A wildfire that broke out Saturday in western Greece forced the evacuation of four villages and people on a beach by the Fire Service, the Coast Guard and private boats, authorities said.
The fire was in a mountain forest 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Patras, Greece’s third-largest city, Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis said late Saturday. Aided by strong winds, the fire raced down the slopes and threatened seaside villages.
The Civil Protection Agency used the 112 European Emergency Number to send text messages to the residents of four villages — two in the mountains and two by the sea — to evacuate. Local media reported that some villagers refused to leave and were trying to fight the fire with garden hoses.
Firefighters operate during a wildfire near Lampiri village, west of Patras, Greece, Saturday, Jul. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Andreas Alexopoulos)
Firefighters told The Associated Press that the fire was a large one, advancing on multiple fronts, although winds had abated somewhat.
Chrysochoidis said on state TV ERT that 290 firefighters were fighting the fire, along with 8 planes, 7 helicopters and a Fire Service special forces boat, which helped evacuate beach-goers and others trapped by the fire near the sea. Coast guard vessels and private boats helped in the evacuation.
The fire shut down the Athens-Patras highway and the 2.9-kilometer (1.8 mile) Rio-Antirrio bridge west of the fire.
Firefighters operate during a wildfire near Lampiri village, west of Patras, Greece, Saturday, Jul. 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Andreas Alexopoulos)
A total of 56 wildfires have broken out in the past 24 hours in Greece, aided by a combination of dry weather, a heat wave and strong winds. Most were put out at an early stage, Chrysochoidis said.
The heat wave is expected to peak Monday, with temperatures inland ranging from 42 to 46 degrees Celsius (107.6 to 114.8 Fahrenheit). Temperatures will remain at 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) or above in much of Greece until at least Friday, meteorologists say.
Andreas Potamianos, one of Greece’s most prominent shipowners, passed away on Friday at the age of 88.
The former chairman of the Greek Shipowners’ Association for Passenger Ships (SEEN) was born in 1933 in Piraeus to a family of shipowners.
He graduated from the Law School of the University of Athens and continued his studies at the London School of Economics, from where he received a master’s degree in Maritime Law. He served his military service as a reserve officer in the Navy (then Royal Navy).
He was president of the Passenger Shipping Business Association for 22 years, from 1980 to 2002. He was also president of the Hellenic Chinese Association, the Special Olympics of Greece and the Hellenic Nautical Club, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Greece and the Hellenic Red Cross (ICRC).
He was also a member of the claim committee for the 2004 Olympic Games (whose work was crowned a success, with Athens taking over the Games), the Board of Directors of the Naval Retirement Fund (NAT), the Naval Chamber of Greece and Helmepa (Greek Association for the Protection of the Marine Environment).
He was married to Fleur Potamianou and had three daughters, Eleni, Katerina and Alexandra.
Birdwood High School principal Heather Makris, 45, is grateful each day she gets to follow her passion and inspire a new generation.
As a young mum in 2001, she was diagnosed with meningitis after falling unconscious while at home alone with her two then babies, daughter, Eleni-Nicole, aged 18 months and son, Peter, aged six months.
In the two decades that have followed, her children and husband, Michael, have been told to prepare for the worst several times, as the initial illness gave rise to a series of debilitating and life-threatening conditions that destroyed her liver.
In 2016, Ms Makris was placed on life support when she developed septicaemia after a routine operation, one of 25 she has endured. She was told she would need a liver transplant with “the call” coming late in 2019, as she fought to keep her school community safe from the bushfires.
“I didn’t sleep that (transplant eve) night, I put pen to paper and wrote a letter to my donor family because I knew that although we were now elated and hopeful, they were going through heartache and sorrow … I will be forever grateful for their kindness and generosity,” she said.
“I vowed and promised that I would do everything I possibly could to ensure their gift of life to me would make a difference.
“I could not imagine not working, not being around children and young people … for me it is a blessing. I love going to work, I love what each day brings.”
Remarkably, despite the health challenges which she largely kept to herself, Ms Makris has held senior education roles in SA, including at Charles Campbell and Glenunga high schools and delivering education reform within the department.
“I would put on my makeup every morning and I would feel fabulous … I knew that I had a calling to inspire people to believe in themselves, that it doesn’t matter what people tell you, you can tread towards your goals with fierce determination and it doesn’t matter how difficult they appear, you can actually make the impossible possible,” she said.
Ms Makris, now doing well, is the brainchild behind the annual South Australian Amazing Race for Donate Life to raise awareness for organ donations, postponed by lockdown.
I recently attended an online meeting with the New Democracy Minister for Foreign Affairs in Greece, Dr Konstantinos Vlassis, who is also an Orthopaedic surgeon and a Professor in Greece. Many Greeks in Australia own land or homes in Greece, with a few also running a business in Greece or renting out properties there. According to the New Democracy Party, Greeks of the Diaspora should be able to vote in Greece from here.
That everyone of Greek heritage, who has a Greek passport should have the right to vote in Greece may be problematic.
At face value it seems very honourable of the current Greek government to support Greeks of the Diaspora. Or is it? Who is gaining here?
It also seems like a valid that we of the Diaspora have the same rights as every other Greek to vote and affect the Greek nation. But do we? even when we do not live there?
I wonder if all the ex-patriots of Australia get to vote about what happens here?
Firstly, this would by far advantage the conservative parties as most Greek migrants with properties in Greece traditionally support the conservative parties.
Another problem however, is that many of us have no idea about the situation of the Greek people or their needs, their working conditions or tax obligations. Are we truly able to make decisions for them? Are they unable to govern themselves? Do we see ourselves as their saviours because we know better?
I am just throwing a spanner in the works here!
As a person who loves Greece, I would love to be able to help them and their economy. I also have some interests in property in Greece but should I vote? I would love to but in all honesty, I am unqualified to do so as I do not know their needs and what is best for them. All I know is what various political parties tell me when they visit Australia or what biased news I read online.
Aristotle University School of Medicine (AUSoM) in Thessaloniki, Greece, is home to many world-leading educators, physicians, surgeons and medical scientists.
At AUSOM, they emphasize on excellence as a habit in medical studies and achieve it through the most diverse range of medical conditions and treatments. Their University Hospital AHEPA, based on campus, is one of the country’s leading clinical centres, where students gain invaluable experience. However, there are 6 other major hospitals in and around the city where skills are honed under first class supervision.
Their graduates pursue brilliant careers and actively improve health in societies the world over. They succeed because their alma mater prioritizes interdisciplinary medical studies, hands-on experience in the most diverse clinical conditions and therapies, and an ethos of patient-centered medical practice -the very teachings of Hippokrates, at the exact birthplace of modern medicine. For their students, Asclepius, Hippokrates or Galen are not ancient history but living paradigms of ethics, practical skills and of the drive to always change medicine for the better.
The School of Medicine of Aristotle University was founded in 1942. It accounts for more than 30.000 graduates, some of them with a great impact on science and humanity. It is your turn! Open your path to a bright career in medicine with us in Greece today!
The courses are now offered in English and international students experience the thrilling Greek way of living. Additionally to their medical degree, all students receive by completion of the 3rd year a certification in modern Greek language issued by the Aristotle University. Fees are competitive and scholarships of excellence are available supported from the State Scholarships Foundation.
The 13th General Assembly of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Union (PADEE) concluded its three day conference in the Greek Parliament in Athens on 30 July 2021 with a unanimous resolution calling for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.
The assembly was attended by nearly forty elected legislators of Greek descent from the diaspora, including France, Germany, the USA, Jordan, Canada and Sweden, under the chair of US Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis.
The delegates listened to an impassioned presentation from Ms Elly Symons, the co-Vice Chair of the Australian Parthenon Committee, on recent developments in the international campaign for return and the legal and diplomatic strategies that Greece can pursue to secure the reunification of the sculptures looted by Lord Elgin and held in the British Museum since 1816.
Elly Symons noted that as Greece celebrates the 200th anniversary of the start of its War of Independence in 1821, Hellenes and Philhellenes all over the world are engaged in another battle for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures.
Surveying the recent history of the campaign, Ms Symons recalled that the former Greek Culture Minister Melina Mercouri in her famous address to UNESCO in 1982 declared that the call for return is made in the name of cultural heritage of the world and the voice of the mutilated monument itself that cries out for the marbles to be returned.
But sadly, the British have stonewalled ever since and yet Greece continues to hope misguidedly that eventually England will do the right thing.
Ms Symons reminded the audience that as far back as 2002, the British made their position clear after Greece suggested a long-term loan of the Parthenon Marbles in return for reciprocal and recurring loans of other rare Greek antiquities. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees in correspondence with the Greek government at the time declared that the British Museum “is the best possible place for these wonderful achievements to be on display” and that he could not envisage the circumstances under which the Trustees would ever agree to endorse a loan, permanent or temporary, of the Parthenon sculptures in the museum’s collections.
As Elly Symons observed, the arrogance and hubris of the British Museum is there for all to see. And regrettably, nothing has changed.
According to the seasoned Greek-Australian campaigner:
”A new strategy is needed – one that embraces an array of coherent political, diplomatic and legal tactics designed to bring pressure to bear on the British Museum and the British Government.”
One such strategy, described as being the least problematic, is to approach the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion. Such a step would add a powerful legal dimension to Greece’s cultural diplomatic cache.
Ms Symons explained that Greece has been vocal in the General Assembly of the United Nations, having successfully sponsored resolutions for the return or restitution of cultural property to their countries of origin in 2012, 2015 and again in 2018. As she pointed out:
“The cultural diplomacy or soft power exercised by Greece in securing support for this resolution can serve as a benchmark for pursuing an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice which is also the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.”
The advisory opinion procedure actually allows other Member States to take part in the proceedings, presenting both oral and written submissions, and it is anticipated that many States would intervene to argue in favour of the reunification of the Marbles. The Court would be invited to acknowledge that the return is supported by the emerging rule of customary international law that cultural treasures lost in times of occupation or dependence must be returned to their countries of origin.
Ms Symons concluded that the Greek Revolution that we celebrate today will not be complete until the Parthenon Sculptures are finally reunified in Greece and for that to occur the Greek State needs to embrace a combined legal and diplomatic strategy if it is ever to unchain our beloved Marbles from their London prison.
The delegates at the General Assembly warmly applauded Ms Symons and considered a draft resolution moved by the American delegate from the Connecticut House of Representatives, Eleni Kavros DeGraw.
In the resolution it was noted that the Parthenon Sculptures are the most important keys to the ancient history of Greece and constitute cultural property that enhances the identity, understanding, and appreciation for the culture that produced it. The delegates also recalled the resolution (moved by Greece) that was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13 December 2018 for the return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin that is of fundamental spiritual, historical and cultural value to them.
The General Assembly proceeded to pass the strongly-worded resolution, expressing profound regret at the continuing refusal of the British Government to engage with the Greek Government in meaningful dialogue and bilateral discussions for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, and calling upon the Greek Government to renew and prosecute all diplomatic, political, cultural and legal options available to Greece to secure the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.
The Greeks of the Diaspora have once again shown their passion for this noble cause and the members of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association are to be commended for their work and initiative.
George Vardas
Co-Vice President, The Australian Parthenon Committee
There are renewed calls for a probe into why one of Sydney’s most prized public pools closed up shop for two years after a series of restoration bungles.
The saga at Balmain’s Dawn Fraser Baths, an icon on the inner west harbour, has seen staff previously referred to the Auditor General by their own mayor and resulted in a council general manager quitting over the furore.
Now independent councillor John Stamolis has issued a “please explain” to the council over the extended delay.
Thousands of locals successfully campaigned for the state government to offer a grant to save the pool. Picture: AAP/Flavio Brancaleone
Cr Stamolis is moving a motion at a council meeting next month to call for an investigation into the costs and reasons why the Balmain institution sat behind closed gates for almost two years.
“I’m asking these questions to make them public,” Cr Stamolis said.
“Our community were greatly impacted with two seasons of swimming lost as well as a host of other activities that were not able to be done for two years.
“We were promised 10 to 12 months and 24 months later we’re still talking about this. Look at Telstra Square (in Balmain) two years to build the smallest square in Australia, what is going on there.”
The baths are home to the oldest swimming club in Australia. Picture: AAP/Jordan Shields
Last week Inner West Council said it had to undergo $8 million worth of works after it discovered there were no foundations to one side of the pavilion among other structural issues it had not anticipated.
That coupled with other discoveries like the risk of flooding due to rising sea levels meant more works had to be completed before it could re-open.
Mayor Darcy Byrne announced last week the pool would re-open when the Greater Sydney lockdown is lifted and entry will be free for the first two weeks.
Bronte Halligan opened up the scoring for Australia in the first quarter after sending the ball with speed directly at the keeper, who parried it into the net.
The two sides went goal for goal in the first quarter which ended 3-3.
Lea is goalkeeper at the Aussie Stingers. Photo: Balazs Czagany.
There was a goal-fest to kick off the second quarter with three goals scored in the first 90 seconds, including one from 20-year-old hot-shot Abby Andrews.
A Rowie Webster double prevented an increasing Spain lead as Australia finished the second quarter only one goal down.
Spain’s hot form continued into the third and fourth quarter with three goals in rapid succession, preventing another potential Stingers comeback win.
Back-to-back goals by Judith Forca sealed Australia’s fate, with the Stingers losing the match 15-9.
Despite Aussie goalkeeper Lea Yanitsas making crucial saves, she couldn’t stop the rockets sent by Bea Ortiz and Maica Godoy Garcia, who scored four and three goals respectively.
Spain fielded a handful of left-handed players unlike most teams this tournament, also playing 16-year-old Elena Ruiz Barril.
Spain’s Roser Tarragó also spent the 2019 season in Australia with the Drummoyne Devils.
Greek authorities warned the public against unnecessary work and travel on Friday as temperatures hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 °F) in Athens and the ancient Acropolis, its most visited monument, was briefly forced to close.
Temperatures have been high in much of the country in recent days and are expected to reach 44 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, the National Meteorological Service said, warning of a high risk of wildfires during a “dangerous” heatwave.
“We are constantly recording maximum record temperatures all these years, which means that climate change is here,” said Stavros Solomos, researcher at the Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology of the Academy of Athens.
“We are expecting to have more frequent, more intense heatwaves,” he said, as well as “tropical nights” – where temperatures do not fall below 25 to 30 degrees.
The Parthenon temple is seen atop the empty Acropolis hill archaeological site, closed to the public during a heatwave in Athens, Greece, July 30, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas
The Acropolis, which looks out over the capital, closed for a few hours as it does when temperatures rise, to protect tourists from the heat.
The heatwave was characterized as dangerous because it was expected to last several days – at least until next Friday, with the peak expected on Monday and Tuesday, said Theodoros Kolydas, head of the weather service.
Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis warned of “extremely high temperatures” and urged people “to show the highest degree of responsibility and cooperation”.
He added: “I also want to appeal to our fellow citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in the heat but also unnecessary work.”
A man fishes during a heatwave in Alimos suburb, south of Athens, Greece, July 30, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas
Earlier this month, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyiannis appointed a chief heat officer, the first in Europe, to help tackle extreme heat.
“Welcome to global warming! It’s very hot, it’s very oppressive,” said George Papabeis, a Greek-American tourist, as he made his way through central Athens.
More than 1,000 people died in 1987 in Greece’s deadliest heatwave, with scorching temperatures for over a week.
Firefighters have tackled more than 40 wildfires in the last 24 hours, the fire brigade said, fanned by winds and high temperatures. A raging blaze north of Athens on Tuesday burned at least a dozen homes before being brought under control.
The Milwaukee Bucks is becoming the new home for Greek players in the NBA after selecting Greek player Georgios Kalaitzakis in the NBA draft on Thursday.
Also selecting Sandro Mamukelashvili of Seton Hall, the Bucks made these moves a week after their parade that celebrated their first NBA title since 1971.
Milwaukee started the night with the 31st overall pick, the first selection of the second round. The Bucks selected 6-foot-10 forward Isaiah Todd but traded his draft rights to the Indiana Pacers. Todd, who played for the NBA G League Ignite this past season, later got traded to Washington.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns in Milwaukee, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Bucks got two of the last seven picks in this year’s draft – No. 54 and No. 60 – as well as two future second-round picks. Mamukelashvili went 54th. Kalaitzakis was taken with the 60th and final pick in the draft.
Kalaitzakis is a 6-7 forward who spent the 2020-21 season with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League. The 22-year-old averaged 2.6 points, 1 rebound and 8.2 minutes in 27 games in the Greek Basket League and EuroLeague.
