Apple Watch cellular plans have launched in Greece, with Cosmote offering eSIM activation for the Apple Watch Ultra and other models. This debut, announced on April 2, 2025, allows Greek users to connect directly from their smartwatches for the first time.
Tag: Greece
Peter Mamouzelos, South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker, shares his dream of playing rugby league in Greece, despite the sport being banned there for years. After a legal breakthrough in 2022, Mamouzelos hopes to play on Greek soil in future World Cup qualifiers, reflecting on the sport’s growth in his parents’ homeland.
Cyprus remains divided since Turkey’s 1974 invasion, and while recent UN-hosted talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders showed progress in confidence-building measures, deep disagreements persist. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to appoint an envoy to revive negotiations, but major issues—including territorial disputes and governance—continue to block a path toward reunification.
The potential revival of the EastMed pipeline under Donald Trump’s leadership signals a renewed push for energy cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. Designed to transport Eastern Mediterranean natural gas to Europe, the project strengthens regional stability, enhances Europe’s energy independence, and reinforces the geopolitical significance of the participating nations. With renewed U.S. support, EastMed could become a key pillar of Western energy security.
Greece is considering the Israeli BARAK air defense system to replace its aging S-300s, favoring it over the US-made Patriot due to faster delivery and lower costs. The move aligns with Greece’s €25 billion defense strategy and emphasizes domestic industry participation.
Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs ranging from 10% to 49% on U.S. trade partners worldwide, with the European Union facing a 20% tariff and the UK 10%. In a landmark speech, Trump declared it a “historic day” for American industry, reinforcing his “America First” policy while predicting global backlash.
A powerful storm struck Serifos on Wednesday, flooding streets and overwhelming residents as part of a severe weather wave hitting Greece. With a “polar air mass” approaching, meteorologists warn of worsening conditions, including heavy rain and thunderstorms, set to impact the Cyclades, Crete, and beyond through April 2, 2025.
The 10th Delphi Economic Forum, taking place from April 9-12, 2025, will bring together over 1,000 global leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in the historic city of Delphi. Recognised as a key platform for international dialogue, the forum will focus on critical issues such as the economy, geopolitics, sustainability, and technological advancements. Held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, this prestigious event highlights Greece’s growing role in shaping the future of Europe and the world.
Klodian Lekotsai, a notorious Albanian criminal, has been named the mastermind behind a double murder attempt in Metaxourgeio, Athens, on September 23, 2024, despite being behind bars. Greek police linked him to the shooting of two Albanian men on Crete Street, carried out by accomplices in a stolen Nissan Qashqai. After months of investigation, authorities identified the shooter and arrested a suspect who confessed, revealing Lekotsai’s orders stemmed from a prison-orchestrated feud.
A 60-year-old man was sentenced to eight months in prison, with three months to be served, for sexually harassing two underage athletes, aged 16 and 17, at the EAK gymnasium in Volos. The attack took place last Saturday after their training with Olympiacos Volos, and the trial was held behind closed doors due to the victims’ ages. The girls’ lawyer commended their bravery in reporting the incident, as their families now seek measures to keep the perpetrator away from sports facilities.
Athens Mayor Haris Doukas will travel to Ankara on April 5 to meet with Turkey’s Republican Party leadership, advocating for the release of imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. As the sole Greek representative in a European socialist delegation, Doukas will also attend the party’s congress on April 6, underscoring the vital role of democracy and the rule of law in this high-profile case.
Mykonos, Greece – April 2, 2025A powerful storm continues to wreak havoc across Greece’s islands,…
Starting April 2, 2025, European visitors to the UK must secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit for £10 (12 euros) before travel, rising to £16 after April 9. This security measure, applicable to 30 European countries excluding Ireland, streamlines entry via an online process on gov.uk, aligning the UK with global border trends.
A 19-year-old student from Ierapetra lost his life in a tragic accident when his car plunged 50 meters off the Frouzi Bridge in Crete during heavy rain. The only child of his family, he was returning home from his automotive engineering school in Heraklion when the vehicle skidded off the wet road, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Greece is set to unveil a major military overhaul, investing 26 billion euros by 2036 in new weapons systems, including the “Achilles’s Shield” anti-aircraft defense, as it doubles its defense budget to counter regional tensions and modernize its forces.
In a dramatic turn of events, Mykonos has been declared in a state of emergency as torrential floods swept across the island, prompting an urgent 112 alert to residents. Raging waters tore through Little Venice, forcing crews to break a coastal wall to redirect the deluge. With Easter approaching, locals and authorities are racing against time to recover, showcasing the resilience of this iconic Greek destination.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hopped on TikTok on April 1, 2025, to spotlight Greece’s minimum wage, now at 880 euros gross—or 743 euros net—revisiting a hike announced earlier this year. He underscored the rise from 650 euros in 2019, a gain of 3,000 euros annually for workers, and reaffirmed plans to hit 950 euros by 2027, keeping over 1.6 million Greeks in focus.
A massive fire broke out in an abandoned factory in Ano Patisia, Athens, on Tuesday evening, prompting an overnight battle by firefighters. The blaze, which caused part of the roof to collapse, has been contained, with no immediate threat to nearby buildings. Authorities evacuated residents as a precaution, and road closures remain in place. Emergency teams continue to monitor the site to prevent further flare-ups.
“Fitch Ratings has upgraded Greece’s four major banks, signaling confidence in the country’s economic rebound. National Bank of Greece and Eurobank now sit at ‘BBB-’ with a stable outlook, while Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank rise to ‘BB+’ with a positive outlook. The decision, announced on April 1, 2025, reflects Greece’s improving financial landscape and its edge over the eurozone, driven by investment growth and EU recovery funds.”
Greece’s highest administrative court is set to rule on the legality of boutique hotels operating as short-term rentals in Plaka, the historic district beneath the Acropolis. Despite strict zoning laws protecting its residential character, entire buildings have been converted into Airbnb-style accommodations, raising concerns over mass tourism’s impact on the neighborhood. The case, brought by the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET), could set a legal precedent for short-term rentals across Greece, determining whether Plaka remains a living community or becomes a tourist enclave.