Athens

Buildings collapse as powerful tremor shakes Athens

The 5.1 magnitude earthquake had an epicentre about 22km (14 miles) north-west of Athens.

Athenians ran out into the streets as the city shook for 15 seconds.

There were no reports of serious injuries, but several aftershocks have been felt and two buildings have collapsed.

The strongest aftershock had a magnitude of 4.3, almost an hour after the initial quake hit at 14:13 (11:13 GMT). Seismologists warn there could be more.

Four major cities move to ban diesel vehicles by 2025

The mayors of Paris, Mexico City, Madrid and Athens say they are implementing the ban to improve air quality.

They say they will give incentives for alternative vehicle use and promote walking and cycling.

The commitments were made in Mexico at a biennial meeting of city leaders.

Bailout talks back in Athens, as tough conditions approved

Officials in Athens and at the European Union said negotiators are expected to start arriving Friday, marking the first time high-level talks will be held in the Greek capital since Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' left-wing government assumed power in late January.

The news came hours after parliament approved a second round of reforms Greece's European creditors had demanded before the negotiations could start. Tsipras narrowly survived an anti-austerity revolt within his own party.

Greek firefighters battle blazes; save 200 trapped on beach

About 200 people trapped by one fire were plucked off a beach by rescue boats.

In all, firefighters were battling 59 fire fronts, mainly in southern Greece and near the capital.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Greece had requested help from his country's army and air force, as well as the European emergency response center, to fight the blazes.

VIDEO: Firefighters battle large fire on outskirts of Athens

In Athens, a large brush fire burned across Ymittos hill on the capital's outskirts.

Strong winds were helping the flames devour parts of the verdant hillside popular with day-trippers.

More than 70 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with local volunteers.

Helicopters and Canadair water planes were also dropping water on the fire area.

Disagreements emerge among Greece's European creditors

Facing a self-imposed Sunday deadline, the European nations using the shared euro currency were still seeking more proof from Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that he could be fully trusted to enact wide-ranging economic reforms to safeguard Greece's future in the common currency.

Solid turnout seen so far in Greek bailout vote

Private Mega TV channel says turnout has been markedly high, now standing at 35 percent, and lines have been seen at polling stations in Athens. Turnout must be above 40 percent for the referendum to be valid.

VIDEO: Demonstrators clash with police ahead of rally

The clashes erupted close to Syntagma Square where police said there were about 25,000 people gathered for a rally in support of a 'No' vote in the referendum on whether to accept a new bailout deal.

Friday was the final day of campaigning.

VIDEO: Thousands attend pro-government rally

Most of the demonstrators were convinced the majority of Greeks will vote in favour of Greece staying in the eurozone in Sunday's referendum, which would then give the country more negotiating power in its talks with lenders.

Athens residents did not seem concerned the country's bailout expires at the end of the month, prior to referendum.

New Democracy lawmakers were not worried about Greece's fiscal future either.

THE LATEST: Greeks march to show support for staying in euro

It's the latest in a series of peaceful protests organized in recent days by demonstrators friendly to the government's anti-austerity agenda as well as supporters of the country's future within the currency and political union.

Attendees have included, respectively, cabinet ministers and opposition lawmakers.

A rally against public spending cuts on Sunday drew 7,000, about average for such protests.