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Three Arrested Over Deadly Firebomb Attacks Linked to Greece’s Ruling Party

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Greek counter-terrorism police have arrested three suspects in connection with a series of firebomb attacks targeting homes linked to the country’s ruling New Democracy party in the northern city of Thessaloniki. The attacks occurred earlier this month and resulted in the death of a 72-year-old woman, while four others were injured.

Authorities said the attackers placed and ignited gas canisters outside three residential buildings. The first two explosions caused only property damage, but the third attack proved fatal after the elderly woman, the mother of a parliamentary candidate from the ruling party, suffered severe burns and later died in hospital.

Police said the three people arrested are believed to be connected to the third and deadliest attack, though further details have not been disclosed. Greece has experienced politically motivated bomb and arson attacks for decades, but such incidents in recent years have generally caused property damage rather than significant loss of life.

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Uber Halts Most Europe Food Delivery Expansion Amid Delivery Hero Pursuit

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Uber has paused most of its planned food delivery expansion across Europe, just months after announcing its entry into seven new markets, according to a report by the Financial Times. The company has reportedly shelved launches in five of the seven targeted countries, including Austria, Norway, and Greece, while continuing operations in Finland and Denmark.

Earlier this year, Uber had unveiled plans to expand Uber Eats into Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Romania, expecting the move to generate an additional $1 billion in gross bookings over the next three years. However, the company is now focusing on strengthening its presence in markets where it has already launched.

The reported slowdown comes as Uber continues pursuing a takeover of Germany-based Delivery Hero. In May, Delivery Hero confirmed it had received a €33-per-share takeover offer from Uber. Reuters also reported that Uber increased its stake in the company to nearly 37% after acquiring additional shares from Aspex Management. While Delivery Hero declined to comment, Uber has not officially responded to the report.

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Greek Ruling Party Calls for Nationwide Protests After Firebomb Attack Kills Candidate’s Mother

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Greece’s governing New Democracy party has called on its supporters to stage protests after a firebomb attack in the northern city of Thessaloniki claimed the life of the 72-year-old mother of parliamentary candidate Afroditi Nestora. The victim died from severe burns sustained during coordinated attacks on three homes linked to members of the ruling party. Nestora was also injured in the incident, while three others were wounded.

The attacks took place before dawn when assailants placed flaming gas canisters outside the targeted homes, triggering explosions and fires. Authorities said no group has claimed responsibility so far, but the country’s anti-terrorism unit has taken over the investigation. Police believe the attacks were coordinated and are reviewing surveillance footage to identify those involved.

Government officials condemned the incident as an act of terrorism and vowed that political violence would not intimidate the country. The New Democracy party and its youth wing have called for a public rally to honour the victim and demonstrate unity against terrorism. The attack marks the first fatal assault targeting Greek politicians in more than a decade, reviving concerns over political violence in the country.

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Rescue Teams Search Rubble After Apartment Building Collapses in Athens

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Emergency crews in Athens launched a large-scale search operation after a four-storey apartment building collapsed in the Petralona district on Tuesday. Firefighters, rescue teams and specially trained search dogs were deployed to comb through the debris amid concerns that people could be trapped beneath the rubble.

Authorities later confirmed that four individuals initially believed to be trapped had been located safely. However, rescue operations continued as emergency personnel searched the site to ensure no other victims remained under the collapsed structure. Additional response teams stayed on standby throughout the operation.

The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined. Officials said construction work was underway at a neighbouring building at the time of the incident, though it remains unclear whether it was linked to the collapse. An investigation has been launched as authorities work to determine what caused the building to give way.

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Greek Supreme Court Orders November 17 Leader Back to Prison

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Greece’s Supreme Court has overturned the release of Alexandros Giotopoulos, the convicted leader of the notorious November 17 guerrilla group, sending him back to prison just weeks after he was freed on health grounds. The 82-year-old was released in May after a judicial panel approved his request for early release.

Giotopoulos was arrested in 2002 when Greek authorities dismantled November 17, a Marxist militant organization responsible for a 27-year campaign of assassinations and attacks. Although he consistently denied involvement, he was convicted in 2003 and later sentenced on appeal to 17 life terms plus 25 years in prison.

The Supreme Court this week backed a prosecutor’s challenge to his release, reversing the earlier decision. Giotopoulos appeared before a prosecutor on Tuesday and is expected to be transferred back to the high-security Korydallos Prison in Athens, marking another chapter in one of Greece’s most significant terrorism cases.

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Greek Police Arrest 20 in Crete Amid Mounting EU Farm Subsidy Fraud Scandal

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Greek authorities arrested 20 individuals on the island of Crete on Monday, dismantling a criminal network suspected of defrauding the European Union of agricultural subsidies. Operating since 2019, the gang allegedly generated more than €3 million ($3.49 million) in illegal revenue by submitting fraudulent fund applications based on false land declarations. The group’s suspected leadership included two accountants and state employees who actively assisted farmers in executing the scheme.

This operation is the latest development in a broader investigation spearheaded by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office into crimes targeting the bloc’s financial interests in Greece. The widening probe follows charges laid last year against dozens of Greek stock-breeders who allegedly faked grazing land ownership with the assistance of state employees and conservative politicians. The systemic fraud has deeply shaken the country’s political landscape, previously triggering inconclusive parliamentary probes and ministerial resignations.

The escalating scandal has placed severe political pressure on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government as opposition parties demand early elections. In April, the Greek parliament voted to lift the immunity of 13 lawmakers from the ruling New Democracy party to allow for investigations into their suspected involvement in separate cases. With the next parliamentary election on the horizon for spring 2027, Mitsotakis has urged EU prosecutors to fast-track their indictment decisions to contain the ongoing political fallout.

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Mother of Tempi Train Crash Victim Launches “Hope for Democracy” Political Party

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Maria Karystianou, a pediatrician who became a leading justice campaigner after her 20-year-old daughter Marthi died in Greece’s worst-ever rail disaster, has officially launched a new political party called “Hope for Democracy”. Speaking to a packed theater crowd in Thessaloniki, Karystianou positioned her lack of political experience as an advantage against a system dominated by entrenched political dynasties. The party’s core platform pledges to champion transport safety, execute health and education reforms, aggressively combat corruption, and promote rigid transparency across state contracts and the banking system.

The political launch taps into deep, lingering public resentment over the February 2023 Tempi train crash, which claimed 57 lives and sparked the largest nationwide protests Greece has seen in years. While an ongoing trial features 36 defendants—including rail managers and station masters—no politicians have faced charges, prompting victims’ relatives to accuse Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government of an active cover-up. Though the government denies these allegations and has pledged railway modernization alongside a review of ministerial legal immunity, the political fallout continues to damage the ruling party’s public standing.

Recent polling data suggests “Hope for Democracy” has a viable path to enter parliament, potentially reshaping Greece’s currently fragmented opposition landscape ahead of national elections within the next 12 months. A survey conducted this month by Alco pollsters revealed that 15% of respondents would consider voting for a party led by Karystianou. This surging support coincides with a significant decline for Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party, which has slid to between 23% and 29% in the polls—a steep drop from the 41% majority it secured during the 2023 elections.

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Mystery Naval Drone Found in Ionian Sea Under Investigation

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Greek authorities are investigating a mysterious unmanned naval drone discovered by fishermen near the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. The vessel was found inside a cave and later towed by the Greek coast guard to the port of Vasiliki for military examination.

According to local media reports, the drone was carrying explosives and its engine was still running when it was located. Officials are now trying to determine the drone’s origin, purpose, and whether it drifted into Greek waters due to technical failure or loss of communication.

Some reports suggest the drone may be linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and could resemble Ukraine’s MAGURA V5 sea drone, although this has not been independently confirmed. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the growing use of unmanned naval systems in modern warfare.

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Greece to Ban Social Media Access for Under-15s from 2027

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Greece has announced plans to ban social media access for children under 15 starting January next year, aiming to address rising anxiety, sleep problems, and excessive screen time among young people. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the move targets the addictive design of social media platforms while ensuring technology remains a tool for learning and creativity.

The proposed law places Greece among a growing number of countries taking action to limit children’s exposure to online platforms. Nations such as Australia, France, Austria, and Spain have introduced or are considering similar restrictions, while the UK, Ireland, and Denmark are exploring comparable measures. Greece is also pushing for a unified European Union framework with mandatory age verification and regular checks on user ages.

Social media companies have opposed blanket bans, arguing they may be difficult to enforce and could isolate vulnerable teenagers. The debate has intensified globally following growing evidence linking heavy social media use to mental health issues, with recent legal cases in the United States highlighting concerns over addictive platform designs and their impact on young users.

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Iran war Dampens Tourism in Cyprus and Greece

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The ongoing Iran conflict has begun to impact tourism in Cyprus and Greece, with rising cancellations and a slowdown in new bookings ahead of the crucial summer season. The situation escalated after military strikes in late February and subsequent counterattacks, including a drone strike near a British base in Cyprus, triggering concerns among travellers and leading to a sharp drop in visitor interest.

In Cyprus, cancellations for short-term rentals surged dramatically, at one point reaching nearly 100% in the days following the escalation, before easing to around 45% by late March. The country’s hospitality sector has reported significant declines in bookings for March and April, prompting the central bank to cut its 2026 economic growth forecast. Airlines and travel operators have also noted reduced demand, with tourists shifting preferences to destinations like Spain.

Greece has also seen a slowdown, particularly in pre-bookings, although the impact has been less severe. Major carriers report declining demand from key markets such as Israel and Gulf countries, while tourism officials remain cautiously optimistic. Industry stakeholders warn that if the uncertainty continues into peak summer months, it could pose a serious risk to economies heavily reliant on seasonal tourism.

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