The race for the IOC presidency intensified on March 19, 2025, at Greece’s Costa Navarino resort, where seven candidates, including frontrunners Sebastian Coe, Kirsty Coventry, and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., vied to replace Thomas Bach. With over 100 votes to be cast on Thursday at 4 p.m. local time, the election—set against the Ionian Sea—will crown the leader of the $7 billion Olympic empire. Coe faces a tough fight, Coventry eyes history as the potential first female president, and Samaranch Jr aims to echo his father’s legacy, all amid whispers of alliances and multiple voting rounds.
Tag: Ionian sea
Greece has launched an international tender for hydrocarbon exploration in the Ionian Sea, granting rights for two offshore areas following interest from energy giants Chevron and HELLENiQ Energy. Minister of Environment and Energy Theodoros Skylakakis emphasized the move’s significance for Greece’s energy security and transition, highlighting the country’s growing appeal for major energy investments.
The Corinth Canal is a remarkable engineering feat in Greece, connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf through the Isthmus of Corinth. Although the idea dates back to the seventh century BC, it wasn’t realized until the late 19th century. Today, it serves more as a tourist attraction than a commercial waterway, with its narrow path challenging modern navigation but offering a unique spectacle for visitors.
Greece faces stormy weather as February begins, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and snowfall in mountainous areas. Strong winds up to 9 Beaufort will impact the Aegean, while temperatures drop significantly, especially in the north and east. Frost is expected in mainland regions during morning and evening hours. Weather conditions will gradually improve later in the week, though cold temperatures and scattered showers will persist.
Chevron has expressed interest in participating in hydrocarbon exploration off the western coast of Greece, particularly in the Ionian Sea, according to the country’s energy minister. The announcement comes as Greece prepares for an international tender for drilling rights, with plans to expand the exploration area by 25%. Environmental groups have raised concerns over the proximity of the exploration areas to a planned marine park.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias commemorated the four-year anniversary of Greece’s decision to expand its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea, emphasizing that the move was based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Dendias also highlighted Greece’s commitment to international law, contrasting it with Turkey’s refusal to adhere to UNCLOS in the Aegean.
Chevron has shown interest in exploring hydrocarbon resources in Greece, focusing on areas southwest of the Peloponnese and west of Crete, according to the Greek Energy Ministry. The government plans to expand exploration zones by 25% and launch an international tender, emphasising Greece’s role in the global energy market amid efforts to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
Gale-force winds reaching 8 to 9 Beaufort have disrupted ferry services across the Ionian and Aegean Seas, prompting sailing bans on several key routes. Passengers are advised to check with local authorities for updates as conditions are expected to improve by the afternoon.
Greece is set to experience a dramatic weather shift starting Sunday, with meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas warning of heavy rain, snowfall in mountainous regions, and a significant drop in temperatures. Winds are expected to strengthen, reaching up to 8 Beaufort in some areas, while temperatures in Athens could plummet from 16–17°C to 10–11°C. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) advises citizens to prepare for the stormy conditions expected to impact much of the country.
Greece is bidding farewell to the three-day Epiphany holiday with rain and cloudy skies across…
Greece is set for a dramatic weather shift as cold north winds and a massive anticyclone bring rain, snow, and temperature drops. While localized showers will affect parts of Attica, northern Crete, and the Sporades today, much of the country will enjoy sunshine. Meteorologist Yannis Kallianos predicts snowfall on mountain ridges like Penteli and Parnitha, with colder, stormier conditions expected to intensify through Christmas.
The growing importance of wellness in luxury travel is highlighted by a new survey which reflects a rising trend in wellness tourism, with Greece emerging as a key player in this sector.
Greece has firmly rejected any concessions on its territorial waters in the dispute with Turkey, with a senior official stating, “Six miles? Not a chance.” This comes ahead of diplomatic talks between Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in November, focused on delineating continental shelves and exclusive economic zones. Greek officials stress that sovereignty issues are non-negotiable, raising tensions as both nations prepare for critical negotiations.
Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias attended a key meeting in Venice on Monday with defense ministers from the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative (ADRION). The gathering, hosted at the Institute of Military and Naval Studies, focused on enhancing regional cooperation and improving naval interoperability to tackle shared security challenges in the region. Greece, holding the presidency of the initiative until May 2025, is leading efforts to bolster defense collaboration among Adriatic and Ionian nations.
In a landmark announcement, the Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company (HEREMA) estimates that Greece possesses potential natural gas reserves of approximately 680 billion cubic meters (24 trillion cubic feet).
Greece is bracing for a bout of severe weather, with strong winds, heavy rain, and a significant temperature drop expected from Sunday through Monday. Powerful winds reaching 7-9 Beaufort will impact the Ionian Sea and western Greece on Sunday before sweeping across the country. Meanwhile, northeastern regions will be hit by heavy rain and thunderstorms. Temperatures are set to plummet 6-8 degrees Celsius by Monday.
Two cattle corpses have washed ashore on Lefkada beaches, sparking an investigation by local authorities. The animals, found at Pefkoulia and Agios Ioannis beaches, appear to have been deliberately dumped at sea, raising concerns about further incidents.
A striking waterspout was captured off Zakynthos on Tuesday morning, following heavy rainfall. Filmed by local resident Stefanos Salmas, the waterspout formed around 7 a.m. and moved from the Adriatic Sea towards the strait between Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Though less powerful than a tornado, it reached wind speeds over 100 km/h before dissipating over land.
July 2024 was the hottest July since 2010 in northern and western Greece and the Ionian Sea, with temperatures up to 3.4°C above average. In Gavalou, Etoloakarnania, temperatures exceeded 40°C for 14 straight days. Athens and Thessaloniki also experienced significant heat, with most days being warmer than usual.
Four Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force landed at the 117th Fighter Wing…