Greece - ekathimerini.com (English)

The latest national news from ekathimerini.com.

*Please note: The news links below will open a new window.

1. Congressional concern grows over Barrack comments on Turkey, F-35s

   Recent comments by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggesting a possible pathway for Ankara’s return to the F-35 fighter jet program have sparked strong reactions in Congress, with lawmakers questioning whether his remarks reflect official US policy toward Turkey, Israel and broader regional security issues.

2. UN may put Cyprus peace plan forward this year, Cypriot president says

   The United Nations is likely to launch a fresh push to resolve the decades-old split of Cyprus before the term of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expires at the end of the year, Cyprus's President Nikos Christodoulides said.

3. Public sector employees walk off the job over wages, hirings

   Teachers, local government and tax office employees, along with healthcare workers are among those walking off the job on Wednesday, as part of the 24-hour nationwide strike in the public sector over economic demands. 

4. EU praises ‘important progress’ on rule of law

   The government on Tuesday welcomed comments by European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath following his meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens.

5. Legislation to speed up probes of officials

   The conservative government is finalizing a legislative amendment aimed at accelerating court proceedings involving lawmakers and ministers, amid concerns that lengthy judicial investigations fuel political polarization.

6. German tourist, unable to find loungers on Kos, is awarded €1,000 compensation

   A German tourist has been awarded nearly €1,000 after a court in his country ruled that constant competition for poolside loungers ruined his family holiday in Greece.

7. Akylas aims to ‘Bring It’ all the way to Eurovision glory

   Greece's Akylas, with the party-rap track "Ferto" ("Bring It"), won a place Tuesday in the Eurovision Song Contest final alongside nine other countries, while five nations were eliminated after the first day of competition in the pop music extravaganza.

8. Banks’ €11.5 bln challenge

   Behind the facade of complete normalization in the banking sector, the last major impact of the crisis remains on lenders’ balance sheets: Deferred tax credit comes to around €11.5 billion and represents a significant portion – almost 40% – of the regulatory capital of systemic groups.

9. Athens ‘certain’ sea drone is Ukrainian

   Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, speaking at a gathering with his EU colleagues, said Tuesday he was “certain” the unmanned explosives-laden sea vessel found last Thursday off the coast of the island of Lefkada in western Greece was Ukrainian.

10. Travlos: Free navigation is a nonnegotiable duty of the world

    Τhe president of the Union of Greek Shipowners Melina Travlos said on Tuesday that in a period of intense geopolitical realignments and growing challenges for global shipping, the industry remains a force of stability and global cohesion, ensuring the smooth functioning of trade, energy and supply chains.