Latest News from Greece
As vote on multi-bill looms, gov't looks to aid
The government is bracing for a crucial week, with eurozone finance ministers expected to discuss the release of further rescue loans to Greece at an informal summit in Athens starting on Tuesday.
France's Moscovici optimistic on Greece
By Alexia Kefala
There is speculation in Paris that Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici may abandon his post to become a “super commissioner” in Brussels. In an interview with Kathimerini, ahead of a visit to Greece, Moscovici says that, in any case, he is keeping a close eye on developments regarding the Greek economy.
Nigerian national caught with 1.1 kilos of heroin at Athens Airport
A 38-year-old Nigerian national was arrested by officers of the Attica narcotics squad at Athens International Airport on Saturday on charges of attempting to smuggle 1.1 kilos of heroin into Greece.
The suspect, who was traveling from Uganda via Istanbul, was found to be carrying 72 parcels of the drug in his stomach.
Inmate who murdered guard beaten before he died, says coroner
An investigation was launched on Friday into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ilie Kareli, the 42-year-old Albanian inmate who killed a prison guard on Tuesday, after he was found dead in a prison cell and a coroners report indicated that he had suffered serious injuries after being beaten with a blunt instrument.
Alpha sells bulk of new shares to US and UK buyers
US and British investors bought the bulk of Alpha Banks 1.2-billion-euro new share issue, it said on Friday, providing further evidence that foreign investors are warming to Greece.
IMF disburses loan tranche to Cyprus
The International Monetary Fund said on Friday it had reviewed Cypruss economy under a bailout program and approved a loan disbursement for about $115 million.
The international lender said the disbursement brings total lending to date under the IMFs $1.4 billion program with Cyprus to about $459 million.
Greek coalition confident as reform multi-bill goes to Parliament
People line up outside a pharmacy in central Athens that was on duty on Friday. Pharmacists have been on strike for several days and have vowed to continue their action unless the government withdraws a provision for the deregulation of the over-the-counter drug market.
Unionist attacked in 2008 to run in European polls
Konstantina Kouneva, a former labor union activist from Bulgaria and the victim of a notorious 2008 acid attack, will run in the coming European Parliament elections on main leftist opposition SYRIZAs ticket, it emerged Friday.
Mitrogoal back soon for Fulham, says Magath
Fulham could soon have Greece striker Costas Mitroglou back to assist in its Premier League relegation fight, manager Felix Magath said on Friday.
Mitroglou has featured just twice for the Londoners since joining from Olympiakos Piraeus for an undisclosed fee, which media reports put at 12 million pounds ($19.97 million), on transfer deadline day on January 31.
Greek president a ‘wise’ man, Pope Francis says
The legal status of religious communities, the role of religion in society, and ecumenical collaboration were at the focus of talks between Greek President Karolos Papoulias and Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday.
Georgiadis accused of misstating Athens property value
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis has been accused of not declaring the true value of a property he bought in northern Athens in 2007.
It emerged Friday that a private citizen has filed a suit against the New Democracy politician in connection to the value of the maisonette in Maroussi.
Hospital drivers on strike through Monday; nurses to join on last day
Drivers working at Greeces public hospitals will be on strike through Monday in protest at a Health Ministry plan to transfer them to EKAB, the national ambulance and emergency care service, the union of hospital workers, POEDIN, said Friday.
All hospital workers will also stage a work stoppage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.
Bulgaria 2nd Most Preferred Destination Among Turkish Tourists
Bulgaria ranks second after Georgia as the most preferred destination among Turkish residents, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute data.
A total of 7.5 million Turkish citizens traveled abroad in 2013, where they spent USD 5.3M, the statistics showed, cited by the Turkish Haberler.
European Commission takes Greece to court over failure to protect sea turtles
The European Commission on Friday announced that it is taking Greece to court over its failure to impose legislation for the protection of the Caretta-caretta loggerhead sea turtle, an endangered species that is endemic to the southern Ionian Sea and which nests there.
Bulgaria to Take Part in Project for Floating LNG Terminal near Kavala
Bulgaria will participate in the construction of a floating liquefied natural gas terminal near the Greek city of Kavala in a bid to secure constant access to natural gas.
Talks on the project are to be wrapped up by end-2014, according to the authorities in Athens, as cited by the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).