Latest News from Greece
Economy contracts by just 1.1 pct in January-March
Finance Ministry officials say growth may beat budget forecast
By Sotiris Nikas
The Greek economy posted its smallest contraction in four years during the first quarter of 2014, shrinking by 1.1 percent against 6 percent in the same period last year, according to data released on Thursday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
PM accuses SYRIZA of undermining Greece, as Venizelos eyes wider coalition
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras addresses a pre-election event held by New Democracy's candidate for Attica governor, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, in central Athens on Wednesday night.
Three arrested in Greece as part of global operation against child porn site
A seven-month investigation into child pornography by police in 32 countries has traced 78 people believed to have been trading in hardcore material including three suspects in Greece two Greeks, aged 25 and 34, and a 47-year-old Bulgarian national according to a police statement issued on Thursday.
Ship carrying fertilizer slams into harbor
A ship carrying 2,200 tons of fertilizer rammed into the harbor at Nea Moudania, northern Greece, on Thursday.
No injuries were reported aboard the Panama-flagged vessel and the crew did not report any damage to the ships hull.
The 15 crew members are all from Turkey.
Greece denies plan for retroactive tax on foreign bondholders
Greece's government on Thursday denied it had instituted a retroactive tax on foreign holders of Greek bonds, saying capital gains booked from early 2012 to the end of last year were subject to the tax regime covering that period.
Algerian Recidivist Sentenced 23 Years for 2 Attempted Murders
The Sofia City Court has sentenced Salahedin bin Aladdin to 11 years in jail for attempting to murder a man in Bulgaria's capital last May.
This is the second sentence bin Aladdin receives, after being handed 12 years in prison for stabbing a 20-year-old store clerk Viktoria Hristova last November. Both incidents happened around the central Pirotska Street.
Bulgaria to Open 8 New Border Crossings By 2017
Bulgaria's Interior Ministry is planning to open eight new border crossing points by 2017, reports Sega daily.
The checkpoints will be at the borders with Greece – one, Serbia – two, FYROM – three and Romania – two, shows a ministry plan, entitled Strategy for integrated border management.
Casinos fuming against OPAP
By Vangelis Mandravelis
In the wake of accusations by numerous Internet betting sites that the Greek state favors the OPAP gaming company, the Mont Parnes Casino near Athens has filed a complaint with the European Commission against the government for allowing smoking by punters at OPAP betting shops with video lottery terminals (VLTs).
Hydrocarbon contracts open a new market
Investments up to 800 mln near Ioannina, in the Patraikos Gulf and off Katakolo
By Chryssa Liaggou
Contracting consortiums signed on Wednesday the formal agreements with the Greek state for hydrocarbons surveying and utilization in three regions of the country, laying the groundwork for the creation of a new and promising market that will benefit the local economy.
Histrionics in Cannes
By Costas Iordanidis
Recent revelations by the Financial Times of the behind-the-scenes machinations at Cannes in November 2011 that led to the downfall of Greeces then-Prime Minister George Papandreou a negligible loss of course and where the leaders of the European Union lost complete control of themselves leave a bitter taste.
Majority of Greek jails overcrowded, says minister
Twenty-six of Greeces 36 prisons and other holding facilities are woefully overcrowded, Justice Minister Haralambos Athanasiou revealed Wednesday as the government approved the release of funds needed to start a pilot scheme for the electronic tagging of prisoners.
Fitch assigns Greece's Intralot bond BB-/RR3 rating
Fitch Ratings on Wednesday assigned Intralots recently issued 250-million-euro seven-year bond a final BB-/RR3 rating.
Athens-listed Intralot generates only 5 percent of its revenues and less than 10 percent of its EBITDA in Greece.
The facts speak for themselves
On several occasions during the course of the crisis Greece found itself very close to exiting the euro. This has been confirmed by an increasing number of publications abroad, as well as testimonies from the protagonists of the Greek and European crises.
Greece rapped for failing to do more to raise transplant awareness
Greece is at the bottom of the European Union scale as regards organ transplants due to a lack of public awareness and inefficient funding, experts told a press conference on Wednesday.
Most Greek prisons overcrowded, says minister
Twenty-six of Greeces 36 prisons and other holding facilities are woefully overcrowded, Justice Minister Haralambos Athanasiou revealed on Wednesday as the government approved the release of funds needed to start a pilot scheme for the electronic tagging of prisoners.