Athens - Greek state carrier Olympic Airlines will cancel around 100 domestic and international flights on Thursday as air traffic controllers and flight crews launch a
24-hour strike in protest against government plans to privatize the airline.

The cancellations will cover approximately 100 flights to European destinations such as London, Rome, Brussels and Frankfurt, reports said. Some domestic flights would also be canceled.

Last month, the Greek government launched a tender to sell off the ailing airline, saying it would find new public sector jobs for its workers.

Officials have said Qatar Airways is among the investors interested in the sale but union leaders have pledged to halt the privatization.

Athens/Nicosia  - The drought-stricken island of Cyprus welcomed its first rain storm in recent months Wednesday which ended up causing flooding to many parts of the eastern Mediterranean island.

Heavy storms forced the closure of two main roads in the capital Nicosia and emergency crews were called in to evacuate more than 300 homes due to heavy flooding.

Cyprus, which is heavily reliant on rainfall for water supplies, is suffering one of the worst droughts and water shortages in the past 100 years.

Athens - All flights to and from Greece will be suspended for several hours on Tuesday during the latest nationwide strike which will also shut down banks, schools, public transport and enforce a news blackout to protest drastic economic policies.

Air traffic controllers were due to stop work for four hours, as of noon, as part of the strike called by Greece's two largest unions, private sector federation GSEE and public sector ADEDY, representing more than half of the country's 5 million workforce.

Athens - Greek state carrier Olympic Airlines will cancel more than 70 domestic and international flights on Tuesday as air traffic controllers and flight crews join a nationwide 24-hour strike against government plans to privatize the airline.

The cancellations, which will affect Olympic and Aegean Airlines, will cover a total of 100 flights to European destinations such as London, Rome, Paris and Frankfurt, reports said. Some domestic flights would also be canceled.

Officials at Athens International Airport said that no aircraft will be allowed to land or depart for four hours starting at noon Tuesday, due to the strike.

Athens - Clashes between illegal immigrants battling to board ferries bound for Italy from the western Greek port of Patras are on the rise and local authorities and residents are appealing for help to contain the violence, reports said Tuesday.

Fights between Afghan and African immigrants about who can attempt to sneak aboard daily ferries to Italy have broken out in recent weeks.

Hundreds of Afghan immigrants live in makeshift camps at the port in Patras. The camps have gradually been established over the past few years to accommodate the immigrants who daily try to illegally board ferries to Italy.

Athens - A strong earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Ric