US President Donald Trump addressed business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, emphasising his economic achievements and secure borders, while making headlines with his repeated calls to acquire Greenland.
Trump claimed the US “gave Greenland back to Denmark,” a historically inaccurate statement, and said he would not use force but expects the offer to be remembered if denied.
He also announced plans to soon replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, criticising Powell’s interest rate policies.
The president’s hour-long speech touched on immigration, US economic growth, and his Greenland ambitions, drawing attention from European leaders and prompting discussions about the Arctic territory.
Australia’s top 250 young entrepreneurs have been celebrated for their bold ideas, business acumen, and global impact, highlighting a new generation of innovators shaping the nation’s economy.
Among them are Australians of Hellenic heritage.
Kayla Itsines – Sweat
South Australian digital fitness entrepreneur Kayla Itsines, alongside former partner Tobi Pearce, built Sweat into a global platform with over 55 million followers and $100 million in annual revenue.
Itsines remains the face of the platform, while Pearce manages online driving marketplace EzLicence.
Georgia and Daniel Contos – White Fox Boutique
Photo: @georgiacontos / Instagram.
From New South Wales, Georgia and Daniel Contos founded online fashion brand White Fox Boutique, which has expanded internationally and seen its products worn by celebrities such as the Kardashians, Hailey Bieber, and Sofia Richie.
Argylica and William Conditsis – Babyboo Fashion
Siblings Argylica and William Conditsis started Babyboo Fashion with just $1,000 from a part-time job, growing it into a $60 million brand with customers in 150 countries.
Their products include custom embellished shoes and other fashion items.
Nicole Detsimas – Belnic Constructions
Queensland-based Nicole Detsimas and Hayley Bell launched Belnic Constructions in 2018, specialising in commercial fit-outs.
The company designs and builds spaces including dental clinics, research labs, and veterinary hospitals, generating $10 million annually.
Alex and Chris Naoumidis – Mindset Health
Victorian brothers Alex and Chris Naoumidis lead Mindset Health, a digital health company delivering evidence-based hypnotherapy programmes for conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain, and menopause symptoms, achieving $15 million in annual revenue.
George Georgiadis – Never Never Distilling Co
Former investment banker George Georgiadis co-founded Never Never Distilling Co, now one of Australia’s leading spirits brands.
Georgiadis recently secured a multi-million-dollar deal with Asahi Beverages while continuing as managing director.
Raquel Bouris – Who is Elijah
Sydney entrepreneur Raquel Bouris launched her genderless fragrance brand Who is Elijah in 2018.
Despite early setbacks, the brand now generates $20 million in revenue and has refined its retail presence to focus on 100 stores.
Danny and Michael Philippou – RackaRacka
Photo: Richard Dobson.
South Australian siblings Danny and Michael Philippou transitioned from YouTube pranksters to Hollywood filmmakers.
Their first feature, Talk to Me, grossed $138 million globally, and their second film, Bring Her Back, made nearly $60 million.
George Peppou – Vow
CEO George Peppou leads Vow, an Australian lab-grown meat company supplying more than 40 venues across Australia and Singapore.
The company’s cultured Japanese quail has been served over 80,000 times in the last 18 months.
Pan Koutlakis – EatClub
Photo: The Advertiser.
Melbourne-based Pan Koutlakis co-founded EatClub, a platform offering restaurants real-time discounts for diners.
The company raised $18.2 million in Series A funding in 2025 and expanded into the UK, transforming dynamic pricing in the hospitality sector.
Melbourne tech entrepreneur Constantine Frantzeskos has breathed new life into the iconic Ansett Airlines brand, transforming it into The Ansett Travel Platform, an AI-driven travel concierge service.
Frantzeskos, a digital marketing and AI specialist, noticed the airline’s trademark had lapsed and saw an opportunity to relaunch the brand, not as an airline, but as a personalised travel platform.
“Over the last 12 to 14 years, I’ve compiled a whole series of great digital innovations… and realised the trademark had lapsed,” Frantzeskos told 9News.
The platform uses AI to create traveller profiles, design ideal itineraries, and find the best deals, offering flights at wholesale prices.
Since its launch last month, the service has attracted strong interest, with many signing up for the $99 VIP experience.
Frantzeskos said the platform allows personalised trips without a traditional travel agent: “Because I don’t have gigantic overheads… I can pass on those savings to travellers. It just works for you 24-7 without a complaint.”
The revival has also sparked nostalgia for former Ansett customers and staff.
“Some ex-Ansett employees said seeing the name brought tears to their eyes,” Frantzeskos said, adding that Will Richards, grandson of founder Sir Reginald Ansett, expressed his delight at the relaunch.
Frantzeskos’ venture taps into the growing role of AI in travel, with recent data showing a 73 per cent surge in AI use among Australian travellers over the past year.
While not returning to the skies just yet, Frantzeskos said the focus is on delivering a high-quality travel experience, leaving future possibilities open: “The sky’s the limit.”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented the new MyStreet app at Maximos Mansion, describing it as a digital tool that allows citizens to monitor and report illegal use of public spaces.
“Just as it happened with MyCoast, which brought order to our beaches, I am sure that MyStreet will also bring order to our streets and squares,” Mitsotakis said.
He emphasised that the app’s success depends on municipal cooperation and integration of local data, noting that mayors would benefit politically by supporting citizen access to public spaces.
Mitsotakis added that MyStreet enables citizens, municipal employees, and municipal police officers to check in real time whether public spaces are being used legally and report any violations.
The Ministry of Culture is repurposing the building at 18–20 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street and redeveloping the adjacent plot at 20 Vyronos Street to enhance services for visitors to the Acropolis archaeological site.
The project will open both properties to the public, combining modern infrastructure with educational and cultural facilities while preserving the historic character of the sites.
The building will feature a cloakroom with self-service lockers, additional sanitary facilities, a multipurpose space for children and school groups, and a retail shop operated by the Hellenic Organisation of Cultural Resources Development.
The Vyronos Street plot will be transformed into an open-air multipurpose space that can operate independently or in conjunction with the Areopagitou building.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni said the initiative “strengthens the infrastructure serving the Acropolis archaeological site and its slopes” while significantly improving the visitor experience.
The project preserves the morphology of the historic building and maintains the open-air character of the adjacent plot.
Flags are flying at half mast at federal and New South Wales government buildings, with others invited to follow suit.
The theme of the day, chosen by the Chabad Community in Bondi, is “Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance.”
National institutions in Canberra and NSW will be illuminated tonight, along with a commemorative installation, 15 Pillars of Light, across the country.
Photo: Getty.
“The pillars will be lit up … and will serve as a visible symbol of mourning, remembrance, and national unity,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Australians are encouraged to observe a minute’s silence at 7.01pm and light a candle in solidarity with the Jewish community.
An invitation-only memorial organised by Chabad of Bondi will be live-streamed from 7pm, while the Sydney Opera House will be lit white for an evening gathering.
Odysseas Geladaris began his Australian Open Juniors campaign with a straight-sets victory, defeating Greek-Australian Evan Vassiliadis 6–0, 7–6 (2) in the opening round of qualifying.
The 17-year-old Greek player, ranked No. 77, advanced to the second qualifying round and is now one win away from securing a place in the main draw at Melbourne Park.
Geladaris, who also competed at the J300 tournament in Traralgon last week, is making his debut at a junior Grand Slam.
The Australian Open junior qualifiers are being held in Traralgon, where Geladaris will next face Ireland’s Eoghan Jennings (No. 133).
Jordan Koursaris has embraced life on the water after moving onto a 1966 boat moored at Kangaroo Point’s Dockside Marina following his divorce in 2024.
The 40-year-old purchased the vessel, Mary Rose, for $18,500 after deciding apartment living was not for him.
Koursaris said his total living costs are less than $2,000 a month, including marina fees, storage and a car space.
“So it’s less than two grand a month; less than $500 a week, and that includes all my expenses,” he said.
While the compact boat presents challenges such as limited space and maintenance issues, Koursaris said living on a boat was a long-held dream.
“Living on a boat is very fun … sometimes it’s not too practical, but I’m enjoying it at the moment,” he said, adding he plans to upgrade to a larger vessel later this year.
Adelaide massage therapist Kosta James Gourdeas has formally denied allegations he sexually assaulted a female client, pleading not guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
Gourdeas, 27, of Lightsview, replied “not guilty, Your Honour” as Magistrate Brian Nitschke read a single charge of engaging in sexual intercourse without consent.
The allegation relates to an incident said to have occurred in June 2025 while he was working as a therapist.
According to court records, Gourdeas was working as a subcontractor at a clinic in Unley at the time.
A healthcare profile describes him as an “Australian-based health professional” trained as a massage therapist.
Following the lifting of suppression orders, Gourdeas was remanded on continuing bail and will face the matter in the District Court, with a trial scheduled for April.
Maria Sakkari has been eliminated from the Australian Open after a straight-sets defeat to Mirra Andreeva in the second round in Melbourne.
The 18-year-old Russian, ranked No. 7 in the world, proved too strong for the Greek player, securing a 6–0, 6–4 victory.
Andreeva dominated the opening set, racing to a 4–0 lead with two early breaks of serve before closing it out 6–0 in just 27 minutes.
Despite an improved showing in the second set, Sakkari, ranked No. 53, was unable to turn the match around.
After trading breaks early in the second set, Andreeva broke again in the ninth game to move ahead 5–4 and seal the win after 41 minutes, ending Sakkari’s Australian Open campaign.
