In Brief
PATRAS MIGRANTS
UNHCR worried about treatment of immigrants, including minors, in city The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) yesterday expressed concern at recent attempts by police to empty makeshift camps in the port of Patras of hundreds of refugees and illegal immigrants, chiefly from Afghanistan. The situation of migrants in Patras is «a longstanding and complicated issue,» said the UNCHR. The agency expressed particular concern for some 250 unaccompanied minors at the camp who, it said, should be placed «under temporary guardianship.» WEATHER WARNING Thunderstorms and high winds due to hit many parts of country today The weather is set to deteriorate across most of the country today, with heavy showers and thunderstorms on the mainland, the Peloponnese, Cyclades and Crete. Winds will reach up to 10 on the Beaufort scale in the Aegean. Temperatures will fall in Attica with snow forecast for hilly parts of the suburbs. Those intending to travel by sea should contact port authorities to check schedules as some itineraries will be canceled due to high winds. EXPLOSIVE TOPPING Hand grenade blast at pizza restaurant A hand grenade exploded outside a pizza restaurant in Aegaleo, eastern Athens, early yesterday. Police said the entrance to the store and a parked car were damaged in the blast but nobody was injured as the explosion occurred at around 5.30 a.m., when the restaurant was closed. Police said that the hand grenade was probably thrown by someone who had personal differences with the owner, even though he denies being at odds with anyone. Giannakou recovering Doctors said yesterday they are hopeful that the health of former Education Minister Marietta Giannakou would soon improve following the amputation of her right leg on Thursday. Giannakou was gradually regaining consciousness and would soon be disconnected from a machine that is assisting her breathing. Andreas Martinis, the president of Errikos Dynan hospital, said that the former minister is making better-than-expected progress. Dearest wife A 39-year-old woman is believed to have swindled a total of 302,000 euros in loans from four banks in Thessaloniki over the past three years, police said yesterday. According to police, who issued a warrant for her arrest and are seeking a suspected accomplice, the woman used forged documents to secure the loans. The woman is alleged to have used her husband’s name in some cases and allegedly sold his car for 4,000 euros. Toxic buildup The Greek Association of Environmental Protection Companies (PASEPPE) said yesterday that ongoing industrial action at the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki is making life difficult for companies that handle toxic waste and could lead some of them to dump it illegally. Port workers have been engaged in industrial action since last month and PASEPPE said that many small to medium-sized businesses in the hazardous waste sector do not have the necessary storage facilities for the accumulated waste, which is not being moved through the ports. Rail disruption Rail workers will stage a series of work stoppages on Monday and Tuesday before taking part in the 24-hour general strike on Wednesday, it was revealed yesterday. Services of the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) are due to be disrupted on all three days and passengers are advised to call 1110 before traveling. Loo high noon A 30-year-old man sustained minor injuries early yesterday when he was shot by a 28-year-old man during a bar brawl in Aghios Stefanos, north of Athens. The younger man allegedly pulled a gun on the victim after the latter walked in on him in the toilet. The 28-year-old reportedly shot the victim in the head but caused only a surface injury as the bullet was defective. Both men were extremely drunk, police said. Roadworks Drivers are advised that roadworks will begin today on the stretch of road between the Vari junction, also known as Pigadakia, and Lake Vouliagmeni in southern Athens. The work will be carried out every night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. until next Sunday.
