The Board of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE) paid an official visit to the Thessaloniki Government House on Wednesday, January 14, where it was received by Greece’s Deputy Minister of the Interior for Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos Gkioulekas.
The delegation comprised elected MPs and senators of Greek descent from abroad – three from the United States, two from Canada and two from Australia (Federal Member for Adelaide Steve Georganas and Victorian Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous).
They were first guided through the Government House’s historical exhibition before holding discussions with the minister on matters of shared interest.
Gkioulekas highlighted the pivotal role of the Greek diaspora, describing it as “another Greece beyond the national borders.” He stressed that Greeks living abroad remain deeply connected to the homeland, often thriving in their adopted countries while continuing to serve as trusted representatives of Hellenism.
Particular emphasis was placed on the growing number of diaspora Greeks elected to parliaments worldwide, whom he described as Greece’s most effective ambassadors.
Discussions focused on coordination and the exchange of views on key national and international issues, including foreign relations, energy cooperation, cultural exchange and broader geopolitical developments.
Gkioulekas underlined the importance of joint advocacy, noting that Greece and its diaspora can advance Hellenic interests together – Athens from within the country, and diaspora representatives from the nations in which they serve.
Members of the delegation echoed these sentiments, describing the global Greek community as a strong bridge linking Greece with the wider world.
Speaking on behalf of the US delegation, Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis praised Thessaloniki as a hub of growth and innovation, pointing to the presence of major multinational companies as evidence of the region’s momentum.
Mr Raptakis also highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening Greece–US cooperation across sectors including health, the economy, tourism and education.
Canadian MP Annie Koutrakis spoke of the enduring bond between diaspora Greeks and their ancestral homeland, while noting her legislative work in Canada to formally recognise March as Hellenic Heritage Month.
From Australia, federal MP Mr Georganas reflected on the global reach of Hellenism and the strength of Greek life in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, underscoring the diaspora’s ongoing commitment to preserving language, faith and cultural identity.
The visit reaffirmed the diaspora’s institutional engagement with Greece and its role as a lasting bridge of national continuity, international influence and shared future.
Oceania will finally have its first professional football league when the OFC Pro League kicks off at Eden Park this weekend.
All eight competing clubs will play three matches in six days during the first round of the competition in Auckland, with Bula FC and Vanuatu United FC getting the OFC Pro League underway on Saturday, January 17.
It starts the first of 72 matches during the competition’s inaugural season, with the league returning to Auckland for the finals in May.
Round 1 Breakdown
The tournament’s opening matchday at Eden Park has it all – with Roy Krishna marking his return to the region for Bula FC, and Auckland FC and South Island United facing off in New Zealand’s new football rivalry.
The action then moves to North Harbour Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore for the remaining four matchdays.
New Zealand clubs South Island United and Auckland FC will have home support against both Bula FC and Vanuatu United FC across two matchdays on the 20th and the 23rd of January, whilst PNG Hekari FC and South Melbourne FC close out the opening round on the 24th of January with a blockbuster clash.
Luke Casserly – Auckland FC. OFC Pro League Press Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland, Friday 16 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick.
Auckland FC
Starting the competition at home, Auckland FC face off against New Zealand rivals South Island United in a must-see start to the competition at Eden Park.
“We know everything about South Island United. I know Rob Sherman (South Island United coach) very well, and we know the individual talent they’ve got,” says Auckland FC head coach Luke Casserly.
Casserly is confident in the squad he has picked, who will also face Vanuatu United and Bula FC during Round One.
“The lead-in has been short, but I’m really excited for some of the players that have come in. They are some of the best from the New Zealand National League, and I’m really excited for them to get the opportunity to be professionals,” he said.
Stephane Auvray – Bula FC. OFC Pro League Press Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland, Friday 16 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick.
Bula FC
Fiji’s first professional football club, Bula FC, will take part in the OFC Pro League’s historic first game against Vanuatu United on January 17th.
“As a coach, I want to be remembered for taking Fijian football to a better place,” says coach Stéphane Auvray, who also holds a dual role with the national team.
Fiji’s all-time top-scorer and appearance holder, Roy Krishna, is also part of the squad and has returned to the region for the OFC Pro League.
“He has a lot of experience and the players look up to him. If the players have questions, they reach out to him. He’s a very good player,” he said.
PNG Hekari FC
Led by Brazilian coach Marcos Gusmão, PNG Hekari FC begin their campaign against Melanesian rivals Solomon Kings FC on Sunday.
“Our preparation started three months ago, and it’s been very intense,” Gusmão says.
PNG Hekari FC will also face South Melbourne FC and Tahiti United during their stay in Auckland for the first round of the competition.
“Both the coaching staff and the players are very excited for this competition, and it is a great opportunity for Papua New Guinea to showcase its football and its talent to the entire Oceania region,” he says.
Ben Cahn – Solomon Kings FC. OFC Pro League Press Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland, Friday 16 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick.
Solomon Kings FC
Englishman Ben Cahn has previously spent most of his coaching career in Australia but will lead Solomon Kings FC for the inaugural OFC Pro League.
“It was an unknown coming in. But I’ve been really impressed by the playing group, and I’m happy with our preparation has gone,” Cahn says.
The Kings have signed Raphael Lea’i, who returns from playing in Europe and Australia to be part of the Solomon Islands first professional club.
“He’s full of enthusiasm, and we want to do everything we can to help him showcase his talent. But there are plenty of other good players capable of making a mark,” he says.
Rob Sherman – South Island United. OFC Pro League Press Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland, Friday 16 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick.
South Island United
Making history as the South Island’s first professional football club, South Island United have rivals Auckland FC in their sights on the opening matchday.
“We’ve tried to recruit predominantly South Island players, and we’re happy with the squad that we’ve got,” says coach Rob Sherman.
Sherman has previously spent a lot of time as a coach in region, including with the Fiji national team for the FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers.
“I think it’s a major step for the whole region. Oceania is under-recruited, and this league is an opportunity for players to take the step up to top football,” he says.
Sinisa Cohadzic – South Melbourne FC. OFC Pro League Press Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland, Friday 16 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick.
South Melbourne FC
Oceania’s club of the 20th century, South Melbourne FC make their return to OFC competition for the OFC Pro League.
“We’ve been a part of Oceania before, and this competition is a valuable step for us along with the other teams in the region,” says coach Sinisa Cohadzic.
South Melbourne FC arrive in Auckland off the back of their Australia Championship title in December and have retained the core group of their squad.
“As a club, we’re always ambitious, and winning trophies is in our DNA. But we come here with a lot of respect for our opposition, and there are a lot of unknowns,” he says.
Samuel Garcia – Tahiti United. OFC Pro League Press Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland, Friday 16 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick.
Tahiti United
Tahiti’s first professional football club, Tahiti United, will play South Melbourne FC in their inaugural OFC Pro League match at Eden Park.
“The preparations have gone very well,” says coach Samuel Garcia, who will retain his role at head coach of the Tahiti national team.
Tahiti United are captained by Teaonui Tehau, the nation’s all-time lead goal-scorer and appearance holder.
“The players are looking forward to taking to the field for their first match,” says Garcia, who’s squad will also play PNG Hekari FC and Solomon Kings FC in Auckland.
Lars Hopp – Vanuatu United FC. OFC Pro League Press Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland, Friday 16 January 2026. Photo: Shane Wenzlick.
Vanuatu United FC
Vanuatu United FC will play their part in making history when they play the first-ever game in OFC Pro League history against Bula FC.
“We’ve worked steadily to get everyone on the same level and aligned behind the playing idea,” says coach Lars Hopp.
Hopp will only serve as coach for the first round of the competition, where Vanuatu United FC also face Auckland FC and South Island United.
“Our squad has been put together with a core group from the Vanuatu national team. The six foreigners we’ve also added has created a good mix,” he says.
The Greek government has issued a strong statement of support for His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, following accusations levelled against him by Russian state agencies.
Greek Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, speaking during a briefing of political editors, described backing the Ecumenical Patriarch as “a sacred duty of all Orthodox Christians.”
He said Patriarch Bartholomew is “a person who, beyond the credentials he has demonstrated as the leader of our Church, has consistently taught faith and humanitarian values.”
His comments were made in response to a statement issued on January 12 by Russian intelligence services, which accused the Ecumenical Patriarch of attempting to undermine unity within the Russian Orthodox world through engagement with Baltic state authorities.
The same statement also alleged that he intended to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Montenegro as retaliation against what it described as the Serbian Orthodox Church’s stubbornness.
The Russian announcement further claimed there was “cooperation between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and foreign intelligence services,” accusations that have drawn sharp reactions both politically and within the Orthodox Church.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople rejected the allegations outright, stating that “fabricated scenarios, false news, insults, and manufactured information of every kind spread by propagandists do not deter the Ecumenical Patriarchate from continuing its ministry and its universal mission.”
Athens’ intervention adds to mounting political and ecclesiastical backing for Patriarch Bartholomew, as tensions intensify over church autonomy and broader geopolitical influence within the Orthodox world.
Greek Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has been forced to pull out of the Australian Open singles draw due to an ongoing shoulder problem, though he has not ruled out lining up in the men’s doubles with Nick Kyrgios.
The 29-year-old’s withdrawal follows his exit from the Adelaide International earlier this week, where shoulder pain resurfaced during his opening-round victory over Sebastian Korda.
The procedure was highly unusual, involving an Achilles tendon being surgically knotted between his right pectoral muscle and shoulder.
Unfortunately after speaking with my team and doctors I have made the decision to pull out of the @AustralianOpen singles. After an incredibly tough year this was the event I was looking forward to the most but I’m not ready yet. We will still give doubles a go ❤️
While Kokkinakis said the current setback is unrelated, medical advice led him to withdraw from the Australian Open singles, despite having a protected ranking for the Melbourne Park tournament, which begins on Sunday.
“After an incredibly tough year, this was the event I was looking forward to the most, but I’m not ready yet,” he wrote on social media. “I’m doing everything I can to be back to 100 per cent.”
Greece has delivered military equipment to Lebanon as part of its defence diplomacy, donating armoured vehicles and support material to Lebanese authorities.
According to the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, the transfer was carried out in coordination with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A Hellenic Navy transport vessel delivered the equipment to the port of Beirut on Thursday.
The shipment comprised 13 M113 armoured personnel carriers and 10 Steyr 680M 2.5-ton general-purpose vehicles, along with spare parts and additional supporting material.
The equipment was formally handed over to Lebanese officials upon arrival.
Former princess Irene of Greece and Denmark, sister of Queen Sofía of Spain and the late Constantine II, has died aged 83, according to an announcement by the former Greek royal family.
She passed away on Thursday at Madrid’s Palace of Zarzuela. As her health declined in recent days, Queen Sofía, 87, withdrew from all public duties to remain at her sister’s side.
A daughter of former King Paul and Queen Frederika, Irene had long retreated from public life. Her final appearance was at the wedding of Nicolas De Grès, Constantine’s third child, in February. Unmarried and without children, she devoted her life to spirituality, philosophy and humanitarian causes.
Born in Cape Town in 1942, Irene was heir to the Greek throne between 1964 and 1965. She left Greece in 1967 alongside her brother following the political crisis surrounding the monarchy, later settling permanently in Spain near Queen Sofía.
The Greek monarchy was abolished in 1974, and in recent years members of the former royal family have used the surname De Grès for civil purposes, holding no constitutional or political role in Greece.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has drawn criticism after making pointed and sarcastic remarks about modern Greeks during a panel discussion in the United Arab Emirates, moderated by a Greek coordinator.
Addressing the moderator directly, Mr Rama said Greeks often “underestimate others” because they believe they have a “monopoly on philosophy” and see themselves as the “direct heirs of Plato and Aristotle, but you are not.”
The exchange escalated when the moderator referred to a €1 billion investment project in Albania.
🇦🇱 Albanian PM Edi Rama joked about Greeks and Montenegro during a panel discussion in the UAE:
"As a Greek … you always underestimate people because you believe you have a monopoly on philosophy and are the direct heirs of Plato and Aristotle, but you are not."
Mr Rama interrupted to correct the figure, saying it exceeded that amount, before adding a further barb: “You estimate like Greeks do. When you talk about your own money, you add three zeroes. When you talk about the money of others, you remove three zeroes. That’s what you do.”
He concluded the remark with further sarcasm, adding that this was “why the European Union loves you [Greece] so much.”
Communities along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road are beginning recovery efforts after an intense and highly localised deluge triggered sudden and “terrifying” flash flooding, with the worst impacts felt at Wye River and Lorne.
More than 180 millimetres of rain fell in about four hours near Lorne, shattering rainfall records and sending torrents of water through estuaries and caravan parks.
Cars were swept away, access roads were damaged, and floodwaters forced evacuations from low-lying areas.
Around 10,000 people received emergency alerts, and approximately 200 residents and holiday-makers were displaced. No injuries have been reported, though SES crews assisted people trapped in caravans.
Emergency warnings have since been downgraded, but authorities caution that significant hazards remain, including debris, mud, damaged roads, fallen trees and the risk of landslips.
Officials described the event as unprecedented for the region, warning that even lighter rain could still cause issues due to saturated ground.
The flooding followed a volatile week for the area, which had already been on alert for bushfires, underscoring the extreme and rapidly changing conditions facing coastal communities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reiterated the European Union’s support for the reunification of Cyprus during a visit to the divided capital, Nicosia, describing a settlement as a top priority for the bloc.
Speaking on Thursday, von der Leyen said that a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution for the island and all its citizens remains an “absolute priority” for the EU.
In a post on X, she added that she hopes 2026 “will bring new momentum towards the reunification of Cyprus.”
Very moving visit to the Green Line in Nicosia.
I want to be clear.
A comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement for Cyprus and for all Cypriots remains an absolute priority for the EU.
So I hope that 2026 will bring new momentum towards the reunification of Cyprus. pic.twitter.com/L4X9wc67Sf
Her comments came shortly after the Greek Cypriot administration assumed the rotating presidency of the EU Council on January 1. However, von der Leyen’s address at the presidency launch drew criticism for failing to acknowledge Turkish Cypriots.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974.
Efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue have stalled repeatedly over the years, including the collapse of UN-led talks at Crans-Montana in Switzerland in 2017. While the Greek Cypriot side continues to pursue a federal solution, Turkish Cypriots advocate a two-state model based on sovereign equality.
Von der Leyen has previously stated that the EU would “never, ever” accept a two-state solution for the island. The unresolved Cyprus dispute remains one of the major obstacles cited by the EU in Turkey’s long-running bid for EU membership.
Greece marked a significant milestone in its naval modernisation with the arrival of the first Belharra-class frigate, Kimon, which has now been formally integrated into the Hellenic Navy.
Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the moment as one of national pride and framed the vessel’s commissioning as part of a broader, long-term effort to strengthen Greece’s defence capabilities.
“I believe that we all felt pride at the arrival of the frigate ‘Kimon’ and its official integration into our Navy,” Mitsotakis said.
Χρέος μου είναι να παραδώσω μία πατρίδα πιο ασφαλή από ό,τι την παρέλαβα. Και σήμερα κάνουμε ένα πολύ σημαντικό βήμα στην κατεύθυνση αυτή. pic.twitter.com/yEngP3VKtC
While acknowledging the ship’s advanced operational capabilities, the Prime Minister emphasised its wider strategic significance, linking it to ongoing investment in both military equipment and personnel.
“The primary duty of every government, every political leadership – and allow me to speak personally – and myself as prime minister is to make the country more secure. And I believe that today we are taking a very important step in this direction,” he added.
Kimon was officially named and raised the Greek flag in Lorient, France, in December, before undergoing weapons installation and systems testing in Brest.
Crewed by 128 personnel, the frigate then sailed to Greece, where it was welcomed near Aegina by other navy vessels, including the historic battleship Averof and the trireme Olympias, symbolising continuity from ancient to modern Greek naval power.
Στην εν πλω υποδοχή της Φρεγάτας #FDI «ΚΙΜΩΝ» στον Σαρωνικό, με τον Πρόεδρο της Δημοκρατίας Κωνσταντίνο Τασούλα και τον Πρωθυπουργό Κυριάκο Μητσοτάκη @PrimeministerGR.
Η φρεγάτα «ΚΙΜΩΝ» εντάσσεται στον πυρήνα της Εθνικής Αποτροπής, όπως αυτός συγκροτείται μέσα από μια σύγχρονη… pic.twitter.com/CBXz5CUVvv
President Konstantinos Tasoulas described the frigate as a “national achievement”, highlighting its role in strengthening Greece’s deterrence and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, who boarded the ship on its arrival, said Kimon represents the cutting edge of naval warfare, capable of surface, air, submarine and electronic operations.
The Prime Minister confirmed that three additional Belharra-class frigates are expected to join the Hellenic Navy within the next 18 months, signalling a new era for Greece’s maritime defence.
