Category: ATHENS

Shen Yun ‘Shows How Strong Chinese Culture Is,’ Says Former Ballerina

ATHENS, Ga.—Former ballerina Amara Duckett and her husband Thomas attended Shen Yun’s evening performance at The Classic Center on the evening of April 11. It has been a few years since Mrs. Duckett last danced, but she said watching Shen Yun made her itch to do it again. “It’s absolutely stunning. Everything about it is…


Insider’s Guide to Athens, Greece

“A great city, whose image dwells in the memory of man, is the type of some great idea,” wrote Benjamin Disraeli in 1844. “Rome represents conquest; Faith hovers over the towers of Jerusalem; and Athens embodies the pre-eminent quality of the antique world, Art.” Every year, over 6 million travelers visit the sprawling city named…


Wildfire Rages North of Athens, One Town Evacuated

ATHENS—A large wildfire raged out of control north of Athens on Monday, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of a nearby coastal town as a precaution. Strong winds fanned the flames in the area of Schimatari, about 50 km (30 miles) outside the capital amid soaring temperatures. Officials urged residents to leave the town of…


One Injured in Boat Crash in Filming of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

ATHENS—One person was injured when two speedboats crashed in Greece on Friday during the filming of the second sequel to hit romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the coast guard said. During the accident off Thymari beach south of Athens, one of the speedboats capsized. A total of 16 people were on board the…


Planes With Aid for Ukraine Loaded at Athens Airport

Two planes carrying humanitarian aid for Ukrainians left Athens International Airport on Sunday, bound for Poland. They carried items such as blankets and food, from the Greek armed forces, officials said. Greece is also sending ammunition, rifles, and missile launchers to Ukraine with military cargo planes, officials said. “Responding to a request by Ukraine and…


Explosion Damages Offices, Stores in Athens; 3 Hurt

ATHENS, Greece—An explosion left three people injured and seriously damaged an office building while shattering nearby storefronts in a busy part of central Athens early Wednesday. Fire department officials said a 77-year-old man was hospitalized with burns. Two others received medical attention for smoke inhalation. The pre-dawn blast occurred 200 meters from the ancient Temple…


Snowstorm Dusts Athens With Layer of Snow

A snowstorm hit the Greek capital Athens on Monday, snarling traffic, forcing flight cancelations, and suspending coronavirus vaccinations in the broader Athens region. The storm, given the name Elpida—”hope” in Greek—also blanketed several Greek islands in snow. Authorities warned the public to limit movements outdoors to the essential on Monday and Tuesday, while schools in…


Snow Blankets Athens, Greek Islands, and Turkey’s Istanbul

ATHENS, Greece—A severe snowstorm disrupted road and air traffic Monday in the Greek capital of Athens and in neighboring Turkey’s largest city of Istanbul, while snow blanketed most of Turkey and Greece, including several Aegean islands. The Greek government declared a holiday Tuesday in the greater Athens area, parts of central Greece and the islands…


International Groups Call for Release of Athens Protesters Opposing Beijing Olympics

International groups have called for the release of two human rights activists arrested after protesting at the Acropolis in Athens on Sunday against the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The two student activists—18-year-old Tibetan student Tsela Zoksang and 22-year-old exiled Hong Kong activist Joey Siu—were being held in detention until Monday morning in Athens pending an…


2 Arrested in Athens for Protesting Beijing Olympics

ATHENS, Greece—Two women attempted to hang a banner from the Acropolis in Athens Sunday morning in protest at the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, and were detained by Greek police. The activists, 18-year-old Tibetan student Tsela Zoksang and 22-year-old exiled Hong Kong activist Joey Siu, both American citizens, are members of the “No Beijing 2022” campaign,…