Athens

The amount of shuttered storefronts as a percentage of all shops in central Athens has crept up, reversing the trend of the first half of the year, according to data released by the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Enterprises (ESEE).

In September empty stores amounted to 28.1 percent of the total across the country, with the rate in Athens coming to 26.4 percent.

British newspaper Guardian published an article entitled “Air quality worsens in Greece as recession bites”, focusing on the impact the economic crisis the country has been facing on the environment. The piece points out that thousands of Greeks are forced to use any material, even trash to keep warm as they are unable to afford conventional energy sources to keep warm.

European Commission sources says the representatives of the institutions have completed their mission in Athens, following constructive talks with the Greek authorities. The same sources added that both sides agreed to conclude the second review of the Greek programme as soon as possible. “The institutions will return in mid-November where talks will continue”, the sources said.

A number of important investments are under way in Greece's tourism sector, and this is of course very good news for the economy.

Prospects are strong indeed, and they have the potential of turning tourism into an engine to power the country to recovery.

Motorists driving in Athens and Piraeus Friday should bear in mind that many roads around the capital will be closed to traffic as schools hold their annual Ochi Day parades, commemorating Greece's entry into the Second World War in 1940.

In Athens, the roads that will be affected include Vassilissis Amalias, Vassilissis Sofias and Vassilissis Olgas avenues and Mitropoleos Street.

The Greek National Opera will be staging a new production of Theofrastos Sakellaridis's "O Vaftistikos" (The Godson) in a series of performances running taking place on October 30 and November 2 and 6. Directed by Simos Kakalas, the operetta is one of the Greek repertoire's most popular works, with a story based on a series of comical misunderstandings.

Athens, London and Munich. Three European cities, three theater companies, three stages and different audiences for a production based on a series of sketches performed through a digital connection.

An "Athens cell" of the so-called Islamic State comprised two key members and at least eight radical jihadists found to have strong links with the pair, according to Belgian court documents seen by Kathimerini.

The documents, which relate to suspects linked to a string of bombings in Brussels in March and in Paris last November, link eight suspects to the two Athens-based radicals.

Motorists driving in Athens on Friday should bear in mind that many roads around the capital will be closed to traffic as schools hold their annual Ochi Day parades, commemorating Greece's entry into the Second World War in 1940.

A retired police officer was remanded in custody on Tuesday for the murder of a gym owner in Ambelokipi, central Athens, last Friday.

The 60-year-old was arrested after turning himself in on Saturday and confessing to the fatal shooting of the 68-year-old businessman.