From AP News last night:
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Travelers to Greece’s popular island destinations will face disruptions next week because of a 24-hour strike on Sept. 13 by ferry crews who cite safety and labor concerns.
The PNO union said the decision was made Friday “on the occasion of the repulsive incident” this week in Greece’s main port of Piraeus, in which a tardy passenger drowned after being pushed into the sea by a ferry crew member.
The union didn’t directly link the reasons for the strike with Tuesday’s drowning, which sparked anger and condemnation across Greece.
A PNO statement deplored what it called the improper implementation of laws and regulations on shipping and harbor safety. It said crew members are overworked and ferry sailing schedules are “unreasonable,” which PNO said raises severe safety concerns.
https://apnews.com/article/greece-ferry-strike-islands-passenger-pushed-overboard-2c5ceee493451d00f243fae9ab7ec3c0
In Scotland, the last threatened CalMac strike relating to conditions, 8 years ago, was called off after intervention by the Scottish FM Nicola Sturgeon. See:
ARRAN businesses and holidaymakers breathed a sigh of relief last week when the threat of a second walkout by CalMac ferry workers was lifted after the personal intervention of the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The strike would have caused the cancellation of all sailings to Brodick from Ardrossan for the second week running.
The action was called off late last Wednesday after the Scottish Government announced the tendering process for Clyde and Hebrides services would be delayed – a move believed to have been prompted by FM Nicola Sturgeon getting ‘involved’.
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Imagine the stushie if a passenger on a CalMac ferry had drowned after being pushed into the sea by a crew member?
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O/T We know that the G20 summit has been happening in Delhi. In the days beforehand the BBC were amplifying the Tory government’s aspirations for a ‘world class, very ambitious, very comprehensive’ free trade deal between the UK and India. We were informed that excellent progress had already been made in negotiations, that PM Sunak would not rush into a deal, but with his Indian connections he would ensure the bestest of all best trade deals for the UK.
It didn’t take long for the hubris to be dampened down. And then we had reports that the Indian PM had changed the time of a meeting with Mr Sunak in favour of meeting the US President.
What’s interesting about the BBC News website’s coverage of G20 outcomes today is what it is NOT reporting (unless you know differently?). It’s something that is being covered by many serious news organisations internationally, including the FT. It’s also prominent in the Indian news media. I’ll leave you to ponder why!
From the New Indian Express today: ‘’Really big deal’: Rail and shipping corridor linking India to Middle East, Europe announced at G20 Summit – It would include India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel and the European Union, said Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser.’
On plans ‘to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe, an ambitious project aimed at fostering economic growth and political cooperation. – “This is a big deal,” said Biden. “This is a really big deal.”
‘The corridor, outlined at the annual Group of 20 summit of the world’s top economies, would help boost trade, deliver energy resources and improve digital connectivity. IT WOULD INCLUDE INDIA, SAUDI ARABIA, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, JORDAN, ISRAEL AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, said Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser.’ (my emphasis)
From India Today: ‘In an attempt to boost trade ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders launched the India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor at the G20 Summit on Saturday. The corridor could potentially be an ALTERNATIVE TO CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD PROJECT, which has left a host of developing countries in deep debt, such as Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia, Laos and Mongolia.
‘Launching the corridor, PM Modi said that IT WILL GIVE A NEW DIRECTION TO CONNECTIVITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
‘PM Modi lauded the launch of the corridor and said that a “HISTORIC” AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED. “In the coming times, it will be an EFFECTIVE MEDIUM OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION BETWEEN INDIA, WEST ASIA AND EUROPE. This will provide a sustainable direction for connectivity and development across the world.”
‘The corridor would link railways and port facilities across the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, reported news agency AFP. The project has the potential to speed trade between India and Europe by up to 40 per cent.
“A shipping container that travels from Mumbai, through the Suez Canal to Europe, could in the future go by rail from Dubai to Haifa in Israel, and later to Europe,” Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, South Asia practice head at the Eurasia Group, told AFP. He said if his prediction became a reality, both money and time would be saved.’
So there was an ‘historic’ trade initiative coming out of Delhi this weekend – one that kind of puts the UK’s international status in context. Still wondering why the BBC appears to find this NOT newsworthy?
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Hi
This is off topic from the Guardian. I keep reading the list and suspecting Im geographically challenged….
Rory Boland, the editor of Which? Travel, said: “From famed tourist towns to lesser known villages, this year’s survey has captured the range of unique destinations the UK has to offer.
“While the picturesque south-west took the top spots, there are beautiful towns and villages in Scotland, Wales and from across England in the top 10 – meaning there is a fantastic place to visit on your doorstep no matter where you live.”
Top 10
1. Wells, Somerset
2. Avebury, Wiltshire
3. Port Sunlight, Merseyside
3. Corfe Castle, Dorset
4. Grasmere, Cumbria
5. Lavenham, Suffolk
6. Llangollen, Denbighshire
7. Ludlow, Shropshire
8. Stamford, Lincolnshire
9. Cartmel, Cumbria
10. Church Stretton, Shropshire
This article was amended on 9 September 2023 to correct the location of Llangollen, which is in Denbigshire, rather than Derbyshire.
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