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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-06-06The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather forecastThe day will start sunny with scattered cloud from afternoon. Showers are likely in Crete in the morning. Winds north-northeasterly, light to strong. The temperature in Athens will range from 19 to 30C and in Thessaloniki from 18 to 29C(6/6/2003 11:01:00 ðì) [02] EU Interest rates slashed by half a percentage pointThe European Central Bank has slashed interest rates in the 12-nation eurozone by half a percentage point to 2%, in the face of fears of deflation and renewed recession.The decision marks a radical departure from the ECB's usually cautious stance, but was widely predicted in Europe and elsewhere after the eurozone failed to grow at all during the first three months of the year. Economists have pointed to recent statements by ECB President Wim Duisenberg, particularly at a central bankers' conference earlier this week in Berlin, that inflation was set to fall "more significantly" in 2004. The slash of the interest rates will lead to cheaper loans, while depositing money at banks will be even less profitable. Mr Duisenberg also said that the forecasts for the growth rate in 2003 and 2004 would not be valid, adding that the drop of interest rates would increase the competitiveness of eurozone prices. Commercial Banks are expected to proceed with the drop of their interest rates in the coming days, while HSBC Bank has announced a drop of its interest rates on housing loans. Besides, the central Bank of Sweden dropped its interest rates by half a percentage point, while British interest rates remained the same. (6/6/2003 11:03:00 ðì) [03] Non-European citizens residing in the EU for over five years enjoy EU privilegesCitizens of other countries, who have been residing in a European Union member state for at least five years, will have the right to settle in other European Union member country enjoying the same treatment with European Union citizens, namely employment, social insurance and education. This was agreed at the European Committee of Ministers of Domestic Affairs in Luxemburg under the presidency of Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysohoides.(6/6/2003 11:05:00 ðì) [04] Athens airport awarded IATA prizeThe Athens Airport Eleftherios Venizelos was awarded the Eagle 2003 prize of the IATA that represents 280 air carriers from all over the world. The Athens airport was honored for its contribution to air carrier sector with the implementation of measures that kept charges low to airline companies. Singapore and Melbourne airports were awarded the same prize.(6/6/2003 11:06:00 ðì) [05] Greek waters cleanAlmost all swimming regions in Greece, meet specifications set by the European Union, a fact which the European Commission's annual report on the quality of swimming waters, publicised here on Thursday, registers as ''very notable.''The report says that, according to readings made during the swimming period in 2002 (the swimming period lasts for 4.5-5 months in accordance with geographical position and climatic conditions, while readings are completed in October of each year and are publicised in the following spring), 99 percent of swimming regions in Greece ''not only meet compulsory readings set by the relevant directive, but the strictest suggested readings as well.'' Specifically, out of the 1914 beaches, 1866 got the 'blue' flag, which means they met the strictest criteria, 46 got the 'green' flag, which means they were suitable for swimmers and only two beaches were described as unsuitable. (6/6/2003 11:13:00 ðì) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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