Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis yesterday attended a ceremony at the port of Piraeus to take delivery of 10 new heavily armed patrol boats which are to guard coastal areas near Olympic venues during the Games. The new coast guard vessels are all equipped with guns and machine guns, five have anti-ballistic protection and three are “all-weather.” One of their chief functions will be guarding the “hotel cruise ships” which will be moored at Piraeus over the duration of the Games.

Britain is “completely satisfied” with the security measures implemented by Greece ahead of the Olympics and with the “level of cooperation between British and Greek security services,” British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis in London yesterday. Apart from Olympic preparations, the two men also discussed Cyprus, the Balkans and the Middle East.

A total of 300,000 leaflets for tourists containing a list of suggested prices for commonly purchased goods and services are to be distributed from next week, the Development Ministry said yesterday. The leaflets, which have been prepared by the ministry in cooperation with consumer protection groups, will include suggested prices for products such as biscuits, bottled water and soft drinks, food and drinks served in cafes and restaurants, as well as medical services and taxi fares.

Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) suspect Michalis Kassimis yesterday concluded his testimony before a court hearing the trial of five alleged ELA members. He once again denied the charges lodged against him but refused to denounce the activities of the group’s alleged founder, his brother Christos Kassimis, who died in a 1977 shootout with police. “I do not condemn the choices my brother made,” he told the court. The prosecution is due to sum up on Monday.

The medicine Thyrormon, dispensed to patients with thyroid problems, is to be withdrawn from circulation following a decision made public yesterday by the National Pharmaceutical Organization. The decision was made after the manufacturer failed to supply the organization with a report explaining the side effects of the drug by a six-month deadline.

A force of 60 firemen, 19 engines, two water-carrying aircraft and two helicopters yesterday extinguished a blaze which had threatened the community of Loutsa in eastern Attica. The fire had reached the front yards of some homes, according to firemen, who said that one house had suffered major damage. No injuries were reported.

President Costis Stephanopoulos last night attended a function at the Pnyx organized by the Constantine Karamanlis Foundation and the French Embassy to mark 30 years since the restoration of democracy in Greece.

A drug addict who broke in to more than 17 cars parked by beaches at Voula and Vouliagmeni to finance his habit has been arrested, police said yesterday. The man, who was not identified, allegedly made off with cash, jewelry and other goods after breaking into the vehicles while their owners were bathing.

There will be no service between Tavros and Piraeus on the Piraeus-Kifissis urban electric railway (ISAP) from 9 p.m. onward tomorrow, ISAP said yesterday. The disruption is due to works at the Kifissou Bridge. Passengers can make use of free buses which will be serving the route.

A 34-year-old Albanian man has been arrested for the murder of a 57-year-old betting agency owner from Neos Cosmos, police in Attica said yesterday, nearly a year after the killing. Officers said they tracked down Vladimir Dartha at his home in Nikaia, near Piraeus, on Tuesday. A police search unearthed forged travel documents which were confiscated.