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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Suspect and the SystemGood morning from Athens, A 26 year old man was remanded in custody this week over the death of 38 year old Scottish volunteer Elisabeth Jane “Lisa” Ross. Her body was found inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in central Athens. The suspect admits to moving her body and using her bank cards, but denies killing her. As investigators await key forensic findings on the cause of death, Ross’s family, speaking publicly for the first time, remembered her as “kind, honest and selfless.” The case was quickly drawn into Europe’s charged migration debate. The identity of the accused, an Afghani national who first arrived in Greece as an unaccompanied minor, has been widely published. Rights advocates warn the approach weakens the presumption of innocence and risks fueling xenophobia. Others argue that the seriousness of the allegations and the international interest in the case justify identifying him. The developments come as Europe examines what or who caused last Friday’s mass crossings into Ceuta and remains divided over how governments should respond. The crisis prompted tighter border controls and revived European disputes over asylum. Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis renewed his call for emergency European powers to counter the “weaponization” of migration by state and nonstate actors. In both cases, public judgment is hardening before the evidence and official findings are complete.
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THE BIG STORY When the Ash Settles Vivi Gialia, 45, walks in front of her burnt house after a wildfire in Porto Germeno, Greece, August 3, 2026. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas As the flames receded, the scale of the disaster in Western Attica became evident. Updated Copernicus satellite data reveals that approximately 11,300 hectares were burned across Boeotia and western Attica this past week. Inspections of 325 structures have determined 118 are uninhabitable and marked for demolition. The Greek government has announced compensation measures, and eyes are already on reforestation and the need to reinforce the now barren mountainsides against floods and mudslides. Two men were arrested in connection with the fires, with a private power line carrying electricity from wind turbines in focus. Investigations are ongoing. The firefighting operation brought its own tragedy again this week. Two helicopters collided midair near Psatha, killing a Danish pilot and a Greek aerial operations coordinator. Initial accounts by a survivor indicate that, although the crews had been in communication, they lost sight of the other helicopter shortly before the collision. The onboard collision warning system didn’t sound, and the crew didn’t immediately realize they had struck the other aircraft. An independent FAA investigation is underway. Both the Greek PM and Ursula von der Leyen have expressed their sorrow for the loss and paid tribute to the crew members. Meanwhile, animal rescue teams continue their search for pets, livestock and wild animals in fire-stricken areas. Hundreds of animals have already been rescued while around 100 are being housed in temporary shelters. | |||||||||||||
Cartoon of the week
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Briefing 4 Things to Know this Week Statements by the Greek Minister of National Economy and newly elected President of the Eurogroup Kyriakos Pierrakakis in Brussels, on 11 December 2025. / Δηλώσεις του Έλληνα υπουργού Εθνικής Οικονομίας και νεοεκλεγέντα προέδρου του Eurogroup Κυριάκου Πιερρακάκη στις Βρυξέλλες, στις 11 Δεκεμβρίου 2025
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Out and About A selection of what's on this week  Your Own Odyssey QuestWhether you are one of the few locals remaining in the city this August or a visitor, the excitement surrounding Homer’s Odyssey is moving from the big screen to the streets of Athens. The Odyssey Quest transforms the epic into an engaging three-hour adventure filled with clues, riddles and challenges inspired by Odysseus’s journey home. No phones. No apps. No screens. Only a facilitator, a trail of puzzles and the combined ingenuity of the group. It offers a unique way to experience Athens through one of Greece’s most enduring stories.
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Guess the Spot
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BEFORE YOU GO
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