
Greece closes Acropolis amid heat wave
Greece's culture ministry closed the monument due to the heatwave conditions as temperatures are expected to reach 107 degrees Fahrenheit in Greece.
The closure took place during 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the "the safety of workers and visitors," according to the ministry.
The heatwave is not considered unusual, as in June and July last year, the attraction was also closed due to extreme heat.
This follows the country's labor ministry's mandatory five-hour work stoppage from noon to 5 p.m. for outdoor workers and food delivery services in central Greece and some islands, as temperatures are expected to rise above 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, heat waves are becoming more common due to human-caused climate change. Greek Authorities said they are taking long-term steps to address climate change.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


UPI
3 hours ago
- UPI
Small earthquake hits near New York City
A slow shutter photo creating motion blur shows a Waxing Gibbous Moon as it sets behind One World Trade Center and the Manhattan skyline on Saturday night in New York City. The USGS confirmed a 3.0 magnitude earthquake shook northern New Jersey at 10:18 pm EDT and could be felt in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Aug. 3 (UPI) -- A small earthquake was felt near New York City on Saturday night but left no reports of injuries or structural damage. The 3.0-magnitude earthquake hit the New Jersey town of Hasbrouck Heights, about nine miles from Manhattan, around 10:18 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It had a depth of 10 kilometers and people reported feeling it as far as Philadelphia and New Haven, Connecticut. The New York City Office of Emergency Management said after the tremors were felt that it was monitoring for potential impacts. It later said that there were no reports of damage. The USGS explained that the earthquake happened as a result of faulting at shallow depths in the crust, and such earthquakes are infrequent but can be felt on the East Coast. "Although this event did not occur near a plate boundary, such 'intraplate' earthquakes can and do occur," the USGS said. The earthquake prompted jokes on social media from accounts that include one for the Empire State Building, which quipped, "I AM FINE."


USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Tropical Storm Gil forms in the Pacific, expected to become hurricane: See tracker
Iona has weakened into a tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean while another storm – Tropical Storm Gil – has formed and continues to strengthen. In an advisory issued at 11 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time on Wednesday, July 30, the National Hurricane Center said Gil has formed well to the south-southwest of the southern Baja California peninsula. The hurricane center said the storm was located about 785 miles away from the southern tip of the peninsula with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts, with a turn to the north-northwest expected over the next couple of days. "Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Gil is forecast to become a hurricane on Friday," hurricane center forecasters said July 30. Iona, meanwhile, will continue on its westward path into Friday, followed by a gradual turn toward the north-northwest over the weekend, according to the NHC. Iona has maxiumum sustained winds near 50 mph with higher gusts, with additional weakning expected through Thursday. Tropical Storm Gil path tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Tropical Storm Gil spaghetti models This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. NHC tracking two other systems in the Pacific The hurricane center said in a July 30 advisory it is also keeping tabs on two other systems in the Pacific Ocean. The first system is a broad area of low pressure located about 800 miles southest of Hilo, Hawaii that is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. "Although the system lacks a well-defined low-level center at this time, some additional development is possible, and a short-lived tropical depression could still form during the next day or so," the hurricane center said in the advisory, noting that after that time, environmental conditions are expected to become less conducive for further development. The hurricane center gives the system a 40% chance of formation through the next 48 hours. A second area of low pressure is expected to form well south of southwestern Mexico in the next couple of days, hurricane center forecasters said. "Environmental conditions appear conducive for some gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form over the weekend or early next week" as the system moves west-northwestward, the hurricane center said, giving the system a 70% chance of formation through the next seven days. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@


National Geographic
2 days ago
- National Geographic
Where to travel in September
This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK). Is there a better month to feel a surge of travel spirit than September? As the summer holiday crush eases, Europe gets back to business and harvest time brings a bevy of the continent's stellar produce to restaurant tables, from young wines to olives, Greek figs, British apples, Spanish almonds and so much more. The change of season signals new beginnings and new adventures — perhaps a trip where you can try something to improve your skills or a hobby, or just to indulge some creative curiosity. From mindfulness courses to cookery classes, more purposeful travel can resume once the summer beach season is over. Further afield, there are some stellar wildlife spectacles to see, from the big game that gather around dry-season watering holes in Africa to turtle spotting in Costa Rica, or watching humpback whales, blue whales and pods of orcas patrolling for sea lions along California's coast. Here's our pick of destinations for travel in September. 1. Germany Despite its title, Oktoberfest actually starts in September. Munich's mighty festival of beer usually gets off to a frothy start in the middle of the month (this year it runs from 20 September to 5 October), with a 1,000-participant folksy parade flying the colours of local landlords, breweries and ale houses. This is followed by the Hunter's Parade, another riot of traditional Bavarian costume with a 12-gun salute to declare the bars officially open. There are 38 tents selling every conceivable iteration of German beer; most with regional food to try, too, from Alpine cheeses and North Sea oysters to hearty breakfasts, vegan eats and all manner of charcuterie and sausages. Wine lovers are also catered for, but it's worth noting that September is also grape-harvest season, and Germany's picture-perfect wine country comes alive with tastings, tours and foodie events. Responsible travel tip: It's easy to get to Munich by train. The simplest route takes just over nine hours from London, with a change in Paris. More info. Oktoberfest is one of the world's largest festivals, with over six million revellers joining the festivities every year. Photograph by Nikada, Getty Images 2. Sicily Italy's southernmost island sheds beach holiday crowds opening up for those looking for some late-season sun coupled with buzzy city breaks. The capital, Palermo, reanimates as residents return from coastal resorts, and some of the island's best harvest fare starts making its way onto restaurant tables, including fresh figs, pistachios, almonds and mushrooms. September's temperatures make a Mount Etna hike more feasible, while tickets for ferries to the volcanic Aeolian Islands become more readily available. It's also a great time to explore the island's little-known hilly backcountry. Responsible travel tip: In recent years, the medieval hilltop villages of Sicily's interior have been abandoned by youngsters seeking work on the coast and mainland. You can support these struggling rural economies and see some spectacular countryside while hiking the Via Magna Francigena. This long-distance route weaves across the middle of the island from the Tyrrhenian Sea at Palermo to the Mediterranean city of Agrigento, with a growing network of locally run hotels, hostels and homestays en route. (How chocolate went from rough to refined in one Sicilian town.) 3. Cornwall, UK September is a fine time to visit Cornwall, when sea temperatures are at their warmest, honeypot towns such as St Ives and Padstow are freed from log-jam traffic and summer crowds, and beaches are also far less busy. For two weeks every September, St Ives celebrates the arts with a festival of film screenings, art exhibitions, comedy and concerts — from folk to rock, classic to choral — as well as talks and guided walks in and around town, taking in everything from local history to megalithic tombs and Virginia Woolf's Talland House. September is also the time of Heritage Open Days (12-21 September), when landmark buildings across the country that are usually closed to the public throw open their doors for tours. There are some notable addresses in Cornwall. Responsible travel tip: Ditch the car and explore by bike. Cornwall has a growing number of coastal and rural cycle trails linking its many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The West Kernow Way is a 143-mile looped route starting in Penzance and taking in such landmark spots as Land's End, St Michaels Mount and Lizard Point. (Where to eat the best fish and chips in Cornwall.) The dramatic coastline at St Ives, Cornwall. Photograph by James Ms, Getty Images 4. Namibia Dry season in Namibia (June to October) is a good time to spot the desert-dwelling elephants of the country's northern Damaraland, which are otherwise somewhat invisible against the vastness of purple-red inselberg hills. But as the pachyderms gather at diminishing river systems and springs, sightings are more frequent. As temperatures rise, other animals are also found congregating around drying waterholes, including giraffes, rhinos, hyenas and sometimes leopards. Thanks to warm and sunny days — when cobalt blue skies contrast with orange sand dunes — and nights that are clear, star-studded but not too chilly, travellers will also appreciate Namibia's dry season. Responsible travel tip: Take a silent safari and ditch the game-drive vehicle in favour of e-bike tours available at select lodges. Or head to Grootberg, the first lodge in Namibia to be entirely owned and run by the local community. It's a pioneer in Namibia's progressive approach to conservation. And always look up; the night sky here is among the least light-polluted in the world. (See southern Namibia in a new light—on a lake cruise.) Dry season in autumn is perfect for spotting springbok antelopes in Etosha National Park, Namibia, among other animals. Photograph by EcoPic, Getty Images 5. Slovenia It's last call for hiking in the Alps, where the walking season winds down in autumn as weather reduces mountain access. September is a spectacular month to be at altitude, being still warm, dry and sunny, while the trees form a fiery seasonal display. Slovenia's Julian Alps, at the mountain range's easterly end, are defined by jagged limestone peaks offering an ever-expanding range of waymarked hiking routes. At the heart of the mountains, 9,400ft-high Mount Triglav is Slovenia's loftiest peak, towering above the beautifully glacial lakes of Bohinj and Bled. The Juliana Hiking Trail is a recently mapped network of pathways across 168 miles of northwest Slovenia, taking in Triglav National Park and traversing some of the country's most spectacular Alpine terrain in 16 10-mile sections. Responsible travel tip: To find the most eco-minded hosts and campsites, consult Slovenian Tourism's Green Scheme listings. (The step-by-step guide to the Juliana trail in Slovenia.) To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).