22/03/24

[Maik]

Today’s bank rates:   
1 €UR = $ 0.8856 GBP   £1 GBP = 1.1291 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.1216 USD   £1 USD = 0.8915 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.7077 AUD   $1 AUD = 0.5855 €UR
   
Based on National Bank of Greece exchange rates.   
Other banks likely to offer rates 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.   
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   
   
Day, Date   Hi°/Lo°   Wind sp   Wet   Forecast   
Fri 22/03   18°/11°   11 km/h   06%   Mostly cloudy    
Sat 23/03   17°/11°   11 km/h   52%   Showers probable   
Sun 24/03   18°/14°   18 km/h   34%   Showers possible   
Mon 25/03   18°/12°   24 km/h   22%   Mostly sunny    
Tue 26/03   19°/14°   31 km/h   40%   Showers & winds possible   
Wed 27/03   20°/14°   26 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud    
Thu 28/03   19°/12°   22 km/h   41%   Showers possible   
Fri 29/03   19°/12°   17 km/h   17%   Sunny    
Sat 30/03   21°/13°   11 km/h   05%   Mostly sunny    
Sun 31/03   21°/14°   14 km/h   04%   Mostly sunny    
   

[Maik]

Problem in Poros ahead of the season starting: the Alpha Bank ATM has become very unreliable, either not topped up with notes or malfunctioning.

[Maik]

Road collapse in Athens reveals decades-old heist tunnel

A large hole that appeared on a central Athenian road causing major bottlenecks on Wednesday is linked to a 31-year-old unresolved bank heist, authorities said on Thursday.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1234556/road-collapse-in-athens-reveals-decades-old-heist-tunnel/

[Maik]

Probationary police officers on Kef during the summer season are being increased from 18 in 2023 to 30 in 2024. On Ithaca the number is to be increased to 7 from 2 last year.

[Maik]

Mains electricity down between 08:30-15:00 on Sunday in Monopolata, Dellaportata, Mantoukata, Favatata, Kaminarata up to Kipouraion Holy Monastery and same times Tuesday in Dellaportata and Monopolata.
 

[Maik]

Municipality of Argostoli are reminding property owners and tenants of the need to clear flammable materials such as dead branches and dry grasses from their land to reduce the risk of fire starting / spreading.

[Maik]

From what I can make out, owners (/tenants?) of properties in or near forested / grassland areas need to have a competent technical scientist compile a fire risk assessment by 31/03/2024 and submit a declaration of intended implementation of the fire safety measures by 30/04/2024.

[Maik]

Islands haunted by doctor shortages ahead of summer

There are not enough doctors to treat patients at National Health System (ESY) units on the Greek islands and the situation is set to deteriorate further during the summer with the arrival of tourists. The relatively few medical staff that remain are struggling to keep up and are overworked.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1234473/islands-haunted-by-doctor-shortages-ahead-of-summer/

[Maik]

Chinese automaker BYD announces start of passenger car sales in Greece

Chinese automaker BYD on Thursday announced the start of sales of BYD passenger cars in the Greek market.

The first two BYD models to be distributed in Greece are the BYD ATTO 3 and the BYD SEAL. Sfakianakis Group has been appointed BYD's national dealer partner in Greece.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2024/03/22/chinese-automaker-byd-announces-start-of-passenger-car-sales-in-greece/

[Maik]

Asda switches off electric car charging points

Just 46 chargers left across supermarket’s stores, RAC reveals

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/03/21/issa-brothers-rip-out-ev-charging-points-at-asda-in-blow-fo/

[Maik]

How one German village exemplifies the cancer risk from wood burning

Residential heating with wood or coal can lead to significant air pollution, even in rural communities, researchers say

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/22/how-one-german-village-exemplifies-the-cancer-risk-from-wood-burning

[Maik]

Kate video: Full message from Catherine, the Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales says she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after cancer was found in tests.

In a video statement released by Kensington Palace, Catherine said the news came as a "huge shock".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-68641335

[Maik]

Unpleasant occurrence in plateia Vallianou, Argostoli, earlier this evening when some young teenagers threw fireworks amongst children playing in the square.

[Maik]

Foreign bank cards can now be used to pay taxes

Taxpayers can now use foreign-issued bank cards to pay their taxes online, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has announced.

The AADE said that Visa and Mastercard cards issued by foreign banks can also be used to pay the ENFIA property tax, administrative fees, boat taxes, among others.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1234656/foreign-bank-cards-can-now-be-used-to-pay-taxes/