduces the risk of missed payments and late penalties. The service is enabled through a standing instruction or mandate provided at the time of loan disbursal. With auto pay, customers benefit from a secure and seamless repayment process, eliminating the need for manual payments or branch visits. Earlier, Capri Loans had introduced an AI-powered WhatsApp Chatbot that allows customers to manage their gold loan accounts anytime, from anywhere. Through this facility customers can make secure payments, view account details, check interest dues, and access important documents—all without visiting a branch. About Capri Global Capital Ltd Capri Global Capital Limited (Capri Loans) is a diversified Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). Capri Loans offers tailored product solutions to unbanked and underserved customers as last mile credit delivery across Northern and Western geographies, through its strong network of 1000+ branches spread across 19 States and Union Territories. With an AUM of over Rs 22,857+ Crore and serving over 7 Lakh customer accounts through more than 11,000 employees, Capri Loans operates in high-growth segments such as MSME Loans, Gold Loans, Construction Finance and offers Affordable Housing Loans through its 100 per cent subsidiary Capri Global Housing Finance Limited (CGHFL).