Brussels (AFP) - Eurozone finance ministers approved Friday a third bailout worth up to 86 billion euros to keep Greece in the single currency in return for an unprecedented package of reforms that Athens had previously rejected. Earlier Friday, Greek ...
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Saturday, August 15, 2015
Iraqi brothers smuggled to Greece wore burqas to escape IS
When the Islamic State group took over their Iraqi city and burned down the family's home, two teenaged brothers decided to risk everything to leave Iraq, cross Syria and reach Europe.
Migrants transiting through Macedonia jam trains
GEVGELIJA, Macedonia (AP) — Pushing and shoving each other, hundreds of migrants trying to get to Serbia overflowed the train platforms of this southern Macedonian town, near the border with Greece, on Saturday.
MSF 'concerned' by migrant claims of attacks off Greek islands
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Saturday it is "concerned" over claims by migrants reaching the Greek island of Kos on inflatable boats that they were attacked at sea.
National Bank of Greece (ADR) (NBG) : Greece After Third Bailout
Greece is close to concluding negotiations that have dragged on for months now. As the country closes the chapter on a heated debate, the ...
Euro ministers agree on 86-billion-euro Greek bailout
Euro zone finance ministers agreed on Friday to lend Greece up to 86 billion euros ($96 billion) after Greek lawmakers accepted their stiff conditions ...
The Great EU-IMF Standoff
At yesterday’s Eurogroup meeting, a humbled and compliant Greece agreed to every condition its creditors threw at it in order to secure 86bn Euros of new financing to meet its obligations. In other words, it borrowed yet more money from its creditors in order to enable it to meet its [...]
Editorial: Ugly Attacks on Refugees in Europe
With resentment against new arrivals growing, European nations must do more to help Greece and Italy cope.
Greece needs more debt relief after third bailout deal in five years, says IMF chief
… on its opposition to rescuing Greece. However, the IMF managing director … debt relief. Germany holds more Greek debt than any other eurozone … markets and domestic parliaments that Greece will keep its commitments. A …
Merkel Allies Warily Back Greece Deal as Parliament Vote Is Set
… arguments in favor of giving Greece another financial lifeline, German Deputy … , it requires major efforts from Greece,” German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble … to seize this opportunity.” As Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras awaits …
Greece FINALLY gets a lifeline as Euro group agrees to £19BILLION bailout package
The move saves Greece from a disorderly default on its debts which could have come as soon as next week and helps to cement its membership of ...
Stubb insists government won't pay out new money for Greek bailout
In striking contrast to previous Eurogroup summits, there was praise from the leaders for Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras for getting the bailout ...
Merkel Allies Warily Back Greek Deal Before Lawmaker Vote
Chancellor Angela Merkel's allies began selling the Greek bailout deal to German lawmakers, who set their approval vote for Wednesday with Greece ...
Fleeing War, Syrians And Afghans Stream Onto Tiny Greek Island
More than 124,000 people have arrived by sea to the Greek islands this year. But Kos, a popular tourist destination, has been the most unprepared for the influx of those in need of refuge.
Tensions rise in Kos as authorities struggle with increasing migrant arrivals
Arriving daily in their hundreds, migrants can be seen celebrating as they reach the Greek island of Kos. Local authorities are working around the…
Greek crisis: IMF urges Europe to provide 'significant' debt relief following new bailout agreement
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has faced a rebellion from his party over the new bailout deal Referring to the latest bailout package, Mrs Lagarde ...
Greece could pose a huge test for Angela Merkel and one of her closest allies
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel will ask lawmakers to back an 86 billion euro ($95.5 billion) bailout for Greece at a special ...
IMF's Christine Lagarde tells Europe again: Cut Greece's debt
IMF managing director Christine Lagarde tells Europe again that it must help Greece by cutting some of its debt.
Breakdown of the First Installment of Greece’s Third Bailout
After much speculation and uncertainty, the Eurogroup approved Greece’s 86-billion-euro program on Friday evening, effectively giving the country its third Memorandum in five years. The third Greek bailout is scheduled to run until August 2018 and the 86 billion euros will be given to Greece in installments until the program expires. The much feared bail-in of banking deposits was ruled out
Kos Refugees and Migrants to Board Greek Ship by Midnight
Greek passenger ship “Eleftherios Venizelos,” which is scheduled to host 2,000 to 2,500 Syrian migrants and refugees for 15 days, is docked at the port of Kos and is set to open its doors today. Concerns had arisen over which authority will be responsible for maintaining order aboard the ship. It was agreed on Saturday that both the Greek Coast
German Company Set to Take Over Operations of 14 Greek Airports
Following the finalization of the third Greek bailout, privatizations and operation takeovers of Greek pubic assets are expected to recommence. Greek newspaper “Kathimerini” reported that German Fraport AG and Slentel Ltd will soon complete the takeover of the operation of 14 Greek airports. The agreement with the Greek state had been signed back in November 2014 under the
With a Third Greek Bailout in Place, Questions About Snap Elections Arise
After the Eurogroup’s blessing of a new Greek bailout deal, Greece’s short term financial problems appear to be temporarily resolved. With the first 26-billion-euro installment, the country will be able to pay its debts until mid October and the compromised Greek banks will receive 10 billion euros, which will soon be followed by another 15 billion after a stress test
Prison Break…in Corfu
Prisoners in Corfu, Greece, attempted to spectacularly escape through a tunnel dug for years but failed because of a dog. The escape was discovered at around 10:00 am by a citizen walking his dog in the woods next to the prison. According to Greek media, the dog went to a specific point and would not leave. The dog’s
Euro leaders approve Greek bailout
Although approved by a comfortable majority, the result was a blow to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who saw more than 40 of his 149 radical ...
German Lawmakers to Hold Greek Vote Wednesday as ECB Bill Looms
… Greek banks. Debt ‘Haircut?’ While ministers rejected applying a “haircut” to Greek … though this is conditional on Greece’s government meeting the conditions … , it requires major efforts from Greece,” German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble …
40 migrants die off Italy as Europe faces worst crisis since WWII
At least 40 migrants died on a boat off Italy Saturday as Europe struggled to cope with hundreds of people making dangerous journeys to reach Italy and Greece.
UPDATE 2-German vote on Greek bailout carries risks for Merkel
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble reiterated his opposition to an outright writedown of the face value of Greek debt in an interview with ...
Tough Road Ahead for Greece, Eurozone After Bailout
PARIS—. German lawmakers are expected to vote Wednesday on whether to approve a third bailout for Greece. Both Greek lawmakers and eurozone ...
A Different Way To Play The National Bank Of Greece Story (NBG)
As you can see in the above chart, when the problems in Greece surfaced around 2010, the price of NBG Preferred started going down. By 2012 it was ...
Italy Finds Dozens Of Migrants Dead In Hold During Ship Rescue
ROME (AP) -- At least 40 migrants died Saturday in the hold of an overcrowded smuggling boat in the Mediterranean Sea north of Libya, apparently killed by fuel fumes, and some 320 others on the same boat were saved by the Italian navy, the rescue ship's commander said. Migrants by the tens of thousands are braving the perilous journey across the Mediterranean this year, hoping to reach Europe and be granted asylum. They are fleeing war, persecution and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. "The dead were found in the hold," Cmdr. Massimo Tosi, speaking from the navy ship Cigala Fulgosi while the rescue was still ongoing. Asked by RaiNews24 how the migrants died, Tosi said "it appears to be from inhaling exhaust fumes." "They are still counting the victims," Interior Minister Angelino Alfano told reporters. Tosi said the survivors included 45 women and three children. When rescuers stepped aboard, the bodies of migrants were "lying in water, fuel, human excrement" in the hold, Tosi said, adding that among the survivors, "women were crying for their husbands (and) their children who died in the crossing." Prior to Saturday's disaster, at least 2,100 migrants died at sea this year trying to make the crossing from the shores of Libya, where human traffickers are based, to Italy. Migration organizations say the Libya-to-Italy crossing is by far the deadliest. The exact toll of dead will never be known, as some boats are believed by authorities to have gone down at sea without rescuers being aware of them. The number of migrants trying to reach Europe by sea is on track to hit a record this year, according to the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration. Greece has reported 134,988 arrivals from Turkey this year, the group said, while Italy recorded more than 100,000 migrants rescued at sea by mid-August. Along with other migrants landing in Spain and Malta, that makes over 243,000 people crossing so far this year - compared to 219,000 for all of 2014. Also on HuffPost: -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Greece migrant crisis: Further chaos on Kos as migrants fight to board ship
The Greek island of Kos was the scene of further unrest on Saturday, as migrants desperate to get off the island fought each other in the searing heat. A passenger ship chartered to house and process refugees lay empty, 24 hours after it had arrived, as ...
Eurozone OKs Greek Bailout Deal, Extending Financial Lifeline
Finance ministers for the 19-nation common currency union approved the first tranche of an 86 billion euro package, the third such emergency deal in five years.
Migrants Exchange Blows While Trying to Exit Greek Island
The Greek government chartered the vessel to ease conditions on Kos, where several thousand migrants are staying in hotels if they can afford it, ...
Greek PM faces revolt after eurozone approves huge bailout
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was Saturday battling a major revolt amongst members of his radical-left party who oppose the third huge bailout for the crisis-hit country.
Greek bailout: Five stand-out moments on the long road
So the eurozone has agreed the €86 billion third Greek bailout. Here are the five stand-out points in the deal which was announced late on Friday after ...
Greek bailout set to free up research funds
Greek scientists who do not have collaborators abroad are finding it even harder to carry on doing experiments. The constraints on capital come on top ...
Overnight, More Syrian Migrants Flee to Kos
BODRUM, TURKEY — Migrants on a Turkish beach scuffled over places on one inflatable dinghy and frantically bailed out another to keep it from sinking during a dramatic night that highlighted their desperation to reach the Greek island of Kos — and the safety of Europe. The scenes of human trafficking, captured early Saturday by […] The post Overnight, More Syrian Migrants Flee to Kos appeared first on The National Herald.
Lagarde: Give Greece More Debt Relief
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – A day after the Eurogroup approved the new bailout deal for Greece, accepted by its prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, and the Greek Parliament, the International Monetary Fund has called on Eurozone ministers to offer Greece additional debt relief, the BBC reported. While IMF head Christine Lagarde embraced the new deal, she warned […] The post Lagarde: Give Greece More Debt Relief appeared first on The National Herald.
German Lawmakers to Decide on New Bailout for Greece
FRANKFURT—German lawmakers will decide about a new bailout package for Greece on Wednesday morning, a Bundestag spokesman confirmed ...
Migrants brawl on Greek island as refugee ship lies empty
KOS, Greece (Reuters) - Migrants desperate to get off the Greek island of Kos fought each other on Saturday while nearby a passenger ship chartered to house and process refugees lay empty 24 hours after it had arrived.
Italy: At least 40 migrants dead at sea, 320 others rescued
ROME (AP) — At least 40 migrants died at sea and more than 320 others were rescued Saturday by the Italian navy from an overcrowded smugglers' boat in the Mediterranean Sea north of Libya, authorities said.The navy said because the rescue was still ongoing it couldn't give exact numbers of dead."They are still counting the victims," Interior Minister Angelino Alfano told reporters after giving the figure of 320 rescued.RaiNews24 TV, reporting from the navy rescue coordination center in Rome, said the dead migrants were found in the hold of an overcrowded smugglers' boat.Some 2,100 migrants have died at sea this year trying to make the crossing from the shores of Libya, where human traffickers are based, to Italy. They are fleeing war, persecution and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.The number of migrants trying to reach Europe by sea is on track to hit a record this year, according to the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration.Greece has reported 134,988 arrivals from Turkey this year, the group said, while Italy has rescued 93,540 newcomers through July. Along with migrants landing in Spain and Malta, 237,000 people have made the crossing so far this year, the agency says — compared to 219,000 for all of 2014.Join the conversation about this story »
The End of Magical Thinking
Deliverance or calamity, recession-oriented or development-oriented, the "best possible agreement," or the "worst of them all," the new agreement between Athens and its creditors still has an uncertain fate and even more uncertain consequences. In any case, however, it marks the definite end of an era. Let's call it the era of magical thinking. A term that is used mainly by anthropologists and psychologists, Sartre gave it the best definition: When people indulge in a strong desire or feeling to convince us that something is true, while logic maintains the opposite. It's as if we "banish" reality or believe in magical, unseen forces that will change reality based on our desires. It marks a certain phase of the life of the individual and an era in human civilization. But it can be revived in our individual or collective behavior. Or in the political discourse. We have experienced just such an impressive revival. We succumbed to magical thinking when we believed that we could write off our debt without penalty, that we could, with some difficult trickery, of the kind that they do in the West Indies and at the Zappeion, reduce deficits without austerity, that with our vote alone we would change the whole of Europe, that we could stick out our tongue at the Eurozone, without jeopardizing our participation in it, when Alexis said he would make a proposal to Merkel that she wouldn't able to refuse, or when Yanis tried to convince him that if we ran out of negotiating time, we would breach payments and introduce a fancy, virtual currency in our transactions, the world would fall on its knees offering us gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We lived through it; it ended on July 12; the agreement confirms the end of an era. We are now experiencing an era of "coming of age," where we know that desires do not shape reality, that fantasy does not have power, that we are obligated to make choices, each of which has consequences. We can choose the agreement with the Eurozone, which will cost us another three years of economic control by the Troika--or whatever we want to call it. We can choose a rupture with the Eurozone, fully aware of the consequences, which include the pain of a violent return to the national currency, something that the supporters of this option do not conceal. It is already a gain that the weighing of these choices is taking place free of magical thinking, with the rational weighing of their consequences. It will be an even bigger gain if the truly difficult and important choices, which we are postponing and avoiding, now come to the fore. If the state, which failed, will fundamentally change or not. And if the change will occur with a democratic, progressive character or not. If the production model, which for two decades now has been maintained only with loans and only produces debt, will change or continue to be maintained as is to the detriment of the weaker members of society. And if this change will occur on the basis of social justice or not. History is not over. Politics has not been "homogenized" because yet another party, yet another Prime minister, has been obliged to reconcile himself with the unavoidable. The clashes on the political stage, in new forms, with new dividing lines, new subjects, which will surely emerge from this crisis, will not be fewer or less intense. But we hope they will be more rational and realistic, more productive, and the dividing lines will be defined in pragmatic terms. Not in terms of "favoring" or "opposing" the Memorandum of Understanding, but in terms of progressive or conservative, right or left. Even if the agreement is the worst possible agreement, this political coming of age--if it comes about--will be a gain. But I will stop here, lest I mistake my wishes for reality, and thereby become yet another victim of magical thinking myself. This blog post originally appeared on HuffPost Greece and has been translated from Greek. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Migrants Swamp The Tiny Greek Island Of Kos
Greece has sent a passenger ferry to house and process thousands of migrants on the island of Kos. The Syrians, Afghans Iraqis, and others have been camped in the open with little food and water.
Greeks: How did we lose our way?
In the heart of Athens everyday Greeks show us how they face the hardship and constraints brought on by the crisis.
IMF Urges Greek Debt Relief As Bank Depositors Are Safe
Two interesting little pieces of news out of Greece as the deal over the debt problem continues to be hammered out. The first is that the IMF is still urging debt relief on everyone, something that other participants have already stated simply cannot happen. And the second is that they [...]
German parliament called back from summer recess for vote on Greece bailout Wednesday
German lawmakers will hold a special session Wednesday morning to decide on a new bailout package for Greece.
Euro ministers give blessing to Greek bailout
… lend Greece up to 86 billion euros ($96 billion) after Greek lawmakers … Greek reforms, notably to pensions, and steps to persuade it that Greece … view that Greece’s debt has become unsustainable and that Greece cannot …
Lagarde welcomes agreement, calls for debt reduction
"Greece’s debt has become unsustainable; Greece cannot restore debt sustainability solely through actions on its own"