Ancient Greece

Rounding off an official visit to China, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday expressed his government's intention to make the most of Beijing's intention to open up Chinese markets following talks with top Chinese entrepreneurs.

The Council of State has upheld an appeal by residents in the central Athens district of Makriyianni against a pre-approved building license for a nine-story hotel that blocks the public's view of the Parthenon.

A tourist is reflected in a puddle during a rainfall as he walks in front of the 5th century B.C. Parthenon temple at the ancient Acropolis hill, in Athens, Thursday. [AP]

Marking the October 28 national holiday, the Acropolis Museum presents a tribute to the statue of Athena Parthenos, made of gold and ivory, and designed by Phidias for the Parthenon. Presentations about the lost statue - from its history and construction to the myths associated with it - will be held by museum archaeologist hosts in Greek at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Piraeus Bank has concluded a deal with Sweden's Intrum to create a company to service its bad-loan portfolio, it said on Wednesday.
Bad loans are the biggest challenge facing Greek banks, the legacy of a crippling debt crisis which shrank the economy and sent hundreds of thousands into unemployment, constricting the ability to repay debt.

Education Minister Niki Kerameus on Wednesday heralded the first English-language undergraduate course by a Greek state university, a four-year Classics program to be offered by Athens University.

The course - a BA in Archaeology, History and Literature of Ancient Greece - will be offered by the university's philosophy faculty, Kerameus said.

Greek Presidential Guards, known as evzones, present arms during a ceremony for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Athens from the Nazi occupation, with the Parthenon temple seen in the background, atop Acropolis Hill in Athens, on Saturday. 'The enemy remains alive, across the globe.

The third group of refugees and migrants being transferred from the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos' Moria camp to mainland facilities this past week reached the Greek capital on Tuesday morning.

Greece has confirmed its readiness to loan treasures to the British Museum in return for being able to temporarily exhibit the Parthenon marbles but also said the proposal did not alter its long-standing demand for their permanent return.

Greece has confirmed its readiness to loan treasures to the British Museum in return for being able to temporarily exhibit the Parthenon marbles but also said the proposal did not alter its long-standing demand for their permanent return.