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To Kafeneion => Grapevine / News Briefs => Topic started by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 03:16:21

Title: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 03:16:21
Kef fire risk 08/07/22: Medium (https://www.civilprotection.gr/el/imerisios-hartis-provlepsis-kindynoy-pyrkagias-08072022)

One hundred and twenty two new coronavirus cases confirmed on Kefalonia yesterday by EODY, three on Ithaka

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £ 0.8766 GBP
1 €UR = $ 1.0485 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1408 €UR
$1 USD = 0.9537 €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
Fri 08/07   30°/20°   19 km/h   68%   Thunderstorms probable after noon
Sat 09/07   28°/21°   26 km/h   24%   Mostly sunny, breezy
Sun 10/07   29°/20°   22 km/h   03%   Sunny
Mon 11/07   29°/21°   17 km/h   07%   Sunny
Tue 12/07   30°/21°   22 km/h   07%   Sunny
Wed 13/07   29°/22°   23 km/h   07%   Sunny
Thu 14/07   30°/23°   23 km/h   05%   Sunny
Fri 15/07   31°/23°   21 km/h   03%   Sunny
Sat 16/07   32°/23°   20 km/h   03%   Sunny
Sun 17/07   32°/23°   21 km/h   03%   Sunny

Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 03:18:12
Quote
Greece to raise pensions for the first time in 12 years from 2023

Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, confirmed on Wednesday that pensions would be increased in the country for the first time in 12 years from 2023.
https://greekherald.com.au/news/greece-to-raise-pensions-for-the-first-time-in-12-years-from-2023/
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 03:28:20
Quote
Greece travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

Best under-the-radar destinations
Lefkada and Zakynthos

Kefalonia may have lured Captain Corelli’s Mandolin fans with its rustic beauty for decades, but Lefkada and Zakynthos have some of the nation’s most dazzling unspoiled beaches. You can island hop between the Ionians pretty easily spring to autumn, with some ferries from as little as £8 one-way. Tiny isle Ithaka, a ferry from flights-connected Kefalonia, is a tranquil beauty with swathes of unspoilt nature and lively little ports for an evening out.
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/greece/greece-country-guide-travel-holiday-b2103555.html

Hm, not sure I'd call Zakynthos "under-the-radar"... under the table, maybe. Nor would I say you can island hop easily - it's possible, but...... And while Levkas may have some dazzling unspoiled beaches they're all pebbles, unlike Zakynthos which has some lovely sandy beaches.
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 03:43:49
A 25 y-o foreign national on board the Mein Schiff 5 cruise ship was this morning transferred to Argostoli hospital due to need for urgent medical attention. No more details as to illness/injury.

Yesterday evening a second passenger on board the Mein Schiff 5, a 68 y-o foreign male, was taken to Argostoli hospital requiring immediate medical attention. No news as to nature of illness/injury nor whether it's connected in any way to earlier case.
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 03:50:24
Body of a 65 y-o foreign male recovered yesterday morning from a boat in the Skorpios area of Levkas.

Noon yesterday a young female swimmer discovered unconscious in the sea at Politikon, Halkida. Taken to hospital for observation.
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 03:59:38
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Climate change could boost UK wine industry, study suggests
Global warming has already contributed to a growing number of vineyards in Britain.
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/england-wales-france-london-school-of-economics-uea-b2118494.html
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 04:01:05
Quote
Greece breached refugees’ rights in drowning that left 11 dead, court rules
Officials failed to protect migrants who drowned and then subjected 12 survivors to degrading treatment
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greece-aegean-drowning-deaths-echr-b2118198.html
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 12:35:38
Quote
Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe dies after being shot during speech
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-08/former-japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-in-severe-condition-after-being-shot
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 12:42:54
Medium risk of bush fire on Kef tomorrow, according to civilprotection.gr (https://www.civilprotection.gr/el/imerisios-hartis-provlepsis-kindynoy-pyrkagias-09072022)
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 12:56:55
Slightly confusing news at the moment but it appears two young children were due to be airlifted from Kef to Athens last night. One was a young child who had a serious accident while on holiday with parents, the other was a premature baby born ten weeks early to a British couple on holiday. Sadly the baby passed away before being airlifted to Athens.
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 13:21:23
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Boris and Carrie Johnson's wedding party will no longer be held at Chequers
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/08/boris-carrie-johnsons-wedding-party-will-no-longer-held-chequers/
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 13:22:41
Quote
Plans to build 40 new hospitals in England ‘moving at a glacial pace’

Implementation of Boris Johnson’s flagship pledge to build 40 new hospitals is “moving at a glacial pace” and is hamstrung by delays and a lack of funding, NHS bosses have warned.

Some of the construction schemes have already fallen as much as four years behind schedule, while others have been hit by massive cost increases because of difficulties in obtaining sign-off on certain points.

The new hospitals programme in England is progressing so slowly that bosses of half of the hospitals earmarked to benefit doubt whether they will ever get the money to deliver the promised rebuild, according to a report and survey of health service trust chiefs by NHS Providers.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/08/plans-to-build-40-new-hospitals-in-england-moving-at-a-glacial-pace
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 13:31:51
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Goodbye to the ‘amoral, serial adulterer’: How the world reacted to Boris Johnson's resignation

Boris Johnson was compared to Donald Trump and Robert Mugabe and was even dubbed a "scandal noodle" by one German paper, as the world’s press reacted to the prime minister’s resignation.

Mr Johnson was branded an “amoral, lying, serial adulterer” and there were claims the Queen would be glad to see the back of a man whose “superpower” was his lack of shame.

Here is the best - or worst, if you happen to be the Prime Minister - of the global reaction to Thursday’s historic events.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/07/07/goodbye-amoral-serial-adulterer-how-world-reacted-boris-johnsons/
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 13:46:01
Unconfirmed: a US Navy helicopter had to make an emergency landing at Kef airport due to shortage of fuel during severe weather at sea meant it couldn't return to aircraft carrier in Ionian sea.
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 14:18:59
Quote
Greek PM rules out snap election ahead of tough winter due to energy

Greece's prime minister ruled out an early election on Thursday, quashing speculation at home that a snap poll could be held this fall before his popularity takes a hit from the energy crisis.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-pm-rules-out-snap-election-ahead-tough-winter-due-energy-2022-07-07/
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 15:00:02
If I've understood this correctly the budget for the Poros-Argostoli road is 55,000,000 euros and, as part of that, two contracts have now been awarded  for provision of technical consultations.
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 15:04:16
Quote
Sir Keir Starmer cleared by police over Durham lockdown beers

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and deputy Angela Rayner have been cleared by Durham Police of breaking lockdown rules.

In a statement, the police said there was "no case to answer" citing an exemption to lockdown rules for "reasonably necessary work".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62095955
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 15:09:47
Quote
Boris Johnson: Fact-checking three years of the outgoing prime minister's claims
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/62071182
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 15:21:52
Quote
Collapsing public support suggests Brexit is anything but done
Most people think Brexit has gone badly, a UK survey finds, and Johnson has left behind a mess of problems for a new PM
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/08/collapsing-public-support-suggests-brexit-is-anything-but-done
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 16:41:12
Quote
Greece, Bulgaria complete 'energy bridge' to cut Russia gas reliance

Greece and Bulgaria marked the completion on Friday of a long-delayed gas pipeline between the two countries which they hope can contribute to ending Europe's dependence on Russian gas.

The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) will carry gas from the northern Greek city of Komotini to Stara Zagora in Bulgaria and be linked to another pipeline carrying Azeri gas.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/greece-bulgaria-complete-energy-bridge-cut-russia-gas-reliance-2022-07-08/
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 18:04:04
141/7: today's coronavirus count on Kef/Ithaka according to eody.gov.gr (https://eody.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/covid-gr-daily-report-20220708.pdf)
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 18:11:39
Quote
Tesco and Heinz reach agreement in price row

Tesco and Heinz have reached an agreement which will see some of the UK's best known products back on the supermarket chain's shelves in the coming days.

Tesco declined to say whether those products would be going up in price due to the new agreement.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62076208

Why the secrecy about any prices increase?  :dunno:
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 20:31:07
Boris' wallpaper:

Quote
While the decorating scandal has long been known as “wallpapergate”, it might be surprising to learn that the infamous “gold wallpaper” is neither gold nor one of the more expensive items on the list. A snip at £2,250 for 10 rolls, the Espalier Square wallpaper design is another French knock-off, derived from an early 19th-century pattern, depicting interwoven green branches in a neverending grid.
theguardian.com (https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jul/08/the-johnsons-downing-street-refurb-a-lurid-hellscape-lined-with-gilded-tat)

(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_7_53_21.png)
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 20:31:28
£3,800 bookcase
(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_7_57_29.png)

£3,650 table
(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_7_56_39.png)

£1,775 per wall light
(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_7_55_16.png)

£3,675 'Nureyev' drinks trolley
(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_7_54_02.png)

look closer and you will find two pairs of polished brass hands emerging from the top of the frame, their clenched fists clinging firmly on to the handles of the trolley
(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_7_54_31.png)

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jul/08/the-johnsons-downing-street-refurb-a-lurid-hellscape-lined-with-gilded-tat
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 20:40:09
Quote
50 forest fires in last 24 hours, says Fire Service

The Fire Service announced on Friday that a total of 50 forest fires broke out in the 24-hour period to 6 p.m.

Most were extinguished shortly after they were reported, the service said.

Two fires in Rodia, Ilidia prefecture, and in Smerna, Zacharo prefecture, both of which are in the western Peloponnese, are in remission, it added.

The Zacharo fire is located in a regenerated forest that was destroyed in fires in 2007.

Meanwhile, two aircraft, a helicopter 15 firefighters and five tenders attended a forest fire near Aghioi Theodoroi, in Corinthia, which is believed to have broken out when the area was stuck by lightening. At 8 p.m., the Fire Service said the blaze had been brought partially under control.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1188625/50-forest-fires-in-last-24-hours-says-fire-service/
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 20:47:16
Quote
Boris Johnson: The unwanted records broken under his premiership this week

The standout resignation here was Michelle Donelan, who was made Education Secretary on Tuesday night.

She quit on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, Michael Gove, who was Secretary of State for Levelling Up, got sacked by Mr Johnson hours after reportedly being part of a group who told the prime minister he should stand down.

Mr Gove has been here before. He was sacked by both Theresa May and David Cameron, meaning Wednesday marked his third dismissal from the prime minister's team.

Nobody has been sacked as many times as Mr Gove.
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-07/the-unwanted-records-broken-by-boris-johnsons-government-in-48-hours
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 20:54:42
(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_8_47_59.jpeg)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV1Zqarh2Ko&t=136s
https://youtu.be/iV1Zqarh2Ko?t=1


Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 21:03:08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CRfw42Ihq8
https://youtu.be/3CRfw42Ihq8?t=1
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 21:12:52
Quote
Hummus supplies to dip as weather and Ukraine war cause chickpea shortage

Growers are warning of a global chickpea shortage, endangering supplies of hummus just as barbecue season gets into gear, in a development which could have serious consequences for countries that rely on the pulses as an essential source of protein.

Supplies of chickpeas could drop as much as 20% this year, according to the Global Pulse Confederation, as difficult weather conditions and the war in Ukraine hit production.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jul/08/hummus-supplies-climate-ukraine-war-chickpea-shortage
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Friday, 08 July, 2022 @ 23:13:36
Quote
Nadine Dorries considers tilt at Tory leadership to ‘keep Boris Johnson’s flame alive’

Nadine Dorries is considering running to be the next prime minister in an effort to “keep Boris Johnson’s flame alive”....
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/08/nadine-dorries-considers-tilt-tory-leadership-keep-boris-johnsons/

Hm, I reckon most Conservative MPs realise she would be Labour's biggest asset.
Title: Re: 08/07/22
Post by: Maik on Saturday, 09 July, 2022 @ 00:01:07
(http://goinggreek.info/gallery/1_08_07_22_11_53_02.jpeg)

Fantastic photo of Poros by night by Aristotelis Batistatos, via George at Fotis Family. Foreground is Poros plateia with the main street and ring road circling the streets behind it. Right of picture, the wide 'road' is the Vohinas river bed in summer mode.