German President Expresses Remorse in Greece, Amid Calls for Reparations
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German President Expresses Remorse in Greece, Amid Calls for Reparations
During his recent visit to Kandanos, Crete, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier acknowledged the atrocities committed by Nazi forces in WWII, labeling the site a "place of German shame." This marks the first instance of a German head of state directly seeking forgiveness in the village that bore heavy losses during the war. The gesture, however, faced a mixed response; while some acknowledged the importance of his words, others protested, demanding justice and reparations from Germany.
In a subsequent meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the topic of reparations and an occupation loan was raised. Mitsotakis expressed hope for a future resolution, but Steinmeier reiterated Germany's stance that the matter was legally settled, though he underscored the importance of remembrance to prevent future atrocities. This interaction reflects the persistent tensions surrounding Germany’s wartime legacy and the unsettled issue of reparations in Greek public discourse.
Former Greek PM Critiques Rule of Law; Parliament Event Interrupted Over Human Rights Concerns
At a parliamentary event on human rights, former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras sharply criticized the current government for its handling of significant issues, including a wiretapping scandal, a migrant shipwreck, and a delayed train crash investigation. He highlighted these incidents as a breakdown in accountability and rule of law.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis accused Tsipras of attempting to interfere with judicial processes, noting his administration’s history with judicial controversies. Plefsis Eleftheria’s Zoe Konstantopoulou disrupted a "Strengthening Democracy" conference in Parliament, citing alleged human rights violations and drawing a reprimand from the Speaker, causing a brief adjournment. These incidents underscore an increasingly polarized Greek political climate, particularly around transparency and human rights.
Arrests in Deadly Athens Explosion Linked to Anti-Establishment Groups
Greek anti-terrorism police have detained three individuals following a fatal explosion in an Athens apartment, which killed a man and seriously injured a woman, allegedly while assembling a bomb. Authorities suggest connections to anti-establishment guerrilla movements, and the three suspects include a 33-year-old injured woman, a 31-year-old man with prior arrests in Germany, and a 30-year-old woman still at large.
Searches uncovered weapons, digital devices, and documents, though the bomb’s intended target is unknown. Initial rumors tied the incident to the Revolutionary Struggle group, which has since been dismissed. DNA testing is underway to confirm the identity of the deceased, while investigations continue into the origin of the explosives. Despite a general decline in anarchist incidents since the 2009–2018 debt crisis, Greece remains vigilant to potential threats from sporadic violent activity.
Donald Trump’s Controversial Remarks on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greek Identity Spark Reaction
At a Milwaukee rally, former President Donald Trump made comments about NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greek heritage, questioning, “Who is more Greek, him or me?” in a way that many interpreted as racially charged. While he praised Antetokounmpo’s skills, Trump returned to his comparison, commenting, "Who has more Greece in him, the Greek or me? I think we have about the same."
The remarks drew criticism online for seeming to emphasize skin color over cultural identity. Antetokounmpo, who is beloved in Greece, deflected questions about the comments after a recent Bucks game. Instead, he wished Trump and Kamala Harris good luck in the upcoming election and emphasized his focus on basketball.
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