Academy of Athens

In theory, everyone is keen on the idea of a brain gain. Yet, when faced with a distinguished Greek returning from abroad with innovative ideas for change, attitudes shift. 

Institutionalism and suspicion rear their heads against anything deemed "foreign." 

The recent resignation of the scientific director of the Biomedical Research Foundation (BRFAA) of the Academy of Athens has cast a shadow over Greece's stated objective to plug the brain drain that has scarred the country and pave the way for a much-needed brain gain.

The statue of Panagis Vallianos outside the National Library building, the Vallianeio Megaron, on Panepistimiou Street in the heart of Athens, was vandalized, with red paint sprayed on its base.

High concentrations of Saharan dust that enveloped most of Greece on Wednesday are to remain Thursday and Friday, heaviest in the west and south of the country. Experts warn that bacteria, fungi and pollen can be embedded in African dust, further affecting vulnerable groups.

The Academy of Athens on Monday presented an advanced new system for monitoring the impact of climate change on the natural environment and monuments of the sacred site of Delos, listed by UNESCO among the world's 13 most vulnerable sites to extreme weather phenomena.

Climate change is exacerbating weather extremes, making heat waves more frequent and more severe worldwide, and this summer has been the hottest on record.

Dog and cat owners who do not want to have their pets neutered must provide a DNA sample to the Academy of Athens' specialized laboratory, according to a circular issued by the Interior Ministry. 

The Academy of Athens will award three passengers who saved their fellow passengers from the wreckage of the Tempe railway disaster.

By George Gilson

When 44-year-old Leon Saltiel was growing up in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest, the Jewish community, which once constituted the majority group, remained introverted and did not talk about their Jewishness, even 40 years after the city's Jews were deported and 95 percent of them were exterminated in Auschwitz.

By George Gilson

When 44-year-old Leon Saltiel was growing up in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest, the Jewish community, which once constituted the majority group, remained introverted and did not talk about their Jewishness, even 40 years after the city's Jews were deported and 95 percent of them were exterminated in Auschwitz.