Athens

A security guard stands at the entrance of the Medical Forensic Institution in Istanbul, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022.

In a Turkish border town, migrant ‘pushbacks’ from Greece turn deadly

Last week, 19 migrants froze to death near a Turkish village on the border with Greece. Their deaths shed new light on pushbacks, which witnesses say are routine.

In a Turkish border town, migrant ‘pushbacks’ from Greece turn deadly
Several Taliban fighters are shown standing in a street or sitting on blanket-covered motorcycles.

The Taliban take 10th provincial capital in offensive

The Taliban take 10th provincial capital in offensive
A view of Athens from above showning the city and in the distance large dark smoke clouds filling the sky.

Athens’ first-ever chief heat officer says historic heat wave feels ominous, like a 'prequel' of the city's future

Athens’ first-ever chief heat officer says historic heat wave feels ominous, like a 'prequel' of the city's future
Vegan Beat storefront

Gyro is the ‘holy grail’ of Greek fast food. An Athens restaurant offers a vegan alternative.

Gyro is the ‘holy grail’ of Greek fast food. An Athens restaurant offers a vegan alternative.
A concrete walkway has been paved on the Acropolis plateau in an effort to make the site more accessible. But critics say materials used would make it impossible to remove the pathway without damaging the ancient bedrock underneath.

'They want to make the Acropolis into Disneyland.' Site renovations face backlash. 

'They want to make the Acropolis into Disneyland.' Site renovations face backlash. 
Riot police detain a man during clashes in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, March 11, 2021.

Greek police roll out new ‘smart’ devices that recognize faces and fingerprints

Greek authorities say the technology will make police checks more efficient, but critics are sounding the alarm about potential abuses. 

Greek police roll out new ‘smart’ devices that recognize faces and fingerprints
Greek Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou poses for a photograph during an interview for The Associated Press, at Agios Kosmas marina in southern Athens, Feb. 4, 2021. Bekatorou is the most successful female athlete in Greek sporting history who rece

Greece ‘finally’ has its #MeToo moment 

An Olympic medalist’s sexual assault allegations against a former coach have opened up a conversation about gender roles, discrimination, power dynamics and everyday sexism in Greek society.

Greece ‘finally’ has its #MeToo moment 
In this Sunday, May 24, 2020, photo, a Greek Orthodox priest distributes Holy Communion during Sunday Mass at a church, in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, using a traditional shared spoon. Contrary to science, the Greek Orthodox Church insists

In Greece, a clergyman’s death reignites communion spoon debate

In the Greek Orthodox Church, one single utensil is used to administer the Holy Communion to the entire congregation. During a global health crisis, this may seem like a bad idea. But not according to the church.

In Greece, a clergyman’s death reignites communion spoon debate
Social Hackers Academy runs its operations out of a co-working space in downtown Athens.

This Afghan ‘computer nerd’ learned to code in a Greek program for refugees. He says it was 'life-changing.'

Social Hackers Academy, an Athens-based nonprofit, tries to equip migrants, refugees and long-term unemployed people with on-demand, computer programming skills. 

This Afghan ‘computer nerd’ learned to code in a Greek program for refugees. He says it was 'life-changing.'
Students, parents, and teachers march through downtown Athens to protest what they say are inadequate COVID-19 safety measures in the classroom.

'We don't want another lost school year': Widespread protests in Greece over lack of coronavirus safety in schools

While many schools around the world have kept their doors closed because of the pandemic, the Greek government opened all primary and secondary schools for in-person learning last month, despite an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the country. 

'We don't want another lost school year': Widespread protests in Greece over lack of coronavirus safety in schools
A bright red banner depicting anti-racist Greek rapper Pavlos Fyssas is seen, as demonstrators protest at the close of the trial for leaders and members of the far-right Golden Dawn, in Athens, Greece, Oct. 7, 2020.

Greeks celebrate court ruling on neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn

Large crowds gathered in Athens on Wednesday following a five-year trial as the judges announced a series of decisions involving members of the neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn, including that the leaders ran a criminal group.

Greeks celebrate court ruling on neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are shown both wearing dark blazers and bumping elbows.

Pompeo voices support for talks between Greece, Turkey

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed support Tuesday for talks between Greece and Turkey, NATO allies whose relations deteriorated to the point where both had warships facing off in the Mediterranean Sea.

Pompeo voices support for talks between Greece, Turkey
A Turkish ship with a flag sails in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Greece and Turkey sail toward a crisis of sea borders 

Greece's and Turkey's land borders are fairly clear these days — but claims over the sea are not. When you add recent, underwater gas discoveries to the mix, the decision about who has the right to drill — and where — becomes tangled and complex. 

Greece and Turkey sail toward a crisis of sea borders 
Arash Hampay and a group of volunteers pack and distribute "hope bags."

In Greece, refugees and migrants turn to each other to get through coronavirus pandemic

For those living in camps or sleeping rough in Greece, the country's lockdown poses many challenges. In the absence of much government help, refugees are turning to each other for support.

In Greece, refugees and migrants turn to each other to get through coronavirus pandemic
A man stands at a counter holding an urn with many urn designs behind him

Greece's first and only crematorium opens despite pushback from the church

With cemeteries filling up and the rising cost of traditional burials, cremation is a preferred option for a growing number of Greek citizens, but the church considers cremation a sin.

Greece's first and only crematorium opens despite pushback from the church