One woman was suffocated, her body found next to her baby. Another was pushed off a cliff. Yet another was stabbed 23 times.

The highly publicised and horrific killings, along with a steep rise in domestic violence cases in Greece in the past year, have pushed partner-on-partner violence into the spotlight in a country where such abuse has long been whispered about but rarely publicly discussed.

“For decades, the Greek justice system showed leniency to abusers citing ‘crimes of passion,’ ” said Clio Papapantoleon, a prominent lawyer. Now, she notes, she is receiving a surge in requests for representation from victims of domestic violence.

The violence has led to interventions by authorities, including a decision to start a national video campaign in November that urges women to leave abusers and offers free emotional support and legal advice. The video flashes apologies — “I didn’t mean it,” “My baby,” “I’m sorry” — in knife-shaped blocks of text. Police have opened special offices to deal with domestic abuse cases.

But activists and officials say that much more needs to be done to prevent more women from dying or suffering silently for years. That includes more training for police officers, who critics complain sometimes fail to see warning signs. In one recent case that horrified the nation, a woman was stabbed to death just weeks after police failed to intervene when called by a worried neighbour.

The rise in domestic abuse mirrors increases elsewhere that, in part, appear to be a side effect of COVID lockdowns, prompting the United Nations to speak of a “shadow pandemic.” Pope Francis has also addressed the issue, denouncing the increase in domestic violence worldwide as “almost satanic.”

In Greece, police recorded acts of domestic violence against 5,705 women in the first 10 months of last year, up nearly 60% from the same period of 2020. Some of the jumps is probably attributed to more women speaking up, but that does not diminish the scope of the abuse.

The number of women who were killed in episodes of domestic violence was up, too — to 16 in the first 10 months of 2021, from nine for the whole of 2020.

The brutality of the killings in Greece last year shocked the nation, dominated coverage in the media and, in some cases, made international headlines.

The violence has fueled debate on a topic that until recently had been virtually taboo in Greece, said Vasiliki Petousi, a sociologist and head of gender research at the University of Crete.

“The significance of the family in Greece, and its unity, has typically spurred many women, and often their relatives, to conceal their abuse,” Petousi said. But more women are speaking out, something she attributed in part to an increase in public awareness campaigns and media coverage. A decision by Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou in January 2021 to make public sexual assault allegations against a sailing federation official prompted a broader discussion about abuse in general, Petousi added.

Another pivotal moment came in May with the death of Caroline Crouch, killed while her child was nearby. Her husband, Charalambos Anagnostopoulos, a Greek helicopter pilot, admitted to suffocating her and is awaiting trial on murder charges.

Katerina Kostaki, a psychologist at a counselling centre in Athens, one of a national network of 43 such centres, said that the gravity of the violence had spurred more victims to come forward. “Women were so scared that they’d be next that they started talking,” she said.

The centres and a 24-hour phone line have been busy. In 2021, the centres received 5,491 visits, up from 4,925 in the previous year, and the phone line got 6,797 calls, up from 4,619 in 2019.

“The figures show the impact of the pandemic on abuse,” said Maria Syrengela, the Greek deputy labour minister in charge of gender equality. “The violence has certainly increased, but so have appeals for support as women listened, learned and trusted that there are facilities to visit and experts to listen to them.”

In the same month that the government began its video campaign, Greek Supreme Court prosecutor Vasilis Pliotas called for cases of domestic violence to be fast-tracked, referring to “extreme, inconceivable, unrestrained, abhorrent and exceptionally harsh homicides that have stunned society.”

Greek police also plan to open more special domestic abuse offices. Over the past two years, some 73 offices have been introduced nationwide to monitor such cases. In addition, six front-line units, with personnel specially trained to support victims, opened in city precincts at the end of last year — five in Athens and one in Thessaloniki.

The Greek public order minister, Takis Theodorikakos, said this past week that more front-line units would be opened to tackle the problem, citing the recent rise in cases.

Even with the attention on domestic violence, there have been indications of police officers mishandling abuse cases. In July, two police officers were suspended after failing to adequately respond to a call for help by a woman reporting domestic violence being committed against another woman in her apartment block in the Athens suburb of Dafni. The call had been flagged by the emergency service as “high priority,” but the two officers who went to the scene did not intervene.

Less than three weeks later, the woman who had been abused was stabbed to death. Police said that her husband had confessed and was in custody, charged with murder.

Papapantoleon, the lawyer, said an entrenched view by police that domestic abuse was not always serious had precluded systematic action. She said that officers needed more training.

Giorgos Kalliakmanis, head of the police union for southeastern Athens, where the Dafni stabbing happened, said that officers were instructed to take domestic violence seriously but that excessive demands on them and a lack of specialized training could be obstacles.

“Officers are overworked, dealing with cases ranging from checks on COVID measures to thefts,” he said. “If 90% of domestic cases they’ve responded to in the past are simple arguments, they might not give enough weight to the more serious incidents.”

He called the actions taken in the Dafni killing an “isolated incident,” noting that the officers sent to the scene “did not evaluate it properly and should have handled it differently.”

The force is trying to better prepare its officers to respond to cases of domestic violence and began specialized training courses at the end of the last year with the help of psychologists and prosecutors, he added.

The justice system has also been criticised. Those convicted of abuse are sometimes given lenient sentences because they claim to have been provoked or because they have no prior convictions. Papapantoleon said that limits could be introduced on the amount by which sentences could be reduced because of such mitigating circumstances.

The political opposition, notably the leftist Syriza party, has proposed that the term femicide be included in Greece’s criminal code as a separate offence carrying heavier punishment.

An initiative has also been taken at the European level. In December, the European Commission laid out rules to tackle hate crimes, including gender-based violence, after calls by European Parliament members in September for those offences to be categorized as a “particularly serious crime.”

Syrengela, the minister, said that Greece aimed to do more to combat abuse.

An “action plan for sexual equality” unveiled in December includes initiatives aimed at curbing domestic violence, including more public awareness drives and bolstering the participation of women in decision-making roles in the labour market and elsewhere.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the plan would tackle Greece’s “social ailments,” including violence against women.

“There is a huge silent majority that are still not speaking out,” said Petousi, the professor, who called for more counselling centres and other practical measures to encourage victims of violence to come forward. “There is much, much, much more to be done.”

One woman was suffocated, her body found next to her baby. Another was pushed off a cliff. Yet another was stabbed 23 times. The highly publicised and horrific killings, along with a steep rise in domestic violence cases in Greece in the past year, have pushed partner-on-partner violence into the spotlight in a country where such abuse has long been whispered about but rarely publicly discussed.

One woman was suffocated, her body found next to her baby. Another was pushed off a cliff. Yet another was stabbed 23 times. The highly publicised and horrific killings, along with a steep rise in domestic violence cases in Greece in the past year, have pushed partner-on-partner violence into the spotlight in a country where such abuse has long been whispered about but rarely publicly discussed. “For decades, the Greek justice system showed leniency to abusers citing ‘crimes of passion,’ ” said Clio Papapantoleon, a prominent lawyer. Now, she notes, she is receiving a surge in requests for representation from victims of domestic violence. The violence has led to interventions by authorities, including a decision to start a national video campaign in November that urges women to leave abusers and offers free emotional support and legal advice. The video flashes apologies — “I didn’t mean it,” “My baby,” “I’m sorry” — in knife-shaped blocks of text. Police have opened special offices to deal with domestic abuse cases. But activists and officials say that much more needs to be done to prevent more women from dying or suffering silently for years. That includes more training for police officers, who critics complain sometimes fail to see warning signs. In one recent case that horrified the nation, a woman was stabbed to death just weeks after police failed to intervene when called by a worried neighbour. The rise in domestic abuse mirrors increases elsewhere that, in part, appear to be a side effect of COVID lockdowns, prompting the United Nations to speak of a “shadow pandemic.” Pope Francis has also addressed the issue, denouncing the increase in domestic violence worldwide as “almost satanic.” In Greece, police recorded acts of domestic violence against 5,705 women in the first 10 months of last year, up nearly 60% from the same period of 2020. Some of the jumps is probably attributed to more women speaking up, but that does not diminish the scope of the abuse. The number of women who were killed in episodes of domestic violence was up, too — to 16 in the first 10 months of 2021, from nine for the whole of 2020. The brutality of the killings in Greece last year shocked the nation, dominated coverage in the media and, in some cases, made international headlines. The violence has fueled debate on a topic that until recently had been virtually taboo in Greece, said Vasiliki Petousi, a sociologist and head of gender research at the University of Crete. “The significance of the family in Greece, and its unity, has typically spurred many women, and often their relatives, to conceal their abuse,” Petousi said. But more women are speaking out, something she attributed in part to an increase in public awareness campaigns and media coverage. A decision by Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou in January 2021 to make public sexual assault allegations against a sailing federation official prompted a broader discussion about abuse in general, Petousi added. Another pivotal moment came in May with the death of Caroline Crouch, killed while her child was nearby. Her husband, Charalambos Anagnostopoulos, a Greek helicopter pilot, admitted to suffocating her and is awaiting trial on murder charges. Katerina Kostaki, a psychologist at a counselling centre in Athens, one of a national network of 43 such centres, said that the gravity of the violence had spurred more victims to come forward. “Women were so scared that they’d be next that they started talking,” she said. The centres and a 24-hour phone line have been busy. In 2021, the centres received 5,491 visits, up from 4,925 in the previous year, and the phone line got 6,797 calls, up from 4,619 in 2019. “The figures show the impact of the pandemic on abuse,” said Maria Syrengela, the Greek deputy labour minister in charge of gender equality. “The violence has certainly increased, but so have appeals for support as women listened, learned and trusted that there are facilities to visit and experts to listen to them.” In the same month that the government began its video campaign, Greek Supreme Court prosecutor Vasilis Pliotas called for cases of domestic violence to be fast-tracked, referring to “extreme, inconceivable, unrestrained, abhorrent and exceptionally harsh homicides that have stunned society.” Greek police also plan to open more special domestic abuse offices. Over the past two years, some 73 offices have been introduced nationwide to monitor such cases. In addition, six front-line units, with personnel specially trained to support victims, opened in city precincts at the end of last year — five in Athens and one in Thessaloniki. The Greek public order minister, Takis Theodorikakos, said this past week that more front-line units would be opened to tackle the problem, citing the recent rise in cases. Even with the attention on domestic violence, there have been indications of police officers mishandling abuse cases. In July, two police officers were suspended after failing to adequately respond to a call for help by a woman reporting domestic violence being committed against another woman in her apartment block in the Athens suburb of Dafni. The call had been flagged by the emergency service as “high priority,” but the two officers who went to the scene did not intervene. Less than three weeks later, the woman who had been abused was stabbed to death. Police said that her husband had confessed and was in custody, charged with murder. Papapantoleon, the lawyer, said an entrenched view by police that domestic abuse was not always serious had precluded systematic action. She said that officers needed more training. Giorgos Kalliakmanis, head of the police union for southeastern Athens, where the Dafni stabbing happened, said that officers were instructed to take domestic violence seriously but that excessive demands on them and a lack of specialized training could be obstacles. “Officers are overworked, dealing with cases ranging from checks on COVID measures to thefts,” he said. “If 90% of domestic cases they’ve responded to in the past are simple arguments, they might not give enough weight to the more serious incidents.” He called the actions taken in the Dafni killing an “isolated incident,” noting that the officers sent to the scene “did not evaluate it properly and should have handled it differently.” The force is trying to better prepare its officers to respond to cases of domestic violence and began specialized training courses at the end of the last year with the help of psychologists and prosecutors, he added. The justice system has also been criticised. Those convicted of abuse are sometimes given lenient sentences because they claim to have been provoked or because they have no prior convictions. Papapantoleon said that limits could be introduced on the amount by which sentences could be reduced because of such mitigating circumstances. The political opposition, notably the leftist Syriza party, has proposed that the term femicide be included in Greece’s criminal code as a separate offence carrying heavier punishment. An initiative has also been taken at the European level. In December, the European Commission laid out rules to tackle hate crimes, including gender-based violence, after calls by European Parliament members in September for those offences to be categorized as a “particularly serious crime.” Syrengela, the minister, said that Greece aimed to do more to combat abuse. An “action plan for sexual equality” unveiled in December includes initiatives aimed at curbing domestic violence, including more public awareness drives and bolstering the participation of women in decision-making roles in the labour market and elsewhere. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the plan would tackle Greece’s “social ailments,” including violence against women. “There is a huge silent majority that are still not speaking out,” said Petousi, the professor, who called for more counselling centres and other practical measures to encourage victims of violence to come forward. “There is much, much, much more to be done.”

In Greece, a string of killings pushes domestic abuse into the spotlight

Greece has begun imposing recurring fines on unvaccinated senior citizens. People over the age of 60 who are unvaccinated will have to pay a fine of over $100 every month.

Unvaccinated senior citizens to pay a fine of over $100 in Greece

In an agreement between Italy and Greece, fragments of the colonial loot are being exchanged. This has now put renewed pressure on Britain to restitute the 2500-year-old Parthenon marbles acquired during Ottoman rule.

Restitution of Colonial loot: Italy lends a fragment of the Parthenon marble to Greece

Greece is bringing forward Covid measures initially intended to go in effect in early January and introducing restrictions on hospitality sector from Thursday. The measures have been advanced in light of surge in infections.

On Wednesday, health authorities reported that daily confirmed COVID-19 cases had jumped by more than 7,000 to 28,828, a new all-time record, with 72 deaths.

Authorities said the Omicron variant, which is highly contagious, appeared to be dominant in the community, barely a month after it was first detected.

Bars, nightclubs and restaurants will be forced to close at midnight, with no standing customers and no music, with the exception of New Year's Eve when then can stay open until 2 a.m..

Restaurant and night club owners braced for a tough period ahead, expecting a hit on sales in the next months.

"Certainly for us in the restaurant sector, it is a disaster. On the other hand, you can't go against the health situation. I can't say I want to stay open and work while people are dying," said Christos Kotsis, a live music cafe owner.

Authorities had also tightened curbs last week, mandating masks in open spaces and banning Christmas and New Year festivities in public places.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris told a news conference that if measures are fully complied with, it would allow a return to normality after mid-January.

"We bought our stock for New Year's Eve, people are out shopping and in the mood to spend, but unfortunately things are going to be really bad financially for our sector once again," said Yannis Amerikanos, a restaurant manager.

(With inputs from agencies)

Greece is bringing forward Covid measures initially intended to go in effect in early January and introducing restrictions on hospitality sector from Thursday. The measures have been advanced in light of surge in infections.

Greece is bringing forward Covid measures initially intended to go in effect in early January and introducing restrictions on hospitality sector from Thursday. The measures have been advanced in light of surge in infections. On Wednesday, health authorities reported that daily confirmed COVID-19 cases had jumped by more than 7,000 to 28,828, a new all-time record, with 72 deaths. Authorities said the Omicron variant, which is highly contagious, appeared to be dominant in the community, barely a month after it was first detected. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants will be forced to close at midnight, with no standing customers and no music, with the exception of New Year's Eve when then can stay open until 2 a.m.. Restaurant and night club owners braced for a tough period ahead, expecting a hit on sales in the next months. "Certainly for us in the restaurant sector, it is a disaster. On the other hand, you can't go against the health situation. I can't say I want to stay open and work while people are dying," said Christos Kotsis, a live music cafe owner. Authorities had also tightened curbs last week, mandating masks in open spaces and banning Christmas and New Year festivities in public places. Health Minister Thanos Plevris told a news conference that if measures are fully complied with, it would allow a return to normality after mid-January. "We bought our stock for New Year's Eve, people are out shopping and in the mood to spend, but unfortunately things are going to be really bad financially for our sector once again," said Yannis Amerikanos, a restaurant manager. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece advances Omicron restrictions initially meant for January

Greece's southern islands witnessed two tremors of a magnitude of 5.2 and 5.4 on Sunday. &nbsp;

There were no reports of any damage or casualties till now. &nbsp;

According to local media, the quake was experienced in Crete and the islands of Kassos, Karpathos, Rhodes and Santorini. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/training-civilians-ukraine-nurtures-a-resistance-in-waiting-440215" hreflang="en">Training civilians, Ukraine nurtures a resistance in waiting</a>

The Institute of Geodynamics in Athens said that the first tremor of 5.2-magnitude had struck at 5.15 pm (1515 GMT) east of the island of Crete and at a depth of 9 kilometres (5.6 miles). &nbsp;

The next one was even larger of 5.4 magnitude, which shook the ground at 8.59 pm (1859 GMT) about 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) northwest of the first, at a depth of 6.3 kilometres (3.9 miles), the institute reported. &nbsp;

In either earthquake, none of the buildings were damaged, the mayor of the small island of Kassos, which was closest to the epicentre of the quakes, told state news agency ANA. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgians-protest-closure-of-indoor-events-as-per-new-covid-curbs-440207" hreflang="en">Belgians protest closure of indoor events as per new Covid curbs</a>

A third 4.0-magnitude tremor was felt at 6.14 pm (1614 GMT) west of Athens. It was not related to the other two tremors, the institute added.&nbsp;The epicentre of this jolt was at a depth of 16.7 kilometres (10.4 miles), it said. &nbsp;

In Greece, tremors of these magnitude are common. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Greece's southern islands witnessed two tremors of a magnitude of 5.2 and 5.4 on Sunday. There were no reports of any damage or casualties till now. According to local media, the quake was experienced in Crete and the islands of Kassos, Karpathos, Rhodes and Santorini.

Greece's southern islands witnessed two tremors of a magnitude of 5.2 and 5.4 on Sunday. There were no reports of any damage or casualties till now. According to local media, the quake was experienced in Crete and the islands of Kassos, Karpathos, Rhodes and Santorini. Also Read: Training civilians, Ukraine nurtures a resistance in waiting The Institute of Geodynamics in Athens said that the first tremor of 5.2-magnitude had struck at 5.15 pm (1515 GMT) east of the island of Crete and at a depth of 9 kilometres (5.6 miles). The next one was even larger of 5.4 magnitude, which shook the ground at 8.59 pm (1859 GMT) about 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) northwest of the first, at a depth of 6.3 kilometres (3.9 miles), the institute reported. In either earthquake, none of the buildings were damaged, the mayor of the small island of Kassos, which was closest to the epicentre of the quakes, told state news agency ANA. Also Read: Belgians protest closure of indoor events as per new Covid curbs A third 4.0-magnitude tremor was felt at 6.14 pm (1614 GMT) west of Athens. It was not related to the other two tremors, the institute added. The epicentre of this jolt was at a depth of 16.7 kilometres (10.4 miles), it said. In Greece, tremors of these magnitude are common. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece's southern islands witness two strong tremors

At least three people died after a boat carrying migrants illegally capsized in the Aegean Sea, just hours after a similar tragedy claimed 11 lives, according to reports.

Friday's tragedy—which is the third since Wednesday— brings the total death toll at least 27 from three accidents amid heightened migrants'&nbsp;activity in the Greek waters.

The sinkings came as smugglers increasingly favour a perilous route from Turkey to Italy, which avoids Greece’s heavily patrolled eastern Aegean islands that for years were at the forefront of the country’s migration crisis.

The coastguard said it had found three bodies and rescued 57 people on Friday from a boat that overturned and sank near the island of Paros in the central Aegean, reports AFP

Hours earlier, 11 bodies were recovered hours after a boat ran aground on an islet north of the Greek island of Antikythera on Thursday evening. &nbsp;

Ninety people stranded on the islet were rescued, including 27 children and 11 women, the coastguard said.

Earlier on Wednesday, a dinghy carrying migrants capsized off the Greek island of Folegandros, killing at least three people.

Thirteen people were rescued, while dozens remain missing, Greek authorities said.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR had termed the Folegandros accident the worst in the&nbsp;Aegean&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;this year.

"This shipwreck is a painful reminder that people continue to embark on perilous voyages in search of safety," AFP quoted Adriano Silvestri, the UNHCR's assistant representative in Greece, as saying.

The UNHCR estimates that more than 2,500 people have died or gone missing at&nbsp;sea&nbsp;in their attempt to reach Europe from January through November this year, reports AFP.

Nearly one million people, mainly Syrian refugees, arrived in the European Union in 2015 after crossing to Greek islands close to Turkey.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least three people died after a boat carrying migrants illegally capsized in the Aegean Sea, just hours after a similar tragedy claimed 11 lives, according to reports.

At least three people died after a boat carrying migrants illegally capsized in the Aegean Sea, just hours after a similar tragedy claimed 11 lives, according to reports. Friday's tragedy—which is the third since Wednesday— brings the total death toll at least 27 from three accidents amid heightened migrants' activity in the Greek waters. The sinkings came as smugglers increasingly favour a perilous route from Turkey to Italy, which avoids Greece’s heavily patrolled eastern Aegean islands that for years were at the forefront of the country’s migration crisis. The coastguard said it had found three bodies and rescued 57 people on Friday from a boat that overturned and sank near the island of Paros in the central Aegean, reports AFP Hours earlier, 11 bodies were recovered hours after a boat ran aground on an islet north of the Greek island of Antikythera on Thursday evening. Ninety people stranded on the islet were rescued, including 27 children and 11 women, the coastguard said. Earlier on Wednesday, a dinghy carrying migrants capsized off the Greek island of Folegandros, killing at least three people. Thirteen people were rescued, while dozens remain missing, Greek authorities said. The UN refugee agency UNHCR had termed the Folegandros accident the worst in the Aegean Sea this year. "This shipwreck is a painful reminder that people continue to embark on perilous voyages in search of safety," AFP quoted Adriano Silvestri, the UNHCR's assistant representative in Greece, as saying. The UNHCR estimates that more than 2,500 people have died or gone missing at sea in their attempt to reach Europe from January through November this year, reports AFP. Nearly one million people, mainly Syrian refugees, arrived in the European Union in 2015 after crossing to Greek islands close to Turkey. (With inputs from agencies)

Dozens of migrants killed in boat sinking accidents on Greek waters, third in a week

Pope Francis, during his visit to the Greek island of Lesbos urged the world not to use migrants for political gains. This was Pope's second visit to the Greek island, in his latest visit to Lesbos, Pope met refugees at Mavrovoni camp which holds 2300 people.

Pope Francis visits island of Lesbos in Greece, warns against neglect of migrants

London's science museum is opening it doors to visitors - with a collection of ancient artefacts that illustrate the scientific influence of ancient Greece in the present day and the contributions of philosophers like Aristotle and Pythagoras. Here's a report.

London's science museum opens it doors to visitors

Greek&nbsp;public&nbsp;health&nbsp;sector&nbsp;workers&nbsp;protested in Athens on Monday&nbsp;as&nbsp;hospitals&nbsp;have become overwhelmed by a&nbsp;new&nbsp;surge in&nbsp;COVID-19 cases and authorities consider further restrictions.

Workers&nbsp;said they are&nbsp;underpaid, overworked and&nbsp;understaffed in the midst of the pandemic. They called for more hirings, for the government to include them on a list of hazardous professions which receive hazard pay benefits, and for private doctors to be ordered to assist, adding that a decision by the government to suspend unvaccinated&nbsp;health&nbsp;sector&nbsp;workers&nbsp;increased staff shortages.

Greece made vaccinations mandatory for nursing home staff in July and&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;workers&nbsp;in September.

Hospitals, particularly in northern Greece, are scrambling to treat patients, as daily cases reached&nbsp;new&nbsp;record highs this month averaging over six thousand, and wards are running out of space for patients.

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"The stretchers at the&nbsp;hospitals&nbsp;on duty are increasing by the dozens,&nbsp;patients are being chosen for the intensive care units by priority, based on their ages," said president of the Public Hospital&nbsp;Workers&nbsp;Federation Michalis Giannakos. "Patients lives are in danger, and staff that have remained are like elastic bands stretched from clinic to clinic, from ward to ward."

Last week authorities announced&nbsp;new&nbsp;measures which require the unvaccinated to provide negative tests to enter cafes and restaurants, state services and banks. Employees in the public and private&nbsp;sector&nbsp;now also need to test twice a week to enter their workplace.

The government is trying to avoid another lockdown, but with only about 60 percent of the population of 11 million vaccinated, it is considering further restrictions, including possibly more mandatory vaccinations and testing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-positive-decision-new-zealand-includes-covishield-covaxin-in-list-of-recognised-vaccines-430229">Also read |&nbsp;A 'positive' decision: New Zealand includes Covishield, Covaxin in list of recognised vaccines</a>

Greek&nbsp;government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said on Monday the&nbsp;health&nbsp;system is&nbsp;under&nbsp;intense&nbsp;pressure, adding only one in ten being treated in intensive care units for coronavirus is fully vaccinated.

Eleven private clinics have volunteered to provide space for&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;patients, he said, while the government has asked for private doctors to volunteer their help, and could order them to provide their services if necessary.

Greek public health sector workers protested in Athens on Monday as hospitals have become overwhelmed by a new surge in COVID-19 cases and authorities consider further restrictions.

Greek public health sector workers protested in Athens on Monday as hospitals have become overwhelmed by a new surge in COVID-19 cases and authorities consider further restrictions. Workers said they are underpaid, overworked and understaffed in the midst of the pandemic. They called for more hirings, for the government to include them on a list of hazardous professions which receive hazard pay benefits, and for private doctors to be ordered to assist, adding that a decision by the government to suspend unvaccinated health sector workers increased staff shortages. Greece made vaccinations mandatory for nursing home staff in July and healthcare workers in September. Hospitals, particularly in northern Greece, are scrambling to treat patients, as daily cases reached new record highs this month averaging over six thousand, and wards are running out of space for patients. Also read | COP26 climate summit: Nearly 300 people tested positive for COVID-19 after event "The stretchers at the hospitals on duty are increasing by the dozens, patients are being chosen for the intensive care units by priority, based on their ages," said president of the Public Hospital Workers Federation Michalis Giannakos. "Patients lives are in danger, and staff that have remained are like elastic bands stretched from clinic to clinic, from ward to ward." Last week authorities announced new measures which require the unvaccinated to provide negative tests to enter cafes and restaurants, state services and banks. Employees in the public and private sector now also need to test twice a week to enter their workplace. The government is trying to avoid another lockdown, but with only about 60 percent of the population of 11 million vaccinated, it is considering further restrictions, including possibly more mandatory vaccinations and testing. Also read | A 'positive' decision: New Zealand includes Covishield, Covaxin in list of recognised vaccines Greek government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said on Monday the health system is under intense pressure, adding only one in ten being treated in intensive care units for coronavirus is fully vaccinated. Eleven private clinics have volunteered to provide space for COVID patients, he said, while the government has asked for private doctors to volunteer their help, and could order them to provide their services if necessary.

Greek health sector workers protest as hospitals buckle under covid pressure

Not every house built on a cliff has stayed on a cliff. So how do homeowners and architects take on this challenge — one that is rewarded with glorious, unobstructed ocean vistas, but also full of potential problems — and still sleep well?

Building a home attached to a sheer wall of rock means balancing aesthetic temptations with the realities of exposure, accessibility, zoning issues and design. Jaime Bartolomé Yllera, co-founder of GilBartolome Architects, says that the danger is part of the draw.

“It’s in some sense dangerous, but you can safely experience it,” he said. “Engineering goes a long way.”

His firm won the bid to build the House on the Cliff in Salobreña, on Spain’s Costa Tropical, with a design that Bartolomé calls a “cave model,” cut like a triangular bite into the side of an incline, in this case at a 42-degree grade.

Bartolomé fabricated micropiles that dig 60 feet deep into the ground and drilled anchors horizontally 60 feet into the rock.

“For that house to fall into the sea, the whole mountain would have to go into the sea,” he said.

The construction crew started by excavating earth to make a vertical retaining wall. Whereas houses on level land are built from the foundation up, houses in the cave model are built from the retaining wall downward: Other floors are added below it, like building a set of stairs from the second floor down.

Though houses built this way can incur additional construction costs, Bartolomé said they were able to build the 2,400-square-foot House on the Cliff for about $200 per square foot, including the retaining wall and the bespoke furniture, for a total construction cost around $480,000.

To take on this challenge as a homeowner, Bartolomé said, “you have to have energy. You get all sorts of challenges, so to be worth it for the client, someone really has to have the vision.”

The owners of the home, Sandra and Jaime Vecino, had a vision from the first time they saw the property, riding past it on his father’s boat. They were living in Madrid, but Vecino had always summered with his family in the area, hoping he’d find a place there to build a house of his own.

While her husband pointed toward the property, Sandra Vecino asked, “How would you build a house there?” — a question that was echoed by the rest of the family. They found out the answer after they purchased the land, considered four designs and chose the most unusual one, from GilBartolome Architects.

“I wasn’t sure, of course. When we saw that house I said, ‘My God, this is not going to fall, really?’ ” she said. “I was scared.”

They began to build in 2012, before they had children, and for four years spent summers and offseason weekends there. Their full-time house is just five minutes from the beach, but she says it’s not the same as life on the cliff.

“It’s as if you’re far away from everything, in a bubble, in your own world,” she said. “It’s magic. It’s like the sea is just for you because it’s not just a bit of it, it’s an immensity. The sky as well. It’s everything.”

They enjoyed the isolation when they wanted to have loud parties. After having three young children, though, the family decided to use the very non-childproof house just for weekends and rent it as a vacation home for about $600 a night in the summer and about $350 in winter, so others can experience it.

The House on the Cliff is striking, but it has competition. Laertis-Antonios Ando Vassiliou, principal architect and director of LAAV Architects, who grew up with a view of the sea in Greece, creates designs for even more daring projects to fit the kind of clientele who might like to live on the edge.

“I think you need to be a little bit of a daredevil,” he said.

Potential buyers have tracked him down for his designs, such as the Casa Brutale concept, renderings of which went viral in 2015 — and for good reason: it’s a home that doesn’t sit on a cliff but&nbsp;in it, like a drawer in a dresser, with a pool for a ceiling and glass windows flush with the rock face.

Alex Demirdjian, CEO of Demco Properties in Lebanon, wanted to make the house a reality in Beirut. When Vassiliou partnered with Arup Group to lead the engineering, he found himself in a meeting with structural and mechanical engineers, where he asked, “Is this possible? Is it feasible?”

“Well, what’s the budget?” asked one of the engineers. “If there is a budget, everything is possible.”

The budget in 2016 was equivalent to about $3.25 million today. Cliff homes present obvious challenges that can be costly to overcome. “They have erosion, they have landslides, so they are tricky,” said Vassiliou. “But of course, from the standpoint of science and engineering, there are many solutions.”

Even someone with the budget for it has to find the perfect location, a quest that has taken Vassiliou around the world. Geotechnical tests, which extract a core sample from the rock, have shown several spots to be untenable.

“The best rocks are the ones that are pure stone,” said Vassiliou, adding that the most stable is igneous rock, such as granite or basalt.

And it matters just as much what’s above the location as it does what’s below it. In Lebanon, Vassiliou initially found what seemed like a great cliff, but more cliffs rose above it, presenting the risk of tumbling stones.

Because of these difficulties, broader sociopolitical issues and the pandemic, the project remains to be realized.

Cliff houses don’t always have to be such grand affairs. Marialena Hatzigeorgiou and her husband, Daniel Braig, who live in Virginia, just finished their first summer in their new cliff house, one of two simple houses they planned for the future of their two sons, each about 800 square feet and costing about $200 to $300 per square foot to build. They built on the Greek island of Skopelos, on property that had been in her family for decades, but used to be home only to grapes, olive trees and hens.

“They’re not really big houses, but they’re just perfect,” Hatzigeorgiou said. “The view is just breathtaking. It would make you stop doing whatever you’re doing to just sit there and look at the water.”

They still met challenges. To get permission to pave an access road, they had to go to court and show World War II-era photos of a mule path that proved the area had been used for entrance even back then. When they built the house in 2018, they chose to forgo testing the cliff, because the family had owned the property for so long and not seen any shifting, even after pouring a foundation and basement back in 2012.

“There is a house just a couple of corners around us, and we feel that if it’s doing well, we are doing OK,” Hatzigeorgiou said, adding that they routed rainwater with erosion in mind, would insure the house soon and will get it tested if they see any changes.

“For the time being, I’m not really worried about it.”

Not every house built on a cliff has stayed on a cliff. So how do homeowners and architects take on this challenge — one that is rewarded with glorious, unobstructed ocean vistas, but also full of potential problems — and still sleep well?

Not every house built on a cliff has stayed on a cliff. So how do homeowners and architects take on this challenge — one that is rewarded with glorious, unobstructed ocean vistas, but also full of potential problems — and still sleep well? Building a home attached to a sheer wall of rock means balancing aesthetic temptations with the realities of exposure, accessibility, zoning issues and design. Jaime Bartolomé Yllera, co-founder of GilBartolome Architects, says that the danger is part of the draw. “It’s in some sense dangerous, but you can safely experience it,” he said. “Engineering goes a long way.” His firm won the bid to build the House on the Cliff in Salobreña, on Spain’s Costa Tropical, with a design that Bartolomé calls a “cave model,” cut like a triangular bite into the side of an incline, in this case at a 42-degree grade. Bartolomé fabricated micropiles that dig 60 feet deep into the ground and drilled anchors horizontally 60 feet into the rock. “For that house to fall into the sea, the whole mountain would have to go into the sea,” he said. The construction crew started by excavating earth to make a vertical retaining wall. Whereas houses on level land are built from the foundation up, houses in the cave model are built from the retaining wall downward: Other floors are added below it, like building a set of stairs from the second floor down. Though houses built this way can incur additional construction costs, Bartolomé said they were able to build the 2,400-square-foot House on the Cliff for about $200 per square foot, including the retaining wall and the bespoke furniture, for a total construction cost around $480,000. To take on this challenge as a homeowner, Bartolomé said, “you have to have energy. You get all sorts of challenges, so to be worth it for the client, someone really has to have the vision.” The owners of the home, Sandra and Jaime Vecino, had a vision from the first time they saw the property, riding past it on his father’s boat. They were living in Madrid, but Vecino had always summered with his family in the area, hoping he’d find a place there to build a house of his own. While her husband pointed toward the property, Sandra Vecino asked, “How would you build a house there?” — a question that was echoed by the rest of the family. They found out the answer after they purchased the land, considered four designs and chose the most unusual one, from GilBartolome Architects. “I wasn’t sure, of course. When we saw that house I said, ‘My God, this is not going to fall, really?’ ” she said. “I was scared.” They began to build in 2012, before they had children, and for four years spent summers and offseason weekends there. Their full-time house is just five minutes from the beach, but she says it’s not the same as life on the cliff. “It’s as if you’re far away from everything, in a bubble, in your own world,” she said. “It’s magic. It’s like the sea is just for you because it’s not just a bit of it, it’s an immensity. The sky as well. It’s everything.” They enjoyed the isolation when they wanted to have loud parties. After having three young children, though, the family decided to use the very non-childproof house just for weekends and rent it as a vacation home for about $600 a night in the summer and about $350 in winter, so others can experience it. The House on the Cliff is striking, but it has competition. Laertis-Antonios Ando Vassiliou, principal architect and director of LAAV Architects, who grew up with a view of the sea in Greece, creates designs for even more daring projects to fit the kind of clientele who might like to live on the edge. “I think you need to be a little bit of a daredevil,” he said. Potential buyers have tracked him down for his designs, such as the Casa Brutale concept, renderings of which went viral in 2015 — and for good reason: it’s a home that doesn’t sit on a cliff but in it, like a drawer in a dresser, with a pool for a ceiling and glass windows flush with the rock face. Alex Demirdjian, CEO of Demco Properties in Lebanon, wanted to make the house a reality in Beirut. When Vassiliou partnered with Arup Group to lead the engineering, he found himself in a meeting with structural and mechanical engineers, where he asked, “Is this possible? Is it feasible?” “Well, what’s the budget?” asked one of the engineers. “If there is a budget, everything is possible.” The budget in 2016 was equivalent to about $3.25 million today. Cliff homes present obvious challenges that can be costly to overcome. “They have erosion, they have landslides, so they are tricky,” said Vassiliou. “But of course, from the standpoint of science and engineering, there are many solutions.” Even someone with the budget for it has to find the perfect location, a quest that has taken Vassiliou around the world. Geotechnical tests, which extract a core sample from the rock, have shown several spots to be untenable. “The best rocks are the ones that are pure stone,” said Vassiliou, adding that the most stable is igneous rock, such as granite or basalt. And it matters just as much what’s above the location as it does what’s below it. In Lebanon, Vassiliou initially found what seemed like a great cliff, but more cliffs rose above it, presenting the risk of tumbling stones. Because of these difficulties, broader sociopolitical issues and the pandemic, the project remains to be realized. Cliff houses don’t always have to be such grand affairs. Marialena Hatzigeorgiou and her husband, Daniel Braig, who live in Virginia, just finished their first summer in their new cliff house, one of two simple houses they planned for the future of their two sons, each about 800 square feet and costing about $200 to $300 per square foot to build. They built on the Greek island of Skopelos, on property that had been in her family for decades, but used to be home only to grapes, olive trees and hens. “They’re not really big houses, but they’re just perfect,” Hatzigeorgiou said. “The view is just breathtaking. It would make you stop doing whatever you’re doing to just sit there and look at the water.” They still met challenges. To get permission to pave an access road, they had to go to court and show World War II-era photos of a mule path that proved the area had been used for entrance even back then. When they built the house in 2018, they chose to forgo testing the cliff, because the family had owned the property for so long and not seen any shifting, even after pouring a foundation and basement back in 2012. “There is a house just a couple of corners around us, and we feel that if it’s doing well, we are doing OK,” Hatzigeorgiou said, adding that they routed rainwater with erosion in mind, would insure the house soon and will get it tested if they see any changes. “For the time being, I’m not really worried about it.”

Living on the edge, literally: Homes perched on cliffs

The Apex Court in Greece has banned Halal & Kosher slaughter of livestock calling them 'inhumane'. What do the concepts really mean? Is the ban politically motivated? Which countries have banned them? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Halal & Kosher slaughter banned in Greece

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday warned Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing' over maritime dispute and engage in talks. His statement came during a visit to Saudi Arabia made with an aim of strebngthening ties with Gulf countries.

The PM warned that Greece had "drawn our lines very, very clearly" after signing defence deals with the United States and France earlier this month.

"We are secure. I don't think there is a geopolitical threat," Mitsotakis told the elite annual meeting dubbed 'Davos in the Desert', with Prince Mohammed in the audience.

"And I think at the end of the day Turkey will also realise that this aggressive posturing in the eastern Mediterranean is not going to lead anywhere."

Tensions between Greece and Turkey soared last year when Turkey sent gas exploration ship and small navy flotilla to hunt for resources in waters Greece considers its own under treaties.

In July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan endorsed a formal partition of Cyprus, which Ankara invaded in 1974 in response to a coup engineered by Greece's then military junta.

Greece also blames Turkey for not taking sufficient action to curb smugglers who send out migrants in unsafe boats and dinghies from its shores.

According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, more than 2,500 people have crossed the Aegean from neighbouring Turkey this year, compared to over 9,700 in 2020.

"I think we've set up our alliances, we've drawn our lines very, very clearly," Mitsotakis said.

"And I do hope that at some point, Turkey will constructively engage with us to resolve the one main outstanding issue we have which is the delineation of maritime shores."

He added: "We're always open for dialogue, but we will not be intimidated and we will not accept our sovereign rights to be compromised."

(With inputs from agencies)

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday warned Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing' over maritime dispute and engage in talks. His statement came during a visit to Saudi Arabia made with an aim of strebngthening ties with Gulf countries.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday warned Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing' over maritime dispute and engage in talks. His statement came during a visit to Saudi Arabia made with an aim of strebngthening ties with Gulf countries. The PM warned that Greece had "drawn our lines very, very clearly" after signing defence deals with the United States and France earlier this month. "We are secure. I don't think there is a geopolitical threat," Mitsotakis told the elite annual meeting dubbed 'Davos in the Desert', with Prince Mohammed in the audience. "And I think at the end of the day Turkey will also realise that this aggressive posturing in the eastern Mediterranean is not going to lead anywhere." Tensions between Greece and Turkey soared last year when Turkey sent gas exploration ship and small navy flotilla to hunt for resources in waters Greece considers its own under treaties. In July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan endorsed a formal partition of Cyprus, which Ankara invaded in 1974 in response to a coup engineered by Greece's then military junta. Greece also blames Turkey for not taking sufficient action to curb smugglers who send out migrants in unsafe boats and dinghies from its shores. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, more than 2,500 people have crossed the Aegean from neighbouring Turkey this year, compared to over 9,700 in 2020. "I think we've set up our alliances, we've drawn our lines very, very clearly," Mitsotakis said. "And I do hope that at some point, Turkey will constructively engage with us to resolve the one main outstanding issue we have which is the delineation of maritime shores." He added: "We're always open for dialogue, but we will not be intimidated and we will not accept our sovereign rights to be compromised." (With inputs from agencies)

Greece warns Turkey to stop 'aggressive posturing'

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe. This is first such infrastructure in the Mediterranean.

The MoU was signed by Greek Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas and his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Shaker. The ceremony was held in Athens.

"Such an infrastructure, the first of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean, will enhance regional market integration between Greece and Egypt, between Europe and North Africa, allowing all parties to expand the participation of renewables in their respective generation mix thereby effectively combating the effects of climate change," said Skrekas.

"The electrical connection which we are considering today has many benefits to meet the country electricity needs including securing and stabilizing the electrical system for both countries, reducing reserve margins to cope with emergencies, and diversification of electrical energy sources," said Shaker.

"In Egypt during the last five or six years...we were suffering from a shortage of power supply, now we have a surplus of power supply," he added.

The deal has come as Greece, Cyprus and Israel plan to build the Euro-Asia Interconnector, the world's longest and deepest underwater power cable crossing the Mediterranean. The estimated cost of this is about USD 900 million.

The Greek-Egyptian memorandum establishes a high-level working group of senior officials, representatives of the power grid operators and energy regulators.

The group will examine means and financing for the implementation of the project and facilitate the timely granting of permits and approvals, necessary the feasibility studies, Skrekas said.

As part of the project, Cyprus is due to sign a similar agreement with Egypt on Saturday.

The agreement further strengthens ties between Greece and Egypt, which last year signed an accord on their maritime boundaries, giving them rights over natural resources.

(With inputs from agencies)

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe.

Greece and Egypt on Thursday (October 14) signed memorandum of understanding for a project that will see an undersea cable that will transmit power produced by renewables from North Africa to Europe. This is first such infrastructure in the Mediterranean. The MoU was signed by Greek Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas and his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Shaker. The ceremony was held in Athens. "Such an infrastructure, the first of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean, will enhance regional market integration between Greece and Egypt, between Europe and North Africa, allowing all parties to expand the participation of renewables in their respective generation mix thereby effectively combating the effects of climate change," said Skrekas. "The electrical connection which we are considering today has many benefits to meet the country electricity needs including securing and stabilizing the electrical system for both countries, reducing reserve margins to cope with emergencies, and diversification of electrical energy sources," said Shaker. "In Egypt during the last five or six years...we were suffering from a shortage of power supply, now we have a surplus of power supply," he added. The deal has come as Greece, Cyprus and Israel plan to build the Euro-Asia Interconnector, the world's longest and deepest underwater power cable crossing the Mediterranean. The estimated cost of this is about USD 900 million. The Greek-Egyptian memorandum establishes a high-level working group of senior officials, representatives of the power grid operators and energy regulators. The group will examine means and financing for the implementation of the project and facilitate the timely granting of permits and approvals, necessary the feasibility studies, Skrekas said. As part of the project, Cyprus is due to sign a similar agreement with Egypt on Saturday. The agreement further strengthens ties between Greece and Egypt, which last year signed an accord on their maritime boundaries, giving them rights over natural resources. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece, Egypt agree to lay first subsea power link between Europe and Africa

One man was killed as torrential rains flooded rivers, roads, homes and businesses across Greece. The 69-year old shepherd was killed when his car was carried away by flood waters on the island of Evia.

Overflowing rivers flooded buildings, streets and hotels on the western island of Corfu.

Rescuers have been preparing to use helicopters to lift stranded people off rooftops in flooded and remote areas on the island of Corfu, Civil Protection and Climate Change Minister Christos Stylianides said.&nbsp;

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Torrential rain brings floods and traffic chaos as Athens struggles with extreme weather <a href="https://t.co/jIF68Qy1bj">https://t.co/jIF68Qy1bj</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/greece?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#greece</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/greek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#greek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/greekcitytimes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#greekcitytimes</a> <a href="https://t.co/iY2Rh3Jp0m">pic.twitter.com/iY2Rh3Jp0m</a>
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Authorities pre-emptively closed schools and other public services in Athens on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100000-hectares-burned-as-greece-faces-ecological-disaster-from-wildfires-404995">Also read |&nbsp;Over 100,000 hectares burned as Greece faces ‘ecological disaster’ from wildfires</a>

Stylianides, a former European commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, was quoted by CBS News as saying, "There is no doubt that we are facing a dangerous weather phenomenon that is very serious in some parts of the country."

Dr Kostas Lagouvardos, a research director at the National Observatory of Athens said that the people have already experienced unusual amounts of rain in some parts of the country.

“But from Thursday we expect this [new] weather system will create a very dangerous situation, especially in burned areas where the soil is already saturated and streams are overflowing," he was quoted by The Guardian.

The floods come after Greece suffered some of its worst wildfires in the summer, which scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed homes.

One man was killed as torrential rains flooded rivers, roads, homes and businesses across Greece. The 69-year old shepherd was killed when his car was carried away by flood waters on the island of Evia.

One man was killed as torrential rains flooded rivers, roads, homes and businesses across Greece. The 69-year old shepherd was killed when his car was carried away by flood waters on the island of Evia. Overflowing rivers flooded buildings, streets and hotels on the western island of Corfu. Rescuers have been preparing to use helicopters to lift stranded people off rooftops in flooded and remote areas on the island of Corfu, Civil Protection and Climate Change Minister Christos Stylianides said. Torrential rain brings floods and traffic chaos as Athens struggles with extreme weather https://t.co/jIF68Qy1bj#greece #greek #greekcitytimes pic.twitter.com/iY2Rh3Jp0m — Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) October 14, 2021 × Authorities pre-emptively closed schools and other public services in Athens on Friday. Also read | Over 100,000 hectares burned as Greece faces ‘ecological disaster’ from wildfires Stylianides, a former European commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, was quoted by CBS News as saying, "There is no doubt that we are facing a dangerous weather phenomenon that is very serious in some parts of the country." Dr Kostas Lagouvardos, a research director at the National Observatory of Athens said that the people have already experienced unusual amounts of rain in some parts of the country. “But from Thursday we expect this [new] weather system will create a very dangerous situation, especially in burned areas where the soil is already saturated and streams are overflowing," he was quoted by The Guardian. The floods come after Greece suffered some of its worst wildfires in the summer, which scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed homes.

Heavy floods in Greece batter islands and mainland leaving one dead

France and Greece are cementing a deeper strategic partnership. Greece is set to buy 3 French warships. The deal between both the countries is worth 3.5 million.

France and Greece cement deeper strategic partnership

Greece PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis tours newest migrant camp after the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, fears refugee inflow. However, Mitsotakis stated that he won't allow the repeat of 2015 Greece migration crisis.

Greece PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis concerned over Afghan refugees, fears 2015 crisis

As he toured the country's newest island migrant camp on Friday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that his country's tougher maritime and land border patrols had essentially crushed illegal migrant networks.

Despite charges from activists that the Greek coastguard is forcing migrants' boats illegally back to Turkey, Mitsotakis said his government was guarding its borders "safely and justly."&nbsp;

"Migration flows are down 90 percent compared to 2019. I repeat, 90 percent," Mitsotakis said during a visit to a new EU-funded migrant camp on the island of Samos.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-says-cannot-become-gateway-to-european-union-for-fleeing-afghans-408759">Greece says cannot become gateway to European Union for fleeing Afghans</a>

"We have essentially crushed smuggling networks that take advantage of human pain...promising persecuted people easy entry into our homeland," Mitsotakis said.

"This government has carried out its pledge to guard our homeland's borders safely and justly," he said.

Border patrols have risen since Mitsotakis became premier in 2019, and asylum processes have been sped up. Critics say this puts asylum seekers at a disadvantage, and general benefits for refugees, even those who have been granted asylum, have been slashed.

Among the many criticisms of Greece's harsher border controls have been allegations that its coastguard is illegally forcing migrants to return to Turkey,&nbsp;the main departure point,&nbsp;on rickety ships.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-extends-border-wall-to-shut-doors-to-afghan-refugees-407454">Greece extends border wall to shut doors to Afghan refugees</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;

Athens has consistently denied the charges, stating that saving the lives of seafarers is the coastguard's top priority.

"No one has drowned in the Aegean this year, and I’m particularly proud of the work that my coastguard is doing in saving people at risk," Mitsotakis said this week.

In July, the Greek migration ministry said at least seven people had drowned near Kasos island, south of the Aegean Sea.

"This needless tragedy is what happens when Turkey fails to act against the criminal gangs and prevent these perilous crossings," the Greek ministry said at the time.

The Samos camp, designed to house 3,000 people, is part of several high-tech facilities funded by the European Union on Greek islands that saw the biggest arrivals from neighbouring Turkey during the migration crisis of 2015.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-cannot-take-new-refugee-burden-foreign-minister-says-409265">Turkey cannot take new refugee burden, foreign minister says</a>

International Organization for Migration reports that about 800,000 people migrated through Greece in that period.

EU has committed 276 million euros ($323 million) to build new camps with stricter access measures on Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Leros, and Kos in the Aegean Sea.

As he toured the country's newest island migrant camp on Friday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that his country's tougher maritime and land border patrols had essentially crushed illegal migrant networks.

As he toured the country's newest island migrant camp on Friday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that his country's tougher maritime and land border patrols had essentially crushed illegal migrant networks. Despite charges from activists that the Greek coastguard is forcing migrants' boats illegally back to Turkey, Mitsotakis said his government was guarding its borders "safely and justly." "Migration flows are down 90 percent compared to 2019. I repeat, 90 percent," Mitsotakis said during a visit to a new EU-funded migrant camp on the island of Samos. Also read | Greece says cannot become gateway to European Union for fleeing Afghans "We have essentially crushed smuggling networks that take advantage of human pain...promising persecuted people easy entry into our homeland," Mitsotakis said. "This government has carried out its pledge to guard our homeland's borders safely and justly," he said. Border patrols have risen since Mitsotakis became premier in 2019, and asylum processes have been sped up. Critics say this puts asylum seekers at a disadvantage, and general benefits for refugees, even those who have been granted asylum, have been slashed. Among the many criticisms of Greece's harsher border controls have been allegations that its coastguard is illegally forcing migrants to return to Turkey, the main departure point, on rickety ships. Also read | Greece extends border wall to shut doors to Afghan refugees Athens has consistently denied the charges, stating that saving the lives of seafarers is the coastguard's top priority. "No one has drowned in the Aegean this year, and I’m particularly proud of the work that my coastguard is doing in saving people at risk," Mitsotakis said this week. In July, the Greek migration ministry said at least seven people had drowned near Kasos island, south of the Aegean Sea. "This needless tragedy is what happens when Turkey fails to act against the criminal gangs and prevent these perilous crossings," the Greek ministry said at the time. The Samos camp, designed to house 3,000 people, is part of several high-tech facilities funded by the European Union on Greek islands that saw the biggest arrivals from neighbouring Turkey during the migration crisis of 2015. Also read | Turkey cannot take new refugee burden, foreign minister says International Organization for Migration reports that about 800,000 people migrated through Greece in that period. EU has committed 276 million euros ($323 million) to build new camps with stricter access measures on Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Leros, and Kos in the Aegean Sea.

Even as activists accuse country of illegal deportation, Greek PM says 'essentially crushed' migrant smugglers

Turkey on Friday lashed out at a multibillion-euro warship deal between France and regional foe Greece, warning the agreement would threaten regional stability by isolating Ankara. &nbsp;&nbsp;

France and Greece on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding that will see Athens buy three French warships, an accord hailed by French President Emmanuel Macron as a major boost to the EU's defence ambitions.

But Turkey, which has an uneasy history and relationship with its NATO neighbour Greece, criticised the agreement as being aimed against Ankara.

"Greece's armament and the isolating and alienating of Turkey, instead of cooperation, is a problematic policy that will harm Greece and the EU, and that threatens regional peace and stability," Turkey's foreign ministry spokesman said.

On Tuesday, Macron said the frigate sale was not meant to be seen as a threat against Ankara, calling it a means to jointly ensure security in the Mediterranean as well as in North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans.

France and Greece have forged closer ties in recent years, while each country's relationship with Turkey has been strained.

Greek-Turkish relations have a history of war and conflict.

Last year, the two countries were involved in a standoff when their gunboats collided while shadowing each other during a Turkish push into disputed eastern Mediterranean waters.

Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic on Friday suggested that the warship deal with France was part of Greece's effort to bolster what he called "maximalist maritime zone and air space claims" that were "contrary to international law".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Turkey on Friday lashed out at a multibillion-euro warship deal between France and regional foe Greece, warning the agreement would threaten regional stability by isolating Ankara.

Turkey on Friday lashed out at a multibillion-euro warship deal between France and regional foe Greece, warning the agreement would threaten regional stability by isolating Ankara. France and Greece on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding that will see Athens buy three French warships, an accord hailed by French President Emmanuel Macron as a major boost to the EU's defence ambitions. But Turkey, which has an uneasy history and relationship with its NATO neighbour Greece, criticised the agreement as being aimed against Ankara. "Greece's armament and the isolating and alienating of Turkey, instead of cooperation, is a problematic policy that will harm Greece and the EU, and that threatens regional peace and stability," Turkey's foreign ministry spokesman said. On Tuesday, Macron said the frigate sale was not meant to be seen as a threat against Ankara, calling it a means to jointly ensure security in the Mediterranean as well as in North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans. France and Greece have forged closer ties in recent years, while each country's relationship with Turkey has been strained. Greek-Turkish relations have a history of war and conflict. Last year, the two countries were involved in a standoff when their gunboats collided while shadowing each other during a Turkish push into disputed eastern Mediterranean waters. Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic on Friday suggested that the warship deal with France was part of Greece's effort to bolster what he called "maximalist maritime zone and air space claims" that were "contrary to international law".

Turkey warns Greece-France arms deal threatens 'stability'

Reports say one person was killed after an earthquake hit the Greek island of Crete on Monday.

Initial reports said the 5.8 magnitude quake damaged historical buildings in the area.&nbsp;According to reports, it was the tenth earthquake felt in Crete in the last two hours.

The person who was killed was&nbsp;reportedly working in a church which collapsed due to the quake.&nbsp;

People immediately took to social media to post their views as rescue operations began in the area.

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The dust in the distance is from the 5.8R <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> that just hit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crete?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crete</a> this morning. 
 
At only 10km depth, we REALLY FELT this one. 
 
All good over here - just a few shattered picture frames. 
 
Hope everyone else is doing ok!! <a href="https://t.co/UtRn60rlce">pic.twitter.com/UtRn60rlce</a>
— Yorgos Saslis (@gsaslis) <a href="https://twitter.com/gsaslis/status/1442376889335681025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Quite a strong earthquake on Crete this morning, and the epicentre is ~10km from the island's largest city, Heraklion. The earthquake also has a shallow depth of &lt;10km. Hoping there was no significant damage. <a href="https://t.co/SJCDvRgAG6">https://t.co/SJCDvRgAG6</a> <a href="https://t.co/E16Ch8tf7p">pic.twitter.com/E16Ch8tf7p</a>
— Dr Stephen Hicks 🇪🇺 (@seismo_steve) <a href="https://twitter.com/seismo_steve/status/1442381289336688641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Our thoughts go to the people in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crete?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crete</a> 🙏 
Aftershocks are already occurring and may occur in the next hours/days. Follow national authorities’ information and be careful.
— EMSC (@LastQuake) <a href="https://twitter.com/LastQuake/status/1442388650738683905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Reports claimed people were trapped in buildings even as several left their homes to come out on the streets.

(More details awaited)

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports say one person was killed after an earthquake hit the Greek island of Crete on Monday. Initial reports said the 5.8 magnitude quake damaged historical buildings in the area.

Reports say one person was killed after an earthquake hit the Greek island of Crete on Monday. Initial reports said the 5.8 magnitude quake damaged historical buildings in the area. According to reports, it was the tenth earthquake felt in Crete in the last two hours. The person who was killed was reportedly working in a church which collapsed due to the quake. People immediately took to social media to post their views as rescue operations began in the area. The dust in the distance is from the 5.8R #earthquake that just hit #Crete this morning. At only 10km depth, we REALLY FELT this one. All good over here - just a few shattered picture frames. Hope everyone else is doing ok!! pic.twitter.com/UtRn60rlce — Yorgos Saslis (@gsaslis) September 27, 2021 × Quite a strong earthquake on Crete this morning, and the epicentre is ~10km from the island's largest city, Heraklion. The earthquake also has a shallow depth of <10km. Hoping there was no significant damage. https://t.co/SJCDvRgAG6 pic.twitter.com/E16Ch8tf7p — Dr Stephen Hicks 🇪🇺 (@seismo_steve) September 27, 2021 × Our thoughts go to the people in #Crete 🙏 Aftershocks are already occurring and may occur in the next hours/days. Follow national authorities’ information and be careful. — EMSC (@LastQuake) September 27, 2021 × Reports claimed people were trapped in buildings even as several left their homes to come out on the streets. (More details awaited) (With inputs from Agencies)

Earthquake hits Greek island of Crete; 1 dead

Greece&nbsp;and the US are in talks to extend their&nbsp;defence&nbsp;deals by five years, instead of one-year renewals now in force, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

"We are discussing a five-year extension to the&nbsp;defence&nbsp;cooperation agreement, so that we don't have to renew it on an annual basis," Mitsotakis told a news conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair.&nbsp;

There would be a "more important US presence in our country, possibly in areas where they currently do not have a presence," he said, without elaborating.

Mitsotakis added that Greek-US strategic cooperation "is at its best level ever".

In 2019, Athens and Washington signed a&nbsp;defence&nbsp;agreement allowing US forces a broader use of Greek military facilities during a visit by then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

This however "does not shut the door to other strategic agreements", the premier said on Sunday, citing an ongoing "very close" relationship with France.

Greece&nbsp;and France in January signed a 2.5-billion-euro ($3 billion)&nbsp;deal&nbsp;for 18 Rafale jets,&nbsp;12 used and six new as part of a burgeoning arms programme to counter Turkish challenges in the eastern Mediterranean.

On Saturday, Mitsotakis said&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;would "soon" purchase an additional six Rafales.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-madrid-protest-against-rise-in-homophobic-attacks-412579">Also read |&nbsp;People in Madrid protest against rise in homophobic attacks</a>

"The first among them will be flying in Greek skies before the end of the year," the&nbsp;PM&nbsp;said, without giving further detail.

The announcement was welcomed Sunday by French&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;Minister Florence Parly, who tweeted: "Together, we are making progress in constructing true European autonomy."

Athens also supports efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to improve the EU's independent operational capabilities, Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

Macron will visit Athens on Friday for a meeting of the Med7&nbsp;summit of southern EU countries.

Greece&nbsp;spends more than two percent of its national output on&nbsp;defence, the&nbsp;PM&nbsp;said.

Mitsotakis last year announced&nbsp;Greece's most ambitious arms spending programme in two decades, including 15,000 additional troops, frigates, missiles and warplanes.

Greece and the US are in talks to extend their defence deals by five years, instead of one-year renewals now in force, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

Greece and the US are in talks to extend their defence deals by five years, instead of one-year renewals now in force, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday. "We are discussing a five-year extension to the defence cooperation agreement, so that we don't have to renew it on an annual basis," Mitsotakis told a news conference at the Thessaloniki International Fair. There would be a "more important US presence in our country, possibly in areas where they currently do not have a presence," he said, without elaborating. Mitsotakis added that Greek-US strategic cooperation "is at its best level ever". In 2019, Athens and Washington signed a defence agreement allowing US forces a broader use of Greek military facilities during a visit by then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. This however "does not shut the door to other strategic agreements", the premier said on Sunday, citing an ongoing "very close" relationship with France. Greece and France in January signed a 2.5-billion-euro ($3 billion) deal for 18 Rafale jets, 12 used and six new as part of a burgeoning arms programme to counter Turkish challenges in the eastern Mediterranean. On Saturday, Mitsotakis said Greece would "soon" purchase an additional six Rafales. Also read | People in Madrid protest against rise in homophobic attacks "The first among them will be flying in Greek skies before the end of the year," the PM said, without giving further detail. The announcement was welcomed Sunday by French Defence Minister Florence Parly, who tweeted: "Together, we are making progress in constructing true European autonomy." Athens also supports efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to improve the EU's independent operational capabilities, Mitsotakis said on Sunday. Macron will visit Athens on Friday for a meeting of the Med7 summit of southern EU countries. Greece spends more than two percent of its national output on defence, the PM said. Mitsotakis last year announced Greece's most ambitious arms spending programme in two decades, including 15,000 additional troops, frigates, missiles and warplanes.

Greece to discuss 5-year US defence deal: PM

Greece does not want to become the entry point into the European Union for Afghans fleeing the escalating conflict in their homeland, Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi, calling for a common EU response to the crisis.

Greece was on the frontline of Europe's migration crisis in 2015, when nearly a million people fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan landed on its islands, and like other EU member states, it is nervous that developments in Afghanistan could trigger a replay of that crisis.

"We are clearly saying that we will not and cannot be the gateway of Europe for the refugees and migrants who could try to come to the European Union," Mitarachi told state television ERT.

"We cannot have millions of people leaving Afghanistan and coming to the European Union ... and certainly not through Greece," he said.

EU foreign ministers will hold a crisis meeting on Tuesday to discuss the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and Greece has requested that the issue is also discussed at a meeting of EU home affairs ministers on Wednesday.

"The solution needs to be common, and it needs to be a European solution," Mitarachi said. Unity between EU member states over whether to deport failed Afghan asylum-seekers crumbled last week.

Greece does not want to become the entry point into the European Union for Afghans fleeing the escalating conflict in their homeland, Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi, calling for a common EU response to the crisis.

Greece does not want to become the entry point into the European Union for Afghans fleeing the escalating conflict in their homeland, Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi, calling for a common EU response to the crisis. Greece was on the frontline of Europe's migration crisis in 2015, when nearly a million people fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan landed on its islands, and like other EU member states, it is nervous that developments in Afghanistan could trigger a replay of that crisis. "We are clearly saying that we will not and cannot be the gateway of Europe for the refugees and migrants who could try to come to the European Union," Mitarachi told state television ERT. "We cannot have millions of people leaving Afghanistan and coming to the European Union ... and certainly not through Greece," he said. EU foreign ministers will hold a crisis meeting on Tuesday to discuss the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and Greece has requested that the issue is also discussed at a meeting of EU home affairs ministers on Wednesday. "The solution needs to be common, and it needs to be a European solution," Mitarachi said. Unity between EU member states over whether to deport failed Afghan asylum-seekers crumbled last week.

Greece says cannot become gateway to European Union for fleeing Afghans

As Greece battles wildfire survivors struggle to grapple that the disaster would change their lives. They are left without a home and livelihood. WION brings you a report.

Greeks return to fire-ravaged village, home reduces to rubble in Evia

Troubled with rising temperatures, the calls for naming of the heatwaves are rising among the scientists in Greece. &nbsp;

The scientists of the country have begun discussing the need to name and rank heatwaves. They are better known for their invisibility.&nbsp;

The rampant wildfires, which are triggered by the heatwaves, have made the realities of the climate crisis come to fore.&nbsp;

The move could act as a preventative measure to enable policymakers and affected populations to get prepared for the 'silent killer’ heatwaves.&nbsp;

Since June, Greece has witnessed two bouts of extreme heat. Both were unusually prolonged and intense.&nbsp;

Last week, a new rise in temperatures saw Athens once again fall victim to fires as devastating blazes broke out north-west of the capital. &nbsp;

Dr Kostas Lagouvardos, research director, National Observatory, Athens told the Observer, “It is clear the extreme heat has been underestimated.”&nbsp;

It is essential that people are aware of the dangers posed by it. “We believe people will be more prepared to face an upcoming weather event when the event has a name. They’ll become more aware of the possible problems it could cause to their lives and to their properties … heatwaves cause a lot of deaths; they don’t make noise and they may not be visible but they’re a silent killer,” Lagouvardos said.&nbsp;

Troubled with rising temperatures, the calls for naming of the heatwaves are rising among the scientists in Greece. The scientists of the country have begun discussing the need to name and rank heatwaves.

Troubled with rising temperatures, the calls for naming of the heatwaves are rising among the scientists in Greece. The scientists of the country have begun discussing the need to name and rank heatwaves. They are better known for their invisibility. The rampant wildfires, which are triggered by the heatwaves, have made the realities of the climate crisis come to fore. The move could act as a preventative measure to enable policymakers and affected populations to get prepared for the 'silent killer’ heatwaves. Since June, Greece has witnessed two bouts of extreme heat. Both were unusually prolonged and intense. Last week, a new rise in temperatures saw Athens once again fall victim to fires as devastating blazes broke out north-west of the capital. Dr Kostas Lagouvardos, research director, National Observatory, Athens told the Observer, “It is clear the extreme heat has been underestimated.” It is essential that people are aware of the dangers posed by it. “We believe people will be more prepared to face an upcoming weather event when the event has a name. They’ll become more aware of the possible problems it could cause to their lives and to their properties … heatwaves cause a lot of deaths; they don’t make noise and they may not be visible but they’re a silent killer,” Lagouvardos said.

Greece scientists look to name heatwaves in line with storms

In what could be termed as an attempt to turn a blind eye towards the humanitarian crisis emerging from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Greece said, it completed a 40-km-long wall on its border with Turkey. &nbsp;

The country has also installed a surveillance system to prevent possible asylum seekers from trying to reach Europe. &nbsp;

The current situation in Afghanistan has sparked fears that Europe may face a migration crisis similar to that in 2015 as people are fleeing persecution or further conflict. &nbsp;

Michalis Chrisochoidis, citizens’ protections minister, Greece said, the country had taken action to stop a repeat of scenes six years ago. A fence of almost eight miles had already been in place. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Chrisochoidis added, “We cannot wait, passively, for the possible impact. Our borders will remain safe and inviolable.” &nbsp;

Last week, the Greek government said it would not allow refugees to cross into Europe and would turn people back. In a statement, migration minister Notis Mitarachi said, “Our country will not be a gateway to Europe for illegal Afghan migrants.” &nbsp;

On Friday, the issue was raised by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a discussion with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Turkish president said Afghanistan and Iran, which are a key route for Afghans into Turkey, should be supported or a new migration wave was certain, according to a statement from his office. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In what could be termed as an attempt to turn a blind eye towards the humanitarian crisis emerging from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Greece said, it completed a 40-km-long wall on its border with Turkey.

In what could be termed as an attempt to turn a blind eye towards the humanitarian crisis emerging from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Greece said, it completed a 40-km-long wall on its border with Turkey. The country has also installed a surveillance system to prevent possible asylum seekers from trying to reach Europe. The current situation in Afghanistan has sparked fears that Europe may face a migration crisis similar to that in 2015 as people are fleeing persecution or further conflict. Michalis Chrisochoidis, citizens’ protections minister, Greece said, the country had taken action to stop a repeat of scenes six years ago. A fence of almost eight miles had already been in place. Chrisochoidis added, “We cannot wait, passively, for the possible impact. Our borders will remain safe and inviolable.” Last week, the Greek government said it would not allow refugees to cross into Europe and would turn people back. In a statement, migration minister Notis Mitarachi said, “Our country will not be a gateway to Europe for illegal Afghan migrants.” On Friday, the issue was raised by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a discussion with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Turkish president said Afghanistan and Iran, which are a key route for Afghans into Turkey, should be supported or a new migration wave was certain, according to a statement from his office. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece extends border wall to shut doors to Afghan refugees   

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