High above the sparkling surface of the Athens coastline, the cranes for building the 50-floor luxury tower centerpiece of Greece’s future “smart city” look out over the Saronic Gulf. At their feet, construction machinery stirs up dust. The eight-billion-euro ($8.5-billion) project financed by private funds is, according to its backers, a symbol of Greece’s renaissance after the years of financial stagnation that saw investors flee the country. Critics, however, see it more as a future “ghetto for the rich”. It is hard to imagine that 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Acropolis, a new city “three times the size of Monaco” will rise from the ground by 2036, according to Odisseas Athanasiou, chief executive of the group Lamda that owns the site. One of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects, the Ellinikon initiative features plans for villas, two hotels, shopping centers, a university, a marina and other buildings. It will also feature the Riviera Tower, which would be Athens’s tallest skyscraper when it is completed at the end of 2026. Around 30,000 people are expected to live on the 6.2-square-kilometre (2.4-square-mile) site on what for decades was Athens’ international airport. The former terminal, a listed building since the airport relocated in 2001, is to be converted into an exhibition hall. During the 2004 Olympic Games, Ellinikon became a sports hub and hosted sports competitions including canoeing and hockey. But the facilities were subsequently abandoned, and then came the financial crisis, which hit the Greeks hard. Solidarity groups created a self-managed garden, a community grocery shop and a free medical centre at Ellinikon, to make up for the shortcomings of a virtually bankrupt state. Refugees were also temporarily housed in the derelict stadiums during the migrant crisis of 2015. Amid the wave of privatizations imposed by the country’s EU-IMF creditors, Athens was forced to sell Ellinikon. Lamda, a holding company specializing in property development, investment and management, won the bid in 2014 for less than a billion euros. The company is listed on the stock exchange and majority-owned by Greek tycoon Spiros Latsis. Lamda CEO Athanasiou says the company is building “the largest coastal park in the world”, with a third of the surface area reserved for green areas accessible to all. Ellinikon will be a “smart city” with advanced technological solutions, said other project managers who escorted an AFP team in a mini-bus through the huge construction site. An ‘offshore colony’ “We’re building from scratch, which is a major advantage,” Athanasiou said in front of a huge model of the project. “Cities like Singapore, Copenhagen and Amsterdam have done incredible things in terms of technology. But they have had to adapt what they have developed to an existing infrastructure,” he said. In total, the park will have 8,000 to 9,000 homes. The most luxurious apartments in the Riviera Tower can cost up to 25 million euros, Athanasiou said. The least expensive will sell for around 400,000 euros, a price entirely unaffordable for many Athenians, critics say. “This is not a real estate development project, it’s an ‘offshore’ colony,” said Nikos Belavilas, director of the urban environment laboratory at the National Technical University of Athens. “We will have a gated community isolated from the city, with skyscrapers and casinos for the oil-rich,” he said, at a time when Athens is more in need of social or student housing. The concrete-clad capital, with its jumbled streets that have grown out of control, is cruelly lacking in green areas. Ellinikon, with its parks and beaches, represented “an opportunity to have a large urban green space”, Belavilas said. ‘Dire’ It could have become an Athenian Tempelhof, he said, referring to the former West Berlin airport which was transformed into a huge park open to all in the center of the German capital, he said. The Ellinikon project is “dire on several levels”, especially in terms of the “macro-economic management of the country”, one Athenian architect said on condition of anonymity. Other Greeks complain that the state simply flogged off the site. Athanasiou counters that when the privatization took place “we were the only ones to respond to the call for tenders”. He said the project would “strengthen the country’s credibility abroad, which was damaged during the years of crisis”. Up to 80,000 jobs will be created and the Greek state will reap more than 14 billion euros in tax revenue once the project is completed, he said. —AFPKosovo arrests blast suspects, Serbia denies involvement
Furthermore, the participation in the Club World Cup provides an invaluable platform for players to showcase their skills and attract the attention of scouts and potential suitors from around the world. With the eyes of the footballing community fixed on the tournament, standout performances could lead to lucrative transfer deals and endorsement opportunities for individual players, further enhancing their market value and career prospects.The impact of the program extends beyond individual consumers to the automotive industry as a whole. The increased demand for new cars has boosted sales for automakers and dealers, helping to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities in the industry. Furthermore, the renewal of the vehicle fleet will contribute to a more efficient and environmentally friendly transportation system in the long run.In the world of diplomacy, even the smallest gestures can carry significant weight. And when it comes to handshakes, few things can be more scrutinized and critiqued than the interactions between world leaders. President Donald Trump, known for his firm and often aggressive handshake style, once again made headlines for his unique approach during a recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The encounter not only highlighted the ongoing dynamics between the two leaders but also added an extra layer of tension to an already delayed and highly anticipated meeting.
In a statement released to the press, Mamadashvili expressed his regret over being unable to compete in the remaining matches of the season. He acknowledged the support of his fans and assured them that he would be working hard to recover and come back stronger in the next season. Mamadashvili's positive attitude and determination in the face of adversity have endeared him to fans and fellow athletes alike.
Jannik Sinner leads Italy back to the Davis Cup semifinals and a rematch against Australia
One of the key themes of the symposium was the need to further deepen reforms and opening-up to drive economic growth. Participants emphasized the importance of enhancing the quality and efficiency of economic development, advancing technological innovation, and fostering a more business-friendly environment. They also highlighted the significance of strengthening international cooperation and expanding market access to enhance China's competitiveness in the global economy.
ATHENS, Ga. — This one’s going to hurt for a while. Ahead by 17 points at the half, by 14 with four minutes left in regulation, Georgia Tech tasted the most bitter of defeats. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
In conclusion, the recent developments in the Chinese streaming industry, particularly the restrictions on account sharing and simultaneous device access, have generated mixed reactions among consumers. While the platforms aim to safeguard their revenues and combat piracy, they must also consider the impact of such policies on user experience and satisfaction. Moving forward, it will be crucial for streaming services to find a middle ground that meets the needs of both the platforms and the subscribers, ensuring a fair and engaging viewing experience for all parties involved.Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors , a feature where we shine a spotlight on key executives and companies shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we’re talking to famed French-Congolese musician and dancer Fally Ipupa , affectionately known as the “Prince of Rumba,” and Belgian-Iranian writer-director Hamed Mobasser. The pair are behind upcoming Congolese feature Rumba Royale , a film that is set pre- Congo ’s independence from Belgium in 1960. Described as a historical thriller set against the backdrop of Congolese Rumba, the film marks Ipupa’s first acting role. He and Mobasser tell Deadline why the project is a love letter to Congo’s cultural heritage. Congolese rumba is largely considered one of the most influential genres of African music and dance. It is deep-rooted in Congo’s anti-colonial fight of the 20th century, when the country was under Belgium’s rule until it achieved independence from the European nation in 1960. In 2022, the genre even earned UNESCO-protected status, making Congolese rumba a rich part of the nation’s history books and spawning stars such as Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide and Fally Ipupa, the latter of whom is currently one of the genre’s biggest stars across Africa and the African diaspora. Frequently referred to as the “Prince of Rumba,” Ipupa’s songs have nearly a million monthly listeners on Spotify, and he’s been nominated three times for the BET Awards’ Best International Act and won multiple MTV Africa Music and African Muzik Magazine awards. So, when the African superstar was approached to star in Rumba Royale , an ambitious 1950s Congo-set movie that has rumba at its heart, he jumped at the opportunity. “One of the main reasons I was drawn to this movie is because of the story and how it represents Congo and portrays rumba music,” Ipupa tells Deadline of his first film role. “I was keen to be a part of something that could offer up something about our pop culture from a historical point of view and show Congo in a new light.” Dubbed a historical thriller, Rumba Royale is set in 1959 Leopoldville, the former capital of Belgian Congo (which is now called Kinshasa), a time when the pulsating rhythms of rumba set nightlife alight. The story takes place around the Club Rumba Royale, where white Europeans and Congolese citizens rub shoulders, and where the captivating melodies of rumba merge with aspirations and fiery debates of independence. The plot unfolds through the lives of four central characters, each woven into the fabric of a city on the brink of change: Daniel (Ipupa), the bohemian photographer yearning for recognition; Olive (Melanie Bokata), the vivacious waitress caught between dreams and harsh realities; Sese (Patrick Kabundi), the jovial manager of the Rumba Royale; and Amandine (Cécile Djunga), the seemingly discreet figure orchestrating both the music and struggle for independence. As their fates converge at the heart of the club, their stories intertwine in a journey filled with love, politics and the strength of the human spirit. Humble beginnings The project is the brainchild of writers Kevin Dwyer and Hamed Mobasser. Mobasser, who is a Belgian diplomat currently based in Washington D.C., also co-directs the film alongside Congolese helmer Yohane Dean Lengol. Dwyer and Mobasser first met in Brussels, when they both belonged to the Brussels Writers’ Circle, a collective of English-language writers in the city. When Mobasser was stationed at the Belgian embassy in Kinshasa from 2020 to 2024, he met a variety of different artists in the region and ended up making a short film, an experience that gave him exposure to the local, burgeoning industry. “We had this idea of trying to see if we could make something work in Congo with a reasonably low budget given that the film industry is still in its infancy there,” he says. “At the same time, we found we could work with very talented people who had been self-taught and were experimenting.” Both Mobasser and Dwyer then came across the work of a number of African photographers who had been working before Congo’s independence in 1960, notably the work of Congolese photographer Jean de Parva, who roamed the rumba clubs of Leopoldville at the time. “If you look him up, you’ll see magnificent pictures of the 1950s and the clubs there, which were full of white people – the Colonials – and black locals,” says Mobasser. “It could give you a false impression of an equal society where people hung out and partied and danced together.” Mobasser, who is of Belgian and Iranian decent, recalls thinking about this period of time in Congo’s history and was surprised that, for a nation of nearly 100 million people, Congo “didn’t really have many images of themselves in terms of pop culture from the past.” “It’s an odd thing for me,” he admits, harkening to his Iranian heritage which has a rich history of cinema. “When you ask the Congolese if they can name Congolese movies that they’ve seen, most people I have talked to couldn’t name more than a handful of movies.” Both Mobasser and Dwyer felt compelled to make a Congo-set movie that would ultimately be what they consider a “declaration of love to art of photography, fashion and the vibrant notes of Congolese rumba while, at its heart, offering a narrative of Congolese characters that are often overlooked by popular visual culture.” The pair were soon able to attach local director Lengol to co-direct the feature with Mobasser as well as rumba superstar Ipupa. “Fally specifically didn’t want to play a musician in the film,” says Mobasser. “He wanted to act and that’s why he plays Daniel, the main photographer.” Shot in Kinshasa by a Congolese technical crew, the film is laden with local talent including the music, which is composed by Congolese artists. While it’s set during a specific place and time in history, Ipupa notes that it was important that the film doesn’t focus too much on the political history of Congo, but rather has a nod to it. “We’ve stayed far away from politics, which I think is important,” says Ipupa. “We touch on it at the beginning when we talk about the independence but that’s it.” Mobasser adds that the focus was to “stay historically correct.” “We didn’t shy away from covering things that are facts or things that happened historically, but we do not go into a political subject matter either,” he says. “It just doesn’t fit the theme of the movie.” Both Mobasser and Ipupa are hopeful that the project, which is currently in post-production, is going to resonate with local Congolese audiences, especially given Ipupa’s big profile but there is a big desire for this film to breakout to international audiences. “We’d love for this to have a festival run in some way,” notes Mobasser. “People are going to love this movie in Congo,” says Ipupa. “I think they are going to be surprised in a good way and I’m hoping my position in Congo is going to attract people to it. It’s one of the two or three of the biggest projects to come out of Congo – maybe not in terms of budget, but in terms of ambition and a lot of people have put in a lot of work here. We had a vision, and we knew what we wanted to present and the story we wanted to tell so we are confident this will resonate with local audiences.” He continues: “Congo, as an industry, is growing. There are a lot of new talented Congolese directors, technicians, crew and writers. In all sections of the film industry, there are new and talented people cropping up. The reality is the industry is not there yet.” Ipupa notes that given the current lack of infrastructure, it wouldn’t be possible to make more than one or two films in Kinshasa at the same time. “You just wouldn’t have enough crew at the right level,” he says. While he’s encouraged about the presence of streaming platforms in Africa across the last few years, he’s hopeful that this will grow. “It’s time these platforms take more of an interest in a market that is very big and untapped,” he says. “I’m really happy to see that there are some African talents that make it on to these platforms, but our continent is full of them and it’s important to give a space to these voices.” “My hope with Rumba Royale is that the Congolese audience take away a sense of pride,” says Mobasser. “The Congolese are some of the nicest and most wonderful people I’ve met, and I hope that when they watch the film, they have a sense of pride in themselves, their history and their people. Having this representation of Congolese rumba on screen is really important. Fally is the face of Congolese rumba today and I’m happy he’s allowed us to create that bridge for Congolese audiences.” He continues: “For international audiences, it’s really a universal story that we are hopeful will offer viewers a rare look into a Congolese cinematic landscape, where productions of this period of history are rare.”Preview | Girona 0-4 Liverpool: It's not over until it's over, Klopp's Liverpool is a force to be reckoned with
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Texas bill would reclassify abortion drugs as controlled substances
Four ministries in China recently issued a joint document outlining guidelines for employment assistance work in order to provide targeted support for stable employment. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs are collaborating to implement measures that will help individuals secure employment opportunities in a challenging economic environment.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get the Maharashtra chief minister’s post and the swearing-in ceremony will be held on December 5, Mahayuti coalition leaders announced on Saturday, triggering yet more disapproval from the Shiv Sena over the “unilateral” nature of the announcement. “During the meeting in Delhi, it was decided that Mahayuti will form the government with the CM from the BJP and the remaining two parties will have DCMs (deputy chief ministers),” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar said, adding, “This is not the first time there has been a delay... If you remember, in 1999, one month was taken for government formation.” Hours earlier, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule independently announced that the oath-taking ceremony would take place at 5pm at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. The announcement, made over X, triggered unease within the Shiv Sena. “Leaders of all three parties — Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar — should have announced this together. The BJP may have consulted the CM before announcing venue and date,” Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said. He then staked claim to a crucial portfolio: “The Mahayuti must give the home department to Shiv Sena if the chief ministership goes to BJP.” In the earlier government, the home department was with deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis when Shinde was chief minister. Bawankule responded by saying such matters shouldn’t be discussed publicly, highlighting growing friction within the alliance. The sparring over portfolios comes as caretaker chief minister Shinde remains in his village Dare in Satara, where he retreated on Friday citing health issues. While Shinde had earlier announced that Prime Minister Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah’s decision would be acceptable to him and his party, the BJP’s offer of deputy chief minister’s post has reportedly met resistance, with Shinde’s camp insisting on controlling the home department, leaders aware of the matter told HT on Friday. His doctor told media on Saturday that Shinde had fever, throat infection and cold, requiring intravenous medication. The CM’s son and Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde said no discussions were held on Saturday as the CM was away and would return on Sunday. Deputy CM Pawar said Shinde had taken two days off as there wasn’t much work in the caretaker government. Earlier on Saturday prior to the oath-taking ceremony date being announced by the state BJP chief, Shiv Sena’s Shirsat said: “According to me, whenever Eknath Shinde thinks that he needs some time to think he goes to his native village. By tomorrow evening, he will take a big decision. It can be anything, a political decision.... Everything will be cleared by Monday evening.” he told ANI. The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party has already stated that Fadnavis was acceptable to it as chief minister. While the simple majority figure in the 288-member House is 145, the BJP alone bagged 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 57 and the NCP with 41 seats. But the government formation was delayed as the alliance failed to evolve a consensus on who would be the chief minister, and how the ministries and departments will be carved up between the three allies BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde met party president JP Nadda. According to party functionaries, who asked not to be named, the leadership is assessing the chief ministerial pick, particularly amid concerns about replacing a Maratha chief minister with a Brahmin leader (Fadnavis). The party leadership is also getting views of BJP leaders from the state on cabinet formation. The BJP has planned a grand swearing-in ceremony with Modi, Shah, top leaders and chief ministers of the ruling NDA coalition in attendance. Several locations including the Wankhede stadium, Brabourne Stadium, Mahalaxmi Race course and Shivaji Park were considered but were either unavailable due to ongoing events or found unsuitable. Finally, Azad Maidan was chosen. The administration has begun preparations for the new government. The winter session of the state legislature is likely to be held in Nagpur from December 16 to 24, with the legislature secretariat, Nagpur collectorate, city police and local public works department starting preparations. Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut claimed Shinde was “deeply upset” about losing the chief minister’s post. “He is mentally and physically disturbed. He was made chief minister in 2022 only because he split the Shiv Sena,” Raut said. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said government formation was delayed because the ruling Mahayuti parties never thought they will come to power again. Thackeray, speaking hours before the announcement of the swearing-in date, asked why there were no celebrations after the “monstrous” victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition. “When the Maha Vikas Aghadi was formed (after the 2019 elections), President’s rule was imposed. This time no one has staked claim to form the government, yet there is no President’s rule,” said Thackeray, a former chief minister.When asked about her decision to forgo pursuing postgraduate study, the student candidly responded that she did not feel suited for a research-oriented career. Instead, she expressed a desire to gain practical experience through various jobs to better understand her strengths and interests.