iSignthis has confirmed its chief executive, John Karantzis, has relocated to Cyprus after the Australian Taxation Office lifted a departure prevention order relating to an unpaid $10 million tax bill, The Australian Financial Review (AFR) reports
Mr Karantzis’ relocation to Cyprus follows the demerger of most of iSignthis’ operations into a new company, ISX Financial EU, which is focused on providing services in Europe from a base in Cyprus.
Mr Karantzis has also stepped aside as managing director of the suspended payment company, but will remain as a non-executive director.
John Karantzis.
“Whilst I’m stepping down as CEO and managing director, I remain committed as a non-executive director to the company, and in particular to holding the ASX Ltd to account for their unprecedented actions against the company and its 10,000 plus retail shareholders,” Mr Karantzis told the AFR, referring to how ASX has suspended trading in iSignthis shares since late 2019.
iSignthis also confirmed it had withdrawn its application with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority for a purchased payment facility, a type of limited banking licence.
Following the announcement that the annual Blessing of the Waters will not go ahead in New South Wales and Victoria this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Greek Orthodox churches in NSW have also had to adapt their scheduled house blessings.
According to a Facebook post by St Spyridon Parish in Kensington, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has “requested that priests not conduct the Blessing of the Homes this year” to protect parishioners from COVID-19.
In response, parishioners are being encouraged to attend the Holy Services for Epiphany at their local church, which are being held on Wednesday, January 5, and Thursday, January 6. Those who attend will be blessed by the priest and will be given a small container of Holy Water to take home.
Other parishes such as St Spyridon and St Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Mascot will be “visiting all the homes of our area, without knocking on the door, and will be leaving a bottle of Holy Water… as well as an explanatory pamphlet and the 2022 Wall Calendar.”
Parish priests from areas such as Liverpool, Marrickville and Kogarah will not be visiting the houses of parishioners, but rather will have small bottles of Holy Water available for collection at the church.
In the case of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Belmore, the house blessings have been “postponed” and will be “performed at a more suitable and safer time in the near future.” For now, Holy Water will also be available in small jars from the church.
*Please note: This is not an extensive list of all churches across New South Wales. Please check with your local parish to see what they will be doing to adapt house blessing this year.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
His Eminence, who is fully vaccinated, showed mild symptoms of COVID-19 disease and was immediately placed in self-isolation to prevent the spread of the virus.
In the statement, His Eminence urged parishioners to follow the medical advice of health professionals, especially as the Omicron variant continues to spread across Australia.
“I fully understand the adverse effects and especially the psychological fatigue that the evolving ordeal of the pandemic has brought to everyone,” Archbishop Makarios said.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia tests positive for COVID-19.
“However, it is clear that we are going through an extremely critical period, during which the new variant of the virus is unfortunately spreading rapidly.
“…For this reason, I urge you all to do your utmost to protect yourself and the people around you, and to reduce as much as possible the risk of contracting the disease or transmitting the virus to someone else.”
The Archbishop also urged people to get vaccinated as there are “no dogmatic, canonical and ecclesiastical reasons not to vaccinate someone.”
It was another big day of tennis in Australia on Tuesday, with a number of Greek favourites playing matches in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Thanasi Kokkinakis wins first match in Adelaide:
It was a triumphant homecoming for South Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis as he defeated fellow Australian John Millman 6-4 6-3 in the Adelaide International first round.
Kokkinakis was close to flawless on serve in the opening set. He won 88 per cent of points on first serve, sending down five aces, striking 12 winners and facing zero break points.
At the start of the second set, Kokkinakis’ first serve percentage dropped from 77 back to 53, and although he was still winning the majority of points when he landed them, it did open the door for the tenacious Millman.
As the 32-year-old Millman lifted his intensity, Kokkinakis found his range again and he played three huge points in a row to break in the seventh game.
Another break sealed the deal in the ninth game with Kokkinakis sending another reminder of his extreme talent.
“I was just happy with my composure. I was able to execute. Worked hard for that break in the first set. I thought I served pretty well for the most part,” Kokkinakis said in a press conference after his match.
“It was a gruelling year travelling but I’m so happy to play my first professional tournament here in front of my home fans.”
Kokkinakis’ winning performance sets up a mouth-watering clash with No.4 seed Frances Tiafoe. The South Australian has beaten Tiafoe once before, doing so in the first round at Los Cabos, Mexico, in 2017.
“Me and him have been mates for a long time… He’s a good dude, really energetic, obviously a great player. It should be a fun match,” Kokkinakis said.
Valentini Grammatikopoulou impresses in the Australian Open junior championships:
Valentini Grammatikopoulou won her match at the J1 Traralgon 2022 tournament in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Valentini Grammatikopoulou won her match at the J1 Traralgon 2022 tournament.
Grammatikopoulou made her debut at the event and beat Romanian, Alexandra Cadanțu-Ignatik, No. 208 in the world, 6-2, 6-2.
Grammatikopoulou, who is at No. 4 on the board, will now face Britain’s, Jodie Anna Burrage, No. 216 in the world, after she defeated the Australian, Isabella Bozicevic, 6-1, 6-0 in just 49 minutes.
Despina Papamichail defeated in first roundof Adelaide International:
Greek tennis player, Despina Papamichail, lost 3-6, 0-6 to Czech, Marie Bouzkova, in the first round of the Adelaide International.
“It was a tough match and I am not used to versing players of this level. I take the positives and seek to improve my game. I look forward to playing in Melbourne,” Papamichail told The Greek Herald after the match.
Despina reached the first round after defeating Francesca Jones 3-6 6-2 6-1 and Stefanie Voegele 6-4 7-6 in the tournament qualifiers.
Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, spoke with US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, over the phone on Wednesday.
In a tweet, Dendias said he discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Western Balkans with Sharman, and also briefed her “on Turkey’s recent provocative statements.”
The Deputy Secretary and Foreign Minister also underscored the importance of continued coordination among NATO Allies and partners, including through the preparation of unprecedented economic measures to deter Russia from further military action and aggression.
“We are committed to supporting our NATO Allies and partners and resolving disputes diplomatically,” Sherman wrote on Twitter.
Today I spoke with Greek Foreign Minister @NikosDendias about the critical role that Greece plays in promoting security and stability across Europe. We are committed to supporting our @NATO Allies and partners and resolving disputes diplomatically. https://t.co/DedonTuSjq
Dendias meets with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister to discuss bilateral ties:
Dendias’ phone call with Sherman came just hours after the Greek Foreign Minister met with Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud, in Athens on Tuesday.
The Foreign Minister’s focused on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Greece, as well as ways to bolster security and combat terrorism in the Middle East and world.
During a press conference after the meeting, Dendias also spoke of Turkey and described its stance on Greece as “the epitome of irrationality.”
“It threatens Greece with war if we apply the inalienable right of expanding our territorial waters, as is explicitly foreseen by the International Law of the Sea,” Dendias said.
Dendias said Greece and Saudi Arabia are committed to protecting and defending International Law of the Sea and the freedom of navigation.
Greece set a new daily record for COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, registering 50,126 cases. There were also 61 deaths.
The previous record of 40,560 cases was set on December 31.
These record case numbers come as Greek schools prepare to reopen on January 10, as planned, with increased COVID-19 testing.
The announcement was made during a briefing by Education Minister Niki Kerameus, Health Minister Thanos Plevris and Professor Vana Papaevangelou, a member of the Health Ministry’s committee of experts.
Pupils will be required to take three self-tests in the first week of school following the winter break. After that, pupils (regardless of their vaccination status) will do a test twice a week.
In the event that a pupil is found positive for COVID-19, all pupils and teachers will have to undergo testing for the next five days (two rapid and three self-tests).
The cost of these PCR molecular tests at private laboratories and clinics have also now been capped at 47 euros from Thursday, following a recent decision by Greece’s Development Ministry.
Greece’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic is 1,344,923, with 21,053 deaths.
Greek tennis player Despina Papamichail lost 3-6, 0-6 to Czech Marie Bouzkova in the 1st round of the Adelaide International in a match that lasted 73 minutes.
“It was a tough match and I am not used to versing players of this level. I take the positives and seek to improve my game. I look forward to playing in Melbourne,” Papamichail told The Greek Herald after the match.
“I am not focusing on rankings but her game was a level up.”
Ranked no. 182 (career-high), Despina reached the 1st round after defeating Francesca Jones 3-6 6-2 6-1 and Stefanie Voegele 6-4 7-6.
“I am ready for the Australian Open qualifiers and I take things from day to day and from match to match. I feel good, I am well prepared, well trained and in good spirits and we will see the results.”
Sending her message to The Greek Herald’s readers, Dimitra invited Melbourne’s Greek diaspora to keep supporting them.
“It’s very special to have the Greek community to support you so far away from home. I thank them and I invite them to come and celebrate together the victories that are to follow in Melbourne.”
On a Tuesday morning during the Christmas Holidays the Port Noarlunga Fish and Chips Shop (also known as Jimmy’s Fish and Chips) is full of people -tourists and locals alike- queuing up to enjoy freshly, hand cut chips and some of the best fish in Adelaide’s south.
Behind the counter meeting and greeting their customers is owner Jimmy Leonardos with his daughter Marina.
“I love what I do,” Jimmy (nicknamed ‘Old Man’), 70, says with a beaming smile.
With almost half a century combined experience in the hospitality industry, he and his Italian wife Kathy, had been running the business for three decades before their daughter Marina and son-in-law Kosta, took over the daily operations a few years ago.
Kathy and Jimmy Leonardos
“We got tired after all these years working non-stop and it was time to slow down. Marina and Kosta are doing great. We are by their side and they have our support,” Jimmy says proudly.
Throughout our interview, the Greek Australian restaurateur extends warm smiles to everyone that passes through his doors and exchanges jokes with the employees who are more like family.
It’s obvious that the business is a second home to him.
Kathy and Jimmy Leonardos with their three children
“We had nothing when we came to Australia from Epidavros, apart from some relatives who had immigrated to South Australia in the 1950s,” he says, when I ask him to delve into his family’s story.
It took them nearly a month aboard one of the Chandris Line migrant ships to reach Australian soil. Jimmy was then 10 years old.
“I was one of six children and there was no financial assistance for families back then apart from a $2 government relief payment for every child in the family.
“We had to work to support ourselves”
Kathy and Jimmy with their grandchidren
During the early years, the family lived in Renmark in a picker’s house for four years where they all did grape picking and pruning to make ends meet before they had enough savings to buy a house in Adelaide.
Jimmy was attending High school and, in the weekends, he was working at his uncle’s Fish and Chips shops in North Adelaide where he discovered his passion that he later turned into a business.
“I have done nothing else in my life but this,” he says.
Providing the community with quality food remains his most valued priority.
“We don’t sell something we don’t feed our family with,” clarifies Jimmy.
Marina, Kostas and their children
This value has been upheld and passed on to the new generations.
“Every night, no matter the workload and how busy the day has been we filter our oils,” son-in-law, Kosta says.
“There is a lot of work involved but we’d rather do this than compromise our quality and undermine our reputation. We respect our customers.”
Jimmy cooking with Adam Liew
Kosta admits that their business is neither immune to the challenges brought-on by the pandemic nor to general supply issues the industry is currently facing but the family chose to keep an optimistic perspective while supporting local growers and fishermen whenever they can.
“I come to the shop with a smile on my face or I don’t come at all,” he says boldly.
“We have a long-lasting legacy and we will not let it slip. We will be here for a long time to come. For at least another 30 years.”
Freshly cooked food, some Greek ‘Philotimo’, warm hospitality and a bright smile to go with all this!
Here is to the next 30 years Port Noarlunga Fish and Chips Shop!
The International Baccalaureate (IB) results have been released this week and Greek Australian students across New South Wales have excelled.
The IB is an international school-leaving credential. It has fewer in-class assessments and about 80 percent of a student’s result is based on the final exam.
In NSW, a total of 584 students successfully completed the course with an average score of 37.77 out 45.
Montana Cominos is one of ten students who received a perfect IB score of 45 at MLC School. Photo: James Brickwood.
Ms Cominos was also joined by a number of other Greek Australian students across the state including Anastasia Gikas from Saint Sabina College, Ross Psaroulis from Redlands and Alexandra Bako from Kambala Girls with scores of 45. Denis Antipas from Newington College also received a 42 IB score.
In South Australia, Alana Spirou from Mercedes College also scored 41 IB points, equating to an ATAR of 98.55.
Congratulations to all Greek Australian students!
*Please Note:The above recipients are those The Greek Herald could identify by their Greek name. If you believe you should be on this list please contact: info@foreignlanguage.com.au.
