Capital of Greece; a coastal, historical metropolis and regional capital of Attica
The United States has announced sweeping financial sanctions that ban transactions with the International Criminal Court, freeze any ICC assets in US jurisdictions and give US companies six months to wind down business. The move has prompted condemnation from the ICC, the UN and many European allies, while Israel and the Trump administration have defended the measures. The announcement followed the award of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to former ICC judge Navi Pillay.
Insurers warn Europe’s disaster costs are outpacing coverage as wildfires devastate parts of France, Spain, Greece and Portugal. Heatwaves push temperatures past dangerous levels and drive up resilience costs, while authorities urge action to close the protection gap.
A wave of heat and wildfires across Europe and beyond has accelerated, prompting evacuations and sparking political debate on climate policy. Readers are updated on the latest developments, including shifting opinions, policy responses, and the urgent need for adaptation alongside emission cuts.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, known as Lisa, has been found dead in a derelict Athens building. A 26-year-old man, reportedly Afghan, has been arrested in connection with her death. Police identify suspect via fingerprints; consular support is provided to her family.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, has been found dead in a derelict building in Kypseli, Athens. Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai is charged with homicide with intent after an incident that police say occurred around July 18. He remains in custody as investigations continue and tissue analysis is awaited.
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, known as Lisa, has been found dead in a derelict Kypseli building in Athens. Afghan boxer Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, is charged with homicide with intent, robbery and weapons offences. Investigators say Ross was likely killed days before discovery amid a heatwave; a police probe is ongoing.
The UK has faced a fifth heatwave this summer, with record highs in several locations. A cooler spell is moving in over the weekend, bringing rain to some drought-affected areas. Health alerts remain in place as authorities monitor ongoing drought and heat-related pressures.
A fifth heatwave has prompted amber heat health alerts for most of England, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s. The UK Health Security Agency warns of health and service impacts, drought conditions worsen in several regions, and officials urge precautions as authorities brace for potential disruptions to travel and power.
Wildfires have intensified across Europe, with record heat and drought fueling unprecedented fire activity. Several countries report thousands of hectares burned, mass evacuations, and mounting economic costs as authorities warn of a worsening season.
The UK and parts of England face an ongoing extreme heat event. Amber heat-health alerts are in place across much of the country, with health officials urging caution, travel adjustments, and cooling measures as temperatures reach near-38C and drought conditions worsen.
Europe faces a sweeping heatwave with multiple wildfires across Belgium, Greece, France and Spain. Authorities report evacuations, firefighting efforts and evolving fronts near borders, with rainfall providing limited relief. Investigations into arson and unexplained flare-ups feature in some reports.
In central Athens, hat racks line streets as visitors cope with midday heat. Tourism hit a record 38 million last year, with the Acropolis drawing 4.6 million in 2025. Greek health campaigns emphasise sun protection; Red Cross volunteers distribute kits at the Acropolis.
Bloomberg reports several airline moves: American Airlines is adding Philadelphia, New York, Charlotte and Chicago routes to European cities and Japan, while JFK-Tel Aviv and Newark-Luxembourg/Marseille services are expanding. These updates reflect broader network growth from major carriers.
Lebanon and Israel are engaged in direct talks mediated by the US, after Hezbollah-triggered conflict escalations. A framework signed in June calls for Hezbollah disarmament and a staged Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, with Greece and Athens’ arms deal cited as regional context. Lebanon seeks renewed UNIFIL support as violence persists.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement among Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is being translated into an operational framework. Ministers and chiefs of staff are meeting in Istanbul to discuss interoperability, defence cooperation and potential expansion, including a possible role for Egypt. Observers say the pact aims to deter aggression and coordinate military planning in a volatile region.
Israel has secured a nearly €3 billion defense export deal with Greece, delivering a multi-layered air‑defense array including David’s Sling, SPYDER and BARAK MX, plus radars and a national command system. A supplementary €26 million deal covers Rafael’s Drone Dome. The package elevates relations amid regional tensions and Europe’s security recalibration.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement among Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has established a secretariat in Saudi Arabia headed initially by a Pakistani secretary-general for three years. The signatories say the alliance will strengthen regional security, deter threats, and develop defense industries; they confirm plans to institutionalise cooperation and pursue expansion in stages. Fidan notes a roadmap for joining and stresses the alliance is open to others that share its core principles.
Interior Secretary Burgum has announced plans to begin construction of a Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck on Columbia Island, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The project has drawn legal challenges citing lack of congressional authorization and concerns about sightlines to historic properties, while supporters argue it would add a landmark to Washington, DC.
Cristina Rapti-Tzelepi has given birth in Athens to a daughter using an embryo frozen for more than 22 years, amid Greece’s 54-year age limit for IVF. Doctors say the case raises questions about the law as Greece faces a declining birth rate.
The twin-seat F‑4 Phantom crashed during a low-altitude display at Athens Flying Week. The crash killed two pilots; a large fire followed, prompting emergency crews and evacuations. Organisers cancelled remaining events as Greece mourns.
A trio of recent articles shows cooks transforming kitchen leftovers into new mains, turning yesterday’s soup into today’s baked pasta, and pairing summer flavors with autumn comfort in salads and savories. The pieces highlight practical versatility in home cooking, with an emphasis on simple steps and pantry-friendly tweaks.
Chris Rokos plans to relocate residency to Greece, opening an Athens office as part of a broader move away from the UK. The move follows Greece’s flat tax regime for foreign income and reflects a wider exodus of Britain’s wealth creators amid tax and regime changes.
Edgar Grospiron has stepped down as president of the Alpes 2030 organising committee amid ongoing governance turmoil. The IOC says it will continue to work with the committee to build on foundations. Lyon remains the host for the 2030 Winter Games after Nice was dropped from hosting plans.
The flame for the Youth Olympic Games has left Athens and begun a 3,600-kilometre tour of Senegal. Dignitaries and a crowd in Dakar welcomed the flame, carried by women known as lingeer, as the IOC leader calls the ceremony a proud moment for Africa.
Travel pieces reflect on Europe’s summer hotspots, with some destinations gaining calm after peak season and readers weighing where to go next despite mixed experiences.
The Scotsman reviews Allan Gaw’s The Last Gifts to the Dead, noting a compelling central mystery and strong detective work by Dr. Jack Cuthbert, though one Belgium backstory thread feels ancillary for new readers; overall, the book offers solid deduction and a poignant post‑First World War context.
Greece has pressed for the permanent return of the Parthenon sculptures from the British Museum. Prime Minister Mitsotakis has argued that any arrangement must recognise Greece’s ownership and reject a “borrowed” solution, framing reunification as essential to cultural integrity. The conversation follows recent remarks about a Bayeux Tapestry loan model as a potential template for a deal.
Pope Leo XIV has completed the second day of a four‑day visit to France, drawing hundreds of thousands to an outdoor Mass on the Champs‑Élysées and meeting pilgrims in Lourdes. He has met President Emmanuel Macron, warned about AI and is scheduled to meet abuse survivors in Lourdes and migrants in Paris.
An explosion has destroyed a two‑storey building in Athens’ Plaka district and has killed six people, including four US tourists, a British man and a Greek woman. Emergency teams have recovered bodies, treated several injured and evacuated neighbouring buildings. Authorities are investigating and suspect a major gas leak as the cause.
The last school on Kalamos faces mothballing as enrollment falls to two students. Across Greece, 75 schools have closed and more than 400 have suspended classes amid a broader rural depopulation trend that could reshape regional life and services.
The United States has deepened Arctic security ties with Denmark and Greenland while preparing to advance energy and defense cooperation across Iceland, Greece, and Portugal. The trip accompanies scrutiny of ambassador conduct and a renewed focus on LNG exports to Europe.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed seven nations have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics: Qatar, India (Ahmedabad), South Africa, Germany (Munich), Hungary, Turkiye (Istanbul) and South Korea. The IOC has set an Oct. 31 deadline for other entries, will assess feasibility by March 2027 and expects a final host vote in 2029.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delivered a speech at the Acropolis urging Western nations to reclaim classical values, rebuild industry and defence, and pursue an "unapologetic" national power. He has linked the rhetoric to warnings about Iran and called on Europe to strengthen alliances and reindustrialise amid rising geopolitical competition.
EuroLeague shareholder clubs have rejected the NBA’s proposal for a single European league in a meeting in Cernobbio, with plans to convert licenses into franchises and to increase the number of franchises. The discussions come as the NBA eyes a 2027 European launch and large entry fees are reported.
The White House is weighing action against Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle amid reports of improper conduct in Athens, with officials signaling potential dismissal as investigations intensify.
Two workers have been hospitalized after a blast at the Motor Oil refinery in Agioi Theodoroi, about 60 kilometers west of Athens. The explosion caused no fire and the full cause remains unclear; one maintenance supervisor is being questioned as investigators begin examining the incident.
The White House has asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign after weeks of reports detailing alleged improper conduct, including a claim that she sought a donor’s payment of a $100,000 bill in exchange for access to officials. Rubio defends the ambassador while investigations continue. The move marks the end of a tenure that lasted less than a year.
Greece has received 22 antiquities from Israel in a ceremony at Athens’ National Archaeological Museum. The items, dating from 700 B.C. to 320 B.C., were illegally removed from Greece and returned as part of a bilateral effort to protect cultural heritage. This marks the first time Israel has returned antiquities to Greece, highlighting closer cooperation on heritage protection.
Ambassador Guilfoyle has been asked to resign amid a string of allegations reported by The Wall Street Journal and others. Trump has stated she will not be there in Greece, with officials noting concerns over gifts and influence peddling. Guilfoyle has defended her record while denying wrongdoing.
Hundreds of students have attacked Albania’s Education Ministry, throwing bricks and concrete blocks after nationwide demonstrations over university conditions, rising costs and poor job prospects. Security forces have used tear gas and water cannon; police have detained and arrested protesters and said officers and a journalist were injured.
Sixteen migrants have died after speedboats carrying Syrians and Palestinians collided with a Greek coast guard vessel near Lesbos and Samos. Rescuers are searching for missing passengers as authorities vow zero tolerance for smugglers. The incident follows a surge in irregular crossings in the eastern Mediterranean.
Protests in Greece have intensified across multiple cities as students and teachers demand more state funding for education and better facilities amid rising living costs. About 10,000 demonstrators have gathered in central Athens, with rallies spreading to Thessaloniki, Patras, and other cities. Authorities report peaceful marches, but disruptions to schools and public services persist as the government faces mid-2027 elections and ongoing inflation.