Skies over Athens turn 'apocalyptic' orange from Sahara dust storm

European countries welcome 2025 with celebrations and dazzling fireworks shows

European capitals from Paris to Athens welcomed 2025 with a spectacular array of celebrations and fireworks shows, dazzling spectators.

Athenians and tourists gather in Athens to release Christmas wishes on paper lanterns

On Christmas Eve, hundreds of Greeks gathered outside Athens City Hall to release paper lanterns and make wishes. The annual event in Kotzia Square, overseen by Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, celebrated the city’s spirit. The Municipality of Athens organized the gathering.

Miniature therapy horses bring joy to Athens’ vulnerable communities

A team of miniature therapy horses in Greece spreads happiness and offers support to children, the elderly, and those in care homes, despite ongoing financial challenges.

Planning a road trip in Europe in 2025? Make sure to check out these countries

The Mediterranean dominates the chart, with a few surprises from central and northern Europe and some notable absences in the top spots.

Russian Ship Ursa Major Explodes and Sinks in Mediterranean; 14 Crew Members Rescued, Two Missing

A Russian cargo vessel, the Ursa Major, exploded and sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain on December 23, after a catastrophic explosion in its engine room. The explosion caused the ship to list severely before it capsized. The ship, traveling between St. Petersburg and Vladivostok, was carrying cargo, initially believed to be port cranes and hatch covers for icebreakers, intended for Russia's Far East. The Spanish coast guard successfully rescued 14 of the 16 crew members onboard, while two crew members remain missing. Fishing vessels and rescue teams quickly responded to the distress call, aiding in the efforts to save the survivors. Video footage from the scene shows the Ursa Major listing heavily to the left before sinking completely. The ship, which was built in 2009, had undergone scheduled maintenance earlier in 2024. The operator, SK-Yug, has not yet commented publicly on the incident. #UrsaMajorSinking #RussianCargoShip #MediterraneanExplosion #ShipAccident #RussianShipExplosion #RescueOperations #SpanishCoastGuard #MissingCrew #ShipExplosion #CargoShipDisaster #MediterraneanSea #UrsaMajorExplosion #RussianShipping #CrewRescue #ShipAccidentResponse

Spanish fishermen mobilise against proposed EU fishing day quotas

Fishermen in Spain are protesting proposed EU cuts that would reduce fishing days in the Mediterranean, arguing that the plan could destroy the industry, harm the economy, and cost 17,000 jobs.

Storms, droughts, Mediterranean hurricanes: Are marine heatwaves making natural disasters worse?

The pace of ocean warming has almost doubled since 2005. Marine heatwaves are not only devastating for life under the sea but also on land.