"China Will Destroy the USA" – Yanis Varoufakis

Jan 14, 2025 | Yanis Varoufakis examines the escalating rivalry between China and the United States, predicting how China’s rapid economic and technological advancements could challenge, and potentially surpass, American global dominance. In this gripping analysis, Varoufakis explores China's strategic investments, its role as a manufacturing powerhouse, and its growing influence in international markets. He contrasts this with the U.S.’s struggles with economic inequality, political polarization, and reliance on outdated systems. Is America prepared for the rise of China, or is a seismic power shift inevitable? Discover what Varoufakis sees as the future of this high-stakes competition.

‘Don’t Allow You to Go to the Bathroom’: Big Tech’s Call Center Workers in Greece On Strike

THE GUARDIAN: Workers at Teleperformance, customer support company for Apple, Google and Netflix, accuse it of union busting and surveillance

Call center workers for some of the world’s biggest tech companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Netflix are accusing their employer of retaliating against union organisers, constantly surveilling staff and even refusing bathroom breaks.

In the US or Europe, if you call for technical or customer support from a big tech company, you may be speaking with a worker at one of Teleperformance’s call centers in Greece.

Teleperformance, the largest call center operator in the world, employs about 12,000 workers in Greece, serving more than 140 markets around the world in 43 different languages and dialects. The company has seven multi-language hubs in Greece – in Athens, Chania, and Thessaloniki. » | Michael Sainato | Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Paul Saladino MD: I Went to Greece to Debunk the Lies about Blue Zones

Sep 28, 2024 | n this video, I uncover the lies of plant-based diets in the Blue Zones…

For more info on Paul Saladino MD, cleck here and then click on ‘more’.

How Greece Becomes Europe's Next Muslim Country

Sep 26, 2024 | Modern-day Greece is home to an estimated 500,000 Muslims, accounting for about 4.6% of the total population. This number has been steadily rising due to immigration, especially from North Africa and Muslim-majority countries like Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as well as of course the natural growth within these communities. This demographic shift is particularly noticeable in regions like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Thrace, where Muslim communities are expanding and challenging Greece's traditional cultural landscape. …

Feminism has lots to answer for! The low birth rate right across Europe and the West is a direct result of women preferring to be in the workplace rather than being at home procreating children. A controversial viewpoint, maybe, but true! – © Mark Alexander

Demographic Decline: Greece Faces Alarming Population Collapse

Sep 13, 2024 | Empty villages, disillusioned young workers, and government officials scrambling for solutions: this is the stark reality Euronews uncovered in Greece, where the country is bracing for a major population collapse fuelled by plummeting numbers of births, mass emigration, and low fertility rates.

Read more here.

Greece Orders Evacuations Near Athens as Wildfires Rage

Aug 12, 2024 | Greece ordered the evacuation of hospitals and homes near Athens as wildfires spread across the area, the fire brigade said. At least five more communities were told to flee by civil protection authorities on Monday, after hundreds of people evacuated the previous day from at least eight villages. “Civil protection forces battled hard throughout the night, but despite superhuman efforts, the fire evolved rapidly,” fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said. The brigade deployed 510 firefighters, 152 vehicles and 29 aircraft, he added.

How Does Greece's Government Justify a 6-day Working Week? | DW News

Jul 3, 2024 | Greece has become the first country in the European Union to introduce a six-day working week for some businesses. The measure applies to firms that provide 24/7 services, or those experiencing an extraordinary workload. Greece's pro-business government calls the regulation "worker-friendly." But it's sparked outrage among trade unions. And many people on the street don't like it either.

Related article here.

Greece Introduces ‘Growth-oriented’ Six-day Working Week

THE GUARDIAN: Pro-business government says measure is needed due to shrinking population and shortage of skilled workers

Companies in countries worldwide may be toying with the idea of implementing shorter working weeks, but in Greece employees have been told that, henceforth, they can put in a sixth day of labour in an unorthodox step aimed at turbocharging productivity.

After outpacing other Europeans in terms of economic growth, the nation once at the heart of the continent’s worst financial crisis has bucked the trend again, introducing a 48-hour working week. The measure, decried as “barbaric” by unions, takes effect from Monday.

“It makes no sense whatsoever,” said Akis Sotiropoulos an executive committee member of the civil servants’ union Adedy. “When almost every other civilised country is enacting a four-day week, Greece decides to go the other way.” » | Helena Smith in Athens | Monday, July 1, 2024

Why are extreme right-wingers always so regressive? There must be something in their DNA or genes. They always want to keep the little people short of money, and they also want to work them into the ground. They're a sad bunch. They really are. – © Mark Alexander

Meanwhile Germany starts testing out a four-day work week »

Greece Issues Extreme Heat and Weather Warnings | BBC News

June 18, 2024 | Residents and tourists have been told to prepare for extreme weather conditions as parts of the Mediterranean experience a severe heatwave. Greece and neighbouring countries are expecting to experience record temperatures.

The warning comes as the body of an American tourist has reportedly been found on the Greek island of Mathraki, adding to the list of foreigners missing or reported to have died during the record-setting heatwave.

A Dutchman also was found dead on Samos over the weekend, following the recent death of British TV presenter Dr Michael Mosley on the island of Symi. Adding to the list, two hikers were found dead on 5 June on Crete. Another American, Albert Calibet, is among at least three others reported missing.

Body Found in Search for Michael Mosley

Jun 9, 2024 | A body has been found in the search for TV doctor and columnist Michael Mosley, who went missing on a Greek island. The body was discovered in a rocky area beside Agia Marina on Symi on Sunday after an extensive search operation led by emergency workers.

The 67-year-old TV personality was last seen by friends at the Agios Nikolaos beach on Wednesday, before going for a walk. The search effort has been widespread and has included firefighters, dogs, helicopters, drones, local people and officers from Symi and outside the island. Dr Mosley, known for popularising the 5:2 diet and for his appearances on The One Show and This Morning, was on holiday when he vanished.


Michael Mosley: body of TV presenter believed to have been found on Greek island, authorities say: Broadcaster and newspaper columnist went missing after going for a coastal walk on Symi »

Michael Mosley: body found on Greek island is TV doctor, say police: Wife pays tribute to her ‘wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband’ »

Michael Mosley obituary: presenter who popularised the 5:2 diet: OBITUARY: TV doctor covered stomach ulcers, cancer vaccines and ‘life before birth’ in a wide-ranging career that made him one of the most recognisable on-screen medics »

Greece Legalizes Same-sex Marriage | DW News

Feb 16, 2024 | Greece has voted to legalise same-sex marriage, making it the first Orthodox Christian country to do so. The law change was opposed by the Orthodox church, which claimed it would threaten what it called 'traditional families'. But supporters say the change is long overdue and a significant advance for Greek society. DW spoke to journalist Giorgos Christides.

Related links here.

Griechenland beschließt Ehe für alle: Griechenlands Parlament hat für die Einführung der Ehe für alle gestimmt. Die orthodoxe Kirche und einige Konservative rebellieren. »

Greece Becomes First Orthodox Christian Country to Legalise Same-sex Marriage

GUARDIAN EUROPE: Lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament voted for the bill drafted by centre-right government despite church officials’ objections

Greece has become the world’s first Christian Orthodox nation to legalise same-sex marriage after the Athens parliament passed the landmark reform amid scenes of both jubilation and fury in the country.

In a rare display of parliamentary consensus, 176 MPs from across the political spectrum voted in favour of the bill. 76 rejected the reform while two abstained from the vote and 46 were not present.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community, many unable to contain their emotion, watched from the galleries above. “We have waited years for this,” said the prominent gay activist Stella Belia of legislation that will not only allow same-sex couples to exchange vows in civil ceremonies but adopt children. “It’s a historic moment. A lot of us weren’t sure it would ever come.”

The vote followed two days of heated debate – and weeks of public rancour – with the reform described by supporters as “bold” and “long overdue” and decried as “antisocial’ and “unchristian” by opponents including the powerful Orthodox church. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Friday, February 16, 2024

La Grèce légalise le mariage et l’adoption pour les couples de même sexe : Porté par le parti de droite au pouvoir, Nouvelle Démocratie, du premier ministre, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, le texte a été approuvé par 176 des 254 députés présents au Parlement à l’issue de deux jours de débat. »

Article connexe ici.

Greek PM Faces Fierce Opposition over Pledge to Legalise Gay Marriage

THE GUARDIAN: MPs in his own cabinet are against move, while powerful Orthodox church fear it could lead to dismantlement of society

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: ‘It is not something radically different from what applies in other European countries.’ Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, appears to be facing one of his most daunting challenges yet after a pledge to legalise same-sex marriage ignited fierce debate in the Orthodox Christian country.

Throwing his weight behind an issue still prone to provoke extraordinary emotion, not least among his own MPs, Mitsotakis acknowledged he would have to use his skills of persuasion to push through the reform as opposition mounted within his centre-right New Democracy party.

“I, and all those who believe in this legislation, must convince our parliamentarians and subsequently those who may still have a negative stance,” he said in his first interview of the year with the country’s public broadcaster ERT. “What we are going to legislate is equality in marriage, which means the elimination of any discrimination based on sexual orientation. It is not something radically different from what applies in other European countries.” » | Helena Smith in Athens | Thursday, January 11, 2024

Parthenon Marbles Row: Rishi Sunak Cancels Meeting with Greek PM

THE GUARDIAN: Tory source says ‘it became impossible for meeting to go ahead’ after Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged return of antiquities to Athens

Greece’s prime minister has criticised the decision of his British counterpart Rishi Sunak to cancel planned talks at which he had hoped to raise the issue of the Parthenon marbles, as disagreements over the antiquities erupted with renewed vigour.

As aides described Sunak’s move as “wrong and undignified”, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is visiting London, voiced irritation at the scheduled Downing Street meeting being called off at the 11th hour.

“I [want to] express my annoyance at the fact that the British prime minister cancelled our scheduled meeting a few hours before it was due to take place,” the centre-right leader said in a statement released by his Maximou office as the diplomatic row intensified.

“Greece and Britain are united by traditionally strong ties of friendship and the framework of our bilateral relations is exceptionally broad. The views of Greece on the Parthenon sculptures are well known.

“I had hoped to have the opportunity to discuss them with my British counterpart along with other international challenges: Gaza; Ukraine; the climate crisis; migration.”

The statement ended with Mitsotakis berating Sunak for failing to rise to the challenge of discussing the fate of antiquities that have spawned the west’s longest running cultural row. “Whoever believes in the correctness and justice of his views is never afraid of opposing arguments,” it read. » | Helena Smith in Athens | Monday, November 27, 2023

Fishy goings on in Rishi’s Downing Street hideaway! I hadn’t known before this that being rude to prime ministers of other European nations was in our own prime minister’s remit. Does Rishi's rude behaviour show lack of courage or lack of politesse, or perhaps a lack of both? – © Mark Alexander

Hundreds Stranded without Food in Greece Floods - BBC News

Sep 8, 2023 | In Greece, hundreds of people are stranded without food or water after a devastating storm killed at least 10 people and caused enormous damage.

Storm Daniel was the worst to hit the country for more than a century. It's left a trail of devastation across the central region of Thessaly. Homes were swept away, roads and bridges collapsed and much of Greece's best agricultural land, is now under water.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten; reporting by Sofia Bettiza in Larissa.

Hundreds of Firefighters Continue to Battle Wildfires across Europe - BBC News

Jul 28, 2023 | Wildfires continue to spread across Europe and the Mediterranean, with hundreds of firefighters tackling fires in countries like Italy and Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said his country needs to take more steps to combat the effects of climate change. The BBC’s Bethany Bell and Sofia Bettiza report from Rhodes and southern Italy.

Greece Wildfires: Two Pilots Dead as Plane Crashes Fighting Flames

ul 25, 2023 | Greece has declared three days of national mourning for its armed forces - after two air force pilots were killed as they battled the intense wildfires which have been raging across the south of the country for days. With flames still spreading in the scorching heat and strong winds - more people have been evacuated from Rhodes and Corfu. While Italy is also in the grip of extreme weather - forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes.

Rhodes and Corfu Wildfires: Thousands Evacuated from Island Fires - BBC News

Jul 14, 2023 | Wildfires on Rhodes have forced 19,000 people to be evacuated from homes and holiday accommodation.

Flights are due to land on the Greek island later on Monday to bring back stranded holidaymakers. Tourists have been sleeping at the airport, makeshift rescue centres and on the street, after the flames threatened holiday resorts. At least three hotels have been destroyed in the dense forest area of Kiotari on the east of the island.

Another evacuation order was issued for parts of Corfu, some 1,027km (670 miles) miles away, on Sunday evening.


Related here, here and here.

Greece: Wildfires Break Out on Corfu and Evia as 19,000 Flee Rhodes Blazes

THE GUARDIAN: Boats ready to pick up evacuees on Corfu as heatwave continues and firefighters tackle blazes on Rhodes that sparked Greece’s largest wildfire evacuation

Firefighters in Greece were struggling to contain 82 wildfires burning across the country, 64 of which started on Sunday, the hottest day of the summer so far.

As well as huge blazes on the island of Rhodes, which forced 19,000 to flee, wildfires also broke out on the islands of Evia and Corfu.

On Evia, authorities told residents of four southern villages to evacuate to the town of Karystos, west of where the fire was advancing. » | Guardian staff and agencies | Monday, July 24, 2023

Rhodes: Thousands Evacuated from Greek Island as Wildfires Spread – BBC News

Jul 23, 2023 | Thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and hotels on the Greek island of Rhodes after wildfires engulfed large parts of the island. Greece's fire service told the BBC it apologises for what it called "a mess" on the island, warning that the situation could worsen due to weather. More than 3,500 people have been evacuated by land and sea to safety.

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