Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis yesterday met with Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos who briefed him on the law granting absentee voting rights to Greeks living abroad that is to be submitted to the House within the week.

The deadline for application submission by Greek citizens living abroad wishing to vote in the upcoming European elections in June has been extended to April 14th following a decision signed yesterday by Interior Minister, Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Former Victoria State Labor Minister, Theo Theophanous will face pre-trail proceedings on rape charges against him on July 6, 2009. Theophanous who emphatically denies the charges insists on his innocence and is certain that "the truth will shine through".

Two Greek-Australians are strong anti-smoking advocates and if the legislation the two Melbourne mayors are promoting comes into effect, smokers will soon have to pay hefty fines of up to one thousand dollars if found smoking near playgrounds.

The Secretary of the Council for Hellenes Abroad, Dr. Olga Sarantopoulou visited the Greeks of Serbia in Belgrade, the place where the great 18th century visionary, Rigas Feraios lived and was executed.