Tests on four birds — three swans and one cormorant — found in northern Greece came back positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the Agriculture Ministry said on Sunday. The discovery, confirmed by the EU Reference Laboratory for avian influenza in Weybridge, England, brings the total number of H5N1 cases in Greece to 26, all in wild birds. The government has banned bird hunting and the transport of live poultry in areas with confirmed H5N1 cases.

The coast guard detained on Sunday 11 illegal migrants in a wooden boat near the Eastern Aegean islet of Oinousses, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. The immigrants, whose nationalities were not disclosed, are believed to have sailed from Turkey. They were taken to the nearby island of Chios for medical tests.

A taxi driver was injured yesterday after being attacked by two male passengers in Kallithea, southern Athens, police said. The driver suffered a cut to his throat and right leg as the two men stole 100 euros from him.

A 66-year-old woman was bound and robbed in Avlona, north of Athens, yesterday after three men broke into her house. The men broke in through a window and tied the woman up before making away with an unknown amount of money and her mobile phone. The woman eventually freed herself and called for help from her neighbors.

The government’s decision to grant local government autonomy to three communities which had been merged within larger municipalities in the Capodistrias program nine years ago has prompted a number of other municipal departments around the country to follow suit. However, the government is adamant that the communities of Vrahasi, Tsaritsani and Zoniana were exceptional cases.

Municipalities up their demands for greater autonomy