Former Hells Angels member, Peter Zervas, has been arrested driving through Sydney’s CBD allegedly with an extendable baton in his “company car,” The Daily Telegraph reports.
The 44-year-old Greek Australian was a central figure in the infamous 2009 brawl at Sydney Airport between the Hells Angels and the Comanchero, in which his brother Anthony Zervas was stabbed to death.
On Sunday night, police were doing random vehicle checks in the city when they pulled Zervas over on Kent St about 10pm.
“Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and allegedly located an expandable baton,” police confirmed in a statement to The Daily Telegraph.
Protesters supporting President Donald Trump violently clashed with law enforcement on Wednesday, sending the US Capitol into chaos, locking the building down and halting the vote to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
Dozens of people breached security perimeters at the Capitol and lawmakers inside the House chamber were told to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda.
An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Biden’s victory. Due to an “external security threat,” no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.
Both chambers abruptly went into recess. The District of Columbia’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, issued a curfew for 6 pm.
Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images.
The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.
Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear. Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back. Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as officers tried to keep them back.
Trump urges protesters to ‘stay peaceful’:
Addressing the unfolding situation on Twitter, Mr Trump urged protesters to “stay peaceful,” before later issuing a video urging them to “go home.”
“I know your pain, I know your hurt, we had an election that was stolen from us,” he said, repeating baseless claims of election fraud.
Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
“But you have to go home now. We have to have peace. We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order.
“We can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You’re very special.”
The clashes came just shortly after Mr Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, repeating baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress vote.
“We will not let them silence your voices,” Mr Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the President.
“We will never concede. It doesn’t happen. You don’t concede when there’s theft involved.”
Biden urges Trump to ‘demand an end to this siege’:
In a national address, Mr Biden called those storming the Capitol “a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness.”
“This is not decent, it is disorder, it is chaos,” he said, urging Mr Trump to “demand an end to this siege.”
“It borders on sedition and it must end now. I call on this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go forward.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Vice-President Mike Pence, who issued a series of tweets condemning the violence, which he labelled an “attack on our Capitol.”
The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol Must Stop and it Must Stop Now. Anyone involved must respect Law Enforcement officers and immediately leave the building.
He called for those involved to be prosecuted to the “fullest extent of the law.”
“The violence and destruction taking place at the US Capitol must stop and it must stop now,” he tweeted. “Anyone involved must respect law enforcement officers and immediately leave the building.”
Joe Biden’s Greek American Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, also tweeted her praise of the way Biden has handled the situation so far, writing: “pretty proud to work for a future President (t-2 weeks) who calls people to a greater good, to leadership, to respect for Democracy and decency.”
Prime Ministers of Greece and Australia react to violent clashes:
In a post on Twitter, Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has expressed his concern over the unfolding situation at Capitol Hill this morning in the US.
Extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington D.C. American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.
“Extremely troubled by the violence and horrible events taking place in Washington DC,” Mitsotakis wrote.
“American democracy is resilient, deeply rooted and will overcome this crisis.”
For his part, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has condemned the acts of violence and says he’s is looking forward to a peaceful transfer of Government.
Very distressing scenes at the US Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.
“Very distressing scenes at the US Congress,” Mr Morrison wrote on Twitter.
“We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
UPDATE:
The US Congress is now back in session to certify Joe Biden’s election win, while the death toll from the riots has risen to at least four.
Washington DC police said four people died during the chaos at the Capitol on Wednesday local time.
They include the woman who was shot and a further three who suffered “medical emergencies.”
“We will not know the cause of death – we believe some type of medical emergency,” Washington DC’s Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert Contee said.
Fifty-two people were arrested – 26 on Capitol grounds – Washington DC police said.
Greek Orthodox people celebrated the Epiphany on Wednesday in Greece and Australia in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning many of the usual traditions were more subdued but still heart-warming.
We take a look at how both countries marked the important Christian event.
Greece:
The Greek government relented and allowed limited attendance at churches celebrating the feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday, reversing a ban on attendance designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision came after Greece’s Orthodox Church said on Monday it would defy the government lockdown order imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus and open churches to the faithful during the Epiphany celebration on January 6.
The Greek government relented and allowed limited attendance at churches celebrating the feast of the Epiphany on Wednesday. Source: INTIME / Ekathimerini.
On the day, not all churches opened their doors to the faithful during services but, in those that did, congregations were limited from 25 to 50 people, for the largest churches. In some cases of overflow, the faithful were allowed in, a few at a time, for private prayers after the service was over.
As per a previous agreement between the Greek Church and the government, the traditional blessing of the waters also took place inside the churches and not in the open, in rivers and beaches, as is customary.
The Greek Orthodox faithful in Australia also celebrated the feast of the Epiphany in a more subdued manner.
In New South Wales, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios held a special Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney.
Archbishop Makarios then preceded to bless the faithful with agiasmo (Holy Water) and gave a small speech speaking about the meaning of the Epiphany.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios held a special Divine Liturgy.
The Epiphany celebration at St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Burwood. Photo: Facebook.
In other churches across the state, the ceremony was much the same. For once, churches were not overflowing with people due to the current coronavirus restrictions in place, which say that capacity at a place of public worship must not exceed 100 visitors or one visitor per 4 square metres.
People who attended the service were also wearing mandatory masks, as stipulated by the NSW Government.
In South Australia, at the Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of Prophet Elias in Norwood, the Epiphany was also celebrated but due to the restrictions being less tough in the state, more parishioners were allowed inside the church and masks were not mandatory.
The Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of Prophet Elias in Norwood also held a special Divine Liturgy to mark the Epiphany. Photo: Facebook.
With regards to the traditional blessing of the waters, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia announced that the event will not go ahead this year in Sydney, Victoria and Western Australia.
House blessings have also been adapted to the current pandemic, with some churches in NSW cancelling them all together, while others are offering cups of Holy Water for people to take home instead.
Steve Teloniatis is living proof that disabilities are only a hinderance to the incredible potential humans are capable of when they stick their mind to a goal, or in this case, a wicket.
Born with a mental disability, Steve Teloniatis had a passion for cricket at a very young age. Starting at Emerald Hill Cricket Club in St Kilda, Melbourne, Steve’s passion grew from the age of 10 when he finally got his footing, and handling, of the sport.
In the midst of the summer cricket season, Steve says he’s “excited” to have some more matches and wickets under his belt.
“I’m pretty excited,” Steve said to The Greek Herald.
“I’ve been playing with a club called Elsternwick Cricket Club, and I just love it.”
While aiming to be an all-rounder in the sport, Steve’s bowling statistics are quite remarkable, regardless of the competition level. A leg-spinner by craft, his bowling skills allowed him to claim two wickets on the first match of the 2020/21 season against Noble Park.
According to My Cricket, Steve has racked up a total of 223 wickets in 211 career matches, holding a bowling average of 25.97. As of publication, Steve has also scored an incredible 999 runs, just shy of the golden 1000 mark.
Steve’s talents were recognised in 2019 when he was invited to represent Australia at the INAS Global Games for athletes with an intellectual disability. Facing off against England in five Twenty20 matches at South Brisbane District Cricket Club and Allan Border Field, Steve said the experience was incredible.
“It was a pretty exciting news when I heard, and it was a great experience. I just love the vibe of playing cricket.”
Asked about his future with the sport, Steve said while he may not be able to play for his entire life, he’ll be playing for “as long as he can”.
“I’m happy where I am trying to play my hardest and achieve more. I’m getting better.”
While Greeks may not have much, or any, experience in the sport, Steve added that he walks on to the pitch every day proud of his Greek heritage. Steve was also congratulated by Greek football club South Melbourne FC for being part of the INAS Global Games squad.
“Many would recognise Steve from around Lakeside Stadium as valued club volunteer and long-term member of South and we are thrilled to see him rewarded with this selection,” South Melbourne said previously.
Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou strongly backed the council’s decision to provide additional aid to Berala’s ethnic communities, which remains one of the most affected COVID-19 areas in Sydney.
Cumberland City Council issued letters on Tuesday to more than 240,000 residents with NSW Health advice translated into 10 languages.
Speaking to ABC News, Steve Christou said Berala’s different ethnic communities “don’t necessarily have fluency with reading news through the internet, so we’ve provided this explanation letter in basic Mandarin, Cantonese, simplified Chinese, formal Arabic, Korean, Turkish, Farsi-Dari, Vietnamese, Tamil and Greek”.
The council explained that extra care was taken to provide correct translations, after the Federal and Victorian governments were criticised last year for errors in their translations in relation to materials distributed in relation to coronavirus.
Christou added that many of the council’s residents are from non English speaking backgrounds and, “if you know someone who needs help, maybe they are a friend or relative, please help them understand the importance of getting tested.”
NSW Health’s Kerry Chant has urged Western Sydneysiders to seek testing. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
NSW on Wednesday recorded four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. One is linked to the Berala cluster, and is the young man from western Sydney reported yesterday who travelled to western NSW. There are now 16 cases in the Berala cluster.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged leaders of the city’s multicultural southwest to step up and urge their communities to get tested at greater numbers.
Τhe Greek government admitted on Tuesday that it ignored the epidemiologists’ proposals for early lockdown in Thessaloniki in October “out of respect for traditions and religion.”
Speaking to Skai TV, Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis admitted that because of their decision, “we mourned many victims.”
The Greek government recently clashed with the Greek Church concerning the new lockdown restrictions for the Epiphany festival, which is observed as an enormous cultural celebration.
In response, the government said the law on coronavirus protection measures does not apply at will.
Adonis Georgiades.
“We hope that the Church will realise the urgency of the moment for society, as it has done so far responsibly. The implementation of prevention and precautionary measures is an obligation but also an act of social solidarity and responsibility for all of us,” the government said in a statement.
Speaking to Skai TV, Georgiadis said the government did not want to repeat the mistake it committed in Thessaloniki when the faithful flocked to churches to celebrate the Patron of the city St Demetrios, on October 26.
“Some infectious disease specialists told us that there should be a quarantine in Thessaloniki before the feast of Agios Dimitrios,” the minister said.
“Out of respect for tradition, Orthodoxy and faith, we did not quarantine before the feast of St. Demetrius, I remind you that this was the main mistake made in Thessaloniki, and the Prime Minister admitted it in Parliament,” Georgiadis pointed out.
“On that day, the faithful gathered, the church could not control the influx, and then Thessaloniki became the city that mourned the most victims.”
An inner-Sydney brewery launched by Mike Meletopoulo and his father Mark last year is feeling the pressure of COVID-19 restrictions.
Turning his passion into a hobby, Mike’s beer-making skills translated naturally once the brewery had its grand opening. Yet, speaking to ABC News, the pair struggled physically and financially to get the business off the ground.
“It was probably a year and a bit of just planning, just working out whether or not it would be profitable, working out whether we could afford to do it,” Mike Meletopoulo says.
The pair invested an estimated $500 thousand into Bracket Brewing before opening the doors. Their rental agreement, which was signed late last year, is being paid in the thousands, despite their doors being shut.
Mark and Mike Meletopoulo. Photo: ABC News/Daniel Irvine
To make matters worse, the Meletopoulos team was unable to access the wage subsidy due to the business having no downturn.
“Unfortunately, with this sort of venture, all the costs are upfront — you have to have everything in place,” Mark Meletopoulo says.
With Mike putting the whole house deposit into the brewery to keep it afloat, the Greek Australian is hoping his investment turns out profitable.
“It was really a very trying time, because we had to decide whether we would still commit, putting the money in, or whether we say ‘that’s it, game over,'” Mark Meletopoulo says.
“We stuck with it, to the point where people ask us why we don’t have tasting paddles and we say purely because by the time we got to opening, we couldn’t afford the glasses.”
On Tuesday, the Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed that Greece and Israel had completed the signing of a new $1.68 billion defence agreement, introducing a new flight academy for the Hellenic Air Force.
The deal is the largest defence procurement agreement between the two countries to date, approved by the Greek government following an international tender.
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday said the new agreement is a reflection of “excellent and developing relations” between the two countries.
Photo: Israel Ministry of Defence
“It is a long-term partnership that will serve the interests of both Israel and Greece, create hundreds of jobs in both countries, and promote stability in the Mediterranean,” Gantz said in comments reported by the Israeli Defense Ministry after Athens approved the agreement.
“In the phone call that I received after the agreement was approved, I thanked my friend the Greek minister of defense, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, and expressed my appreciation for his personal involvement in advancing this project.”
12) We believe this milestone agreement opens further new horizons of cooperation, strategic, economic and other and appreciate the decision taken by the Prime Minister and his Government to chose Israel as Greece’s partner in this project. We are thankful for the trust.
The Hellenic Government approved the establishment and operation of the Flight Training Center by the IMOD and Elbit Systems for an amount of approximately $1.68 billion (approximately €1.375 billion) for a period of approximately 20 years.
The agreement includes the procurement of ten M-346 aircraft and maintenance of T-6 aircraft, as well as the provision of simulators, training and logistic support.
“We believe this milestone agreement opens further new horizons of cooperation, strategic, economic and other and appreciate the decision taken by the Prime Minister and his Government to chose Israel as Greece’s partner in this project,” the Embassy of the State of Israel to Greece said on Twitter.
A cryptocurrency founder charged with trafficking cocaine, ice and other drugs has had his bail conditions changed so he can attend his brother’s wedding and bucks night and oversee his chain of souvlaki stores, according to The Age.
Sam Karagiozis, the Lamborghini-driving founder of the Auscoin cryptocurrency, was granted a variation to his bail conditions in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
The Greek Australian 29-year-old from Melbourne is charged with 13 offences including importing, possessing and trafficking drugs such as cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and methamphetamine between March 2016 and October 2017.
Mr Karagiozis was charged almost two years ago and granted bail in mid-2019.
In seeking the changes, defence counsel Dermot Dann, QC, said Mr Karagiozis had complied with bail conditions since his release and wanted a curfew condition dropped so he could be best man to his brother George on January 30 and attend the bucks night two weeks earlier.
Sam Karagiozis is charged with trafficking cocaine, ice and other drugs.
Mr Dann said the dropping of the curfew would also allow his client to be at his souvlaki stores at night. Mr Karagiozis has up to 10 stores, the court heard, but had been unable to be at any outlets in Melbourne’s outer suburbs because of the nightly curfew.
Magistrate Andrew McKenna questioned what Mr Karagiozis would be doing at the restaurants.
“I doubt he’d be rolling up any souvlakis,” Mr McKenna said.
But Mr Dann argued his client would be working there and not just driving past.
“What he wants to be able to do is be on site at any one of those restaurants as the need arises,” the lawyer said.
Mr McKenna said a family member “implored the court to have a heart” in relation to the wedding in a letter tendered on Mr Karagiozis’s behalf.
Prosecutor Rosalind Avis opposed the application, arguing the case against Mr Karagiozis was strong and police allege he was the “boss” of the drug network.
“He was effectively the head of the operation,” Ms Avis told the court.
But Mr McKenna decided to cancel the curfew and vary the conditions so Mr Karagiozis could attend the stag event and the wedding.
He was barred from discussing the allegations, court case or any proceedings with his alleged co-offender at the events, the magistrate ordered.
“They can discuss how wonderfully well the wedding is going, the weather, the progress of the pandemic but nothing related to these proceedings or these charges,” Mr McKenna said.
He also cancelled Mr Karagiozis’s curfew because of his businesses and labelled it “undesirable and unnecessary”.
Mr Karagiozis must still abide by other conditions including twice-weekly reporting to police, not to contact prosecution witnesses, not to contact his co-accused and not to leave Victoria.
The Epiphany is one of the most sacred Greek Orthodox celebrations that dates back to ancient times. This Christian tradition is celebrated on the 6th of January around the world and is a day of joy and brightness.
What is the Epiphany?
The Epiphany (also called Theofania or Fota) is a day when Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by St John the Baptist. It is the moment Christ is recognised as both the Messiah and the second person of the Holy Trinity.
Greek celebration of the Epiphany:
The most important ritual of the Epiphany is the ‘great blessing of the waters.’
On January 6, Christians all around Greece take part in various traditions and ceremonies to celebrate the Epiphany.
The most important ritual on this day is the ‘great blessing of the waters,’ which is performed by a Greek Orthodox priest. The tradition is that a priest throws a special cross into the sea and many brave young men and boys dive into cold water to retrieve the cross.
The lucky person who finds and returns the cross is blessed by the priest for the whole year. Once the cross has returned, the priest releases a white dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. This long-standing tradition is carried out to commemorate the Baptism of Christ and to bless the waters.
Along with the blessing of the waters, there are many other rituals that happen all over Greece to commemorate the Epiphany. Some of which include:
Fota kalanda: Just like Christmas and New Years Eve, kalanda (carols) are sung by children in Greece to celebrate the coming of Epiphany. These carols are known as “Fota Kalanda” and begin with a retelling of the creation of the world and the waters by God, and finally end with the day of Jesus Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River by St John the Baptist.
Roukgatsia: In Thessalia, Central Greece, the ‘Routkagsia’ are the main attraction of the holiday. On the eve of the Epiphany, groups of 10-15 people dressed in costumes go from house to house singing carols for a small amount of money. Each Rougkatsia group must feature a bride and groom, a priest, a grandfather, a doctor and the “arkoudiarides.” This ancient ritual is also performed in some other Greek cities, with minor changes to the name and its performance.
