News in brief

Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis announced on Monday that he will delay the announced expropriations of land for the creation of new detention camps on five Aegean islands until Friday, after facing strong opposition by local communities.

Speaking to public broadcaster ERT, Mitarakis said he was halting the expropriations to allow for new talks with islanders.

The new social security reform bill will be submitted to parliament today.

The bill foresees-among other clauses- a 50% reduction in contributions for working mothers for 12 months after they have given birth to a baby and the abolition of the 30% cut in pensions of farmers, who continue to work.

There will be no tram, metro, ISAP railway, trolley or bus service tomorrow due to the participation of workers in a 24-hour strike in protest at the government’s social security bill.
Ships will also be docked at ports.

Doctors working at state hospitals, paramedics, teachers and professors, as well as bank and judicial employees will also abstain from their duties. Moreover, employees at ministries, tax offices, local government, insurance funds and town planning offices will also join strike action.

The city center tomorrow will experience several traffic problems due to rallies planned by unions.

Τhe Eurogroup convenes this afternoon in Brussels. On the agenda of talks are the future of the Eurozone, fiscal rules and sustainable growth. Finance Minister Christos Staikouras will hold meetings with EU officials on the sidelines of the meeting.

Talks will begin between Greek and Turkish officials in Athens on Monday to adopt confidence-building measures in a bid to reduce tensions in the Aegean.

The aim is to keep channels of communication with Ankara open so that there is a swift and political resolution of any issues that might emerge.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias travels to Brussels to attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which will discuss the Libyan crisis.

Before the main meeting, Dendias will attend two “working breakfasts,as well as a meeting of donors to Albania who mobilized after last November’s deadly earthquake.

An ATM machine was blown up at 3.20 this morning on Kolokotroni street in the area of Agios Demetrios. The assailants were unable to take the money out of the machine.

France has warned Britain to expect a bruising battle with the EU in post-Brexit trade negotiations.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian predicted it would be tough for the UK to achieve its aim of agreeing a free trade deal by the end of the year.

Two Greeks who were on board at the Diamond Princess cruiseship, that has been put in isolation due to the coronavirus in Japan, are going to return to Greece soon, the BBC reports.

The death toll from the virus in mainland China has reached 1770.

Τwo suspected cases are being treated in Thriasio hospital, in Athens.

And the weather forecast…

Sunny in Attica this morning with the temperature expected to reach a high of 14 degrees Celsius.

More news in brief tomorrow morning at 9.