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Greece a champion in absorbing EU fundsGreece has not only secured the most funds among European Union countries from the Recovery and Resilience Fund as a percentage of its GDP – i.e. 30.5 billion euros or 16.7% of GDP – but it has so far absorbed the most – €11.1 billion or some 6.1% of its GDP – according to the relevant European Commission performance table.
Tourism set for record takingsGreek tourism is heading for a new record for travel receipts this year despite the decline in the growth rate of bookings from Germany for holidays in Greece in the third quarter. Last year, travel receipts reached 17.7 billion euros, while the record belongs to 2019, with €18.2 billion. The challenge for this year is to exceed €18.5 billion.According to the data available to Kathimerini from Greek tourism operators, both the first and second quarters of 2023 appear significantly strengthened compared to 2022.
Three-quarters of Greek motorists talk on phone while drivingOver three-quarters (76%) of Greek drivers talk on the phone and 84% of them use their smartphone for other purposes like watching videos while driving, according to an Ipsos survey for the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation, released last month.In the poll, over 12,000 motorists from 11 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK) were asked about their driving habits, for the 13th European Responsible Driving Barometer.The data showed 92% of Greek drivers consider other drivers to be dangerous.Almost one in ten (9%) of Greek drivers admit to driving while drunk while 15% said they have caused an accident due to excessive alcohol consumption.One in ten drivers said they have driven after having smoked cannabis or used other drugs.Regarding speed limits, 8 out of 10 Greek drivers said they exceed the speed limit, while 44% said they do not wear a seat belt while driving.
Women rule on the Greek island of Karpathos"Here it is women who command!" declared Rigopoula Pavlidis, as she sang the virtues of her remote village on the island of Karpathos, one of Greece's rare matriarchal societies.
Tories in turmoil as bitter Boris allies force third by-election in ‘revenge’ attackGove defends Sunak as senior figures hit out at ‘narcissistic’ Johnson exit statement – and warn he faces more sanctionsRishi Sunak is facing a third by-election as fresh turmoil engulfed the Tories after another close Boris Johnson ally resigned from the Commons in an apparent revenge attack aimed at creating “chaos” for the prime minister.Capping a tumultuous 24 hours, Mr Johnson’s friend Nigel Adams announced on Saturday that he was following the ex-PM and the former culture secretary Nadine Dorries in quitting parliament with “immediate effect”.Senior Tories told The Independent that Mr Johnson and his “bitter” associates are “lashing out” in an attempt to damage the Sunak administration, as some speculated that they could coordinate a string of by-elections this summer.Mr Johnson was accused of “Trumpian” behaviour after claiming he was forced out by a witch-hunt, with both former allies and senior figures in his party accusing the ex-PM of disrespecting parliament and talking “rubbish”.The former Tory leader was warned he could face even more charges next week if the privileges committee thinks his “narcissistic” resignation statement amounts to contempt of parliament, while the opposition urged Mr Sunak to revoke Mr Johnson’s resignation honours.