In Brief
SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Biodegrading begins at Ano Liosia The process of mixing treated sewage with earth, leaves and branches to allow it to biodegrade into fertile soil at the Ano Liosia landfill began on Monday, Public Works Minister Giorgos Souflias said yesterday. Some 80 tons a day are currently going through the process but the amount will increase, Souflias said. Residents and local authorities are opposed to the move but Souflias insisted that he would stick to his promise and stop the process in December if they were still not happy. Quick hands Two Bulgarian women were arrested yesterday after they stole the wallet of an elderly tourist at the intercity KTEL bus station along the seafront in Iraklion, Crete, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. Upon searching the two women, aged 26 and 34, coast guard officers discovered small amounts of four international currencies in their possession. But a full body search then revealed that the two women had some 5,000 euros on their person, hidden in a condom each. Escaped prisoner A 28-year-old who had been arrested for drug offenses escaped from Aghios Panteleimonas police station in central Athens yesterday. Police have launched a manhunt and an internal investigation. Heat precautions The Labor Ministry called on employers yesterday to draw up contingency plans to deal with the rising temperatures expected later this week, so that workers do not suffer. Deputy Labor Minister Gerasimos Giakoumatos said that each company should protect, in particular, employees with health problems and those working out in the sun. He said that work on all building sites should stop when the temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius (104F) in the shade. UN reforms Greece wants to see the United Nations Commission on Human Rights upgraded into a more powerful body, Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos said yesterday. Athens supports the creation of a standing Human Rights Council so that human rights issues can take on greater importance within the UN, Koumoutsakos added. Greece is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Antiquities stolen A 43-year-old man was arrested for illegally trading in antiquities in Hania, Crete, yesterday after police found in his home two ancient objects dating from the Byzantine era. Further details were not given. Toxic peppers Greek peppers exported to Germany were found to contain levels of the insecticide methamidophos which were above permissible EU limits, the Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) said yesterday. EFET said it was trying to establish exactly where the peppers had come from. Meanwhile, EFET confirmed that none of the Captain’s Mix spices manufactured by Yiotis and containing carcinogenic food dyes was sold in Greece. Deaf protest Hearing-impaired demonstrators gestured in sign language yesterday during a protest in central Athens. Deaf-mute people are demanding more money for sign language training programs and the posting of more interpreters to hospitals, civil services, courts and universities. The Athens demonstrators were also joined by their peers in Thessaloniki, who marched on the Macedonia and Thrace Ministry calling for the same benefits. Bridge work Engineers will begin repairs on the Lenorman and Treis Gefyres bridges on Kifissos Avenue, in the direction of Piraeus, at 11 p.m. today, the Public Works Ministry said. The work will last until 6 a.m. tomorrow and the ministry advised drivers to use caution and comply with signs displayed by traffic police.
