0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Pending Waterway Bill Tabled in Greek ParliamentA draft law foreseeing the establishment of waterways in Greece, set to pave the way for the operation of seaplane flights as early as 2020 across the country has been tabled in parliament this week awaiting ratification. Among others, the bill, which went up for public consultation last month simplifies licensing procedures for the establishment and operation of waterways and introduces other provisions including granting permits to private entities and establishing a committee for waterway inspections.The proposed legislation also foresees a 10-euro waterway operation surcharge per passenger and sanctions granting waterway permits to tourist ports (marinas, shelters and berths), to areas of “integrated tourism development”, and to complex-style tourist accommodation facilities.
Greece Plans Floating Fence to Stop MigrantsThe government in Greece wants to use a floating barrier to help stop migrants from reaching the Greek islands from the nearby coast of Turkey.The Defense Ministry has invited private contractors to bid on supplying a 2.7-kilometer-long (1.7 miles) floating fence within three months, according to information available on a government procurement website Wednesday. No details were given on when the barrier might be installed.
Norton Motorcycles goes into administrationThe 122-year-old British motoring brand was acquired by entrepreneur Stuart Garner in 2008The classic British motoring marque Norton Motorcycles has slumped into administration, marking the latest crisis for the 122-year-old brand.Norton – which is famed for its starring roles in the adaptation of the Che Guevara memoir, The Motorcycle Diaries, and the James Bond film Spectre – was acquired by an entrepreneur called Stuart Garner in 2008, after it had been under US ownership and had ceased producing bikes.Garner pledged to return the marque to its former glories.However, the company appears to have been engulfed by a developing financial crisis, which has seen it being pursued this month by HMRC for £300,000 in unpaid taxes.
Last Battle of Britain flying ace Paul Farnes dies aged 101Farnes was last surviving pilot with the accolade of having downed at least five planesFarnes, a Hurricane pilot, was the last surviving ace, an accolade referring to those who brought down at least five enemy planes. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, the highest honour in the air force for non-officers.
Europe wants to get rid of 1 and 2 cents coinsThe European Commission intends to withdraw all coins of 1 and 2 cents from circulation, in due course.The Commission’s 2020 work programme, which will be presented in its entirety on Wednesday, will include a proposal for ‘uniform rules for rounding prices’, which in turn will lead to the abolition of the copper coins over the course of 2020.
Parliament Approves 2,000-Euro Benefit for Every Child Born in GreeceGreece has taken a step in trying to stem its decline in population by approving a new law on Tuesday awarding a one-time benefit of 2,000 euros for every child born in the country as of January 1, 2020.
France to send warships to support Greece in Turkish standoffGreek PM welcomes move as row with Ankara over energy reserves intensifiesGreece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has welcomed a decision by France to dispatch war frigates to the eastern Mediterranean as a standoff with Turkey over regional energy reserves intensifies.With tensions between Athens and Ankara causing growing international alarm, Mitsotakis described the vessels as “guarantors of peace”.
Second EU referendum would not be ‘wholly unreasonable’ after Brexit, says Nigel FarageBrexit Party leader says he will miss being the ‘pantomime villain’ of the European parliamentBritain could hold a second EU referendum after it becomes clear how Brexit has worked out, Nigel Farage has said. The Brexit Party leader said another vote might not be “wholly unreasonable” once voters had had time to see the effects of the policy.
Prevention key to batting fires, expert stressesPlans for Greece's new civil protect mechanism appear to put too much emphasis on fighting fires rather than preventing them, warns Professor Johann Georg Goldammer, director of the Global Fire Monitoring Center based at Freiburg University and senior scientist at the Max Planck Society.