Earlier this week in Thessaloniki, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Greek Minister of Development & Investments Adonis Georgiadis signed a joint U.S. and Greece commitment to promote science and technology. This agreement–which replaces a previous more generalized agreement dating back to 1980–will benefit both citizens and the economy while promoting security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios, who attended the signing of the agreement, said in a statement that it "will pave the way for R&D investment, technological advancement, and continued leadership in cutting edge fields."

 

The U.S State Department has published the agreement fact sheet, which can be found here.

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This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

Microsoft Corp. has announced its "GR for GRowth" initiative, a significant technology commitment to support the people, government, and businesses of all sizes in Greece with the technology and means to create new growth opportunities.

As part of the plan, Microsoft announces its intention to build new data centers in Greece, adding the country to Microsoft's massive global infrastructure map and delivering low-latency, enterprise-grade access cloud services. Furthermore, Microsoft has announced its plan to train approximately 100,000 professionals in Greece in digital technologies by 2025.

The initiative was announcer by Microsoft President Brad Smith at the Acropolis Museum in the presence of the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the General Manager of Microsoft Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, Theodosis Michalopoulos.

"Today's commitment to the people and businesses of Greece will position the country among the digital leaders of Europe. A Microsoft data center region provides a competitive advantage to our digital economy. At the same time, it is a long-term investment and a vote of confidence in our country's potential. The cloud is transforming every industry and sector. The investment in skilling 100,000 citizens will empower Today and tomorrow's Greek workforce," said Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Microsoft's "GR for GRowth" initiative is a vital step for Greece, with technology as a catalyst for growth, providing people and businesses the tools and expertise to thrive and innovate in the digital era.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.microsoft.com

Last week, Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) published the 2020 Readers' Choice Awards survey results. Folegandros, Zakynthos, Crete, and Mykonos, dominated the Europe list of the 35 World's Best Islands outside the United States.

For its 33rd Readers' Choice Awards, Condé Nast Traveler invited 600,000 travelers to an online vote for the Top Islands in 6 areas – Asia, Australia, & the South Pacific, the Caribbean & the Atlantic, Africa & the Indian Ocean, Europe, and North America.

The magazine's readers voted Folegandros as the best island in Europe! Folegandros is a remote island of unique natural beauty and a laid-back atmosphere that has become a favorite for those seeking an authentic Greek island experience.

"Craving Santorini's famous whitewashed houses and cobblestoned streets, but without all of the crowds? Look no further than Folegandros, Santorini's smaller neighbor to the northwest by some 40 miles, which has all that and more. During the day, visit the island's most famous monument, Chrysospiliá ("Golden Cave"); if it's remote beaches you're after, try Agios Georgios or Ambeli," CNT published.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com

Following their meeting in Copenhagen last week, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias and the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, have announced that the World Health Organization's (WHO) head office or the Quality of Health Care and Patient Safety will be in Athens.

 

The decision of the World Health Organization – as pointed out by the Greek health ministry – was based on several parameters, such as:

A recent study attempting to date the Homeric Epics compared the natural phenomena described in the epics with astronomical phenomena and has verified the historical accuracy of the narrative.

"We believe that the myth revolves around real events," says Panagiota Preka-Papadima, a Professor of astrophysics at the University of Athens.

She and a team of scientists have published articles in various international scientific journals and concluded that some of the events described in the Epics are real, while the natural phenomena mentioned, correspond to the time of their narration.

"Odysseus arrived in Ithaca on October 25, 1207 B.C.," they wrote. "Five days later there was a 75% solar eclipse covering the Ionian Sea and then the murder of the suitors happened," they continue.

NASA maps describing natural phenomena from 4500 B.C. to 10,000 A.D. have verified the October 25, 1207 B.C. eclipse.

Furthermore, another eclipse, which took place on October 30, 1207, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, is believed to be reflected in the Odyssey. In Rhapsody Y, just before the murder, Homer describes Theoklymenos saying to the suitors:"... and the sun was gone from the sky, and a heavy darkness spread everywhere!".

"This is a description of the eclipse that covered 3/4 of the sun's disk," says Mrs. Papadima. "The date of the eclipse, October 30, 1207 B.C., is in complete agreement with the Homeric descriptions of the weather, autumnal country life, and the noontime of the murder of the suitors," continues Ms. Papadima.

Researchers have concluded that there is a historical core to the myth of Odysseus and this is a compelling revelation for science and Greek culture alike!

To read this article in full, please visit: greecehighdefinition.com

The Greek government plans to convert the former Royal Palace in Tatoi into a hub of history, culture, and luxury. The palace, which sits on grounds spanning 10,000 acres, was bought as a summer residence for the Greek royal family in the 1880s has been abandoned for almost 50 years.

Following the restoration, the estate will include shops, restaurants, nature walking trails, and a luxury hotel and spa. The main palace building will become a museum to display artifacts and items found on the site, including the royal family’s famed car collection.

Tatoi lies on Mount Parnitha, 27 kilometers from the center of Athens, in a green area with woods, rivers, and abundant wildlife.

By transforming the site into a luxury vacation spot and highlighting its royal history with a new museum, the government aspires to attract more visitors and history lovers to Greece.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

Eleni Ioannidou, an infectious diseases specialist and director of the Pathology Clinic of Rethymno Hospital in Crete, creates stunning mosaics with expired pills! The tireless physician decided to revive the spectacular art of mosaics, and her main themes revolve around the Coronavirus pandemic.

Her original idea, however, dates back to 2008 when Ioannidou voluntarily operated a social pharmacy that dispensed medication to those in financial need. It was back then that she first started creating mosaics with unused expired pills. The Greek doctor saw the multicolor patterns shaped by the drugs decided to turn them into an alternative art medium. This decision was probably one of her greatest moments as her works are spectacular!

In her Blogspot, the doctor writes that ”during the quarantine period, this occupation worked psychotherapeutically and offered me a great relief from the intensity of work, and it was creative and enjoyable at the same time.”

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

Photos: https://eleniioannidou.blogspot.com

The Municipality of Athens continues its dynamic presence in major European social "forums", presenting proposals that aim to ensure a sustainable future for European cities. The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis spoke to Euronews alongside the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Turku Minna Arve, the European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, the Vice President of the European Investment Bank Ambroise Fayolle on the occasion of the award received by the Municipality of Athens at the CDP Europe Awards 2021 for all its actions aimed at the green recovery that set the coordinates for environmental policies of other cities.

Speaking about environmentally friendly solutions, that will free up public space and adopt a new model of sustainable mobility, Mr. Bakoyannis said: "At the end of the day we should be very clear about our strategic goals if we are to go backward or move forward ".

Talking about the day after this unprecedented health crisis, the Mayor of Athens said that history has taught that past pandemics were catalytic for the transformation of urban centers, adding that "this crisis is an opportunity to transform our cities bring them into the new century, to a different era with different challenges."

Mr. Bakoyannis then pointed out the need to find local solutions that will promote the reacquisition or releasing of quality public spaces and adopt a new model of sustainable mobility, which will not only concern cars but also accessibility, public transport, and alternative means of transportation. "We have to make sure, and this is very important for us in Europe, that we are really changing without losing our souls. "We do not want to turn our cities into theme parks, you know, we want to keep our DNA alive."

CDP is a non-profit organization that annually evaluates the actions of cities around the world and recognizes those that stand out. In 2020, for the second year in a row, Athens ranked high and was included in the A-list Cities, along with 87 cities around the world, for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The CDP Europe Awards 2021 were attended by heads of large corporations, distinguished for their activities, such as LafargeHolcim, Lenzing, Handelsbanken Fonder, Ørsted, Eni, Norges Bank Investment Management, and others.

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XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing with us news and inspiring stories about how Athens is constantly becoming a cleaner, friendlier, and more welcoming city to live in.

On Thursday March 25, 2021, many important landmarks around the world will mark Greece’s bicentennial, commemorating 200 years since the declaration of its independence. 

In every corner of the globe where members of the Greek diaspora are present, the anniversary will be marked. Iconic landmarks in many countries will be illuminated in blue and white in honor of the Greek people and their struggle for freedom 200 years ago.

Greece Bicentennial in the United States

Lighting up their most iconic landmark buildings and bridges in the blue of the Greek flag for one night, American cities from East to West will honor the nation of Greece as well as the many millions of Greek-Americans who are part of the fabric of the country.

San Francisco City Hall will be illuminated with the colors of the Greek flag on March 25.

The initiative belongs to the United Hellenic American Societies (UHAS) representing Greek Americans in California and the efforts of Taso Zografos, President of the United Hellenic American Societies of Northern California (UHAS).



The City of Los Angeles will mark the celebration of the Greek bicentennial of its War of Independence on March 25 by illuminating the iconic pylons outside its international airport, LAX.

The New South Wales government agreed that the iconic Sydney Opera House will be bedecked in the Greek flag for March 25, the Bicentennial of the War of Independence.

Dr. Peter Metrakos is the Greek leader of a research team that uses breakthrough artificial intelligence (AI) technology to improve the survival rates of cancer patients. 

Based in Canada, the team of physicians are working to help patients with colorectal cancer survive this shockingly deadly disease, which currently has a five-year survival rate of just 12%.

The research team is working with the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) to develop personalized medicine in the colorectal cancer field and the whole project is based on Metrakos’ 2016 research into colorectal cancer cells’ relationship to blood vessels.

The Greek doctor and his team will use liquid biopsy methods to isolate the constituent sections of a cancer patient's blood in order to figure out which ones are linked to the disease. This information will be given anonymously to MIM, a Montreal-based AI company, which will attempt to identify patterns in patients' blood.

Using the data obtained through AI, researchers should be able to create customized treatment plans for patients who would otherwise not respond to conventional therapies.