Greek plan passes first vote

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
Greece's parliament gave initial approval of new austerity measures Wednesday to avert debt default. As politicians debated and counted votes - 7,000 police battled violent protesters outside.
The streets surrounding the Greek parliament were marked with charred buildings, shattered glass and burning trash bins after the start of a 48-hour protest by two major labor unions shut down most of the country and devolved into violence.
With over 100,000 students, workers and business owners, the latest protest ranked as the biggest in two years. Greek citizens, trapped in a fourth year of a deep recession, are bitterly resentful of the newly proposed belt tightening on top of cost cutting efforts already taken.
After hours of clashes with a hardcore group of mainly young demonstrators, police cleared the square.
While many shops were boarded up and escaped damage, at least three banks and three hotels were hit. At least seven people were taken to the hospital with several other injuries reported. Twenty-eight protesters were detained and 25 police officers were injured.
Greek politicians are racing to pass legislation before a key meeting of European leaders on Sunday. If passed, the new law would enforce added tax hikes, wage cuts and unprecedented public sector layoffs.
The Greek parliament will hold a final vote on Thursday.
Jeanne Yurman, Reuters.