In Brief
Profiteering is the major concern of Greek consumers, according to the Consumer Institute (INKA), which yesterday revealed that it had recorded a total of 5,969 complaints in the first six months of this year. Consumers are particularly concerned about increases in the price of fresh fruit and vegetables, according to INKA, which noted that the most unreasonable price hikes had occurred in tourist resorts. INKA also noted an unjustifiable rise in the price of food and household goods as well as services such as insurance products and car services. WORKS SUSPENDED Ministry halts works at Exarchia after meeting protesting residents The Public Works Ministry yesterday decided to suspend works to regenerate Exarchia Square in central Athens following a meeting between officials of the ministry’s Special Projects Service and local residents who want more trees and less concrete in plans for the square’s reconstruction. A new meeting is scheduled for the beginning of September, when officials are to present residents with a revised plan. FIREFIGHTING AID Two water-bombers sent to France Greece yesterday sent two Canadian CL-415 water-bomber aircraft to Marseille Provence airport to help French fire-fighters extinguish the major blazes which have been ravaging the French Riviera over the past few days, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. Corinth quake An undersea quake, measuring 4.3 Richter, occurred in the Gulf of Corinth just before 2 a.m. yesterday. No injuries or damage were reported. The quake, whose epicenter was off the coast near Derveni, frightened locals as it was accompanied by a loud rumble. Father remanded A 31-year-old construction worker from Messinia charged with the murder of his 7-week-old daughter – who died of injuries allegedly sustained from a severe beating last Friday – was yesterday remanded in custody after appearing before an investigating magistrate in Athens. The man, identified only as L.V., told the magistrate he had hit the girl as he could not stand her crying any more, adding he had not intended to kill her. Sea accident A 45-year-old Finnish national was yesterday taken to a Rhodes hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a speedboat while swimming off the Aegean island’s Tsambika beach. The boat’s operator, who was conducting a water-skiing session, took Jurkki Arino to a first-aid center after the accident before staff insisted the Finn be transferred to a hospital. Emmanouil Kountoudakis faces a Rhodes prosecutor today. The extent of Arino’s injuries was yesterday unclear. Foreign policy Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday chaired an informal session of the newly formed National Council for Foreign Policy – a cross-party organ created to promote dialogue on foreign policy affairs. Papandreou said he hoped for «cooperation, help, and criticism from other political parties, for the more efficient functioning, and shaping, of our foreign policy.» Railway disruptions Trains on the Piraeus-Kifissia urban railway (ISAP) line will be not be running between Tavros and Omonia on Saturday due to works at Thiseion station, ISAP said yesterday. Commuters will be able to use replacement buses. Cyprus stabbing A Cypriot court yesterday demanded the detention for six days of two Britons in connection with the stabbing of another Briton on Tuesday night at the resort of Ayia Napa. Rudi Gaston, 21, was in critical but stable condition after undergoing emergency surgery. He was stabbed four times, allegedly in a fight with Wayne Barton, 21, and Vincent Atkins, 20. Police are seeking a third Briton believed to have been involved. This is the fourth stabbing in Ayia Napa this month. Prosecutors protest The National Union of Prosecutors yesterday condemned an assault Monday on a deputy prosecutor from Serres. Antonios Papazoglou was attacked and by two unidentified assailants in the northern city’s center.
