Articles by Sotiris Nikas

Greece Fights Deadly Fire on Aegean Island as Temperatures Soar

Greece is fighting a deadly fire on the island of Lesvos, as temperatures in some parts of the country exceed 40C (104F). A person died in a burned-out car on Lesvos, where authorities are investigating whether the vehicle was scorched …

Greece Evacuates Hospital as Wildfire Threatens City of Patra

Greek authorities evacuated a hospital after a wildfire broke out in Patra, the country’s third-biggest city. Firefighters, assisted by planes and helicopters, safely evacuated a hospital and a nursing home, state-run ERT TV reported. The fire destroyed cars and damaged …

Greece Invests Over €2 Billion to Fight Climate Change Effects

Greece is investing €2.1 billion ($2.27 billion) to protect the nation from natural disasters caused by climate change as wildfires are already breaking out ahead of fire season, which normally starts in May. The Aegis program is the first of …

Athens Wildfires Burn Part of Forest in Mount Parnitha After Destroying Homes

A wildfire near the Greek capital burned part of the forest in mount Parnitha, after destroying homes and cars, while Athens prepares for another difficult day as authorities have issued a high alert warning for fires on Thursday. The fires …

European Heat Wave Sees Temperatures Reaching 115F in Sardinia as Greece Burns

Europe baked in intense heat, with temperatures reaching almost 46C (115F) on the Italian island of Sardinia on Wednesday, as wildfires continued to rage in Greece. Authorities warned lives were in danger after the latest blast of Saharan heat saw …

Update: Two Trains Collide in Greece, Killing at Least 38 People

At least 38 people were killed and 72 more were injured in a train crash in northeast Greece late Tuesday night, a tragedy that prompted the country’s top transportation official to step down. The crash, the country’s worst in decades, …

Crashed Ukrainian Cargo Plane Carried Shipment of Ammunition for Bangladesh

Ukrainian foreign ministry officials on Sunday traveled to inspect the site where a Ukrainian cargo plane crashed overnight in northern Greece, en route from Serbia to Jordan and on to Bangladesh. The envoys will help local authorities and emergency services …

Private Equity Firm CVC Nears Deal to Buy Insurance Arm of National Bank of Greece

CVC Capital Partners is nearing a deal to acquire National Bank of Greece SA’s insurance business after a years-long search for a buyer, people familiar with the matter said. The private equity firm could announce an agreement as soon as …

National Bank of Greece Halts Sale of Ethniki Insurance on COVID-19 Crisis: Sources

National Bank of Greece SA has halted the sale of its Ethniki Insurance unit after the coronavirus pandemic dashed any lingering hopes of a successful auction, according to people familiar with the matter. In addition to the market rout, bids …

Eight Crew Members Kidnapped from Greek Tanker Anchored Near Cameroon

Five Greeks, two Filipinos and a Ukrainian were abducted by unidentified assailants from the Greek-flagged tanker ‘Happy Lady’ while the vessel was anchored two nautical miles from Limboh port in Cameroon. The attack on the 28 crew-member ship took place …