A nationwide strike in Greece today has grounded flights, shut down ministries and schools, and disrupted public services.
The 24-hour strike was organized to protest austerity measures imposed by the government to pull the country out of its financial crisis.
The strike was called by the country's two largest unions, which represent nearly half of Greece's 5 million workers. Protest marches are planned later today in the capital Athens and other cities.
The government's austerity measures include a wage freeze in the public sector, tax rises, and the raising of the average retirement age from 61 to 63.
The government says the measures are needed to bring the country's huge debt and budget deficit under control.
Greece's financial problems have sent the common European currency -- the euro -- tumbling in recent weeks.