Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla, received Greece’s highest civilian honour on Tuesday for his efforts in developing a COVID-19 vaccine that has saved millions of lives in Greece and internationally.
Bourla was awarded the medal of the Golden Cross of the Order of the Redeemer by Greek President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, at a ceremony at the presidential mansion in Athens.
The Order of the Redeemer is the most important Greek Order and is awarded to Greek citizens who have distinguished themselves in defending the interests of their country or have provided exceptional social services in Greece or abroad.
Albert Bourla was among other Greeks awarded by Sakellaropoulou.
As she handed Bourla his honour, Sakellaropoulou hailed his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and said he “gave humanity the space to face the pandemic.”
“His path is the chronicle of the victory of science in the field of health, for the benefit of the common good,” Sakellaropoulou said in her address about the Thessaloniki-born CEO.
“Hailing from a family of Holocaust survivors, he was able to realise his vision and apply scientific innovations that led to the discovery of the [COVID-19] vaccine, allowing the whole world to believe that the impossible was possible.”
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla attends a ceremony in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, October 12, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos, file.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has hailed Greece’s early repayment of the last instalment of its bailout loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In a Tweet on Tuesday, Mitsotakis said the repayment was the “end of an era… that Greeks should not and will never live again.”
“The government… closes a bleak chapter that opened in March 2010,” Mitsotakis added, referring to the date of the Greek debt restructuring and the start of a string of bailout loans from the eurozone and the IMF, totalling 280 billion euros.
Τέλος εποχής για το ΔΝΤ ως δανειστή της Ελλάδας! Η κυβέρνηση, αποπληρώνοντας πρόωρα και τις τελευταίες υποχρεώσεις της χώρας, κλείνει ένα γκρίζο κεφάλαιο που άνοιξε τον Μάρτιο του 2010. Μια εποχή την οποία οι Έλληνες δεν πρέπει και δεν θα ζήσουμε ποτέ ξανά.
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) April 5, 2022
Mitsotakis’ post on Twitter came after Greek Finance Minister, Christos Staikouras, announced on Monday that Greece “concluded the repayment of its debts to the IMF.”
Staikouras hailed the early payment as “a very positive development” that would mean significant savings in debt servicing costs totalling 230 million euros.
Between 2010 and 2018, three successive bailouts totalling some 260 billion euros prevented Greece from going bankrupt and exiting the shared euro currency.
Despite exiting the bailout program in 2018, Greece remains under an enhanced surveillance program created by European lenders to monitor spending, an arrangement due to end later this year.
The foreign ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Israel reiterated on Tuesday their commitment to a ‘strategic alliance’ of the three nations, pledging to expand energy cooperation in an otherwise turbulent region.
The trilateral summit in Athens was hosted by Greece’s FM, Nikos Dendias, and was attended by his Cypriot and Israeli counterparts, Ioannis Kasoulides and Yair Lapid.
Dendias held separate talks with Kasoulides and Lapid, after which the three had a joint meeting.
Our meeting comes after the trilateral Summit held in Jerusalem last December, the 8th trilateral summit in six years, which speaks for itself (statements following my meeting with my counterparts of Israel @yairlapid and of Cyprus @IKasoulides). pic.twitter.com/lunrALLffZ
At a joint news conference following the talks, Dendias spoke of the “unbreakable nature” of the trilateral cooperation, and stressed the three nation’s desire to enhance energy cooperation amid the current Ukraine crisis.
“Our three countries can and should be part of the solution of Europe’s quest for diversified, secure and cleaner energy supply from the Levantine corridor,” the Cypriot Foreign Minister added.
Cyprus, Greece and Israel have agreed to build the world’s longest and deepest underwater power cable that will traverse the Mediterranean seabed and link their electricity grids. The project, called the Euro-Asia interconnector, is expected to be completed by 2024.
Υποδέχτηκα τον Κύπριο ομόλογό μου @IKasoulides@GreeceMFA για μία γόνιμη συζήτηση πριν την Τριμερή 🇬🇷🇮🇱🇨🇾.
Στο πλαίσιο του στενού & συνεχούς συντονισμού 🇬🇷-🇨🇾, συζητήσαμε για το Κυπριακό, την κατάσταση στην Ουκρανία και τις εξελίξεις στην Αν.Μεσόγειο. pic.twitter.com/CPCt48Ke0i
Kasoulides said Cyprus, Greece and Israel are “proceeding” with this project, as well as the EastMed Pipeline, after receiving “significant support from the EU and the US.”
“We are confident that when materialised they will have an added practical and geostrategic value for the Eastern Mediterranean and the European Union,” Kasoulides said.
During the press conference, all three foreign ministers also condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Dendias in particular said war crimes were being perpetrated in the city of Mariupol, where a large number of ethnic Greeks reside.
Unified lightweight world champion, George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr., will battle WBC lightweight title-holder Devin Haney for the undisputed championship on Sunday, June 5.
It was announced on Friday, April 1 that Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium would host the world title fight, being dubbed a “sensational spectacle” and “one of the biggest fights in years” by Kambosos’ promoter Lou DiBella.
“The Spartan warrior is going to get an opportunity to perform in front of both his Australian countrymen and his people of Greek ancestry,” DiBella said at the press conference.
Lou DiBella and Bob Arum speaking to Eddie McGuire before Kambosos walks on stage. Photo: The Greek Herald / Chris Spyrou.
The Greek Australian entered Marvel Stadium on Friday heralded by Robert Tepper’s ‘No Easy Way Out’ from the Rocky IV soundtrack, sporting a tailored black suit and Gucci sunglasses.
Kambosos approaches the stage at Marvel Stadium. Photo: The Greek Herald / Chris Spyrou.
Flanked by his father Jim Kambosos, the fighter laid out his five belts before reassuring: “These belts aren’t going anywhere, they’re staying here.”
“These belts are not only mine, they’re ours as a country, Greece as well”, he added.
Kambosos with his father Jim. Photo: The Greek Herald / Chris Spyrou.
In a one-on-one interview, the world champion told The Greek Herald, “I fight for the Greeks, not only here in Australia, in Melbourne, in Sydney, but worldwide.
“I take that flag with me everywhere. That flag still hasn’t been washed from the Lopez fight, it’s got blood all over it.
“That’s how much this means to me. I’ll bleed for our country.
Kambosos with his belts. Photo: The Greek Herald / Chris Spyrou.
“So to be here, to be fighting in Melbourne with such a massive Greek population that’s the largest outside of Athens, it’s incredible.
“This is going to be an army of blue and white flags, an army of Australian flags. It’s going to be amazing.”
WATCH: George Kambosos’ one-on-one interview with The Greek Herald
To unify the lightweight championship, Kambosos requires one more belt “and Devin has it”, Dibella said.
Kambosos had initially agreed to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko, however, the Ukrainian two-time Olympic gold medalist withdrew, electing to defend his home country against the Russian attack instead.
@VasylLomachenko I respect your decision and I totally understand and I pray for you and your country 🙏🏻🇺🇦 please stay safe and once i wipe the floor with Devin, we will make this fight between two real champions. God bless
— George "Ferocious" Kambosos Jr (@georgekambosos) March 21, 2022
Kambosos will have the opportunity to unify the lightweight championship and become Australia’s first-ever undisputed champion in front of 50,000 spectators at Marvel Stadium in June. Millions will also be watching live on ESPN, Kayo and Foxtel.
Kambosos with his family. Photo: The Greek Herald / Chris Spyrou.
We all know the main sites that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to Greece every year, and don’t get us wrong they do take your breath away every time!
These 5 islands though will sweep you into parts of the Aegean, Icarian and every other sea that you didn’t know existed. And after you read our list, you’ll understand why.
1. Anafi
One of Greece’s best kept secrets, the island of Anafi in the Cyclades. Although is it just a short 22km from Santorini, Anafi is still one of the least visited islands in Greece. According to Greek mythology, Anafi emerged from the bottom of the sea to shelter the Argonauts.
Anafi
2. Skyros
Located in the Sporades, this small island isn’t your typical tourist destination. Take a sailing boat around the island for the day and enjoy some of the most beautiful caves, bays and islets, or take a tour to some of the islands prehistoric sites, Skyros’ peaceful landscape will make you fall in love.
Skyros
3. Astypalaia
The butterfly shaped island lies between the Cyclades and the Dodecanese and although technically belongs to the latter, holds the true beauty of both. Local boat services offer small trips to the surrounding islands that will take your breath away.
view of charming white houses Astypalea island
4. Trizonia
A hidden little gem on the Corinthian Gulf accessible by ferry boat, Trizonia is the only inhabited island in the Corinthian Gulf and is also only 500m west of Athens. With its busy vibe you’d be surprised to find that cars, motorbikes, and trucks are strictly prohibited on the island – making it the perfect place to relax and unwind in the serenity of this tiny piece of paradise.
Trizonia
5. Ikaria
Named after the myth of Icarus, Ikaria is known for the longevity of its inhabitants. There is an air of relaxation, a mood that is set by the population that lives there that captures you, Ikaria is the place to let go of your stresses. Between hikes in the islands mountains and destressing at the thermal spa at Therma Village, Ikaria is one Greece’s best kept secrets.
A tribute concert to Greek singer, George Dalaras, at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre was a huge success on Sunday night with close to 800 people attending.
The concert, which was titled ‘The Last 40 Years: A Tribute to the Great George Dalaras,’ was part of this year’s Greek Festival of Sydney celebrations.
The Aegean Quartet came together with George Karantonis and Moda Blue on the night to perform some of Dalaras’ much loved songs from the last 40 years.
“The female singer on stage, Anna, was also amazing and it made a fantastic duet having her and George singing on stage,” Marinella Maglis, an audience member, told The Greek Herald after the event.
“I’m not Greek but I really, really enjoyed it. I had a blast.”
The Daily Telegraph has named the Australian fashion players it considers trendsetters for this year and among the list are Evangeline Titilas and her business partner, Sami Lorking-Tanner.
Titilas and Lorking-Tanner are the co-founders of ‘With Jean’ – a Queensland brand known for its mini-dresses, cropped cardigans and swimwear.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the business had a “huge increase” in sales after reality TV star, Kim Kardashian, wore a ‘With Jean’ metallic bikini two-piece.
Sami Lorking-Tanner and Evangeline Titilas of With Jean.
The businesswomen were forced to restock the swim set, which included a $79 “Baby” bikini bra top and $69 pair of briefs from its “Baby Drip” collection, to keep up with unprecedented demand.
Today, Titilas and Lorking-Tanner are based between Australia and Los Angeles, where its campaigns are shot on “it” girls in the Hollywood Hills.
With Jean’s “Andy dress” – a long-sleeved button down in bright orange and purple – was one of the must-have pieces of 2021.
Former Cumberland City Council Mayor and current Councillor, Steve Christou, has today announced that he will be standing for the Federal Seat of Parramatta in the upcoming election as an Independent.
Councillor Christou, who has lived in the western suburbs of Sydney all his life, believes that only a local can truly understand and represent the interests of the community.
“I have decided to run as a candidate to give the electorate of Parramatta a real alternative outside of the two major political parties,” Cr Christou said.
“For way too long the Parramatta electorate has been taken for granted by political opportunists who have not delivered any outcomes for the local community. The locals feel they are being used as a vehicle to elevate big egos into Government, with no real commitment to community interests and needs.”
Cr Christou said the Labor Party’s cynical decision to install a millionaire candidate from Bellevue Hill in the Eastern Suburbs into the electorate of Parramatta is a real slap in the face of local residents and demonstrates the disdain they have for our local community.
Our Community deserves better than a blow in from Bellevue Hill. How could he possibly understand the pressures facing Western Sydney families. pic.twitter.com/XuZg4OHxaA
— Councillor Steve Christou (@ChristouSteve) April 4, 2022
“This is the second time the Labor Party has parachuted an outsider into the Parramatta seat. Julie Owens was an outsider from North Sydney in 2005, now history repeats itself with this bloke from Bellevue Hill,” he said.
“They are opportunists who searched around for a place to land their rich mate, who was a former advisor to Kevin Rudd. What would a multi-millionaire know about the needs of hard-working Australians? What would he know or care about the day-to-day costs of tolls, expensive commutes to the City and dealing with infrastructure changes that are taking place here on our doorstep?
“Similarly, the Liberal Party didn’t care enough when it decided to abandon its residents in both Parramatta and Cumberland City Council. They abandoned the community in these areas and refused to endorse and run candidates.
“This has resulted in these Councils being taken over by woke Left-wing extremists who do nothing but contribute ideological nonsense at the expense of the ratepayer. Already, these now Labor-controlled Councils are considering imposing rate rises on their local residents to fund their big-spending ideological, woke and extreme agendas.
“It’s amazing that the Liberal Party is now asking the same residents, who they have betrayed and abandoned, for their support and approval… I understand what’s going on here. I live it every day.
Steve Christou.
“Our community continues to be greatly affected by Covid. It was forced to endure extended lockdowns, restrictions, curfews, extra police and the deployment of the army to our local streets. Tens of thousands of people were unable to go to work and support their families. They were unable to pay their mortgage, rent, bills, or put food on the table to feed their children.
“I have witnessed many businesses who were crippled and never recovered, closing their doors permanently and now we are experiencing an unprecedented flood crisis. The response by our elected leaders has been dismal and catastrophic to our local community because we are simply not on their radar.
“Hundreds of Cumberland City Council residents have suffered extensive damage to their properties, yet for some reason Cumberland residents have not been approved for the Federal Assistance Disaster Package, which neighboring Councils of Fairfield, Parramatta, and Blacktown have all received.
“When I was Mayor, I fought hard for my community and facilitated real change. The reason we were added for flood disaster payments was due to my advocacy. Sadly now, there has been a real lack of leadership and the community is suffering.
“By nominating as a candidate, I hope to provide and contribute to more positive outcomes for local residents as they will have a strong voice fighting for them.”
Preston Market’s slogan “it’s not just a market, it’s a community” rang loud and true on Sunday, April 3, when the entire centre came alive for a Greek Cultural Day celebration.
Annually, the market proudly promotes cultural diversity through a series of festivals dedicated to some of the dominant ethnic backgrounds which make up the City of Darebin’s demographic.
Hosted and presented in conjunction with the MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture, the event showcased live music and dance performances from:
K Studios- School of Performing Arts and Technique, together with Instructor Kaliroy Kirkopoulos, and guest musicians George Kirkopoulos (clarinet), Notis Karidakis (Bouzouki), George Stavros (keyboards).
MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture, with instructor Dimosthenis Manasis.
ANAGENNISI Band featuring John Georgakopoulos (Bouzouki/vocals) and “the Jim’s” (guitar/vocals), Jim (Accordion).
Although the majority of the focus was on the performers, their costumes and their singing and dance exhibitions, most groups post-performance made their way down into the crowd, engaging Greeks and non-Greeks alike to all join in on the festivities.
The event was the final instalment of the ‘Greek National Month’ celebrations, and although falling just outside of March, its inclusion was imperative as an opportunity for some of the community’s youngest Greek Australians to exhibit their talents and cultural pride.
Kalamatiana and Tsamika (and klarina in general) were very much the flavour however, the crowd-favourite was the all-in Zorba dance, which saw quite literally hundreds of people all join in to create an endless line, snaking its way up and through the aisles of the market, led by the youngest performers of the day, the MANASIS beginners- some of which were only three years of age.
“A very big congratulations to all participants, and our sincere gratitude to staff and management of Preston Market for supporting and embracing the celebration of cultural diversity at every opportunity,” the MANASIS group said in a statement.
“A special mention needs to go to The Karditsa Association “KARAISKAKIS,” the Hellenic Community of Moorabbin, the Greek Community of Gippsland, Vasilios Aligiannis (Sydney) and Konstantinos Kalymnios, for their donations and generosity in the form of a multitude of costumes which, in addition to the school’s own collection, have the opportunity to wear during this (and many other) events!”
With a few other small community events planned over the coming weeks, the next big event on the social calendar is the MANASIS Tavern Night on Saturday, May 14 at Stars International Receptions.
Porsche racer, Aaron Zerefos, has been drafted into a BMW for the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 hour on the Easter long weekend, April 16 – 17.
Zerefos will be piloting the #47 Milk Lab BMW 130i with Kiwi Gary Mennell.
“Gary sent me a text on New Year’s Eve while I was recovering from COVID, asking if I was keen to race,” Zerefos said.
“It wasn’t a hard decision for me to make, I am keen to get back and build some momentum for my racing career and look beyond the 6 Hour.
“It’s the first big race of the year in this country and it’s a relatable race for many Aussies – the cars are from the showroom floor and what people drive to the shops every day. It has an old-school vibe, which I really like.
“The last two years I have been doing some one-off drives in Porsches GT3 Cup cars to stay sharp and fit. It has been challenging to keep racing careers alive for a lot of racers – not just myself – with travel restrictions, but my fans and sponsors have remained loyal and it’s great to be back racing in 2022.
“I’ve been busy with my business commitments this year and the timing is perfect to put the helmet on. I want to thank Milk Lab for coming on board and supporting our campaign.”
Zerefos’ first opportunity to drive the BMW will be in Friday’s practice sessions at Bathurst, but despite not being able to test the BMW beforehand he is confident of quickly reaching a competitive pace.
“The BMW has a lot of new running gear including a fresh transmission and diff, and the motor is strong; the team have been working around the clock to make sure it’s ready for practice on the Friday,” the Bathurst 12 Hour podium finisher said.
“At the end of the day, I am racer and will do what I can with the equipment I have to find the limit.
Bathurst.
“Bathurst can bite you pretty hard but I am going into the race feeling optimistic and relaxed. I’m used to turning up with my helmet and working with a new team with not much testing, I’ve done that my whole career so it doesn’t bother me.”
Zerefos also hinted at some other racing on the agenda for 2022.
“There are some deals on table for the Bathurst 12 Hour with a leading Porsche team and some single seater opportunities in America including F4 at the Miami Grand Prix in May – the phone has been ringing,” he said.
“I hope to put a good show on Easter weekend and do a good job for my team and the car owner.
“I have been competing for nearly 20 years now, the sport has been good to me. I have done some cool stuff, it’s taken me all over the world including a V8 Supercars test and a NASCAR test at Las Vegas, it’s been a good journey from humble beginnings in a paddock.”
Zerefos hits the track for all-important practice on Friday before the main event starts at 11am on Easter Sunday.
