Latest News from Greece
An East-West Wind | Athens | May 31
Greece and Thailand mark 65 years of diplomatic ties on May 31 with a special performance at the Athens Concert Hall (85 Vasilisis Sofias). Led by Belgian conductor Michel Tilkin, the Athens State Orchestra will present a diverse program titled "An East-West Wind," including works by Georgios Lambelet, Eleftherios Veniadis and Narongrit Dhamabutra.
Cooperation memorandums with North Macedonia depend on Prespa compliance, Gerapetritis says
The government will table memorandums of cooperation with North Macedonia in Parliament for ratification only when it is "convinced of the neighboring country's full compliance with its international commitments," Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has said.
EU Commission sees Greece’s growth rate at 2.2% in 2024 and 2.3% in 2025
Greece's growth rate will reach 2.2% in 2024 and 2.3% in 2025, the European Commission said on Wednesday in its spring forecasts.
Harmonised inflation is estimated to fall to 2.1% next year while debt will further decline, it added.
Turkish crime boss arrested in Athens
Greek police have arrested a Turkish national, the suspected leader of a criminal group wanted by Ankara for a range of crimes including manslaughter, Greek police and intelligence sources said on Wednesday.
Police acted on an international warrant and arrested the 29-year old man on Friday last week following an initial tipoff by the Turkish intelligence service.
Ebb in Covid vaccinations
There has been a lukewarm response from people aged 60 and over in Greece to the call of the scientific community and health authorities to get the updated vaccine against the coronavirus.
PM advocates AI integration for Greek healthcare reform
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized on Wednesday his government's commitment to enhancing the Greek public health system with the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Elpida for Marina Satti's Eurovision yawns - 'When I saw it, I went crazy, I said she is like a little girl' she commented
The people watching at the time were not characterising Marina, but Greece, the singer commented
Greece in the top five for its main visitor markets
Greece is now fifth on the list of destinations that travelers from the three largest European markets, namely Germany, the United Kingdom and France, want to visit in the next 12 months.
About 20% of respondents in a large survey conducted in each of these markets want to travel to Greece.
Mail votes from Chios to Papua New Guinea
The envelopes of the postal vote are traveling across the globe so that Greek citizens in 128 countries participate in the upcoming European elections. Destinations include a diverse mix of countries from Haiti and Saint Barthelemy in the Americas, Azerbaijan, Vietnam and Oman in Asia, Kenya and Congo in Africa to Papua New Guinea in Oceania.
EBRD: Forecasts for the Greek economy – Growth of 2.3% in 2024 and 2.6% in 2025
Improvements in economic confidence where indicators generated risks for Greece – In hindsight Europe lowers expectations – Peace dividend is over
Greece mulls expansion of naval fleet, says minister
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has indicated that Greece considers further bolstering the Hellenic Navy by acquiring additional vessels.
Speaking at a defense exhibition in Athens on Wednesday, Dendias expressed Greece's ongoing interest in procuring a fourth Belharra-class frigate from France, along with an undisclosed number of corvettes.
Ministry announces slightly increased uni admissions for new academic year
A total of 68,851 candidates will be admitted to Greece's universities in the new academic year, the Education Ministry announced on Wednesday.
This marks an increase of 277 spots compared to the previous academic year, which saw 68,574 admissions.
The nationwide exams for university entrance will be held this year from May 31 to June 12.
Notorious people smuggler operated in Greek territory
Barzan Majeed, a recently-arrested Iraqi migrant trafficking kingpin known as "Scorpion," had been operating within Greek territory, Kathimerini understands.
Information gleaned from migrant smuggling networks suggests that Majeed resided and conducted operations in Greece from 1999 until late 2005, before relocating to the UK.
Health authorities on lookout for mosquitoes
This year's warm winter could lead to an early start to the West Nile virus circulation period, health experts warn.
In a statement on Tuesday, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) stressed the need for precautionary measures against mosquitoes to reduce the risk of infection by the West Nile virus, which, as it stated, is expected to recirculate this summer.
4.1 magnitude quake strikes Lesvos island
A 4.1 magnitude earthquake occurred on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos on Wednesday, according to the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens. No injuries or damage were reported.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 7.57 a.m., was located 21 kilometers northwest of the town of Polychnitos. The focal depth of the quake was estimated at 12.9 kilometers.