A Turkish fishing boat capsized on Wednesday after colliding with a Greek-flagged tanker off Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, Turkish officials said.
Four people on board the boat were killed while one other person is reported missing.
The incident between the Polatbey fishing boat and the Greek-flagged Ephesus occurred at dawn, about 15 nautical miles off the coast of Karatas, in Adana province, the Turkish coast guard said.
Εκφράζουμε τη θλίψη μας για την απώλεια ανθρώπινων ζωών εξαιτίας σύγκρουσης πλοίου με ελληνική σημαία και τουρκικού αλιευτικού σκάφους που έλαβε χώρα σήμερα. Ειλικρινή συλλυπητήρια στις οικογένειες των θυμάτων https://t.co/9RRWG2yfPg
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said on Wednesday that he expects US President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration to play a more active role in attempting to calm tension in the eastern Mediterranean.
“We have every reason to welcome, along with all our partners in the region, the return of the United States to its central role as a leader of NATO,” Mitsotakis said after a meeting in Athens with Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi.
Greece and Egypt are at odds with Turkey in a volatile maritime boundary dispute in the eastern Mediterranean over rights to search for and exploit natural gas deposits.
The European Union and the United States have both criticised Turkey’s ongoing maritime research missions in waters where Greece asserts jurisdiction. But Athens says it expects a Biden administration to be more engaged in the dispute.
“I believe that Greece and Egypt will welcome and have a positive attitude toward the determination of America’s contribution to the events of the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean in our troubled region,” Mitsotakis said.
The dispute between Greece and Turkey triggered a major military buildup over the summer that raised concerns of military confrontation.
For his part, Egyptian President al-Sisi agreed with the Greek leader and said both countries would “jointly address all those who want to threaten peace.”
“We discussed the events in our region and the adoption of policies by some that are at odds with the international community, and we agreed to jointly address all those who want to threaten peace,” President al-Sisi said during the press conference.
“We also agreed to strengthen each other in terms of defense relations.”
Al-Sisi then noted that they had also discussed the immediate need to tackle international terrorism and stop the countries that support it.
“Countries that support terrorism, help terrorists and encourage them must be held accountable,” he emphasised. “We have also agreed that global terrorism has nothing to do with religion and we reject any insult to any religion.”
In Athens for a two-day visit, el-Sisi also met with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, speaking, among other subjects, about the groundbreaking agreement on maritime territories between the two nations.
In August, Greece and Egypt signed a maritime deal demarcating the two countries’ maritime boundaries and setting out respective exclusive economic zones for the exploitation of resources such as oil and gas drilling.
Officials have said at least three people were wounded when an explosive device hit a ceremony commemorating the end of World War I at a cemetery in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.
Several countries had representatives at Wednesday’s event, which was held at a cemetery for non-Muslim dead and was attended by foreign diplomats.
The explosion was the second security incident to take place in the Red Sea port city in the last couple of weeks, and the first attack with explosives in years to attempt to hit foreigners in the conservative kingdom.
This morning, a remembrance ceremony in Jeddah was the target of an improvised explosive device attack.
I have full confidence the Saudi Authorities will investigate this attack and prosecute those responsible for this cowardly act.
Hours after the incident, local authorities said a Greek consulate employee and a Saudi security officer were wounded in what they described as a “cowardly” attack. The British government said one UK national also suffered minor injuries.
“There was some sort of a blast at the non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah. There are four slightly injured, among them one Greek,” a Greek official told Reuters, declining to named.
A statement by the French Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and called it “completely unjustified.”
A wounded person appears to be on the ground as men in military dress signal to each other at the cemetery in central Jeddah on Wednesday. One of the officers (left) appears to be wearing a British Army uniform.
“The embassies that were involved in the commemoration ceremony condemn this cowardly attack, which is completely unjustified,” the statement said.
“They call on the Saudi authorities to shed as much light as they can on this attack, and to identify and hunt down the perpetrators.”
A Saudi statement carried by state news agency SPA said an investigation was under way. There was no immediate claim of responsibility and no word on the motive.
There are currently over 25,600 Australians that have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). A life-threatening disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves, causing a slow communication disruption between the brain and the body.
Dimitri Garbas went to sleep around 3 years ago as a fit healthy 30-year-old and woke up the next morning struggling to move.
“I had this pain in my back, which felt like a drill was being put into my spine,” Dimitri tells The Greek Herald.
“I did everything I could to not go see a doctor… that old ethnic mentality of ‘it’ll go away’.”
Dimitri Garbas in hospital after being diagnosed with MS. Photo: Supplied
Dimitri Garbas in hospital after being diagnosed with MS. Photo: Supplied
Except the pain didn’t go away. When Dimitri finally went to hospital, he was told he will never be able to wake up the way he did before having MS.
“I’ve never been so scared in my life,” Dimitri says.
“The fear of unknown. It’s is one of the worst things. And we as humans do stupid things like go on Google and start looking things up, and it’s not that it was bad to look things up, it’s just that everything they were saying was true.
“That kind of cemented the fact that this was my life now.”
Around the time Dimitri was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, his wife was pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful daughter named Christine. After being diagnosed, Dimitri was told by doctors that he would be unable to have any more children, saying they would need a “miracle”.
Dimitri Garbas and his wife. Photo: Supplied
“Then my wife ended up getting pregnant like a little miracle baby,” Dimitri exclaims.
“And he was born last year on the twenty-third of December, so we thought Joseph would be quite a suitable name for him.
“It’s really uncanny how things work. People say to me, would you change anything if you could go back in time? I said no, because out of this I’ve gotten two beautiful children and a wife to support me.”
The symptoms of MS vary between patients and between days. According to MS Australia, symptoms are often a combination of the following:
Motor control – muscular spasms and problems with weakness, coordination, balance and functioning of the arms and legs
Fatigue
Other neurological symptoms – including vertigo, pins and needles, neuralgia and visual disturbances
Continence care
Neuropsychological symptoms – including depression, cognitive difficulties and memory loss
The day prior to conducting the interview with Dimitri, the Greek Australian said he had the energy to walk and get out of bed. The next day, he collapsed attempting to leave his bedroom.
“I’m with a walking stick today, because I got out of bed and fell on the floor because I lost my balance,” Dimitri says.
“So every day is like Russian roulette and it’s never a good thing. It’s always something bad.”
All humans are driven with a goal in mind, even people with a disability. For them, it’s a way of staying centred on earth and not losing touch of their humanity. Dimitri says that while many people disabilities bravely work to be the “next top athlete” or equivalent, Dimitri’s goal is much simpler.
“I just want to be able to pick up my daughter and do things with her. Push her on a swing and sit down and play tea parties.
“I’d like to teach son how to kick a soccer ball and eventually teach him how to drive.
“Just things that people take for granted.”
Dimitri Garbas’ daughter. Photo: Supplied
Dimitri Garbas’ son. Photo: Supplied
The Greek Herald recently told the story of Nick Dimos, a Greek Australian who arrived in Russia to conduct an MS treatment. Knowing Nick personally, Dimitri revealed that he has the same goal of reaching Russia and conducting this hopefully life-saving procedure.
“Nick reached out to me and said, ‘Look I’m in the same position as you and I want to help’. And he just took me under his wing”
“(In Russia) they give you three days’ worth of aggressive radiation to basically kill your immune system. You essentially have less of an immune system than what a newborn baby does.
“They take stem cells out of your spine and modify them so they’re clean, they no longer carry the disease, then they reinjected back into your body as your immune system.”
Dimitri hopes this process, more than anything, allows him to succeed in his goal of spending time with his children.
“I’m not trying to take on the world. I’m just trying to be in my kid’s life.”
“I need to be the person they need me to be and I’m not going to have my daughter wheeling her father in a chair when she’s 16.”
You can visit and donate to Dimitri Garbas’ Go Fund Me page.
15-year-old Lalor Secondary College student Anastasia Rigopoulos has recently been announced as the winner of the European Union Delegation to Australia award for her distinguished Greek language skills.
While having never been to Greece, Anastasia started learning Greek at an early age from her grandparents when they would take care of her. In primary school, at Lalor North, she was part of the bilingual program, to which she excelled in her Greek education.
In 2020 Anastasia topped her class and received the European Union Delegation to Australia award for excellence and a $200 Dymocks book voucher.
Speaking to the Delegation, Anastasia thanked her “amazing” teacher, Mrs Helen Ricco, for supporting her in her language education and making sure she was motivated during the COVID-19 lockdown.
💬What’s not to love about Greek culture? 15 year-old Anastasia Rigopoulos asks. "Everything about it is amazing: language, music, dancing, food, traditions and history!" Congrats to Anastasia from Lalor Secondary College for winning the @EUinAus European Language Award! 🇬🇷🇪🇺🇦🇺🏆 pic.twitter.com/S5TbUNRAwv
“Since starting my Greek language journey, l have been privileged to have had the best Greek teachers to assist me in every way. The guidance and the support they have all shown me has always encouraged me to do the best l can!”
Speaking exclusively to The Greek Herald, Mrs Helen Ricco says she has been teaching Greek to Anastasia since she was in Year 7, seeing her excel in the language.
“I am extremely proud of Anastasia’s achievement in Greek,” Mrs Ricco says to The Greek Herald.
“She began school as a shy student, uncomfortably reading and speaking out aloud in front of her fellow students.
“Anastasia overcame that barrier by showing resilience, patience, dedication and passion towards her learning the Greek language. She is very deserving of this award and I consider it an honour to have Anastasia in my class.”
Helen added that living in a multicultural society, it is important to “maintain and preserve the cultural significance of the Greek language along with other languages”.
“It is important to convey culture, beliefs and customs. It is also important to understand other cultures as they grow older and start interacting with people from other cultures.”
Mitsotakis holds teleconference with Greek-Australian children learning Greek with ‘Sta Ellinika’.
When 15-year-old Anastasia was asked what she loved most about Greek culture, she couldn’t pick merely one attribute.
“Everything about it is absolutely amazing: language, music, dancing, food, traditions and of course the history!”
Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Australia, Fabio Spadi says Europe is well-known for its rich cultural diversity.
“To help promote the learning of the EU’s official languages, and Greek is one of them, the European Union Delegation to Australia partners with schools and universities around the country,” Fabio Spadi says to The Greek Herald.
Dr Fabio Spadi with Monash University delegates. Photo: Monash University Facebook
“The language awards, which include a $200 Dymocks voucher, are presented to high school students excelling in their language studies. They are designed to recognise outstanding efforts and motivate students to continue with, or even take up, European language studies!”
“Schools that are interested, and don’t already receive funding to promote languages…are invited to contact us if they would like to get involved.”
George Timotheou has made the next step on his journey to becoming one of Australia’s top defenders, recently signing a two-year deal with A-League side Adelaide United.
The Greek Australian defender moved to Germany in 2018 from Sydney Olympic FC to join Schalke’s reserve side. Impressing from day one, he was quickly moved up after 23 matches to train with the first team where he made one appearance.
He was loaned out to Belgian outfit, Zulte Waregem, to get more game time, yet decided a move back to Australia would be the best choice to develop his career. It was at this time that George discovered he had an issue with his bicuspid valve, sidelining him for up to nine months.
George Timotheou has signed with A-League side Adelaide United. Photo: Supplied
“It’s very exciting because now I’m obviously at a better place than what I had been my whole career,” Timotheou said in a prior interview earlier this year.
With his heart now operating a “full capacity”, George is looking to get back on the pitch and earn his way back to the top.
“I haven’t played too many senior games in the last season or two, but that’s why I’m here and that’s what I want to do – help the team and this Club be successful,” Timotheou says.
“It’s going to be a big season for this group and I think we’re going in positive direction to bring more success to South Australia.”
Adelaide United Director of Football, Bruce Djite, said while missing a substantial amount of football over the past year, he is working his way back to his “best level”.
“His technical ability, passing, and defensive attributes were evident from his first day with the group and he impressed both Carl and Ross very quickly,” Djite says.
“He has many qualities and, despite being just 23, he is a natural leader that will add to the depth and strength of our defence.”
On a cold Winter morning in Greece in 1950, thousands of young Greek men prepared themselves for battle, as they left for Asia to aid South Korea in their war against North Korea.
Following the second world war, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into two zones of occupation, whereby the Soviets administered the Northern half and the Americans administered the Southern half. This inevitably led to great conflict between the North and South districts of Korea.
The United Nations made several attempts for unification between the two regions, however, all ultimately failed. As a result, a ‘Cold War’ situation arose and eventually led to a surprise, unprovoked attack on South Korea on the 25th June 1950.
Troops of the Greek Expeditionary Force during a military ceremony, in September 1952.
The UN Security Council assembled on the 26th June 1950 and decided on the immediate suspension of hostilities and ordered North Korean forces to return to their district. North Korea ultimately ignored this decision and continued their attacks.
The Greek Expeditionary Force (GEF) was formed in response to the United Nations appeal for assistance in the Korean war. Along with 22 other countries, Greece provided foreign aid in the form of the Army and Air Force.
The GEF consisted of a reinforced Hellenic Army Infantry Battalion and a Royal Hellenic Air Force flight of seven transport planes. The Battalion was composed of 1,000 men and the 13th flight transported an additional 67 men to contribute.
On December 3rd, 1950, the first Greek aircraft landed on Korean soil. The Battalion was assigned to the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st American division and the 13th flight was assigned to the 21st squadron of the 374 American Battle Wing.
Greece’s aid and army forces were the fifth largest contributor to the U.N Forces in Korea and were later recognised for their exceptional efforts. The war operations of the GEF were pivotal to the salvation of Korea and further demonstrated Greece’s dedication to protect national values of freedom, justice and international cooperation. All troops who contributed to the expedition displayed bravery and spirit, proudly representing Greece.
The Greek Expeditionary Force was rewarded for their heroic action by the Korean President and the US president multiple times. The 13th Flight of the GEF and the GEF Spartan battalion both received US Presidential Unit Citations for their assistance and participation in the intense battles.
Melbourne-based lawyer Peter Zaparas, of Zaparas lawyers, has been named as one of Australia’s leading Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) as part of Doyle’s Guide’s 2020 legal ranking awards.
Zaparas was listed as one of only four lawyers in Australia for the Preeminent award category, recognising the high level of expertise and client care given by Peter.
“This is a recognition of Peter’s hard work over the past 40 years, to build a reputation in the community as a lawyer who understands the difficulties faced by those who are injured and his desire to empower injured people,” Zaparas Lawyers said in a statement.
Peter’s son, Yianni Zaparas, said he was proud his father was recognised for this prestigious award.
“I’m really happy Dad was recognised as a preeminent lawyer, he has worked so hard for injured clients all of his working life,” Yianni says.
Zaparas Lawyers also received the award for being one of three, Top Tier Leading Work Injury Law Firms, as well as being a leading Motor Vehicle Accident and Public Liability Law firm.
Also named as one of Australia’s leading Work Injury Compensation Lawyers in the ‘Recommended’ category were Jim and Ellis Palmos in Melbourne. This is the fourth year Jim has been awarded by Doyles Guide as leading and recommended lawyer for work injuries, previously receiving the award in 2016, 2017, 2018.
Doyles Guide is recognised as an independent organisation that rates and recommends law firms based on interviews with clients, peers, and relevant industry bodies.
According to the independant body, the listing of leading firms and individuals creates an environment for a more “accurate recognition” of Australia’s leading lawyers.
On 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Australians will pause once again to acknowledge Remembrance Day: the end of World War I.
Originally known as Armistice Day, November 11 has expanded over the years to solemnly remember all the fallen men and women who have lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping efforts.
Acting Veterans Affairs Minister Geoff Lee stood side-by-side with the bugler and RSL NSW acting president Ray James as dozens of red poppies adorned the Sydney Opera House sails, reflecting into the harbour below for Remembrance Day 2020.
More than 60,000 Australians were killed fighting for their country. And today the nation pays tribute to those lost and to those who are still serving.
The Sydney Opera House was illuminated in poppies. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker
Minister Lee described the moment the Opera House lit up as “spine tingling”.
“This morning was a great scene, the water was glassy, the sun was rising to the east and red poppies were projected onto the white sails of the Opera House in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” he said.
“It was a strong symbolic reminder of the service and sacrifice made over a century ago which gave us the freedom we enjoy today.”
Minister Lee said it is essential young Australians understand the significant of the day, so schools have been given activity packs for students to make poppies and create stories around those who have served at war.
Bugler Corporal Curtis Willcox, RSL NSW acting president Ray James and Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee and during a special Remembrance Day Dawn Service to light the Opera House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker
“We want to encourage young people to understand the importance of our history and legacy of those who have served our country,” he said.
In Canberra, the Australian War Memorial’s ceremony will be televised nationally and retain traditional elements such as the minute’s silence, laying of wreaths by invited dignitaries and sounding of the Last Post.
A one-off rule exemption has been granted in NSW to allow groups of up to 100 people to gather for services across the state including Sydney’s Martin Place.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison were joined by five other global leaders last night as part of the ‘first mover’ group that had successfully managed the first wave of the coronavirus.
The leaders exchanged views on the situation in their countries and discussed the increase in cases, especially in Europe, with the result that many countries have imposed either severely restrictive measures or a lockdown that leaves part of economic activity and schools in operation.
Scott Morrison says that the countries shared experiences about second waves, avoiding lockdowns, and keeping our economies open safely.
“Thank you Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz for hosting our sixth virtual meeting since the pandemic began and for the update on how Austria is recovering after last week’s terrible terrorist attacks,” the Australian PM added.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis made reference of the developing COVID-19 vaccine, speaking about the need to coordinate the distribution of the vaccine and the technical specifications that this entails, so that the population can be vaccinated as soon as possible.
He also stressed that consistency is needed so that the anticipation of the vaccine does not lead citizens to relax in terms of compliance with the measures.
Speaking about the country’s own situation, the Greek PM said the exponential increase of cases and pressure on the health system led to the imposition of a lockdown for three weeks. He stressed that the next 10 days are crucial and that the goal is for the measures to pay off.
The Greek and Australian leaders were joined in the meeting by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The world leaders first convened via teleconference in May, discussing the most effective ways to “reopen our economies” and considering strategies to manage potential localised outbreaks.
“We swapped notes on the need to reopen our economies safely, including schools, how to manage localised outbreaks, the importance of rigorous tracing and testing, and keeping supply chains open,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier this year.
