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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-05-16The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather forecastThe day will be almost sunny, with scattered cloud from late afternoon on the mainland, probably followed by storms mainly in the north and centre. Winds northerly, moderate. The temperature in Athens will range from 17 to 30C and in Thessaloniki from 15 to 27C.(16/5/2003 12:02:00 μμ) [02] Simitis' intentions on government reshuffle remain unknownAlthough Prime Minister Costas Simitis is continuing his contacts with PASOK party cadres, he has not opened his cards on the government reshuffle and in general the initiatives he intends to take after the end of the Greek EU Presidency.Yesterday, Mr Simitis gave the green light to the Ministry of Interior to take transparency measures in the public administration. (16/5/2003 12:03:00 μμ) [03] ND party proposes changes on Educational systemEducation Minister Petros Efthymiou criticized New Democracy party's educational programmes presented by the party's Secretary of Political Planning programme George Souflias.Specifically the main opposition party proposes a 12-year long obligatory education, the abolishing of the panhellenic exams at second class Lyceum, the replacement of Technological Vocational Institutes with vocational Lyceums, as well as the establishment of private Universities. The party's President Costas Karamanlis stated that the programme aims to reform the educational system, accusing at the same time the government of introducing a series of reforms in Education that had failed. From its side, the Greek Communist party announced that the New Democracy party is ready to continue the government policy, so as education fully complies with the interests of the market. Finally, in an interview with NET 105.8, University of Athens rector George Babiniotis expressed his opposition to the establishment of private Universities. (16/5/2003 12:05:00 μμ) [04] Greek economy continues to develop says EurostatAccording to the data of Eurostat for the first trimester 2003, the Greek economy continues to develop, while the growth rate at Euro zone countries has reached a standstill.The growth rate in Greece rose by 2.9%, while in comparison to the first trimester last year development in the Euro zone has remained the same during this year's trimester. During the same period, the growth rate has remained the same in the Euro zone and the European Union as well. Besides, the growth rate in Greece rose by 4.3% of the Gross National Product in comparison to the first trimester in 2002. At the same period, the growth rate of the European Union rose by 1% of the Gross National Product and of the Euro zone by 0.8% in relation to the respective percentages of the first trimester of 2002. Commenting on the data of Eurostat, Press Committee spokesman Gerasimos Thomas stated that the data regarding the growth rate in the Euro zone and the European Union is discouraging and surprising since a 0.1% increase of the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product was expected. However, he added that this development does not in any way revise our forecasts for the second half of 2003, during which a 1% increase of the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product is expected. (16/5/2003 12:06:00 μμ) [05] First SARS case detected in the UKThe health of the 23-year old South African airhostess, who had been hospitalized at an Athens hospital to be treated because she was thought to had been infected with the SARS virus, is improving. The final results of the tests will be available in two weeks time.Meanwhile, Britain verified its first SARS case, while the authorities reported that the patient recovered and no further measures were demanded for the protection of the public health. Britain has three more possible SARS cases, while the number of the SARS victims all over the world has reached 600. At the same time, China is taking special measures to prevent the spread of the SARS virus. The authorities have warned that anyone endangering public security or causing death or injury by deliberately spreading a contagious disease could face execution or imprisonment. In Taiwan, one more person died of SARS, while ten more cases were detected. On a relative development, Ireland asked Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines not to send any of their athletes to the Special Olympics, scheduled to take place on June 21 because it fears the spread of the disease. Finally, International Olympic Commission President Jacques Rogge advised calm and compliance with the rules for the prevention of the illness, so as no discrimination is made to Asian athletes who will take part in the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games. (16/5/2003 12:07:00 μμ) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |