Police have arrested one of Greece’s most wanted men – a fugitive convicted of terrorism – during a shootout in Athens’ central tourist district that left four people wounded.

You could have parked anywhere you liked in Athens a few weeks ago — the city’s parking police had all been fired.

Germany’s Finance Minister has visited Greece amid massive police security, insisting there was “no convenient short cut” for the country’s bailout programme.

Police have stopped members of a far-right party in Greece from staging a free food handout aimed only at Greeks in the capital’s main square.

About 15,000 protesters converged on the Greek capital’s main square outside Parliament tonight, ahead of a vote by MPs on the 2013 budget which would once more cut pensions and salaries so Greece can qualify for its next vital batch of rescue loans.

Greece’s parliament passed a crucial austerity bill in a vote so close that it left the coalition government reeling from dissent.

One man died at an anti-austerity rally in Athens held during a national general strike as EU leaders were to tackle the eurozone crisis at a summit in Brussels.

Hundreds of youths pelted riot police with fire bombs, bottles and chunks of marble today as another Greek anti-austerity demonstration descended into violence, less than a month after more intense clashes broke out during a similar protest.

Hundreds of youths have pelted riot police with petrol bombs, bottles and chunks of marble as yet another Greek anti-austerity demonstration descended into violence.

Tens of thousands of Greek protesters filled the streets of Athens to greet German chancellor Angela Merkel, who offered sympathy but no promise of further aid on her first visit since the euro crisis erupted three years ago.

Anti-austerity activists are planning new protests in Athens’ main square, where a pensioner shot himself dead leaving a suicide note that blasted politicians over the country’s financial crisis.

A cash-strapped Greek pensioner shot and killed himself outside parliament in Athens, saying he refused to scrounge for food in the rubbish.

An elderly Greek man killed himself in Athens’ busiest square today in protest at the country’s debt crisis.

Greece’s parliament has approved new reforms to the country’s struggling pension system, the latest move in a flurry of action required to secure new international rescue loans that will stave off bankruptcy.

Ratings agency Fitch has cut Greece’s long-term ratings to its lowest rating above a default, becoming the first ratings agency to make the widely expected downgrade after the country announced a bond exchange plan to ease its massive debt burden.

Greece is a step closer to getting a new €130bn bailout after its cabinet signed off on a fresh dose of austerity measures last night.

A high-ranking Greek official has resigned in protest over a proposed bailout deal for the country.

Greek’s parliament has passed a deeply resented austerity Bill that has led to violent protests on the streets of Athens, despite some dissent from one Socialist politician.

Greek protesters rampaged outside parliament with firebombs and stones today, leaving one construction worker dead.

Greeks furious at the government’s austerity measures are preparing to turn out in force on the streets of Athens on the second day of a general strike.

GREEK politicians have granted initial approval to a new austerity bill which proposes spending cuts and tax hikes that have sparked fury on the streets of Athens.

Hundreds of rioters looted shops in Athens today after a mass anti-government rally against new government cuts erupted into violence.

More workers went on strike in Greece today as the build-up continued to a huge demonstration on Thursday when parliament votes on crucial austerity measures.

TAHRIR Square in Cairo, Green Square in Tripoli, Syntagma Square in Athens and now Zuccotti Park in New York — popular anger against entrenching the power elite is spreading around the world.

Greece faced more strikes and protests today against new austerity measures needed to appease the country's creditors.

GREECE fended off a bankruptcy that would have disturbed global markets and threatened the future of the euro when lawmakers backed controversial austerity measures in the face of violent protests.

GREEK police fired tear gas and battled groups of hooded youths near parliament in a rally against anti-austerity measures which international lenders have demanded to stave off national bankruptcy.

FRANCE yesterday offered a radical solution for banks to roll over holdings of Greek debt for 30 years as the Greek government fought to get backbench rebels to support a crucial austerity plan to avert bankruptcy.

GREECE pledged to push tough new budget cuts through parliament despite mounting labour and social unrest as the new finance minister prepared to meet Athens’ international creditors.

A 24-hour anti-austerity strike by Greece’s largest labour unions crippled public services today, as the Socialist government prepared to begin a battle to push through last-ditch cost-cutting reforms which will extend beyond its own term in office.

Mobs threw stones and fire bombs at riot police as clashes broke out in Athens today during a mass protest over budget cuts.

GREEK protesters clashed with police and set fire to cars and a hotel in central Athens yesterday as tens of thousands marched against austerity measures aimed at pulling the country out of a debt crisis.

Riot police in Greece have used tear gas and flash grenades to disperse firefighters protesting outside parliament today amid the financial crisis in the country.

Greek bank workers walked out on strike today in protest at the deaths of three colleagues who were trapped in a bank torched by protesters during massive demonstrations against the government’s new harsh austerity measures.

THE eurozone debt crisis could spread beyond Greece’s economic meltdown, which yesterday led to the deaths of three people, including a pregnant woman, as riots swept through Athens.

Protesters tried to storm Greece's parliament and hurled paving stones at police today as tens of thousands of outraged Greeks took to the streets of Athens to protest at spending cuts aimed at saving their country from bankruptcy.

Portugal’s public sector workers are staging a 24-hour strike today in the latest protest to hit a European country imposing a national austerity plan.

RIOT police clashed with stone-throwing youths in Athens yesterday, as violence marred a second day of demonstrations held to mark the fatal shooting of a teenager by police a year ago.

Masked youths hurled firebombs and chunks of marble at Greek police during a march in Athens to mark the first anniversary of the police shooting of a teenager whose death sparked massive riots.

MASKED youths hurled firebombs and jagged chunks of marble at police as violence erupted during a march in Athens yesterday to mark the firstanniversary of the police shooting of a teenager whose death sparked massive riots.

Rioters attacked a Christmas tree in central Athens today, tossing rubbish and hanging bin bags from its branches before clashing with riot police.

RIOT police clashed with rock-throwing demonstrators in central Athens yesterday, sending Christmas shoppers and people in cafes running for cover.

Rioting youths in the Greek capital attacked a police station, stores and banks and fought running battles with officers as violence continued through the night.

Greek youths hurled stones and broken paving slabs at riot police who responded with volleys of tear gas in central Athens today.