A moderate earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Ricther scale shook the island of Crete at around 23:30 on Saturday night and was widely felt in the city of Iraklio and eastern parts of the island. Local inhabitants also reported that the quake had an unusually long duration.

A "huge anti-government operation" is underway that involves the collaboration of both economic interests and political forces in the country, government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos asserted in an interview published by the newspaper "Documento" on Sunday.

Greece has taken "one more step toward normality" and is steadily moving toward growth that the European Commission is determined to support, EC spokesperson Margaritis Schinas told the newspaper 'Nea Selida' in an interview published on Sunday.

A new National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) programme of 120 million euros will be launched in September for the financing of small and medium sized tourist enterprises, secretary general of tourism policy and development Giorgos Tziallas said in a conference organised by 'Peloponnisos' newspaper.