Conservationists say cherished creatures such as whales, dolphins and seabirds are being killed in large numbers by fishing tackle
Thousands of Britain’s most charismatic and protected marine wildlife, including whales, porpoises, dolphins, seals and seabirds are being killed as “collateral damage” by fishing vessels every year, according to the first-ever analysis of bycatch data.
The analysis, by the Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of voluntary conservation groups, reveals the devastating toll bycatch, the accidental capture and killing of non-target species by fishing vessels, is having on marine species.
Targeted vaccination and improved testing planned as part of drive to eradicate disease by 2038
Cattle will be vaccinated against tuberculosis from 2030 as a “gamechanging” part of a new strategy to drive eradication of the disease in England by 2038. In parallel, the last badger culls are expected to end by 2029, with vaccination of badgers expanded.
More than 20,000 infected cattle are slaughtered each year, costing taxpayers £100m and inflicting a heavy toll on affected farmers’ livelihoods and mental health. Mass culling of badgers began in 2013 and has killed about 250,000 animals, at a cost of about £60m.
It started by chance – but it should have come as no surprise that two ospreys would pick a hi-tech research facility to make their home.
James Cook University’s 47-metre tall crane towers over the far-north Queensland rainforest canopy, making it the perfect nesting place for the seabird.
Bringing Greece home: 10 traditional keepsakes with a century of soul. Credit: Greek Reporter
Greece is a goldmine for souvenirs because the best things to bring home are deeply rooted in centuries of culinary, agricultural, and artistic traditions. Skipping the generic plastic keychains, here are the top 10 authentic souvenirs to bring back.
Greece consumes more olive oil per capita than any other country, and its liquid gold is world-renowned. Look for oils from Crete, Kalamata, or Mani. For easier travel packing, skip the glass bottles and buy the tightly sealed tin canisters found in local supermarkets or specialty shops.
2. Greek Thyme Honey
Image of Greek honey. Credit: Greek Reporter
Because Greek bees feed on wild herbs under intense sunshine, the honey here is thick, rich, and distinctly aromatic. Thyme honey (particularly from Crete or the Aegean islands) is considered the gold standard.
3. The Mati (Evil Eye) Amulet
Mati. Credit: Greek Reporter
The distinctive blue-and-white eye charm is designed to ward off bad energy or jealousy (to mati). You can find it on beautifully crafted silver jewelry, ceramic wall hangings, or simple glass beads. It’s light, cheap, and undeniably Greek.
4. Ouzo, Tsipouro, or Mastiha
Mastic from Chios. Credit: Anastasios Papapostolou/Greek Reporter
Bring the taste of a Greek summer back home:
Ouzo: The famous anise-flavored, clear spirit that turns milky white when you add water or ice
Tsipouro: A strong, unaged grape distillate (similar to grappa)
Mastiha: A sweet, incredibly refreshing liqueur flavored with resin harvested exclusively on the island of Chios
5. Dried Greek Oregano & Mountain Tea
Greek oregano (rigani) grows wild on rocky hillsides, giving it a much more intense, peppery flavor than supermarket varieties back home. Pair it with a bunch of Greek Mountain Tea (tsai tou vounou), a dried herb brewed for centuries to boost the immune system and soothe digestion.
6. Olive Wood Kitchenware
From salad bowls and cutting boards to honey dippers, items made from Greek olive wood are gorgeous and incredibly durable. The tight grain of the wood means it doesn’t absorb odors or bacteria easily, and each piece features entirely unique natural patterns.
7. Handmade Leather Sandals
Handmade leather sandals of Greece. Credit: Efi
If you pass through Athens (especially the Monastiraki neighborhood) or certain islands such as Crete and Rhodes, you can buy genuine, handmade leather sandals. They are styled according to Ancient Greek designs, crafted to last for years, and mold comfortably to your feet over time.
8. Greek Ceramics & Pottery
From museum-quality replicas of ancient black-and-figure vases to modern, minimalist, blue-and-white tableware handmade on islands such as Sifnos, Greek pottery is a beautiful addition to any home.
9. Natural Sea Sponges
Kalymnos sponges. Credit: Nabokov, CC3/Wikipedia
Harvested for generations by traditional divers (most famously on the island of Kalymnos), genuine Greek sea sponges are entirely natural, hypoallergenic, and far softer and longer-lasting than synthetic alternatives. They are fantastic for skincare and bathing.
10. Spoon Sweets (Glyka tou Koutaliou)
These are traditional fruit preserves served on a small spoon alongside Greek coffee or dolloped over Greek yogurt. They are made by boiling wild fruits (like sour cherries, figs, or bitter oranges) in sugar syrup, preserving the firm texture and vibrant flavor of the fruit.
10+1. The Komboloi
Greek worry beads. Credit: Greek Reporter
The Komboloi, or worry beads, may be one of the most typical symbols of Greece’s easy-going mentality that has been widely established in Greece since the middle of the 20th century. Whether on the street, on an airplane, or in a busy kafeneion downtown, you will find people playing with their worry beads in various manners, even doing flips and tricks with them, letting go of their stress and worries as one bead moves deliberately towards the other. The repetitive action and clicking of the beads turn this pastime into an easy motion reported to help ease tension.
Packer’s Tip: If you’re traveling with carry-on luggage only, you won’t be able to take liquid souvenirs such as honey, olive oil, or alcohol past airport security. Buy these items at the airport duty-free shops after security—the quality is still highly authentic, and the prices are surprisingly fair!
La Coppa del Mondo 2026 attraverserà Canada, Messico e Stati Uniti con sedici impianti diversi. Si parte dall’Azteca di Città del Messico, stadio di Pelé e Maradona, e si chiude al MetLife Stadium nel New Jersey, dove sarà assegnato il titolo.
L’Azteca apre il torneo, il MetLife assegna la Coppa: il viaggio nei sedici impianti
Il Mondiale 2026avrà sedici stadi e tre Paesi ospitanti. La Coppa del Mondo, in programma dall’11 giugno al 19 luglio tra Canada, Messico e Stati Uniti, userà il numero più alto di impianti dai tempi di Corea-Giappone 2002, quando gli stadi furono venti.
La partenza sarà in uno dei luoghi simbolo del calcio mondiale. L’Azteca di Città del Messico, inaugurato nel 1966, ospiterà la gara inaugurale tra Messico e Sudafrica. È lo stadio di Pelé e Maradona, delle immagini entrate nella memoria collettiva, e nel 2026 diventerà il primo impianto della storia ad accogliere partite di tre diverse edizioni della Coppa del Mondo. Nel suo calendario ci saranno tre gare della fase a gironi, un sedicesimo e un ottavo di finale.
La finale si giocherà invece nel MetLife Stadium, casa dei New York Giants e dei New York Jets. Per Leo Messi non è un luogo qualunque: lì perse la finale della Copa America Centenario 2016 contro il Cile, dopo i calci di rigore. A Miami, nell’Hard Rock Stadium, sono previste la finale per il terzo posto e una partita dei quarti di finale.
Il programma tiene insieme stadi storici, impianti da football americano e arene di nuova generazione. Lo stadio Akron di Guadalajara è tra i più riconoscibili per la sua struttura su terreno rialzato. Il primato di capienza spetta all’AT&T Stadium di Arlington, con 94.000 posti, già sede del Super Bowl XLV e destinato a ospitare una semifinale.
A Boston, il Gillette Stadium può contare sul più grande tabellone ad alta definizione degli Stati Uniti. A Kansas City, l’Arrowhead Stadium porta in dote un primato diverso: è certificato dal Guinness dei Primati come l’impianto sportivo all’aperto più rumoroso al mondo. Nel suo calendario ci sono quattro partite della fase a gironi, un sedicesimo e un quarto di finale.
Tra gli stadi più moderni c’è il Mercedes-Benz Stadium di Atlanta, indicato come uno degli impianti più sostenibili al mondo. Ha un tetto retrattile, un display video a 360 gradi e ospiterà una delle semifinali.
La mappa si completa con il BMO Field di Toronto, il BC Place di Vancouver, l’Estadio BBVA di Monterrey, l’NRG Stadium di Houston, il SoFi Stadium di Los Angeles, il Lincoln Financial Field di Philadelphia, il Levi’s Stadium di San Francisco e il Lumen Field di Seattle.
Nel lungo elenco manca il Rose Bowl di Pasadena, teatro della finale del Mondiale 1994 persa dall’Italia contro il Brasile ai rigori. Un assente di lusso, come gli azzurri.
14 сентября 2023 года на острове Косумель был спасён взрослый самец колумбийской карликовой лисицы, исчезновение которой вызывало опасения среди учёных почти 20 лет. Как сообщает Научная Россия со ссылкой на статью в журнале Neotropical Biology and Conservation, животное нашли на 29-м километре прибрежного шоссе после сообщения в Фонд парков и музеев Косумеля.
После тщательного медицинского осмотра 17 сентября лисицу выпустили в государственный заповедник Лагуна-Колумбия — охраняемую территорию, удалённую от опасных для вида местностей.
Карликовая лисица (Urocyon sp.) является одной из самых редких псовых на планете. Эта популяция обитает на острове Косумель в Карибском море тысячелетиями — её присутствие подтверждают окаменелые останки, которым несколько тысяч лет, что предшествует даже эпохе цивилизации майя. За это время вид претерпел эволюционные изменения, в том числе уменьшение в размерах на 60–80 % по сравнению с материковым родственником — серой лисицей (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).
До спасения животного подтверждённые сведения о карликовой лисице ограничивались лишь ископаемыми остатками, а последнее упоминание в научной литературе датируется 2001 годом. При этом вид пока официально не описан и не признан отдельным таксоном.
Среда обитания лисицы на юге Косумеля сейчас под угрозой из-за изменений землепользования, строительства, появления инвазивных видов и природных бедствий. Эксперты отмечают, что это ставит популяцию на грань исчезновения.
Трэвис Байер из организации Pathos Wildlife подчеркнул, что выживание вида остаётся хрупким: «Вымирание иногда происходит тихо и незаметно, особенно для редких животных в отдалённых местах. Повторное появление лисицы — это не конец истории, а второй шанс». Он указал на недостаток информации о численности, распространении и экологии такого редкого вида, что затрудняет разработку эффективных мер по сохранению.
В рамках исследования специалисты разработали комплекс действий: проведение целевых опросов для уточнения численности и ареала, генетические исследования, а также охрана оставшихся мест обитания с минимизацией контактов с людьми.
Байер выразил надежду, что работа поможет изучить косумельскую лисицу и усилит меры по её сохранению, превратив её в важный элемент экосистемы острова.
Annual killing of infant gannets has been carried out on a remote Scottish island for at least 400 years
Animal welfare campaigners have called for talks on phasing out the “inhumane” hunt for infant gannets known as guga, which are killed by hunters on a remote Scottish island once a year.
OneKind and the League Against Cruel Sports said it should be slowly phased out in dialogue with the Hebridean islanders who see the hunt, which has been carried out for at least 400 years, as a cultural pursuit and as sustainable food harvesting.
After her ex-partner's 'odd' choice of wedding venue' proved somewhat strange, a woman has hit out the name he chose for his baby daughter, which others believe 'can't be a coincidence'
Wildlife department says drought conditions and water released from dam led to ‘major fish kill’ at San Carlos Lake
Arizona officials have indefinitely closed a popular lake to visitors after its entire population of fish died recently.
The recreation and wildlife department that maintains San Carlos Lake said in a Facebook statement on Friday that drought conditions as well as water released from a dam there “resulted in a major fish kill affecting approximately 100% of the fish population”.
Record numbers linked to warming waters is mixed news for fishers, with shellfish catches down but octopus catches booming
Record numbers of octopuses found off the south-west coast of England last year have now spread as far as Scotland and Wales and are transforming the fishing industry and the marine ecosystem, according to a study.
The surge in sightings of one of the world’s most intelligent invertebrates was first recorded in 2025 off the south coast of Devon and Cornwall.
With the participation of artists from Greece and the diaspora, and with the active involvement of the local community, Near & Far continues to build a new cultural tradition. Kastellorizo. Credit: Greek Reporter
On the remote island of Kastellorizo, the Near & Far Festival, the world’s only cultural event dedicated entirely to the Greek diaspora, returns for its second edition from June 25 to 28, 2026, transforming this historic island into a vibrant crossroads of cultures, people, and experiences.
Spanning four days, this multi-themed festival bridges the “Near” and the “Far,” connecting Greece with its global diaspora, the local community with international audiences, and art with society. The festival is the brainchild of Pericles Kanaris, a New York-based artist with an acclaimed international career. Driven by his vision to create a platform for Greek artists excelling worldwide, Kanaris has turned this ambitious concept into a reality.
Following its spectacular 2025 debut, which local authorities recorded as the highest-attended cultural event in Kastellorizo’s history, the festival returns even stronger, boasting a distinct identity and an expanded program.
Last year’s inaugural event was defined by the exceptional caliber of its performers, the blending of diverse musical traditions, and, most movingly, the active participation of the island’s children—a beautiful legacy that continues this year. Furthermore, a global radio broadcast via ERT’s “Voice of Greece” shattered geographical boundaries, amplifying the festival’s international reach.
In 2026, Near & Far is aiming even higher. This year, the festival aspires to livestream the entire Kastellorizo experience via real-time video to global audiences, forging new bonds with the Greek diaspora and international communities. The event proudly continues its collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy).
Concert Program: 4 Themed Nights
Thursday, June 25 | 21:00 Bridges — ERINI “Fos: An Asia Minor Story”
Credit: Kastellorizo International Festival
ERINI, based in the United States with roots from Crete and Asia Minor, presents a musical journey blending traditions and contemporary influences, in collaboration with musicians from Greece.
Friday, June 26 | 21:00 Far Voices — Mario’s Toumbas Jazz Trio “East of the Sun”
Credit: Kastellorizo International Festival
Pianist Mario Toumbas and his trio present original compositions and jazz standards in an evening that resonates with the global sound of jazz.
Saturday, June 27 | 21:00 Together — Pericles Kanaris Quartet featuring Andriana Babali, George Karavelatzis & Kastellorizo Kids
Credit: Kastellorizo International Festival
Original compositions and arrangements by Pericles Kanaris in a special collaboration with the island’s children. Joining them are beloved singer Andriana Babali and oud player George Karavelatzis, a specialist in the local musical tradition of Kastellorizo.
Sunday, June 28 | 21:00 Near Roots — Costa Latsos “Pappou’s Grammophone”
Credit: Kastellorizo International Festival
Tenor Costa Latso, born in Australia to Kastellorizian parents and based in Berlin, presents a program moving between opera, Broadway, and crossover, accompanied by accordionist Thanos Stavridis.
Workshops, activities & parallel Program of the Kastellorizo festival
The Near & Far 2026 festival expands beyond concerts, incorporating educational, experiential, and participatory activities for all ages.
Educational & Creative Workshops (Children)
Visual arts workshop with Heike Kummer (June 25, 11:00–13:00)
Music workshop with Mario Toumbas (June 26, 13:30–15:00)
Wellness & Experiential Activities
Meditation and sound healing sessions for adults (June 27 & 28, 11:00–13:00)
Lecture
Talk by Alexandros Kitroeff on the Greek Diaspora (June 27, 20:00–21:00)
A festival that connects
Near & Far is more than just a festival. It is an open platform for connection, where art becomes a catalyst for bringing people, places, and generations together. A space where Kastellorizo is not on the edge, but at the center of a global cultural dialogue.
With the participation of artists from Greece and the diaspora, and with the active involvement of the local community, Near & Far continues to build a new cultural tradition—vibrant, participatory, and outward-looking.
Police and hunters in Utsunomiya, 100km north of the capital, resume their search for animal that is not usually seen so close to Tokyo
A city in Japan has closed all its 94 primary and secondary schools after a bear was spotted in the municipality for the first time.
Officials in Utsunomiya, a city of half a million people about 100km (62 miles) north of Tokyo, took action after a medium-sized black bear – estimated to be about one-metre-long – was seen near a park in the city on Saturday. The bear was spotted again on CCTV running just in front of two startled young men in the city centre, in the early hours of Sunday.
Thousands of treasure hunters look for past riches in Greece. Photo courtesy of Antonis Vlachos
Armed with metal detectors, treasure hunters roam the landscapes of Greece, where myth and history intertwine. Drawn by whispered legends, ancient texts and the promise of lost riches they delve into the mountains, islands, and forgotten ruins in pursuit of gold, relics and long-lost artifacts.
Treasure hunters are often drawn to locations of great historical significance, with the rugged mountainous regions of Greece being among their preferred destinations. These landscapes, steeped in history and mystery, have long served as silent witnesses to war, upheaval, and human resilience.
Treasure hunters in Greece target mountainous areas
During World War II and the subsequent Greek Civil War (1946–1949), many villagers, fearing for their lives and possessions, resorted to hiding their valuables in secret caches. With no access to banks or secure storage facilities in these remote areas, people buried gold coins, jewelry, and family heirlooms deep within the earth or concealed them inside natural enclosures such as caves, stone walls, and hollowed-out tree trunks.
However, the brutal conflicts claimed countless lives and many of those who had hidden their treasures never survived to retrieve them. Over the decades, these hidden fortunes have become the stuff of local folklore, fueling speculation and inspiring generations of treasure hunters to embark on daring quests to uncover the lost wealth of the past.
Even today, rumors persist of forgotten hoards waiting to be discovered, buried beneath the very ground where history was once shaped by war and survival.
Antonis Vlachos stands out among treasure hunters. Not only does he own one of the few specialized shops in Greece that sell sophisticated metal detectors, but he also collaborates closely with the police to prevent illegal activities, such as the unauthorized excavation of ancient artifacts. For him, treasure hunting is more than just a business—it’s a passion, a lifelong hobby that combines adventure with a deep respect for history and the law.
He is also the only one of the treasure hunters who was willing to speak to Greek Reporter.
“Treasure hunters are in their thousands all over Greece. Perhaps most of the activity takes place the Peloponnese, Epirus, and Northern Greece,” he says.
“People have made money out of this activity and understandably they keep a low profile. It’s like winning the lotto. Nobody wants to reveal their identity and the value of the treasure they found.”
A location of a supposed treasure find that was a hoax. Photo courtesy of Antonis Vlachos
The legend of the Ali Pasha treasure
For decades treasure hunters searched for the so-called riches supposedly left behind by Ali Pasha, an Ottoman ruler of Ioannina known for his atrocities (1740–1822).
According to local folklore, Ali Pasha, anticipating his eventual fall from power, concealed vast amounts of treasure in various secret locations across Epirus, Thessaly and western Greece. His personal wealth came from heavy taxation, trade, extortion and alliances with foreign powers (including the British and the French).
Treasure hunters from all over the world began searching for his fortune to no avail. The first organized operation to find the treasure took place in 1913, with the liberation of Ioannina, by an Italian company. For five whole years its workers excavated the surrounding areas without result.
The latest highly publicized case was that of a Greek-Australian treasure hunter, Vangelis Dimas, who financed an excavation to locate the hoard in 2012 in Thessaly.
“It remains a topic of speculation among people, as historically, there is no concrete evidence that such a treasure ever existed,” Vlachos notes.
“Some believe that one of Ali Pasha’s sons took the wealth and fled, but the details of what truly happened—and how—remain unknown. Over time, numerous legends and myths have emerged, though only a small portion of them may be based on actual events,” he adds.
The legend of Ali Pasha is just one of many—“in every coffee shop in the country there is talk of a lost treasure that is supposedly somewhere nearby.”
Maps supposedly showing lost treasures in Greece
Vlachos is not prepared to divulge the value of the treasures that have been unearthed in Greece over the recent decades, but he insists that many people make a good living out of their endeavors. Some people—he says—go to the beaches at night and use metal detectors to search for jewelry lost by bathers in the previous days or even months.
A map supposedly showing the location of a treasure in Greece. Photo courtesy of Antonis Vlachos
He reveals that maps of supposed buried treasures are circulating among treasure hunters. They are made in a way that makes them look old, to give the impression that they are authentic. “Various crafty people make them and sell them to naive people, from 1,000 euros. I have even heard a price of 15,000 euros.”
Vlachos also says that most gold hunters operate within a legal framework and that illegals are a minority.
To proceed with an excavation, one must have three permits. A permit to possess a metal detector, then they must obtain a research permit, issued by the Ministry of Culture and the local Antiquities Ephorates. For the permit to be issued, a process that can take from three months to a year, the proposed search area must not be located within a designated archeological site.
If any findings emerge during the search, an excavation request is submitted to the appropriate authorities.
A woman took a DNA test to learn more about her family heritage, however she was left devastated after the results exposed a long-hidden family secret that she can't unlearn
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