Author Topic: 24/04/23  (Read 1501 times)

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Offline Maik

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24/04/23
« on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 02:58:35 »
Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.9123 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1307 USD
£1 GBP = 1.0961 €UR
$1 USD = 0.8844 €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
Mon 24/04   20°/14°   15 km/h   08%   Mostly sunny
Tue 25/04   20°/14°   17 km/h   14%   Sun & cloud
Wed 26/04   19°/13°   27 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud
Thu 27/04   19°/12°   25 km/h   12%   Sunny
Fri 28/04   20°/13°   16 km/h   08%   Sun & cloud
Sat 29/04   20°/14°   15 km/h   08%   Sun & cloud
Sun 30/04   20°/14°   15 km/h   21%   Sun & cloud
Mon 01/05   20°/14°   16 km/h   36%   Showers possible
Tue 02/05   21°/14°   14 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud
Wed 03/05   20°/14°   24 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud


Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #1 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 03:11:25 »
Quote
Emergency Alert test descends into chaos as it fails to work on up to 10 million phones

Customers on Three, one of Britain’s biggest mobile networks, didn’t receive the 10-second alert.

Some phones received the alarm up to 20 minutes after the scheduled 3pm test.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/23/emergency-alert-test-chaos-fails-10-million-phones/


Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #2 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 15:09:55 »


Quote
Disease-carrying mosquitoes are spreading through Europe: How can we protect ourselves?

Mosquitoes are flying northwards in the wake of global warming.

Scientists have been tracking the spread of this pesky, disease-carrying insect across Europe for years, but the health impacts for humans are still unclear.

Now researchers in the UK are embarking on a major project to assess the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in Scotland under current and future climate change scenarios.

Asian tiger mosquitoes are notorious carriers of serious diseases including dengue fever, Chikungunya, West Nile and Zika.

Climate change means this highly invasive species is thriving across Mediterranean countries. They are expected to establish themselves across England and Wales in the coming decades.

Let’s not forget that mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest creature, killing one million people a year through the diseases they transmit.

Originally from Southeast Asia, the Asian tiger mosquito, known as Aedes albopictus, is black with silvery white markings, and smaller than the common house mosquito - between two and ten millimetres long.

That makes it more silent - and sneaky. Unlike many other mosquito species, the Asian tiger also typically bites during the daytime.

If you’re unsure whether the mosquito you’ve just smacked is an Asian tiger, you can take a photo of it and upload it on Mosquito Alert, a tracking app that’s now available in most European countries.

Easy ways to protect yourself

The most effective way of avoiding having a hotspot of Asian tiger mosquitoes in your backyard is to stop them from breeding by getting rid of stagnant water.

Mosquito eggs need water to hatch, and females love flowerpots, birdbaths and clogged gutters, but something as small as a bottle cap can hold enough water for their larvae to develop. So make sure to keep your exterior impeccably clean, clear up gutters, drains and watering cans, and why not screen your windows and doors.

If you’re going to spend time outdoors in an infested area, strive to wear pants and long sleeves - if you can bear the layers in a heatwave - and avoid dark-coloured clothing which tends to attract them.

Apply repellents such as those containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin. Essential-oil based repellents are a more natural option, but they offer short-lived protection as they evaporate from the skin more quickly.

Citronella candles smell good, but they don’t seem to be that effective. Strong fans, on the other hand, can disorient mosquitoes and make them unable to land.

Mosquitoes have a well-documented attraction to human sweat. But ditch your perfume - fragrances are also known to attract mosquitoes and other bugs, so opt for scent-free deodorant and give your skin a break.

If you want to keep mosquitoes at bay safely and still smell delicious, try coconut oil instead. The fatty acids in there have been found to be highly effective repellents against mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects including biting flies, ticks and bed bugs.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/04/23/aggressive-tiger-mosquitoes-are-spreading-through-europe-how-can-we-protect-ourselves



£3.30 / 300ml @ Sainsbury's --- £3.30 / 300ml @ Tesco --- £5.00 / 300ml @ Co-op
£3.49 /500ml @ Morrisons --- £1.65 / 300ml @ Aldi --- £1.75 / 283ml @ Asda
« Last Edit: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 16:18:42 by Maik »

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #3 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 15:13:57 »
Quote
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman dies aged 78

Agent says Goodman, who was a judge on the show from 2004 until 2016, died peacefully
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/apr/24/len-goodman-former-strictly-come-dancing-judge-dies

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #4 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 15:21:24 »
Quote
Northern lights 'likely' visible in UK tonight
A severe solar storm hit Earth last night and is leading to extremely high levels of magnetic activity at lower latitudes than normal

Tonight will be the best chance of seeing the Northern lights across the UK, experts believe, despite a spectacular display last night.

A severe solar storm hit Earth around 8pm BST Sunday leading to extremely high levels of magnetic activity and causing the Northern Lights to appear in the sky.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2023/04/24/northern-lights-aurora-uk-tonight-best-time-where-see/

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #5 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 15:43:17 »
Scammers claiming to be from the local municipality are contacting residents on Kef by 'phone seeking to obtain bank account details.
« Last Edit: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 15:57:52 by Maik »

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #6 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 15:57:20 »
Quote
"11-Year-Old Greek Prodigy Evangelia Siskou Crowned Chess World Champion In Girls' Under-13 Category"

Evangelia Siskou, an 11-year-old from Thessaloniki, won the chess world championship in the girls' under-13 category in Rhodes over the weekend.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/04/24/11-year-old-greek-prodigy-evangelia-siskou-crowned-chess-world-champion-in-girls-under-13-category/

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #7 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 17:02:40 »
127 road traffic violations recorded by police on Kef during period 18-23 April.

Offline dog tag

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #8 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 19:03:54 »
 :yiasou:

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #9 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 22:11:21 »
Quote
Greek plan for mandatory neutering to tackle strays hits opposition
Proposed compulsory sterilisation seeks to improve animal welfare but raises concerns about pure breeds
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/23/greek-plan-for-mandatory-neutering-to-tackle-strays-hits-opposition

Unconfirmed but as I understand it: the 'new' law is that the owner of a dog or cat companion animal must have it neutered within six months of acquiring it if the animal is over one year old. If it's less than 12 months old it must be neutered by the time it's 18 months old.

Alternatively, if the owner doesn't want to have the animal neutered, e.g. if they wish to breed from it, it's mandatory to send a sample of its DNA to ΕΦΑΓΥΖΣ, the Laboratory for the Preservation and Analysis of Genetic Material of Companion Animals, for which the Academy of Athens Medical Biological Research Foundation receives state funding of up to 2,000,000 euros.

If an owner doesn't do one or t'other they're liable to be fined 1000€.

The charge for registering and maintaining the DNA is 150€ per animal plus a fixed vets fee of 10€. DNA will be stored for 12 years and the plan is that abandoned / abused dogs and cats will be identified by a DNA comparison with their biological parents and their owners traced.

However, it seems the National Registry of Companion Animals, which is supposed to record which animals have been neutered / registered with ΕΦΑΓΥΖΣ, is not functioning and the law isn't being enforced.

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #10 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 22:46:39 »
Also unconfirmed and as I understand it: the Municipality of Argostoli has been incorporated into the government's FILODIMOS II program regarding the constructing, equipping and maintaining of shelter facilities for stray companion animals and will benefit from a budget of 17,846.70€ of which 5,946.70€ will have to be provided by the municipality. It will also receive 11,885.00€ for neutering with no municipality funded top-up.

Similarly, the Municipality of Sami will benefit from a 382,800.00€ budget of which 372,000€ will be provided from central funds for the construction of a shelter, 5,400€ for the purchase of veterinary equipment and 5,400€ towards neutering costs. No contribution required from the municipality.

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #11 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 22:58:55 »
Quote
Greece demands answers in wake of deadly train crash disaster
https://www.itv.com/news/2023-04-24/greece-demands-answers-in-wake-of-deadly-train-crash-disaster

Probably nothing new to anyone who's been following this story.

Offline Maik

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Re: 24/04/23
« Reply #12 on: Monday, 24 April, 2023 @ 23:07:56 »
Quote
Big Issue North to close after 30 years

The Big Issue North is shutting down next month, its demise blamed on reduced town centre footfall since the pandemic.

Increased print, energy and paper costs have also contributed to making Big Issue North “no longer financially viable”, its publishers said. A souvenir final edition will go on sale on 8 May, 30 years after the title first hit the streets.

From 15 May, Big Issue North vendors will sell the national magazine, which is produced in Glasgow. They can buy copies for £2 each, sell them for £4 and keep the profit.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/apr/24/big-issue-north-to-close-after-30-years