We chose RCI because we like the quality and standard of their service. We left from Venice which we had never been too we got in early and were able to explore the city prior to boarding. we found getting from Marco Polo airport to the cruise port very ...
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Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Would-be Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis charged over match-fixing and the ...
Marinakis is also the owner of perennial GREEK champions Olympiacos, who won their 18th domestic title in 20 years this season with six games to ...
GREEK islands of peace against a sea of troubles
All of the above comments are genuine and were submitted to official Internet sites from tourists who vacationed in Greece during last week.
Avoid the Mykonos Crowds at These Stunning, Lesser-Known Greek Isles
Don’t miss the medieval town of Kastro, a tiny fortified enclave bolted to steep cliffs that resemble a set from some lost Indiana Jones movie. Where to stay: Book the private villas that form part of the Verina boutique hotel, with a private lap pool ...
Troubled Greek broadcaster Mega to lose license in shakeup
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities in Greece say popular private broadcaster Mega Television has dropped out of the bidding for a national television license, under an overhaul of broadcasting regulations ordered by the country's left-wing government.
23 shipwrecks discovered off GREECE dating from around 1000 BC to the 19th century AD.
An expedition to the Fourni archipelago in GREECE, co-directed by a University of Southampton archaeologist, has found 23 new shipwrecks dating ...
GREECE'S 442 Adventists Share Faith in Strictly Orthodox Setting
GREECE'S 442 Adventists Share Faith in Strictly Orthodox Setting. Please pray for the work in GREECE, for the souls who will hear the message, and for ...
Human capital is GREECE'S No1 export
Roughly 350,000 Greeks, mostly highly educated, are estimated to have moved abroad since 2008, making human capital GREECE'S number one ...
World's Bond Issuers Study GREEK History for Brexit Advice
Bonds sold by some GREEK companies provide a blueprint for how to protect investors from country-specific exposure, according to Christine Tadros, ...
At American Dance Festival, Greek tragedies expertly performed
RIOULT Dance NY’s three-part program at the American Dance Festival, “Women on the Edge … Unsung Heroines of the Trojan War,” could easily serve as an introduction to modern dance for newcomers and those intimidated by pieces open to interpretation. …
First-ever legal bid for return of Elgin Marbles to Greece thrown out by European Court of Human Rights
A frieze which forms part of the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Parthenon in Athens, on display at the British Museum Getty Images The first-ever legal bid to force the UK to return the ‘Elgin Marbles’ to Greece has been thrown out by the European Court ...
DeMarcus Cousins took another shot at the Sacramento Kings, and a divorce is looking more and more inevitable
[DeMarcus Cousins]Ed Szczepanski/USA TODAY Sports The world of sports is confusing, and few people know that better than Sacramento Kings star center DeMarcus Cousins. According to NBC Sports, Cousins is confused about the moves the Kings made this offseason, a shot that sounds a lot like a lack of confidence in his team's front office. "I don’t really understand what’s going on," Cousins told the media. "I just control what I can control; I let them do their jobs." This is just the latest jab Cousins has seemingly thrown at his own team. During the NBA Draft in June, the Kings traded down to draft Greek center Georgios Papagiannis. This left many experts scratching their heads and wonder why general manager Vlade Divac would want another center when he already has Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein, two play-in-the-paint big men in their own right. Seemingly in response to that, Cousins tweeted: Tweet Embed: https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/746149291249410050 Lord give me the strength 🙏🏿 He later said that the tweet was really about his "hot sculpting yoga class," but people obviously interpreted as him expressing his exasperation with a team that doesn't seem to have a defined agenda. In addition, the Kings' free agency strategy hasn't really helped matters, as they've acquired a list of solid role players, but no one whose name would jump off the page and grab your attention. It's really up to new head coach Dave Joerger to make everything fit together and work, but at least for the moment, only the following is true: Boogie doesn't get it. NOW WATCH: This motorized surfboard just took surfing to a new level
5 epic battles where the victors ended up losing the war
[The Siege Of Sparta By Pyrrhus]Public Domain There’s no more unfortunate name in the annals of military history than King Pyrrhus of Epirus whose lands were on the west coast of the Hellenic Peninsula, in modern-day Greece. While he famously won a string of battles against Rome and Carthage in 281 BC, he took horrendous casualties, sometimes as high as 15,000. After one of his costly victories, Pyrrhus famously declared, “One more victory like that and we’re finished.” Thus the term “Pyrrhic Victory” was born, describing any victory in warfare that cost so much to gain, the winner’s army never really recovers. This victory may have been the first Pyrrhic one, but it certainly wasn’t the last. Here are a few more costly “wins” that nevertheless lost the war. 1. THE BATTLE OF MALPLAQUET Wikimedia Commons In 1700, Spain’s King Charles II died without an heir. In the power struggle that followed, France’s 90,000-strong army fought a coalition of 100,000 Dutch, Austrian, Prussian and British soldiers. Slightly outnumbered, the French sought to level the playing field by setting up obstacles and digging fortifications to stymie the coalition. It took seven full hours to dislodge the French, and the Duke of Marlborough lost 24,000 men doing it. The rest were too tired to keep going. The French lost less than half that. Marlborough was replaced and the alliance against the French began to fall apart. 2. THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL Public Domain In another case of superior numbers running head-on against a fortified position, 2,200 British regulars advancing on Breed’s Hill were ordered to attack the 1,000 American militiamen there. Capturing the hill would give the British the Heights overlooking Boston, so British General William Howe ordered three advances. The first two repelled the redcoats because of very accurate fire from the militiamen. Out of ammo and looking at a hand-to-hand fight for the hill, the militia abandoned the fortification and retreated on the third British advance. The British lost almost half of their attacking force while the colonial rebels lost only 400 men. 3. NAPOLEON AT BORODINO Public Domain L’Empereur’s invasion of Imperial Russia in 1812 took more than a half million Frenchmen into the heart of the Russian Empire. Napoleon chased the Russians, first under General Barclay de Tolly and then General Mikhail Kutuzov, all the way to Moscow, the Russians burning or otherwise destroying anything in their wake that might have been of use to the French. Near the village of Borodino near modern-day Moscow, Kutuzov’s army stopped to give Napoleon a fight. The Russians positioned their right wing on an ideal defensive ground while the left occupied a series of redoubts near the village. Napoleon threw 130,000 men at the redoubts, which the Russians fought bitterly to keep. The French lost 35,000 men but failed to destroy the Russian Army. Napoleon marched on Moscow but found the Russians burned the city. The French Emperor stayed for two months. When he realized the Russians would not negotiate for peace, he marched his exhausted troops home. By the time Napoleon’s Grande Armeé found its way home, there were only 93,000 survivors. SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER
Turkey's Erdogan is targeting more than 50,000 people to purge after the failed coup
[Turkish Supporters are silhouetted against a screen showing President Tayyip Erdogan during a pro-government demonstration in Ankara, Turkey, July 17, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner]Thomson Reuters ISTANBUL/ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey vowed to root out allies of the U.S.-based cleric it blames for an abortive coup last week, widening a purge of the army, police and judiciary on Tuesday to universities and schools, the intelligence agency and religious authorities. Around 50,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended or detained since the coup attempt, stirring tensions across the country of 80 million which borders Syria's chaos and is a Western ally against Islamic State. "This parallel terrorist organization will no longer be an effective pawn for any country," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said, referring to what the government has long alleged is a state within a state controlled by followers of Fethullah Gulen. "We will dig them up by their roots," he told parliament. A spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan said the government was preparing a formal request to the United States for the extradition of Gulen, who Turkey says orchestrated the failed military takeover on Friday in which at least 232 people were killed. Seventy-five-year-old Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania but has a network of supporters within Turkey, has condemned the coup attempt and denied any role in it. A former ally-turned critic of Erdogan, he suggested the president staged it as an excuse for a crackdown after a steady accumulation of control during 14 years in power. On Tuesday, authorities shut down media outlets deemed to be supportive of the cleric and said 15,000 people had been fired from the education ministry, 492 from the Religious Affairs Directorate, 257 from the prime minister's office and 100 intelligence officials. The lira weakened to beyond 3 to the dollar after state broadcaster TRT said all university deans had been ordered to resign, recalling the sorts of broad purges seen in the wake of successful military coups of the past. In a sign of international concern, a German official said a serious fissure had opened in Turkey and he feared fighting would break out within Germany's large Turkish community. "A deep split is emerging in Turkish society," Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann told the Berliner Zeitung newspaper. "The danger of an escalation in violence between Erdogan supporters and opponents has also risen in Germany." "DOUBLE STANDARDS" [RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN TURKEY TURKISH PRESIDENT]THOMSON REUTERS Turkey's Western allies have expressed solidarity with the government over the coup attempt but also alarm at the scale and swiftness of the response, urging it to adhere to democratic values. Prime Minister Yildirim accused Washington, which said it will consider Gulen's extradition only if clear evidence is provided, of double standards in its fight against terrorism. Yildirim said the justice ministry had sent a dossier to U.S. authorities on Gulen, whose religious movement blends conservative Islamic values with a pro-Western outlook and who has a network of supporters within Turkey. "We have more than enough evidence, more than you could ask for, on Gulen," Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told reporters outside parliament. "There is no need to prove the coup attempt, all evidence shows that the coup attempt was organized on his will and orders." Seeking to quash any suggestion of lingering instability, the army said it had resumed full control. Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus denied reports that 14 naval vessels were missing and their commanders were seeking to defect. Kurtulmus also told reporters 9,322 people were under legal proceedings in relation to the attempted coup. Eight soldiers have sought asylum in neighboring Greece and Turkey says they must be handed back or it will not help relations between the neighbors, which have long been uneasy. Around 1,400 people were wounded as soldiers commandeered tanks, attack helicopters and warplanes, strafing parliament and the intelligence headquarters and trying to seize the main airport and bridges in Istanbul. The army general staff said it would punish "in the most severe way" any members of the armed forces responsible for what it called "this disgrace", adding that most had nothing to do with the coup. "No clandestine terrorist organization will have the nerve to betray our blessed people again," Yildirim said. DEATH PENALTY CENTER STAGE [SUPPORTERS OF TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN GATHER AT TAKSIM SQUARE IN CENTRAL ISTANBUL, TURKEY, JULY 16, 2016. REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD]THOMSON REUTERS Some Western leaders expressed concern that Erdogan, who said he was almost killed or captured by the mutineers, was using the opportunity to consolidate power and further a process of stifling dissent. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, voiced "serious alarm" on Tuesday at the mass suspension of judges and prosecutors and urged Turkey to allow independent monitors to visit those who have been detained. The foreign ministry has said criticism of the government's response amounts to backing the coup. Turkey scrapped capital punishment in 2004 as part of its push to join the European Union, and European leaders have warned Ankara that restoring it would derail its EU aspirations. But in the aftermath of the coup, Erdogan has repeatedly called for parliament to consider his supporters' demands to apply the death penalty for the plotters. Yildirim said Turkey would respect the rule of law and not be driven by revenge in prosecuting suspected coup plotters. Speaking alongside the leader of the main secularist opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), he said the country must avoid the risk that some people try to exploit the current situation. "We need unity ... and brotherhood now," he said. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a right-wing grouping and the smallest of the three opposition parties represented in parliament, said it would back the government if it decides to restore the death penalty. More than 6,000 soldiers and around 1,500 others have been detained since the abortive coup. About 8,000 police officers, including in the capital Ankara and the biggest city Istanbul, have been removed on suspicion of links to the plot. Some 1,500 finance ministry officials have also been removed from their posts. Annual leave has been suspended for more than three million civil servants, while close to 3,000 judges and prosecutors have also been purged. A court remanded 26 generals and admirals in custody on Monday, Turkish media said. "100 PERCENT SECURITY" Officials in Ankara say former air force chief Akin Ozturk, who has appeared in detention with his face and arms bruised and one ear bandaged, was a co-leader of the coup. Turkish media said on Monday he had denied this to prosecutors, saying he had tried to prevent the attempted putsch. The coup crumbled after Erdogan, on holiday with his family at the coastal resort of Marmaris, phoned in to a television news program and called for his followers to take to the streets. He was able to fly into Istanbul in the early hours of Saturday, after the rebel pilots had his plane in their sights but did not shoot it down. He said on Monday he might have died if he had left Marmaris any later and that two of his bodyguards had been killed. The bloodshed shocked the nation, where the army last used force to stage a successful coup more than 30 years ago, and shattered fragile confidence in the stability of a NATO member state already rocked by Islamic State suicide bombings and an insurgency by Kurdish militants. Since the coup was put down, Erdogan has said enemies of the state still threatened the nation and has urged Turks to take to the streets every night until Friday to show support for the government. (Additional reporting by Gareth Jones, Orhan Coskun,; Writing by Nick Tattersall and Philippa Fletcher; Editing by Peter Millership and David Stamp) NOW WATCH: Here's what popular dog breeds looked like before and after 100 years of breeding
Greece Tire Market to Reach € three.four Billion by 2021, States TechSci Analysis. South Carolina SC
NEW YORK, Jul. 19, 2016 - –Expanding Car Fleet Size, Favorable Authorities Policies & Expanding Tourism Sector to Drive Greece Tire Market Via 2021 In accordance to lately released TechSci Analysis report, “Greece Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities ...
Erick Green: Signs two-year contract with GREEK team
Green signed a two-year contract with GREEK club Olympiacos last week, Sportando reports. Green logged nine appearances between the Nuggets ...
Discounts in place for Little Greek anniversary
Little Greek Fresh Grill is observing its anniversary date through weeklong sandwich deals — and some freebies. At the fast-casual restaurant brand's 16 Tampa Bay area locations (Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa included), $5 gyro, chicken and ...
Turkey Denies that 14 Ships Still Missing After Botched Coup
Turkey’s navy is reportedly unable to account for 14 ships that may be on their way to Greece according to the Times, however, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus denied naval vessels are unaccounted for. The missing ships were on duty in the Aegean and Black Sea areas on Friday when the failed coup attempt […]
A Hot-Air Balloon Ride Over the Hanging Rocks of Meteora
There is no better way to enjoy the magical place of Meteora, than on a hot-air balloon, the owner of the company that organises the tours said in an interview with Praktorio 104.9 FM. Meteora, which in Greek means suspended in mid-air, has one of the most famous and photographed landscapes in the world. Wind […]
Greek Budget Records 2.47-Billion-Euro Surplus in First Semester of 2016
The Greek state budget recorded a primary surplus of 2.47 billion euros in the first semester of 2016. The same six-month period last year recorded a primary surplus of 1.884 billion euros, surpassing the budget target for a primary deficit of 1.033 billion euros. The monthly report of the State Accounting Office, published on Tuesday, showed net […]
Greece’s Top Export: Brains Who Left To Find Jobs
Greece's economic crisis and culture that holds down its best and brightest has cost the country 50 billion euros in lost talent.
Turkey ups pressure on GREECE to extradite soldiers who fled there after failed coup
The soldiers have already started procedures to seek political asylum in GREECE. They were registered near the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis.
Turkey threatens GREECE after eight 'coup plotters' allowed to land in helicopter following dramatic ...
Turkey has issued a warning to GREECE over Athens' decision to let eight alleged coup plotters helicopter into the country. The officers were permitted ...
Greek Parliament Doesn’t Have 200 Votes in Support of Electoral Law
The ultranationalist Golden Dawn (GD) party announced that it will abstain from voting on the relevant legislation to change the electoral law, leaving 179 deputies in favor and 102 against. This means that the SYRIZA-led government will fail in its ...
Greece’s Health Ministry Trying to Restrict E-cigarettes in Public Places
The Health Ministry in Greece has drafted a bill that would prohibit the usage of electronic cigarettes in public enclosed places. The bill was tabled in Parliament on Friday as the ministry has equated the electronic cigarettes as a potential gateway to ...
Greece Tire Market to Reach € 3.4 Billion by 2021, Says TechSci Research
Expanding Vehicle Fleet Size, Favorable Government Policies and Expanding Tourism Sector to Drive Greece Tire Market Through 2021 Greece's motorization rate has been quite stagnant over the last few years, with the same standing at 583 per 1,000 ...
US Finance Minister Jack Lew to meet GREEK PM in Athens
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew will meet GREEK Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos on Thursday at 11:00, during his visit to Athens this week.
GREEK Pyrros Dimas to lead USA weightlifting team
Dimas — who has also been a member of GREEK Parliament and serves on the International Weightlifting Federation's Executive Board — has a ...
Loyal exhibitors prove the worthiness of attending Hong Kong International Stationery Fair
Jul 19, 2016 Picture: The 17th edition of the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair will return from 9 – 12 January 2017. The four-day trade fair is expected to gather more than 220 exhibitors from around the globe. The major product zones are DIY Supplies, Gift Stationery, Kids & School, Pen & Paper as well as Smart Office. Jointly organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the show is the first stationery, hobby & crafts and office supplies industry event in the calendar year. It connects industry players and offers innovative products and ideas for business development to stay ahead of the industry. Diakakis Imports SA from Greece is a loyal exhibitor at Hong Kong International Stationery Fair. The regular participant intends to display products of various brands including Luna, Must, Tesoro and Stop & Look at the show. Last edition’s show attracted more than 20,500 visitors from 110 countries and regions. The top five visiting countries and regions were the Chinese mainland, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the US. According to the independent on-site visitor survey commissioned by the HKTDC, over 60 percent of the visitors were from wholesale trade and close to 20 percent of them were from retail trade. Growth in school stationery market is expected Due to increasing popularity on personalised products, the demand for unique school stationery items surged. The global school stationery supplies market is expected to grow at a CAGR of almost four percent by 2020, based on research by Technavio, a market research company. Paper-based products continue to lead the overall school stationery supplies market, which represented more than half of the overall market in 2015. The research report also revealed two rising demands in the market, which are the demand for high-quality innovative stationery with multi-functions, as well as the demand for customised school stationery for unique identification of a consumer’s product. In addition, paper craft and art activities products for children are gaining popularity among consumers. - end - Media Contact: Ms Carmen Wong Hong Kong Trade Development Council Tel: +852 2240 4606 Fax: +852 2270 5874 carmen.yy.wong@hktdc.org Ms Kanice Ho Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd Tel: +852 2230 9225 Fax: +852 2598 7919 kanice.ho@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com - Distributed via ASIA TODAY http://www.AsiaToday.com Category: Event Trade Show FeaturedNews: Show in Featured News TopPicture:
Another Rio Olympics Mix-up: Greek Swimmer Invited to Rio, then Uninvited
It must have been a celebratory occasion when Greek swimmer Kristel Vourna received a formal invitation to the Rio Olympic Games on July 6. According to Kathimerini, Vourna was surprised as she had only achieved a B-standard time. The 24-year-old swimmer ...
Greek prosecutors raid former UBS manager's home in tax probe
The Greek government on Tuesday confirmed a Financial Times report that investigators took computers, documents and disks from the home of Christos Sclavounis on July 4 as part of the investigation. Sclavounis headed UBS's investment banking business in ...
Turkish Ambassador Threatens Greece: Return the ‘8’ Or Else…!
Turkey’s ambassador to Athens, Kerim Uras, held a press conference on Tuesday after the weekend coup attempt in his country. He said that the eight Turkish military officials who fled to Greece in a Turkish military helicopter would have a fair and ...
Renewables in Europe: Germany and Greece in the focus for growth
… . Using the countries Germany and Greece as a first case study … transmission network between Germany and Greece or Italy. Solar power for … Modeling results obtained at the Greek E3MLab with the PRIMES model …
Memorial service for Greek fallen
A memorial service for the officers and soldiers of the Greek Military Contingent in Cyprus (ELDYK) killed during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 was held on Tuesday. The service was held at the Lieutenant General Stavrianakou Military Camp in ...
Bunker Food: Not Just for the Apocalypse Anymore
So he and others in the business are asking, Why wait for Armageddon? With a new menu of gluten-free, organic meals, dehydrated Greek yogurt and fruit snacks, companies hope to draw a wider group of customers who will dig in well before doomsday.
Turkey threatens Athens, claims Greece should not have given landing permission to helicopter with alleged coup-plotters
Ankara escalates pressure on Athens to have the 8 military personnel that fled Turkey with an helicopter extradited. In an unprecedented move, Turkey’s ambassador to the Greek capital, Kerim Uras, threatened that “bilateral relations would be damaged if Greece does not extradite the 8 Turkish military personnel.” In order to […]
Official: Quick extradition of Turkish soldiers is in GREECE'S favour
On Friday, during the coup in Turkey, eight Turkish military personnel fled to GREECE using a military helicopter, seeking asylum. They were put in ...
The 11 cheapest places for a family holiday in Europe, ranked
[Costa Blanca]funkyfrogstock/Shutterstock A new report from Post Office Travel Money has found the most affordable destinations in Europe for a family beach holiday. To find the cheapest places for a holiday, Post Office Travel Money calculated several expenses for food and drink — including a three-course family meal with drinks, a bottle of beer, and can of Coca-Cola — as well as beach items such as suncream, ice cream, and the cost of renting a sun-lounger for half a day in a number of popular destinations. Costs cited in the report were provided by national and regional tourist offices in each destination, as well as Balkan Holidays for Bulgaria. The overall ranking is based on the total cost of all expenses in each destination. Here are the 11 cheapest places on the continent for a family holiday, along with six typical travel items: _Note: For brevity, not all prices included in the report are cited below; a full breakdown is available on Post Office Travel Money. _ 11. CORFU, GREECE — £145.44 ($193.06) foodografie/Shutterstock FAMILY MEAL: £52.25 ($69.30) BEER: £2.61 ($3.46) COCA-COLA: £1.74 ($2.31) SUN-LOUNGER: £6.10 ($8.09) SUNCREAM: £7.40 ($9.34) ICE CREAM: £1.74 ($2.31) 10. MAJORCA, SPAIN — £144.27 ($191.36) Romas_Photo/Shutterstock FAMILY MEAL: £60.96 ($80.86) BEER: £1.65 ($2.19) COCA-COLA: £1.65 ($2.19) SUN-LOUNGER: £4.35 ($5.77) SUNCREAM: £12.19 ($16.17) ICE CREAM: £2.18 ($2.89) 9. POREC, CROATIA — £144.18 ($191.24) korom/Flickr FAMILY MEAL: £53.45 ($70.90) BEER: £1.82 ($2.41) COCA-COLA: £1.82 ($2.41) SUN-LOUNGER: £9.72 ($12.89) SUNCREAM: £6.68 ($8.86) ICE CREAM: £1.46 ($1.94) SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER
Here's how the aerial battle during Turkey's military coup really went down
[TuAF F 16 take off]The Aviationist Here below is the account of what happened on Jul. 15, when a military takeover was attempted in Turkey. It is based on the information gathered by Turkish defense journalist Arda Mevlutoglu, by analysis of the Mode-S logs and reports that have been published by several media outlets in the aftermath of the coup. Shortly after 22.00 local time on July 15th, air traffic control (ATC) operator in Akinci 4th Main Jet Base (MJB), an airbase located to the northwest of Ankara, contacted his counterpart at Esenboga Airport ATC. Akinci airbase is the homebase of 141, 142 and 143 Filo (Squadrons) of the Turkish Air Force (TuAF) equipped with F-16Cs. 4MJB operator informed that two local-based F-16s were going to take off, fly at 21-22,000 feet and coordination with Esenboga ATC could not be possible. Shortly after, two F-16s calsign “Aslan 1” (“Lion 1”) and “Aslan 2” (“Lion 2”) from 141 Squadron took off from 4MJB. After take off, Aslan 1 contacted Esenboga and requested permission to climb to the designated altitude, which was granted. When asked about the intention, the pilot replied “special mission, going to fly over Ankara city.” Shortly after this communication, telephone calls from the city began reaching Esenboga, telling jets flying at very high-speed at low altitude. The time is around 22.20 – 22.25, as videos of F-16s flying over Ankara at rooftop level were filmed. Puzzled by the reports, Esenboga ATC called 4MJB ATC for an explanation. The reply was: “They took off with IFF transponders switched off.” 4MJB also informed Esenboga that a new pair of F-16s with callsign “Sahin” (“Hawk”) also took off at very low altitude. The Sahin pair threatened civilian air traffic, which was diverted through alternative approach routes. Shortly after that, Esenboga ATC detected a KC-135R callsign “Asena 02” from Incirlik 10th Main Tanker Base (MTB). The presence of this KC-135R, from 101 Filo (whose radio callsign is “Asena”), is confirmed by Mode-S logs collected by a feeder in Ankara. At this point Esenboga ATC had no contact with the mentioned F-16s and KC-135R. The Turkish Vipers began air-to-air refuelling from “Asena 02” periodically. Noteworthy, as many as 4 KC-135R reportedly flew from Incirlik (Asena 01 to 04 – the first appearing on the Mode-S logs). It was reported that coup supporting aircraft and helicopters opened fire at: * Police Special Operations Forces headquarters at Golbasi (bombed by F-16. 47 policemen killed) * Police Aviation Division headquarters at Golbasi * Turkish Grand National Assembly building (TBMM) * Turkish Police general headquarters * MIT (national intelligence organization) headquarters at Yenimahalle * TurkSAT (state satellite operator) headquarters at Golbasi * Presidental Palace at Bestepe Youtube Embed: http://www.youtube.com/embed/xDGr0EBF5bc Width: 840px Height: 472.5px For a few hours, coup F-16s flew over Ankara at very high speeds, often breaking the sound barrier at very low altitudes, releasing flares. It was reported also that F-16s from both sides entered dogfight over Ankara and Istanbul, however no aircraft has been shot down according to the reports obtained thus far. Interestingly, one of the coup plotters aboard a “rebel” F-16 was the pilot who shot down the Russian Su-24 Fencer that had violated the Turkish airspace back in November 2015. F-16s from Dalaman, Erzurum and Balikesir took off to intercept coup F-16s that according to the reports were as many as 6. Merzifon 5MJB, which is one of the closest MJB’s to Ankara was at renovation and closed. All its fighters were temporarily based in Erzurum. Meanwhile, “Asena 02” left Ankara and climbed to max operational altitude, circling over Kastamonu. Asena 03 took over its role of supporting coup F-16s. A couple of arriving F-16s were directed to Asena 02 to shoot it down, but did not do so probably due to the fact that it was flying over residential areas. [AH1W Cobra]The Aviationist At least one AH-1 Cobra, probably an AH-1W type opened fire with its 20mm gun to protesting crowd and TBMM. This helicopter or another one repotedly opened fire at TurkSAT (State satellite operator) headquarters at Golbasi. This helicopter was reportedly shot down by a loyalist F-16. A S-70A opened fire at the front gates of MIT campus. Reportedly tried to insert commandos to take over the facility and kidnap Hakan Fidan, head of the service. This helicopter is reportedly shot down (not confirmed). One or two Air Force AS532 CSAR helicopters raided a wedding ceremony of a high rank general in Istanbul which was attended by many generals. CSAR commandos kidnapped them. 8 cargo aircraft (C-160 and A400M included – one using callsign “Esem 26” was in the air when the takeover unfolded) took off from Kayseri and landed at Malatya 7MJB. They were full of weapons to be used by coup. Coup F-16s searched for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s plane, TC-ATA around Istanbul to shoot it down. According to some media reports rebel TuAF F-16s had the plane in their sights: it’s unclear whether they had a real lock-on, rather that they probably were searching the sky for the Gulfstream IV. Furthermore, TC-ATA used a callsign THY 8456 to disguise as a Turkish Airlines airplane (Turkish’s callsign is THY) and the risk of shooting down another plane, and losing credibility too, could be a factor affecting the coup’s F-16s to shot down his plane and kill Erdogan. TC-ATA was flying from Dalaman to Istanbul Ataturk, which was raided by coup supporters. ATC was taken over, all lights off. Shortly before TC-ATA’s landing, it was taken from rebels. Details of Erdogan’s flight can be found here. Early morning of 16 July, fighters (probably F-4E 2020) from Eskisehir 2MJB bombed the main runway of 4MJB whilst at least one Turkish Air Force F-16C Block 50 was circling to the west of Ankara most probably in Combat Air Patrol. In the afternoon on the same day an E-7 AEW of 131 Filo and an F-16 of 142 Filo were flying in Ankara area, likely ready to intercept any helicopter or small plane trying to flee towards Greece. _H/T to Arda Mevlutoglu for widely contributing to this post. Additional info from @CivMilAir and @Avischarf _ NOW WATCH: Ian Bremmer shoots down the conspiracy theory that the coup in Turkey was meant to fail
On The Trail in Greece: Nafplio City Tours By Catherine Tsounis
GREEK cities have economical tours, partially funded by the municipalities. It is one hundred percent cheaper than a taxi. The hotel's reception said it is ...
Turkey ambassador: Greece must return 8 military personnel
[Turkish military personnel who were aboard a Blackhawk military helicopter are transferred to a prosecutor's office in the city of Alexandroupolis, northern Greece, Sunday July 17, 2016. A Blackhawk military helicopter with seven Turkish military personnel and one civilian landed in the Greek city, where the passengers requested asylum. While Turkey demanded their extradition, Greece said it would hand back the helicopter and consider the men's asylum requests. (Giannis Moιsiadis/InTime News via AP) GREECE OUT]ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Turkey's ambassador to Greece said Tuesday that Turkish public opinion is closely watching the case of eight Turkish military personnel who flew to Greece aboard a helicopter during last Friday's attempted coup in their country, and that failure for them to be returned to Turkey could harm bilateral relations.
Greek Tax Authorities Raid Home of Former UBS Local Bank Boss
Greek authorities have raided the home of a former local boss of UBS investment bank as part of an extensive investigation into suspected tax evasion. Hellenic Police raided the home of Christos Sclavounis in Athens and took away computers, documents and disks, according to The Financial Times. Sclavounis was UBS head of investment banking in […]
Greek Migration Minister Admits Lack of Control of Refugee Funding
Deputy Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas said that the Greek government did not have control of European Union funding allocated to handling the refugee crisis. Speaking in parliament on Monday, Mouzalas admitted that large sums of money were given to ...
Tsipras Makes His Move to Cut TV Licenses, Control Greek Airwaves, Blunt Critics
With SYRIZA plunging in polls, Premier Alexis Tsipras’ coalition government wants to cut the number of private TV licenses to four.
Greek regulator proposes new cuts in mobile termination rate
Greek regulator EETT has proposed a further reduction in mobile termination rates. Under the draft decision open for public comment, the rate would fall from 1.023 eurocents this year to 0.982 cents in 2017, 0.958 in 2018 and 0.946 cents in 2019.
Cruise Lines replace more Turkey calls with GREEK ports after attempted military coup
Following a failed attempt by Turkish military to overthrow president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, cruise lines have begun canceling calls beyond Istanbul, ...
40-Year-Old Mad GREEK to Close. Cedar-Fairmount Space Goes to Barrio Tacos
The year was 1976 when Loki Chopra opened up the Mad GREEK restaurant at the Coventryard Mall in Cleveland Heights. The owner had an idea to ...
Greece: Migrant Children in Police Cells
(Athens, July 19, 2016) – Greek authorities regularly detain asylum-seeking and other migrant children traveling on their own in small, crowded, and unsanitary police station cells, Human Rights Watch said today. They are held there for weeks and months ...
Turkey warns Greece over soldiers
… Alexandroupolis, northeastern Greece, on Saturday, July 16, 2016. Greece's defense … arrested for illegal entry into Greece.AP/PTI(AP7_16_2016_000153B) Athens: Turkey … requested political asylum in Greece and the Greek government has told Ankara …
Young Greek- Australian speaks at Victoria's parliament about the issues young people are facing
Kynthia Piakis is a young Greek- Australian 17 years old student that has recently , along with other students, has presented bills to the Youth Parliament of Victoria about the issues that young people have to encounter. Vaios Anastasopolos spoke to her ...