Riot! Athens, Greece Cleans Up It's Streets After a Devastating Riot

     On early Monday morning, in Athens, Greece, tens of thousands of protesters collided with police and S.W.A.T teams during riots that left 106 police officers and dozens of civilians injured.

   This riot, described as one of the worst in Athens since the financial problems Greece began dealing with in 2010, broke out after the Greek Parliament approved a new package of austerity measures in return for a new euro zone bailout on the country’s huge debt. Protesters among a crowd estimated by police at about 80,000 hurled rocks and firebombs toward police.   S.W.A.T officers responded with tear gas and smoke grenades along with high-voltage tasers.  At least 74 people were clubbed and arrested, police said.

            Police said investigators were still estimating public property damages, but the Athens News Agency said more than 45 buildings were damaged by fire and numerous others were looted by the rioters. Damaged buildings included a bank, two cafes and a movie theater, the news agency reported.

            “The violent protests reflect increasing angst in Greece over crushing economic problems,” said reporter Thanasis Trompoukis.

            "They are protesting because they feel that there is no end in their financial suffering. More and more (people) every day are getting poorer and become homeless in Greece, and especially Athens," he said.

Rioters are still being brought to justice and they are being put on trial.

I’m Jake Grider

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Amsterdam's Schiphol airport evacuated amid bomb threat

 On February 13, 2012 the dutch police man reported that a man had locked himself in a toilet stall. They had also claimed that he had a bomb with him while he was in the Amsterdam Schipol airport. Because of the incident that occurred with this man, the airport was forced to evacuate. Specifically, the two main International airports at about 11:30. Police and bomb squads also made an appearance at the scene. About four hours later, the two terminals had been reopened. The man says, he had no intention of involving the public. However, that didn't matter because one of Europe's busiest Airports was still affected by this and was forced to shut down. After the man was discovered, investigations occurred by the Dutch border police. They had to examine wether the man continued with explosives in this carry on luggage. This event was shown on Live television, the police were also being shown along with their guns, dogs and heavy duty hard hats. "By 4 pm the Amsterdam airports website was showing 16 cancellations to inbound flights and 11 to departures, dozenz of flights were delayed." It is stated that things are not back to normal yet. But the operation is over and things are getting bak on track.
-Amelia Hernigle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17011194

Luiz Suarez Apologizes to Patrice Evra

On Saturday, February 11, Luiz Suarez refused to shake hands with Patrice Evra before the Manchester United vs. Liverpool game. Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand after being banned for 8 games because he racially abused Evra earlier between the two clubs in October.
Managing Directer of Liverpool, Ian Ayre, said "We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so."
Luiz Suarez apologized later on Sunday and said, "I have spoken with the manager (Kenny Dalglish) since the game at Old Trafford and I realize I got things wrong.
"I've not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened."I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologize for my actions.
"I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."  
At the final whistle, Evra celebrated his teams victory at a close range to Luiz Suarez but he also got in trouble by his manager. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeEoNmy76Tc


-Edgar Juarez

China Looks to Donate Money to EU as Debit Grows

On Thursday, the second of February, the premier of China, Wen Jiabo, said that Chinese officials were looking to invest in the solution of the European debt crisis. In his joint press conference with the German Chancellor, he made very explicit commitment to becoming "more deeply involved in solving the European debt."  Through the use of the International Monetary Fund, China may be looking to begin stabilizing the overall economic distress which currently troubles the European Union. Currently, China has around 3.2 trillion U.S. dollars, in it's foreign exchange reserves. However, Wen made no exact mention that they will be using these funds. He did say, however, that China is currently looking for ways it can help bring the European Union back on track.

The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, brought up her concerns of the efficiency of the Euro as a monetary system.  Because Germany is one of the biggest exporting nations in the world, it has benefited largely from the use of a singular currency. However, because of the lack of responsibility in spending in other countries in the European Union, the value of the Euro has gone down. Countries like Greece, which is currently seeking a 130 billion Euro bail-out, bring down the economy of other countries which use the Euro through un-cautious spending. Over the past several years, the European Union has been looking for ways to mend its economy, and hopefully, this year will yield new results.

-Nate

Sources:

• CNN
• CNN
• BusinessDay
• VoA

Spanish Employment Rate At 23 Percent

In Spain's fourth quarter financial report, it was announced that Spain has a gigantic rate of unemployment, nearing close to 23 percent. Unfortunately, this amount looks to be steadily rising, up from a rate of 21.5 percent back in the third quarter of Spain's financial quarter. For comparison, the United States rate of unemployment has taken a steady decline down from nine percent since last year. Along with close to a quarter of the population being without work, officials say that Spain's domestic outcome has fallen 0.3 percent. These results from the most recent budget evaluation are giving more and more signs that steps are needing to be taken to repair Spain's economy.

While their Prime Minister has been making necessary budget cuts and increases in taxes, there is still a need for more efficient means of softening their deficit while not hurting citizens. Over the past year, Spaniards have been taking to the streets to protest the harsh austerity measures made by the government. While it is still being decided what the measures will be best for the Spanish people, the European Union has made the commitment to working towards taking Spain away from the threat of recession. However, it is not just Spain's economy that needs repairing. Over the entire European continent, other countries such as Italy and Greece are bringing down other countries economic condition with their outstanding debt. Hopefully, through efficient measures such as making the Euro currency better and more economic, that the general European economy can be repaired.

-Nate

Sources:
CNN
U.S. Edition
NY Times
Nidata Plus
Reuters

Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, the Italian president from 1992 to 1999 dies at age 93

 

 Oscar at a conference on September 9th 2005.

Oscar Luigi Scalfaro was the president of Italy from 1992 until 1999 for a total of seven years                                    in office. That is a long time for an old man such as himself.  Oscar died at age 93 yesterday. Italy's current president, Giorgio Napolitano, recalled Scalfaro's time as a member of parliament, interior minister and eventually president.

"Scalfaro has been a leading figure of the democratic political life in the various decades of the republic, a perfect example of coherence and moral integrity," Napolitano said in a statement.

Prime Minister Mario had this to say: "He has been a distinguished protagonist of ... Italian political and institutional life and a luminous example of perfect consistency and integrity,"  said Monti in a statement.

Pope Benedict XVI said Scalfaro was an “illustrious Catholic statesman," This is from a news release on the Vatican's website. In condolences sent to Scalfaro's daughter, Pope Benedict XVI said this about the Italian president: " Oscar did his best to promote the common good and the perennial ethical and religious values, that is proper to Italy's historical and civic tradition."

Scalfaro joined Italy's legislature in 1946, soon after the end of World War II, and served as minister and secretary multiple times. In 1992, he became the parliamentary speaker of Italy. Then, a month later, he became president.

Scalfaro remained in that position for a seven-year term, as I said above. He served as president in a time of political instability in Italy as he faced regular calls for new elections and working with several prime ministers, including Giuliano Amato, Romano Prodi and Silvio Berlusconi. By the way, all of them ended up serving additional terms later.

In 1999, Scalfaro handed over the reins to Carlo Ciampi, making him the current president.

                                                                                                                   Jake Grider

Cruise victim may have saved older man

About 4,200 people were on board the Costa Concordia when it collided with rocks on January 13.  Officials said Sunday that they identified a body found a day earlier as that of Erika Fani Soria Molina, a Peruvian. She was not wearing a life jacket. Witnesses and survivors have said that the Peruvian bartender gave her jacket to an elderly man who survived.

17 people have been confirmed dead from the ship. Another 15 are still missing.

Authorities have stopped the search for victims Sunday after the ship jolted slightly and then slowly moved even further, about 4 centimeters over only a period of a few hours.

Officials are particularly concerned for divers who are searching submerged areas of the ship because of all the debris, including heavy items and wires.

The ship's movement renewed fears that the vessel could slide further.

Earthquakes in the region last week also caused fears that the ship could sink deeper into the waters.

The weather is also why recovery operations have stopped until Tuesday or Wednesday, officials said.

In the meantime, there will be no fishing, diving, snorkeling, or other normal use of the water near the wrecked ship, extending the disaster's economic toll.

-Amelia Hernigle

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/29/world/europe/italy-cruise-ship/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2