08/08/15

[Maik]

http://civilprotection.gr

[Maik]

Local fire fighters, aided by Petzel 'planes, been fighting a bush fire in Ratzakli and another in Farsa a little earlier today. Heard they're pretty much under control at the moment.

Heard that was the second fire in Ratzakli area in about a week and that there was a bush fire outside Skala yesterday afternoon. Seem to recall a suspected arsonist was arrested on Kef last year, never heard any more about that.

[Maik]

Greece to receive 320 million euros to manage migration crisis
Frontex data shows over 50,000 migrants arrived in Greece in July alone, more than in the whole of 2014

http://www.tovima.gr/en/article/?aid=728249

[Maik]

Bee rustling: Antiquated crime is on the rise – because there's money in honey

North Wales Police are currently investigating the theft of 30,000 bees and three queens from a honey farm in Anglesey – a crime which follows a spate of similar thefts in the nearby Conwy Valley.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/bee-rustling-antiquated-crime-is-on-the-rise--because-theres-money-in-honey-10446185.html

[Maik]

The airport VAT scam: Retailers told to come clean after being accused of pocketing millions from discounts on duty-free sales

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/retailers-told-to-come-clean-after-being-accused-of-pocketing-millions-from-vat-discounts-on-airport-dutyfree-sales-10446111.html

Interesting article, shows that goods in many UK airport shops are no bargain, being little, if any, less expensive than on the high street. Duty free savings that should be passed on to the customer are being pocketed by the retailer.

[TonyKath]

The airport VAT scam: Retailers told to come clean after being accused of pocketing millions from discounts on duty-free sales

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/retailers-told-to-come-clean-after-being-accused-of-pocketing-millions-from-vat-discounts-on-airport-dutyfree-sales-10446111.html

Interesting article, shows that goods in many UK airport shops are no bargain, being little, if any, less expensive than on the high street. Duty free savings that should be passed on to the customer are being pocketed by the retailer.

Totally shocking!  Companies such as Boots and WH Smith are charging the High Street VAT price on everything and then where pax are travelling outside the EU keep the 20%.  Which explains why so many airport shops are asking for your boarding card.  Showing your boarding card is not a legal requirement so perhaps we should refuse if travelling within the EU (saving fumbling to find it where we have carefully stowed it against loss) or ask for the VAT back if travelling outside.  If staff cut up rough they can be reminded it's a criminal offence under the Sale of Goods Acts not to sell an item - unless age restricted.

All of which further explains the proliferation of airport shops: they make more money out of us than they do on the high street.  And not only that they construct them so we have to pass through their crazed overlit version of the Istanbul Grand Bazaar, only less navigable.

 

Tony

[jeanskala]

Greece to receive 320 million euros to manage migration crisis
Frontex data shows over 50,000 migrants arrived in Greece in July alone, more than in the whole of 2014

http://www.tovima.gr/en/article/?aid=728249

I hope someone (not Greek!) audits how this money is spent, and it doesn't just disappear in the 'big back pocket'..!

[TonyD]

"€320m for the period 2014 - 2020".....€45m a year.....doesn't sound a lot.
The UK just spent £7m (€9.8m) putting up a fence and giving the Frogs 3x sniffer dogs!

[Maik]

Some of you might like to check my arithmetic...

...for the 2014-2020 period, Greece will receive about 320 million euros to manage the migration crisis.

260 million euros will come from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and a further 166 million euros from the Internal Security Fund (ISF).

http://www.tovima.gr/en/article/?aid=728249

Not sure how 260 + 166 = 320.

Anyway, yes, the AMIF 260,000,000 / 6 = a tad under 45M € a year (43,333,333 € p.a.)

The UNHCR's European Director, Vincent Cochetel, said... 124,000 had arrived in Greece so far this year.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33818193

43,333,333 / 124,000 = 349€... per person... per year. Not quite one small loaf per person per day.

And the year's barely into it's 8^th month, could well be more migrants on their way.

[Aristarches]

How much do topedoes, electrified fences and attack dogs cost? 

[jeanskala]

How much do topedoes, electrified fences and attack dogs cost?

Perhaps Boris could send over his 3 water cannons that he's not allowed to use in the UK...!

[Aristarches]

How much do topedoes, electrified fences and attack dogs cost?

Perhaps Boris could send over his 3 water cannons that he's not allowed to use in the UK...!

Damn good idea, Jean.