Latest News from Greece
Terrible dilemma
The government and the country's lenders are leading Greece into a situation whereby thousands of businessmen and taxpayers will have to ask themselves the following question: "should I accept economic defeat or should I resort to tax dodging and social security contribution evasion."
Tsipras, ND leader clash over refugee crisis, extremism
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of the conservative opposition New Democracy, on Wednesday crossed swords in Parliament during a debate that was ostensibly about citizens' safety but focused mostly on the government's handling of the refugee crisis and purported links to extremists.
Watchdog upholds complaints over Jumbo advert
Greece's advertising watchdog has ruled that an Easter commercial by children's store Jumbo is sexist and encourages violence against women.
The Advertising Self-Regulation Council (SEE) upheld a complaint from the General Secretariat for Equality regarding the advertisement and asked for it to be changed or withdrawn within two days.
Woman believed to have swallowed nearly one kilo of cocaine intercepted at Athens airport
Officers of the police's narcotics unit on Wednesday detained a 32-year-old Venezuelan woman after determining that she had swallowed nearly a kilogram of cocaine in 88 packages.
The woman arrived at Athens International Airport on a flight from Sao Paulo via Abu Dhabi.
Actor Yiannis Voglis, 79, dies
Stage, film and TV actor Yiannis Voglis has died at the age of 79. Voglis started his theater character in 1961 under legendary director Karolos Koun. Voglis worked alongside a number of Greece's star actors, such as Elli Lambeti and Manos Katrakis.
His film career also began in the 1960s and he subsequently had parts in numerous TV series over the last few decades.
Bulgaria to Build Border Fences without Calling Tenders
Bulgarian lawmakers have definitely approved a bill under which the construction of any fence along Bulgaria's borders can be initiated without public procurement procedures.
UNHCR fears 500 dead in Mediterranean shipwreck
The U.N. refugee agency said on April 20 that it feared around 500 migrants from Africa had drowned in the Mediterranean after witnesses said their overcrowded boat sank.
Bulgarian Truck Drivers to Block Border with Greece Before Easter
Bulgarian road haulage companies are to seal off all checkpoints along the border with Greece, a trade union has said.
EU to propose visa-free travel for Turks May 4 if terms met
The European Union's executive said on Wednesday it will propose on May 4 granting Turks visa-free travel to the bloc from late June in a deal under which it is to stop uncontrolled migration into Europe - provided Ankara meets the remaining conditions.
Backup flame for Rio lit in birthplace of ancient Olympics
Fire spurted from a concave mirror Wednesday as a priestess, kneeling in her long, pleated dress before a ruined Greek temple, focused the blazing sun's rays on her metal torch.
Come rain or shine on Thursday's official lighting ceremony, Rio de Janeiro has now secured its Olympic flame, which will burn in the Brazilian host city throughout the Aug. 5-21 games.
Fire in Greek camp burns more than a dozen tents
A fire broke out in a refugee camp in northern Greece Wednesday, burning more than a dozen tents and sparking a protest by refugees. Police said at least two people were taken to a hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
ESM says looking at options to ease Greece debt
The European Stability Mechanism has acknowledged that it is considering ways to grant debt relief to Greece, possibly by fixing the interest level at current low rates or by extending its maturities further.
Greek PM says migrant flows decreased after EU-Turkey deal
Migrant flows to Greece have decreased markedly in recent months, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Wednesday, defending his government's support of a deal between the European Union and Turkey to tackle the migrant crisis.
Juncker sees no need for extra measures to conclude Greek bailout review
Greece should not need extra measures to wrap up an ongoing bailout review with lenders, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has said admitting however that the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may have to bridge their diverging assessments about the state of the Greek economy.
Greece 89th in press freedom, says Reporters Without Borders 2015 index
World press freedom deteriorated in 2015, especially in the Americas, advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said on Wednesday as it released its annual rankings and warned of “a new era of propaganda”.
The World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries on indicators such as media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and abuses.