Athens  - Global warming will curb rainfall and fuel forest fires throughout Greece, Christos Zerefos, one of two Greek scientists awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to combat climate

Athens/Nicosia  - Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders were set to meet on Friday to access whether reunification talks to end the decades-old division of the eastern Mediterranean island will proceed

Stockholm  - Greek President Karolos Papoulias arrived Tuesday for a three-day state visit that included a ride in a horse- drawn carriage from the Royal Mews in downtown Stockholm to the Royal Palace with King Carl Gustaf.

Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria rode in a second carriage.

The Swedish royals hosted a private luncheon for the president that was also attended by the king's sister, Princess Christina and her husband Tord Magnuson.

The president also visited parliament and met with speaker Per Westerberg and later had talks with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Sydney - Australian mobster Tony Mokbel began serving a 12- year jail sentence for cocaine-trafficking Saturday after his extradition from Greece.

Athens  - Strikes by union groups upset by Greek government privatisation plans and pension reforms disrupted air transport and state services on Thursday.

Athens  - Ships will remain anchored at ports across Greece and air transport is expected to be disrupted on Thursday after union groups Wednesday called a
24-hour nationwide strike to protest against government privatisation plans.

Hundreds of ships are expected to remain anchored at the ports of Pireaus near Athens and in the northern port city of Thessaloniki while bank and hospital workers will also walk off the job.