Capital of Greece, coastal hub of Attica
Since early November, dozens of supermarkets in Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Estonia and Ireland have had their refrigeration systems manipulated remotely, raising temperatures to about 50°C and forcing large-scale disposal of chilled and frozen food. Retailers including Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour, ICA and Coop have reported IT incidents while national cyber centres and police are investigating.
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.
The UK has endured a fifth heatwave this summer, with temperatures pushing into the mid-30s in parts of England and Wales. Health alerts remain in place as drought conditions deepen, with millions under hosepipe bans and reservoirs running low. Forecasters warn the heat could sustain into the week, while authorities prepare extreme heat measures and monitor infrastructure strain.
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 European Parliament has awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court as the Hague tribunal has faced sweeping US financial sanctions announced in October. The EU and many member states have pledged support; the ICC and UN officials have condemned the US measures, while Israel and the Trump administration have welcomed them.
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.
Mass student-led protests have escalated in Tirana since Tuesday, with demonstrators attacking government buildings, including the Education Ministry, and clashing with riot police. Security forces have used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets; authorities report hundreds injured and dozens detained. Protesters demand better university conditions, lower costs, action on corruption and Prime Minister Edi Ramas resignation.
Israel has held tightly contested elections that have produced a record Arab-led Knesset presence: Ra’am has increased to eight seats and the Joint List to 11, giving Arab parties a combined 19 of 120 seats. Neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition has reached 61 seats, leaving Arab lists with potential leverage over coalition formation.
Twelve migrants have died after boats capsized in separate incidents near Lesbos and Samos as Greek authorities pursue smugglers and step up rescue operations. Around 15 people have been rescued, with a suspected smuggler detained. The EU reports a continued surge in irregular crossings despite occasional declines.
Rising rents, energy prices, and borrowing costs have sparked protests across France, Italy, Spain and beyond. Governments are deploying security measures as living costs drive unrest and challenge the social contract ahead of elections. Farmers, students and workers are rallying, with violence reported in some cities as authorities struggle to contain the fallout.
The Tobruk-based House of Representatives has unanimously approved the 2019 maritime memorandum with Türkiye, reversing a 2020 rejection. The move follows Ankara’s military-to-military accord with Haftar’s LNA and comes as Greece, Egypt and the EU denounce the deal as a violation of international law and Egypt’s sovereign rights.
Eastern Libyan Parliament has ratified the 2019 maritime memorandum with Turkey, reversing years of opposition. Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus reject the move; the EU calls it null and void. The vote underscores a broader shift as Haftar-aligned forces seek strategic gains and Ankara strengthens influence in both Libya and 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.
The Libyan central bank is under pressure as parliament accepts the governor’s resignation in principle and appoints an interim successor amid continued instability between Tripoli and Benghazi. Banks face a raid and ongoing governance crises, with the eastern parliament and Haftar-aligned actors seeking to shape the outcome.
Karl Bushby has completed a 28-year walk, starting in Chile in 1998 and finishing in Hull, England. He has crossed four continents, 30 countries, and faced extreme conditions and bureaucratic obstacles. He returned to his mother’s home amid celebrations, after a journey defined by endurance and a vow not to use transport other than on foot.
A blast in Athens’s Plaka district has killed six people, including four Americans. Investigators say suspects removed copper piping from a gas line to sell for scrap, triggering a major gas leak and the fatal explosion. Warrants have been issued for the three suspects on charges of arson, manslaughter and related offences.
Greek authorities have recovered 13 bodies from a migrant boat found about 15 nautical miles south of Crete and 18 survivors were rescued by a passing Moroccan‑flagged cargo ship; one survivor later died, taking the confirmed death toll to 14. Frontex and the coastguard have also found three other boats carrying more than 180 people and are taking them to Crete today.