Stories from Athens · Greece

The European People's Party reportedly covered 308,000 euros in losses for a company owned by a 50-year-old Greek-American. These losses occurred over a six-month period ending in late January.

Greece's purchasing power in 2026 is among the lowest in Europe, according to Eurostat data. The country's purchasing power is 32% below the European average. Greece currently shares this bottom ranking with Bulgaria. The report notes that Greece is at the bottom of the continent in terms of consumer spending capacity. The source notes that young people are leaving the country due to a lack of dignity and economic opportunity. This trend is described as a struggle for a normal life amidst rising inequality. More than one in four Greek citizens are currently at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The nation ranks second-to-last among European Union member states for this metric.

Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Spiliarakis is set to chair the Eurogroup following a meeting with Eurogroup President and Eindhoven Mayor Gerund Daisel Blum. The meeting took place on Wednesday. Blum described the Greek minister's upcoming presidency as an excellent example. The discussion also touched upon economic growth and money flow management.

An 89-year-old man is being taken to court following a shooting incident. The suspect is being taken to an investigator in Evka.

A €4 million Smart Policing program utilizing AI and facial recognition software has been ruled unlawful. The decision follows public spending on the technology-enabled surveillance system.

A nationwide strike is scheduled for May 1st, affecting all categories of shipping and causing changes to ferry schedules. The strike will cause a complete blockade of the maritime sector starting at midnight, leaving all ferries to the islands at the docks. Most railway transport will also be affected, with the majority of trains being canceled. The protests target working conditions and are organized annually to coincide with International Workers' Day. A nationwide strike is scheduled for tomorrow affecting the Greek transport network. The strike will impact trains, buses, and trolley services across the country. According to the report, transport services will operate only between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM. A 24-hour general strike has completely paralyzed Greece. Major labor confederations demanded higher wages to counter the high cost of living and called for decent working conditions.

Police and relevant ministries are investigating an armed attack on the offices of the Doulkerios prosecutor and court. Five people were injured during the incident. Authorities are currently examining the origin of the weapons used and security measures in public buildings.

A surveillance network involving 120 confirmed instances of monitoring has been identified. The targets included ministers and heads of armed forces. The scale of the monitoring has raised political questions regarding awareness of the operation.

Greece paid approximately 8 to 9 billion euros for French fighter jets. The cost included 3.5 billion euros for the 4th Brigade and 2.5 billion euros for aircraft without integrated weapon systems.

Panathinaikos secured a 68-67 victory over Baskonia to gain a lead in the EuroLeague Final Four qualification playoffs. The second game of the series is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Spain. The victory gives Panathinaikos a 1-0 lead in their series. The win places them in a position to advance toward the EuroLeague playoffs. Panathinaikos secured a 110-105 overtime victory against Valencia in Spain. Both Greek teams now require one more win to guarantee qualification. Fenerbahce also won its matchup against Zalgiris with a score of 86-74, leading the series 2-0. The result places both teams one step away from the Athens Final 4. The team finished the regular season with a 6-7 win record. Kostas Loukas was noted for his performance in the final. The EuroLeague is the primary topic of discussion, with a focus on Panathinaikos and Olympiacos.