Kathimerini English Edition

CULTURE Finland’s hotly tipped Eurovision performance features flames, a valuable violin and a safety plan Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song ‘Liekinheitin’ during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday. [AP] VIENNA – At the Eurovision Song Contest, performers get three minutes to make a big impression.

NEWS Body found in Loudias River near site linked to alleged killing of 54-year-old man A body was discovered Friday morning in the Loudias River, known locally as Mavroneri, in central Macedonia, near the area where two men have admitted they disposed of the body of a 54-year-old man, authorities said. Police were immediately placed on alert following the discovery. Formal identification procedures are pending.

SOCIETY Dylan the therapy dog brings comfort to oncology patients at Metaxa Hospital Metaxa Cancer Hospital on Tuesday introduced Dylan, the first therapy dog to become a permanent presence in a public hospital under Greece’s National Health System, in what officials described as a milestone for patient care. Dylan’s debut was timed to coincide with World Nurses Day, paying tribute to healthcare workers and their daily commitment to patient support.

NEWS 5 arrested in Crete counterfeit money investigation Police in Crete arrested five people early Friday as part of an investigation into counterfeit banknotes after officers discovered fake currency during a vehicle search near Iraklio, authorities said. The arrests were made at a fuel station in the Ammoudara area, where police stopped the suspects and searched the vehicle they were traveling in, according to local media reports.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS Activist flotilla leaves Turkey for Gaza weeks after Israel intercepted a previous convoy People wave to boats belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying activists and humanitarian aid, depart for Gaza from the port of Marmaris, Turkey, Thursday, in an attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade.

POLITICS Ruling party’s congress set to begin [Illustration by Filippos Avramidis] Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the rest of the ruling New Democracy leadership want the 16th party congress to send a message of unity and readiness for the upcoming electoral campaign, muting talk of dissent and MP grumbling. The four-day congress, which takes place at a convention center close to the Athens airport, begins Friday, May 15, and ends Sunday.

NEWS Fake utility workers and accountants scam victims out of €150,000 in Thessaloniki Swindlers posing as insurance agents, accountants and employees of Greece’s power distribution network operator (DEDDIE) allegedly stole cash, gold coins and jewelry worth more than 150,000 euros from unsuspecting victims in eastern Thessaloniki, police said Friday. Investigators said they solved three fraud cases committed in February and March this year.

CULTURE The Eurovision final lineup is confirmed after 5 more countries are sent packing Antigoni from Cyprus performs the song ‘JALLA’ during the second semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Thursday. [AP] VIENNA – The lineup for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest has been decided, with five more countries sent home after the second semifinal on Thursday.

NEWS Police warned crime boss of plots against his life Police’s organized crime unit twice intervened to warn Giorgos Moschouris of active plots to take his life, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation, months before the senior Greek Mafia figure was fatally shot in April 2025 in the northern Athens suburb of Halandri.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS A summer of tensions with Ankara? Turkish Defense Ministry confirms law codifying claims on sea; Greece calls out ‘revisionism’ The government is preparing for a likely tense summer with Turkey, if it proceeds with legislation codifying its territorial claims. Thus far, the intent to pursue the legislation had only been mentioned by leaks of unofficial consultation papers to Turkish media.