News in brief
The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.
At least 213 people have died in China – mostly in Hubei province where the virus emerged – with almost 10,000 cases nationally.
The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 other countries, but no deaths.
A doctor has become the sixth patient diagnosed with coronavirus in France.
21 people have died from the seasonal flu in Greece. 8 people died last week alone. Guidelines for prevention have been issued by the National Health Organization and the Municipality of Athens health offices.
In Attica 5 kindergarten and elementary schools are closed today due to the virus.
Turkey’s Oruc Reis research vessel was on Friday spotted within the boundaries of Greece’s continental shelf, Kathimerini reports.
Greek frigate HS Nikiforos Fokas was dispatched to the area to monitor its activity.
The Greek Parliament ratified the updated Greece-US cooperation agreement on Thursday night, with 175 votes for, 33 against, and 80 declaring “present” out of a total of 288 MPs voting.
Satisfaction from the US side was expressed both by US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo and US Ambassador to Greece, Jeffrey Pyatt.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a stern warning on Thursday that if the “sick climate” pervading Greek soccer persists he will be forced to suspend the Super League.
Teachers will hold a rally at the Propylaia at 1.30 pm, reacting to the new government scheme on insurance. At noon, state hospital employee union members, POEDIN, will gather outside the Ministry of Health.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hail the “dawn of a new era” later, as the country prepares to leave the European Union after 47 years.
In a speech to be shown at 22:00 GMT – an hour before the official departure time – he will say Brexit is “not an end but a beginning”.
Supporters of the EU are expected to take part in a procession through Whitehall at 15:00 GMT to “bid a fond farewell” to the union.
Later, Brexiteers will gather in Parliament Square for a celebration, and a clock counting down to the moment the UK leaves the EU will be projected on to Downing Street.
Buildings along Whitehall will be lit up and Union flags will be flown from all the poles in Parliament Square.
Authorities in Australia have declared a state of emergency as massive bushfires rage south of Canberra.
It is the worst fire threat to the territory in nearly two decades, officials said.
And the weather forecast…
Sunny in Attica this morning with the temperature expected to reach a high of 16 degrees Celsius.
More news in brief Monday morning at 9.
