A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Evia on Thursday afternoon, with tremors felt across Attica, including Athens. According to the Geodynamic Institute of Greece, the quake’s epicentre was near Chalkida. No immediate damage or injuries have been reported as authorities monitor the situation.
The funeral of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania was held in Tirana, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding over the ceremony. Dignitaries from Greece and Albania, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, attended to pay their respects. Anastasios was hailed as a visionary leader who revitalized the Orthodox Church in Albania, fostering interfaith dialogue and strengthening ties between Greece and Albania.
Greece and the UK have strengthened their maritime cooperation with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on sustainable shipping, green initiatives, and human resources development. The agreement, signed in London by Greek Minister Christos Stylianides and IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, underscores shared commitments to addressing key challenges in the shipping industry, including environmental sustainability, maritime safety, and international collaboration.
Renowned British actor Stephen Fry has reiterated his support for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece, speaking at an event at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. Fry, a longtime advocate for the restitution of the marbles, emphasised the sculptures’ rightful place in their homeland and called for cooperation between the British Museum and Greece’s Acropolis Museum. Highlighting recent successes in Greece’s efforts to reclaim the artifacts, Fry expressed optimism that a solution could be found through dialogue and mutual respect for cultural heritage.
A 3-year-old boy named Angelos is fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit of Heraklion University Hospital after suffering severe abuse at the hands of his mother and her partner. The child has sustained multiple injuries, including a subdural hematoma and burns, raising grave concerns about his survival. Medical experts are uncertain if he is brain dead, with increased intracranial pressure being a key worry. Both the mother and her partner are in custody as authorities investigate the horrific abuse.
A 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck early Thursday morning in the waters between Crete and Kythera, with its epicentre located 87 kilometres southwest of Kythera. The tremor occurred at 6:36 a.m., at a depth of 11.6 kilometres. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Greece and 11 other EU nations have urged the European Commission to take stronger action against foreign election interference under the Digital Services Act. The call comes amid growing concerns over Russia and China’s influence, with upcoming elections in Germany and Poland heightening the urgency for preventive measures.
Greek authorities are closely monitoring mild seismic activity in the Santorini caldera, with experts noting increased movement in the Kameni fault. While the activity resembles the 2011-2012 period, which concluded without an eruption, officials emphasize that there is no immediate cause for concern. Continuous monitoring and preventive measures remain a priority to safeguard residents and visitors.
A 98-year-old man was found dead in his Exarchia apartment after his 74-year-old daughter reportedly confessed to killing him. Police arrived at the scene and discovered no obvious signs of trauma on the man’s body. A forensic examiner has been called to determine the cause of death, while authorities investigate the daughter’s mental state.
Greece has strongly opposed the potential sale of METEOR air-to-air missiles to Turkiye by a consortium that includes France, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed. During a meeting with French Ambassador Laurence Auer, Dendias stressed that such a deal would undermine the strong strategic ties between Athens and Paris. Greece has formally requested an official briefing on the reports, citing concerns over regional security and military balance.
Greek farmers are escalating protests over rising costs, threatening to bring tractors to Syntagma Square. With blockades nationwide and over 1,000 tractors in Thessaly, they demand action against debt and low prices. *“They want us gone, and that hurts,”* says leader Kostas Tzellas.
April 6 has officially been designated Thracian Hellenism Day in Greece, following a presidential decree and a law passed in 2022. This year marks the first official observance, with events to honor the memory of Thracian Greeks who were killed or displaced. Aristeidis Chrysopoulos, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Thracian Societies, emphasized the importance of recognising the genocide against all Greeks of Asia Minor, including Thracians and Pontians, ensuring their history is remembered.
A 20-year-old university student died within hours of being diagnosed with fulminant meningitis at the University Hospital in Patras. The infection progressed rapidly after he developed symptoms, and despite medical efforts, he passed away early Tuesday. In response, Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) has deployed a team to the region, with preventive measures underway, including chemoprophylaxis for 40 students. This marks the latest case in a series of meningitis incidents in Patras.
The Tempi disaster case sees new developments as an investigator requests a separate file on site tampering. Meanwhile, PM Mitsotakis prepares a televised intervention amid rising public outrage, and an upcoming NTUA report aims to clarify the causes of the fire and explosion.
Two Albanian men were arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in Thracomacedones on December 15, 2024, which left one dead and another seriously injured. Police found an extensive arsenal of weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, bulletproof vests, and €79,500 in cash, during searches of their homes in Nea Smyrni and Peristeri. The suspects face multiple charges, including manslaughter, organized crime, and drug trafficking.
Athens is facing severe traffic congestion, with the city ranking eighth in Europe for travel time, averaging 30 minutes to cover just 10 kilometers. According to experts, improving the city’s transportation system requires significant investment and long-term planning. Calls for upgrading the fixed-rail network, expanding bus services, and enhancing connections between different transport modes are growing, as both Athens and Thessaloniki continue to struggle with gridlock.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will join world leaders, researchers, and industry experts in Paris on February 10-11, 2025, for the AI Action Summit, as the city becomes the global hub of Artificial Intelligence. The summit aims to foster international collaboration on sustainable AI, effective governance, and equitable access to AI technologies, amid growing competition between the US and China.
The Greek Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs has doubled the funding for its “Housing and Employment for the Homeless” program to 20 million euros. The expanded initiative will provide social housing, training, and subsidized employment for vulnerable groups, while also offering support for those looking to start their own businesses. The program’s reach has grown from 42 to 89 municipalities, now including families in public housing and those in precarious living conditions.
The ancient underground marble quarries of Marathi on Paros, dating back to the 5th century BC, are being digitally mapped and brought to life through cutting-edge 3D technology. Funded by the South Aegean Region and European resources, the project aims to preserve, study, and promote these cultural treasures, offering interactive virtual tours and educational tools to connect global audiences with Paros’ rich history.
A 39-year-old Turkish national accused of murdering a 60-year-old OPAP agency owner in Paleo Faliro has been remanded in custody. Claiming provocation and self-defense, the defendant expressed remorse and requested a psychiatric evaluation, which has been approved as part of the ongoing investigation.