Aegean islands

Turkey's northwestern region has enjoyed a relatively warm weather free of precipitation over the past few weeks, but a cold spell, accompanied by heavy downpours and strong winds, has returned.

Istanbul, a metropolis with more than 16 million population, was battered by heavy rainfall in the early hours of April 8 following warnings from the meteorological authority and experts.

Turkey's coast guard rescued at least 24 asylum seekers stranded in the Aegean Sea off Ayvalık district in northwestern Balıkesir province late on April 5. 

The asylum seekers, who were attempting to reach the Greek island of Lesbos in a rubber boat, were stranded and drifting at sea after the engine failed near Çıplak Island.

The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, is on a two-day visit to the Greek islands of Samos and Lesvos, marking the allocation of over a quarter-billion euros of EU funds to the Greek state towards construction of new migrant reception facilities on the Aegean islands.

Some part of 459-acre island, known as Kalem Island off the coast of the Aegean province of İzmir's Dikili district, was put up for sale for 400 million Turkish Liras ($54 million).

Located 500 meters from the Turkish mainland and right across the Greek island of Lesbos, Kalem is known as a frequent destination for daily tour boats in the Aegean Sea.

Turkey and Greece resumed their exploratory talks after a five-year break on January 25. Resuming the talks after such a long break was received positively by many international actors as a sign of de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ios is between Santorini and Naxos

The Greek government is in the process of drafting a new framework for the care and protection of pets and strays and if its legislators are looking for some inspiration, Syros may be a good place to start.

Τhe muncipal council of Mytilene, the main town of the island of Lesvos, voted for the establishment of a new reception and identification structure for temporary migrants and refugees at a meeting late Wednesday.

The new facility was marginally approved in a virtual meeting that ended at midnight with 16 votes in favor and 15 against.

Residents of the island of Chios plan to hold a protest rally on Wednesday against the creation of a closed controlled structure in the area of Akra to house asylum seekers.

Three newly built catamaran passenger ships will as of next spring replace the old "flying dolphins" that have served destinations in the Saronic Gulf for more than 40 years, as Hellenic Seaways is renewing its fleet.