Latest News from Greece

Greece and New Zealand have signed a bilateral air service deal

New Zealand has signed an air service deal with Greece to help airlines from either of the two countries to take up the flying rights in the long term if they spot a viable market opportunity.

The bilateral agreement means that airlines would offer passengers a single ticket for flights in a number of flights.

Turkey's Ambassador to Bulgaria Voices Dissatisfaction with Border Fence

Turkey's Ambassador to Bulgaria Suleyman Gokce has expressed dissatisfaction with the 30-kilometer border fence and the declaration of the Parliament on the fate of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

Y. Varoufakis: For the “umpteenth time”, he won’t resign!

Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis took to Twitter to state that his controversial choice of Elena Panaritis as Greece’s representative to the International Monetary Fund does not mean that he’ll resign:

Twitter users immediately reacted to this comment, prompting Varoufakis to react:

Elena Panaritis as Greece’s IMF rep prompts social media ‘war’

Elena Panaritis’ appointment as Greece’s representative to the International Monetary Fund generated increased criticism from within the ruling Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) party and the opposition. Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis’ choice of the economist has come under fire from within his own party, prompting the reaction of Panaritis herself.

Greek coast guard rescues 213 migrants in multiple Aegean operations

Greek coast guard officers rescued 213 migrants during operations off various Aegean islands on Saturday night.

The six rescues took place off Kos, Chios and Lesvos. Authorities do not believe any people are missing.

Greece, bond purchases to top agenda at ECB meeting

The European Central Bank, bolstered by the success of its controversial bond purchase programme, will pledge to keep it in place while downside risks to economic growth remain, analysts said.

The ECB's decision-making governing council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday but is unlikely to announce any new policy moves, central bank watchers predicted.

Greek govt prepares a draft plan amid agonizing negotiations

A meeting of Greek authorities and representatives of the three institutions of the Brussels Group (EC, ECB and IMF) are continuing at an intense pace following a meeting between technical teams on a wide range of issues on Saturday. Talks focused on the operation of Greece’s justice system, markets and other issues.

U2's message of support to Greece in Canada and the U.S. (videos)

TIME: Naxos is better (and cheaper) than Santorini and Mykonos

TIME magazine’s article “9 Vacation Spots That Are Better (and Cheaper) Than the Places You Want to Go” looks at less-traveled locales that have the perks of iconic destinations but have fewer tourists and are more affordable.

Australian travelers warned of banking problems and strikes

Australia issued travel advice to nationals visiting Greece, including the warning “that retail banking services throughout Greece may at times become very limited at short notice”. Australian travelers are told to have enough cash in case of emergencies.

183 MEPs and 13 lawmakers support SYRIZA

183 MEPs and another 13 lawmakers from EU countries expressed support to the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government “for its just fight against the one-way road of austerity.” The lawmakers believe that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his leftist party is “linked to a clear hope for a better life away from austerity policies for which it is claimed that there’s no alternatives.”

Malia honors its regular visitors in special ceremony

The Malia beach resort in Heraklion, Crete, honored its most loyal visitors with special prizes. A ceremony held on Friday presented awards to 140 regulars who keep returning to the destination. Germans, Australians, Dutch and British tourists who keep coming back were given prizes.