‘Better safe than sorry’: Greece installs floating barrier to ward off toxic fish The Guardian (July 6) From his deckchair, his arms thrown above his head, his feet sliding back and forth in the sand, Pavlos Beleyiannis watches his grandchildren bathe in his favourite bay. It’s an idyllic scene, infused with a serenity that the newly retired truck driver attributes squarely to a sense of security. For the first time, a floating barrier has been installed across the bay. Ducking, splashing and larking about, the children have not ventured beyond it. “Thank god it’s there to protect them,” he says with evident relief. “There weren’t such dangers in these seas when I was a child.” read more
Wildfires rage in Portugal, Greece and Spain while Greek authorities warn of toxic smoke NBC (July 5) Hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires in Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to Portugal to help with a massive blaze burning for more than three days. Authorities urged residents in parts of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, to remain indoors and shut their windows and doors due to toxic smoke from a burning recycling plant that was engulfed by a wildfire. read more
Anne Hathaway Finds the Golden Thread Between Boho and Ancient Greece Vogue (July 5) Fewer aesthetics have been so ascribed to the annals of pop culture history as boho chic. The crochet, the suede, the fringe; its patron saints Kate Moss and Sienna Miller. Anne Hathaway is one such student of the style. Often, you’ll see her in billowing sundresses and straw hats, toting a raffia bag. But Hathaway—who recently announced her third pregnancy—is on the press circuit for her next film, The Odyssey, and she’s found a way to bring the boho to the late Bronze Age. read more
Christou, Siskos Lead 22-Strong European Championship Roster for Greece SwimSwam (July 7) 2024 Olympic silver medalist Apostolos Christou leads the 22-swimmer roster for Greece for the upcoming European Championships, as announced by the Hellenic Aquatics Federation. Christou secured an Olympic silver medal in Paris in 2024 in the 200 backstroke, touching in 1:54.82. He has also found plenty of success at these championships over the past four years, winning the 50 back (24.36) and finishing runner-up in the 100 back (52.24) at this meet in 2022. In 2024, he backed that performance up with a pair of wins in the sprint backstrokes in 24.39 and 52.23, respectively. read more
Crete treats: a chef’s tour of her favourite Greek island The Guardian (July 6) As someone with Cypriot roots and distant Greek heritage, I’m often asked the question: which is the best island? People lean in, expecting a secret – some tiny, untouched haven, known only to locals. My answer is always the same: Crete. With its fiercely proud identity, warm communities and exceptional food, it feels both deeply Greek and entirely itself. For our anniversary weekend, my husband and I head to Lassithi, in the island’s far eastern corner. As a chef and food writer, I’m drawn to the area’s reputation for exceptional produce: Sitia extra virgin olive oil, creamy xigalo cheese, mountain honey and an abundance of excellent tavernas. read more
Cyprus Resumes Regular Visa Processing in Russia The Moscow Times (July 6) Cyprus has resumed visa processing at its third-party centers across Russia, nearly a month after a contract lapse forced the country’s consulates to temporarily take over operations. Visa processing through private operator BLS International resumed Monday. The service had been suspended on June 13 following the expiration of the company’s previous agreement, forcing the Embassy of Cyprus’ consular section in Moscow, alongside consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Krasnodar, to handle all applications directly. BLS International’s visa application centers operate in eight Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don and Novosibirsk. read more
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