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At a time of dwindling faith in Greek institutions, a significant percentage of citizens appear to be putting their trust in charitable foundations, according to a survey for the Dianeosis nonprofit think tank.

Leaders of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states arrived in Istanbul on May 18 to attend an extraordinary summit, called by Turkey, in Istanbul on May 18 to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to denounce the relocation of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem, as well as the Israeli attacks that killed over 60 civilians in protests on May 14.

The reduction of pensions as of January 2019 is now certain. Despite the hopes that cabinet members had been cultivating up until Wednesday that the measure already passed would not be implemented thanks to performance of the budget, a senior Finance Ministry official ruled that out on Thursday.

The International Monetary Fund will move quickly to agree on a loan program to support Argentina but there are no details yet on what it will entail, a fund spokesman said on May 17.

"Time is running out," International Monetary Fund spokesman Gerry Rice warned on Thursday in reference to the agreement required for the easing of Greece's national debt. He stressed that despite the progress in talks, the Europeans' proposals have not yet satisfied the Fund.

Four or five major stumbling blocks look likely to weigh on the last bailout review that started on Wednesday at the Hilton hotel in Athens, according to a senior Finance Ministry official.

The tug of war between the International Monetary Fund and Berlin over the Greek debt issue is threatening Greece's successful bailout program exit in August.

Germany insists on granting Greece gradual debt relief under the condition that it will be approved every year by the Bundestag.

The public sector union, ADEDY, and the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) have announced a 24-hour strike on May 30.

According to statements issued by both unions, the industrial action will be taken to protest against "austerity, unemployment and overtaxation."

Two alternative legislative proposals put forward by Bulgaria's main parliamentary fractions would give the state more oversight over the activities of the country's faith groups.

Self-styled anarchist group Rouvikonas stormed into the offices of British aid organization Oxfam in central Athens Thursday and threw paint to protest against a sex abuse scandal affecting the charity.

Ten people who had covered their faces smashed windows and damaged computers before leaving the NGO's premises on Patission Street.