Author Topic: 05/01/23  (Read 1053 times)

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Offline Maik

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05/01/23
« on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 03:46:43 »
Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.9072 GBP
1 €UR = $1.0917 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1023 €UR
$1 USD = 0.9160 €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.
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
Thu 05/01   16°/12°   15 km/h   40%   Showers possible
Fri 06/01   17°/11°   17 km/h   24%   Mostly sunny
Sat 07/01   17°/10°   08 km/h   12%   Sun & cloud
Sun 08/01   17°/11°   07 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud
Mon 09/01   17°/13°   13 km/h   45%   Showers possible
Tue 10/01   16°/11°   24 km/h   82%   Thunderstorms probable
Wed 11/01   16°/10°   24 km/h   24%   Mostly sunny
Thu 12/01   16°/11°   10 km/h   19%   Mostly sunny
Fri 13/01   17°/12°   16 km/h   20%   Sun & cloud
Sat 14/01   17°/12°   13 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #1 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 03:58:18 »


Quote
Elgin Marbles could be swapped for 2,000-year-old bronze statue of jockey
The British Museum is understood to have reached advanced talks with Athens over a loan agreement on the long-contested sculptures

The Elgin Marbles could be swapped for a 2,000-year-old bronze statue of a jockey in a deal between the British Museum and Greece.

George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum, is understood to have reached advanced talks with Greek officials over a loan agreement allowing the long-contested Marbles to return to Athens in a “cultural exchange” which would see antiquities move the other way.

The arrangement could see ancient artworks which have never left Greece sent on loan to the UK, including the Jockey of Artemision, a sculpture depicting a small boy riding a horse.

Other artefacts could also be shipped out on loan, with Greece prepared to offer highlights of the collection of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens to sweeten any deal for some of the Elgin Marbles.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/04/british-museum-panthenon-deal-elgin-marbles-loan/

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #2 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 04:00:57 »
Quote
Transgender man dipped prosthetic penis into pub drinker’s pint, court hears

Jesse Hawthorne was arrested for criminal damage over the incident at the Cwtch bar in Caerphilly in south Wales
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/04/transgender-man-dipped-prosthetic-penis-pub-drinker-pint/


Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #3 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 04:01:41 »

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #4 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 11:31:52 »
Quote
Greece Listed Among Best Places to Retire by Global Retirement Index

2023 Annual Global Retirement Index list of the best locations to retire, compiled by International Living, is a must-read.

Greece ranks 7th among the top 10 countries to retire
https://greekreporter.com/2023/01/05/greece-amongst-best-places-retire-global-retirement-index/

Top three are listed as Portugal, Mexico and Panama, with Greece in seventh place. Had a quick look at the International Living website, looks as though the report is available as a podcast or via email. TravelAwaits has a similar article which also rates the 1,2,3 as Portugal, Mexico and Panama with Greece in seventh place.

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #5 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 15:47:47 »
Quote
Why Greece still has costly power rates

For the second week in a row, Greece stands on the European map of wholesale electricity markets as the only country that does not reflect the significant de-escalation of the gas price at the Dutch TTF hub, which has returned to the levels before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The price of a megawatt-hour in the Greek electricity market is still the highest in Europe.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1201534/why-greece-still-has-costly-power-rates/


Quote
Greece Had One Of The Lowest Retail Electricity Rates In Europe In December

Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas announced that Greece recorded one of the cheapest retail electricity prices in Europe in December.

In particular, the ministry's statement pointed out that according to the Household Energy Price Index throughout Europe, Greece recorded the third lowest retail price for electricity among European states that have variable-rate energy plans, as is the case for more than 90% of Greek households.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/01/05/greece-lowest-retail-electricity/

Hey ho.

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #6 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 19:35:39 »
                    

Quote
Iron Maiden: Royal Mail pays tribute to ‘bona fide rock legends’ with new stamps

Royal Mail has created 12 Iron Maiden stamps to pay tribute to the “bona fide rock legends”.

The heavy metal band are the fifth music group to feature in a dedicated stamp issue – following on from The Beatles in 2007, Pink Floyd in 2016, Queen in 2020, and The Rolling Stones in 2022.
https://www.itv.com/news/2023-01-05/iron-maiden-royal-mail-pays-tribute-to-bona-fide-rock-legends-with-new-stamps

Hm, got the Queen's head on. Oh well, Iron Maiden stamps available to pre-order from shop.royalmail.com, over the counter from Thursday, 12 January.

Other musicians include:

          

Talking of ‘bona fide rock legends’... Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Who...

However, if the Royal Mail would like to be a bit more inclusive... Joan Armatrading?




Although Me, Myself, I... maybe if Prince Harry gets his head on U.S. stamps  ;)
« Last Edit: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 19:46:59 by Maik »

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #7 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 19:55:58 »
Quote
Warning shots fired as Greek, Turkish patrol boats face off

The crew of a Greek coast guard patrol boat fired warning shots early Thursday to deter a Turkish coast guard vessel that was trying to ram them in the eastern Aegean Sea, authorities in Athens said, as tensions between the two neighbors remain high.

The Turkish Coast Guard offered a different version of events, saying a Greek coast guard boat harassed Turkish fishing boats off the Turkish Aegean coastal resort of Didim, prompting Turkish authorities to dispatch a coast guard boat.

The Turkish boat drove the Greek boat away from the region, enabling the Turkish fishing boats to continue with their activities, it said.
https://apnews.com/article/nato-politics-athens-aegean-sea-greece-3090d0d3d036808998847e9f5cfe2ff2

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #8 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 19:58:03 »
Quote
Greece takes measures to tackle medicine shortages

Greece announced on Wednesday additional measures to deal with certain drug shortages, a problem it said was global and attributed to an increase in seasonal virus infections, supply chain issues, the energy crisis and reduced exports from Asia.

Health Minister Thanos Plevris said that although Greece had enough supplies for now, the production of generic drugs in Greek factories would be increased and controls at pharmacy stores and big drug warehouses would take place to check if they have the reserves required under Greek law.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greece-takes-measures-tackle-medicine-shortages-2023-01-04/

Offline Maik

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #9 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 20:14:21 »
Quote
Ukraine war: Kyiv rejects Putin's 'trivial' Christmas truce

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence minister to impose a 36-hour ceasefire on the Ukrainian frontline, beginning on Friday.

The ceasefire, scheduled to start at 12:00 Moscow time (09:00 GMT), will coincide with the Russian Orthodox Christmas.

Mr Putin asked Ukraine to reciprocate, but Kyiv quickly rejected the request.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak called it a "propaganda gesture".

The Kremlin statement appeared to stress that President Putin ordered his troops to stop fighting not because he was de-escalating - Putin never de-escalates - but because he had listened to an appeal from the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Kirill had, earlier in the day, called for a Christmas truce to allow believers to attend church services for Orthodox Christmas.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas Day on 7 January, according to the Julian calendar.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-64178912

Offline expat

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Re: 05/01/23
« Reply #10 on: Thursday, 05 January, 2023 @ 21:57:45 »
Quote
Although Me, Myself, I... maybe if Prince Harry gets his head on U.S. stamps 
i would rather see the soft sods head on a stake for putting up with his manipulative yank wife! :rofl: