13/09/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 13/09/23: Medium

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8850 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1034 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1299 €UR
$1 USD = 0.9063 €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
Wed 13/09   29°/19°   18 km/h   05%   Sunny
Thu 14/09   29°/19°   16 km/h   07%   Sun & cloud
Fri 15/09   29°/20°   15 km/h   07%   Mostly sunny
Sat 16/09   30°/20°   17 km/h   08%   Sunny
Sun 17/09   30°/21°   17 km/h   07%   Sunny
Mon 18/09   29°/21°   15 km/h   07%   Sunny
Tue 19/09   29°/21°   15 km/h   21%   Mostly sunny
Wed 20/09   29°/21°   17 km/h   07%   Sun & cloud
Thu 21/09   29°/20°   15 km/h   04%   Mostly sunny
Fri 22/09   27°/20°   18 km/h   04%   Sunny

[Maik]

Body of a 67 y-o foreign male recovered midday yesterday from the sea off Gournon, Irakleion, Crete

Body of a 47 y-o foreign male recovered yesterday morning from the sea off Hersonissos, Crete

[Maik]

After becoming severely unwell an 88 y-o female passenger on a boat off Vardiani, Paliki, was transferred midday yesterday to Platys Yialos beach, Lassi, by Coast Guard rescue boat and then by ambulance on to hospital in Argostoli where she was declared deceased


An 89 y-o local in need of urgent medical attention transferred yesterday by Ithaki coast guard from Piso Aetos to Sami

Edit: Updated

[Maik]

A fallen tree blocking the road around the lagoon near the ΔΕΗ yard was quickly removed by the local fire service last night.

[Maik]

The Municipality of Argostoli is continuing to replace old carcinogenic asbestos pipes, work already started around Pessada, to be continued with:

Argostoli:
1. People and workers dwellings, Pitsamanou - Spilia
2. Agonas - Kardakata
3. Minies
4. Dilinata - Davgata
5. Troiannata - Demoutsantata - Mitakata

Livathos:
1. Pessada
2. Spartia
3. Keramies
4. Kourkoumelata - Kaligata
5. Lakithra
6. Svoronata - Domata - Sarlata

A total of some sixty kilometres

[Maik]

Rural doctor service available between 10:00-13:00 tomorrow in Vlakhata

[Maik]

Kef coast guard yesterday afternoon escorted a yacht with five foreign nationals aboard into Fiskardo harbour after it became uncontrollable due to mechanical failure. No injuries and no marine pollution observed, boat confined to port until re-classified seaworthy.

[Maik]

Body of an 80 y-o foreign female recovered yesterday morning from the sea off Neon Poron, Pieria

[Maik]

'Only' a 1.7% increase in arrivals at Kef airport this August (presumably compared to August 2022?). Not everyone is happy but maybe it will help stop Kef getting ruined by over-tourism.

[Maik]

Nine-year-old with a disability forgotten on the bus in Thessaloniki for four hours

A nine-year-old with mobility impairment was forgotten on a school bus in Thessaloniki northern Greece for four hours after the adults in charge neglected to help him off the bus.

The bus driver, 42 years old, and the school bus chaperon, 23 years old, were arrested after a relative filed a grievance.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1219885/nine-year-old-with-a-disability-forgotten-on-the-bus-in-thessaloniki-for-four-hours/

[Maik]

Mozilla patches Firefox, Thunderbird against zero-day exploited in attacks

Mozilla released emergency security updates today to fix a critical zero-day vulnerability exploited in the wild, impacting its Firefox web browser and Thunderbird email client.

Hence, users are strongly advised to install updated versions of Firefox and Thunderbird to safeguard their systems against potential attacks.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/mozilla-patches-firefox-thunderbird-against-zero-day-exploited-in-attacks/

[Maik]

France suspends sales of iPhone model over radiation level

France has ordered Apple to pull its iPhone 12 from the shelves after tests revealed the model emitted radiation that exceeded European Union-approved levels.

Telecommunications minister Jean-Noel Barrot threatened to force the technology giant to recall every device from circulation if the issue isn’t resolved within two weeks.

The news broke in France as Apple unveiled its new iPhone 15, a device that features a USB-C port for the first time after the tech giant succumbed EU rules requiring smartphones and other electronics to use the charging port by the end of 2024.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/13/france-suspends-iphone-12-high-level-radiation-apple/

[Maik]

Greek prosecutor orders investigation into deadly floods

The investigation will also look into whether flood prevention measures taken by local authorities were adequate in the light of clear advance warnings by Greece's national meteorological service.

A destructive storm had hit the same region in 2020.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greek-prosecutor-orders-investigation-into-deadly-floods-2023-09-13/

[Maik]

What to know about the 'beach towel revolt' taking back Greek beaches

Across Greece, locals are taking matters into their own hands by throwing their towels down to reclaim their beaches and access to nature – without the hefty price tag.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230912-what-to-know-about-the-beach-towel-revolt-taking-back-greek-beaches