Around 80,000 Greeks Protest Angela Merkel”s Visit
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated today in this capital against the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and austerity policies, amid an exceptional police deployment that froze much of the city.
The authorities ordered a security operation with more than six thousand soldiers and comprehensive controls, especially on the streets through which the German leader will travel.
Many of the subway stations in central Athens were closed to try to prevent an influx of demonstrators to the protest called by the main trade unions and parties opposed to the cuts.
In spite of it all, according to organizers, about 80,000 people marched with banners, posters and slogans against the Chancellor, such as: “Merkel’s presence is a provocation to the people,” and “Out Merkel, Greece is not your colony.”
Alexis Tsipras, leader of the largest opposition party, the Radical Left-wing Coalition (SYRIZA), explained at the end of the march that Merkel’s visit was a show of support “for a government that is on the verge of collapse,” adding that “the peoples of Europe will triumph over the Europe of memorandums and barbarism.”
Meanwhile the leader of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), Aleka Papariga, attended the rally organized by the PAME union in Omonia square, where more than ten thousand people gathered together.
In statements to Prensa Latina, Manolis Glezos, historical antifascist fighter and Syriza’s deputy, said that German Chancellor came to give orders and not “to find out what is really happening in Greece, otherwise it would have met with representatives of the civil society or trade unions.”
He recalled that the Nazi minister Goebbels wrote that “in 2000 the German civilization would dominate Europe,” adding “he was off by only ten years” but warned that “the Greek people always resist invaders.”
After a few hours of peaceful protest, police broke up the demonstration with tear gas and sound bombs arguing that some protestors tried to break the police cordon while others were throwing objects.
IMF Decreases Estimates for Russia’s Economic Growth
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) decreased the estimates of Russia’s economic growth for 2012 and 2013, by 3.7 and 3.8 percent, respectively, amid negative projections for the global and the European economy in particular.
Current indicators are lower by 0.3 and 0.1 percentage points, compared to July’s forecast, says the World Economic Outlook report released today, and based on the global economic uncertainty, markets’ distrust and volatility in oil prices.
Russia’s growth will be supported by strong domestic demand boosted by the government’s fiscal policy and an increased in the line of credit, says the report.
According to the IMF, a 5.1 rise in consumer prices is expected for the current year, and 6.6 in 2013.
The balance of payments, however, will maintain on a surplus course, but under decreasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the analyzed periods.
As for unemployment projections, the multilateral agency forsees no change during the two years, remaining at a steady level of six percent.
It also predicted an upward trend for the Russian budget with an expected surplus of around 0.5 percent of GDP, and 0.2 for next year.
Unlike the IMF, the World Bank yesterday decreased estimates for the Russian economy by 3.5 and 3.6 percent, respectively.
US, French Scientists Win Nobel Physics Prize
France’s Serge Haroche and American David Wineland have won the Nobel Prize for physics, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said Tuesday.
The two scientists were recognized for their “groundbreaking” work on measuring and manipulating individual quantum systems.
Haroche and Wineland work in a field of quantum optics relating to the interaction between light and matter.
“Their ground-breaking methods have enabled this field of research to take the very first steps towards building a new type of super fast computer based on quantum physics,” the academy said. “The research has also led to the construction of extremely precise clocks that could become the future basis for a new standard of time.”
Via PL