Firefighters recovered the fifth body—a woman—from the rubble of the Violanta biscuit factory in Trikala after a devastating explosion and fire early Monday. The death toll now stands at five, all women, with seven injured including a firefighter. Investigations point to a gas leak igniting gas-operated furnaces.
The Greek government is launching a new digital platform to guide citizens relocating from cities like Athens to rural and regional areas, providing consolidated data on jobs, infrastructure, healthcare, and services by municipality. Part of the National Strategy for Regional Development to 2035, it complements subsidies up to €10,000 and other incentives to combat depopulation.
Israel and Cyprus are nearing completion of a long-awaited intergovernmental agreement on the management of the shared Aphrodite–Ishai (Yishai) natural gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean. Sources indicate the bilateral deal is in its final drafting phase, with an Israeli delegation expected in Cyprus this January for intensive talks to finalize details.
Greek FM George Gerapetritis reaffirms plans to extend territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Aegean, despite Turkey’s 1995 casus belli threat viewing it as a red line and potential cause for war.
A Greek court acquitted Syrian swimmer Sarah Mardini and 23 other rescue volunteers of charges related to aiding migrants on Lesvos, ending a seven-year legal battle criticized by human rights groups as an attack on humanitarian efforts.
Fidan on SKAI: Erdoğan to Meet Mitsotakis in February – ‘We Want a Permanent Solution in the Aegean’
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on SKAI that President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Mitsotakis will meet in February to seek a permanent resolution to the Aegean dispute, while stressing the need to set aside domestic politics for progress.
2025 Gold Sovereign with ΕΛ Privy Mark: Royal Mint & Piraeus Bank Launch Limited Edition for Greece
In January 2026, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) launched a blistering attack on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, labeling him the “Constantinople Antichrist,” “antichrist in a cassock,” and “devil in the flesh,” while accusing him of British-backed efforts to undermine Russian Orthodoxy in the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and potentially Montenegro.
Israel’s presidential aircraft “Wing of Zion” landed in Crete, Greece, on January 14, 2026, sparking speculation due to similar moves reportedly preceding past Israeli strikes on Iran—amid IRGC readiness claims, Trump’s warnings to Tehran over deadly protest crackdowns, and rising regional tensions.
Civil Aviation Authority chief Giorgos Saounatsos has resigned following a damning report on last week’s eight-hour radio blackout at Greek airports, which forced airspace closure and widespread flight diversions. Investigators pointed to outdated, unsupported communications technology as a key factor.
Greece ties for 4th in the Henley Passport Index 2026 with visa-free access to 185 destinations, behind Singapore (192) and Asian/European leaders. Full top 10 rankings.
Ecumenical Patriarchate rejects virulent Russian SVR attack on Patriarch Bartholomew as fabricated propaganda. Since 2018 Ukraine autocephaly, it ignores similar assaults to focus on its ecumenical mission.
Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 has been fully cancelled following the disinvitation of Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah over “cultural sensitivities” linked to the Bondi terror attack and her statements. Director Louise Adler resigned in protest, decrying it as a blow to free expression amid lobbying pressures, with over 180 authors withdrawing and the board nearly collapsing. Economist Yanis Varoufakis amplified her warning on X: “No comment necessary,” quoting her call to arts colleagues: “They are coming for you.”
Greek wedding traditions blend faith, family, and celebration, from stefana crowns and koufeta to regional rituals passed down through generations.
Published: January 10, 2026Location: Phthiotis, Central Greece A 4.4 magnitude earthquake shook Phthiotis and surrounding…
Join the Early Greek Australians Facebook group: a treasure trove of black-and-white photos, passenger lists & heartfelt stories from Greek migrants who built new lives in Australia. Nostalgia & pride unite 35,000+ members!
In Greek folklore, the Kallikantzaroi are mischievous underground goblins that emerge during the Twelve Days of Christmas to cause chaos with pranks and havoc. Families ward them off with fires, rituals, and offerings until they flee on Epiphany.
Turkey’s Ministry of Defense has responded to the recent trilateral summit in Jerusalem between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus by downplaying its significance and provocatively blaming Greece for escalating tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari reveals in a candid interview how her dream of carrying the Greek flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo was shattered, attributing it to political reasons linked to her relationship with Konstantinos Mitsotakis Jr., son of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The heartbreak contributed to her misery at the Games and a subsequent shoulder injury.
When most people imagine Greece, they think of summer—whitewashed villages, seaside tavernas, and warm Aegean…
December 22, 08:55 The Turkish Air Force carried out seven violations of Greek airspace and…
President Nikos Christodoulides travels to Israel on 22 December 2025 for bilateral meetings and the 10th Trilateral Summit with Greece and Israel, focusing on energy, defence, cybersecurity, and regional challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece is emerging as a key strategic asset in the evolving US National Security Strategy, leveraging its geographic position, Israel ties, Arab partnerships, and EU influence.
Turkey was not invited to US-led talks in Qatar on a Gaza peacekeeping force due to Israeli objections, despite Ankara’s persistent lobbying efforts.
Sajid Akram, an Indian-origin Australian resident from Hyderabad, and his son Naveed carried out a deadly terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on December 14, 2025, killing 15 people. Initial speculation linked the attackers to Pakistan, but facts confirmed Sajid’s Indian nationality and passport use, ending the false narrative.
An Aegean Airlines flight landed at Baghdad International Airport on December 16, 2025, marking the first direct service from a European carrier to Iraq’s capital in over 35 years. The Iraqi Ministry of Transport described it as a pivotal milestone in revitalizing the country’s aviation sector amid improved stability.
Elon Musk has publicly endorsed Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou for EU President, retweeting a video criticizing Ursula von der Leyen’s appointment process and urging followers to support a more democratic election.
Exarcheia remains Athens’ beating heart of alternative culture in 2025: buzzing cafés, vinyl shops, street art, rembetika bars, and the legendary Saturday Kallidromiou market. Edgy, intellectual, and alive, this historic anarchist district still delivers one of the city’s most authentic experiences.
A tired pony locked in a Christmas nativity scene has sparked a fiery clash in Volos: animal activists are calling it cruelty, the mayor says it’s pure childhood magic. Greece’s latest festive showdown is officially underway.
ATHENS – Greek toll road increases 2026 will raise costs for drivers nationwide starting January…
