Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-07-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Moderate quake felt in western Greece

[02] Terrorist suspect confesses involvement in November 17

[03] Floods in northern Greece wreak havoc (ADDS detail)

[04] Floods in northern Greece wreak havoc

[05] Weather Forecast: Unsettled on Monday

[06] Police mount guard at Nafplio jail after inmates' revolt

[07] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[08] State doctors on 24-hour strike Monday

[09] Weather Forecast: Rainy, stormy on Sunday

[01] Moderate quake felt in western Greece

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale was recorded early Sunday evening in a sea region off the large Ionian island of Cephallonia, an area often plagued by seismic activity.

The quake was recorded at 8:16 p.m., with seismologists at the University of Patra noting that its epicentre was located some 15 kilometres below the seabed.

The tremor was reportedly felt in much of southwestern Greece, although no damages were reported.

[02] Terrorist suspect confesses involvement in November 17

A suspected terrorist identified as Patroklos Tselendis on Sunday confessed to involvement in attacks perpetrated by the deadly November 17 group, which police have been unravelling over the past month, sources said.

Tselendis, who allegedly operated under the pseudonyms ''Alekos'' or ''Tenias'' told appeals magistrate Leonidas Zervobeakos that he had taken part in a number of attacks carried out by group, the same sources said.

[03] Floods in northern Greece wreak havoc (ADDS detail)

Northern Greece was badly hit by floods in the wake of torrential rain, storms, high winds and hail at the weekend.

The fire brigade was called out to rescue people whose basement homes were waterlogged and others trapped in lifts due to power cuts that resulted from the storms.

Many roads were blocked due to rainwater, mud and rockfalls; and fierce winds uprooted trees. In some areas, automobiles were swept away by the torrent, authorities said.

Worst hit by the unseasonal weather were Halkidiki, a popular tourism venue, where many coastal roads were blocked, severely impeding transport and communications. One camping site had to be evacuated due to flooding.

Officials in Thessaloniki, the country's second city, said that a storm had left no damage.

[04] Floods in northern Greece wreak havoc

Northern Greece was badly hit by floods on Sunday in the wake of torrential rain, storms, high winds and hail.

The fire brigade was called out to rescue people whose basement homes were waterlogged, and some who were trapped in lifts due to power cuts that resulted from the storms.

Many roads were blocked due to rainwater, mud and rockfalls; and fierce winds uprooted trees, authorities said.

[05] Weather Forecast: Unsettled on Monday

Unsettled weather is forecast in all parts of the country with cloud, sunny spells, rain and storms. The north is expected to bear the brunt of the bad weather. Winds variable, light, turning northerly, light to moderate, later in the day. In the north, temperatures will range from 14C to 26C; in the Ionian and on the rest of the mainland from 18C to 31; and in the Aegean islands from 22C to 30C. Temperatures in Athens between 22C and 30C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 17C to 25C.

[06] Police mount guard at Nafplio jail after inmates' revolt

Police mounted a heavy guard outside a prison near the coastal resort of Nafplio in the Peloponnese on Sunday after a revolt ended by inmates who set set fire to their mattresses and broke up furniture.

The revolt by about 100 prisoners that erupted on Saturday night in one wing of Tyrintha jail finished the next morning after police entered the prison accompanied by police.

[07] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank until Monday

U.S. dollar 1.008

Pound sterling 0.638

Danish kroner 7.493

Swedish kroner 9.517

Japanese yen 118.4

Swiss franc 1.461

Norwegian kroner 7.623

Cyprus pound 0.579

Canadian dollar 1.584

Australian dollar 1.869

[08] State doctors on 24-hour strike Monday

Doctors in state health centres and practices are to stage a 24-hour strike on Monday in a lasting dispute with the government over pay and status.

Employed by the Social Security Foundation, the doctors are seeking payment of a monthly allowance given to staff in state agencies overseen by the health ministry; and salaried status for 5,500 colleagues hired on a contractual basis.

Minimum staff will report to work during the strike to handle emergencies as required by law.

[09] Weather Forecast: Rainy, stormy on Sunday

Unsettled weather with cloud, rain and storms is forecast in all parts of the country. Winds variable, moderate, turning strong at sea. In the north, temperatures will range from 15C to 26C; in the Ionian and on the rest of the mainland from 18C to 30C; and in the Aegean islands from 22C to 31C. Showers and storms are expected in Athens with temperatures between 22C and 29C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 20C to 26C.

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