Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-03-16

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Protesters stage anti-war rallies at military bases

[02] No reports of mystery pneumonia virus in Greece (ADDS symptoms)

[03] No reports of mystery pneumonia virus in Greece

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud, storms on Monday

[05] Greece welcomes US backing for Israel, Palestine plan

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[01] Protesters stage anti-war rallies at military bases

Protesters on Sunday held rallies against a planned US-led war against Iraq at military bases around the country.

In Hania, Cretea peace rally of about 3,000 protestors outside the Marathio base was disrupted by youths who threw rocks at police and other demonstrators.

Near Larisa, police cordoned off a NATO military headquarters at Tyrnavos when hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside to protest against war on Iraq and the new world order.

Another rally was also held in Kavala the previous day to protest against the planned creation of a NATO port outside the northern town.

[02] No reports of mystery pneumonia virus in Greece (ADDS symptoms)

No instances have been reported in Greece of a mystery strain of pneumonia that has killed at least nine people abroad, sparking a warning from the World Health Organisation, the government said on Sunday.

The source of the atypical pneumonia was in southeast Asia with isolated cases reported elsewhere due to travel to the region or contact with travellers, the health ministry said in a statement.

Healthcare authorities have been instructed to remain on the alert for any possible cases of the disease, the statement added.

Initial symptoms of the disease include fever, aching muscles, a dry cough, rapid or difficult breathing, and headache. The condition can evolve into full pneumonia and acute respiratory failure, leading to death, according to Greece's Control Centre for Special Infections.

The virus is transmitted through close contact with carriers, defined as care of patients, cohabitation, or direct contact with respiratory secretions or other bodily fluids, the centre said in a circular to healthcare workers.

The government warned the public to avoid unnecessary trips to China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

[03] No reports of mystery pneumonia virus in Greece

No instances have been reported in Greece of a mystery strain of pneumonia that has killed at least nine people abroad, sparking a warning from the World Health Organisation, the health ministry said on Sunday.

The source of the atypical pneumonia was in southeast Asia with isolated cases reported elsewhere due to travel to the region or contact with travellers, the ministry said in a statement.

Authorities have been instructed to remain on the alert for any possible cases of the disease, the statement added.

The ministry also warned people to avoid unnecessary trips to China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud, storms on Monday

Cloud is forecast in all parts of the country, turning to storms in many areas with snow on high ground and in low lying areas of the centre. Adverse weather conditions are expected to ease off on the mainland from evening. Winds variable, very strong to gale force. In the north, temperatures will range from -2C to 8C; on the rest of the mainland and in the Ionian from 2C to 11C; and in the Aegean islands from 7C to 13C. Temperatures in Athens between 5C and 10C; and in Thessaloniki from 2C to 8C.

[05] Greece welcomes US backing for Israel, Palestine plan

The government on Sunday welcomed a statement by US President George Bush reaffirming support for the application of a road map that would allow the creation of two states - Israel and Palestine - by 2005.

''This is a positive step towards reactivation of the peace process in the Middle East,'' foreign ministry spokesman Panayiotis Beglitis said in response to a media question.

''The European Union remains a steady supporter of the road map and the peace process, and President Bush's statement contributes to reinforcement of the role of the ''quartet'', which must now proceed immediately with concrete action,'' Beglitis said in a statement.

A return to the political negotiating table was the only way to stop a vicious cycle of violence and conflict in the region, he added.

[06] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.086

Pound sterling 0.683

Danish kroner 7.488

Swedish kroner 9.279

Japanese yen 128.7

Swiss franc 1.479

Norwegian kroner 7.838

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.616

Australian dollar 1.822

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