File photo. Credit: U.S. Indo-Pacific Command/Public Domain
Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran, US officials say, a move that threatens to escalate regional conflict further. Iranian state media are citing unconfirmed reports of explosions in the central province of Isfahan.
Iranian news reports say that sites at Isfahan associated with Iran’s nuclear program were “completely secure” and the attack appeared to be limited in scope. An Iranian official said air defenses intercepted three drones.
The Israeli military has yet to confirm the attack.
Footage, which Sky News cannot independently verify, surfaced on Telegram appearing to show blasts of light over Isfahan in Iran.
State media says Iran fired its air defence systems after reports of blasts near the city of Isfahan.
A loud blast heard near the Iranian city of Isfahan was caused by “air defense firing at a suspicious object,” an Iranian senior military commander said, according to Iran’s state-aligned Tasnim news agency.
There was no “damage or incident,” said senior military commander Second Brigadier General Mihandoust in Isfahan Province, according to Tasnim.
According to the World Nuclear Association, the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre includes a uranium conversion facility (UCF), which produces uranium hexafluoride.
Iran feeds uranium hexafluoride gas into centrifuges to produce enriched uranium, which can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear weapons.
Next to the UCF is an enriched uranium oxide powder plant (EUPP), which converts uranium hexafluoride into uranium oxide, and a fuel fabrication plant that produces fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor.
Israel told by the US not to respond to Iran
Israel had for days weighed its response to Iran’s unprecedented weekend strikes, most of which were intercepted. Iran launched the attack in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria earlier this month.
The UN, EU, and USA have condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, as have several countries individually from Latin America to China as well as Greece.
Israel had told the US on Thursday it would retaliate against Iran in the coming days, but Washington “didn’t green light” it, a senior US official said.
Washington and other global powers had pressed Israel not to respond, or to ensure any further retaliation, was limited to prevent a broader conflagration after the latest surge in violence was sparked by the air strike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus on April 1 that was blamed on Israel.
The attack came hours after Iran’s foreign minister told CNN that if Israel takes any further military action against Iran, its response would be “immediate and at a maximum level.”
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had warned Israel before Friday’s strike that Tehran would deliver a “severe response” to any attack on its territory.
Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel “must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests” as the U.N. secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a “moment of maximum peril.”
Olympiacos players congratulate man-of-the-match goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis who made three saves in the penalty shoot-out. Credit: X/Olympiacos F.C.
Olympiacos won the penalty shoot-out against Turkish side Fenerbache to book a place in the semi-finals of a UEFA competition for the first time in their history.
After a thrilling encounter, the Greek soccer giants progressed to the last four of the UEFA Europa Conference League (ECL), the third tier of continental club football in Europe.
The Turkish side took the lead in the 11th minute through winger Irfan Kahveci to level the aggregate score to 3-3 (Olympiacos won 3-2 in Piraeus last week).
This was the final score after extra time, but then in stepped the young Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis making three saves in the penalty shoot-out.
The shoot-out victory means Olympiacos has qualified for the first time in club history to the semi-finals of a European competition, and the first time since 1996 that a Greek side has made it to the final four in a European club tournament.
Olympiacos will now face English Premier League outfit Aston Villa as they bid to qualify for the ECL Final, which will be played at AEK’s home of “Agia Sophia” Stadium in May.
Hundreds of Olympiacos supporters gathered at the Athens International airport on Friday morning to welcome the players and the coaching staff.
Meanwhile in Thessaloniki PAOK lost 0-2 to Club Brugge (0-3 on aggregate), bowing out of the ECL as a result.
The Thessaloniki team was second-best to its visitors, just like it had been at the first leg, when the Belgians had won 1-0.
Bruges went ahead with Ferran Jutlga on the 33rd, and the Spaniard got to score a second just before half-time, practically taking the tie beyond PAOK.
Olympiacos and PAOK protagonists in Greek soccer
Olympiacos and PAOK are also contenders for the title in Greece’s Super League, along with AEK Athens and Panathinaikos.
The Thessaloniki club was established on 20 April 1926 by Greek refugees who fled to Thessaloniki from Constantinople in the wake of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), they play their home games at Toumba Stadium, a 29,000 seating capacity football ground.
PAOK is the only Greek team that has more wins than losses in their European record (89 wins, 65 draws and 76 defeats, as of 14 December 2023). It has won the top spot in the Greek Super League three times.
Olympiacos founded on 10 March 1925, is the most successful club in Greek football history, having won 47 League titles, 28 Cups (18 Doubles) and 4 Super Cups, all records.
Τotalling 79 national trophies, Olympiacos is 9th in the world in total titles won by a football club.
The ancient Egyptian pyramid of Giza’s latitude lines up exactly with the speed of light. Credit: Harish Chouhan WordPress. CC BY 1.0
Some mysteries are likely never to be solved, indeed some are not meant to be. One of the most ‘popular’ mysteries known to us comes in the form of a coincidence, pertaining to the latitude of the ancient Egyptian Great Pyramid of Giza and its exact match with the speed of light.
The speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second, and the latitude of the Great Pyramid of Giza is 29.9792458°N, but is this just a coincidence? An accident of history?
The first thing to state is that there are many other places on the globe that fall into the same latitude as the figure of the speed of light, so it may be a bit premature to conclude that the Pyramid of Giza has any special claim to this number.
Especially as the ancient Egyptians – even if they had worked out the speed of light thousands of years before its measurement by Danish astronomer Ole Roemer in 1676 – did not work in meters, primarily because meters were not defined until 1791.
As Snopes points out, ancient Egyptians used cubits, with the speed of light being around 571,033,253 cubits per second. So it seems that this ‘mystery’ is in fact just a coincidence unless it can reasonably be believed that the ancient Egyptians were working in meters and knew what the speed of light was thousands of years before it was discovered – which it can’t.
How were the Ancient Egyptian Pyramids Built?
Other ‘mysteries’ surround the ancient Egyptians, such as how the pyramids were built, with some people positing that – given the momentous effort it must have taken to build them – there must have been an intervention by aliens. Many other hypotheses have been thrown around.
What we do know is that the construction techniques used to build these great structures developed over time, with later pyramids being built in a different way from the earlier ones.
Most of the construction hypotheses are based on the belief that huge stones were carved from quarries with copper chisels, and these blocks were then dragged and lifted into position. Disagreements chiefly concern the methods used to move and place the stones.
In addition to the many unresolved arguments about the construction techniques, there have been disagreements as to the kind of workforce used. The Greeks, many years after the event, believed that the pyramids were built by slave labor.
Archaeologists now believe that the Great Pyramid of Giza was built by tens of thousands of skilled workers who camped near the pyramids and worked for a salary or as a form of tax payment (levy) until the construction was completed, pointing to workers’ cemeteries discovered in 1990.
For the Middle Kingdom pyramid of Amenemhat II, there is evidence from the annal stone of the king that foreigners from Canaan were employed.
Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, warns of world war three should Russia defeat his country. Credit: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. CC BY 2.0/flickr
Ukraine’s prime minister has warned of a third world war if Ukraine is defeated by Russia, as he urged the US Congress to pass a long-stalled foreign aid bill.
Denys Shmyhal was cautiously optimistic that US lawmakers would pass the much-debated measure, which would see $61bn given to Ukraine, as reported by the BBC.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on the aid this Saturday, with the proposal including funding for Israel as well as the Indo-Pacific.
Russia stated that any fresh US aid for Ukraine will make no difference on the battlefield, as the situation on the front line is looking “unfavorable” for Kyiv, according to the BBC.
Speaking to the news outlet in Washington DC yesterday (Wednesday, April 17), Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal said of the US security assistance, “We need this money yesterday, not tomorrow, not today,” adding “If we will not protect, Ukraine will fall. So the global system of security will be destroyed, and all the world will need to find a new system of security. Or, there will be many conflicts, many such kinds of wars, and at the end of the day, it could lead to the Third World War.”
Will Putin Attack Other European Countries if Russia Defeats Ukraine?
Ukraine has previously raised alarm bells about the consequences should it be defeated by Russia. Last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that if Russia won the conflict, it could next invade Poland, triggering World War Three.
However, Kremlin officials have rejected these claims and labeled them scaremongering. Last month President Vladimir Putin dismissed suggestions that Russia might one day attack Eastern Europe as “complete nonsense”.
Russia has never attacked a country in the Nato alliance, which includes Poland. NATO’s collective defense pact means that if one member country should be attacked, then all other members will retaliate, as per Article 5 of the alliance.
In Wednesday’s interview with the BBC, Prime Minister Shmyhal was asked about a recent claim by Republican House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul that members of his own party were being “infected” by Russian propaganda.
Shmyhal said, “We should understand that disinformation and propaganda is influencing here in the United States on many people, in the European Union on many people, such as in Ukraine.”
Opposition from the right wing of the Republican party has blocked potential assistance to Ukraine for months, with some being accused of supporting Russia.
A handful of lawmakers have raised objections to sending tens of billions of dollars in aid overseas, without first passing funds for US-Mexico border security. These conservatives have also reportedly dismissed any suggestions they could be Kremlin supporters, calling the allegations smears.
President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday that he would sign the package into law immediately once passed by Congress “to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends”.
Data analysts have made predictions for which countries will secure the most medals ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Credit: Darthvadrouw / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
With the 2024 Paris Olympics set to commence in just a few months time. sports analysts and experts are already offering their predictions for which country’s athletes will win the most medals.
Among those making predictions are statistics experts from the company Gracenote, who are planning to provide new predictions every month. To make the predictions, the data analysts examine statistics from the last summer Games in Tokyo.
USA predicted to win 123 medals in Paris
According to the analysts, the United States will once again win the most medals at the Paris Olympics, attaining around 123 in total. China is predicted to come in second place for total medals with about 89. China is expected to win just four fewer gold medals than the United States. This would be the same amount as they were awarded in Tokyo three years ago.
Great Britain is also expected to do well. British athletes are projected to perform on a par with their previous outing at the Olympics, although they might not secure as many gold medals.
The host country – France – may benefit from the home-field advantage. They are expected to jump up to fourth place in the medal table and come in third for gold medals. This would place them right behind the United States and China, as reported by The Telegraph.
Australia is expected to secure the fifth spot with around 50 medals, marking their highest tally in twenty years since Athens 2004.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus banned from Olympics
Since February 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from competing internationally in most Olympic sports due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This makes it harder to predict how athletes selected to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes will perform in terms of winning medals. Since only individuals are allowed to compete as neutrals and not teams, the number of medals they win is likely to be limited.
Preparations for the Olympics have been severely affected for athletes from Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. However, they are expected to win three gold medals and a total of 13 medals.
Athletes from Great Britain are expected to win a total of 66 medals, keeping up their status as a top competitor since they hosted the games in 2012. They’ve been successful by winning medals across a variety of sports, and it looks like this trend will continue in Paris.
However, they might not win as many gold medals this time. The prediction is 13 golds, which would be nine less than three years ago.
Elon Musk considers introducing small fee for new X users. Credit: dmoberhaus. CC BY 2.0/flickr
Elon Musk has said in a post on X that he is considering implementing a “small fee” for new users if they want to post, bookmark, or like on the platform with the aim of tackling the issue of automatized accounts, or “bots.”
Posting on the social media platform, Musk said that “Current AI (and troll farms) can pass ‘are you a bot’ with ease,” without specifying any details about how much the fee would be or the date it may be implemented. But Musk did say the measure would last three months in a different post on X.
Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.
Current AI (and troll farms) can pass “are you a bot” with ease.
What would Elon Musk’s new charge mean for X users?
It will still be possible to access the platform without having to pay, but new users would be prevented from creating content by tweeting, liking, or bookmarking a post. A similar restriction began last October in New Zealand and the Philippines, where new unverified users were charged one US dollar per year to interact with posts.
At present, the only paid features for X are for premium subscribers, which give access to the monetization program, an ad-free version, access to the platform’s generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbot, and more reply visibility.
Elon Musk has for a long time voiced his concerns about bots on X, promising his customers he would tackle the problem when he finalized his takeover of the platform in late 2022. However, the problem with bots has worsened, according to experts, and is now powered by AI.
The platform has lost almost a quarter of its US users since November 2022, the firm Sensor Tower told NBC News last month, and the value of X also dropped with the company seeing a decline in advertising revenues.
The billionaire’s pay package at Tesla
On Wednesday, the billionaire entrepreneur’s electric car company Tesla asked its shareholders to once again approve its CEO’s record-breaking $56 billion pay that was set in 2018. A Delaware judge rejected the pay package in January, calling it excessive and saying the company’s board failed to justify it.
The compensation does not include a salary or cash bonus but sets rewards based on Tesla’s market value rising to as much as $650 billion over the next ten years. Tesla is now valued at over $500 billion, according to LSEG data.
Elon Musk’s pay was rejected by Kathaleen McCormick of Delaware’s court of chancery, who judged the compensation granted by the board to be “an unfathomable sum” that was unfair to shareholders.
The company’s request for a new vote is seemingly an attempt to raise support for Elon Musk’s pay package and serve as a public rejection of the court’s decision. The January ruling, which can be appealed, nullified the largest pay package in corporate America.
McCormick also oversaw Twitter’s (X’s) July 2022 lawsuit against Elon Musk when he tried to break his $44 billion contract to buy the social media platform. Musk’s compensation for 2023 was exactly zero dollars, the filing showed. The billionaire does not take a salary from the company and is compensated through stock options.
The leaders of Greece and Turkey are scheduled to meet in the Turkish capital next month. Credit: Prime Minister’s Press Office
The leaders of Greece and Turkey are scheduled to meet on May 13th in Ankara. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced he would meet his Turkish counterpart President Recep Tayyip Erdogan next month at the culmination of a two-day summit of the European Council in Brussels.
In recent years, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has been characterized by tensions over the geostrategically vital Aegean Sea. However, renewed efforts by leaders of Greece and Turkey to improve relations have given rise to a period of cautious rapprochement.
Nevertheless, several thorny issues threaten to derail efforts to improve bilateral relations. Just last week, Turkey contested the plan by Greece to establish a new marine park in the Aegean Sea saying that Athens does not have sovereignty over islands within the region.
Mitsotakis responds to Turkish stance on marine environmental parks
Mitsotakis dismissed Turkey’s stance against Greece’s plan for the new marine park as “completely unjustified.”
“Greece exercises its sovereign rights in the Aegean Sea on the basis of international law and the law of the sea and I am impressed by this completely unjustified reaction of Turkey to an initiative, which ultimately has an environmental characteristic,” the Greek Prime Minister said.
He expressed his belief that the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey had not necessarily altered Ankara’s stance on key issues that have strained relations in the past.
Within the framework of European Council discussions, Mitsotakis also commented on wider relations between the EU and Turkey, with added emphasis on how this impacts Cyprus.
“For the moment, I am satisfied with the conclusions we have reached, which recognize the fact that relations between the European Union and Turkey may progress, but always within the framework of the decisions taken by the European Council in recent years,” said the Greek PM.
“Finally, in full agreement with the Republic of Cyprus, I welcome the fact that there is an explicit reference linking the progress of EU-Turkey relations with the progress that can be made on the Cyprus issue,” he said. “With explicit references to the Security Council resolutions that define the only framework within which the Cyprus issue can be resolved. And, of course, on our part, we express our expectation that this new effort, which is being made under the new UN envoy, will finally be able to bear fruit.”
Meetings between leaders of Greece and Turkey
The scheduled meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan fits within a broader trend of renewed communication between both leaders.
Until February 2023, the pair had reportedly not spoken for months. However, earthquakes that devastated portions of Turkey that month prompted both leaders to resume communications.
In the months since, there has been a focus on reducing tensions in the Mediterranean and improving bilateral relations between the two countries.
In December last year, Mitsotakis and Erdogan met in Athens, where they signed a friendship declaration between Greece and Turkey.
French authorities are expecting the 2024 Paris Olympics to face a significant threat posed by cyberattacks. Credit: Anthony Delanoix / Upsplash
Commentary by Neli Rašović, Vice-President of Women4Cyber Montenegro
As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, it’s crucial to recognize the multifaceted challenges posed by cybersecurity threats. While the Games symbolize unity, excellence, and global celebration, they also represent a prime target for malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure.
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest events ever organized in France with billions of viewers worldwide, millions of spectators in Paris, and over ten thousand athletes, twenty thousand journalists, and thirty thousand volunteers. These individuals will all be connected through a labyrinth of digital networks ripe for exploitation.
The threat of cyberattacks and the Paris Olympics
The history of major sporting events is riddled with instances of cyberattacks, ranging from espionage and sabotage to data breaches and disinformation campaigns. Past Olympics, including Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, and PyeongChang 2018, have all fallen victim to cyber incidents, highlighting the pervasive nature of the threat.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics faced over 450 million attempted cyberattacks, successfully blocked by the organizers. It is anticipated that the number of cyberattacks during the upcoming Games will be on the rise, particularly taking into consideration that the Paris Olympics are the first Games taking place in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. There is potential for AI-manipulated media to undermine the integrity of competitions.
Geopolitical tensions further complicate the risk landscape, as state-sponsored actors exploit digital vulnerabilities to advance political agendas. Ongoing conflicts have heightened concerns about retaliatory cyber operations targeting the Paris Olympics. Against this backdrop, it’s imperative for organizers to adopt a proactive stance and implement robust cybersecurity strategies to mitigate risks effectively.
Threats and countermeasures
On the severity of cyber threats speaks the fact that French authorities, led by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), have included the military to mitigate cyber risks, acknowledging that present government resources may not be sufficient to counter all forms of potential cyber aggression.
Consequently, there is a notable emphasis on readiness and collaboration among cybersecurity specialists and governmental bodies, actively working to ensure the integrity of the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
Some of the key identified categories of cyber threats are:
Cyber Espionage and Intelligence Gathering: Foreign intelligence agencies may target the Olympics to gather sensitive information about participating countries, athletes, officials, and event logistics. This information could be used for various purposes, including strategic advantage, political leverage, or future cyber operations.
Disruption of Critical Infrastructure: Hacktivist groups or state-sponsored actors may attempt to disrupt essential services and infrastructure supporting the Olympics. This would include transportation networks, power grids, or telecommunications systems. These attacks could result in widespread chaos, logistical challenges, and public safety concerns.
Supply Chain Attacks: Malicious actors may exploit vulnerabilities in the supply chain ecosystem of the Olympics, targeting vendors, contractors, or service providers involved in delivering goods and services for the event. Compromising these entities could lead to the insertion of malicious software, counterfeit products, or compromised infrastructure, posing significant risks to the Games’ operations and security.
Cyber Attacks on Spectators and Visitors: With the increasing reliance on digital ticketing, mobile apps, and online platforms for event information and engagement, cybercriminals may target spectators and visitors attending the Paris 2024 Olympics. These attacks could involve phishing scams, fraudulent ticket sales, or the distribution of malware-infected mobile apps. By compromising personal devices or stealing sensitive information, such as financial data or personal credentials, cybercriminals can exploit unsuspecting spectators and undermine the overall security and experience of the event. Organizers must prioritize the protection of spectators’ digital assets and raise awareness on potential cyber threats to ensure a safe and enjoyable Olympic experience for all attendees.
To fight the identified threats, several measures are being taken:
Comprehensive Threat Assessment: ANSSI, in collaboration with international cybersecurity partners, has been conducting thorough assessments to identify and prioritize cyber threats facing the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Secure IT Systems: The Paris 2024 organizers, building on experience from previous Olympics, have been prioritizing the security of information systems and security operation centers (SOCs) by implementing robust encryption protocols and access controls.
Data Protection Measures: Stringent data security measures, such as advanced encryption and access controls, are implemented to safeguard personal data and sensitive information from unauthorized access or exploitation.
Cybersecurity Awareness and Training: Extensive awareness-raising campaigns and cybersecurity training programs are conducted for all stakeholders, including organizers, participants, volunteers, and spectators.
Physical Security Measures: In addition to cybersecurity efforts, robust physical security measures are implemented to complement digital defenses.
Advanced Surveillance Technologies: The French government will be deploying AI-based technological surveillance, including extensive networks of cameras integrated with AI algorithms, enabling them to closely monitor crowds and public areas for signs of suspicious activity.
Global Cybersecurity Alliances: Collaboration with international cybersecurity organizations and government agencies facilitates the sharing of intelligence on emerging cyber threats and best practices for mitigation.
Simulation and Response Planning: Billions of cybersecurity simulations and response planning exercises have been conducted, training cybersecurity teams to identify vulnerabilities and refin response strategies.
Looking ahead: Ensuring a safe and successful event
As preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics continue, it’s essential to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing cybersecurity challenges. By embracing innovative technologies, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing cybersecurity awareness, organizers can enhance the resilience of the Games against evolving threats.
The success of the Paris Olympics hinges not only on athletic achievement but also on the robustness of its digital defenses. By implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and adopting a proactive stance, organizers can uphold the values of fair play, integrity, and unity that define the Olympic spirit. Jointly, all stakeholders can ensure the Paris 2024 Olympics are not only a celebration of sport but also a testament to the power of collective resilience in the face of adversity.
The study looked into factors including cleanliness and the proportion of flower shops, bakeries, and perfume shops. Credit: Titanas. CC BY 2.0/Flickr
People living in Athens may disagree, but a recent study analyzing 30 major cities in Europe and beyond, has found that the Greek capital is the best-smelling city.
The study by HAYPP has shed light on this overlooked aspect of urban life and looked into factors including cleanliness and proportion of flower shops, bakeries, and perfume shops to give each city a “smell score.” And the city that sniffed its way to the top of the charts was Athens, Greece.
The study explains that the bustling street markets, the aroma of fresh produce, herbs, and sizzling Greek delicacies wafting through the air put the Greek capital at the top of the relevant chart.
Athens is a feast for the senses, the study claims, scoring 8.3 out of 10 on the smell-o-meter. From cheesy tiropita (cheese pie) to sticky-sweet baklava, the city’s bakeries are serving up some serious scent satisfaction.
Athens is also a floral paradise, boasting 31 flower shops and 22 perfumeries per 10 square kilometers, which means delicate fragrance lingers around every corner of the city.
The flower shops of Syntagma square are an Athens landmark. Credit: Press Office of the PM of the Hellenic Republic
The city’s commitment to cleanliness is also reflected in its Environmental Performance Index (EPI), receiving a score of 56.2. While Athens may have claimed the top spot, it’s worth mentioning the other cities that have made it to the list of the world’s nicest-smelling cities.
Paris, with its romantic ambiance and elegant boulevards, secures the second position followed closely by Zurich, renowned for its cleanliness and picturesque surroundings, round up the top three. Dublin is at number four, followed by Luxemburg and Nicosia.
Here are the top ten:
Credit: HAYPP
What locals may think about Athens being the best-smelling city
Athenians would perhaps be more skeptical of the results of the study. Athens’ cleanliness is a bit of a mixed bag. Central areas and tourist spots are generally well-maintained, with regular trash collection and sanitation. The historic areas around the Acropolis are quite clean.
However, cleanliness can vary depending on the neighborhood. Some areas are tidy while others might have more litter and graffiti. Air quality is a weak spot for Athens, most local residents would argue. The city struggles with moderate air pollution due to factors like traffic and industry.
The good news is that Athens is taking steps to improve air quality. The city is expanding its metro system and investing in cleaner buses, and it also imposes traffic restrictions on vehicle use in the city center. Electric vehicles are also encouraged through incentives for people to switch to cleaner modes of transportation.
While there’s progress, air quality remains a challenge in Athens.
The research aims to create new ways for audiences to interact with archaeological sites. Credit: University of Sunderland
A Greek student from Crete who studies at the University of Sunderland in England has mapped the Palace of Knossos utilizing 3D laser scanning equipment.
George Vasilakis, who is studying BSc Web and Mobile Development, used cutting-edge technology provided by the university for his project.
The research aims to create new ways for audiences to interact with archaeological sites, using these scans to create a virtual reality experience of the palace and use the University’s 3D printers to construct physical models.
As a native Cretan, it’s a dream come true to access restricted areas of the palace.
“The Palace of Knossos is not only the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete but also the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization,” Vasilakis told the University of Sunderland magazine.
“This remarkable monument, with its complex architecture and stunning frescoes, offers invaluable insights into Europe’s first advanced civilization.
“Through my research, I hope to support Crete’s bid to secure UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage status for Knossos and other significant Minoan palaces.”
Credit: University of Sunderland
Mapping the Palace of Knossos with 3D laser
He added: “Conducting my dissertation at Knossos is a pinnacle moment not just for me, but for the University of Sunderland’s commitment to student-led research that contributes to preserving world heritage.
“I’m excited to process the data and uncover new insights about this fascinating ancient civilization.”
Vasilakis had to get special permission from the Greek Ministry of Culture, all made possible through the support of the University and the Faculty of Technology.
Paul Graham, Interim Associate Head of Computing at the University of Sunderland, said: “George came to speak with me about his project idea, which is a great project for the faculty and his final year dissertation.
“He has used our latest scanning equipment and is looking to develop a VR App where you can walk through the Palace of Knossos in Crete which the Heraklion Archaeological team are also happy with.”
“George is also looking to utilize our 3D Interactive Igloo for his project so there would be no need to use a VR headset in order to walk around the Palace.
Paul added: “This is just one of the great dissertation projects that we are supporting this year that links industry to our computing courses.”
The Palace of Knossos, located about five kilometers (three miles) south of Heraklion on Kephala hill, was the largest of all the Minoan palaces in Crete.
It was also at the core of the highly sophisticated civilization that flourished on the island over 3,500 years ago.
