15/06/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 15/06/23: Low

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8802 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1133 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1361 €UR
$1 USD = 0.8982 €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 15/06   25°/19°   13 km/h   56%   Scattered thunderstorms probable
Fri 16/06   25°/19°   24 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud
Sat 17/06   25°/19°   30 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud
Sun 18/06   26°/19°   26 km/h   06%   Sunny
Mon 19/06   27°/19°   19 km/h   06%   Sunny
Tue 20/06   28°/20°   17 km/h   06%   Sunny
Wed 21/06   29°/21°   16 km/h   05%   Sunny
Thu 22/06   30°/22°   15 km/h   05%   Sunny
Fri 23/06   30°/22°   15 km/h   05%   Sunny
Sat 24/06   29°/21°   18 km/h   06%   Sunny

[Maik]

Greece declares a 3-day mourning period after death of 79 immigrants near Pylos

The caretaker government of Greece declared a 3-day national mourning period after the tragedy which resulted in 79 (so far) dead migrants from the shipwreck in international waters off Pylos.

https://en.protothema.gr/greece-declares-a-3-day-mourning-period-after-death-of-79-immigrants-near-pylos/

[Maik]

Protest meetings this evening against the Pylos deaths, 19:00 in Lixouri central plateia, 19:30 in Argostoli main plateia.

One of the boats that rescued survivors from the sea was the Mayan Queen IV, owned by Mexican multi millionaire Alberto Baillères. This is the boat where crew member Sinead McNamara was found hanged in mysterious circumstances back in 2018 when moored at Argostoli.

[Maik]

Road traffic accident in Peratata earlier today involving a tourist coach heading in the direction of Poros and a passenger car heading towards Argostoli. No news of any serious injuries but car possibly written off.

[Maik]

Boris Johnson deliberately lied to MPs over partygate scandal, damning report finds

Boris Johnson committed "repeated" and "serious" contempts of Parliament by deliberately misleading MPs with his denials over the partygate scandal, a damning report has found.

The 30,000-word report published by MPs on the House of Commons privileges committee found the former prime minister's behaviour warranted a 90-day suspension from Parliament - one he now avoids after his dramatic resignation on Friday.

Responding to its publication on Thursday morning, Mr Johnson hit out at what he called a "deranged conclusion", while Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner called him a "pound shop Trump" for the way he "tries to discredit anybody who criticises his actions".

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-06-15/boris-johnson-deliberately-lied-to-mps-over-partygate-scandal-report-finds

[Maik]

Greece boat disaster: Capsized boat had 100 children in hold - reports

Survivors from a fishing boat that sank off southern Greece in one of Europe's worst migrant disasters say up to 100 children may have been on board.

At least 78 people have already been confirmed dead in the disaster.

But scores more could still be missing at sea, with reports suggesting that up to 750 people were aboard the vessel.

The country's coastguard has been criticised for not intervening earlier but authorities say their offers of aid were refused.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65914476

[Maik]

Glenda Jackson: Oscar-winning actress and former MP dies aged 87

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65916692

[Maik]

Ionian Islands Regional Council have suspended scheduled public celebrations due to the Pylos tragedy. Dates uncertain but possibly today, Friday and Saturday.

[Maik]

Wildlife Trust summer quiz

[Maik]

Komotini: 360kg man complains that the ambulance refuses to take him to the hospital

Sherif Siahin, who lives in Komotini, has been subject to unprecedented suffering for years and complains that because of his weight, even the ambulance refuses to provide him with services, as he weighs... 360 kg, which makes it impossible to transport him to the hospital by ambulance.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/06/15/komotini-360kg-man-complains/