Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 12-06-08

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Third phase of investment law attracts 270 plans worth 1.1 bln euros

[02] Arrest of ultra-right Chryssi Avghi party spokesman ordered after punching KKE candidate MP on live TV programme

[03] Gov't condemns Chryssi Avghi spokesman's attack on live television

[04] Caretaker PM states solidarity to KKE leader on Kassidiaris' assault

[05] Acting parliament president condemns attack on MPs, says such 'fascistoid attitude' must vanish

[06] Interior minister on Chryssi Avghi attack: 'nothing can disrupt smooth course to elections'

[07] ND leader Samaras on Kassidiaris' assault

[08] SYRIZA: Chryssi Avghi spokesman's attack showed 'true face of this criminal gang'

[09] Venizelos comments on Kassidiaris attack, stresses need to protect institutions

[10] PASOK on Kassidiaris incident

[11] KKE leader: People who voted for Chryssi Avghi should reconsider

[12] DIM.AR condemns attack by Chryssi Avgi spokesman

[13] Former PM Papandreou on use of force

[14] Chryssi Avgi says party will have no contacts with media

[15] PASOK's Venizelos calls for gov't of shared responsibility

[16] KKE's Papariga outlines party's foreign policy positions

[17] Independent Greeks leader presents party's proposals for retired officers

[18] Eurogroup president hopes Greek people will choose path of euro

[19] Athens Archbishop Ieronymos briefs PM Pikrammenos on his recent visit to Church of Russia

[20] Caretaker minister on natural resources, econ growth

[21] Unemployment shoots to record 21.9pct in March, up 6.2pct from March 2011

[22] "Posidonia 2012" ends with record number of visitors

[23] New three-year Collective Labour Agreement for PPC employees signed on Thursday evening

[24] Greek economic sentiment index eased in May

[25] IKA reports improved revenues in May

[26] Attica Pharmacists' Association to open bank account to collect donations for prescription drugs

[27] Car sales drop 46.9 pct in May

[28] Business Briefs

[29] Stocks end strongly higher

[30] Greek bond market closing report

[31] ADEX closing report

[32] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

[33] A final farewell to the Athens News Agency's Andreas Christodoulides

[34] Robber shot dead in high-profile crime

[35] DIMAR on shooting of migrant, alleged burglar by local

[36] Restoration approved for Delphi Ancient Theater

[37] Stolen Rubens masterpiece presented to Belgian ambassador

[38] Documentary on voyage of Argonauts to be filmed in Volos from Friday

[39] 15-year-old abducted in Halkida liberated

[40] Police uncover 682 'dummy' blind people drawing benefits on Zakynthos

[41] Taxi driver arrested with 89.5 kg of unprocessed cannabis

[42] Mobilisations in western Achaia four years after big earthquake

[43] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Third phase of investment law attracts 270 plans worth 1.1 bln euros

Speaking to reporters, Stournaras said "it is a very positive development that during this difficult economic situation prevailing in Greece, a total of 270 investors submitted investment plans worth 1.1 billion euros which envisage the creation of 1,140 new job positions. The Development ministry is continuing its daily fight towards restoring confidence among investors and the economy".

During the first phase (April 2011) a total of 145 investments plans worth 725 million euros had been submitted, while during the second phase (October 2011) a total of 179 investment plans worth 854 million euros had been submitted.

The minister said that the 270 investment plans submitted in the third phase of the program require state subsidies worth 363 million euros. These investment plans envisage 151 plans in the manufacturing sector (worth 831.8 mln euros), 59 plans in the primary sector (worth 43.6 mln euros), 28 plans in the tourism sector (worth 115 mln euros) and 32 plans in the services sector (worth 100.2 million euros).

[02] Arrest of ultra-right Chryssi Avghi party spokesman ordered after punching KKE candidate MP on live TV programme

Kanelli, a former journalist, is a long-standing MP for the KKE in the Greek parliament, which was recently dissolved after only two days in order to pave the way for repeat general elections on June 17.

Chryssi Avghi elected MPs to the now dissolved parliament for the first time in the May 6 inconclusive general elections, among them Kassidiaris.

During a heated discussion on the morning TV programme, Kassidiaris also emptied a bottle of water on SYRIZA cadre Rena Dourou, after she said that Chryssi Avghi will turn Greece back 500 years.

Kanelli reacted to the dousing, and Kassidiaris slapped her once and punched her twice in the head, despite attempts by the TV programme host and other panelists to stop him.

After the incident, Athens chief prosecutor Eleni Raikou ordered the arrest of Kassidiaris, who in the meantime left the television station.

Political party representatives called into the station and condemned Kassidiaris' action as "cowardly".

A prosecutor's office announcement later clarified that the arrest warrant for Kassidiaris is for the attack against Kanelli, for attempted grievous bodily harm, an offence that is prosecuted ex officio.

That is not the case with the dousing of Dourou, which offence falls under the category of unprovoked abuse, which is prosecuted only after a law suit is filed by the victim.

The announcement further clarified that Kassidiaris is currently not an MP since parliament has been dissolved ahead of the elections.

This means that Kassidiaris does not have parliamentary immunity.

[03] Gov't condemns Chryssi Avghi spokesman's attack on live television

"This attack is an attack against every democratic citizen," said Tsiodras in a statement, adding that "it is a vested right of our political culture that the elections campaign is held in a climate of democratic dialogue. God forbid that political differences are solved with violence. The least that every democratic citizen expects from the Chryssi Avghi party, which Mr. Kassidiaris belongs to, is that it unequivocally condemn this action".

Concluding, the statement he noted that the case in the hands of justice.

Meanwhile, caretaker prime minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos telephoned SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras after being informed of the incident.

Tsipras was visiting the National Center for Public Administration at the time, and interrupted his itinerary briefly to take the incoming call from the prime minister's office.

The prime minister also contacted Chryssi Avghi General Secretary Nikos Mihaloliakos and sternly condemned the incident, stressing that the pre-election campaign must be carried out in a strictly legal framework.

Tsiodras did not report Mihaloliakos' reply, saying that it was up to the party's leader to do so, and said there was no news concerning the arrest of Kassidiaris.

Concerning the prime minister's visit to the Citizen Protection ministry on Thursday, Tsiodras said the visit had been scheduled beforehand so that the government might be briefed on issues relating to fighting crime and preparations for the elections and had only accidentally coincided with the incident in the morning.

Asked whether Chryssi Avghi might be outlawed and forbidden from running the election, Tsiodras said that the candidates for the elections have already been approved by the Supreme Court and that no party could be outlawed. Similarly, he said that barring Chryssi Avghi from the television coverage allocated to the party by the National Broadcasting Council "would not help in this framework of democratic dialogue" and that the state had rules outlining "how far things can go".

Finally, he said that citizens had the opportunity to express their will at the ballot box in any way they chose.

[04] Caretaker PM states solidarity to KKE leader on Kassidiaris' assault

[05] Acting parliament president condemns attack on MPs, says such 'fascistoid attitude' must vanish

(KKE) and SYRIZA candidate MPs Liana Kanelli and Rena Dourou, respectively, by ultra-right Chryssi Avghi party spokesman during a live television programme.

He also warned that this was a "fascistoid attitude that must vanish permanently".

"The vulgar attitude of Chryssi Avghi former and candidate MP Elias Kassidiaris againt two ladies, also former and candidate MPs, Rena Dourou (SYRIZA) and Liana Kanelli (KKE) this morning in the Antenna television studio...is a direct insult to the social and parliamentary ethics and institutions and compromises the country internationally," said Polydoras, who is acting president of the recently-dissolved parliament ahead of the June 17 repeat general elections.

"Vioence has no place in democracy. It is not a way of dialogue, nor a means of political comportment. It is the system of a fascistoid rational that must eclipse permanently and irrevocabley," Polydoras continued, adding that "the State and Society must be vigilant and act accordingly to safeguard our political culture and social peace."

[06] Interior minister on Chryssi Avghi attack: 'nothing can disrupt smooth course to elections'

Describing the incident as "unacceptable and unprecedented," Manitakis said that it had been condemned by all other political forces in the country and the Greek people.

Acts of violence of every kind and form were dealt with exclusively by the state with determination, within the framework of democratic legality, he added.

"In these crucial times that the country is going through, we have an obligation to prove worthy of our democratic and Parliamentary tradition and once again show all sides that Greece is and remains the cradle of democracy," he emphasised.

[07] ND leader Samaras on Kassidiaris' assault

"Violence and provocation are phenomena of deep decadence," said Samaras, adding: "We condemn them and we must isolate them and, chiefly, we must not allow them to divide the Greek people, particularly at a time when our country needs us united in the face of this deep crisis we are going through."

[08] SYRIZA: Chryssi Avghi spokesman's attack showed 'true face of this criminal gang'

"We remind that a series of trials are pending against cadres of this gang, and have been repeatedly postponed, giving them asylum to continue their criminal activity," the announcement said, adding that "on our part we state that we will not participate in any public debate that also includes a representative Chryssi Avghi and we will put this matter to the interparty committee".

[09] Venizelos comments on Kassidiaris attack, stresses need to protect institutions

Venizelos also referred to a previous attack on a former MP and PASOK's candidate for Serres Stathis Koutmeridis at the hands of Chryssi Avghi members.

Concerning his meeting, PASOK's leader said it concerned the future of the Greek academic and research community but also the major issue concerning the country.

"We launched a dialogue on issues concerning higher education and research centres," he reported.

Venizelos also said the country was head for a "national impasse" and stressed the need for a "national strategy that will unite all the forces in society".

"The economic problem has been converted to a social problem, the social problem has become a political one and the political problems is tending to become an institutional problem, a problem for democracy," he said.

During a political discussion between political party representatives during an early-morning live breakfast show, Kassidiaris first threw a glass of water over SYRIZA's Dourou and when Kanelli attempted to restrain him, struck her three times across the face before he was stopped by the other panellists and technicians.

[10] PASOK on Kassidiaris incident

(KKE) former MP Liana Kanelli and SYRIZA cadre Rena Dourou warned that "whoever hatches the snake's egg is playing with the country and democracy".

"This young 'gentleman', the spokesman of Chryssi Avghi, proved today that he is a representative of a group of neo-nazis that apart from being ultra right are also cowards and bullies," she said.

"We call on the political, cultural and journalistic world to condemn the incident and we express our solidarity to Ms Kanelli and Ms Dourou. We call on the people who voted for Chryssi Avghi (in the inconclusive May 6 elections) to seriously re-think it. We state that under no condition will a PASOK representative participate in a debate in which a Chryssi Avghi representative will also be present," Gennimata added.

[11] KKE leader: People who voted for Chryssi Avghi should reconsider

Papariga called on the people who voted for Chryssi Avghi in the inconclusive May 6 general elections -- which put Chryssi Avghi in parliament for the first time -- to reconsider their vote, especially the young people.

[12] DIM.AR condemns attack by Chryssi Avgi spokesman

Kouvelis stressed that society has to isolate this ideology that is being transformed into a criminal act.

He said that all political powers should build a wall against those who insult democracy and the country's parliamentary operation.

[13] Former PM Papandreou on use of force

Papandreou added that "the challenge we have before us is for us to face the crisis with pride and with the calm force of democracy. Democracy that constitutes the foundation of values that unite us, instead of separating us."

[14] Chryssi Avgi says party will have no contacts with media

Chryssi Avgi issued a response stressing that it will impose an "embargo" on "all television channels and newspapers".

"Before the mass media shut us out, we will shut them out first," a Chryssi Avgi statement posted on its website read, adding that "this way our exclusion will be made clear and the dirty game they play against us will be fully exposed."

As regards the violent incident that took place during a television talk-show on Thursday morning, Chryssi Avgi fully covered its spokesman and launched an attack indiscriminately on all journalists and the Greek justice that has filed charges against him.

The statement underlined that "Liana Kanelli assaulted him first, without being provoked, by hitting him on his face with a pack of documents. It is clearly captured on tape. However, this fact was missed by everybody, including the servants of justice who filed charges only against the Chryssi Avgi spokesman."

[15] PASOK's Venizelos calls for gov't of shared responsibility

In the meeting he had with the board members of the Association of the Regions of Greece (ENPE), he underlined that "the only viable government solution is an ecumenical government with the participation of all political powers that will share the responsibility, not opting for the safe solution of simply being in the opposition."

[16] KKE's Papariga outlines party's foreign policy positions

Speaking in a press conference to unveil the KKE foreign policy positions, Papariga underlined that the country should not be dragged into "imperialist wars" that are being prepared against Syria and Iran, as she claimed, and stressed that Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean should be protected, while the plans for its division and exploitation of its natural resources by multinational companies should be blocked.

Papariga stated that minority issues should not be used by NATO and the EU against other peoples, and also against Greece, stressing that a new version of the "dangerous Annan plan on Cyprus should be blocked".

The KKE general secretary stated that "developments in Greece cannot be examined separately from global events; particularly, regional events where serious and dangerous developments are unfolding."

Papariga accused New Democracy (ND), PASOK, Independent Greeks and Democratic Left (DIM.AR) of being misleading when they maintain that "NATO and the EU can guarantee peace and security for the Greek people." She also said that equally misleading are the positions expressed by the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) when it refers to "a future replacement of NATO and the EU military structures".

As regards the Greek-Turkish relations, Papariga stated that claims focusing on the Aegean and its natural resources put peace at risk, stressing that the Greek sovereign rights must be protected.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, she said KKE supports "a united, independent Cyprus in a federal bi-zonal and bi-communal solution, with a single sovereignty and international identity, without foreign installations and troops, foreign guarantors and protectors."

"KKE is in favour of the delineation of the territorial waters by Greece and Albania, supports the rights of the Greek minority in Albania and the Albanian immigrants in Greece, does not recognize the Kosovo protectorate, supports the position that the name 'Macedonia' or its derivatives should be used only as a geographic qualifier while, at the same time, putting an end to irredentist propaganda through mutual recognition of the inviolability of the borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries."

Referring to the Middle East issue, she stressed that KKE supports the struggle of the Palestinian people and condemns the pressures exerted on the Palestinian Authority for new compromises, demands the withdrawal of the Israeli army from all occupied Arab territories and calls for the immediate release of all Lebanese and Palestinian political prisoners held by Israel.

KKE also called for the withdrawal of the Israeli army and the restoration of the territorial integrity of Syria and Lebanon and is opposed to the military agreement between Greece and Israel.

[17] Independent Greeks leader presents party's proposals for retired officers

Kammenos emphasised the need for the proclamation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the exploitation of the country's mineral wealth to enable the heavy debt to be tackled.

He also said that the Greek citizen's feeling of security must be protected which, as he said, is being lost in border regions and the centre of Athens and for this reason the reorganising of the Greek Police is necessary and the reorganising of the Harbour Corps and its inclusion in the Shipping ministry.

[18] Eurogroup president hopes Greek people will choose path of euro

Eurogroup president Jean-Claude Juncker expressed his hope here on Thursday that on June 17 the Hellenic Republic will choose the path of remaining in the eurozone and that the Greek people will give this direction with their vote.

Juncker said at the same time that the crisis in Spain is not linked nor affects the Greek issue.

[19] Athens Archbishop Ieronymos briefs PM Pikrammenos on his recent visit to Church of Russia

The meeting lasted for about an hour and the Archbishop referred in particular to the meeting he had in Russia with President Vladimir Putin.

The Archbishop had also visited the President of the Republic at noon whom he briefed on the content of the talks he held in Moscow.

Financial News

[20] Caretaker minister on natural resources, econ growth

Addressing a conference hosted by the National Technical University (NTUA) in Athens to mark the World Environment Day, Tsaltas referred to the key-role the academic community can play in the effort "to shape a new model of environmental behaviour for young scientists who in turn can lead the way to a sustainable developmental policy."

A former rector at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Tsaltas referred to the debate currently underway between the state and members of the academic community focusing on innovation production.

[21] Unemployment shoots to record 21.9pct in March, up 6.2pct from March 2011

ELSTAT, in a seasonally adjusted report, said that the unemployment rate in March 2012 was 21.9% compared to 15.7% in March 2010 and 21.4% in February 2012. The number of employed amounted to 3,843,905 persons.

The number of unemployed amounted to 1,075,081 while the number of inactive to 3,372,144.

The number of employed decreased by 342,134 persons compared with March 2011 (an 8.2% rate of decrease) and by 24,996 persons compared with February 2012 (a 0.6% rate of decrease).

Unemployed increased by 294,706 persons (a 37.8% rate of increase) compared with March 2011 and by 21,625 persons compared with February 2012 (a 2.1% rate of increase).

Inactive persons -that is, persons that neither worked neither looked for a job- increased by 38,751 persons (a 1.2% rate of increase) compared with March 2011 and by 5,350 persons compared with February 2012 (a 0.2% rate of increase).

[22] "Posidonia 2012" ends with record number of visitors

In one day alone, on June 6, roughly 5,200 people visited the 60,000 square meters of the Metropolitan Expo in Spata, greater Athens, recording a 20 pct increase, according to figures provided by its organizers.

The high quality of the event was praised by the participating 1,870 exhibitors representing 87 countries.

[23] New three-year Collective Labour Agreement for PPC employees signed on Thursday evening

The contract anticipates, according to reports, changes in the status of judgements, transfers and disciplinary control of employees, the rationalisation of bonuses following new negotiations that will follow as well as the possibility of the returning of salary decreases, provided that the validity of the medium-term fiscal strategy framework expires.

[24] Greek economic sentiment index eased in May

The Institute, in its monthly report, said that business expectations in the manufacturing and construction sectors fell significantly, while expectations in the services and retail sectors rose slightly in May. Consumer confidence showed signs of improvement.

More analytically, in the manufacturing sector business expectations over short-term production developments fell significantly, while expectations over current orders and demand remained unchanged.

In the services sector, business expectations for current activity and demand for the next quarter deteriorated in May, while expectations over current demand showed signs of recovery.

In the retail sector, expectations over current sales improved, with estimates over inventories remaining unchanged in the month. In the construction sector, business expectations over the current works program remained negative, while expectations over employment in the sector worsened further.

Greek households remained very pessimistic over their finances and the country's economic situations, while saving intention fell to new historic lows in May and pessimistic forecasts over unemployment showed signs of recovery.

The economic sentiment index fell both in the EU and the Eurozone in May.

[25] IKA reports improved revenues in May

IKA, in a statement, attributed this positive development to the results of intensified inspections and the inclusion of 100,000 enterprises in an overdue debt rescheduling program.

Also a 10-million-euro cutback in spending contributed to boosting IKA's revenue.

IKA's management said that following May's figures there was no danger of delaying pension payments to IKA pensioners.

[26] Attica Pharmacists' Association to open bank account to collect donations for prescription drugs

He said the money collected would be used to buy drugs to deal with urgent cases, based on the evaluation of an expert committee.

Lourantos explained that the move aimed to show Greek society that pharmacists were not responsible for the lack of drugs on the market but had been forced into their mobilisation by the actions of EOPYY, which was months behind with payments.

"We have run dry. We have no money to extend credit to EOPYY. Pharmacies are closing daily, not because they are mismanaged or have their own debts but because of the huge debts of the unreliable social insurance system," he underlined.

Lourantos appeared unconvinced by the health minister's assurances that payment would soon be forthcoming, "even when it comes from well-intentioned people", noting that the third installment of the debts for March was now in question in spite of the promises and that no one had mentioned April or May.

He said that 84 people had so far contacted the association to report being unable to find necessary drugs, including cancer patients, multiple sclerosis patients, people with kidney disease, heart disease and many others and that the issue was rapidly evolving into a threat on the lives of thousands of Greeks.

[27] Car sales drop 46.9 pct in May

The statistics service, in a report, said that car registrations in the January-May period fell to 36,070 (new and used ones), down 39.5 pct compared with the same month last year, after a 43.7 pct drop recorded in the corresponding period in 2011.

Motorcycle registrations fell by 24.2 pct in May to 13,269 units, while in the five-month period motorcycle registrations fell by 31.7 pct.

[28] Business Briefs

-- HSBC Bank, a member of HSBC Holdings plc, on Thursday announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its securities firm HSBC Securities to a group of investors led by Nikos Pantelakis, current chief executive of HSBC Securities.

-- Regency Casino Mont Parnes on Thursday reported lower revenues and profits in 2011, with net revenues falling to 83.3 million euros down 21.5 pct from 106.12 million euros in 2010.

[29] Stocks end strongly higher

The Big Cap index rose 3.73 pct and the Mid Cap index ended 3.50 pct higher. The Oil (1.54 pct) sector was the only one to end lower, while Raw Materials (9.39 pct), Constructions (7.59 pct), Commerce (7.29 pct) and Utilities (6.78 pct) were top losers. Mytilineos (11.19 pct), Titan (8.71 pct), PPC (7.50 pct), Folli Follie (7.14 pct) and National Bank (6.18 pct) were top gainers among blue chip stocks. On the other hand, Hellenic Petroleum (1.87 pct), Motor Oil (0.97 pct) and Cyprus Bank (0.43 pct) suffered losses.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 87 to 34 with another 28 issues unchanged. Unibios (30 pct), Revoil (27.16 pct) and Altec (20 pct) were top gainers, while Paperpack (26.83 pct), Avenir (22.58 pct) and Varvaresos (20 pct) were top losers.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Industrials: +2.48%

Commercial: +7.29%

Construction: +7.59%

Oil & Gas: -1.54%

Personal & Household: +1.30%

Raw Materials: +9.39%

Travel & Leisure: +1.32%

Technology: +3.73%

Telecoms: +4.92%

Banks: +3.73%

Food & Beverages: +4.14%

Health: +4.85%

Utilities: +6.78%

Financial Services: +3.25%

The stocks with the highest turnover were OPAP, HBC Coca Cola, National Bank and OTE.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 0.73

Public Power Corp (PPC): 1.29

HBC Coca Cola: 12.50

Hellenic Petroleum: 4.20

National Bank of Greece: 0.99

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 0.43

OPAP: 4.14

OTE: 1.28

Bank of Piraeus: 0.20

Titan: 11.98

[30] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month rate was 1.22 pct, the six-month rate 0.94 pct, the three-month rate 0.66 pct and the one-month rate 0.38 pct.

[31] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 36,302 contracts worth 3.901 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (19,343), followed by Cyprus Bank (3,054), Alpha Bank (6,902), OTE (3,305), PPC (718), OPAP (257), Piraeus Bank (242), Titan (327), Cyprus Popular Bank (359), Mytilineos (895) and Coca Cola 3E (207).

[32] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.278

Pound sterling 0.820

Danish kroner 7.545

Swedish kroner 9.100

Japanese yen 101.58

Swiss franc 1.219

Norwegian kroner 7.702

Canadian dollar 1.308

Australian dollar 1.280

General News

[33] A final farewell to the Athens News Agency's Andreas Christodoulides

Hundreds of mourners, with flowers and wreaths, paid homage to the journalist who was at the helm of Greece's semi-official news agency for 17 years.

Christodoulides was a founding member of the PASOK party. He worked against the military junta ruling Greece between 1967 and 1974 and resisted the coup attempts on Cyprus. For many former colleagues, however, the things for which he will be best remembered were his renowned modesty, courtesy, integrity and principles.

Speakers at the service included the secretary of Cyprus' socialist EDEK party, Demetris Papadakis, who represented Cyprus House Speaker Ioannis Omirou, Antonis Karras, a veteran PASOK party cadre and AMNA staff representative Mihalis Psyllos.

At the same time as the funeral was taking place in Athens, a memorial service was also held in his home town of Nicosia, organised by the local AMNA bureau.

[34] Robber shot dead in high-profile crime

According to initial reports, three unknown individuals, at about 2 a.m. broke into a house in Peania, but the residents spotted them and the perpetrators fled. However, the burglars did not leave the neighborhood and attempted to break into another residence, but when the alarm went off the suspects put a knife to the throat of the owner, a woman, and demanded she turn off the alarm. Meanwhile the woman's two sons, aged 23 and 25, woke up and fought with the suspects, who escaped again.

Later, possibly the same trio broke into a third house in the neighborhood but a resident took notice and fired a shot in the air with a shotgun. The suspects fled but the 25 year-old that had clashed earlier with the burglars left his house and saw two men running away, chased them and shot at them with a shotgun, resulting in the fatal injury of the Albanian , while the other suspect, a compatriot, was arrested by police.

The local man, a university student studying veterinary medicine, surrendered to police.

[35] DIMAR on shooting of migrant, alleged burglar by local

"The justified insecurity of the citizens deriving from the increase of crime and the ineffectiveness of the authorities in facing it, can under no circumstances, in a democratic regime, justify or legitimise armed protection in the name of 'legal self-defence' and taking the law into one's own hands," the DIMAR statement added.

[36] Restoration approved for Delphi Ancient Theater

The study, funded by the Diazoma association with 100,000 euros, seeks to secure and restore the geometry of the Koilon, the bowl-shaped seating area, as well as of the remaining terraced seats.

Ancient Greek theaters were very large, open-air structures that took advantage of sloping hillsides for their terraced seating. Because of drama's close connection with religion, theaters were often located in or near sanctuaries. The Theater of Delphi is located in the sanctuary of the Pythian Apollo, set on the slopes of Mt. Parnassos above the northwestern corner of the renowned temple of Pythian Apollo, presenting the seated audience with a spectacular view of the sanctuary below and the valley beyond.

It is the largest structure of the sanctuary, although classified among the average-size monuments of its kind, with a total capacity of 5,000 spectators.

The Theater was originally built in the 4th century BC of local Parnassos limestone and was subsequently remodeled several times, while the saved part is dated to the 1st century, in the early Roman era.

Its 35 rows can accommodate around five thousand spectators who in ancient times enjoyed plays, poetry readings, and musical events during the various festivals that took place periodically at Delphi. The lower tiers of seats were built during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

The audience sat in the "theatron" or "koilon" (seeing place or auditorium) on circular terraced rows of 'benches", originally wooden and afterwards replaced by stone.

[37] Stolen Rubens masterpiece presented to Belgian ambassador

The 1618 oil sketch (28 x 52 cm) was stolen from the museum in 2001 and was recovered by Greek police in an Athens seaside suburb on Sept. 1, 2011.

The painting depicts one of the most popular themes for the 17th century aristocracy and was bought in London in 1898 by the Belgian museum for 250,000 GBP.

[38] Documentary on voyage of Argonauts to be filmed in Volos from Friday

The municipality said everything was ready for the four-day voyage of a replica 'Argo', the legendary ship that Jason and the Argonauts used to retrieve the Golden Fleece, in the Pagasitic Bay. The ship will embark at 9:00 with a crew of rowers from the 'Argonauts 2008' club and filming will be carried out in waters around the bay with the assistance of 55 rowers from the club.

The film company aims to recreate the conditions that existed during the time of the mythical Jason as closely as possible and the rowers will all be wearing costumes simulating the style of that era.

During filming, the ship will sail as far as Afissos and then spend the night at Milina. On Saturday, filming will continue on the small islands in the region, Trikeri and Agia Kyriaki, and various locations in south Pelion before returning to Volos on Monday.

[39] 15-year-old abducted in Halkida liberated

According to eye-witnesses the boy, son of the manager of the Halkida branch of the National Bank of Greece (NBG) was on his way to school when unknown individuals stopped him at about 8:00 in the morning, put him into their car and sped off.

The boy called by phone his parents after his liberation to come and pick him up at the site he had indicated.

The boy is in good health while, according to the police, no ransom was paid to the abductors.

[40] Police uncover 682 'dummy' blind people drawing benefits on Zakynthos

The case dates back to 1988 and involves inspections of 1,200 case files on benefit recipients, many of whom are now dead. The investigation into the benefits scam is ongoing and the individuals in the 682 cases confirmed so far are being subjected to an expert assessment by opticians working for the Patras first-instance court. The investigation is also establishing the damage to the state sector as a result of the false claims.

[41] Taxi driver arrested with 89.5 kg of unprocessed cannabis

Apart from the drugs, the taxi, 1,000 euros, a precision scale and a mobile phone were also confiscated.

[42] Mobilisations in western Achaia four years after big earthquake

The municipality of Western Achaia will close its services, while merchants will close their stores for two hours in protest to the state because, as they claim, their region has been abandoned.

Agencies are calling for, among other things, their region to be included in the reconstruction programme, the granting of aid to earthquake victims to be completed and the decision on the repayment of loans for businesses that received earthquake loans to be extended and a new town hall to be built.

[43] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Finance Ministry's instructions for the income tax statements".

AVGHI: "We will exit the crisis, we will remain in the eurozone".

AVRIANI: "SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras presented a reliable government platform for the country's rescue, to the G20 ambassadors in Greece".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "International front against German Chancellor Angela Merkel".

ESTIA: "Extreme populism prevails".

ETHNOS: "Find a solution for the crisis right away!".

IMERISSIA: "Banking Union in EU - Guarantee Fund for the bank deposits".

KATHIMERINI: "Foreclosures in the battle for state revenues".

LOGOS: "Operation 'shock and awe' against the debtors".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Immediate relief measures for the people against the tax-robbery".

TA NEA: " Plan 'Iphigenia' - Greece led to the altar".

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