11.   For them the changeover to euro cash means losing three zeros and gaining a decimal point.

12.   French bank workers, meanwhile, plan to go ahead with a strike on Wednesday, the first day of business following the launch of euro cash.

13.   Greece reopened for business after the New Year break on Thursday, giving the euro cash a good-humoured reception.

14.   Government officials and banking and retail representatives have appealed to all parties to spare the launch of euro cash the effects of widespread social discontent.

15.   Greece and Portugal have turned to well-established institutions to aid the changeover to euro cash, soliciting churches to help in the information campaign for the single European currency.

16.   However government officials and banking and retail representatives have appealed to all parties to spare the launch of euro cash the effects of widespread social discontent.

17.   However the fall of inflation runs counter to claims by consumer groups that there were widespread price increases by retailers during the changeover to euro cash.

18.   However, evidence is mounting that the switch to euro cash has caused some increases in prices in some euro-zone countries.

19.   In Algeria, banks have also received their first euro cash.

20.   In Vienna, Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and visiting European Commission President Romano Prodi planned to use their euro cash at midnight to buy flowers for their wives.