In Brief
TEI CONCERN
Technical college deans are unhappy about threat of closure Deans of technical colleges (TEI) yesterday called for the withdrawal of a draft law that envisages the shutting down of TEI departments that do not attract enough students. In a petition presented during a meeting yesterday, the academics noted that TEIs play a distinct role, training technical professionals, as opposed to universities that promote learning and research. The bill, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday by Education Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos, is believed to have the support of around half of TEI professors. NOT PEACHY Farmers close highway again Hundreds of peach farmers used their tractors to block key junctions of the national road network in the prefectures of Imathia and Pella yesterday for a second day in a row, causing traffic disruptions for several hours. The producers are seeking state compensation for 200,000 tons of peaches from their surplus production this year. Grenade attack The entrance to an apartment block in the Polychni neighborhood of Thessaloniki was damaged early yesterday when unidentified assailants threw a hand grenade at the building. Four parked cars were also damaged by the blast but nobody was injured. Police believe the attack was linked to a financial dispute but did not give any more details. Forest fires Water-dropping helicopters yesterday aided the efforts of firemen battling blazes on the Aegean islands of Kalymnos and Naxos, bringing them under control by the early afternoon despite strong winds blowing in the area. Dodgy syringes The National Organization for Medicines yesterday warned diabetes sufferers to be careful when purchasing syringes for administering insulin as there are reports of a thriving trade in counterfeit versions of insulin needles produced by healthcare company Novo Nordisk. The counterfeit syringes, which can be distinguished from genuine ones as they have no bar code, nor any Greek writing on the packaging, are believed to pose a health risk. Psychico explosion A vehicle belonging to the Municipality of Psychico in northern Athens was destroyed yesterday after a bomb made from cooking gas canisters went off outside the town hall. Two other cars were also damaged in the attack, which occurred at about 2 a.m. There were no injuries. Getting better Some 20 Greek university students who contracted swine flu while attending summer classes in the UK are due to return to Greece in a few days, officials said yesterday. British health authorities have administered anti-viral drugs to the Greek students. Champs line up Greece’s representatives in soccer’s Champions League, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, yesterday learned their opponents for the third qualifying round of Europe’s top club tournament. Olympiakos will face the winner of the tie between Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia and Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia, while Panathinaikos will face Czech side Sparta Prague.
