In Brief
E-SAVVY TRIKALA
Town on list of world’s top 21 Internet-friendly cities The town of Trikala in central Greece has been voted one of the 21 most Internet-savvy cities in the world, according to the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), a US-based think tank. Trikala was the only Greek city included on a list comprising seven US cities as well as four in Canada and many European towns. The ICF noted that Trikala offers free wireless Internet connection to all its residents as well as a «tele-health» program offering residents medical advice at home. ARSON ATTACKS Stores targeted in Salonika Improvised explosive devices comprising gas canisters detonated outside three stores in Thessaloniki early yesterday, causing widespread damage but no injuries. The blasts damaged the facades of the businesses – a security goods store, a military goods retailer and a store selling hunting gear. One of the explosions also damaged a truck parked outside one of the shops. ISAP disruption As renovation works continue on the Athens-Piraeus urban electric railway (ISAP) there will be further disruptions over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the section of the route between Kallithea and Omonia will not be operating and a replacement bus service will be available for passengers. Asopos claims The government has refused to fund a study being carried out to determine whether toxic water in the Asopos River in central Greece has infected fruit and vegetables produced in the region, a professor leading the project at the Agricultural University of Athens has told Skai. A university team has started laboratory tests on samples to determine whether they contain traces of hexavalent chromium, a potentially carcinogenic chemical found in the Asopos water. But the university must fund the study as the government has refused to do so, Professor Theologos Mimidis said. Abduction Police said yesterday that they had arrested two Albanian nationals and a 33-year-old Greek man believed to have abducted a 41-year-old Albanian beekeeper and a 70-year-old compatriot and to have swindled them of 14,500 euros. According to officers, the suspects arranged a meeting with the beekeeper, pretending to be interested in buying honey in bulk, but then abducted the 41-year-old along with a 70-year-old man who was with him at the time. The suspects only released the pair after receiving the 14,500 euros in cash as a ransom payment. The alleged victims then contacted the police. Border haul Police at the Greek-Albanian border yesterday detained an Albanian national after finding 4.5 kilos of cannabis in his possession. The 39-year-old suspect is also believed to have smuggled compatriots into the country. Tractor death A 73-year-old farmer was fatally injured yesterday after the tractor he was driving, in the vicinity of Kleinovos, near Trikala, toppled over and crushed him. The exact circumstances of the incident were unclear late yesterday.
