NATO tests new deployment model without US ahead of Ukraine war anniversary

NEA ANCHIALOS, Greece — NATO is testing its ability to rapidly deploy across eastern Europe — without direct U.S. assistance — as Washington shifts its approach toward European defense and the war in Ukraine. The six-week Steadfast Dart 2025 exercises across Bulgaria, Romania and Greece are taking place as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches the […]

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European rights chief presses Greece on deadly 2023 migrant shipwreck as questions remain

ATHENS, Greece — A top European human rights official urged Greek authorities Tuesday to address claims of negligence in a 2023 boat disaster that killed hundreds of migrants off the coast of southern Greece. Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner, cited recent findings by Greece’s Ombudsman that maintained Greek coast guard officers […]

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The swarm of earthquakes shaking Santorini prompts Greece to declare an emergency

ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s government declared a state of emergency on Santorini on Thursday after hundreds of undersea earthquakes shook the resort island for nearly a week. The ministry of civil protection’s announcement will provide authorities faster access to state resources. It follows a magnitude 5.2 tremor –- the most powerful recorded since activity started […]

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Earthquakes keep rattling Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini every few minutes

SANTORINI, Greece — Earthquakes rattled Greece’s volcanic island of Santorini every few minutes through the night and into Wednesday as authorities bolstered their emergency plans in case the temblors are a harbinger of a larger quake to come. Rescue crews with a sniffer dog and drones have been deployed on Santorini as a precaution since […]

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As quakes rattle Greek islands, brave tourists enjoy having Santorini to themselves

SANTORINI, Greece — More Greek islands closed schools Tuesday as hundreds of earthquakes ratted the Aegean Sea, while a handful of hardy tourists enjoyed having Santorini’s stunning views to themselves. Thousands of residents and seasonal workers have left the Cycladic Islands as hundreds of quakes up to magnitude 5 were recorded in the volcanic region […]

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Emergency crews deployed on Santorini as an earthquake swarm worries Greek experts

SANTORINI, Greece — Schools were closed and emergency crews deployed on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini on Monday after a spike in seismic activity raised concerns about a potentially powerful earthquake. Precautions were also ordered on several nearby islands — all popular summer vacation destinations — after more than 200 undersea earthquakes were recorded […]

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Growing anger in Greece over deadly rail disaster prompts plan by opposition to challenge government

ATHENS, Greece — Three Greek opposition parties vowed Friday to challenge the country’s center-right government with a censure motion over its handling of a deadly rail disaster nearly two years ago. The pledge was prompted by mounting public anger over delays in the inquiry and allegations of a cover-up that the government strongly denies. Fifty-seven […]

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Greece bans windowless basements, freezes central Athens licenses in overhaul of short-term rentals

ATHENS, Greece — Lawmakers in Greece began debating proposed legislation on Friday to toughen rules for short-term rentals amid a surge in tourism, including a ban on using converted storage spaces and windowless basements. Renovated warehouses, underground spaces and former industrial properties will be removed from rental platforms under the proposed changes, including locations already […]

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Former Greek royal family expresses ‘deep emotion’ after regaining citizenship

ATHENS, Greece — Members of Greece’s former royal family expressed “deep emotion” Monday at a decision to reinstate their Greek citizenship, ending a decades-old dispute with the country’s government. Greece abolished the monarchy in a 1974 referendum and the former royal family was stripped of its citizenship two decades later during a dispute over the […]

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Greece’s former royal family seeks to reclaim citizenship 50 years after monarchy abolished

ATHENS, Greece — Members of Greece’s former royal family have applied for Greek citizenship and formally acknowledged the country’s republican system of government, in a landmark move 50 years after the monarchy was abolished, officials confirmed Friday. The late King Constantine II and his family members were stripped of Greek citizenship in 1994 in a […]

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