ATHENS — One of Greece’s most-wanted fugitives was captured Saturday nearly a year after the convicted Marxist extremist failed to return to prison while on a furlough, police said. Christodoulos Xiros, 56, was arrested in the suburb of Anavyssos, southeast of Athens, police chief Dimitrios Tsaknakis told reporters. “When he was arrested, he was riding […] The post Greek police capture extremist appeared first on The National Herald.
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Saturday, January 3, 2015
Tsipras says ECB cannot shut Greece out of stimulus
Greek leftwing opposition leader Alexis Tsipras said the European Central Bank (ECB) could not exclude Greece if it decides to move to a full «quantitative easing» programme to stimulate the euro zone's faltering economy. Speaking at a party congress on S... ...
SYRIZA Leader Tsipras Invites Leftist Parties, Ecologists to Join Forces
The President of main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) on Saturday invited all social forces that “suffered from the memorandum disaster, struggled and are fighting for political change in the country and for the victory of our people” to join forces in the upcoming general elections. Speaking to a meeting of SYRIZA’s central committee, Alexis Tsipras said he is mainly opening up towards the Left and called on leftist socialists, extra-parliamentary leftist groups, the Communist Party of Greece and ANDARSYA to “realize that the battle we have to give is above the existing differences within the Left.” He said it’s a battle that concerns the present and future of labor forces and the popular movement. “We are urging them to set aside everything that divides us and work each from his own post to end the social disaster, to overthrow the memorandum government and replace it with a government that places the interests of the majority in the center,” Tsipras noted. He also urged Green and anti-memorandum parties which agree in principle with the program presented by Tsipras in Thessaloniki to cooperate with SYRIZA and to supplement it with their own priorities. Commenting on the negotiations with the Democratic Left (DIMAR) which fell through, the president of SYRIZA said that despite their recent disagreements, his party was monitoring closely the political processes that followed DIMAR’s departure from the government coalition and added that both parties agree that a change in government will be beneficial. Tsipras clarified that his position and invitation extended by SYRIZA are sincere and that the party will respect the decisions of DIMAR, whatever they may be. He also added that even if there’s no cooperation before the elections, the need for a broader coalition will remain after the voting. (source: ana-mpa)
Greek Ferry Smolders: Search for Bodies Delayed
For a second day, fierce heat from a slow-burning blaze aboard the Norman Atlantic ferry kept investigators from searching for more bodies.
World Briefing: Greece: Police Arrest Fugitive Terrorist
Christodoulos Xiros, 56, had been serving six life terms for his role in the terrorist group November 17, which killed 23 people from 1975 to 2000.
Greek survey gives leftists 3.1-point lead over conservatives
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's radical leftist Syriza party led the ruling conservatives by 3.1 percentage points in an opinion poll conducted after it ...
Germany believes Greece 'could leave eurozone'
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, reportedly believes that the eurozone is now robust enough to cope with a potential exit of Greece.
Germany Sees Greek Euro Exit as Manageable Outcome, Spiegel Says
Merkel and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble both view the shared-currency area as capable of withstanding Greece's departure, a scenario that ...
Ron the Greek rolls in Crown Prince Cup
Ron the Greek rolls in Crown Prince Cup. Racing under his Saudi name of Wattani, Ron the Greek drew off to a 3 3/4-length victory in Saturday's ...
Greek police capture fugitive after year-long manhunt
After a year-long manhunt, Greek police have recaptured Christodoulos Xiros, a member of the Marxist group November 17 who went missing while ...
[BUSINESS] Report : German government believes euro zone could cope with Greece exit
Berlin (Reuters + DIPLOMAT.SO) – The German government believes that the euro zone would now be able to cope with a Greece exit if that proved ...
Germany believes Greece exit can be handled
BERLIN Sat Jan 3, 2015 1:44pm EST BERLIN (Reuters) - The German government believes that the euro zone would now be able to cope with a ...
A Weary Greece Considers Its Options
The human toll of the economic crisis in Greece has been significant: Rates of hunger, suicide and unemployment have increased sharply, thanks to ...
Former Greek prime minister announces new party
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has announced the formation of a new party about three weeks before a snap national election on Jan. 25.
Notorious Greek fugitive arrested on bicycle
A notorious Greek fugitive who absconded while serving a life sentence for acting as a hitman for an extreme left group was caught Saturday as he rode a bicycle while armed with a loaded pistol, police said. Christodoulos Xiros was taken into custody in ...
Fierce heat in still-burning Greek ferry hinders search for bodies
BRINDISI, ITALY—For a second day, fierce heat from a slow-burning fire kept firefighters and other investigators from searching the hold and garages ...
Christodoulos Xiros, Greek Marxist Guerrilla, Arrested
Greek fugitive Christodoulos Xiros is seen at the police headquarters in Athens in this handout provided by the Greek Police on January 3, 2015.
Capitol Report: Greek euro exit would be ‘Lehman Brothers squared’: economist
A decision by a new Greek government to leave the eurozone would set off devastating turmoil in financial markets even worse than the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, a leading international economist warned Saturday.
Greece leftist party says ECB cannot shut Greece out of stimulus
The European Central Bank could not exclude Greece if it decided to move to a full quantitative easing programme to stimulate the euro zone's faltering economy, Greek leftwing opposition leader Alexis ...
Germany believes euro zone could cope with Greece exit -report
BERLIN, Jan 3 (Reuters) - The German government believes that the euro zone would now be able to cope with a Greece exit if that proved to be ...
1st LD Writethru: Greece's Christodoulos Xiros arrested in Athens suburb
3 (Xinhua) -- Greece's Christodoulos Xiros, the fugitive convicted member of the November 17 group who had gone missing in January 2014, was ...
Draghi Mentions “Fiscal Transfers Between Richer and Poorer Regions” As Greece Vote Nears
His comments come at a particularly tense moment, as Greece is on the verge of holding snap elections that could result in an unfriendly government ...
Austerity Measures in Greece and the Eurozone. Repealing “Flawed Economic Policies”
Protesters march during a 24-hour general strike against austerity measures in Greece on November 28, 2014. (Photo: Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty ...
Papandreou Announces New Greek Political Party: ‘Democrat Socialists’ Movement’
Today, January 3, 2015, George Papandreou held an open event for the presentation of his new political party at the Benaki Museum in Athens, Greece . The Greek former Prime Minister presented the identity and views of his political party, as well as its name, logo and founding declaration, in order to be able to participate in the upcoming elections on January 25. George Papandreou also submitted the founding declaration of his “Democrat Socialists’ Movement” party to the Supreme Court of Athens. The party’s logo will be rose on a red background. The declaration was signed by 252 people, including Filippos Petsalnikos, Nikos Papandreou and Michalis Karchimakis. With slogans such as “the movement is rising to bring down the right win,” “George go on, the whole country supports you,” and “George we will write history together,” the political party supporters encouraged George Papandreou to make his speech. The former PM arrived at Benaki Museum around 6 p.m. and was met with a large crowd that blocked the museum entrance. During his speech he stressed that he does not wish to break the people, he wants to free them. “Without presenting any arguments they are using Andreas against me. How can they know what he would have wanted today?” “On January 3, we begin, we begin again,” he said at the end of his speech. George Papandreou did not give any answers regards the IMF, troika or his plan to exit the Greek financial crisis. Papandreou, 65, the son of a Greek political dynasty, left office in November 2011, after his controversial proposal for a referendum on the country’s European future was trashed by fellow European leaders, including Germany’s Angela Merkel, who threatened to let Greece drop out of the Eurozone. Since his resignation, the former Greek Prime Minister has spent much of his time lecturing on crisis management and austerity politics at U.S. and Scandinavian universities, and addressing gatherings of fund managers and bankers. In a recent letter to Venizelos, Papandreou noted that PASOK had lost touch with its popular base and was “going nowhere.”
Cyprus: Palindrome Inscription Found on Ancient Amulet
Archaeologists in Nea Paphos, Cyprus have unearthed a 1,500-year-old amulet depicting a palindrome inscription written in ancient Greek. Palindromes are phrases that are read the same both forward and backwards. On its other side, the amulet features images of the ancient Egyptian god Osiris, a cynocephalus and the god of silence, Harpocrates. According to Live Science, the artifact was found in the ancient agora of Nea Paphos, where archaeologists have been working for a long time. The agora used to operate as a gathering place for the worship of the ancient goddess, Aphrodite. “Paphos, which has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, was a center of the cult of Aphrodite and of pre-Hellenic fertility deities. Aphrodite’s legendary birthplace was on the island of Cyprus, where her temple was erected by the Myceneans in the 12th century BC and continued to be used until the Roman period,” noted UNESCO. The amulet inscription reads: “ΙΑΕW ΒΑΦΡΕΝΕΜ ΟΥΝΟΘΙΛΑΡΙ ΚΝΙΦΙΑΕΥΕ ΑΙΦΙΝΚΙΡΑΛ ΙΘΟΝΥΟΜΕ ΝΕΡΦΑΒW ΕΑΙ,” which roughly translates to “Iahweh is the bearer of the secret name, the lion of Re secure in his shrine.” On its other side the amulet features several images, such as a mummy lying on a boat which is thought to be a representation of Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god of the underworld, a cynocephalus, a mythical creature with the head of a dog and the body of a man and Harpocrates, the ancient god of silence, sitting on a stool with his right hand on his lips.
Notorious Greek terror fugitive arrested
A notorious veteran of a far-left Greek terrorist group was arrested near Athens Saturday, police said, almost a year after he absconded while on prison leave. Christodoulos Xiros, 56, was arrested in a suburb south of Athens Saturday nearly a year to the day after his January 7, 2014 disappearance while serving multiple life sentences for deadly attacks he conducted as a hitman for the November ...
Illegal Migrants Board Ships to Italy Without Tickets
The tragic Norman Atlantic incident has surfaced the major issue of illegal migrants who board ferries in Patras and Igoumenitsa, Greece, in order to reach Italy. People who have escaped from the war in Syria, Afghanistan or Pakistan are sneaking into ferries, sometimes even paying a substantial amount to truck drivers to hide them in their vehicles or sailors to turn a blind eye. A similar incident occurred in the case of Norman Atlantic. A young Syrian illegally boarded the ferry, probably in the port of Patras and hid in the ship, waiting to disembark in Ancona. However, he was not alone and according to his statement at least ten illegal migrants managed to sneak on board. “We gave a life jacket to a child, but I do not know where the child is,” stated the young Syrian to police officers in Bari, adding that he was also unaware of the whereabouts of the other migrants who had managed to get on the ship. Bari prosecutor, Giuseppe Volpi expressed his concern about the increasing number of people who perished on Norman Atlantic, noting that it is possible that more people had boarded the ship without the necessary documents. In recent months, the illegal migrants issue has grown, especially in the two major ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras. The number of illegal migrants who board ferries without the necessary documents has increased significantly. They usually hide in trucks or other unlikely places, such as the axles where it is difficult for Greek authorities to spot them. However, if the Greek police or coast guard uncover such an incident, protocol is to seize the vehicle and its cargo and arrest the truck driver who, if convicted, faces a heavy prison sentence.
Third Greek Victim Identified in ‘Norman Atlantic’ Ferry Disaster
The Greek embassy in Rome on Saturday confirmed that a third Greek was among those confirmed dead in the “Norman Atlantic” ferry disaster in the Adriatic. According to the embassy, the dead body was identified as that of Greek national Gerasimos Kazantzidis, whose name had been listed among those missing on the website of the Greek Coast Guard. Another body which was initially believed to have belonged to that of Greek passenger Giorgios Doulis, has not been identified by relatives and the man is now considered missing. According to Italian authorities, nine Greek nationals are still missing and their relatives arrived in Italy on Saturday. Assisted by a representative of the Greek embassy in Rome, they contacted the municipalities of Bari, Brindisi and Lecce which claimed that no Greek nationals are being treated in hospitals of Apulia, the wider region. Later, it is possible that relatives will be allowed to approach the wreck of “Norman Atlantic,” which has been towed to the port of Brindisi, but they will not be allowed on board. Meanwhile, Italian prosecutors entered the ship once again as they’re trying to determine if it’s safe to open the garage and look for dead immigrants or truck drivers. However, authorities say there are still some fires burning in parts of the vessel and prosecutor Ettore Cardinali said that “it might take several days to open ‘Norman’s’ garage.” According to the Italian press, Italy’s transport ministry launched an investigation into the exact causes of the fire, while a team of Greek experts will be arriving at Brindisi in the afternoon. (source: ana-mpa)
Heat, smoke hamper search of Norman Atlantic ferry
Italian investigators trying to find the cause of a fire that killed several people on a Greek ferry have been unable to reach the vehicle deck due to heat and smoke. It is feared that more victims may be on board.
Former Greek PM sets up new centre-left party
Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has set up a new political party, reported by the Greek media to be called the Democrat Socialists ...
Heat prevents search for missing ferry victims in Greece
At least 11 people perished in the pre-dawn blaze on December 28 aboard the Norman Atlantic, on a voyage between Greece and Italy. Authorities ...
Greece arrests fugitive convicted Marxist terrorist Xiros
Police in Greece have arrested a convicted terrorist who went missing almost a year ago. Christodoulos Xiros had threatened to avenge the pain of ordinary Greeks, suffering under the government's austerity measures.
ECB to discuss Greek liquidity ahead of polls
The possibility of Greece needing additional liquidity before or after the January 25 general elections is due to be discussed at a meeting of the European Central Bank’s governing council on Wednesday, sources have told Kathimerini. The issue of liquidit... ...
Greek elections will test whether an anti-austerity party can gain power
So, heading for an election, we have a government which argues that the best approach is to stick with the programme and a large section of its opponents, with growing support, saying austerity isn’t working and a debt write-down must be renegotiated ...
Health officials concerned weather will increase cases of flu
Health authorities in Greece are on standby for a sharp rise in the number of flu cases, believing that the current cold snap following a mild winter has created the ideal conditions for the virus to spread. Sources told Kathimerini that this weather comb... ...
Investigators start search of Norman Atlantic
The body of a third Greek passenger on the Norman Atlantic ferry was identified on Saturday, soon after investigators boarded the ship for the first time. Rescue crews recovered its black box data recorder but were unable to do much more than that due to ... ...
Breaking News: Indonesia search and rescue agency chief says four large parts of crashed AirAsia ...
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police on Saturday arrested Christodoulos Xiros, a fugitive member of the Marxist guerrilla group November 17 who had ...
Greece recaptures fugitive extremist
Christodoulos Xiros,, a member of the Greek Marxist militant group November 17, has been arrested after almost a year on the run, police say.
Fugitive Greek extremist Christodoulos Xiros recaptured
November 17 emerged in the mid-1970s and claimed a series of deadly attacks against foreign diplomats and Greek politicians and businessmen ...
Greek N17 Terrorist Christodoulos Xeros Arrested Near Athens
Known Greek terrorist Christodoulos Xeros was arrested shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2015 by Greek authorities, in Anavyssos, Attica, Greece. Xeros had escaped custody almost a year ago, after he violated his leave from Korydallos prison. Xeros had been under surveillance by the authorities for several days and was arrested while trying to get into a hideout located in the area, which he had rented under a false name two months ago. When he was arrested he was wearing a blonde wig and was armed with a gun. The hideout area is being investigated by the Anti-terrorist Unit of the Greek police, while the arrested terrorist is being transferred to police headquarters for interrogation. Christodoulos Xeros, convicted member of the terrorist organization November 17, absconded last year, on January 6, after been granted leave to visit his family in Chalkidiki, where his sister resides. Xeros had previously been charged for 33 acts committed as a member of November 17. He was given six life sentences and 25 years in prison for his involvement in six murders, various explosions, robberies and his involvement with the terrorist organization.
Southern Greek Towns Still Off Bounds After Snowfall
Most roads in Attica were restored resuming normal traffic on Friday, with exceptions around Mt. Penteli north of Athens and towns of western Attica that remained off bounds, while towns in southern Greece call for snow chains. The still inaccessible road networks in Attica include sections of the Mt. Penteli peripheral road and those in the Alepochori-Vilia, Psatha and Porto Germeno areas, while cars need snow chains to travel around the Oenoe, northwest of Athens, area. High-elevation towns in Arcadia and the Corinth prefectures in the Peloponnese were still struggling with problems from snow and ice, but in other areas of southern Greece — Laconia, the Argolid and Messinia — circulation went back to normal. Exceptions are the old Tripolis-Argos national road at the Achladokambos junction which is still shut down, and a Levidi-Nemea national road section that requires snow chains. Other Peloponnesian towns at higher elevations that require snow chains include, among others, Leonidio (to Mari and Kosmas), Astros (to Agios Petros and Kastanitsa), Chryssovitsi, Stemnitsa, all Mt. Parnon roads, and sections of the western Corinth prefecture. (source: ana-mpa)
Burglars target Independent Greeks deputy's home
Police in Pikermi, east Attica, were investigating a break-in at the home of Independent Greeks deputy Pavlos Haikalis in the early hours of Saturday. According to initial reports, unknown assailants broke into the MP’s residence from a balcony before rem... ...
Three rescued on Mount Dirfi
Two men and one woman were rescued by a Greek Navy helicopter in the early hours of Saturday on Mount Dirfi on Evia, after they were left stranded on the mountain following heavy snowfall in the area. All three were reportedly in good health and were airl... ...
Investor's Political Blind Spot on Greece
Investors understand economic issues but have a blind spot when it comes to politics. Informed by the liberal and neo-liberal economic determinism, they think politics is simply a function of economic self-interest. This reductionist approach proved wrong ...
Greek police arrest convicted terrorist Christodoulos Xiros, who disappeared while on furlough
Greek police say they have arrested convicted terrorist Christodoulos Xiros, who had failed to return to prison while on a furlough almost a year ago.
Greek police nab terrorist on the run
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek police say they have arrested convicted terrorist Christodoulos Xiros, who had failed to return to prison while on a furlough almost a year ago.
Greek police arrest fugitive Marxist guerrilla
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police on Saturday arrested Christodoulos Xiros, a fugitive member of the Marxist guerrilla group November 17 who had absconded while on leave from prison almost a year ago. Christodoulos Xiros, 56, is serving multiple life terms for his role in Greece's most lethal guerrilla group, which killed Greek, U.S. and British diplomats before being dismantled in 2002. A police ...
Greece to auction 1.25 billion euros of T-bills
Greece will auction six-month treasury bills on Wednesday to raise 1.25 billion euros, as part of its regular monthly issues, the Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) said last Friday. The settlement date for the auction will be this Friday. Only primary ... ...
Greek euro exit might expose weakness in Europe's firewalls
"I believe that monetary union can today handle a Greek exit," said Michael Huther, head of Germany's IW institute. "The knock-on effects would be ...
Grape Pie
Grape Pie You heard that correctly. Grape pie. I think it’s the best pie recipe of any pie I have ever made. I had never heard of or tasted grape pie until I moved to central Pennsylvania, but now it’s the pie my Greek family asks for at every gathering! You can process the concord […] The post Grape Pie appeared first on The National Herald.