Search
Home Blog Page 1402

Greek agricultural minister sacked for laughing about natural disasters

The Greek Herald
-
0
Greek agricultural minister sacked for laughing about natural disasters

Greece’s prime minister sacked the country’s agriculture minister Monday after video surfaced of him laughing approvingly as a local party official expounded on how compensation payments for natural disasters can help win elections.

A government statement said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke to the minister, Spilios Livanos, to demand an explanation over his reaction to the “unacceptable reference.”

The statement said Livanos “admitted that he should have reacted differently” and offered his resignation, which was accepted.

Giorgos Georgantas will be the new Rural Development and Food minister, following the resignation of Spilios Livanos on Monday.

The video was from a meeting Livanos attended last week in Sparta in southern Greece. In it the mayor, himself a former cabinet official when Mitsotakis’ conservative New Democracy party was in government in 2004-2009, is heard saying that the party was able to win the 2007 election against the odds “by taking bags (of money) to compensate” people afflicted by wildfires that had ravaged southern Greece weeks earlier, killing scores of people.

Livanos appeared in the video to laugh and say it would be hard to match that “epic achievement.” During his visit to Sparta, he had announced compensation payments to farmers who suffered crop damage from frost.

The governing party also expelled the mayor, Petros Doukas, from its ranks, saying his remarks “as well as being historically inaccurate, have nothing to do with New Democracy’s principles and values.”

Deputy Digital Governance Minister Giorgos Georgantas will be the new Rural Development and Food minister, following the resignation of Spilios Livanos.

Georgantas (54), a New Democracy MP from Kilkis, will be sworn in at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday (local time) in the presence of President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Source: ABC, Kathimerini

Former President of Greece Christos Sartzetakis laid to rest in Athens

The Greek Herald
-
0
Former President of Greece Christos Sartzetakis laid to rest in Athens

The funeral of former Greek president Christos Sartzetakis was held in Athens on Monday.

The former president, who died last Thursday at the age of 93, was buried with head of state honours “as a minimum tribute to his excellent services to the people, the country and the nation.”

The funeral at the Athens Cathedral was attended by the state and political leadership of the country, including the current president of the Hellenic Parliament Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the leadership of the armed forces and the judiciary, as well as friends, co-workers and family.

The burial, held at the Athens 1st cemetery, was restricted to the immediate family due to Covid restrictions and the family’s own wishes.

Eulogies were read out by President Sakellaropoulou, Supreme Court President Maria Georgiou and University of Piraeus Professor of Public-sector Law Theodoros Panagopoulos.

Sakellaropoulou noted that his life had been inseparably linked with important moments in Greece’s history and that his work as a magistrate investigating the Lambrakis case in the troubled decade of the 1960s had made him a figure of international renown.

Source: Ekathimerini

How Nick Politis went from Kythera to becoming one of Australia’s billionaires

The Greek Herald
-
0
How Nick Politis went from Kythera to becoming one of Australia’s billionaires

Nick Politis is a migrant from the Greek island of Kythera who has helped save rugby league in Australia and turned a single car dealership into a $2 billion fortune.

In a special article for The Sydney Morning Herald, the life of Politis has been examined in detail, with many of his close friends sharing what they think about the charismatic businessman.

Politis was born to George and Argyro Politis on Kythera in 1941, only months after the Germans took over the island during WWII.

At the end of the war, Politis and his family arrived in Australia when he was eight. They ran a cafe in the remote town of Blackall and Politis was given a sister, Maria.

Nick Politis.

From an early age, a strong work ethic was instilled in him.

Now, Politis is one of Australia’s least-known billionaires. He’s 80, of modest height and does yoga four times a week. He also happens to be one of the most powerful men in rugby league as the Chairman of the Sydney Roosters, and is the most influential person in the Australian car industry.

How?

“You’ve got to be honest with people, first of all, and you have got to care about people,” Politis says in the interview.

“In business, it’s all about having good employees, and showing a lot of faith in them. It works. It’s the same with a football team.”

FULL INTERVIEW HERE.

Cretan Association of NSW holds annual Agiasmo and vasilopita event

The Greek Herald
-
0
Cretan Association of NSW holds annual Agiasmo and vasilopita event

The Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW held its annual Agiasmo and Cutting of the Vasilopita event at Ashbury Senior Citizen’s Centre on Friday, February 4.

Due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, the event was the first time the members and dancing groups of the Cretan Association were able to gather together in eight months. Over 80 people were present on the night. 

President of the Association, Terry Saviolakis, welcomed the members and dancing groups present on behalf of the Executive Committee, and expressed his joy in seeing everyone again.

“We hope that 2022 is a much better and more positive year for our dancing groups, our Association and of course Australia, Greece and the whole world with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Saviolakis said.

Photos supplied.

After this, Father Nicholas Bozikis conducted the traditional Agiasmo service and delivered the paternal blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

“I hope that 2022 is a peaceful and blessed year for all the members, families and youth of the Cretan Association,” Father Bozikis said in a speech.

“Children, I wish that you all progress with your lessons and receive blessings from above as you start your new year. I would like to congratulate all those who participate in the Cretan Association. May God send peace, love and blessings to you all.”

The event was concluded with the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita. The cake was distributed amongst the members and youth present. Mr Stelio Vamianakis, was blessed to win the lucky coin. 

‘A stronger community for all,’ says GOCM President Bill Papastergiadis after re-election

The Greek Herald
-
0
‘A stronger community for all,’ says GOCM President Bill Papastergiadis after re-election

The Greek Community of Melbourne’s election was held in a calm and positive environment on Sunday. The result delivered a mandate for a steady hand to deliver the Community’s program.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part in one of the most important Community elections in recent years,” Bill Papastergiadis OAM, who was re-elected President of the Community, said in a press release.

“I wanted to emphasise that whilst we welcome election victory, our focus stems from belief in community, unity, harmony and progress. I am proud to work with a team that is experienced, dynamic and enthusiastic.”

The new elected board is made up of: Jim Bossinakis, Alexi Costa, Nick Dallas, Spiridoula Demetriou, Mina Giannelis, Helene Hiotis, Michael Karamitos, Nick Koukouvitakis, Dean Kotsianis, Vicky Kyritstis, Marini Pirpiris, Tass Sgardelis, Anthea Sidiropoulos, Chris Sikavitsas, Kostas Stefanidis, Manuel Tsimiris, Jeana Vithoulkas, Leo Vlahakis. 

“I’d like to also acknowledge all of the other candidates who contested these elections. I know that their commitment to Community is genuine and passionate,” Mr Papastergiadis continued.

“I would also like to, in particular, thank the outgoing members of our Board of Management for their many years of support and service. Thank you Angela Georalis, Vasso Zangalis, Tammy Iliou, Stavroula Kalliani, Spiro Papadopoulos, Georgina Pattas, Theo Markos and Costa Markos.

“Yesterday’s elections and the whole management of the election process does not happen without the excellent organisation and efforts of the Electoral Committee.

“We now set ourselves to steer our organisation towards the future. A future that is a bright and united and where all ideas are welcome. A future that features but one result, a stronger Community for all.”

Mr Papastergiadis’ opponent party, Community Unity, this afternoon congratulated Mr Papastergiadis on his re-election and wished the Board of Directors “every success.”

“We will be in solidarity with any initiative of the new Board of Directors, which will promote the interests of the Community, the Community as an institution and the wider Greek community,” the announcement reads.

A new board cannot be formed until nine days after the election, when the electoral committee calls for the first board meeting.

Kokkinakis back in Australia’s Davis Cup team as Kyrgios is snubbed

The Greek Herald
-
0
Kokkinakis back in Australia’s Davis Cup team as Kyrgios is snubbed

Nick Kyrgios’ heroics in the doubles at the Australian Open was not enough to earn him selection for Australia’s Davis Cup clash with Hungary.

Team captain Lleyton Hewitt has instead opted for debutant Luke Saville, Thanasi Kokkinakis, world No.12 doubles specialist John Peers, Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur and world No 65 Alexei Popyrin for the March 4-5 tie in Sydney.

Hewitt is confident his team has enough firepower to match the Hungarians, who will be led by world No.39 Marton Fucsovics.

“Thanasi had a fantastic Australian summer,” Hewitt said about his Greek team member.

“He really cemented himself as a top-100 player again, winning his first title at home in Adelaide and beating quality players. And then to go on to win the Australian Open doubles, this is going to give him a lot of confidence heading into this tie.”

Kokkinakis’ selection comes more than six years after he last represented Australia in the team competition, and follows his Australian Open doubles title win with Kyrgios earlier this year.

Kokkinakis back in Australia’s Davis Cup team as Kyrgios is snubbed.

“I’m obviously stoked,” Kokkinakis, who also won the men’s title at the Adelaide International this year, said.

“It’s a pretty cool feeling putting on those colours and playing for Australia. That atmosphere is unmatched, it’s a great reward for the summer I’ve had, for me and my team, and all the hard work I’ve put in.”

Kokkinakis is expected to return to the top 100 next week for the first time in six years.

Tickets to the Davis Cup qualifier go on sale on Tuesday from noon via Ticketmaster.com.au/Davis Cup.

Peter Doukas calls for more multilingual information ahead of upcoming by-elections

The Greek Herald
-
0
Peter Doukas calls for more multilingual information ahead of upcoming by-elections

Chair of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW, Peter Doukas OAM, has called for more multilingual information to be made available to voters ahead of four by-elections taking place in NSW this Saturday, February 4.

For the upcoming by-election in Strathfield, one of Sydney’s most multicultural seats, postal voting packs have been sent to all eligible voters and must be returned by Friday, February 25 at 6pm. People also have the option of voting in person on February 12.

Mr Doukas told ABC News that having a how-to-vote explainer in other languages would minimise the risk of informal voting in postal ballots.

“It goes to the heart of our democracy — it goes to the heart of people who are Australian citizens — being able to exercise their democratic rights without the need to involve other people who have stronger English than them,” Mr Doukas told the national broadcaster.

“I would have expected, given that it is not a general election, the seats with a high percentage of multicultural communities would have been prioritised for information in other languages.

“It is unfortunate we are back at square one for understanding diversity.”

NSW Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, has echoed Doukas’ claims.

This sentiment was echoed by NSW Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, who said it was concerning that postal votes being sent to households in Strathfield did not contain information in languages other than English.

A spokeswoman for the NSW Electoral Commission said all ballot papers in state elections must be written in English. She said information about translation services was, however, being provided on the Commission’s website.

Source: ABC News.

Chris Ikonomidis blasts Melbourne Victory to FFA Cup glory

Andriana Simos
-
0
Chris Ikonomidis blasts Melbourne Victory to FFA Cup glory

Melbourne Victory have claimed FFA Cup glory this year in a dramatic 2-1 final over the Central Coast Mariners.

The triumph, Victory’s second FFA Cup title after 2015, came just eight months after their first wooden spoon.

Victory supporters were on tenterhooks the entire game, until a stunning free kick by former Socceroos defender, Jason Davidson, with 20 minutes remaining put the team on the road to success.

Next came substitute Chris Ikonomidis, who smashed home a second strike in stoppage time to put the Mariners two goals behind.

Ikonomidis’ first Victory goal came after a pass from Francesco Margiotta.

“I saw the ball float perfectly for me and I just thought I’d take my time and set my body properly on my left foot and just hit it as sweetly as I could,” Ikonomidis told Network 10.

The victory looked assured until the Mariner’s skipper, Oliver Bozanic, ensured a nervous finish to the match when he scored in the 97th minute.

Victory’s win has now earned them a shot at the AFC Champions League, with the competition winner receiving a play-off spot — an away game against Japanese side Vissel Kobe in March.

Source: ABC News.

Erdogan thanks Mitsotakis for well wishes after testing positive for COVID

The Greek Herald
-
0
Erdogan thanks Mitsotakis for well wishes after testing positive for COVID

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has responded to a message from Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, wishing him a speedy recovery from COVID-19.

President Erdogan thanked Mitsotakis via a Tweet from his official account.

“Thank you for your good wishes, Mr Prime Minister. My wife and I extend my greetings to you, your family and the Greek people,” Erdogan tweeted.

The Turkish President confirmed on Saturday that he and his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus “with mild symptoms.”

“Thankfully, we’re experiencing slight symptoms that we have learned is the Omicron variant,” Erdogan tweeted.

“We are on duty. We will continue to work at home. We look forward to your prayers.”

At the time, the Greek Prime Minister sent out a message on Twitter, wishing him and his wife “a swift recovery from COVID-19.”

Source: Ekathimerini.

Greece to scrap negative COVID-19 test demand for travellers

The Greek Herald
-
0
Greece to scrap negative COVID-19 test demand for travellers

Greece will allow tourists with a European vaccination certificate to enter the country without having to show a negative test for COVID-19 from February 7, Reuters reports.

The new rules were announced by Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Sunday.

Previously, air passengers, including children above the age of five, had to show a rapid antigen test taken 24 hours before arrival or a PCR test no more than 72 hours old to enter Greece.

READ MORE: Greek Health Minister, Vassilis Kikilias: There’s light at the end of the tunnel for Greek diaspora.

But Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, said a valid digital European Union vaccination certificate will now suffice from February 7.

Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias.

This news comes as Greece prepares to welcome tourists in March, which is much earlier than in past years.

Greece is currently reporting an average of around 18,000 cases per day, with the volume of cases on a downward trend.

READ MORE: Vassilis Kikilias: Tourism is an area where Greece and Turkey can cooperate.

Masks must be worn in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, whilst travellers may be required to wear two masks or an N95/FFP2 mask on public transport and in supermarkets.

Source: Reuters.

1...1,4011,4021,403...1,994Page 1,402 of 1,994

Stay connected:

Other

© 2024 The Greek Herald. All rights reserved.