Mount Sinai Delegation to Cairo

  • A Greek delegation led by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis travels to Cairo on Wednesday to address a court ruling affecting the Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai.
  • The May 28 ruling raised fears of property seizures and monk evictions, prompting strong reactions from Greece.
  • PM Mitsotakis and President el-Sisi held talks; both governments reaffirmed the monastery’s protected religious status.
  • Egypt’s Foreign Ministry clarified that the ruling targets remote protected areas, not the monastery itself.
  • The Greek mission aims to finalize legal protections and ensure continued Orthodox stewardship of the monastery.

University Security Measures Tightened

  • PM Mitsotakis met with university rectors Monday to address campus lawlessness.
  • Future financial and institutional support will depend on progress in campus safety enforcement.
  • Rectors must update security plans by July and fully utilize the €10 million allocated for safety.
  • Education Ministry proposals include:
    • Disciplinary councils and faster rulings (within 2 months),
    • Student suspensions up to 24 months, and
    • Automatic expulsion after criminal convictions.
  • New penalties include restricted access via student ID, criminal charges for violence, and financial restitution for damages.

New Road Traffic Code Targets Fatalities

  • The Greek government submitted a new Road Traffic Code to Parliament to combat high road death rates (665 in 2024).
  • Automated enforcement of traffic violations to begin in September 2025 through gov.gr.
  • Stricter mobile phone use penalties:
    • €350 fine for 1st offense,
    • €2,000 fine and 1-year license suspension after 3rd.
  • Helmet laws expanded to penalize motorcycle passengers, not just riders.
  • Speed limit changes:
    • 30 km/h in residential zones,
    • 50 km/h on main roads,
    • Proposed 140 km/h on highways (under review).
  • DUI-related fatalities could lead to 10-year prison terms without parole.
  • Street racing fines rise to €8,000 and long-term license suspensions for repeat offenders.

Tourist Accidents in Corfu and Corinth

  • Corfu: A 35-year-old Welsh tourist was seriously injured after falling onto rocks at Canal d’Amour.
    • Rescued by fellow tourists using a raft, he was taken to the hospital by emergency responders.
  • Corinth Canal: A French tourist was found dead aboard a sailing yacht.
    • No signs of foul play; autopsy pending, and investigation underway by Coast Guard and police.

New Quit-Smoking Hotline Launched

  • Greece’s National Public Health Organization launched a smoking cessation hotline at 1135.
    • Available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., staffed by trained professionals.
  • Part of the National Action Plan Against Smoking, aligned with WHO’s global tobacco control goals.
    • 38% of Greek adults use tobacco; over 50% want to quit, but only 30% tried in the past year.
  • Smoking causes 8 million deaths annually, including 1.3 million from second-hand smoke.Officials emphasize equal access to support services as key to reducing tobacco use in Greece.