In Brief
TRANSPORT UPHEAVAL
Morning flights face disruption, traffic on roads due to exodus Morning flights could be disrupted today as baggage handlers at the country’s airports continue with a 24-hour strike they launched yesterday, which is due to end at 1 p.m. today. Meanwhile, traffic police are out in force across the national road network to ease traffic jams as Athenians abandon the capital for the long weekend. An extra lane of traffic has been opened at the junction of Kakia Skala on the Athens-Corinth national road. The measures will be applied through Monday. ATHENS SHOOTING Man in car had suffered two gunshots to the head, police say Police said yesterday they found the body of a man – who had been shot twice in the head – in a car parked in Sepolia, western Athens. The dead man had a gun in his possession as police speculate the victim was involved in a shootout. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which they believe was a settlement of differences. STORE RAID Shopper shot in the leg by robber A shopper was injured in the leg yesterday as two armed robbers fired warning shots while fleeing from a supermarket in the Athenian district of Peristeri. It is unclear how much money the pair netted from the Sklavenitis branch. Lamp recall The Development Ministry said yesterday that it will withdraw a night lamp, manufactured by Protegy, due to its failure to meet the technical safety requirements. The product, made in China, has been imported by local company Tele Impex. Robber caught A 46-year-old man was arrested yesterday after he allegedly held up a Postal Savings Bank branch in Petroupolis, western Athens. According to police, the on-duty security guard along with customers chased and cornered the suspected thief when he tried to get away from the crime scene on foot. The suspect then fired a shot at police, without hurting anyone, but was later detained and arrested. Bra chain Campaigners in Nicosia yesterday said they hope to create the world’s longest chain of bras next month to raise money and awareness for breast cancer treatment. On April 30, the activists hope to string 100,000 bras together to make a chain spanning 90 kilometers (56 miles) – and break the 60-kilometer (37-mile) record set in Singapore in 2003 using 79,000 bras, event organizer Gina Ghillyer said. She said about 55,000 bras are still needed. (AP) Food violations The Athens Prefecture conducted inspections on 26 food stores, including supermarkets and groceries, and referred eight business owners to the prosecutor for breaching health regulations. The checks were held between January 23 and February 24. The law breaches detected were mostly related to poor hygienic conditions and stores operating without the proper licenses. Driver hurt A driver was hurt yesterday after his car collided with an Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) bus on the Attiki Odos. None of the people on board the bus were hurt in the accident, which took place in the airport-bound lane at Koropi, east of Athens. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Illegal immigrants Coast guard officials detained seven illegal immigrants at the port of Patras who had been hidden on board two trucks that were about to leave the country. The 43-year-old driver of one of the trucks was arrested, authorities added. No further details were available.
