The Hellenic Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (POSDEP) yesterday accused the government of deliberately trying to portray Greek universities in a negative light to get public backing for its reforms. POSDEP President Lazaros Apekis said it was “a world first” for a prime minister to “defame” his country’s institutions. POSDEP called on the government to “stop its propaganda” and to exercise caution during the rally against education reforms in central Athens today after last week’s protest ended in violence.

An 18-year-old woman was seriously injured in Iraklion, Crete, yesterday when a worker and part of a second-floor balcony fell on her as she was walking along the road. The worker was fitting railings to the balcony when it gave way. The woman was unconscious when she was rushed to the hospital. Doctors did not give details of her condition last night. The 40-year-old worker was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

A prosecutor yesterday issued a string of criminal and misdemeanor charges against six men caught in possession of Molotov cocktails after a volleyball match on Sunday night. The six suspects, aged 22 to 24, have been charged with illegal possession of explosives, firearms and flare guns. Police said that searches at the homes of some of the suspects uncovered materials used to make explosives.

Air Marshal Ioannis Yiagos was named as the new head of the Air Force General Staff (GEA) yesterday, replacing Air Marshal Giorgos Avlonitis. The decision was announced after a meeting of the State Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) which was chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. Yiagos had been head of the Greek Tactical Air Force since September 2004. Officials did not give a reason for the appointment.

A number of international and domestic flights were delayed or postponed at Athens International Airport (AIA) on Monday night due to foggy conditions, authorities said. Five flights due to leave Athens were canceled while 12 planes scheduled to land at AIA were grounded at nearby airports. Heavy fog covered the airport between 10 p.m. Monday and 3 a.m. yesterday.

The coast guard yesterday detained 21 illegal immigrants off the eastern Aegean island of Samos and arrested a suspected human trafficker. The illegal immigrants, including 10 women and a child, were found on a wooden boat in the early morning hours after they had crossed into Greece from Turkish shores. No information was available on the suspect.