Scavengers close landfill
The management of the capital’s biggest landfill at Fyli, northwestern Athens, was forced to close down the dump again yesterday after dozens of people, including young children, entered the premises in search of scrap metal and other recyclable waste. According to authorities, the landfill stopped operations at 11 a.m. over concerns for the safety of the scrap collectors, who have raided the dump dozens of times over the past few months, leading to its closure on several occasions.
No return.
Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis has ruled out the possibility of his party returning to the coalition government it quit in June over the closure of public broadcaster ERT. “The reasons for our departure remain and we disagree with government policy,” Kouvelis told Real News weekly. He also argued the government would have to call snap elections if it plans to agree a third bailout with Greece’s lenders. “If there is an issue of a new agreement with Greece’s partners that will include new onerous measures, this will be a reason for calling elections,” said Kouvelis.
Debt arrest.
A 45-year-old man was arrested in Pella, northern Greece, yesterday over debts to the state in excess of 3.7 million euros.
Serres death.
A 50-year-old man died in the village of Limnohori in Serres, northern Greece, yesterday after being crushed under the debris of a wall that collapsed. The man, whose body was discovered by relatives, is believed to have been cutting down trees for firewood on an abandoned property near his house when a wall which was supported by a tree gave way.
Municipal strike.
The union representing municipal workers (POE-OTA) said yesterday that it is planning a work stoppage on Friday, January 10, so that members of the union can attend a protest rally at the central Athens court complex where the union’s general council is to go on trial. The stoppage will start at 11 a.m., ahead of the noon gathering at the court, where 35 unionists are to stand trial in connection with extended strike action in October 2011 to protest cutbacks imposed by the government.
TO OUR READERS.
Kathimerini English Edition and the International New York Times will not be published on Monday due to the Epiphany holiday. We will back on Tuesday.