Bus services in Athens, Greece, are significantly affected on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, due to a six-hour work stoppage by drivers. The disruption, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is to allow the OASA Workers' Union to hold its general assembly and elections, impacting urban routes while suburban lines in Eastern and Western Attica operate normally.
Greece has completed an early repayment of €5.29 billion in loans from its first bailout program, targeting the Greek Loan Facility. This strategic move aims to reduce public debt, save €1.6 billion in interest costs, and enhance the country's fiscal credibility.
Greece has made an early repayment of €5.29 billion from its first bailout program's Greek Loan Facility (GLF), aiming to reduce public debt, save €1.6 billion in interest, and bolster market confidence. This strategic move is part of a broader effort to clear bailout obligations by 2031.
Greek authorities have successfully dismantled a criminal organization involved in the illegal import and trafficking of refrigerants from Albania. A coordinated police operation in Kastoria led to four arrests and the seizure of over 1.3 tonnes of refrigerant, valued at approximately €58,000.
Greek farmers have escalated their three-week-long protests, rejecting a government invitation for talks. The demonstrations, marked by widespread traffic disruptions across Greece, are fueled by delayed EU subsidy payments, rising production costs, and a corruption investigation into the agricultural payments agency OPEKEPE.
Greek farmers have rejected a government invitation for talks, vowing to intensify their three-week-long protests. The demonstrations, which have caused widespread traffic disruptions, are fueled by delayed EU subsidy payments, a corruption investigation into the agricultural payments agency OPEKEPE, rising production costs, and demands for stronger state support.
Greece's Civil Servants' Confederation (ADEDY) has announced a 24-hour nationwide public sector strike for December 16, 2025. The strike protests the government's new budget and expresses solidarity with ongoing farmer demonstrations across the country, which have seen widespread blockades.
Greek farmers have rejected government talks, escalating their three-week protests across the country. Disruptions are widespread due to delayed EU subsidy payments, a corruption investigation into the OPEKEPE agency, and demands for state support against rising costs and livestock losses.
A widespread sheep and goat pox outbreak in Greece has led to the culling of over 417,000 animals since August 2024, impacting approximately 5% of the national herd. This crisis jeopardizes the production of authentic Greek feta cheese, a key export, and raises concerns about future shortages and price increases in the global market.
A dispute has erupted within the European Union as Germany and the Greek Cypriot administration clash over the wording concerning Türkiye in the bloc's annual enlargement conclusions. Germany advocates for positive references, while Greek Cypriots push for a tougher stance, threatening to block the final document.
Greece has commenced the dismantling of overhead trolleybus power cables in Piraeus, marking a significant shift to modern electric buses after over 70 years of service. This initiative aims to modernize public transport, reduce operating costs by more than 50%, and enhance urban aesthetics, with 70% of the network to be removed over 18 months.
Seventeen migrants were found dead in a partially deflated boat off the Greek island of Crete on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Two survivors were rescued in critical condition. The incident highlights the perilous shift in migration routes across the Mediterranean.
The Olympic flame has officially begun its journey to Italy for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Following its lighting in Ancient Olympia and a nine-day relay across Greece, the flame was handed over in Athens and arrived in Rome, commencing a 63-day, 12,000-kilometer Italian torch relay.
Greece has joined 18 other EU member-states in submitting national plans for the new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, a €150 billion initiative offering low-interest loans to bolster European defense capabilities and accelerate arms production. The move underscores the EU's push for strategic autonomy in defense.
The archaeological site of Poliochni on Lemnos, widely recognized as Europe's oldest city, has officially reopened. Following a multi-million euro restoration, the site now offers enhanced accessibility and preserved ancient structures, providing deeper insights into early urban planning and social organization dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE.
Greece has formally declared a state of emergency for Attica, Leros, and Patmos due to severe water shortages, driven by climate change, dwindling reserves, and infrastructure issues. The government is fast-tracking a €5.9 billion investment plan, including the 'Evrytos' project and desalination efforts, to secure water supply.
Greek taxi drivers, represented by the Panhellenic Federation of Professional Taxi and Market Car Owners (POEIATA), have announced a 48-hour nationwide strike for December 2-3, 2025. The action protests new tax regulations, the mandatory transition to electric vehicles, and perceived unfair competition from ride-hailing platforms, threatening significant travel disruptions across Greece.
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake was registered in western Thessaly, Greece, on November 24, 2025, at 10:51 AM local time. The tremor, with an epicenter near the Plastiras dam in Karditsa province and a depth of 10 km, was widely felt across the region but caused no reported damage or injuries.
Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis met with new US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle in Athens on Friday, November 21, 2025. Discussions focused on strengthening Greece-US economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and strategic partnership, with Greece highlighting its economic resurgence and appeal to American capital.
Secondary school teachers in Greece will receive intensive training in artificial intelligence tools, specifically ChatGPT Edu, as part of a new agreement between the Greek government and OpenAI. This pilot program, launching this academic year, aims to enhance AI literacy, boost teacher productivity, and integrate AI responsibly into classrooms, positioning Greece as a pioneer in AI education.
