Tag: greece

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Greece braces for first summer heat wave

Greece is a country prepared for heatwaves, as in almost all homes, hospitals, restaurants and hotels air conditioners are installed, Giannopoulos said…reports Asian Lite News

Greece is bracing for the first major heat wave of the season, which is expected to push temperatures in parts of the country above 40 degrees Celsius.

“Temperatures on the mainland will peak on Friday and Saturday, reaching 43 degrees Celsius. This is not unprecedented, it happens every two or three years,” said Panagiotis Giannopoulos, meteorologist with the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY).

High temperatures are forecast to prevail for six days, posing potential health risks, in particular for the elderly and people with medical conditions, according to expert.

In the center of Athens, the temperature reached 39 degrees Celsius on Thursday and was forecast to climb to above 40 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday, before dropping to 39 and 38 degrees Celsius on July 16 and 17, respectively, according to the EMY.

Greece is a country prepared for heatwaves, as in almost all homes, hospitals, restaurants and hotels air conditioners are installed, Giannopoulos said.

This is not expected to be the most intense heat wave of recent years, but precautionary measures are implemented, he added.

The state mechanism has been placed on alert. Public hospitals are on standby, and the Ministry of Labour announced on special provisions for employees in the public and private sectors during the heat wave, such as remote work and changes to operating hours.

“Climate change models show that in the Mediterranean region and in our country in the coming decades we expect more heatwaves,” Giannopoulos said.

Already in the past three decades, the Greek capital has experienced five times more heat waves compared to the period between 1961 and 1990, he said.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel, which have a joint weather monitoring system, named the heat wave “Cleon”.

ALSO READ-Greece boat tragedy: Number of missing from PoK surges to 166

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Greece boat tragedy: Number of missing from PoK surges to 166

On June 14, dozens of migrants and refugees on board the trawler that sank off Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, killed at least 78 people…reports Asian Lite News

In the Greece boat tragedy, the number of missing people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Kotli district has surged to 166, confirmed Mirpur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Dr Khalid Mahmood Chauhan, according to Geo News.

On Monday, the Deputy Inspector General revealed that 88 more families of the boat case have contacted them. Earlier 50 families had contacted them. The data was compiled at the local level with the help of local residents.

Dr Khalid further stated that after the incident, the families of 28 youths had contacted them and 166 Kotli residents were reported missing in the migrant boat incident.

He feared that the number could further rise in the coming days.

“The heirs of the boat victims do not come forward due to fear of law [legal action],” observed the police officer. He urged the people to provide the details of their children onboard the ill-fated boat and assured them that the police would help them find their beloved.

“Some of the missing people are still in Greece jails and some are under investigation,” he added.

European authorities don’t have a clear idea about the number of people aboard the boat when it sank — estimates range from 400 to over 700 — but likely hundreds came from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reported Geo News.

On June 14, dozens of migrants and refugees on board the trawler that sank off Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, killed at least 78 people.

As many as 750 men, women and children – also from Syria, Egypt, and the Palestinian territories – were on board the vessel, trying to reach relatives in Europe. The sinking was one of the worst disasters of its kind this year. The Greek coast guard has defended its response to the tragedy, Al Jazeera reported.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Pakistan and several African nations called for more protections for migrants at the UN Human Rights Council following the shipwreck off the Greek coast.

Pakistan, which had 350 of its nationals aboard the ship that capsized and sank, said the incident was a “grim reminder of the protection gaps”.

“The human cost of such a status quo is unacceptable,” Pakistan’s deputy permanent ambassador, Zaman Mehdi, told the 47-member council in unusually frank comments, Geo News reported.

“Gaps in responsibility sharing, arrangements for the safe and timely search and rescue, the disembarkation of all people rescued at sea and accountability must be plugged in the spirit of solidarity.”

The envoy for Gambia, a country from which many migrants depart on perilous journeys toward Europe, said that the issue required “urgent attention”. (ANI)

ALSO READ-India to help Greece reclaim historical artifacts from Britain

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Graft case Kaili to return to MEP duties

Prosecutors on Thursday allowed the 44-year-old former newsreader to remove an electronic ankle tag and freed her from house arrest pending trial…reports Asian Lite News

Greek MEP Eva Kaili plans to return to her European Parliament duties next week after being freed from house arrest pending trial, her lawyer said Friday.

“Next week, she will be at the European Parliament to carry out her duties,” Kaili’s Greek lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos told Greece’s Skai TV.

She will also ask the chamber to determine whether her surveillance, arrest and incarceration had violated her rights as an MEP, Dimitrakopoulos said.

Prosecutors on Thursday allowed the 44-year-old former newsreader to remove an electronic ankle tag and freed her from house arrest pending trial.

Formerly a rising star in the European Parliament, Kaili has been stripped of her former role as vice president and excluded from her political group.

She was arrested in Brussels in December by police investigating alleged graft in the European Parliament, before being released to house arrest in April.

She denies all charges.

Several more European politicians and parliamentary aides were arrested and charged as part of Belgian investigation, but now all but one have been freed from house arrest.

Investigators allege that Belgian former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, who is cooperating with the inquiry, ran a ring distributing bribes to promote the interests of Qatar and Morocco.

Both governments angrily deny playing any role.

The scandal erupted when police raided several properties in Brussels and seized at least 1.5 million euros in cash stored in suitcases and bags.

Dimitrakopoulos on Friday said Panzeri was the “mastermind” and that Kaili’s fingerprints were not found on the money seized by police.

“She believes she will be acquitted… if the case even gets to trial,” he said.

ALSO READ: US House panel recommends NATO+ status for India

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India to help Greece reclaim historical artifacts from Britain

India is currently working on plans to return examples of its own cultural heritage from the UK, with officials looking to reclaim artefact either by force or by collectors during British rule…reports Asian Lite News

The Daily Telegraph has reported that India is mulling over throwing its diplomatic weight behind Greece and other nations in quest of reclaiming artefacts from the United Kingdom. This is a part of India’s global initiative to support victims of “colonial appropriation”.

Greece has spent years making efforts to prise the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum; however, diplomatic support from a leading global power like India could now help Athens materialise its long-cherished dream.

Officials in India’s Ministry of Culture said that India wants to form an informal alliance of nations that are campaigning for cultural returns. Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary of India’s Ministry of Culture, was quoted by The Telegraph as saying, “We would seek a consensus between the nations, and as the G20 is the most influential forum, to achieve tangible outcomes. We can be a voice at that table for other nations facing these issues.”

She added, “During our presidency, we want to be champions of the global south, those countries who are so strongly affected by issues relating to heritage, such as trafficking, and who in the past were on the receiving end of colonial appropriation.”

India has the presidency of the G20 this year, and the Telegraph understands that during summits scheduled for September, officials plan to cajole fellow member-states to sign up to an agreement supporting the return of historical artefacts to their places of origin.

Athens has so far been frustrated in its efforts to prise the Marbles from the British Museum, but an international commitment to repatriation from leading world powers could bolster the cause of Greece as it seeks to reunite the artworks taken by Lord Elgin in the 19th century.

Officials in New Delhi have indicted that India wants to take a global lead on the restitution of historical artefacts, and is prepared to be a voice for nations who are campaigning for cultural returns, potentially starting an “avalanche” of successful repatriations.

The “protection and restitution of cultural property” is one of four culture priorities for India as it approaches G20 talks in autumn, and one aspect of this is tackling modern trafficking and returning objects taken illegally under existing laws.

Cambodia seeking the return of sacred artefacts smuggled during Khmer Rouge rule may be one example of this, as is India’s claim to a statue of Hindu saint Chandikeshvara believed to have been taken from a temper in a southern India, which is currently held in the Ashmolean Museum.

However, Indian officials are seeking to take a broader look through a “moral and ethical lens” at artefacts taken in circumstances that may have been acquired legally, but under circumstances of coercion under a colonial power.

India is currently working on plans to return examples of its own cultural heritage from the UK, with officials looking to reclaim artefact either by force or by collectors during British rule.

This claim will grow in time to encompass loot taken from ’s palace after his defeat against the British, and the Amaravati Marbles removed from the ruins of a Buddhist Stupa by civil servant Sir Walter Elliot and sent to London.

Greece has long maintained that the 5th-century BC marble friezes, sculptures and metopes (plaques) taken from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin were taken away in similar  circumstances of colonial coercion, and their grievance could soon be aired by India in front of the world’s biggest economic powers.

ALSO READ-Tenth round of FTA talks with UK next month in India

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Sheikh Abdullah, Greek FM review boosting ties

The top officials exchanged views on several issues of mutual concern, including international efforts aimed at combating climate change…reports Asian Lite News

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias reviewed bilateral relations and strategic partnership between their two countries.

During their meeting, held within the framework of Sheikh Abdullah’s working visit to the Hellenic Republic, the two sides reviewed various aspects of bilateral cooperation and ways to strengthen it in several domains, including in areas of economic, trade, investment, development, renewable energy and food security.

Sheikh Abdullah and Greek Foreign Minister Dendias reaffirmed the depth of the UAE-Greece ties which began in 1975 and witnessed continuous development over the decades, culminating in the announcement of their strategic partnership in 2022.

The top officials exchanged views on several issues of mutual concern, including international efforts aimed at combating climate change in light of the UAE’s preparations to host the the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. They also discussed a number of regional and global developments.

The UAE top diplomat praised the developmental achievements the two countries have made in various sectors as a result of their well-established strategic partnership.

For his part, Greek Foreign Minister Dendias welcomed Sheikh Abdullah and his accompanying delegation, stressing the importance of this visit, which, he said, constitutes a strong impetus to the two countries’ cooperation ties across various domains.

The meeting was attended by Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy; Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs; and Sulaiman Hamed Salem Al Mazrouie, UAE Ambassador to Greece.

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2 Pak men nabbed for plotting terrorist attack in Greece

According to Greek police, the terrorist network was planning attacks in Greece and aimed to undermine the sense of security in the country,”…reports Asian Lite News

Greek authorities foiled a terrorist attack against Jewish and Israeli targets in the country and arrested two Pakistanis over an alleged plot, The Wall Street Journal reported citing officials.

The Greek police anti-terrorist division and the country’s intelligence services dismantled a terrorist network. According to Greek police, the terrorist network was planning attacks in Greece and aimed “to cause the loss of life of innocent citizens but also to undermine the sense of security in the country,” as per The Wall Street Journal report.

Greek police said two foreigners were arrested and that the target was of “high symbolism.” Greece’s Public Order Minister Takis Theodorikakos identified the two foreigners as Pakistanis, according to the news report.

Theodorikakos further said that the mastermind behind the operation was a Pakistani residing in Iran. A person familiar with the probe revealed that the target was a Jewish restaurant.

According to Greek police, the members of the network had chosen the target of the alleged plot, had planned it and received instructions. The Greek police said that the network was looking to recruit more people for executing their mission. An investigation regarding the matter is being carried out.

Israeli intelligence service Mossad helped Greek authorities in discovering the alleged terror network and identified the link to Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported citing the statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

The statement reads, “The investigation revealed that the infrastructure that operated in Greece is part of an extensive Iranian network run from Iran and spanning many countries,” as per the news report.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen took to his official Twitter handle to thank the Greek government and intelligence for thwarting the terrorist attack against the Jewish and Israeli terrorists.

He tweeted, “I want to thank the Greek government and the Greek intelligence and security services for thwarting the terrorist attack against Jewish and Israeli targets. Terrorism is a common enemy, and the fight against it is our top priority.”

In another tweet, Cohen wrote, “The government of the Ayatollahs in Tehran exports terrorism to the Middle East and the entire world, and only with a firm and joint stand will we be able to stop the terrorist activities of the Iranian regime.” (ANI)

ALSO READ: Moscow not happy with Pakistan over delayed oil shipments

ALSO READ: Pakistan not to attend 2nd US Summit for Democracy

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Last king of Greece passes away

King Constantine II of Greece. (Photo :Twitter)

Constantine was born on June 2, 1940 in Athens to Princess Frederica of Hanover and Prince Paul, younger brother of King George II and heir presumptive to the throne…reports Asian Lite News

King Constantine II of Greece, who reigned from 1964 until 1973 when monarchy was abolished in the country, passed away in Athens at the age of 82.

The last monarch of Greece had been hospitalized for several days in a local hospital where he died on Tuesday. Constantine II became king in 1964, but was forced into exile after a failed counter-coup against the military dictatorship which took over in 1967.

The military junta abolished the Greek monarchy in 1973. The former king had lived in London for decades and returned to Greece a few years ago following lengthy legal disputes with the state over seized properties.

Constantine was born on June 2, 1940 in Athens to Princess Frederica of Hanover and Prince Paul, younger brother of King George II and heir presumptive to the throne.

His older sister, Sophia, is the wife of former King Juan Carlos I of Spain. He was also the nephew of Greek-born Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh and husband of the UK’s late Queen Elizabeth II.

The family, which had ruled in Greece from 1863 — apart from a 12-year republican interlude between 1922 and 1935 — was descended from Prince Christian, later Christian IX of Denmark, of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glcksburg branch of the Danish ruling family.

ALSO READ: UK introduces laws to mitigate disruption of strikes on public

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Erdogan toughens stance against Greece

Erdogan accused Athens of making policies based on “provocative actions” and suggested that Greece is being “dragged into a swamp with military build-ups”…reports Asian Lite News

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to “use all means” to protect Ankara’s rights and interests against Greece.

“We will not fail to use all the means to defend our country’s rights and interests against Greece, when necessary,” Erdogan said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting on Monday.

His remarks came amid a recent escalation of tension between two neighbours over their disputes in the Aegean Sea, reports Xinhua news agency.

He accused Athens of making policies based on “provocative actions” and suggested that Greece is being “dragged into a swamp with military build-ups”.

“This is a dangerous game for both the Greek politicians, the Greek state, the Greek people,” Erdogan said.

Relations between the two countries have long been tense over a series of issues, including territory and energy disputes in the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas.

The semi-official Anadolu Agency reported on Sunday the footage of Greek ships, carrying military vehicles, landed on Lesbos and Samos islands on September 18 and 21, respectively.

Turkey warned Greece that these islands have non-military status according to international treaties.

Earlier this month, Erdogan accused Greece of “harassing” Turkish fighter jets in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, a claim that Greece has rejected.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on September 11 said despite the recent “unacceptable” comments of Erdogan, he was “always available and open to a meeting with the Turkish leader”.

ALSO READ: Pakistan replaces Turkey in Qatar’s strategic calculus

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Albanian PM thanks MBS for multimillion dollar fund

The two leaders also reviewed bilateral ties and discussed ways to boost cooperation in several fields including economy, politics, and infrastructure investment…reports Asian Lite News

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has thanked the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for a multimillion dollar cash fund the Kingdom gave his country.

Prime Minister Rama met with Mohammed bin Salman during the crown prince’s visit to Greece on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Rama thanked Mohammed bin Salman for the Kingdom’s $50 million support and for the Public Investment Fund’s interest in investment opportunities in Albania worth about $200-$300 million, the Arab News reported.

The two leaders also reviewed bilateral ties and discussed ways to boost cooperation in several fields including economy, politics, and infrastructure investment.

And they explored potential cooperation in several regional and international issues of common interest.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, and efforts made in their regard, it was reported.

Earlier this week, Bajram Begaj, a retired military officer and politician, took oath as the 9th President of Albania.

In his first address in front of the lawmakers as the President, the 55-year-old declared that he will support and respect both the government and opposition’s work, calling for cooperation between political parties instead of conflict.

“I will carry out this mission above the parties. I will not remain neutral towards anyone who puts political interests above the nation’s interest and I will support and insist on the cooperation between all political forces,” Begaj added.

He urged political parties to “get away from the politics of confrontation and replace it with the politics of dialogue”.

“Unity is needed more than ever to ensure the vitality of our nation. Let us all together make our Albania even more beautiful, for it to be in the place where it belongs.”

Begaj was elected President on June 4.

ALSO READ-Bolsonaro officially launches re-election campaign

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Ukraine carrier cargo plane crashes in Greece

Eyewitnesses saw the plane in flames crash in a cornfield and explosions followed on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Greek media…reports Asian Lite News

A Ukrainian cargo plane with an eight-member crew on board crashed near Kavala city in northern Greece, Greek media reported.

The Antonov An-12 plane was on route from Serbia to Jordan as the pilot requested permission for an emergency landing and notified Greek authorities of failure in one of the engines, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported, citing sources from the Greek Civil Aviation Authority.

Eyewitnesses saw the plane in flames crash in a cornfield and explosions followed on Saturday evening, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Greek media.

A rescue operation was still underway with special units of disaster personnel approaching the site with precaution, given the yet unconfirmed information that the plane carried 12 tons of cargo including ammunition, ERT reported, citing sources in local authorities.

Power cuts have been reported in communities near the crash site, as the plane cut electric power cables before the crash, it added.

ALSO READ-UAE sends three planes carrying aid to Afghanistan