In Brief
PLANES GROUNDED
Air-traffic controllers’ strike means no flights today The domestic and international flights of all airline companies that were scheduled for today have been canceled due to a 24-hour strike by air-traffic controllers. The striking employees are demanding the resolution of problems relating to their medical insurance. They are also protesting ongoing interference in radio frequencies used by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. On its part, the HCCA has asked a court to declare the strike unlawful and abusive. The court’s ruling was expected yesterday. ‘Attila’ affair Cyprus appeals to EU court Nicosia said yesterday that it would appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over comments made last week by a Turkish actor, Attila Olgac, according to which he fatally shot one Greek-Cypriot prisoner of war during the 1974 Cyprus invasion and killed another nine. Cyprus government spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said Nicosia was taking the action to point out Turkey’s failure to comply with its obligations to help determine the fate of those missing. Parnitha protest The prefectural council for eastern Attica has appealed to the Council of State against an amendment to a presidential decree allowing the construction of an industrial park near Mount Parnitha, north of Athens, much of which is a protected area. Local authorities object to plans by private firm Technopolis-Acropolis to build on a 21-hectare site near the national park. Mobile suspensions Five high school pupils in Larissa, central Greece, have been suspended for three days for using their mobile phones in school. The pupils were reportedly using their cell phones to film scenes from classrooms which they then uploaded to the Internet. Although the video contained no content of a sexual or violent nature, the school administration reacted immediately on learning that the footage was being made available for viewing on the Internet. The decision to punish the five pupils, considered to be the «ringleaders,» was taken unanimously by the local teachers’ association. Paint attack Main opposition PASOK party spokesman Giorgos Papaconstantinou was the victim of a paint attack in the central Athens district of Exarchia yesterday. A group of several youths hurled the paint at Papaconstantinou before fleeing on foot. Police immediately launched a search for the perpetrators in the district, which has often been the scene of rioting and clashes between self-styled anarchists and police. US Embassy The consular section of the US Embassy in Athens will remain closed to the public today and on the last Wednesday every month for internal, administrative reasons. In cases of emergency on Wednesdays, information can be obtained by calling 210.721.2951 between 8.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.
