goinggreek.info
To Kafeneion => Grapevine / News Briefs => Topic started by: Maik on Monday, 05 February, 2024 @ 00:01:51
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Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £ 0.8815 GBP £1 GBP = 1.1344 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.1156 USD $1 USD = 0.8963 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.7116 AUD $1 AUD = 0.5842 €UR
Based on Alpha Bank exchange rates, these are widely used by exchange agencies in Greece.
Other banks likely to offer a different rate which may be marginally higher or lower.
Banks and foreign exchange offices normally charge standard 2% commission.
You may get a better rate changing your holiday money in advance at e.g. the Post Office (https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money).
NB: some f-ex agencies advertise "No Commission".
Invariably, they deduct commission before they (don't) advertise the rate.
Foreign exchange offices are businesses, not charities.
Ten day weather forecast for Kefalonia:
This is an overall forecast, due to the mountainous terrain the weather can be very localised.
Updated forecast @ weather.com (https://weather.com/en-IE/weather/tenday/l/GRXX0035:1:GR)
Day, Date Hi°/Lo° Wind sp Wet Forecast
Mon 05/02 18°/08° 15 km/h 06% Sunny
Tue 06/02 18°/08° 08 km/h 07% Sunny
Wed 07/02 18°/12° 11 km/h 06% Cloudy
Thu 08/02 17°/09° 15 km/h 44% Showers possible
Fri 09/02 18°/11° 12 km/h 06% Sunny
Sat 10/02 18°/13° 24 km/h 06% Sun & cloud
Sun 11/02 18°/12° 43 km/h 68% Showers & very strong winds probable
Mon 12/02 17°/10° 28 km/h 62% Light rain probable
Tue 13/02 16°/10° 20 km/h 53% Showers probable
Wed 14/02 16°/09° 22 km/h 48% Showers possible
National Bank of Greece exchange rates used.
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UK state pension age will soon need to rise to 71, say experts
Research on life expectancy and birthrates shows that ill health makes status quo unsustainable
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/feb/05/uk-state-pension-age-will-soon-need-to-rise-to-71-say-experts
‘I can’t take it much longer’: workers too young for UK pension
People in middle age tell of difficulties finding suitable work and managing financially
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/feb/05/i-cant-take-it-much-longer-workers-too-young-for-uk-pension
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New plan to tackle housing crisis
In a bid to curb the sharp increase in sales prices and rents in recent years, the government is seeking to return a large number of closed properties across Greece to the market.
According to data from the Finance Ministry, over 650,000 properties in Greece are unoccupied. Of these, an estimated 150,000 are located in Attica and Thessaloniki. Naturally, a large number of the properties that seem vacant right now are secondary properties – like holiday homes that haven’t been used in years – or are abandoned.
At the same time, the tax authority will conduct cross-checks to determine which are vacant and which are being leased but without being declared.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1230791/new-plan-to-tackle-housing-crisis/
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Ian Lavender: Dad's Army star dies aged 77
The Dad's Army actor Ian Lavender, who played Private Pike in the hit TV series, has died at the age of 77.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68204488
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King Charles III diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace says
King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, says Buckingham Palace.
It is not prostate cancer, but was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The type of cancer has not been revealed, but according to a palace statement the King began "regular treatments" on Monday.
Buckingham Palace says the King "remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68208157
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The Acropolis got €60 mln worth of visitors in 2023
Revenue from visits to the Acropolis went up by €14 million from the previous year’s €46 million, the culture minister said on Monday.
Speaking to lawmakers in Parliament, Lina Mendoni said that “upgrades of all services,” such as a new electronic ticket system, have driven a “constant increase” in the iconic historical site’s revenues.
Responding to objections at a decision to increase the cost of admission, which opposition lawmakers say will go up as much as 300%, Mendoni said that the monument’s new pricing falls in line with policies established in other European Union member states, and that it will be implemented come April of 2025.
Compared to national monuments of a similar caliber in other EU countries, she said, ticket prices in Greece “are significantly lower.”
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1230911/the-acropolis-got-e60-mln-worth-of-visitors-in-2023/