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Greek PM declares partial lockdown while cases surge across Europe

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Greek PM declares partial lockdown while cases surge across Europe

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday declared a one-month partial coronavirus lockdown, shutting restaurants and other leisure activities in Athens and other major cities from next week.

“We must act now, before intensive care units buckle under the strain of lives in danger,” Mitsotakis said in a televised address.

“The virus is attacking in waves, and we need to quickly adapt.”

Greece has registered over 37,000 coronavirus cases since February, including nearly 1,700 on Friday. Accelerating from August onwards, the virus has caused 620 deaths to date.

Another 128 people are in intensive care.

The prime minister said eateries, cafes, clubs, cinemas, museums and gyms in worst-hit areas would close down from Tuesday, but retail businesses and schools would remain open, to soften the blow to the economy.

Hotels, hair salons and food delivery will also be allowed to operate.

University classes will be held remotely, and half the workforce in the private and public sectors will work from home.

“A total lockdown would hurt the economy and society,” Mitsotakis said.

In addition to the capital, the toughest restrictions apply to most major cities in northern Greece including Thessaloniki, Larissa and Ioannina.

The rest of the country will have to abide by an overnight curfew from midnight to 5:00 am, in addition to the compulsory use of masks even outdoors, Mitsotakis said.

But in contrast to a nationwide lockdown imposed in March, movement between regions is not restricted for now, he added.

Mitsotakis said the measures were similar to those adopted in France and Germany, and were aimed at saving the Christmas shopping season. 

“I wanted to avoid this message. But conditions demand it,” he said.

The government has earmarked nearly 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in support for businesses during the latest lockdown, the PM said.

The government had already declared a night curfew from 00:30 am to 0500 am in Athens, Thessaloniki and other areas on October 22.

That followed localised lockdowns in the northern regions of Kozani and Kastoria earlier this month.

Greece’s March lockdown succeeded in slowing the spread of the virus to single digits daily, but the economy gradually reopened from May onwards to salvage part of the summer tourism season that is vital to the country’s economy.

UK announces second lockdown

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday announced a new month-long lockdown for England as COVID-19 cases surge across the country.

About 25,000 new cases of the disease are being reported each day in the U.K. Daily hospital admissions are nearing 2,000, and deaths have reached about 200 daily.

The lockdown is slated to start Thursday and last through Dec. 2. Parliament will vote on the measures on Wednesday.

Ireland, France, Belgium, Italy and other European countries are also in various stages of lockdown as virus cases skyrocket throughout Europe.

Mitsotakis visits earthquake-striken Samos, calls for damage evaluation

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Mitsotakis visits earthquake-striken Samos, calls for damage evaluation

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the eastern Aegean island of Samos on Saturday to inspect the damages caused by a powerful earthquake that killed two teenagers and raised several old buildings to the ground.

Mitsotakis presided over a meeting of government and local officials whom he urged to evaluate the damages in infrastructure.

“The first thing I want to understand is to have a complete picture of the extent of the damages to private property and public infrastructure,” he stressed at the start of the meeting which included Deputy Civil Protection minister Nikos Hardalias.

Officials also discussed the immediate next steps that need to be taken as well as medium-term interventions required mainly on infrastructure.

He then inspected damages at the towns of Vathi and Karlovasi.

During his visit, Mitsotakis also met with the parents of the two teenagers who died when a wall collapsed during Friday’s 6.7-magnitude tremor and expressed his condolences and deep sorrow.

Meanwhile, the municipalities of eastern and western Samos declared a state of emergency for six months (until 30 April 2021).

The island of Chios, which suffered damages by the earthquake, also declared a state of emergency.

Rescue efforts continued apace in Izmir

Rescue efforts continued apace in the western Turkish city of Izmir on Saturday, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the Aegean Sea, causing buildings to come crashing down and claiming the lives of at least 39 people, 37 people Turkey and 2 in Greece. At least 885 people were injured in Turkey.

A total of 20 buildings were seriously damaged in Izmir by the tremor on Friday afternoon, according to Izmir Mayor Tunc Soyer, the majority of them in the Bayrakli district.

Search-and-rescue operations remained underway in nine buildings as of Saturday afternoon, while operations have been completed in eight other buildings, Turkey’s disaster agency said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that 103 people have been rescued from the quake’s rubble.

*This is a developing story

Suspect at large after Orthodox priest shot in France

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Suspect at large after Orthodox priest shot in France

A Greek Orthodox priest was shot Saturday while he was closing his church in the French city of Lyon, and authorities have locked down part of the city to hunt for the assailant, police said.

The priest, a Greek citizen, is in a local hospital with life-threatening injuries after being hit in the abdomen, a police official told The Associated Press. The attacker was alone and fired from a hunting rifle, said the official, who was not authorized to be publicly named.

Police cordoned off the largely residential neighbourhood around the church and warned the public on social media to stay away. As night fell on Lyon, an Associated Press reporter saw police tape and emergency vehicles throughout the neighbourhood. National police tweeted that “a serious public security incident” was under way.

As night fell on Lyon, an Associated Press reporter saw police tape and emergency vehicles throughout the neighborhood. National police tweeted that “a serious public security incident” was under way.

The reason for the shooting was unclear. It happened two days after an Islamist extremist knife attack at a Catholic church in the French city of Nice that killed three people and amid ongoing tensions over a French newspaper’s publication of caricatures mocking the Muslim Prophet Muhammad.

French anti-terrorist authorities were not investigating Saturday’s shooting, although the interior minister activated a special emergency team to follow the case while the gunman was still at large.

“No theory is favoured, no theory is ruled out,” Lyon Mayor Gregory Doucet told reporters at the scene. “We don’t know at this stage the motive for this attack.”

Antoine Callot, the pastor at another Greek Orthodox church in Lyon, identified the wounded priest as Nikolas Kakavelakis, a 45-year-old father of two. Callot told The AP that the Greek Orthodox community in Lyon has not received any threats but said he immediately asked police for security protection at his church after the shooting.

“We are anxious and anguished. It’s really horrible,” he said. “Now we need to hide and be careful.”

Residents and a local police patrol heard shots near the church, and when officers arrived they saw an individual running away and found the wounded priest by the back door of the church, the Lyon prosecutor said in a statement.

Prime Minister Jean Castex reiterated government promises to deploy military forces at religious sites and schools. He said French people can “count on the nation to allow them to practise their religion in full safety and freedom.”

The government has been promising extra security at churches, mosques and other religious sites for several days now, but AP reporters have seen little visible sign of an increased police or military presence. No one was guarding the church targeted Saturday in Lyon or the church attacked in Nice on Thursday.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “We condemn the attack against an Orthodox priest of Greek origin near the Church of the Annunciation in Lyon, France. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in constant contact with the competent French authorities.”

Seeking to calm tensions and to explain France’s defence of the prophet cartoons, President Emmanuel Macron gave an interview broadcast Saturday on Arabic network Al-Jazeera. Macron also tweeted that “our country has no problem with any religion. They are all practised here freely! No stigmatization: France is committed to peace and living together in harmony.”

Exclusive: How Jonathan Aspropotamitis plans to lead Perth Glory to a Champions League title

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Exclusive: How Jonathan Aspropotamitis plans to lead Perth Glory to a Champions League title

New Perth Glory signing Jonathan Aspropotamitis shocked A-League fans when he announced he would be signing a short term contract for the Western Australia side. The untraditional move would see the Greek Australian participate in only the Asian Champions League and not the regular A-League season.

Although, for Jonathan, the move was the perfect opportunity to get minutes on the pitch against some of Asia’s most competitive sides.

“Initially I was meant to be going back to Melbourne to start pre-season (at Western United),” Jonathan says to The Greek Herald.

“I got a call from the club’s football director asking if I’d be interested in going over to the West and play in the Champions League.

“It’s something I said yes to straight away and it’s something I’m looking forward to. Getting that experience at a high level and putting that foot forward.”

Jonathan spent four years at Western Sydney Wanderers, being promoted from the club’s youth squad. In that time, he participated in their successful Asian Champions League run in 2014, where the club ultimately came home with the coveted trophy and ticket into the FIFA Club World Cup.

“Getting to the knockout round is a really special thing. It especially holds a lot of prestige in Asia,” Jonathan says.

Jonathan Aspropotamitis. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“So if we can get to the knockout rounds it’ll be really special, but for now we have a tough fight on our hands against some big clubs in Asia.”

While the team has started with a loss, Jonathan adds, the plan is to get them “back on track” and through to the next stage. 

“As a personal goal as well, just to play as many minutes as I can in those five games in the ACL, featuring in all those games is a personal goal of mine.”

Western United ‘bubble’ and international representation

Leaving Western Sydney Wanderers in 2018, Jonathan enjoyed a short stint at Central Coast Mariners before moving to Melbourne to play for newly formed A-League side Western United.

“The club was absolutely brilliant,” Jonathan says on playing for Western United.  

“It has the culture and identity that I guess a lot of clubs are seeking and aspire to have.

“It’s got a real identity to the West of Melbourne. It really congregates and identifies with those fans.”

Jonathan Aspropotamitis. Photo: Getty Images

Forced to play under COVID-19 restrictions, Jonathan says that while many players felt stuck in the ‘bubble’, it ultimately brought the players, and club, closer.

“It was a difficult one for a lot of people but it was something that made people stronger and grew the relationship people had even closer,” Jonathan adds.

The 24-year-old defender adds that he has also developed a strong relationship with his U-24 Australian national team teammates. Playing with them on four occasions, the Greek Australian captained them for three of the matches, playing in the AFC U-23 Championship China 2018 Qualifiers.

“Even though it was underage national team, to be the captain any time, representing the people of Australia, it’s pretty special and something you can only dream of,” Jonathan says.

“When it’s happening it’s pretty surreal and you’re lost for words at the time, you’re walking your teammates out, signing the national anthem… yeah it’s something that I would never forget and it’s a proud moment for my friends and family.”

“Proud” Greek heritage

While many Greek Australians may play in the A-League, there may be none so passionate than Jonathan. Raised in the diverse Sydney Greek community, it “goes without saying” that he has a proud Greek heritage.

“Both sides of my grandparents immigrated to Australia in their late teens,” Jonathan says.

“They made sacrifices to come to Australia and it’s something I guess none of us will ever understand, unless we do it ourselves.

Jonathan Aspropotamitis. Photo: Western United Twitter

“I really take a lot from that every day, in everything I do, because something that’s something we really take for granted; The things they did for us, without them knowing many years ago that it laid the foundations for us that we live right now.

“I don’t hide my expression in being proud to be Greek.”

Asked if he would venture off into European football, Jonathan says his focus is currently on bringing success to Perth Glory, yet would be excited for an overseas move, should the opportunity come about.

“There’s no club specifically, but since I started it’s been a goal of mine to play in Europe or play overseas, wherever that might be.

“But, obviously easier said than done. I have to perform well in Australia and a bit of experience and luck has to come about.”

Greek Community of Melbourne presents online lecture for The Battle of Salamis

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Greek Community of Melbourne presents online lecture for The Battle of Salamis

Dr Zisis Fotakis will present an online lecture entitled “The Naval Battle of Salamis: An Instructive Example of Coalition Naval Warfare”, on Thursday 5 November, as a part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars, offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

The naval battle of Salamis is one the largest military confrontations in antiquity having a modern demographic equivalent of well over 20 million souls.

It is also the bloodiest naval battle of  antiquity, recording many more human losses than most sea battles of the 20th century as a result of the speed and manoeuverability of the trireme, which depended on the physicality of its rowers, who in turn constituted an easy and obvious target for the enemy.

The naval battle of Salamis did not end the Greek-Persian War. Its strategic importance resembles that of the Battle of Stalingrad. It shows that coalitions can be impressive force multipliers, despite their often convoluted decision-making processes.

It is also a telling reminder of the capacity of the Hellenic nation to work miracles against the numerically superior adversaries, despite its small size and often divided polity. My presentation comments upon notable features of this memorable event.

About Dr. Zisis Fotakis

Zisis Fotakis is a graduate of Athens University (B.A. in History) and Oxford University (M.Sc. in Economic and Social History, and Ph.D. in Naval History). His monograph “Greek Naval Strategy and Policy, 1910-1919” (Routledge: London and New York, 2005) was awarded a prestigious prize by the Hellenic Academy of Arts and Sciences (Akademia Athenon), and was favorably reviewed by eminent naval historians such as Professors Lambert, Rodger, Halpern, and Glete.

He was an academic visitor at Yale University and at the United States Naval War College. He has also received distinctions such as a Fulbright Research Scholarship, and a Caird Junior Research Fellowship.

Dr Fotakis has written extensively on Greek Naval History and taught various aspects of modern European and Greek history as a fixed-term lecturer in Greek universities.

He is an Assistant Professor in Naval History at the Hellenic Naval Academy, and lectures at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. He is also the Director of the Naval History Research Laboratory at the Hellenic Naval Academy.

When:  Thursday 5 Novemebr 2020 @ 7.00pm

Where:            Zoom: https://bit.ly/31OkJO1

                        YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gocmv

                        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Greekcommunitymelb/

Greek engineer builds first liveable 3D-printed house in Europe

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Greek engineer builds first liveable 3D-printed house in Europe

By Victoria Loutas.

Giorgos Staikos and his team of developers are building the world’s first liveable 3D-printed home in the city of Beckum in Germany. 

Staikos grew up in a family of builders and developers in the Greek city of Drama. He spent the latter years of his adolescent life living in Germany, where he began working for his family’s construction business which has been operating for 27 years. 

3D printing is a relatively new type of manufacturing, which allows three-dimensional objects to be created using a computer, software and a 3D printer. This technology has been used to produce toy cars, prosthetic limbs and display homes and is proving to be extremely beneficial to the environment, reducing levels of manufacturing waste. 

The model of the 3D-printed house. Credit: AMNA.

As an innovative and creative engineer, Staikos has always dreamed of utilising the potential for 3D-printing technology to advance the construction and home development industry. And it looks like his dream has come true.

The federal state in Beckum is supporting the 3D construction printing project as part of its innovative construction development scheme.

As soon as Staikos’ proposal was approved by the former Beckum Mayor just over two years ago, he began planning and designing his groundbreaking project.

He has since been granted permits for the project and has experimented with different materials and consulted specialists to ensure the home is fully functioning.

While this concept of 3D printed homes is not exactly new, Staikos and his team will be the first to construct a 3D home that is both realistically sustainable and livable.

Within the next few weeks, the two story house will be completed and ready to be inhabited. 

US salutes Greece, Turkey earthquake diplomacy

The Greek Herald
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US salutes Greece, Turkey earthquake diplomacy

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden offered condolences to Greece and Turkey Friday after an earthquake that has killed at least 19 people across both countries and injured hundreds more.  

“Jill and I send our prayers to the people of Greece and Turkey following today’s earthquake,” Biden wrote on Twitter, referring to his wife.

“We’re grateful for the brave rescuers saving others, and for the governments of Greece and Turkey putting aside their differences to support each other.”

He is the first presidential candidate to offer condolences to the countries as they recover from the devastating temblor. 

US President Donald Trump has yet to weigh in, but Robert O’Brien, his national security advisor offered condolences and US support in a message similar to Biden’s, lauding the solidarity shown by Greek and Turkish officials.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan replied earlier Friday to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who said on Twitter he called the Turkish leader to voice Athens’ condolences and to pledge solidarity as the countries recover from the devastating temblor.  

“I offer my condolences to all of Greece on behalf of myself and the Turkish people. Turkey, too, is always ready to help Greece heal its wounds,” Erdogan said.

“That two neighbors show solidarity in difficult times is more valuable than many things in life.” 

At least 17 people were killed and 709 others injured in Turkey when a magnitude 6.6 earthquake jolted the Turkish city of Izmir on the Aegean coast on Friday.

Two children were also reported dead on the Greek island of Samos.

*This is a developing story

Greek PM Mitsotakis, Turkish President Erdogan exchange condolences over earthquake deaths

The Greek Herald
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Greek PM Mitsotakis, Turkish President Erdogan exchange condolences over earthquake deaths

Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered his condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the deaths caused by the powerful earthquake that struck the eastern Aegean island of Samos and the city of Izmir on Friday.

“I just called President Erdogan to offer my condolences for the tragic loss of life from the earthquake that struck both our countries. Whatever our differences, these are times when our people need to stand together,” Mitsotakis said in a tweet.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reciprocated in wishing condolences to Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“I offer my condolences to all of Greece on behalf of myself and the Turkish people. Turkey, too, is always ready to help Greece heal its wounds,” Erdogan said in a tweet.

“That two neighbors show solidarity in difficult times is more valuable than many things in life,” he added.

The comment followed a call between the two leaders discussed tremor.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9, with an epicenter 13 kilometers (8 miles) north-northeast of the Greek island of Samos. The United States Geological Survey put the magnitude at 7.0.

EU, NATO and WHO offer assistance to Turkey and Greece

The EU, NATO, the World Health Organization and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation offered assistance to Turkey and Greece as the earthquake shook the Aegean region. 

“Closely following the developments of the strong earthquake that hit the Aegean Sea off Greece and Turkey,” European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter.

“My thoughts are with all the people affected.” 

Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, also took to Twitter to show support. 

“We are following the situation and we stand ready to help, in all possible ways,” she wrote. 

Also, NATO’s secretary-general said the alliance stands ready to help “its allies Greece and Turkey.” 

“I am deeply saddened by the reports from the earthquake in the #Aegean. My thoughts go to all those affected,” Jens Stoltenberg said on Twitter.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), said the world health body is in close watch of the developments happening in Turkey and Greece after the earthquake. 

In a videoconference, Tedros said they will be working with the two countries to ensure that emergency medical care is provided to those in need. 

He also wished a fast recovery to those effected by the earthquake.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also extended condolences over loss of lives and wished a speedy recovery to all those affected by the earthquake. 

*This is a developing story

Strong earthquake in Aegean Sea kills at least 14 people in Turkey And Greece

The Greek Herald
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Strong earthquake in Aegean Sea kills at least 14 people in Turkey And Greece

At least 14 people died Friday in Turkey and Greece after a powerful earthquake struck off the shore of a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea. Emergency crews are working to find victims and survivors of the earthquake, which registered a magnitude 7.0, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 100 aftershocks have been felt, Turkish officials said.

The earthquake’s worst effects are being reported in western Turkey, where officials said 12 people are dead and more than 600 are injured. At least 17 buildings were destroyed or damaged in Izmir — one of Turkey’s largest cities, which was known in antiquity as Smyrna.

One person died by drowning, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. The agency said search and rescue crews are still trying to reach anyone who might be trapped or injured.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “to offer my condolences for the tragic loss of life from the earthquake that struck both our countries.” 

The Greek leader added, “Whatever our differences, these are times when our people need to stand together.”

The strong quake struck north of Néon Karlovásion, a small town on the Greek island of Samos. At least eight people were injured there, according to Greek state-run broadcaster ERT. But it also reported that two high school students, a boy and a girl, died in the city of Samos after a wall lining a narrow street collapsed on them.

The earthquake crumbled old buildings on the island; it also triggered a wall of seawater that flooded stores and swept cars away, ERT reported.

The quake shook a broad section of western Turkey – particularly Izmir, where hundreds of thousands of people live some 40 miles from the quake’s epicenter. Turkey said its military is rushing relief supplies and personnel to the area.

Friday’s earthquake is an “intraplate event,” the USGS said, resulting from the Africa plate grinding along the Eurasia tectonic plate. The earthquake, which hit roughly 155 miles north of the main boundary between those plates, is largely consistent with earlier temblors in the region, the agency said.

“While commonly plotted as points on maps, earthquakes of this size are more appropriately described as slip over a larger fault area,” the USGS said. It added that a 7.0 magnitude quake would normally have a fault area of 50 by 20 kilometers — about 31 by 12 miles.

Each year, the Africa plate moves northward around 10 millimeters (around 4/10 of an inch), the agency said. 

*This is a developing story.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Aegean

The Greek Herald
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Strong earthquake strikes eastern Aegean

The quake struck just off coast of west Turkey on the Greek island of Samos in the eastern Aegean Sea, about 11 miles off the coast of western Izmir, at 1.51pm local time.

The Deputy Mayor of Eastern Samos said multiple buildings had collapsed in the area according to local news outlets. 

He also reported large waves. 

The quake was so powerful it also rocked the Turkish city of Izmir with shocking footage and pictures showing rubble after the collapse of multiple buildings. 

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor was felt as far away as Athens and Istanbul. 

Reports also said tremors were felt on the Greek island of Crete. 

President of Samos hospital workers described the scenes of panic. 

He told SKAI: “A few minutes ago we experienced a very big earthquake similar to that Samos has been experiencing for many years. People are panicking. They have gone out in the squares, in the streets. It was an earthquake that lasted several minutes. Very strong.”

There were also unconfirmed reports of rockfalls on Chios, while the powerful earthquake, which was felt some 300 kilometers away in Athens and has been given a magnitude of 7 Richter by the European and American seismological agencies – a bit higher than the National Observatory of Athens’ revised reading of 6.7 Richter – also affected Kos and other islands in the area.

Greek seismologist Efthymios Lekkas told Greek state television ERT that it was still too early to say whether this was the main earthquake, although he said it was likely it was.

The earthquake appears to have struck nearby Turkey especially hard, with the state-run Anadolu Agency reporting that five buildings have collapsed or been badly damaged in the seaside town of Izmir and people are trapped in the rubble.

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