A powerful weather system has brought heavy rain, gale-force winds, and snowfall across Greece, prompting Red Code alerts in seven regions. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service warned of intense and prolonged phenomena, leading to flooding, travel disruptions, and emergency responses.
Greece has formalized a voluntary contribution of €100,000 to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund for Syria Missions. The funds will support OPCW's critical work in Syria, including investigations into chemical weapons use and efforts to clarify the country's chemical weapons program.
Following the fatal Violanta cookie factory explosion in Trikala, the Greek government has disputed data indicating a surge in labor accidents, criticizing opposition claims of systemic safety failures. The government cites official figures showing stable workplace fatalities, while unions highlight significant discrepancies and under-reporting.
Metlen has announced a €295.5 million investment to establish Europe's first industrial gallium production unit in Greece. Located at the Aluminium of Greece plant, this strategic project aims to produce 50 metric tonnes annually by 2028, significantly reducing Europe's reliance on critical raw material imports and bolstering its strategic autonomy.
Greece's migration ministry has submitted a new bill to parliament to significantly toughen penalties for migrant trafficking, proposing life sentences for smugglers and direct expulsion for convicted migrants. The legislation also targets aid workers, drawing criticism from NGOs.
A court on the Greek island of Lesvos has acquitted 24 humanitarian workers, including Sean Binder and Sara Mardini, of felony charges related to people smuggling and money laundering. The North Aegean Criminal Court of Appeals ruled their actions were for humanitarian aid, ending a seven-year legal ordeal.
Greece experienced a significant intensification of winter weather on January 20th and 21st, 2026, with forecasts predicting gale-force winds, heavy snow, and torrential rain across numerous regions. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service issued a Red Alert, leading to school closures and emergency warnings for residents to limit movement.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed unprecedented geopolitical and economic challenges for 2026, warning that any unilateral change to Greenland's status would be 'catastrophic' and a direct challenge to NATO, amidst rising transatlantic tensions.
The Greek government has ordered Hellenic Train, the Italian-owned national rail operator, to invest €420 million in new rolling stock and maintenance infrastructure. This mandate, approved by parliament, aims to significantly enhance railway safety standards, nearly three years after a fatal train collision near Larissa that claimed 57 lives. The investment includes 23 new electric trains and upgrades to digital and maintenance systems, with a strict 2027 delivery deadline.
The head of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, George Saunatsos, has resigned after a report attributed a recent eight-hour airspace blackout to outdated communication systems. The incident on January 4, 2026, caused widespread flight disruptions in Greece, highlighting critical infrastructure deficiencies.
The Hermes Expo International is marking its 35th anniversary with a networking gathering in Athens, Greece, on January 15, 2026. This event formally launches a year of celebrations for the organization, which has been a vital bridge for Greek-American business and diaspora connections since its founding in 1992.
A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Central Greece on January 10, 2026, at 06:53 local time, with its epicenter near Xyniada in Phthiotis. The shallow tremor caused widespread shaking and brief travel disruptions but no serious injuries or major structural damage, according to official reports.
Gale-force winds reaching up to 9 Beaufort disrupted ferry services across Greece from January 8-10, 2026, stranding thousands at major ports like Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio. A significant temperature drop of up to 12°C and widespread snowfall, even at low elevations, are forecast for the coming days.
Greece's main opposition party, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, expelled MEP Nikolaos Farantouris on January 7, 2026, for comments regarding a new political movement. This marks the second high-profile expulsion from its European delegation in a month, following Nikos Pappas's removal in December 2025 due to an altercation. The expulsions highlight ongoing internal turmoil within the party.
Greece's Ministry of Tourism has enacted new regulations on January 6, 2026, to standardize the burgeoning glamping sector. The comprehensive framework focuses on sustainable development, high-quality services, and enhanced accessibility, classifying sites into 4-star and 5-star categories.
Farmers across Greece are intensifying their protests, planning 48-hour highway shutdowns for January 8th and 9th, 2026, and threatening a tractor march on Athens. Their demands include lower production costs, tax-free diesel, increased subsidies, and rejection of the EU-Mercosur trade deal, while the government warns of fines for road obstructions.
Greece faces a complex diplomatic challenge following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, balancing its strong alliance with the United States against its commitment to international law. Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed 'pragmatic hope' for Venezuela, while opposition parties sharply criticized the U.S. military operation.
Several Greek islands, including Lemnos, Naxos, Tinos, and Samothrace, experienced rare snowfall on New Year's Day 2026, transforming landscapes into winter scenes. The unusual weather was attributed to a significant cold snap that brought temperatures well below seasonal averages across Greece.
The European Investment Bank has approved €490 million in financing for the IPTO North East Aegean Interconnection project, connecting Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, and Skyros to Greece's mainland grid and ending their electrical isolation. The project aims for cleaner, more reliable power and increased renewable energy integration.
Migrant arrivals to southern Greece, particularly Crete and Gavdos, from Libya have surged fivefold in 2025, with nearly 20,000 people reaching the islands. This influx, primarily of Egyptian, Sudanese, and Bangladeshi nationals, has strained local resources and prompted calls for increased EU and national action to manage the new migration route.
