© marinetraffic.comShiptracking service Marinetraffic.com show that Blue Sky has recently changed its course and made a sharp turn towards Italy instead of Croatia where it was heading
Several reports say the vessel, currently off the coast of Corfu, is carrying 700 passengers.
Greek state television has reported that 'illegal immigrants' are involved in the situation on the ship, while other news sources say all 700 passengers are 'undocumented migrants'.
The vessel that sent out the distress call is a Moldovan cargo ship called Blue Sky, Corfu Port Authority President Spiros Andriotis told protothemanews.com
The cargo ship was headed to a Croatian port when it sent out the distress call, but tracking services show that the ship made a sharp turn, setting course towards Italy.
Greek authorities have sent navy helicopters to the spot to aid the ship.
© marinetraffic.comFurther shiptracking data shows that Blue Sky made two sharp turns before heading towards Italy
Greek Parliament vote could bring back euro crisis as elections loom
Washington Post. 28/12/14.
ATHENS — The long-dormant euro crisis could come roaring back to life Monday with a vote in the Greek Parliament that is expected to bring down the pro-austerity government and open the way for a radical leftist party to take power for the first time in the history of the European Union.
The vote will be watched closely around the continent as a marker of economic peril in the year ahead as Europe gazes into the abyss of another recession. But it could also be a key political milestone as the center gives way to forces that were once relegated to the European fringe and are now buoyed by a populist, anti-austerity backlash.