In Brief
ZAKYNTHOS TREMORS
More than 20 aftershocks hit island but experts say worst may be over After being struck by a series of powerful earthquakes in previous days, Zakynthos experienced some 20 aftershocks yesterday, the largest of which measured 4.5 Richter. Seismologists said they expected the aftershocks to continue for a short while but did not forecast any powerful quakes to hit the Ionian island in the immediate future. Checks on public buildings on Zakynthos yesterday did not reveal any damage and no major damage was reported anywhere else on the island. FIREFIGHTERS Ministry to hire 5,500 seasonal staff to help extinguish blazes The Public Order Ministry said yesterday it will hire 5,500 seasonal staff as part of efforts to support firefighters this summer. Authorities said that the recent heavy rainfall has caused the growth of extra weeds, which dry out in summer and aid the spread of fires. In a meeting between Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras and senior fire brigade officials, it was decided that 600 additional staff will not be hired – as announced in the past – since their training will not be completed in time for the fire alert period, which starts June 1. HELIOS CHANGE New name for Cypriot airline Cyprus’s Helios Airways has been renamed Ajet Aviation, authorities said yesterday, eight months after one of its flights was involved in Greece’s worst-ever aviation disaster. Relatives of the 121 people killed in August have accused the company of trying to dodge its responsibilities ahead of the upcoming release of results from an investigation into the crash. Cyprus elections The Cypriot Parliament was dissolved yesterday ahead of the elections for the 56-seat assembly which will be held on May 21. Candidates for the elections must be submitted by May 3. KEP staff Supreme Court prosecutor Dimitris Linos yesterday recommended that staff at citizens’ information and service centers (KEP) should be given permanent rather than rolling contracts. The Supreme Court is hearing a case concerning employees at a KEP in the prefecture of Corinthia in the Peloponnese, which could have implications for workers at centers throughout Greece. The court is considering its verdict. KEP centers will be closed today because of a strike called by workers. Money laundering Giorgos Zorbas, the former general secretary for procurements at the Defense Ministry, was formally appointed by Parliament yesterday as the head of a national committee to combat money laundering. PASOK MPs walked out after trying to question Zorbas about his previous role at the Defense Ministry. Food fines The Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) said yesterday it had fined seven businesses in Athens and Thessaloniki a total of 91,500 euros for breaching hygiene regulations. The businesses included a restaurant in the Psyrri area of Athens that was operating without a license and a private hospital in Thessaloniki that was serving patients and doctors food made in unhealthy conditions, EFET said. Car recall Car dealer Sfakianakis is recalling some Suzuki Swift 1.3 models due to possible problems with the side airbags, the Development Ministry said yesterday. The owners of the 887 vehicles are being notified by mail. Blackmail suspect A 35-year-old man was arrested in Thessaloniki yesterday, accused of blackmailing a taverna owner and illegal possession of ancient artifacts. Police detained the man after he was paid 3,200 euros in marked notes by the 27-year-old taverna owner. A search of the suspect’s home by police uncovered ancient objects dating back to the Bronze Age and a small quantity of cannabis. Gynecologist guilty A 70-year-old gynecologist was yesterday given a suspended 12-month prison sentence after a court in Thessaloniki found him guilty of sexually molesting a patient, court sources said. The female student said she saw the doctor about a health problem but on her fifth visit, he touched her in a «peculiar» way. She reported the incident to the police the next day. The gynecologist denies the charge.
