Administrative regions of Greece

More than 10 years after the Athens Olympics, the government plans to realize two major road projects that had formed part of pre-Games infrastructure works but were shelved.

Alternate Economy and Development Minister Alexis Haritsis announced the two pre-Olympic road projects Tuesday.

A bicycle path totaling 16.7 kilometers will link the northern suburb of Kifissia with the existing route stretching from the central districts of Thiseio and Gazi to Faliro Bay in southern Athens, according to the Attica Regional Authority.

The “Mars Observation Week” will start in Athens with an event for a National Geographic documentary TV fantasy series of the conquest of the red planet called “Mars”. A series of happenings, which are open to the public (6pm till 10pm), commence on Monday, November 21 at Zappeion and are scheduled to run until November 27 at the Floisvos Park.

Government appointments made over the past year or so at the governing boards of ports have led to several instances of ports having more executives than they do employees.

Traffic will be diverted on parts of the Athens-Corinth national highway due to the 2nd Authentic Pheidippides Run from Athens to Sparta and back again, which starts on Friday.

Measures will be in place from 4 p.m. onward.

Traffic police said on Thursday that long stretches of the highway will have just one lane open to vehicles.

The Anglican Church in Athens is hosting its annual Christmas bazaar at the Aegli venue at Zappeion, central Athens, on Sunday, December 4. Doors open from 11 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Visitors will be able to purchase gifts at affordable prices, as well as Christmas crackers and decorations, jewelry, homemade cakes and preserves, books, toys and much more. Entrance is free.

The centre of Athens will be in complete lock-down for celebrations of the 43rd anniversary of the 1973 November 17 student uprising anniversary. 7,000 police officers have been deployed all around Athens to prevent riots and ensure safety and order during the marches towards the US Embassy, which are scheduled to start as the day progresses.

Motorists are advised to avoid the city center Thursday as 4,000 police officers are to be deployed as events get under way to commemorate the anniversary of a student uprising against Greece's junta in 1973.

Police have been placed on high alert in the Greek capital in anticipation of Barack Obama's visit. During the two-day visit of the outgoing US president, which will start Tuesday, access to some parts of central Athens will be restricted and there will be a ban on public gatherings, as authorities are concerned about the prospect of a terrorist attack.

The Greek Police have banned demonstrations in Athens on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of security preparations for a visit to the Greek capital by outgoing US President Barack Obama.

Some 5,000 Greek police officers are to be on duty in the capital along with 500 American agents.