Desperate Greeks Look to TV for Help

Officials say blazes are contained, but critics condemn 'national humiliation'

(NEWSER) - Firefighters in Greece said today they have tamed the wildfires that have ravaged the countryside, the BBC reports, but the political tempest over the handling of the crisis is just heating up. As protesters demonstrated in Athens against the government, crews said the fires that have claimed 63 lives are “generally receding” but admitted that some blazes continued. More»

(AP) - Fire crews outside Athens are scrambling to exploit a lull in high winds as they fight massive wildfires that broke out Friday and have razed about 58 square miles north of the Greek capital. The flames are still spreading, and a dozen nuns had to be rescued from a convent threatened by one blaze. Up to 2,000 firefighters, soldiers and volunteers are involved in fighting the disaster, and aircraft have been sent from as far as France and Italy. More»

Bracing for worsening conditions, officials struggle to tame blazes

(NEWSER) - Dozens of wildfires are raging across Greece today, forcing villagers to flee and threatening to scorch ancient landmarks, the BBC reports. Fanned by gale-force winds, the flames are also creeping up on the nation's capital, where one suburb has already received evacuation orders, the AP reports. "The coming night will be especially difficult," a fire brigade spokesman said. More»

Ruling party only loses 8 seats

(NEWSER) - Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis won a second four-year term and his conservative New Democratic Party retained its parliamentary majority, according to early results from yesterday's elections. The wildfires that recently ravaged southeastern Greece threatened to topple Karamanlis and his party, but they wound up losing only 8 seats in the 300-member parliament. More»

As blazes continue, police call for increased powers

(NEWSER) - As fires continues to ravage Greece, the government has used anti-terrorist forces to question 32 suspects arrested for alleged arson. New fires continue to break out, and Greek authorities are now offering a $2 milion reward to catch arsonists. The blazes have killed at least 60 people since Friday and Greece remains in a state of emergency. More»