Another round of exploratory low-level talks between Greece and Turkey concluded on Wednesday, but Ankara has still renewed its calls for the demilitarisation of the eastern Aegean islands.
In a letter sent by its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Feridun Sinirlioglu, to UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on September 30, Turkey accuses Greece of breaching the demilitarisation provisions of the 1923 Lausanne and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaties.
“Greece’s sovereignty over the islands was and remains dependent upon demilitarisation. The contention that Greek sovereignty over the Εastern Aegean islands is not linked to the maintenance of their demilitarised status is devoid of legal basis,” the letter, which was seen by Kathimerini, says.
Sinirlioglu’s document is a response to a letter sent by his Greek counterpart, Maria Theofili, on July 27.
Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Feridun Sinirlioglu.
More specifically, it calls for the removal of Greek troops from the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria.
“As regards Lemnos and Samothrace they are subject to an even stricter regime, owing to their proximity to the Turkish mainland,” it says.
“By militarising the islands in question, Greece has forfeited its right to assert the opposability to Turkey of [a series of treaties] and the rights which it claims to derive from them.”
Analysts say the argument put forward in the letter, which essentially hinges the sovereignty of the Aegean islands to their demilitarisation, is legally unfounded.
They say that Turkish efforts to stoke tensions between the two sides reflect Ankara’s unease over Greece’s recent defense deal with France.
NSW will take its first steps towards reopening as the state passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.
With the first vaccination milestone being reached, the NSW Government is also easing a number of restrictions as part of the Reopening NSW roadmap, which will allow fully vaccinated adults to enjoy more freedoms from next Monday, October 11.
The changes to the 70 per cent roadmap will allow up to 10 visitors (not counting children 12 and under) to a home (previously five), lift the cap on outdoor gatherings to 30 people (previously 20), and increase the cap for weddings and funerals to 100 people (previously 50).
Indoor pools will also be re-opened for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming, and rehab activities.
Indoor pools are set to reopn.
On the Monday after the State clears the 80 per centdouble vaccination hurdle further restrictions will be relaxed, with people able to have up to 20 visitors (excluding children 12 and under) to a home (previously 10), and up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors (previously 20).
Up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events (previously 500), nightclubs will be permitted to reopen for seated drinking only (no dancing), and masks will no longer be required in office buildings.
All roadmap freedoms at 70 and 80 per cent will continue to be for fully vaccinated people only.
All school students will also now return to on site learning with a range of COVID-safe measures in place by October 25, with the second and third stages of the return to school plan now combined. Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will still return to face-to-face learning on October 18, with all other years now returning one week later on October 25.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the common-sense changes would help life return to normal as soon as possible.
NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet.
“Vaccinations are the key to life returning to normal and the changes today will help family and friends reconnect, get kids back to school and get businesses back up and running sooner,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW is putting in the hard yards and it’s important people continue to turn out in droves to be vaccinated.”
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace from October 11 and will be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second dose.
Regional areas are those outside Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast.
“This move ensures we get businesses in the regions re-open and local economies buzzing again. It’s about ensuring we make this a roadmap that works for everyone,” Mr Toole said.
As the stay-at-home orders will be lifted next Monday and replaced by the roadmap settings, the list of Local Government Areas of concern will also cease to exist.
The tax office has frozen more than $80 million in assets linked to Gold Coast developer, Jim Raptis, and associated companies following the largest offshore data leak in global history – the Pandora Papers.
According to The Australian Financial Review (AFR), the Australian Taxation Office has alleged that Mr Raptis, members of his immediate family and associated entities, were involved in “tax avoidance arrangements.”
Mr Raptis’ $20 million canal-front home, a Lexus 2018 LS500H and shares in ASX-listed entities, including Telstra and the Raptis Group, are among the frozen assets.
The 75-year-old told the AFR on Wednesday: “We intend to work co-operatively with the ATO (and if necessary, lodge objections) to resolve these historical matters. Although we are disappointed with aspects of the orders, we note that business as usual is part of the orders, and all our current projects are progressing as planned.”
An old-school developer of the Gold Coast, Mr Raptis portrays himself as a visionary of massive apartment complexes on the Glitter Strip such as the Hilton Hotel in Surfers Paradise.
Source: The Australian Financial Review.
In his director profile for his ASX-listed entity Raptis Group, Mr Raptis pointed out he has an Order of the British Empire and is the Greek Consul for Queensland.
But he has also had three brushes with financial disaster, including in 2009 when his Raptis Group and associated entities fell into administration in the global financial crisis owing almost $1 billion.
During this period, efforts were successfully made to resuscitate the companies via a debt restructuring deal called a deed of company arrangement.
The Samoan connection and the Pandora Papers:
Mr Raptis is the first Greek Australian to be connected to the Pandora Papers leak so far.
The AFR revealed that Mr Raptis has been a long-term beneficiary of a Samoan superannuation fund while a client of tax scheme promoter Vanda Gould. Mr Raptis’ entity was called the Queensland Builders Super Fund. He and his wife Helen, also a director of Raptis Group, were named as beneficiaries of the fund in documents.
The Pandora Papers claimed Mr Raptis’ Samoan trust had interests in a UK company called Sevinhand.
An old-school developer of the Gold Coast, Mr Raptis portrays himself as a visionary of massive apartment complexes on the Glitter Strip.
The documents also indicated Mr Raptis was unwittingly entangled in a campaign to shunt money into a war chest designed to keep other offshore funds confidential from UK authorities.
In response to questions about this fund last month, Mr Raptis said: “I have always conducted my financial affairs appropriately and legally” and his investment in an offshore fund was legally done for diversification purposes.
Then on Friday, the ATO took out a surprise action against Mr Raptis, Sevinhand and another private Australian company called Northernson Pty Ltd, seeking to freeze assets.
Mr Raptis was alleged to owe $23.8 million himself following amended tax assessments and penalties for the years 2014 to 2019, the AFR reports.
“As a result of a review-audit the [ATO] has concluded that there are significant amounts of undisclosed income and evasion by Mr Raptis,” the judgment said.
The freezing order also incorporated money in bank accounts in Mr Raptis’ name with ANZ and Suncorp, which were both lenders to Raptis entities that collapsed in the global financial crisis.
Mr Raptis was still allowed $10,000 in weekly living expenses, legal expenses and to deal with ordinary business costs.
The 63rd round of low-level exploratory talks that took place in Ankara concluded on Wednesday amidst controversial statements by Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Omer Celik.
The talks, which began in March 2002, aim to resolve bilateral disputes in the Aegean and Mediterranean and lay the groundwork for a fair, lasting and comprehensive settlement to outstanding issues in the Aegean Sea.
The 62nd round of talks had been held in Athens on March 16 and the 61st were in Istanbul on January 25, marking the first direct talks between the two countries in nearly five years after Athens suspended them following the 60th round in March 2016.
The 62nd round of talks had been held in Athens on March 16.
As is standard practice, the content of the discussion between the two parties in the exploratory talks is not publicly disclosed in a press release.
However, the Turkish government continued to stoke tension on Wednesday amidst controversial statements by Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Omer Celik.
“The Blue Homeland is our red line, it is an integral part of our homeland” stated Celik and added that “we will fight for the Blue Homeland, and we will pay any cost.”
He also called on Greece and Cyprus to abandon “their maximalist conduct in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.”
It’s been four months since Bill Papas from Bill’s Barber Shop in Willoughby has cut the hair of his loyal customers due to the tough lockdown in New South Wales. While Mr Papas says he’s ‘enjoyed a slice of retirement,’ he’s also ‘looking forward’ to welcoming customers back to his store again on October 11.
From October 11 or ‘Freedom Day,’ fully vaccinated people will be given new freedoms under the reopening NSW roadmap. This includes being allowed to have up to five visitors in a home where all adults are vaccinated and up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
In the case of hospitality venues, they can reopen subject to one person per 4 square metres inside and one person per 2 square metres outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
Personal services, such as hairdressers and nail salons, can also open with one person per 4 square metres, capped at five clients per premises.
Mr Papas tells The Greek Herald the 4 square metre rule for his barber shop ‘is not ideal but if that’s what it is for us to reopen, we will just have to go with it.’
Bill Papas is looking forward to going back to work.
“I can have a customer in the chair and four waiting. So the four that will be waiting will be by four square metres. We’ve got that room fortunately to accommodate that. Over and above that, they’ll be chairs outside,” Mr Papas says.
“Also, half of the week I’ve allocated days for bookings only and the other half of the week are walk-ins.”
Setting these precautions in motion does take time and resources, but Mr Papas says having a set reopening date has still provided him with some relief.
“We’ve been shutdown for four months. There’s been no income for four months and it’s good to get back to seeing customers and trying to recoup the business we had. We just have to hope that we do have a business when we do go back,” Mr Papas says.
‘We’re quite worried’:
It must be noted here that Freedom Day is just one part of the NSW roadmap out of lockdown.
In the second stage when NSW hits 80 percent vaccination coverage, personal services, such as hairdressers and nail salons, will be uncapped.
Bill Papas at his barber shop.
Hospitality venues will still need to operate with space restrictions, but the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors will be removed. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway.
In the final stage from December 1, unvaccinated residents in NSW will enjoy the exact same level of freedom as vaccinated people.
The owner of East Avenue Café in Oatley, George Mandis, tells The Greek Herald that regardless of this plan, he’s still ‘really worried about the whole thing.’
“Inside [seating] is going to be a problem for me because I can only fit two, if I can squeeze a third table, I’ll be lucky,” Mr Mandis says.
“It is a little bit tight but we’ve done it before, so we know what to expect. Thank God we’ve got a big outside area and it’s summer now so I’m content with that.”
George Mandis at East Avenue Cafe in Oatley.
‘Everyone is welcome’:
Back in late September, the NSW Shadow Minister for Small Business, Steve Kamper, called for more consistent rules from the NSW Government on reopening.
“Small business needs clear and simple rules so they can get back to doing what they do best: creating decent jobs and making solid profits,” Mr Kamper said.
On Sunday, NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, clarified some of the rules in the reopening plan, especially those around unvaccinated people.
In a statement, Minister Hazard said businesses will be “responsible for taking reasonable measures to stop unvaccinated people entering premises.” For example, having prominent signs stating requirements, Service NSW QR codes, staff checking vaccination status upon entry and only accepting valid forms of evidence of vaccination.
Penalties may apply for individuals and businesses who don’t comply.
(L) East Avenue Cafe, (R) Bill’s Barber Shop.
Mr Mandis from East Avenue Café says he will follow the restrictions, ‘but I don’t know if I’m going to be the COVID police.’
“We are quite worried. My wife has even told me, and she doesn’t work in the shop, but she says to me, ‘don’t open up, keep takeaway only. How are you going to discriminate when people come down?’… I don’t know what to do,” Mr Mandis says.
For his part, Mr Papas says he’s fortunate the Willoughby area, where his barber shop is located, has high vaccination rates but he knows he will still get a few people who are anti-vaccine.
“For me, everyone is welcome. I don’t discriminate,” Mr Papas concludes.
A sure sign that although Greek businesses in Sydney are excited to be reopening, there will still be some significant hurdles ahead for them.
56-year-old Sydney man, Sandy Constantopedos, has many hidden talents. He’s not only an electrician and security technician, but he has also sung for the likes of Greek maestro, Themos Mexis, and the legendary composer, Mikis Theodorakis.
More recently, Sandy also sang live on The Greek Herald’s Facebook page to give people a little bit of joy during the recent lockdown. He impressed everyone so much we decided to find out more about him. Here’s what he had to say.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My parents are both from Symi in the Dodecanese. I was brought up with very strong values. I’m the eldest of five and I went to South Sydney Boys High School where I finished up to Year 10. I’ve also played professional soccer.
2.When did you first start singing? What inspired you?
I started singing from a young age and sang a lot with my dad. My grandfather was a priest and a Byzantine teacher of music. My dad was a huge inspiration.
Sandy with George Doukas.
My youngest daughter, Fotini, who had the lead role as Young Nala from the Disney production The Lion King, she didn’t go to school for 16 months and had schooling at the The Capitol Theatre.
My eldest daughter, Sophia, also had a lead role as Young Bet Cameron Macintosh Oliver, then had the lead in the Disney production of High School Musical as Gabriella, then she went on to fourth place in X-Factor Australia.
3. Do you have any musical highlights or performances which made an impact on you?
I performed a lot with Themos Mexis, many years of experience, and sang a lot at my wife’s Dance School which she had for 30 years. I was also lead vocals for my band and we did a lot of covers from huge major bands. I had the most amazing experience singing for Mikis Theodorakis when he came in 1995. I also supported Dalaras and Marinella when they came to the Sydney Entertainment Center. All these performances impacted my singing career and they have until today.
4. What do you love the most about singing?
Sandy has performed with Marinella.
The love for singing is such a high. Watching the audience all singing along with you is so satisfying.
5. What would you say to someone else who wants to start performing?
Anyone who wants to take up singing do it for the passion and not money, to be blunt. Once you lose the passion, stay home.
6. You also work in security which is very different from performing. Tell us a little bit about that.
I was originally an electrician and still am but have a passion for security and protecting people’s homes and belongings. I worked on the Sydney Olympics in security which was a great deal for my business.
7.Is there anything else you’d like to say?
All I want say is thank you so much for this opportunity Andriana.
Kristy and Steven Colakidis’ daughter Samantha lives with an incurable form of cancer.
Samantha was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma at just three years old in June 2019 after the couple noticed a yellowing bruise on her left eyebrow bone.
Since, Samantha has undergone chemotherapy, keyhole surgery, a double stem cell transplant, and radiotherapy.
“They basically take your child to the brink of death and then bring them back again,” Kristy recalls.
“She had six or seven machines going and alarms and every doctor would come running into the room to see if she needed to go to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) or not.”
“She’s a tough little cookie.”
Things weren’t looking bright.
The radiotherapy particularly damaged her kidneys and caused hearing loss and the odds were stacked against her.
That’s when Kristy and Steven began considering other treatment options, landing on a DMFO data-supported trial in the US that prevents cancer from reoccurring.
They boarded a flight to the US in October 2020 and dealt with a headache of travel restrictions, but Kirsty says “even if it increases her chance of survival by 5%, it is worth it.”
Today, Kristy and Steven know there’s a chance of Samantha’s cancer reoccurring, but they try to focus on what they have right now.
“I’ve got her, she’s with us now, she’s alive, that’s all that matters,” Kristy says.
One of the men accused of kidnapping test cricketer Stuart MacGill has been released on bail.
The NSW Supreme Court released Marino Sotiropoulos on strict bail conditions on Wednesday, including house arrest, a $100,000 surety, daily communication with police, an alcohol and drug ban, and a restraining order.
He faces charges of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, as well as take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm, and participating in a criminal group.
The former offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Sotiropoulos is one of six men arrested following the alleged plot and kidnapping of his brother-in-law MacGill in Sydney in April.
Sotiropoulos denies involvement.
His barrister, Ian Lloyd, attacked the strength of the crown case in relation to the drug supply charges on Wednesday.
Police said at the time that MacGill was not involved in any illegal activity and that he was “purely” a victim.
Sotiropoulos, 47, will return to court with his co-accused in 2023.
For-profit childcare providers are disproportionately breaching safety requirements and the problem is getting worse.
Childhood educators say poor staffing arrangements in their centres are leading to safety concerns.
Sydney-based early childhood educator Theodora Hatzihrisafis says providers put kids at risk when they squeeze their staffing budgets.
“The quality of education and care is just not there, it ends up being crowd control,” she says.
“That puts a lot of pressure on the educators [and] that results in staff burnout.”
She criticises the “under-roof” staffing ratio strategy she’s seen many for-profit providers use to keep their staffing budgets to a minimum.
She says this approach leads to a chaotic environment where children are put at risk because there isn’t enough supervision.
For-profit providers made up three-quarters of the 12,000 enforcement actions taken since 2015, according to a report from the United Workers Union.
The report found 16 per cent of for-profit centres exceeded quality standards compared with 36 per cent of not-for-profits and 40 per cent of publicly-run centres.
Telstra has appointed Angela Logothetis as the executive of its edge and cloud group.
Telstra group executive Kim Krogh Andersen spoke of Logothetis’ appointment on LinkedIn.
He says Logothetis “comes to [Telstra]with an extensive background in the tech and telco space, having spent the past 13 years in various senior technology roles at Amdocs.”
Logothetis has been chief technology officer of network provider Amdocs since September 2015.
“As CTO of Amdocs Open Network, she led their work accelerating adoption of open cloud native networks and edge compute, integrating the best of 5G, AI/ML and automation.”
Logothetis succeeds Sarah Anderson, who will end her eight-month stint with the group to head Telstra’s Purple and Technology Services.
The shuffle comes a month after the telco released details of its three-year T25 transformation program.
The program will strip the telco of a further $500 million in costs, scale up its loyalty rewards program Telstra Plus, and expand its investment in 5G.
