Greece, schools reopen as teachers strike

  The new school year began on Tuesday with teachers at public and private elementary and junior high schools in Greece saying they would not be showing for work on Wednesday in protest against wage cuts contained in the government's new austerity package and the lack of teaching staff across the education system. Unions have also spoken out against the problems facing many schools particularly in northern Greece due to the lack of funds; some may even find themselves unable to provide heating for students. University lecturers and teachers at technical institutes are also agitating, with a strike held by the former on Monday and the latter having decided to stay away from their classrooms all week.