A tremor measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, which struck the island of Zakynthos yesterday, is most likely an aftershock of a series of stronger quakes, seismologists said. Experts said the fact that the tremor, which occurred shortly before noon, was milder than previous quakes and that its epicenter had not moved were both encouraging signs. But they said a few more aftershocks were likely and so urged residents of Zakynthos to stay calm. There were no reports of any damage or injuries from yesterday’s tremor.

An investigating magistrate yesterday gave convicted drug smuggler Apostolos Vavilis an extension until May 12 to testify in connection with a number of criminal charges, court sources said. Vavilis has been accused of forgery and false impersonation as well as breach of state secrets, forgery, fraud, embezzlement, theft, perjury and defamation. The charges relate to his alleged dealings with the Church of Greece and secret services.

The Development Ministry said yesterday that its weekly checks had revealed the average price of a liter of unleaded fuel in Greece had passed the 1-euro mark. The ministry said that checks on some 2,300 gas stations around the country on April 14 revealed the average price to be 1.004 euros. This was a rise of 1.62 percent from the average price of unleaded fuel a week earlier.

Fishermen from Halkidiki said yesterday that on Thursday they will block access to Mount Athos from the sea. They are unhappy that the monks have failed to repeal a rule which bans them from fishing around the peninsula on which the semi-autonomous monastic republic rests. The coastal fishermen want to be able to fish in the peninsula’s waters but currently vessels are banned from approaching within 500 meters of the coast around Mount Athos — one of Orthodox Christianity’s holiest sites. Only boats carrying monks or visitors with permits are allowed to breach the buffer zone.

A 53-year-old man who tried to kidnap an 18-month-old baby last week told a magistrate yesterday that his dire financial condition led him to attempt the crime, sources said. The man, who was not identified, told authorities that he decided to back off from his plan after the baby started to cry and he witnessed the reaction from the mother, who is his niece. The suspect was arrested on Friday after police traced him via a notebook he dropped at the house where the infant lives.

Consumer group ELKEKA said yesterday that the traditional Easter feast this year will cost between 111 and 153 euros per family, about 13 to 15 percent higher than it did in 2005. Drivers will also have to dig deeper than last year for their transportation costs, which rose 8 percent in the last 12 months, the consumer group added. The Consumer Institute (INKA) said that the total cost of the Easter feast, for a family of four to six people, is estimated at 283.65 euros.

The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) said yesterday that it had confiscated just over 2 tons of meat that was unfit for consumption from two food companies in Athens. The meat sellers in Metamorphosis and Nea Philadelphia also operated without the necessary permits and had placed misleading labels on the meat. Both companies were fined and referred to the prosecutor.

Traffic police in Thessaloniki said yesterday that recent checks on 1,060 school buses had revealed 38 violations. Most of the buses were found to be foul of the law because their travel logs had not been filled in properly, but police also caught five drivers speeding and stopped one bus whose tires were worn beyond the legal limit.