Derek Gatopoulos

Protest held on Greek island against docked US aircraft carrier as Iran tension builds Protesters have gathered on the Greek island of Crete following the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier that is part of a major buildup of American forces in the Middle East.

Protest held on Crete against docked U.S. aircraft carrier as Iran tension builds.

apnews.com/article/gree...

Annika Malacinski's emotional fight for women's inclusion in Nordic combined U.S. Nordic combined athlete Annika Malacinski is leading the fight for gender equality at the Winter Olympics after women were excluded from the sport at the upcoming Milan Cortina Games.

An American skier is fighting to open up the last Winter Olympic sport that’s off limits to women.

apnews.com/article/olym...

Scientists recover the oldest wooden tools from a site in Greece Scientists say two artifacts found at a lake shore in Greece are the oldest wooden tools uncovered so far.

Scientists recover oldest wooden tools ever found from site in southern Greece – dating back 430,000 years.

By Adithi Ramakrishnan
apnews.com/article/olde...

Photo of the day (so far)

Syrian swimmer among activists cleared by Greek court of aiding migrant rescues A Greek court has acquitted a group of rescue volunteers who aided migrants on the island of Lesbos, ending a case that drew criticism from international human rights groups.

Syrian swimmer Sarah Mardini, volunteer rescuers cleared in Lesvos court.

apnews.com/article/gree...

Greece's new frigate Kimon passes the Olympias, a full-scale working reconstruction of an ancient Athenian trireme.

The new French-built frigate Kimon has sailed to Greece from France. Welcome ceremony will be held tomorrow.

Farmers block highways across Greece in protest over rising costs and EU trade deal Farmers in Greece have escalated nationwide protests by launching a 48-hour blockade of major highways and toll stations.

Farmers block highways across Greece in protest over rising costs and EU trade deal.

w/ Costas Kantouris
apnews.com/article/gree...

⚠️Airspace outage: Government says "no indication" of cyberattack as cause of Sunday's massive flight disruption. Adds that cyber defence agency will assist investigation.

#Greece

Summer mural in Panormou, Athens

Greece cuts student population at universities by half after long study breaks are abolished Greek authorities have removed more than 300,000 inactive university students from public university records.

Student population at universities cut by half after study breaks abolished.

apnews.com/article/gree...

Chilly and beautiful New Year’s Day in Athens.

Syntagma Square tonight

Ukraine's Zelenskyy improvises mid-flight to get his message out on a whirlwind European trip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used an improvised WhatsApp audio briefing during a rapid tour of European capitals to reaffirm that Ukraine will not surrender territory to Russia.

With no time for a news conference, Ukraine's Zelenskyy takes questions on the fly.

w/ Illia Novikov
apnews.com/article/russ...

As sea drones force Russia to retreat, Ukraine examines ways to launch more complex attacks A top Ukrainian sea-drone commander says more complex attacks on Russian forces are expected next year as Kyiv’s uncrewed fleet continues to restrict the once-dominant Black Sea navy.

A top Ukrainian sea-drone commander says more complex attacks on Russian forces are expected next year as Kyiv's uncrewed fleet continues to restrict the once-dominant Black Sea navy.

#StormByron The Fire Service has received more than 580 calls for water pumping, tree cutting, and transport of citizens since Thursday morning.

Severe weather is expected in the next 12 hours in southeastern Crete, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese.

📸 Daphne Tolis, 15:18 pm

Defying a government warning, Greek farmers block border crossings in wake of EU subsidy scandal Farmers in northern Greece have blocked border crossings with North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey as part of a growing protest over delays in farm subsidy payments.

Defying a government warning, Greek farmers block border crossings in wake of EU subsidy scandal
By Costas Kantouris

apnews.com/article/gree...

There’s a metaphor there somewhere.
(In central Athens)

Under a cloud, the Olympic flame begins its journey to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics The Olympic flame began its journey Wednesday for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games after bad weather forced officials to move the traditional lighting from ancient Olympia to a nearby museum.

Apollo called in sick: Olympic flame ceremony for Winter Games scaled back by bad weather.

apnews.com/article/olym...

Bears in the backyard, wolves at the door: Greek villages have a growing predator problem Populations of brown bears and wolves are burgeoning in Greece, thanks to conservation efforts. But not everyone is enthusiastic about the comeback.

Populations of brown bears and wolves are burgeoning in Greece, thanks to conservation efforts. But not everyone is enthusiastic about the comeback.

Rural Greece struggles to cope with predator comeback Populations of brown bears and wolves are burgeoning in Greece, thanks to conservation efforts. But not everyone is enthusiastic about the comeback.

Bears in the backyard, wolves at the door: Greek villages have a growing predator problem.
By Costas Kantouris

apnews.com/article/wild...

Trump ally, former prosecutor and TV presenter Kimberly Guilfoyle takes up position as the new U.S. ambassador to Greece.

#Greece #Guilfoyle

Built in the shadows and launched at night, Ukraine's long-range drones are rattling Russia In rural Ukraine, attack drones are assembled in secret to strike deep into Russia. These drones target oil refineries, fuel depots, and military hubs, stretching Moscow's air defenses.

Built in the shadows and launched at night, Ukraine's long-range drones are rattling Russia.

w/ Volodymyr Yurchuk
apnews.com/article/ukra...

Greece's Defence Ministry has a fully renovated exterior. Inauguration taking place now.

#Greece

Drones and anti-drone systems on display for the first time at today's annual military parade in Thessaloniki.

#Greece / HT Costas Kantouris

Greek Foreign Ministry statement with formal complaint to Israel over flotilla.

#Greece (unofficial translation)

Oksana and Mykola Pastukh lost their new house in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv. Their grateful to the volunteers who rushed in to help them.

w/ Vasilisa Stepanenko #Ukraine
apnews.com/article/russ...

High-tech tax authority helps Greece return to Europe’s financial mainstream Greece’s once notorious tax system has been transformed into one of Europe’s most efficient, powered by drones, big data and real-time surveillance.

Greece's once notorious tax system has been transformed into one of Europe's most efficient, powered by drones, big data and real-time surveillance.

Colour photo. The front door of an apartment building, plate glass with curlicue patterns of metal grille painted pale grey. In the old days, the glass was open in warm weather to let the breeze blow through. Here, the curves are framed to resemble a four-petalled flower. Through them, the marble entrance stairs, and behind them, in the depths, a lit doorway looking almost like the pollen in the heart of the bloom. There’s a bit of the building opposite reflecting in the glass, and also my left elbow and part of my hair as I take the picture Kypseli.

Old Athens: Door in bloom
#Athens #UrbanPhotography

"We have a game tomorrow. That's just the thing that I know. The other aspects don't belong to me or to us."

PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu on Wednesday's match against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.