Greece

Former German FM Joschka Fischer, whose European leftist credentials are more-or-less without question, delves into the “could have”, “should have” debate swirling around Greece’s ruling SYRIZA party, given that the Greek government appears to have entered the “final stretch” in negotiations to clinch at least a bailout plan extension.

By Maria Petrakis

Londoner Eleni Kyriacou is building her fashion brand on the ruins of Greece's textile industry.

Greek Parliament was expected to re-examine the cases of the Siemens bribe scandal and the Lagarde list, following an order issued by House Speaker Zoe Constantopoulou on Thursday in her capacity as head of the House's Special Permanent Committee on Institutions and Transparency.

The number of security traffic controls in Greece have increased prior to the upcoming Labor Day (May 1) holidays. Travelling of cargo vehicles has been banned.

Meanwhile, flights to and from Greece have been cancelled on account of a three-hour strike. Additionally, marine transport will also be cut for several hours as workers have scheduled massive protests.

By Lefteris Papadimas & Deepa Babington

Greece's leftist government offered its biggest concessions so far in a race to remove roadblocks in crunch talks with lenders on a cash-for-reforms package on Thursday.

Melina Mercouri, the late, legendary Greek actress, socialist politician and once spokeswoman for the return of the Parthenon Marbles is also jean Paul Gaultier’s muse. The philhellene French fashion designer designed a sailor shirt and a t-shirt dedicated to the iconic actress that is now on sale at the Benaki Museum’s shop and e-shop.

Bloomberg’s article titled “Greece, Euro-Area Partners Target Deal” states that Greece and its eurozone partners are accelerating talks so as to break a deadlock over bailout aid. A solution can be found as early as next week, just in time for Greece to face its cash crunch.

By George Georgiopoulos

Greeks want their government to make a deal with international lenders to unlock aid and do not favour early elections or a referendum if talks hit an impasse, an opinion poll showed on Wednesday.

By Karl Stagno Navarra, Eleni Chrepa & Jeff Black

Greece and its euro-area partners are stepping up talks in a bid to break an impasse over bailout aid as early as next week, even as the country's government sent conflicting signals over its willingness to agree on long- stalled reforms.

By Costas Iordanidis