Athens
20
04
2024
Specifically, from 07:30 to 13:30, there will be gradual and temporary traffic interruptions along the road sections in areas of the Municipalities of Athens, Filothei-Psychiko, Chalandri, Agia Paraskevi, Maroussi and Nea Filadelfeia - Chalkidona.
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Athens
20
04
2024
Speaking during an international ocean conference in Athens, Theodoros Skylakakis said scientific studies to determine details such as which species will be protected and what measures must be taken will be completed and implemented by year’s end.
“Real protection needs to be backed by real science,” Skylakakis said.
The creation of the park in the Aegean has irked Greece’s neighbor and regional rival Turkey, which has accused Athens of exploiting environmental issues to push a geopolitical agenda. Greece’s foreign ministry retorted that Ankara was “politicizing a clearly environmental issue.”
The NATO allies have been at odds for decades over a variety of issues, including territorial claims in the Aegean.
Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’s ruling party, said on Wednesday that Turkey would “not allow” the creation of marine parks in the Aegean and called on Greece to abandon plans that would “harm” efforts to improve ties.
Relations have been improving over the past year following a period of heightened tensions that saw the countries’ warships face off in the eastern Mediterranean.
“We consider this a step that sabotages the normalization process and that this unilateral approach is an exploitation of environmental sensitivities,” Celik said.
“We would like to remind Greece once again that it should not deviate from the path of diplomacy, that no steps that would harm normalization should be taken and that Turkey will in no way allow actions toward the declaration of marine parks in the Aegean Sea,” he said.
The park in the Aegean will have a series of rocky islets at its core and aims to protect seabirds, covering more than 8,000 square kilometers (3,088 square miles) or just over 6.6% of Greece’s territorial waters.
The park in the Ionian Sea in western Greece will focus on the protection of marine mammals and extend over 14,000 square kilometers (over 5,400 square miles) from north of the island of Kefallonia to Antikythira in the south, covering 11% of Greek territorial waters.
A new system to monitor the parks that will include the use of drones, satellites and artificial intelligence will be ready by 2026, Skylakakis said, with monitoring by traditional methods until then.
The parks’ creation was part of Greece’s pledges during the Our Ocean Conference. Other measures include a ban on bottom trawling in national marine parks by 2026 and in all marine protected areas by 2030, reducing plastic pollution and mapping marine habitats of protected areas.
Nearly 120 countries and 20 international and regional organizations attended the two-day conference, raising $11.3 billion in more than 460 commitments for marine-related environmental protection, organizers said.
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Athens
19
04
2024
However, the contractor of the building work is still being held, accused of violating Article 286 of the building regulations and general building regulations.
He received a deadline and is expected to apologize to the investigator next Saturday, while the owners of the 2-story residence are also being sought.
At the same time, for the case the police is expected to draw up a sworn administrative examination with the statements of the workers, while for the incident the competent department of the Fire Service is also conducting a parallel preliminary investigation.
It is noted that 24 firefighters with 8 vehicles tried to free the workers in the building on Neorion Street in Pasalimani, while the 1st EMAK was also called.
The collapse of a building floor in Piraeus on Tuesday where work was being carried out has highlighted the plight of hundreds of thousands of aging buildings in Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki and other urban centers without a plan for the future. One of the main parameters of the problem is linked to public education and the legality of carrying out work, particularly in apartment blocks.
Thousands of smaller buildings have also had floors added. It is common for many houses built up to around 1950 as single-story houses to have a floor or floors added.
Despite the fact that the quality of construction in Greece is generally good, there is an issue of legality, transparency and individual building works, many of which are unseen.
The issue concerns the need for thousands of people, mostly of limited and medium economic means, to renovate their houses, many of which are between 40 and 90 years old.
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Athens
19
04
2024
According to an announcement by SOS Children's Villages, these are gifts and candles that will delight young and old and decorations that will highlight every corner of the house, garden and terrace and will give an Easter touch of joy to all areas.
The entire Easter collection is also available in the SOS Children's Villages e-shop, where those interested can choose from a variety of Easter gifts, candles, and electronic Easter cards to wish their loved ones.
With every purchase, small or large, from the Easter bazaar or from the Organization's e-shop, the announcement points out, we send our own message of love, supporting the important work of SOS Children's Villages.
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Athens
18
04
2024
As he says in his post, the "polar storm" will also bring snow to the mountains and heavy rains.
In detail, the post of the meteorologist is as follows:
"Good morning! "The polar jet stream is displacing dust and dropping temperatures by 10 degrees! Also bringing snow to the mountains and heavy rain Friday-Saturday."
Today is the last day with dust, with the mud rains keeping us busy until the evening mainly in the western and northern country. Thursday 18/4 is a transitional day. Local rainfall will occur in the west, north and east of the island country and the temperature will drop 4 to 5 degrees. However, on Friday and Saturday the "atmospheric river" (aerohemarros) - image - located high in the atmosphere will descend to more southern latitudes and will change the weather in the country with rain, storms, further drop in temperature and even snow!"
Specifically:
On Friday 19/4, large amounts of rain are expected in western and northern Greece, some snow at high altitudes (1400 m) and a drop in temperature.
On Saturday 20/4 the most rains (locally heavy) will occur in the morning hours in Thessaly, the Sporades, Macedonia, Thrace, the eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese. Strong north winds will also blow.
On Sunday 21/4 a second disturbance will create milder phenomena in central and northern Greece.
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Athens
18
04
2024
The group's total consolidated operating result (EBITDA) before asset valuations and other adjustments amounted to a profit of 132 million euros in FY2023, compared to a loss of 13 million euros in FY2022.
Malls (4 in operation): operating profitability before valuations and other adjustments (Retail EBITDA) reached a new historic record of 81million euros (18% increase vs. 20226). The sustained strong growth in operating profitability EBITDA is mainly attributed to the total rental income growth (24% vs. 2022) as well as the parking income (16% vs. 2022, on account of the significant footfall increase).
Marinas: total operating profit (EBITDA) before valuations and other adjustments increased 5% vs. 2022 to 18million euros, reaching a new historic record. Operating profit for the Flisvos Marina reached 14million euros, 5% increase vs. 2022, while Agios Kosmas (Ellinikon) Marina EBITDA reached 5million euros, 11% increase vs. 2022. The performance is mainly attributed to the increase in the annual (permanent) berth contracts, based on the new pricing policy, which continue to account for 100% of total berth capacity.
The Ellinikon Project: the significant revenue increase from property sales/leases, on account of the construction works progress as well as the accounting revenue recognition, based on the fulfilment of relevant performance obligations, is the key driver in achieving significant operating profitability in 2023, within just 2.5 years since the purchase of HELLINIKON S.M.S.A. shares (25.06.2021). Operating results, before valuations and other adjustments, reached 65million euros profit, vs. 67million euros loss in 2022.
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Athens
18
04
2024
Ships remained docked at Greek ports and train services were halted as transport workers joined the nationwide strike by private sector union GSEE, Greece's largest.
City transport was also disrupted as bus and taxi drivers halted operations for a few hours.
Protesters marched to parliament around noon. Some of them held banners reading: "We don’t want breadcrumb increases, we want it all."
Since a 2010-18 debt crisis when wages were slashed as part of austerity measures in turn for bailout funds, Greece's economy has been growing at nearly twice the euro zone rate and the country last year regained investment grade status after 13 years in the "junk" category.
The monthly minimum gross wage was raised by 6.4% to 830 euros this month, the fourth such rise in five years. But many workers say the pay rises are not enough to keep up with high food prices and soaring rents and wages in Greece still lag behind those of their European colleagues.
For younger Greeks, hit by a high unemployment rate, the high cost of living is an additional challenge.
"Having such little prospects...and not being able to make ends meet is very hard," said 23-year old university student Elena Roza, one of the protesters. "The reflex reaction is to leave the country."
And in a nod to France's overseas territories, surfing events will take place in Teahupoʻo, a village on the coast of Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia.
The Greek average monthly salary of 1,175 euros is 20% lower than 15 years ago, while unemployment remains above 10%, the second highest in the European Union behind Spain. Youth unemployment is over 20%.
The conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which won re-election last June, has promised to raise the monthly minimum wage to 950 euros by 2027, when its term ends, and increase the average wage by more than 25% to 1,500 euros in the same period.
But GSEE says it wants an immediate increase to 908 euros and wants collective bargaining, which was abolished during the crisis, reinstated.
"The high cost of living is a noose around the neck of workers and pensioners. Growth should not only be for a few," said GSEE's Secretary for Public Relations Dimitris Karageorgopoulos.
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Athens
17
04
2024
Protests as part of the 24-hour strike of the GSEE have been completed - center of Athens has opened
With a key slogan "we want real raises - we want our Collective Bargaining Agreements back and we want them now", the workers' representatives in their speeches emphasized the need for immediate action to tackle punctuality and to abolish memorandum arrangements that prevent free collective negotiations.
"Together with the unemployed and pensioners, the employees of the private sector once again united their voice of protest against the living crisis experienced by every Greek family" points out the GSEE.
The demonstrators, after finishing the speeches in Klathmonos Square, marched to the Parliament, where they handed in a protest resolution.
The Confederation emphasizes that it will continue its struggle until the just demands of the people it represents are realized.
Vehicular traffic has been restored in the center of Athens
Vehicle traffic in the center of Athens is proceeding normally, as all traffic regulations that were in place since the morning were lifted, due to the protest gatherings that took place in the context of the 24-hour nationwide strike declared by the GSEE.
Stopped metro, electric, tram
Attica will be without metro, electric and tram, as the workers decided to participate in the 24-hour strike of the GSEE.
The STASY unions in their announcement request a salary increase, beyond the minimum, to protect the purchasing power of households with low and medium incomes, direct recruitment of staff to cover the organization's permanent needs and immediate reinstatement of the National General Collective Labor Agreement to power
Work stations on buses, trolleybuses
With work stoppages, bus and trolley workers are participating in the 24-hour strike of the GSEE.
According to the OASA Workers' Union and the ILPAP Workers' Union, city buses and trolleys will run from 09:00 to 21:00 due to work stoppages (from the start of the shift to 09:00 and from 21: 00 until the end of the shift).
The restoration of the operation of the vehicles will begin gradually after the end of the work stoppage and, accordingly, their progressive withdrawal for the depots will begin.
The workers are demanding public, safe, modern transport, a collective labor agreement and staff recruitment, signing of a collective bargaining agreement.
Buses will run normally on the OASA lines that have been taken over by KTEL.
Work stop in taxis
With a work stoppage from 05:00 to 15:00 in the afternoon, the taxi owners are participating in the strike, while they have also planned a gathering at the SATA offices at 10:00. With the slogan "no taxis on the roads", the Taxi Drivers Union (SATA) calls on all taxi drivers to participate in the strike "for the 3 wounds that we need to close tax, project interception and multinationals".
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Athens
17
04
2024
The workers are demanding direct hiring and employment contracts and are taking part in the strike against "the wave of austerity and shameful profits that affect the decent lives of millions of low-wage earners and pensioners," as stated in an announcement by the Metro Workers' Union of Athens (SELMA), which calls its members to Klafthmonos Square at 11 a.m.
Moreover, the labor union of the Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) on Monday announced its decision to participate in the 24-hour general strike called by GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) with the holding work stoppages on Wednesday.
The public transport buses in Athens will operate between 09:00 and 21:00 on that day, with the union demanding public urban transport, collective labour contracts and the hiring of additional staff.
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17
04
2024
The primary surplus is anticipated to persist at 2.1 percent of GDP until 2029, which aligns with the Fund's forecast horizon. Factoring in interest rates on public debt, a government budget deficit of 0.9% of GDP is projected for this year, gradually increasing to 1.4% by 2029.
Across the eurozone as a whole, a primary deficit of 1.2 percent of GDP is forecasted for this year, gradually decreasing to 0.2 percent by 2029. Concurrently, the overall fiscal deficit is expected to decline from 3.5 percent to 2.3 percent, respectively.
These primary surpluses are expected to facilitate a consistent reduction in Greece's public debt over the forthcoming years, reaching 138.8% of GDP by 2029. In the same timeframe, the eurozone's public debt is projected to experience a slight decrease to 87.7% of GDP from 88.6% in 2023.
General government revenues are anticipated to decline gradually from 46.8% of GDP this year to 43.7% by 2029, while general government spending will decrease from 47.7% to 45.1%, respectively.
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Athens
17
04
2024
Greece, which includes thousands of islands and which has the longest Mediterranean coastline of any littoral state, said last week it plans to create two marine parks, one in the Ionian Sea and one in the Aegean Sea, as part of the initiatives.
"Quietly but methodically, Greece is playing a leading role in the defence against dramatic climate changes, which are proven to affect every region and every activity," Mitsotakis said in an article published in Kathimerini newspaper.
Greece plans to present its national strategy on marine biodiversity protection at the "Our Ocean" conference, which Athens will host this year and which will be attended by about 120 countries.
More than 400 new commitments amounting to $10 billion will be announced during the conference, said a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service said last month that ocean temperatures hit a record high in February, in a dataset that goes back to 1979. Overfishing and plastic pollution are also major threats to oceans.
Plastics entering the world's oceans could nearly triple by 2040 if no further action is taken, research has shown.
It counts 600 types of native corals in 2000 species of fish.
Greece wants to reduce plastic litter in the water by 50% and microplastics by 30% by 2030, the government official said.
The Greek marine parks, whose boundaries will be defined after scientific research by early 2025, will cover 32% of Greece's waters, Mitsotakis said. Greece has legislated the expansion of marine protected areas to 30% of its territorial waters by 2030.
The plan for a marine park in the Aegean Sea has irritated neighbouring Turkey, which said last week that it was not willing to accept a possible "fait accompli on geographical features whose status is disputed". In response, Greece accused Turkey of "politicising a purely environmental issue".
NATO allies Greece and Turkey have long been at odds over a range of issues including maritime boundaries and claims over their continental shelves in the Mediterranean.
Mitsotakis said other initiatives underway include campaigns to curb plastic pollution, constructing charging stations at 12 ports for electric vessels and setting up a monitoring system for protected marine areas because fishing practices that damage the seabed will be banned. Greece wants to ban bottom trawling in all marine protected areas by 2030, the official said.
($1 = 0.9387 euros)
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Athens
16
04
2024
Greece, signalling its intention to contribute actively to the international challenges of the global climate crisis, is taking initiatives to support the protection of the oceans and hosting the 9th international "Our Oceans Conference" (OOC-9), which will be held in Athens on April 16-17th, 2024, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, "Our main goal is for this conference to produce tangible results. Not only to discuss environmental protection, but also to proceed with tangible actions and commitments," Hellenic Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis said at a recent press conference.
Greece will accompany the hosting of this international organisation with 20 commitments for the protection of Greek seas and the sustainability of economic activities. Commitments will be announced on the day of the conference, and some will be immediate, while some will extend to 2030.
The first ones already announced concern the immediate passing of legislation establishing two large national marine parks in the Ionian and the Aegean, which will be among the largest in the Mediterranean.
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