The Public Works Ministry said yesterday that it would stop issuing building licenses for parts of Myconos not designated for urban construction until an imminent presidential decree intended to regulate building in rural parts of the island has been issued. There has been a significant rise in applications for licenses to build on Myconos and many instances of illegal building work, the ministry said, adding that unauthorized construction on the island would be penalized.

Three Africans were charged yesterday with selling cannabis in matchboxes from a cosmetics store in the Athens district of Kypseli. Francis Newman, 36, Gifti Kuasie, 31, and Comfort Ogusu, 30, sold the drug for 10 euros a box, according to police who arrested the trio last Friday before unearthing 6.5 kilos of cannabis, 38 matchboxes packed with the drug and more than 28,000 euros at their apartment in Aghios Panteleimonas.

A 38-year-old woman - wanted by Interpol in connection with an armed bank robbery in Italy in 1991 - was yesterday remanded in custody following her arrest in the northwestern town of Konitsa last week. Angeliki-Evangelia Tzoutzia is wanted in Italy for illegal possession and use of firearms following an armed robbery on a bank in which Tzoutzia's husband, Christos Stratigopoulos, is also allegedly implicated. Greek police must receive Tzoutzia's file from their Italian counterparts before taking any action.

Providing financial support to non-governmental organizations to boost the fight against human trafficking was the key topic at yesterday's meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos and US Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller. The two also discussed Greece's role in international efforts to rebuild Afghanistan.

The European Union yesterday warned Greece and another four EU states to install «minimum comfort facilities» for egg-laying hens within two months or face legal action. Greece - as well as Austria, Belgium, Italy and Portugal - could be taken to the European Court if they fail to implement a range of measures, including increasing the size of roosts and cages. EU member states had until January 1 last year to respond to a directive issued in 1999.

Chios port authorities on Sunday detained six illegal immigrants who had reached the Aegean island aboard a plastic rowboat from neighboring Turkish shores, the Merchant Marine Ministry said yesterday. The group comprised two Somalians, three Afghans and an Iraqi, the ministry said.

Greece is among eight EU member states to be warned by the European Commission yesterday over failing to implement regulations boosting the safety of cable installations such as ski lifts and cable cars. Greece - along with Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria and Britain - had until May last year to implement regulations the EU ordered in 2000. All have yet to do so.

A seminar examining the role of trade unions in promoting the integration of immigrants into Greek society, organized by the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) and the Labor Institute - a trade union-backed think tank - is to take place on Thursday and Friday. The seminar will be opened by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis and will include contributions from representatives of national immigration groups and trade unionists from other European countries.

Members of left-wing organizations and immigrant support groups protested yesterday outside the Athens Appeals Court where the trial of extreme right-wingers - charged with severely injuring five members of left-wing groups in April 1996 - was being held. Protesters want the government to ban the Chryssi Avgi neo-Nazi group and shut its Athens offices.