Latest News from Greece
Sunny skies give way to clouds
Residents on Athens' southern coast enjoy the sunny weather on a beach in Alimos on Saturday morning, as rain clouds and a drop in temperatures swept in from the west to bring autumn back to Greece.
Defendants testify in urban planning corruption scandal
Two days of hearings in a corruption scandal involving urban planning officials across Halkidiki in northern Greece concluded late Saturday night with 20 of 21 arrested suspects testifying before an investigative judge.
The remaining defendant, a department head at the Nea Propontida municipal building service, who was granted a new deadline on Saturday, will testify on Monday.
Heavy rain impacts western Greece, 5 people rescued in Agrinio
Fire brigade crews rescued and relocated five persons whose lives were endangered by heavy rainfall in the wider Agrinio region, western Greece, on Saturday.
Crews also conducted eight water pumping operations to remove water from flooded ground floors and basements caused by excessive water accumulation and torrent overflows in the Agrinio area.
Shops open Sunday; festive-season turnover boom seen, challenges remain
Retail turnover is expected to surpass €4 billion this December, according to estimates from the retail sector, which is largely open for business Sunday.
However, despite the positive sales projections, retail sector officials remain concerned about challenges once again faced by businesses this Christmas season.
North Macedonia Stands Firm on EU Integration: No More Concessions Without Clear Commitment from Brussels
The government of North Macedonia has declared its readiness to continue advancing European integration, but only under conditions it deems constructive and fair. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that the government is prepared to respond positively if Brussels proposes a viable solution for the country to progress toward EU membership.
Bulgaria Joins Schengen Fully by Land: What Changes on January 1, 2025?
The European Union has officially approved Bulgaria and Romania as full members of the Schengen area. The decision, announced on Thursday at a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels, comes after the two countries partially joined Schengen by air and sea in March.
SYRIZA: The background behind the “yes” vote on defence spending
Almost as time was running out, yesterday afternoon, the Syriza Progressive Alliance‘s stance on defence spending crystallized, with the budget debate culminating this evening.
Retail: Turnover will exceed 4 billion euros this December, retailers estimate
The turnover of retail in December this year, according to retailers’ estimates.However, despite the positive sign in turnover, the trade says it still faces new challenges this Christmas.
Probe launched into dead sheep found in stream
Authorities in Central Greece were carrying out an investigation over the weekend after livestock farmers reported the discovery, in a stream, of the rotting corpses of dozens of sheep, presumably victims of a contagious disease that has been spreading through the area in recent months.
Budget debate concludes today: Key announcements expected from the Prime Minister
The debate on the government budget enters its final stretch as the leaders are expected to clash today and a final roll call vote is expected.
Severe weather hits Agrinio and Preveza: Floods, rescues, and rising danger
Saturday night brought chaos to Preveza and the wider Agrinio area as torrential rains triggered emergencies, landslides, flooding, and incidents requiring urgent rescues. Elderly residents and drivers were trapped in rising waters, prompting the intervention of the Fire Service to save lives.
Storm Impact Across Regions
Brussels slashing loans via the RRF
The European Commission has pulled the brakes on the disbursement of loans from the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF), which have been outpacing grants, so that these two forms of support can develop evenly until their completion in August 2026.
Fresh hope for mountain villages and their last defenders
For decades, Greece's mountain villages have faced a steady exodus, their inhabitants trading altitude for the comforts of lowland cities.
Flexibility at universities
The university admission system in Greece often traps young people into an academic subject that they have not consciously chosen.
The possibility for greater flexibility and mobility during one's academic studies, from one department to another, is an international trend that the Ministry of Education is now encouraging here as well.
Trump Jr. “praises” Gilfoyle: Greece gets a star, I’m proud of her
Donald Trump Jr said he and Kimberly Guilfoyle “will never stop caring about each other.”
Specifically, the son of the US president-elect, speaking to Page Six on Friday and following extensive reports that the couple had split, said that “Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and we will always be united by a special relationship.”