Athens - Hundreds of truck drivers blocked key ports and border crossings across Greece on Friday, demanding that authorities increase inspections on foreign trucks entering the country.

Angry truck drivers blocked the crossings of Evzones and Promachonas, at the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria, as well as the main port of Patras in western Greece.

The drivers say foreign trucks smuggle undocumented immigrants into the country.

"Greek trucks always get pulled over for inspections, but drivers bringing foreign goods into Greece cross the border without any checks," Apostolos Kenanidis, the head of the union representing the drivers, told the Greek daily Kathimerini in remarks published Friday.

Athens  - Greek police defused a car bomb outside Citibank's headquarters in Athens on Wednesday, hours after gunmen shot at a private television station.

Reports said the stolen car was parked in the courtyard of Citibank's offices in the northern Athens suburb of Kifissia.

Ani-bomb forces defused the home-made device after a security guard called police after seeing three men leave the vehicle.

Athens  - Tens of thous

Athens/Nicosia - The European Union's chief official for enlargement urged rival leaders on the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus Friday to seize the unique chance for peace this year.

"There is a unique chance this year to reunite Cyprus and to bring an end this long-standing conflict on European soil," Olli Rehn, the European Union commissioner for enlargement, told journalists.

Speaking within a buffer zone that divides Cyprus' capital, Nicosia, Rehn said the EU was prepared to do everything possible to carry out a solution, adding "this chance must be taken and not missed."

Athens - Some 36 migrants were rescued from the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greece Saturday, following a rescue operation in heavy seas and strong winds, Greek authorities have said.

The fishing boat in which the migrants were travelling began to take on water during the night, and gave an emergency signal. Greek state radio reported that a local patrol vessel responded and succeeded in rescuing the occupants of the troubled craft.

Athens - Greece's government called off the latest tender process for Olympic Airlines after bids submitted by interested buyers were found to be too low, reports said Thursday.

"The bids that were submitted do not meet our demands," Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis said, adding, "We are addressing an open proposal to Greek business groups for the sale of Olympic through immediate negotiations."