Latest news with #Kos
The Independent
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Is it reasonable to pay a Kos villa owner in cash?
Q I have booked a villa in Kos for September. Unusually, the owner wants to be paid in cash when I turn up. I am somewhat wary of taking bundles of euros with me. In your view, would it be reasonable to rely on extracting cash from ATMs? Ian Robins A Both your destination and your timing are excellent; the Greek islands are at their best in September. However, first you will need to pay for the stay. I recommend that you take the euros you need to pay for the villa, and then a bundle more for your holiday spending. Yes, there is some attendant risk, but I believe it is tolerable (last year I had to take $10,000 in cash to Nepal to pay for a group trekking trip, and that worked). Crime levels in Crete are low; take extra care going through transport locations in the UK and on arrival. There are several reasons against relying on ATMs. The first: in my experience, electronic banking is not to be relied upon in the Greek islands, whether you are seeking to pay for a restaurant meal or hotel bill, or withdraw money from a cash machine. Next, all the ATMs I have checked out recently in Greece have applied substantial charges – upwards of €5 – for withdrawals. This reflects the costs of providing and maintaining the machines, and appears to be spreading across Europe. Most significantly, though, my bank limits daily withdrawals to £500 or the equivalent (in this case, about €575). Even if there are two of you, each able to withdraw this sum, I imagine it would take a couple of days to generate sufficient cash – awkward for you and the property owner. If you are persuaded to take euros with you, the next question is: how to procure them in the UK at the most advantageous rate? Ordering in advance at a decent rate and picking them up at your departure airport may be easiest. High street providers may be competitive, if you are buying a large quantity. Or, if you plan to be in London between now and September, try a bureau de change such as Currency Online Group or Thomas Exchange Group – the companies I tend to use because of their reliably keen rates. Q Like many thousands of people, I received the news that ELO had cancelled their Sunday gig in Hyde Park just 24 hours before the concert was due to take place. We had already travelled to London and had booked a hotel for two nights, plus car parking, plus putting our dog into the kennel for two nights. The only recompense we will receive is our ticket money. Our travel insurance does not cover this either, as it is not cut short by one of our party being ill. Had we been informed earlier, we would have been able to cancel our hotel and the kennel. Is it worth taking this further with the organisers? D South A The pop legends ELO have been on a final tour, branded Over and Out. The last performance of Jeff Lynne 's ensemble was due to end the BST season at Hyde Park in London. Ticket holders were told about 24 hours ahead: 'Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow's BST Hyde Park show.' The organisers said he had been 'battling a systemic infection' and that doctors had told him neither performing nor rescheduling was possible. We all wish Jeff Lynne a swift and complete recovery. Nine pretty solid support acts were ready to perform, including fellow 1970s sensations the Doobie Brothers and Steve Winwood. Yet the whole sold-out event was called off. I think this decision will be much-discussed over the coming weeks, as disappointed fans get their tickets refunded. From a travel perspective, though, I am afraid that the tightly written terms of the promoter, AEG, make it clear that a claim will not be entertained: 'To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither we nor any other party shall have any liability to you beyond the face value of the ticket.' Even if a legal claim were mounted, I believe a defence that you enjoyed the benefit of a short break in London might be accepted. Could you insure for future gigs? Insurance for cancelled events is aimed at organisers, not ticket holders. I know of no policies that cover the costs of travel and hotels when the gig is called off. Q My two boys (aged 10 and six) and I are heading from Dover to see friends in Cornwall. We all have bikes and would like to build in a couple of days of cycling along with doing most of the travelling by rail. Can you suggest a stretch that would be safe, fun and not too demanding? Stephanie S A National Cycle Network route 1 starts beside the ferry port at Dover and runs all the way to John O'Groats in northern Scotland. The first stretch, from Dover around the coast to Sandwich and then inland to Canterbury, could be just what you need – a little hilly, but fun, and 12 miles/20km for each portion. Two relaxing days or one really challenging one. If hills are not what you need, then allow me to direct you to the Kennet and Avon Canal Cycle Route. This connects Reading with Bath – a distance of 82 miles/133km, but it can be sliced and diced. However, rail access is patchy. Devizes would be the ideal place to start, except that the station closed in 1966. So instead I recommend Trowbridge. An advantage of this Wiltshire town is that you can access it by rail without the need to navigate London with youngsters and bikes in tow. Take a train from Dover to Waterloo East in the capital, walk across the link bridge to the main Waterloo station and board the fast(-ish) train to Salisbury. Change again, and you can be in Trowbridge about five hours after leaving Dover. You will need to cycle a mile or so north to the canal, but from then on it should be an easy 13-mile/21km ride through beautiful Bradford on Avon to Bath. You could overnight in the spa city and then tackle the quite different – but safe and rewarding – Bristol and Bath railway path. This is another largely flat and traffic-free route that includes an exciting stretch in a tunnel. You will be taken close to Bristol Temple Meads station, from which there are plenty of trains in the direction of Cornwall – though you may need to change at Plymouth.
DW
11-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
EU Commissioner: 'EU membership is about peace' – DW – 07/11/2025
Marta Kos from Slovenia is the EU Commissioner for Enlargement. DW spoke to her about the issue of EU enlargement and the accession prospects of Serbia, Moldova, Ukraine and other European Kos: I grew up in communist Yugoslavia and when my country, Slovenia, decided to declare independence, the biggest wish was to belong to a community of values and democracy. So, right from the beginning, from when we gained independence in 1991, we fought for this. When Slovenia became a member of the EU in 2004, it was one of the happiest days of my life. Slovenia is a country of only 2 million people and 20,000 square kilometers. What can a small country do alone in this world where you really need allies? You have to connect to have some strength in the world. The EU has brought all this, and I'm so happy that the citizens of Slovenia still support it a What we have learned is that EU membership is not something that comes just like that, but something you really have to fight for. And it is very important that the leadership of the [candidate] country really supports this, because the accession process is a transition process. We now have some candidate countries where the leadership is really very supportive. But if the leadership is not doing this, how can citizens believe — or should believe — that EU membership is something good? The second lesson is that it is not only about the economy. When Slovenia became a member, we saw our membership mostly through the lens of prosperity. But today, EU membership is about peace. Can you imagine that in 2025, we are speaking again about the fact that the EU is there to provide peace in Europe or freedom or security, too? These are actually the basics, the reason why the EU was It's amazing what the Ukrainians are doing today. While the bombs are falling on their country, they are negotiating EU accession. They are doing necessary reforms — and there are a lot of reforms to do. So, we are ready to open Cluster One on fundamentals. And by the end of the year, we will be ready to open all clusters, which means that then, the real work of the negotiations will be possible. Actually, the conflict with Russia didn't start in 2022 when the war started. It started in 2014 when Ukraine wanted to sign a free trade agreement with the EU and somebody — Putin's regime — opposed it. I will do everything I can that Ukraine will become a member of the EU — as our president Ursula von der Leyen says, perhaps even before This is very good question, which I get asked many times. So, in the sense of what is more important — geopolitical and security needs on the one hand and the merit-based principle on the other — both are important, but we cannot afford to have countries or new member states that are not ready for the European economic market and, of course, to be able to defend democracy and the rule of law. That's why, of course, the merit-based principle will remain a cornerstone of the accession process, because through this process, we actually prepare the countries in many, many fields, especially in the field of media freedom or the whole rule of law It is unprecedented how aggressive Russian propaganda is, especially in Moldova. They [Russia] are investing millions of euros to stop Moldova from going the European way. But the EU has also got smarter over the last years. So, for the first time we are now deploying what we call the Hybrid Rapid Response Team from the EEAS [European External Action Service] with experts from some member states, and we are helping Moldova, together with their government, to fight the Russian narratives. They are very aggressive and they are spreading lies in the sense of "if you go the European way, there will be the war the same as in Ukraine. If you will become a member of the EU, you will lose your identity." I come from a country that is smaller than Moldova and actually membership of the EU is preserving our identity. This is a new approach, and we are really helping a lot in building a strong basis for being a member of the EU, both for Ukraine and Moldova and also the Western Balkan Serbia is in a very difficult situation, and we, the EU, are very much supportive of the European way of Serbia and the Serbian people. But there is a lot that still needs to be done. Even if Serbia has been a candidate country for many years, they haven't done all the reforms yet. So, we are helping them do these reforms. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video On the other hand, the protests we have been seeing now for some months are an expression that people are not happy with the situation they are in. And every government should consider what its own citizens are saying. To some extent, the protesters are demanding the same as we — the EU — are demanding from Serbia, meaning: anti-corruption [measures], the rule of law, media freedom. So, actually, we have a common interest here, and I hope that we will be able to really stabilize This is an interesting observation. I'm in constant touch with civil society organizations, professors and universities in Serbia and I asked many, many people this same question. What they told me was very interesting. The first thing was: "You are supporting President Vucic. Second, you bombed us. Okay, it was NATO but you bombed our country. Third, you want us to recognize Kosovo, and fourth, we don't want to make Russia angry." So, the answers go in very different directions. These are the sentiments we also have to consider when — and this is the plan — better communicating the benefits of EU Yes, this is indeed the question. I like to say that once the country decides to take the EU path, it comes with obligations and responsibilities. So, it is a choice. Nobody is forcing Serbia. But once you say "yes, we want to become a member of the EU," then it has to be done. Many things have to be done. I hope that we will be able to better explain the benefits of enlargement or why the EU is good for In the accession process we need unanimous decisions, which means that all 27 member states have to agree with a decision. There was a public consultation in Hungary where politicians told us that the people are against Ukrainian membership of the EU. But I can tell you, we also conducted a survey in Eurobarometer, which has not been published yet, where 64% or 65% of citizens in Hungary support enlargement. So, dialogue, constructive dialogue, finding a solution, this is the only way out of this situation. We are talking to Hungary, and I hope that we will find the solution together with the other member We don't have a plan for Orban, we have a plan for the accession process and there, we will find a solution.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Paul Hollywood's ex-girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam shows off her toned figure in a bright orange bikini as she jets off to Greece
Paul Hollywood 's ex-girlfriend Summer Monteys-Fullam showed off her toned figure in a bright orange bikini. The aesthetics business owner, 30, started dating the Great British Bake Off star, 57, in 2017 around the time of his split from his ex-wife. But taking to Instagram on Monday, Summer showed off her incredible figure as she posed for snaps by the pool. The red-headed beauty sat lounging by a clear-blue pool after the sun had gone down while on the island of Kos. She displayed her chiselled abs in a baby pink sequined busty bikini, complete with a triangle top featuring straps and a skimpy pair of bottoms. 'Holiday pics for the foreseeable,' she captioned the snaps. Summer dated Paul after his 20-year marriage to wife Alex ended in 2017 and was seeing him until August 2019. However, Alex later claimed Paul's relationship with Summer started before their split - something which Summer has always vehemently denied. One of the triggers to end Summer's romance with Paul was his alleged 'controlling behaviour' - and the former barmaid explained in 2022 how she longs for someone who is more in line with her values. 'I want someone that's driven, that's confident, that's loyal. That's a huge thing for me, loyal and honest and not controlling,' she said. Summer has no qualms about calling an unfaithful partner out on their behaviour, having unfortunately encountered an influx of them. She said: 'I definitely hand him his receipts and I would also tell the girl as well. 'If you're confident enough to go out and be "single" when you're not single, then face the consequences for sure.' Paul's ex-wife Alex hit out at him in 2021, claiming their marriage was 'over seasoned with extra marital affairs'. She displayed her chiselled abs in a baby pink sequined busty bikini, complete with a triangle top featuring straps and a skimpy pair of bottoms The television show judge previously admitted to cheating on Alex with chef Marcela Valladolid, 43, in 2013. And Alex, who shares a teenage son with Paul, insisted she is finally happy being single but said some people struggle to believe that's true. She wrote on Instagram: 'It's taken me a while to get here and it hasn't been easy, but I love the woman I am now. 'I know only too well that not every marriage/partnership is a recipe for happiness and success. 'My own marriage was too over seasoned with extra marital affairs for my taste and so I opted out and chose the single menu instead. It wasn't easy and it took some getting used to. 'I wasn't even sure I liked it much at first, but as I regained my confidence, my freedom and myself after so long, I discovered that it really isn't a cliché to say happiness really does comes from within.' However, Alex later claimed Paul's relationship with Summer started before their split - something which Summer has always vehemently denied (Paul and Alex seen in 2015) She added: 'I still get the occasional well-meaning comment — that I'll get "snapped up soon" rather like a supermarket meal deal. 'People don't like to believe that a woman can be happier single.' MailOnline contacted a representative for Paul for comment at the time. Alex They got back together but finally went their separate ways in 2017, with Alex citing infidelity as the reason for the split.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Zara McDermott shows off her jaw-dropping curves in a pink bikini on a girls' Greek getaway - after packing on the PDA with Louis Tomlinson at Glastonbury
turned up the heat in a pink bikini as she soaked up the sun on a girls' Greek getaway - days after packing on the PDA with Louis Tomlinson at Glastonbury. The Love Island star, 28, sported pastel swimwear and a matching sarong as she shared a selection of jaw-dropping snaps from her holiday to Kos with her gal pals on Sunday. Zara flaunted her sun-kissed tan as she posed for a sweet shot with her best pal's daughter, while staying at the luxurious five-star Grecotel LUXME Kos hotel. The reality TV personality appeared jovial and carefree during her girls-only trip, captioning the gallery: 'Moments on the best trip ever with my perfect girls.' Zara's new post comes days after she was spotted dancing with her One Direction star boyfriend Louis, 33, in the crowd at Worthy Farm during Sketpa's set at Glastonbury. The Love Island star, 28, (right) sported pastel swimwear and a matching sarong as she shared a selection of jaw-dropping snaps from her holiday to Kos with her gal pals on Sunday Louis could be seen with his arms wrapped around Zara who flopped her head back onto his shoulder while enjoying the music. A fellow festival-goer captioned the post: 'Glastonbury is mad because you can be dancing to Skepta and boom Louis Tomlinson is next to you.' Others couldn't get over the couple's kooky PDA and rushed to the comments: 'Literally is Zara well in this? LOL': 'It's so funny'. In an interview before she travelled to Somerset for the festival, Zara also broke her silence on her split from Sam Thompson, 32. The couple, who featured on Made In Chelsea together, had enjoyed a five-year relationship before calling time on their romance in January. Zara made headlines after swiftly moving on with One Direction star Louis, with the pair spotted enjoying a date together in early March. Their romance continued to blossom as they jetted off on holiday together, before Louis and Zara's ex Sam came face-to-face for the first time at Soccer Aid last month. A seemingly awkward interaction ensued, with Louis reportedly blanking Sam following the match at Old Trafford despite holding 'peace talks' at the team hotel earlier. The woman at the centre of the drama was however nowhere to be seen, with Zara later admitting the reaction to her love life has been 'frustrating'. She told The Sun: 'The only thing in my life worth writing about is the work I do.' The star also revealed that, despite still posting glamorous snaps to Instagram, she no longer spends much time on social media and is more grounded in her 'relationships'. 'I don't care about social media as much as I used to, or about the aesthetic or the image, I value so much real relationships and real support around me, and being that to other people,' she added. 'I'm a totally different person to the one I was when I was 21 years old and stepped into what appeared to be a glitzy world of showbiz, my day to day life is not at all glitz and glamour.' Zara and Louis have since seemingly gone from strength to strength, with the couple pictured looking smitten during their Glastonbury weekend. Zara certainly got the family seal of approval as she was snapped cuddling up to Louis 's sister Lottie. Their relationship has the added strength of the blessing of his make-up artist sibling Lottie, 26, with whom he has a close bond. Zara certainly got the family seal of approval as she was snapped cuddling up to Louis's sister Lottie Tomlinson at Glastonbury Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Lottie shared a plethora of snaps from her time at the festival at Worthy Farm, which she enjoyed with Louis, Zara and fiancé Lewis Burton. Proving she was accepting of her brother's new romance, Lottie snuggled in close to Zara, who wrapped an arm around her waist, as they posed in the field together. Fans were quick to take to the comments to share their excitement over the seemingly newfound friendship between Zara and her boyfriend's sister. 'Nice when your siblings and partners get along so well'
Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Leon Marchand closes Indy Cup with 200m medley victory
France's Leon Marchand competing in the men's 400m individual medley final event during the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2024 - Stop 3 in Singapore on November 2, 2024. He will be back for the world championships in July. PHOTO: AFP LOS ANGELES – Four-gold Olympic champion Leon Marchand, continuing his build up to the swimming world championships in Singapore, capped the Indy Summer Cup meeting with a victory in the 200m individual medley on June 28. The French 23-year-old, who took the Paris Olympics by storm with gold in the 200m breaststroke, 200m butterfly and 200 and 400 individual medleys, clocked 1min 57.23 with Hungary's Hubert Kos second in 2:00.16. Kos, who like Marchand trains in Texas under coach Bob Bowman, polished off a strong week with a victory in the 200m backstroke in 1:56.74, with Marchand second in 1:57.14. Kos, the reigning Olympic and world champion in the 200m back, added the title to the 100m back and 200m butterfly titles he claimed on June 27. Marchand added a second victory of the week after winning the 100m breaststroke on June 27 in 59.95sec – dipping under one minute in the event for the second time in his career. American Regan Smith, also headed to Singapore later in July, completed an impressive week with victories in the 200m backstroke and the 200m medley to go with victories in the 200m fly and 100m back. US swimmers triumphed in the 100m freestyles. Chris Guiliano clocked 47.72 to head a men's final field that saw Kos finish fourth in 49.42 and Marchand seventh in 49.70. Simone Manuel won the women's 100m free in 53.28, with Smith second in 54.15. Meanwhile, after a disappointing Olympic campaign that yielded just one medal, Japan's swimming team hope to improve their results at the 2028 Los Angeles Games by getting their athletes used to living in close quarters and facing challenges away from the pool. In preparation for the world championships, national team members lived together in a 'virtual athletes' village' while competing at the Tokyo metropolitan championships in early June. The camp, aimed at enabling athletes to thrive in unfamiliar environments, such as those at Olympic Games, proved to be a valuable experience, according to senior Japan Aquatics official Toshiaki Kurasawa. 'We got more out of it than we expected,' Kurasawa said. The exercise was held at Sea Forest Waterway, the 2020 Olympic canoeing and rowing venue on Tokyo Bay, located far from the nearest convenience stores and other amenities. The athletes traveled some 20 minutes by bus to the competition venue, the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, just as they would at an Olympics. Japan's sole Paris Games medalist, men's 400m IM silver winner Tomoyuki Matsushita, bunked in a room with seven teammates while competing at the metropolitan championships. Despite poor sleep due to a roommate's snoring, he was able to set a good time in the pool. 'We were able to achieve our goal of swimming decent times under less-than-ideal conditions,' Matsushita said. AFP, KYODO NEWS Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
