Serbia's student movement wins election as Vučić concedes defeat and crowds celebrate in the streets
First published Mon, Oct 26
Serbia's student movement won the country's parliamentary elections, and President Aleksandar Vučić acknowledged his defeat. Crowds of Serbians celebrated the result in the streets.123
The winning force is the Student List, which contested the elections against Vučić's system; its candidates included former basketball player Dejan Bodiroga. Greek coverage describes the outcome as Serbia turning a page and as the end of an era for Vučić.423
Thousands of citizens took to the streets after the result was confirmed, according to Skai.gr, which reported celebrations in the streets and published video of them. Kathimerini also reported celebrations for the Student List's victory.23
Naftemporiki reported that the students defeated Vučić's system, and framed the result around the difficulties that now begin for the movement.5
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Spanish train collision kills at least 64 and injures 80, authorities cite computer control failure
First published Wed, Oct 28 · Updated Fri, Oct 30
At least 64 people were killed and 80 injured when two trains collided in Spain, in what Greek outlets described as a railway disaster. Survivors described scenes of chaos and panic.12
Authorities said a computer fault brought down the control system, and that the second train ran blind for 25 kilometres.31
The European Union expressed solidarity with Spain after the crash.4
Spain's cup football matches were postponed after the collision.5
UPDATES
· New development
Audio recordings from the control centre show a controller telling the trains to continue at normal speed despite problems in the safety system, and failing to warn the following train that the train ahead was still stopped, Protothema reported.89
· New development
The death toll from the train collision in Spain has risen to at least 69, Spanish authorities now report.67
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Mitsotakis tells Reuters the Turkey-Libya memorandum erases Greek islands from the map
First published Fri, Oct 30
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Reuters that the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum erases the Greek islands from the map, and at the UN Security Council he declared that geography cannot be rewritten, calling the memorandum illegal. He also asked Libya to act on the agreement, and the interview covered tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea and the security of sea routes in the Red Sea.12
At the Security Council, Greek representative Aglaia Balta rejected the Turkish claims, while Ankara disputed the full effect of the Greek islands on maritime zones. The exchange produced four interventions in the Council, with Athens calling the memorandum void and unfounded and Ankara replying that it has been in force since 2019.3
The dispute follows the ratification of the Turkey-Libya maritime zones agreement by Libya's parliament in Benghazi, which Greek coverage treats as illegal and a threat to Greek maritime rights. Athens sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General calling the memorandum void and unfounded, and the foreign ministry said geography and international law do not change through unilateral decisions.45
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Greece, EU, Egypt, Cyprus, Bahrain and UAE call Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum void at the UN
First published Tue, Oct 27
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Greece, the European Union, Egypt, Cyprus, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement at the United Nations declaring the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum void, unfounded and contrary to international law. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis read the statement aloud and said arbitrary bilateral agreements do not undermine the established rules of international law or affect the rights of third states.12
The statement follows the ratification of the maritime zones agreement with Turkey by Libya's parliament in Benghazi, a vote Greek coverage treats as illegal and a threat to Greek maritime rights. Greek outlets describe the declaration as a diplomatic front alongside Egypt, Cyprus, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, and report a diplomatic bargaining round after the ratification.34
Athens reads the joint declaration as recognition of legality, according to centre-right Skai.gr. The Greek foreign ministry said on Thursday that geography and international law do not change through unilateral decisions.45
Attributed claim: Left-wing 902 dismissed the declaration as an operation to restore a bankrupt fairy tale about strong alliances, while centre-right outlets presented it as a diplomatic front against Ankara's ratification push. Centre outlet Liberal.gr said the satisfaction lasted only a few days.673
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Netanyahu's Likud bloc finishes first in Israeli election but falls short of a Knesset majority
First published Fri, Oct 30
Israel's official final election results confirm that the alliance of parties led by Benjamin Netanyahu finished first, but without a majority in parliament. Forming a government will be difficult, and the vote was contested chiefly between Netanyahu and Benny Eisenkot.123
Netanyahu accused Turkey and Qatar of intervening in the Israeli elections, and the Shin Bet security service was activated. Likud pointed to foreign interference and to the rise of Arab parties, which coverage described as holding the deciding role in the outcome.456
Talks on forming a government are under way, with Eisenkot meeting opposition figures. Voters of the opposition were described as pointing toward an Eisenkot government with an Arab partner, while Naftemporiki reported that Netanyahu is not behaving as though he won.789
The election was Israel's first since October 7, 2023, with 7.3 million citizens eligible to vote. Coverage of the result described a murky picture for the day after the vote.35
Also this week
Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.
Storm floods south Pelion and Skiathos; 112 alert tells Platanias residents to move to higher floorsHeavy rain brought flooding and landslides to Skiathos and the southern Pelion area of Magnesia, closing roads on the island. The 112 emergency service sent an alert to residents of Platanias in Magnesia telling them to move to higher floors.
Storm floods south Pelion and Skiathos; 112 alert tells Platanias residents to move to higher floors
First published Thu, Oct 29
Heavy rain brought flooding and landslides to Skiathos and the southern Pelion area of Magnesia, closing roads on the island. The 112 emergency service sent an alert to residents of Platanias in Magnesia telling them to move to higher floors.12345
Large floods were reported across southern Pelion and Skiathos as the storm intensified through Wednesday. Roads on Skiathos were shut, and landslide activity was recorded alongside the flooding.2345
The 112 message was issued specifically for Platanias in Magnesia, where the settlement was described as at the mercy of the bad weather. Residents were instructed to go up to higher floors rather than stay at ground level.125
Greek Navy bus veers off Ionia Odos near Arta, injuring at least 13 of 25 aboardA bus belonging to the Greek Navy veered off the Ionia Odos highway near Arta and overturned, injuring at least 13 people. The bus was carrying 25 people, and the driver was among the injured.
Greek Navy bus veers off Ionia Odos near Arta, injuring at least 13 of 25 aboard
First published Thu, Oct 29
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
A bus belonging to the Greek Navy veered off the Ionia Odos highway near Arta and overturned, injuring at least 13 people. The bus was carrying 25 people, and the driver was among the injured.123
Attributed claim: ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ put the number of injured at 12 in its own headline on the crash, while CNN.gr, Skai.gr and in.gr reported at least 13. The accounts otherwise agree that the bus left the road and overturned on the Ionia Odos with 25 people aboard.4123
The crash occurred on the Ionia Odos, the highway that runs through the Arta area of western Greece. The bus was a military vehicle operated by the Greek Navy.1235
Thessaloniki clashes and tear gas as anti-fascist march targets Kasidiaris speechSerious clashes broke out in central Thessaloniki on Wednesday afternoon when groups of demonstrators defied a Hellenic Police ban on gatherings and confronted police units. The tension escalated on Egnatia Street, at the height of Aristotelous Square.
Thessaloniki clashes and tear gas as anti-fascist march targets Kasidiaris speech
First published Wed, Oct 28
Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.
Serious clashes broke out in central Thessaloniki on Wednesday afternoon when groups of demonstrators defied a Hellenic Police ban on gatherings and confronted police units. The tension escalated on Egnatia Street, at the height of Aristotelous Square.1
The protest was an anti-fascist march held against a speech by Ilias Kasidiaris, and police used chemical agents in the city centre during the confrontation.231
Attributed claim: Left-wing outlet 902 described the march as a militant workers' and people's demonstration against what it called a fascist gathering and a government crackdown, framing the police operation as repression. Centre-right Skai.gr and centre-right To Vima reported the events as clashes during an anti-fascist march for the Kasidiaris speech, and centre outlet CNN.gr reported tension and clashes in the city centre during the protest.4235
The unrest fell on October 28, the date marked in Greece as Oxi Day, with demonstrators and riot police units facing off in Thessaloniki.3
Greece's Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Floridis sent to disciplinary review over corruption articleGreece's Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Vasilis Floridis has been referred to a disciplinary review after his statements on corruption in the judiciary, the case now assigned to the president of the Council of State. The referral follows an article describing a "vein of corruption" in the justice system.
Greece's Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Floridis sent to disciplinary review over corruption article
First published Tue, Oct 27
Greece's Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Vasilis Floridis has been referred to a disciplinary review after his statements on corruption in the judiciary, the case now assigned to the president of the Council of State. The referral follows an article describing a "vein of corruption" in the justice system.123
Floridis is the brother of the justice minister, according to NeaKriti. The disciplinary file was opened over his public remarks on corruption inside the courts.41
Floridis answered through Ta Nea, saying he had been accused of intervening in an open criminal case. "Silence does not protect justice," he said.5
CNN.gr published the article on justice and corruption that led to the disciplinary action against Floridis.6
Israel holds first election since October 2023 as 7.3 million voters decide Netanyahu-Eisenkot raceIsraelis voted for the first time since October 7, 2023, with 7.3 million citizens eligible to cast ballots in a contest widely described as critical for the country's political future. Polls opened with the war as the backdrop and the race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Eisenkot at its centre.
Israel holds first election since October 2023 as 7.3 million voters decide Netanyahu-Eisenkot race
First published Tue, Oct 27 · Updated Wed, Oct 28
Israelis voted for the first time since October 7, 2023, with 7.3 million citizens eligible to cast ballots in a contest widely described as critical for the country's political future. Polls opened with the war as the backdrop and the race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Eisenkot at its centre.123
Attention also fell on how distinct parts of the electorate would vote, including an IDF soldier and an Arab citizen, as the campaigns closed.4
The left-leaning Efimerida ton Syntakton put the electorate at 7.3 million voters and headlined the contest as a battle between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, the same framing used by centre and centre-right outlets.31
UPDATES
· New development
Exit polls put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead but without a parliamentary majority, leaving him searching for coalition partners to form a government.5678
The Arab parties are described as holding the deciding role in the outcome, with their seats the key to any coalition.598
Greek bakery chain owner Angelos Giannakopoulos arrested with 50 others over 100 million euro tax fraudGreek police arrested Angelos Giannakopoulos, the owner of the "Choriátiko" bakery chain, along with 50 other people in a tax fraud case. The alleged fraud exceeds 100 million euros, and the loss to the Greek state is put at 100 million euros. The arrests were made in Ioannina, where Giannakopoulos was detained after a period spent in Dubai.
Greek bakery chain owner Angelos Giannakopoulos arrested with 50 others over 100 million euro tax fraud
First published Mon, Oct 26 · Updated Wed, Oct 28
Greek police arrested Angelos Giannakopoulos, the owner of the "Choriátiko" bakery chain, along with 50 other people in a tax fraud case. The alleged fraud exceeds 100 million euros, and the loss to the Greek state is put at 100 million euros. The arrests were made in Ioannina, where Giannakopoulos was detained after a period spent in Dubai.123
The scheme allegedly operated through straw men, according to Newsbeast, which also links the case to prostitution. Efimerida ton Syntakton reports that the owner's past connects him to a trafficking case and to Greek Mafia.34
Kathimerini reports that the man described as the "mastermind" was under surveillance in Dubai and tried to flee to Albania. The same outlet places the alleged fraud at more than 100 million euros.5
UPDATES
· New development
Investigators are now examining the contacts the accused in the "Choriátiko" case had with police officers, state officials and employees of public services, Newsbeast reported.6
Greece's weather service upgrades emergency bulletin to red alert for four regionsGreece's national weather service upgraded its emergency bulletin for dangerous weather, placing four regions under a red warning. Heavy storms were forecast for Attica and for October 28.
Greece's weather service upgrades emergency bulletin to red alert for four regions
First published Mon, Oct 26
Greece's national weather service upgraded its emergency bulletin for dangerous weather, placing four regions under a red warning. Heavy storms were forecast for Attica and for October 28.123
Rain was expected in Attica through Wednesday morning, and the emergency bulletin was updated to reflect the forecast.4
The upgraded bulletin identifies where the red warning for dangerous phenomena applies.5
Lula has won re-election as president of BrazilLula has won re-election as president of Brazil, Greek outlets reported, describing it as his fourth return to the office, from factory work and union organising through prison and back to the presidency at the age of 80. Jair Bolsonaro disputed the result and wants the elections annulled.
Lula has won re-election as president of Brazil
First published Mon, Oct 26
Lula has won re-election as president of Brazil, Greek outlets reported, describing it as his fourth return to the office, from factory work and union organising through prison and back to the presidency at the age of 80. Jair Bolsonaro disputed the result and wants the elections annulled.12
Markets reacted sharply to the result. The real fell more than 10 percent after Lula's victory, with shares sinking and the currency and commodities under pressure, according to financial coverage.34
In Brussels, the re-election was received with satisfaction, while attention turned to the challenges Lula faces at home and to the international balance after the vote.56
Haftar visits Egypt as Ankara talks on unifying Libya's army end without agreementTalks in Ankara on unifying the Libyan army ended without agreement, and Turkey's mediation effort failed. The negotiations were held as part of the push to unify Libya's armed forces.
Haftar visits Egypt as Ankara talks on unifying Libya's army end without agreement
First published Mon, Oct 26
Talks in Ankara on unifying the Libyan army ended without agreement, and Turkey's mediation effort failed. The negotiations were held as part of the push to unify Libya's armed forces.123
Saddam Haftar made a surprise visit to Egypt in connection with the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum. The memorandum is the maritime zones agreement that Libya's parliament in Benghazi ratified with Turkey.452
Egypt is pressing Libya over the memorandum, Greek coverage reported as the Ankara talks collapsed. The Greek foreign ministry said geography and international law do not change through unilateral decisions.26
The meeting in Ankara brought Haftar and Zubin together for talks on unifying Libya, with the Turkey-Libya memorandum in the background. No agreement emerged from that session.31
