Europe is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent history as extreme heat, strong winds, and prolonged drought fuel devastating blazes across the continent. Massive wildfires have swept through Greece, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Germany, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate while firefighters battle to contain rapidly spreading flames.

In Greece, more than 100 homes have been destroyed near Athens, while deadly fires have claimed the lives of firefighters. Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Norway, Germany, and the UK are also battling major wildfires, with thousands of hectares of land burned and widespread evacuations underway. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfire events across Europe.

Europe wildfires: Greek firefighters suppress fire near Athens 

Two firefighters were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air while battling a major wildfire in Greece. The tragic accident occurred during aerial firefighting operations as authorities continued efforts to contain rapidly spreading blazes amid extreme heat and dry conditions.

Europe is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent history as extreme heat, strong winds, and prolonged drought fuel devastating blazes across the continent. Massive wildfires have swept through Greece, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Germany, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate while firefighters battle to contain rapidly spreading flames.

In Greece, more than 100 homes have been destroyed near Athens, while deadly fires have claimed the lives of firefighters. Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Norway, Germany, and the UK are also battling major wildfires, with thousands of hectares of land burned and widespread evacuations underway. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfire events across Europe.

Europe wildfires: Mid-air collision of firefighting helicopters in Greece kills two

A resurgent wildfire in the southeastern Var region of France has flared up near the Gros Bessillon massif, quickly scorching an additional 1,000 hectares of land in just a few hours.

France: Fresh fires erupt in Var, burn 1,000 hectares of land

Greece approved a €4.2 billion ($4.8 billion) military modernization package on July 23, 2026, featuring a €700 million contribution by Greek defense contractors toward the multi-billion-dollar Israeli-supplied "Achilles Shield" air-defense network

Greece builds its own Iron Dome-style shield

Firefighters and volunteers battled a fast-moving wildfire on the Greek island of Syros as helicopters were deployed to drop water and contain the spreading flames. Civil protection authorities issued alerts for residents as emergency crews worked to prevent the blaze from advancing further. The wildfire comes as Greece enters another dangerous fire season, with extreme heat and dry conditions raising the risk of major outbreaks. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires across the Mediterranean region, putting communities and ecosystems under growing threat.

Wildfire Engulfs Greek Island Of Syros, Prompts Evacuation Warning

Panic erupted in Athens after a gunman opened fire at a social security office and later near a courthouse in the city center. Several people were reportedly wounded as police launched a major manhunt for the suspect. Authorities say the attacker, allegedly armed with a shotgun, fled after the shooting. The incident has shocked residents and raised fresh concerns over public security in the Greek capital.


BREAKING: Gunman Opens Fire At 2 Locations In Greek Capital

Worsening wildfires, soaring heatwaves and rising water levels have prompted Greek officials to take a closer look at protecting priceless archaeological sites that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The monuments, scattered across the country, earn Greece millions of dollars in tourism revenue.

But many of the sites are in rural areas and officials believe better planning is needed in case large crowds of tourists need to be evacuated in an emergency.



Greece's Ancient Sites Under Climate Strain; 19 Sites at Urgent Climate Risk

Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that Greece will ban access to social media for children under the age of 15 starting January 1, 2027.

The announcement was made via social media to directly address young audiences, with the Prime Minister acknowledging potential backlash while emphasizing long-term benefits.

Greece Social Media Ban: Greece Proposes Social Media Curbs on Under-15-Year-Olds

An European Union investigation has blown the lid off a farm fraud scandal, which is turning out to be a political nightmare for the government of Greece. Three key members of the Cabinet including the Agriculture Minister resigned in the last few days to facilitate the investigation.

Farm Fraud Scandal Hits Greece, Key Ministers Resign

Severe flooding has hit parts of Greece after intense storms triggered heavy rainfall, submerging homes and disrupting daily life in several affected areas. Emergency services have launched rescue operations to evacuate residents stranded by rising waters, while authorities issued warnings as dangerous weather conditions persisted.


Greece Floods: Homes Submerged After Greece Storms; Rescue Operation Underway

Skies over Crete, the largest island of Greece, were engulfed in a dramatic orange haze as strong winds carried Saharan dust across the eastern Mediterranean. Authorities issued health advisories urging residents to limit outdoor exposure due to reduced air quality and visibility.


Greece: Crete Island Sky Engulfed in Orange Haze

A groundbreaking study challenges the idea that democracy began only in ancient Greece. Researchers led by Gary Feinman suggest that early forms of shared governance existed in ancient cities like Mohenjo-daro and Teotihuacan. By studying urban design and public spaces, the research shows how power may have been more distributed in these societies, long before Athens coined the term democracy. The findings reshape how we understand the origins of political systems and highlight that democratic ideas may have evolved across multiple civilisations.


Democracy Was Born in Indus Valley & Mexico & Not in Greece, Study Finds 

The famous Oracle of Delphi, Pythia, who lived at the temple of the god Apollo in southern Greece, told believers their future, and even advised Alexander the Great on important matters regarding his state and financial affairs. However, turns out she was just making it all up since her trance was induced by a gas named ethylene that was being released from the ground below. According to ancient records, she inhaled a "sweet-smelling gas" (called pneuma), which led her to enter a trance and act strangely. She got into a strange physical state and even collapsed sometimes. Ancient writers like Plutarch, who was a priest at Delphi, she was a vessel for power coming from Earth. He wrote that the temple was built around a natural spring, and the water and fissures in the rock released pneuma.<h2>Absence of cracks in the ground under the temple of Delphi</h2>On certain days, the priestess would stand over the pneuma and inhale it to enter a trance. She became hysterical and cried loudly, making it a tough ordeal. The temple closed down in 393 AD, and for years, modern scientists didn’t believe it was real because of the absence of volcanoes at the site, since most underground gases come from them. No large cracks were found in the floor during excavations, and the story was dismissed as a myth. However, turns out that it was a true story. Yes, she was inhaling gases and entering a trance, but everything the priestess said was just made-up stories.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-say-african-cellar-is-emitting-ancient-material-it-has-a-deadly-leak-1772541932224">Scientists say African cellar is emitting ancient material. It has a deadly leak</a><h2>Proof of a fault line hinted at a gas that could induce trance</h2>A geologist and an archaeologist discovered two major geological fault lines intersect directly under the temple. Archaeologist John Hale said that Dutch-American geologist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer found in the 1980s that a fault line passed directly under the temple of Delphi. This is a place where Earth’s tectonic plates collide against one another, and this event triggers earthquakes. However, they can also cause the emission of gases. Hale told Popular Science that de Boer wondered whether the pneuma mentioned in the records could be “a light hydrocarbon gas” coming from permeable limestone. When researchers tested the rock and water, they found traces of ethylene. This gas has a sweet smell, just like the one described in the records. Inhaling it in small amounts can produce a "floating" sensation and alter the state of mind, leading one to act “space out”.&nbsp;This is apparently the gas the oracle was inhaling, and making up everything. The position was shared by several women over centuries since it was a physically demanding job, but also considered a great honour.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Alexander the Great took advice from the Oracle of Delphi, who lived in the temple of the god Apollo in Delphi, Greece. She would enter a trance and tell him and several others their future. But we now know that she was lying the entire time.

The famous Oracle of Delphi, Pythia, who lived at the temple of the god Apollo in southern Greece, told believers their future, and even advised Alexander the Great on important matters regarding his state and financial affairs. However, turns out she was just making it all up since her trance was induced by a gas named ethylene that was being released from the ground below. According to ancient records, she inhaled a "sweet-smelling gas" (called pneuma), which led her to enter a trance and act strangely. She got into a strange physical state and even collapsed sometimes. Ancient writers like Plutarch, who was a priest at Delphi, she was a vessel for power coming from Earth. He wrote that the temple was built around a natural spring, and the water and fissures in the rock released pneuma. Absence of cracks in the ground under the temple of Delphi On certain days, the priestess would stand over the pneuma and inhale it to enter a trance. She became hysterical and cried loudly, making it a tough ordeal. The temple closed down in 393 AD, and for years, modern scientists didn’t believe it was real because of the absence of volcanoes at the site, since most underground gases come from them. No large cracks were found in the floor during excavations, and the story was dismissed as a myth. However, turns out that it was a true story. Yes, she was inhaling gases and entering a trance, but everything the priestess said was just made-up stories. Also Read: Scientists say African cellar is emitting ancient material. It has a deadly leak Proof of a fault line hinted at a gas that could induce trance A geologist and an archaeologist discovered two major geological fault lines intersect directly under the temple. Archaeologist John Hale said that Dutch-American geologist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer found in the 1980s that a fault line passed directly under the temple of Delphi. This is a place where Earth’s tectonic plates collide against one another, and this event triggers earthquakes. However, they can also cause the emission of gases. Hale told Popular Science that de Boer wondered whether the pneuma mentioned in the records could be “a light hydrocarbon gas” coming from permeable limestone. When researchers tested the rock and water, they found traces of ethylene. This gas has a sweet smell, just like the one described in the records. Inhaling it in small amounts can produce a "floating" sensation and alter the state of mind, leading one to act “space out”. This is apparently the gas the oracle was inhaling, and making up everything. The position was shared by several women over centuries since it was a physically demanding job, but also considered a great honour.

Alexander the Great took advice from the Oracle of Delphi, who lived in the temple of the god Apollo in Delphi, Greece. She would enter a trance and tell him and several others their future. But we now know that she was lying the entire time.

Oracle of Delphi told Alexander the Great his future. Turns out, the 'spaced-out' woman was lying to him

Greece is cleaning up after a powerful storm dumped months’ worth of rain on Athens in less than 24 hours, Killing two people and triggering widespread flooding.

Athens Storm: Deadly Storm Dumps Months of Rain on Athens

Torrential rains on January 21, 2026, triggered deadly flash floods across Greece, killing two: a woman struck by a car swept away in Athens' Glyfada suburb and a coast guard officer washed out to sea while securing a boat in Peloponnese.


Two Dead as Rainstorms Pound Greece, Flood Athens Suburbs 

Greece Storm: Severe Storm Batters Greece, Floods Roads and Halts Ferries

Israel, Greece, and Cyprus signed a trilateral work plan for military cooperation for 2026 last week, the IDF announces, in a move that further deepens security coordination among Turkey’s regional rivals in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greece, Cyprus Sign Trilateral Deal With Israel

Israel, Greece and Cyprus are examining the creation of a joint rapid-response military force in the eastern Mediterranean, Greek media reports, amid growing concern in Athens over Turkey’s expanding military posture.


Israel, Greece and Cyprus eye joint rapid-response force in eastern Mediterranean 

Central Greece has been hit by major flooding as Storm Byron sweeps through the region, causing widespread damage and forcing residents to evacuate. Heavy rainfall has overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems, submerging villages and disrupting daily life across the affected areas.

Storm Byron: Central Greece Hit By Major Flooding After Storm Byron

Russia-Ukraine War: Russian forces have claimed to capture two villages, Rivnopillia and Mala Tokmachka, in the southern Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. These strategic gains enhance Russia's position in southeastern Ukraine as they continue to fight Ukrainian forces, who are struggling with smaller troop numbers and ongoing attacks.

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine Drones Hit Russia's Black Sea Terminal 

The Commanding officer of Indian Navy Ship INS Trikand, Captain Sachin Kulkarni spoke to WION, from Salamis Bay, Greece. INS Trikand participated in exercises at Bright Star, and then held exercises with the Hellenic (Greece) Navy. He spoke at length on that, from the deck of INS Trikand.

 Indian Stealth Frigate Conducts Drills With Hellenic Navy

Greece’s booming tourism industry is at a crossroads. After strong growth in 2024 and 2025, rising operational costs, infrastructure issues, and stiff competition from other Mediterranean destinations threaten the sector’s future.

Experts warn travelers are spending less and booking later amid global economic uncertainties. Overcrowding and environmental risks add pressure on popular spots like Santorini. Industry leaders urge the government to implement policy reforms and invest in sustainable tourism for long-term stability.

Greek tourism faces big challenges in 2026: Rising costs & tough competition

Greece is grappling with a looming demographic disaster as declining birth rates and aging population push the country toward a population collapse. Experts warn this crisis could severely impact the nation’s economy and future stability.


Greece faces demographic disaster: Prime Minister unveils bold family rescue plan