14/04/23

[Maik]

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.9068 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1250 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1028 €UR
$1 USD = 0.8889 €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
Fri 14/04   17°/11°   18 km/h   24%   Cloudy
Sat 15/04   17°/12°   12 km/h   08%   Mostly cloudy
Sun 16/04   15°/11°   21 km/h   96%   Showers probable
Mon 17/04   17°/11°   16 km/h   88%   Rain probable
Tue 18/04   17°/11°   15 km/h   71%   Rain and/or thunder probable
Wed 19/04   17°/12°   17 km/h   43%   Scattered thunderstorms possible
Thu 20/04   17°/12°   17 km/h   42%   Showers possible
Fri 21/04   18°/12°   14 km/h   38%   Showers possible
Sat 22/04   18°/12°   15 km/h   13%   Mostly sunny
Sun 23/04   18°/12°   16 km/h   12%   Sunny

[Maik]

Car sales in Greece jump 28% in March

In the first quarter of 2023, car sales amounted to 61,044 vehicles, up 21.5% from the corresponding period in 2022, with new car sales rising 49.8% to 36,870 vehicles.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1208805/car-sales-in-greece-jump-28-in-march/

[Maik]

Greek Expert Demands Recall Of 100,000's Of Tesla's Because Of Defects

According to Lakafosis, Tesla cars have a special feature that allows the driver to put the car in reverse when moving forward without having to press the brake, as is the case with all automatic transmissions. This can cause the car to accelerate suddenly and lead to fatal situations.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/04/13/greek-expert-tesla-defects/

[Maik]

Islands struggle with shortage of doctors

As the Easter holiday season starts in Greece, many of its islands, large and small, are grappling with shortages in doctors and medical personnel.

The Health Ministry recently announced vacancies for 854 permanent medical staff positions. Of these, 41 are for Aegean island health units and 13 are for staffing hospitals on the Ionian islands.

Recently, it announced an addition to regular salaries of 1,800 euros per month to doctors and 1,200 euros to nurses and other staff who move temporarily to island health units.

The Panhellenic Medical Association is calling for a complete modernization of the law on doctors’ incentives to attract and retain doctors on the islands.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1208742/islands-struggle-with-shortage-of-doctors/

[Maik]

A 64 y-o local in need of urgent medical protection transferred from Piso Aetos to Sami yesterday by Ithaki coast guard.

[Maik]

A 24 y-o police officer transferred by air this morning from hospital on Kef to Athens via Elevsis airfield after suffering a serious head injury. Based in Athens, the officer was staying with family on Kef for the Easter period. No info as to how injury occurred.

[Maik]

Campaign Against Trade in Wild Animals Launched in Greece

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the illegal wildlife trade is the fourth-largest illicit market after drugs, arms, and human trafficking, with an estimated annual value of $23 billion.

The trade in wild animals is driven by various factors, including demand for traditional medicines, exotic pets, luxury goods, and food.

https://greekreporter.com/2023/04/13/campaign-against-trade-wild-animals-greece/

[Maik]

NHS Unison members accept pay deal offer in England

That includes a permanent 5% pay rise for 2023-24 worth at least £1,065, plus an extra one-off lump sum to top up the past year's salary.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65275362

[Maik]

RCN nurses vote to reject latest government pay offer and plan to escalate strike action

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-04-14/rcn-nurses-vote-to-reject-latest-government-pay-offer