Latest news with #AegeanSea
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Divers cleaning seabed off Greek island Alonissos raise alarm over pollution
Items recovered off Alonissos represent just a tiny part of the tens of thousands of tons of waste that litter the Mediterranean Sea every year. (Wikimedia Commons pic) ALONISSOS : Off the Greek island of Alonissos in the eastern Aegean Sea, volunteer divers grab decaying plastic bottles, a tyre and a rusted anchor chain from the seabed and place them in a trash bag as part of an EU-funded cleanup to protect marine life. The items recovered off Alonissos – a favourite tourist spot for its green-blue waters, and Europe's largest protected marine park – represent just a tiny part of the tens of thousands of tons of waste that litter the Mediterranean Sea every year. The park, set up off Alonissos in the early 1990s, is home to one of the world's last remaining colonies of the Monk seal, and a refuge for over 300 fish species, dolphins and sea turtles. Its existence has made both locals and tourists increasingly aware of the risks of marine pollution, said Theodora Francis, 31, one of the divers who joined the two-day initiative. 'We visited five, four areas to check whether we find rubbish in those areas,' Francis said. 'In most of those areas we didn't… but in some areas we did.' She said the main port of Votsi, where most tourism and fishing occurs, was the site of most litter. To protect its coastal biodiversity, Greece has promised to create another two marine parks in the Aegean and the Ionian Sea in the west, part of 21 initiatives worth €780 million. It has legislated the expansion of marine protected areas to 30% of its territorial waters by 2030, and has submitted plans to the EU setting out how it will organise fishing, tourism and offshore energy. 'People all over the globe should know that we have the strength to change everything. We really believe in the individual responsibility of people, we invest in this,' said George Sarelakos, 46, president of the Greece-based agency which organised the cleanup, Aegean Rebreath. For Francis, Alonissos can be a model for the protection of the seas. 'If every island had the same interest in taking care of their environment, we would have the Alonissos situation in many more islands.'
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
6.1-magnitude quake hits off Greek island of Crete
The Aegean Sea, located where the African and Anatolian tectonic plates converge, is often hit by quakes. (AP pic) ATHENS : A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit off the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini today, the US Geological Survey said. The strong quake struck 82km northeast of Crete's capital Heraklion, at a depth of 68km, the USGS said. The region popular with tourists has been rattled by multiple tremors in recent months, prompting schools in Santorini and neighbouring islands to close temporarily. Thousands of earthquakes, mainly of low magnitude, were recorded from late January between the islands of Santorini, Amorgos, Ios and Anafi in the Cyclades group southeast of the Greek mainland. The seismic swarm caused no casualties or significant damage. Located where the African and Anatolian tectonic plates converge, the Aegean Sea is often hit by quakes. But the region had not experienced a phenomenon of such magnitude since records began in 1964, experts said.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
The underrated and wondrously wild Greek island that's been named best to visit in 2025
A gorgeous Greek island that's 'well beyond the usual tourist radar' has been named as one of the best of the country's islands to visit in 2025. According to Lonely Planet, Ikaria is one of the best Greek islands to add to your bucket list. While the island isn't a leading tourist destination, it has been globally recognised for its long-living residents. Ikaria is one of the world's five designated 'Blue Zones', places where people are much more likely to live to 100. But why is it one of 2025's best Greek islands to visit? Lonely Planet reveals: 'It takes effort to get to Ikaria, a wondrously wild island in the eastern Aegean, but those who make it this far too rewarded. 'Ruggedly mountainous, gorge-riven, thickly forested and well beyond the usual tourist radar, this island has its own look and culture.' According to Homeric legend, Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre, was born on Ikaria. At Therma, a spa village on the island, tourists can unwind in Ikaria's hot mineral springs which are thought to soothe arthritis and rheumatism The island is heavily tied to Greek myth and even earns its name from Icarus, the man who flew too close to the sun. Lonely Planet recommends hiring a car to explore the island to make your holiday 'feel like a proper adventure'. The travel guide suggests heading to Seychelles Beach, known for its 'dazzling azure waters'. A picturesque cove, Seychelles Beach has bright pebbles and is backed by rock formations. At Therma, a spa village on the island, tourists can unwind in Ikaria's hot mineral springs which are thought to soothe arthritis and rheumatism. Those looking to emulate the islanders' healthy lifestyle can head into the hills to see the giant rock houses where locals used to hide from pirate attacks. 'These stiff climbs - along with a herb-rich diet - are part of what contribute to the island's extraordinarily high number of centenarians,' reveals Lonely Planet. While Lonely Planet recommends taking a ferry from Kos to Ikaria, it can also be reached by plane from Athens. Those looking to emulate the islanders' healthy lifestyle can head into the hills to see the giant rock houses where locals used to hide from pirate attacks The travel guide suggests that tourists spend two weeks on Ikaria to let the island 'truly work its magic'. And Greece is also home to Europe's best beach, according to a new ranking. Port Glarokavos Lagoon Beach took the crown in a ranking put together by judges at European Beach Destinations. The beautiful Greek beach is located on the country's northern Kassandra Peninsula.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Air from beehives comforts patients in Turkey
By Ali Kucukgocmen and Bulent Usta KARABURUN, Turkey (Reuters) - At his farm tucked away in an idyllic valley near the Aegean Sea, beekeeper Huseyin Ceylan helps people recover from ailments by having them inhale air from hives. Ceylan says people come regularly in late spring to Karaburun, in Turkey's Aegean coastal province of Izmir, mainly to supplement conventional treatment with traditional "apitherapy," a term derived from the Greek for bees. Guests tend to stay several days in cabins in lush greenery, inhaling air from beehives for up to three hours a day, which Ceylan says helps with issues from allergies to migraines. The government does not officially recognise the therapy though it is practiced by many other beekeepers round Turkey as well as in other countries including Germany and Russia. Ceylan, who comes from a family of beekeepers and studied agriculture, started his bee farm in Karaburun 30 years ago. He has lobbied for years for the sector to be accepted, conducting research and presenting findings to officials. "We are not against what we call Western medicine. After all, it is also very important too," he said, adding that his method goes hand-in-hand with conventional treatment. "I have been doing this for fifteen years, trying to bring this into medicine." CHILDHOOD NOSTALGIA Ulku Ozman, 69, decided to try the therapy method after a friend suggested it when several surgeries and frequent use of medicines weakened her immune system. In her nearly week-long visit, Ozman and others enter a cabin where ventilators connected to beehives deliver air. Each session lasts 45 minutes, with participants moving every 15 minutes to breathe from three different beehives, each with a different smell. Guests pay around 5,000 lira ($128) per day for the treatment plus accommodation and food. Seated across from the beehives with ventilators on their faces, the guests take deep breaths. Senay Ilham, 68, has breast cancer that metastasized to her spine but is in remission after receiving conventional treatment. "This smell seems familiar. It's like it is (coming) from my childhood," she said, recalling being stung by bees while playing outside as children with beekeepers working nearby. "(The beehive air) always brings me a breeze from these things. It relaxes me both psychologically and physically." ($1 = 39.1026 liras) (Additional reporting by Umit Bektas; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Maura Higgins displays her jaw-dropping figure in a white bikini as she enjoys boozy lunch during lavish sun-soaked getaway
Maura Higgins let her hair down during a boozy holiday in Mykonos on Wednesday as she sipped on an Aperol Spritz before dancing on the beach. The Love Island bombshell, 34, looked happier than ever as she showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a white halterneck bikini top, which boasted a large gold star fish on the front. Maura teamed the stunning swimwear with a matching figure hugging maxi skirt as she hit a beach club during the brand trip with Space NK. Styling her long dark curly tresses loose, the TV personality shielded from the sun under a large woven beach hat. She was all smiles during the boozy lunch as she sipped on cocktails alongside pals before showing off her dance moves on the beach. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Maura has jetted off to the sunny location with fellow show star Sophie Piper and Samie Elishi for a brand trip. The trip comes after her big return to the red carpet, following her 'drunken' kiss scandal with McFly 's Danny Jones earlier this year. The brunette beauty pulled out all the stops at the BAFTA TV Awards earlier this month, turning heads in a backless blue gown with a huge skirt. But while she made sure all eyes were on her on her arrival, Maura was later pictured sitting alone during the ceremony and reportedly didn't stay long before making a sneaky backdoor exit. In a photograph exclusively obtained by MailOnline, the presenter could be seen sitting by herself on her phone in her stunning ball gown at the event. Meanwhile, in pictures published on The Sun, she later risked the wrath of BAFTA as she left an hour into the ceremony as she snuck into a taxi. A source told the publication: 'Maura wanted her red carpet return to be a big moment. She thinks enough time has passed — she can't hide forever.' Explaining how her huge dress meant she was uncomfortable in the cramped hall they continued: 'She was talking about her dress taking up too much space and was absolutely boiling. 'So she snuck out with pal Luke Hamnett while a nominations reel was shown. It'll be frowned upon in TV circles as the Baftas is an incredibly prestigious event and leaving is a big no-no.' Maura hit the headlines in March, after she and Danny, 39, were spotted in a compromising clinch at the Universal Music's BRIT Awards afterparty, after appearing on I'm A Celeb together last year. The married singer is said to no longer have a 'normal relationship' with his wife Georgia, 38, and while they are still living under the same roof, they now have 'separate lives'. Both Danny and Maura have generally kept away from public events since the scandal, until her big return at the BAFTAs, where she kept mum on the kiss. While she wasn't at risk of any awkward reunions with Danny as he reportedly skipped the ceremony to avoid 'putting a foot wrong' with his wife. Danny previously issued a public apology to Georgia and their seven-year-old son Cooper, admitting he was 'deeply sorry' and vowing to deal with things privately. Sources previously claimed to MailOnline that despite their efforts, the couple are like 'passing ships' and friends fear their relationship is hanging on by a thread. A source said: 'Danny and Georgia have been trying to navigate a very difficult time in their marriage and for the best part they have been taking each day as it comes. 'They may be living under the same roof, but they barely see each other and right now are like passing ships. In a photograph exclusively obtained by MailOnline last week, the presenter could be seen sitting by herself on her phone in her stunning ball gown at the event (seen) Maura (L) hit the headlines in March, after she and Danny, 39, (R) were spotted in a compromising clinch at the Universal Music's BRIT Awards afterparty, after appearing on I'm A Celeb together last year (both seen on the show) 'Danny is preparing for his summer gigs with McFly, and Georgia has been attending influencer events and collaborating with brands, all while looking after son, Cooper, who regularly features on her Instagram profile. 'But when they're not working, Danny is out on his motorbike or exercising in the gym, and Georgia is either on her own or spending time with family and girlfriends. 'They haven't actually been publicly seen together for six weeks and behind the scenes, their relationship is anything but normal.' But now the singer is also making his TV return and will join the second series of You Bet!, ITV's rebooted challenge show, hosted by Stephen Mulhern. Danny will appear alongside former I'm A Celeb campmate Oti Mabuse and Olympian Greg Rutherford, and has already filmed some segments at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In behind-the-scenes clips shared on his Instagram last weekend, Danny looked upbeat as he returned to work, grinning alongside his co-stars and cheering on contestants tackling extreme rides.
