- 'Crazy love': Afghans overjoyed to watch star cricketers on home turf
- Putin accuses Ukraine of trying to attack Kursk nuclear plant
- Nestle CEO Schneider to step down after eight years at helm
- Pakistan top court amends religious freedom ruling after protests
- Stocks sputter ahead of Fed chief's speech
- Nepal lifts ban on video-sharing platform TikTok
- Bangladesh revokes diplomatic passport of ex-PM Hasina
- O'Connor romps to Vuelta win, takes significant lead
- Indonesia scraps plan to change election rules after protests
- Brook steadies England after Asitha Fernando strikes for Sri Lanka
- Hamilton backs Grand Prix in Africa amid Rwanda talks
- Truce hopes fade as Gaza rocked by Israeli bombardment, battles
- Mpox vaccine maker says 'better prepared' than in 2022
- Dyche fears Everton could have just 14 first-team players for Spurs trip
- Canada rail freight shut down threatens to disrupt economy
- Harris to take star turn at Democratic convention
- US existing home sales rise in July, ending downward trend
- Unbeaten Verstappen eyes 'very close' Dutch Grand Prix
- Protests as rebuilt tower opens at German church with Nazi links
- A divide opens in Ukraine over giving up land for peace
- Hammers boss Lopetegui will be glad to see transfer window shut
- Leverkusen coach Alonso says Bayern 'favourites' in Bundesliga
- Cannon-Brookes: Australia's billionaire climate warrior
- War cook: Ukrainian soldier-influencer's winning recipe
- Cosplay and queues at Germany gamers gathering
- Verstappen eyes 'very close' Dutch Grand Prix
- Play resumes on second day of England-Sri Lanka first Test
- Taiwan sentences eight soldiers for spying for China
- PSG coach Luis Enrique plays down prospect of more new signings
- Key Indian hospital ends strike but doctor rape protests rage
- Key Indian hospital ends stike but doctor rape protests rage
- Djokovic targets Slam record at US Open, Sinner under cloud
- Ceasefire hopes fade as Gaza fighting rages
- Indonesians protesting election law changes clash with police
- Hurzeler backs record-signing Rutter to be a 'big, big' player at Brighton
- Stock markets buoyed by US rate cut hopes
- England to host Zimbabwe in 2025, Lord's to stage first women's Test in 2026
- India's Modi urges peace ahead of Ukraine visit
- 'Let us choose joy!' Oprah Winfrey urges US voters
- Sicily divers seek final shipwreck missing after Lynch's body found
- Israeli police say 4 arrested in settler attack on Palestinians
- Rain delays second day of England-Sri Lanka first Test
- War cook: Ukrainian soldier-influencer with fans on both sides
- Kenya police offer reward for escaped serial killer suspect
- S. Korean drill to prepare for attack met with confusion
- French court dismisses appeal in Agent Orange case
- War-battered Gaza faces uphill battle against polio
- Floods swamp Bangladesh as nation finds its feet after protests
- Asia tracks Wall St. rally after US jobs data, Fed minutes
- Climate change a mixed blessing for sun-starved Irish vintners
CMSC | 0.16% | 24.94 | $ | |
BTI | -0.13% | 36.254 | $ | |
BCC | -0.98% | 130.77 | $ | |
BP | 0.25% | 33.605 | $ | |
RIO | -1.15% | 62.67 | $ | |
GSK | 0.18% | 41.924 | $ | |
SCS | -0.89% | 13.5 | $ | |
AZN | -0.15% | 85.43 | $ | |
NGG | 0.35% | 65.5 | $ | |
RBGPF | 3.48% | 55.22 | $ | |
JRI | 0.08% | 12.77 | $ | |
RYCEF | 0.93% | 6.48 | $ | |
CMSD | 0.27% | 24.586 | $ | |
RELX | -0.54% | 46.1 | $ | |
VOD | 0.05% | 9.575 | $ | |
BCE | -0.22% | 34.545 | $ |
Earliest-ever Greek heatwave shuts Acropolis for second day
The Athens Acropolis, Greece's most visited tourist attraction, was closed to the public during the hottest hours on Thursday for the second day running, as the country's earliest-ever heatwave neared its peak.
Tourists were unable to visit the Parthenon and other ancient masterpieces atop the UNESCO-listed archaeological site between noon and 5:00 pm local time (0900 to 1400 GMT).
Meteorologists have noted it is the earliest heatwave -- which for Greece is temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least three days -- on record.
Temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius were expected on Thursday, with up to 43 degrees forecast in the capital, prompting health warnings and school closures.
By midday, however, the mercury was still at 37 degrees Celsius in Athens, according to the Poseidon System website.
Several other Greek archaeological sites in Crete, the Dodecanese, the Cyclades and the Peloponnese were also shut as a precaution against the heat.
Other world-renowned attractions, such as Delphi, Olympia and Knossos, remained open without interruption.
The heatwave prompted the climate crisis and civil protection ministry to issue a "very high" wildfire risk for eight Greek regions on Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to ease from Friday onwards.
The Acropolis was forced to close in July last year during a two-week heatwave that was unprecedented in its duration.
It was followed by fires that, according to the National Observatory of Athens, consumed nearly 175,000 hectares (432,000 acres) of forest and farmland.
A record number of almost four million visitors flocked to the Acropolis in 2023, with its popularity boosted in part due to tourists arriving on cruise ships calling in at the nearby port of Piraeus.
X.Karnes--AMWN