[02] FM Papandreou sees 'positive step' towards EU defence

NAPLES (ANA/Ch.Poulidou) - Greece's foreign minister George Papandreou described as a ''positive step'' towards formulation of a European defence the trend towards acceptance by the ''EU 25'' of a German-French-British proposal.

Referring to a discussion in Naples by the 25 foreign ministers of the European Union member states and new members slated to join in May, Papandreou said that ''a wider consensus'' was formed that ''creates the tendency towards universal acceptance of the proposals concerning structured cooperation and the mutual assistance clause''.

Papandreou further observed that the relevant proposal constituted ''a solution that reflects the necessary balances among the Europeanists, the neutrals and the pro-NATO members'', and noted the reservations manifested by the neutral countries (Finland, Sweden, Ireland and Austria) with respect to the mutual assistance clause.

[03] Orthodox Church opens new medical centre in S. Albania

GJIROKASTR (ANA/P.Barkas) - A new Church-run medical centre was inaugurated on Saturday in the predominately ethnic Greek village of Georgoutsati, in the Gjirokastr region of southern Albania.

The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania oversaw the centres construction, staffing and equipping, with Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania inaugurating the new US$335,000 centre.

Moreover, a World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) delegation led by its president, Andrew Athens, also attended the event, as the ethnic Greek organisation will assume the centres operational costs and expansion.

The facility includes five wards -- microbiology, radiology, ophthalmology, pathology and pediatrics offering care to local residents regardless of religion and ethnic background.

The Evangelismos Orthodox Medical Centre is the latest in a series of charitable foundations and institutions funded and operated by the Orthodox Church in the neighbouring countrys south.

[04] Athens04 issues collectors' edition on Modern Olympic Games

The 'Athens.04' magazine, the official periodical of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games organising committee (ATHOC), has issued a special collectors' edition with an impressive double cover picturing a brimming Panathenian Stadium during the first Modern Olympics in 1896 and the award ceremony for the historic Marathon race won by Spyros Louis.

The collectors' edition presents all the Olympic medalists from the revival of the Games in 1896 up to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, together with a brief description of the conditions in which the Greek champions won their medals.

The excellent quality publication takes the reader on a magical trip into time, with rare photographic documents, featuring the legendary Greek athletes who brought medals to Greece and made the motherland proud of their achievements.

Other photographic documents nclude the opening and closing ceremonies of all the modern Olympic Games and their venues.

[05] ND postpones unveiling of Health platform after Souflias injury in car crash

The main opposition New Democracy party (ND) on Sunday announced the postponement of its unveiling of its Health sector platform, originally scheduled for Monday, following the injury of its Policy Planning director George Souflias in a late night traffic accident in a northern Athens suburb.

Souflias and his wife, Mariana, were injured in a car crash late Saturday night in the suburb of Aghia Paraskevi. Both were rushed to KAT hospital where they were placed in the intensive care unit ''for precautionary reasons'' but were not facing life-threatening injuries.

Attending physicians said Souflias had two broken ribs, while his wife suffered less serious injuries. Both were also suffering from several fractures in the chest area. The doctors said there was no cause for concern over their health.

Health minister Costas Stefanis, ND leader Costas Karamanlis and several ND MPs rushed to the hospital upon learning of the accident to see Souflias and consult with the doctors.

Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and a number of MPs also visited Souflias on Sunday.

[06] Weather Forecast: Rain on Monday

Rain is forecast for most parts of the country on Monday. Cloud with local rain and storms are expected in the east and north, cloud in the west, and rainfall in the south and the islands.

Athens will be cloudy with sporadic storms, and temperatures of 12-14 C. The same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures of 10-13 C.

[07] ND postpones unveiling of Health platform after Souflias injury in car crash

The main opposition New Democracy party (ND) on Sunday announced the postponement of its unveiling of its Health sector platform, originally scheduled for Monday, following the injury of its Policy Planning director George Souflias in a late night traffic accident in a northern Athens suburb.

Souflias and his wife, Mariana, were injured in a car crash late Saturday night in the suburb of Aghia Paraskevi. Both were rushed to KAT hospital where they were placed in the intensive care unit ''for precautionary reasons'' but were not facing life-threatening injuries.

[08] Weather Forecast: Rain on Sunday

Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for most of the country on Sunday, with snow expected in the northern mountainous regions as well. South to southwesterly winds in the Aegean during the daytime, moderate to strong. Temperatures between 11C to 15C in the north; 10C to 18C on the rest of the mainland and 10C to 22C on the islands.

Cloudy with rain in Athens, 13C to 18C. Showers in Thessaloniki, 12C to 15C.

[09] Foreign Exchange Rates: Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.209

Pound sterling 0.702

Danish kroner 7.499

Swedish kroner 9.119

Japanese yen 132.2

Swiss franc 1.560

Norwegian kroner 8.227

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.567

Australian dollar 1.671

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