The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, announced today that he was “very distressed” by the conversion of the old basilica of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. The pontiff spoke after the Sunday prayer of the Angelus. “The sea carries my thoughts farther, to Istanbul. I’m thinking of Santa Sofia,” Pope Francis said.
Category: Greece
Oxfam Blasts Greek Asylum System
Oxfam, in collaboration with the Greek Refugee Council, has published a report on the implications of the new Greek asylum law. According to the organization’s officials, the changes in the Greek asylum law practically mean violating the binding standards of European altruism.
Coronavirus — Mediterranean Countries, North Korea, Ease Restrictions
After 84 days of closure due to the new coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2) pandemic, the Colosseum Archaeological Park in Rome was reopened to the public on Monday. “We are reopening a symbol. A symbol of Rome, a symbol for Italy,” said Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum’s archaeological park.
Coronavirus — Italy, Greece Reopen to Tourists
Italians will be allowed to travel to other EU countries as from June 3, the government announced Friday night, and other Europeans will be able to enter Italy from the same day. There will also no longer be a quarantine period for people entering Italy. The announcement was made by the country’s Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte.
Greece “Quits Quarantine,” Will Open to Tourists July 1
Greece is planning to restore restore international air traffic as much as possible in June, and and open recreation centers for the seasonal accommodation of tourists by July 1. As the Facebook page of the Argos camp says, the country is “quitting quarantine.” It has a roadmap for lifting restrictions.
US Lifted Arms Embargo in Cyprus – What Does It Mean for Turkey?
Cyprus is celebrating the lifting of the arms embargo by the United States. The motivation behind lifting the embargo is to prevent Turkey’s expansion in the Mediterranean. It is not a surprise, since Turkey escalated the conflict in one of the Syrian regions. Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan can not be trusted by the West. Even though Turkey is a part of NATO, it is a wild card.
Coronavirus: Orthodox Easter Celebrated at Home
Since necessity is the mother of innovation, many Orthodox Christians followed Easter resurrection services on the Internet or television. Others ignored the dangers of the virus and attended church ceremonies on the most important day on the Orthodox calendar. In Georgia, a few hundred people took part in the midnight mass at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, after the government allowed public attendance, despite measures to ban a night walkthrough to contain the virus.
Faithful Celebrate Good Friday, Easter Amid Coronavirus
Mіllіоnѕ оf Chrіѕtіаnѕ соnfіnеd оn thе fіvе continents will сеlеbrаtе Good Frіdау аnd Easter Sundау іn unрrесеdеntеd сіrсumѕtаnсеѕ. Wіthоut bеlіеvеrѕ, Pope Francis celebrated Hоlу Thursday Mаѕѕ аt thе Vаtісаn yesterday, іn whісh thе Lаѕt Suрреr was rеmеmbеrеd. Duе to COVID-19, thе Argentine pontiff dіd not сеlеbrаtе thе fооt-wаѕhіng rіtuаl.
Europe Postpones Discussing Debt, Approves Emergency Package
Eurореаn Union fіnаnсе mіnіѕtеrѕ approved a €500 billion rescue package tо prevent аnd соmbаt есоnоmіс damage durіng thе раndеmіс of соrоnаvіruѕ. In so doing, they postponed fоr thе future a debate thаt hаd bееn ѕрlіttіng thе Eurореаn Union on how (and who) to pay for it.
Coronavirus Forces Turkish, European Leaders to Conference from Home
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s four-day summit with European leaders was scheduled to take place in Istanbul, but was cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Instead, the meeting was held by video conferencing. Heads of state and government discussed ways to send humanitarian aid to Idlib, in northern Syria, and the issue of Syrian refugees.
Coronavirus: Trump Bans Travel with Europe, Greece Records First Death
After a day when the United States witnessed the number of cases of infection in the country double, Donald Trump announced that all flights from European Union countries are suspended for the next 30 days, with the exception of the United Kingdom, with effect from Friday at midnight.
Erdogan Refuses to Close Borders Until EU Meets Obligations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that until the EU agreed to meet all of his demands, it would continue to open the border and allow refugees in Turkey to travel to Europe. “Until all expectations are met in a concrete way, we will continue our current practice at our borders,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan to Meet with Merkel and Macron on Refugees
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Tuesday he would meet next week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and, possibly, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. They will meet on March 17 to discuss the refugee problem, Erdogan told the Turkish state news agency Anadolu on his return to Turkey from Brussels.
Erdogan Calls for European Support in Syria, EU Refuses to “Succumb to Blackmail”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that resolving the migration crisis requires European support in Syria, as new clashes between refugees and police on the border with Greece began. “If European countries want to resolve the issue, they must support Turkey’s efforts for political and humanitarian solutions in Syria,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara on Wednesday.
Turkey Accuses Greece of Firing on Migrants; One Dead, Several Injured
Tensions between Turkey and Greece remain high after Ankara decided last week to open its borders with Europe. In order to find a solution as soon as possible, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell continues his tour of the Turkish capital.
European Quad Play Services Market Creating a Hot Bundle
Quad-play bundles services, combining television, telephone, mobile phone services with wireless technology services. Even though customers of key telecom service providers in Europe are interested in quad-play services, they expect a significant discount to their bills.
Turkey Opens the Gates, Greeks Meet Migrants with Tear Gas
The troops of the Greek Army conducted extensive target practice on the islands east of the Aegean Sea and the river Evros on Monday. This is a report by the Greek national television station, quoted by the Ministry of Defense of Athens. From the commentator’s point of view, the exercise was Athens’ response to the increase in the number of immigrants transferred from Turkey to Lesbos, Chios, and Samos the previous day.
Greece Urges Haftar to Take Constructive Stance at Berlin Conference
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said today that, after his meeting with the leader of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, Athens expects European countries to reject the two memoranda that Turkey signed with the Libyan Government of National Accord led by Fayez Al-Sarraj. Dendias added that Athens encouraged Haftar to “constructively act” at the Berlin conference on Sunday, which aims to try to end the fighting in Libya.
Communal News Now Writes, Submits and Publishes Articles and News for Facebook News
Communal News (CN) has notched another milestone achievement. It is now being published on Facebook News. For the thousands of CN contributors, this is another venue in which your contributions to CN can be read. For Facebook readers, we have our new service at your Facebook News fingertips. Facebook News joins Communal News and Google News in delivering CN’s global fact-based news, often written by you the public. Along with the news service, CN is being published in over 100 global languages, on social media, and often finds advanced placement in organic search engines such as Google, Bing, Baidu, Yahoo and DuckDuckGo.
Greece Regrets Turkish “Extortion” on Migrants
The Grееk Mіnіѕtеr іn сhаrgе оf іmmіgrаtіоn policy, during a visit tо Washington, rеgrеttеd whаt hе саllеd the “blасkmаіl” practiced by Turkеу tо gеt mоrе hеlр from the Eurореаn Unіоn. Giorgos Kоumоutѕаkоѕ еxрrеѕѕеd соnсеrn over rесеnt thrеаtѕ by Turkіѕh Prеѕіdеnt Rесер Tayyip Erdogan to “open the dооrѕ” оf Eurоре tо іmmіgrаntѕ.
EU Sends Top Officials to Save Refugee Pact in Turkey
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer met with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara Friday in attempt to sign a new agreement between Turkey and the European Union. Seehofer praised Turkey’s efforts in refugee matters, and said that Turkey could get more funding support from the EU. He said it was difficult to control immigration to Europe without Turkey’s support, and Germany was ready to help Turkey.
Violence and Riots Follow Deadly Fires in Greek Refugee Camp
At least two migrants died after a fire broke out in a crowded refugee camp in Moria, on the Greek island of Lesbos. Two fires in Moria refugee camp, and another nearby camp on Lesbos, killed a mother and her child on Sunday night. The crowded reception center witnessed unexpected riots yesterday.
Greece Refuses to Assist Iranian Oil Tanker
The Greek government has said it will not provide any facilities to the Adrian Darya (formerly Grace 1) oil tanker. “We have sent a very clear message, saying that we do not wish to provide any facilities for the smuggling of oil to Syria,” the Greek deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday, August 21.
Washington Warns Greece: Aid to Iranian Oil Tanker ‘Will Have Consequences’
The United States has warned the Greek government and Mediterranean ports authorities against cooperating with the Iranian oil tanker which was released Sunday from Gibraltar after more than a month in detention. “It is unfortunate that this has happened,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
Greek Island of Euboea Ravaged by Fire – “Huge Ecological Disaster”
A wildfire ravaged the island of Euboea in Greece, on Wednesday, for more than 30 hours. It’s one of the biggest disasters in the history of the country, and the country’s authorities have since described it as a “huge ecological disaster.” The Greek firefighters put in a lot of efforts to contain the massive fire that ravaged one of the best-preserved wildlife sanctuaries on the island.
Med Hurricane “Medicane” in Greece Leaves Dozens with Injuries
Six tourists died and more than 30 were injured during a small hurricane, which unexpectedly struck late on Wednesday at Halkidiki resorts in northern Greece, near Thessaloniki. Powerful wind gusts, rain, and storm tore the roofs off buildings, overturned cars and caused flooding in hotels. Authorities declared an emergency with more than 100 rescue workers at the disaster’s site.
Greece Elections Next Week: The Center Strikes Back, and the Kids Are All Right
The conventional wisdom in politics suggests that radicals and revolutionaries can’t govern. That may explain, better than anything, why the left-wing government of Alexis Tsipras is headed for the exits next week. After four years in power, Sunday is the end of the line for Tsipras, and his Syriza party, as voters in the birthplace of democracy head to the polls. Fed up with populism, polling suggests Greeks will return their country to the center.
Value of Negative Yielding Debt Hits Record $12.5 Trillion – Indicating European Troubles
A negative interest rate definition: The issuer (for example a bank) will charge negative interest. Instead of receiving interest on the deposit funds, depositors must pay regularly, or have negative interest rates deducted, to keep their money with the bank. This is intended to incentivize banks to lend money more freely and businesses and individuals to invest, lend, and spend money rather than pay a fee to keep it safe.
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