New Consumer Watchdog to Tackle Inflation

  • Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced the creation of a new national authority for market price oversight and consumer protection.
  • Modeled after Sweden’s system, the body will:
  • Oversee inspections.
    • Handle consumer complaints.
    • Impose sanctions.
    • Manage out-of-court dispute resolutions.
  • A mobile app will allow citizens to report violations directly.
  • Will operate alongside the Competition Committee, using modern digital tools and adequate staffing.
  • Mitsotakis also addressed migration cooperation with Turkey and called for increased EU border protection funding.

Tragic Death of 7-Year-Old Girl in Kallithea

  • A 7-year-old girl died after colliding with a closed glass balcony door at a relative’s home in Athens.
  • The child sustained a fatal abdominal injury.
  • Despite 40 minutes of resuscitation efforts at the Children’s Hospital, she was pronounced dead.
  • Her aunt has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter due to negligence.

Uranium Contamination Sparks Emergency in Serres

  • State of emergency declared in parts of Serres due to elevated uranium levels in drinking water.
  • Contamination is non-radioactive but poses long-term health risks.
  • Issue discovered during April inspections under new EU guidelines.
  • Tap water banned for drinking and cooking in affected areas, impacting 2,000 households.
  • Public water tanks and bottled water being supplied to schools and vulnerable groups.
  • Households won’t be charged for water during the crisis.
  • Authorities are working on uranium removal solutions and long-term safety upgrades.

Storm Warning: Rain, Wind, and Thunder Ahead

  • Severe weather to hit Greece starting Friday with:
    • Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
  • Affected regions: Eastern mainland, Evia, Sporades, Cyclades, Crete, Eastern Aegean, and Dodecanese.
  • Winds up to 7 Beaufort expected in Ionian Sea; temperatures to drop.
  • Western Greece to see improvement by Friday afternoon.
  • Stormy weather to persist in some areas into Saturday, clearing up by Sunday.

Athens Traffic Disruptions Amid Taxi Strike

  • A 48-hour taxi strike continues in Athens until 6 am Friday.
  • To assist travelers, airport transport services reinforced:
    • X95 (Syntagma–Airport) every 15 minutes.
    • X96 (Piraeus–Airport) every 12 minutes.
    • X93 (Kifissos–Airport) every 15 minutes.
    • X97 (Elliniko–Airport) every 30 minutes.
  • Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) running more frequently between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m..
  • Additional train service added from Doukissis Plakentias to the airport.
  • Passengers advised to check OASA Telematics or call 11185 for updates.

Coffee and Chocolate Prices Climb Again

  • Coffee and chocolate prices expected to rise by 10–12% in Greece.
  • Driven by global commodity cost surges:
    • Coffee prices jumped in December.
    • Chocolate followed in January.
  • Relief expected for some goods, especially olive oil, with a possible 25% price drop soon.
  • Government increasing inspections and launching digital tools:
    • e-katanalotis price comparison platform.
    • New mobile app for reporting profiteering.
  • Plans underway for a new market oversight authority to protect consumers.