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Harassment and bullying becoming a ‘vicious cycle’, research finds

Joint research conducted by Flinders University and the University of Thessaly in Greece has shown that students’ emotional resilience is linked to their chances of being victimised, with less resilient students more likely to suffer from harassment, reducing their well-being.

The study also found that female students display lower emotional resilience, along with older students. Higher levels of resilience and well-being tended to go with being bullied less often, being a boy, and being younger.

The results were found to be troubling for female and older students, with existing research suggesting resilient adolescents are less likely to be either victims or bullies, and to suffer less emotional damage from bullying scenarios.

“These results show that bullied adolescents may develop different ways of protecting themselves from bullying, depending on their age and gender,” researchers say.

Photo: Raisingchildren.net.au

One of the authors, Dr Grace Skrzypiec, is from Flinders University, and another, Dr Eleni Didaskalou, was a Visiting Fellow there. The lead author, Dr Eleni Andreou, is from the University of Thessaly. Their study is part of a transnational research project and involved 558 students from grades 6-10.

“Research shows that adolescents with an optimal level of well‐being are more likely to demonstrate appropriate academic skills, have higher levels of school attendance and pro‐social behaviour, and be less likely to bully others.”

The study also found that gender and year level did not affect how often a student becomes a victim of bullying, and that boys and girls are likely to experience different types of harassment.

“Overt physical and verbal aggression appears to be more common among boys, whereas girls are more likely to experience underhanded bullying like spreading rumours,” the researchers say.

“There is some recent evidence that during adolescence, boys are more vulnerable to victimisation across different contexts, whereas girls’ victimisation may take place partly in their close friendships”

The researchers identified a need for schools and policymakers to address well-being and harassment support to students in a manner informed by their age and gender, noting that a one-size-fits-all approach may not work.

“Resilience‐based anti‐bullying interventions cannot be developed in the sense of ‘an approach that suits everyone’s needs.’ Potential resilience‐based anti‐bullying interventions should take into account that adolescents’ adjustment after being victimised may be affected by their age and gender.”

Greek Australian property developer successfully appeals breath test refusal conviction

A Greek Australian property developer who allegedly hurled insults and abuse at two female police officers has had his criminal case thrown out of court.

George Angelo Karageorge, who runs Sydney-based ­developers Stasia, was at Double Bay’s Cosmopolitan Cafe in March 2018 when police were alerted by a member of public who feared a drunk man was about to get behind the wheel of a black Ferrari.

According to the Wentworth Courier, police officers gave evidence in Waverley Local Court they pulled the high-performance vehicle over and the driver, Karageorge, immediately confessed to drink-driving saying, words to the effect of, “you got me”.

George Karageorge outside Downing Centre Court on Monday. Picture: Daniel McGookin/Wentworth Courier

Police alleged the property developer completed a roadside breath test, which returned a reading nearly six times over the legal limit.

The court also heard allegations Karageorge offered cocaine and flashed cash at the police officers. Karageorge was never charged for his alleged offensive behaviour but accepted he was being abusive, rude and difficult.

When taken to the police station for a breath analysis, police alleged Karageorge refused to provide a sample and he was ultimately charged with refusing to submit a breath analysis.

Property developer George Karageorge (left). Picture: Dylan Robinson/Wentworth Courier

In a District Court appeal against his Local Court conviction, Karageorge’s barrister Phillip Boulten SC denied the police officers’ version of events, raising suggestions of misconduct, and said there was doubt a roadside breath test ever took place.

By law, police must complete a breath test before requesting a more accurate breath analysis.

Mr Boulten pointed to timestamps of police radio communications which indicated a call for a caged police vehicle to pick up Karageorge following a “positive test” took place about 28 seconds before, as shown on police breathalyser timestamp, the breath test allegedly took place.

Judge James Bennett described the Ferrari driver’s behaviour as “boorish” but found it was not proved beyond reasonable doubt that a roadside breath test took place.

The appeal was upheld and Karageorge’s conviction was dismissed.

Sourced By: Wentworth Courier

Greek and Cypriot players headline new A-League club transfers

Greek Australian, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, and Cypriot Australian, Antonis Martis, are set to play in the upcoming A-League season after signing with Perth Glory and Macarthur FC respectively.

Jonathan Aspropotamitis:

Perth Glory has confirmed that 24-year-old Jonathan Aspropotamitis signed for the club, with head coach, Richard Garcia, saying he has “enormous potential.”

“Jonathan has always had a good reputation and enormous potential and we’re confident that he can fulfil that potential with us,” Garcia said.

Central defender Aspropotamitis played for Western United last season having previously made more than 40 A-League appearances for Western Sydney Wanderers and spent a year with the Central Coast Mariners.

Aspropotamitis made more than 40 A-League appearances for Western Sydney Wanderers.

The former Australia Under-20 and Under-23 international is looking forward to a new challenge in the West, having signed for the duration of the club’s AFC Champions League campaign.

“I’m very excited to have signed for Perth Glory,” Aspropotamitis said.

“I can’t wait to firstly meet the boys and everyone at the club and secondly get over to Doha for the games in the AFC Champions League.

“It’s always a good experience to play in the ACL, so hopefully we can do really well and get through into the knockout rounds.”

Antonis Martis:

Macarthur FC also announced that 20-year-old Antonis Martis has joined the club on loan from Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland.

Raised in south-west Sydney, the Cypriot Australian joins Milicic’s inaugural Bulls squad for the 2020/21 A-League season starting on December 27.

A graduate of the FC Midtjylland academy and youth programs, Martis spent the preseason with the reigning Danish top-flight champions.

The talented central midfielder amassed 42 appearances for FC Midtjylland in the Danish under 19’s Youth League.

The dual national has earned international representative honours for both countries, captaining the Australian Joeys under 16’s in two tournaments in Vietnam and Cambodia and most recently two under 19 national caps for Cyprus.

Macarthur FC Head Coach, Ante Milicic, welcomed Martis to the Bulls.

“He is a good young player – an aggressive ball winner with European experience. Having played in the Europa League against many different styles, I am looking forward to seeing him continue to reach his full potential in the A-League,” Milicic said.

Martis said he was excited for the opportunity.

“I’d like to thank Ante for the opportunity to join Macarthur FC for the inaugural season,” Martis said.

“Being based overseas, I don’t get the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends too often. I am very excited to be back home playing with Macarthur FC in the inaugural season. I can’t wait to to play at Campbelltown Stadium in front of my family and friends.”

Greek court imprisons far-right Golden Dawn party leadership

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A Greek court decided Thursday to imprison the leadership of the extreme right-wing Golden Dawn following their convictions for running the party like a criminal organization, but granted suspended sentences to five of the party’s 18 former lawmakers who were convicted of lesser charges.

The decision by a three-judge panel came after days of summations by defense lawyers following the prosecutor’s recommendation that all former Golden Dawn lawmakers be allowed to remain free pending appeal. The appeals process could take several years.

The judges rejected a request to suspend the sentences of party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and other former lawmakers who were convicted of leading a criminal organization. Michaloliakos and another five former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences, while a sixth was sentenced to 10 years.

Presiding judge Maria Lepenioti, right, speaks as Prosecutor Adamantia Economou listen during a Golden Dawn trial, in Athens, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

The 11 others, who were convicted of simple participation, received sentences of between five and seven years. The judges ruled that five of those convicted of participation, including Michaloliakos’ wife, Eleni Zaroulia, could remain free during their appeals.

The decision ends a marathon, politically charged five-year trial involving 68 defendants, dozens of lawyers and encompassing four cases, including the 2013 fatal stabbing of left-wing Greek rap singer Pavlos Fyssas and physical attacks on Egyptian fishermen and left-wing activists.

READ MORE: Golden Dawn party members found guilty of running criminal organisation
READ MORE: Prosecutor recommends suspended sentences for Golden Dawn

The Golden Dawn lawmakers spent 18 months in jail when the trial first began, and were released due to the limit of pre-trial detention being reached.

A total of 57 party members and associates were convicted on Oct. 7, mostly for involvement in violent attacks and participating in a criminal organization.

Presiding judge Maria Lepenioti, right, leaves the court during the Golden Dawn trial, in Athens, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020.  (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Golden Dawn was founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s and spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political scene. But it rose to prominence during the country’s 2010-2018 financial crisis, winning parliament seats in four separate elections and becoming Greece’s third-largest political party.

Its popularity began to wane during the trial, and it failed to win any parliament seats in the 2019 general election.

Sourced By: Associated Press

Turkey extends exploration in Mediterranean waters as Greece issues counter-Navtex

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Turkey said on Wednesday it extended the stay of its Oruc Reis survey vessel and two other ships in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean until Oct. 27, in a move likely to further escalate tensions in the region.

Two other vessels, the Ataman and Cengiz Han along with Oruc Reis will continue work in an area southeast of the Greek island of Rhodes until Oct. 27, Turkey’s Navy said in a maritime notice. The vessels had previously been scheduled to work until Oct. 22.

In response to Turkey’s announcement, the Navy Hydrographic Service (HNHS) in Heraklion, Crete, on Thursday issued its own navigational telex (NAVTEX) in the area between the islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo.

Oruz Reis. Photo: Ekatherimini

Greece’s notice states that the Turkish activity “is unauthorised and illegal,” in an area that overlaps the Greek continental shelf.

It also said that the Herakleion Navtex station has the authority to broadcast Navtex messages in the area.

Ankara had withdrawn Oruc Reis from last month to “allow for diplomacy” before a European Union summit at which Cyprus sought sanctions against Turkey, but sent it back this month, prompting an angry rebuke from Greece, France and Germany.

READ MORE: Greece, Cyprus and Egypt call on Turkey to stop “imperial fantasies” and join them
READ MORE: Albania, Greece take maritime dispute to international court

After the summit the bloc said it would punish Turkey if it continued its operations in the region, in a move Ankara said further strained Turkey-EU ties. Turkey says its operations are within its continental shelf.

Earlier on Wednesday, Greece urged the EU to reconsider its customs union with Turkey in response to Ankara’s exploration in the Mediterranean, deploring what it termed Turkey’s “imperial fantasies.”

Sourced By: Reuters

Russia accused of using secret weapon to attack CIA agents such as Marc Polymeropoulos

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Russia is accused of using a secret “microwave weapon” to attack two CIA agents in Australia under a worldwide campaign that has allegedly caused brain injuries to diplomats and spies.

The so-called Havana Syndrome has been reported for years after American diplomats stationed in Cuba suddenly started hearing strange chirping and grating noises that always occurred while they were at home or in hotels.

What happened next was terrifying, with victims suffering headaches, memory and hearing loss, and difficulty sleeping for years. Some have become wheelchair-bound while others have been forced to wear weighted vests to correct their balance.

But it’s the first time that the mysterious attacks have been reported on Australian soil.

Former CIA official, Marc Polymeropoulos, visiting Moscow in late 2017, where he says he was attacked by a microwave weapon.

According to a report in GQ magazine, The Mystery of the Immaculate Concussion, the two men were in Australia to hold talks with ASIO and other intelligence agencies under the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance with the US, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand.

“While in their hotel rooms in Australia, both of the Americans felt it: the strange sound, the pressure in their heads, the ringing in their ears. According to these sources, they became nauseous and dizzy,” journalist, Julia Ioffe, wrote.

In the same report, retired CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos, who helped run clandestine operations in Russia and Europe, also claims to have been attacked in December 2017 in Russia.

He reportedly suffered severe vertigo in his hotel room in Moscow and developed debilitating migraine headaches that forced him to retire from the CIA.

Polymeropoulos said it was difficult for him to speak out about the attack but said that since speaking to GQ, he had been inundated by messages of support from former CIA colleagues.

Polymeropoulos spoke out because he believed the dozens of US officials left ill by the attacks have been abandoned by the Trump administration, which has expelled Cuban diplomats over the issue but never pointed the finger at Russia.

“This was a very difficult decision to speak out [sic]; I only wish for the United States Government to do the right thing and provide proper medical care for patriots who have suffered what is no doubt a combat injury,” Polymeropoulos said.

In response, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, insisted all officials who had reported being harmed were receiving care.

Con’s Fine Foods inducted into ‘The City Awards Hall of Fame’

One of the Adelaide Central Market’s oldest stalls has been inducted into The City Awards Hall of Fame.

Continental smallgoods retailer, Con’s Fine Foods, was among 12 businesses recognised in the annual awards — jointly run by The Advertiser and Adelaide City Council.

In a Facebook post, the business thanked their customers for the “bloody beautiful” win.

“Thank you to every single one of you legends who voted for us but more importantly, for everyone who has supported us: our family, our friends, our fellow Market Traders – THIS. IS. HUGE!” the post stated.

GUYS WE WON! ⚡️We have been inducted into the City Awards Hall of Fame for 2020 & it’s bloody beautiful! Thank you…

Posted by Con's Fine Food on Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Speaking to The Advertiser, long-serving Con’s Fine Foods manager Alex Savvas, 53, added that it was an honour for the stall – opened by his father, Con, in 1959 – to be named in the awards.

Alex, who started working at the market when he was 17, said Con’s was built on a philosophy of always putting its customers first.

“It’s about personal service, not just customer service,” Alex said.

“You have got to get to know your customers and treat them like your friends. You also must always have a good quality product for them every time they come back.”

Mr Savvas said he enjoyed working at the market, where he regarded many other stallholders like his family.

“Every morning about 10 to 15 of us get together, have a coffee, a laugh and chew the fat, then we get to work,” he said.

“That’s what makes this place unique. We all want shopping here to be an experience, where people come, have something to eat, get what they need.

“We don’t want it to be like a supermarket where you go in, buy your stuff and walk out. We want our customers to become our friends, our family.”

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor congratulated all award winners and finalists, who were chosen from a record 224 nominations.

“These awards recognise the extraordinary businesses that make our city unique, many of which have done it so tough this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

Other winners included Coffylosophy (Best Coffee), Da Gianni Barbers (Best Hair & Beauty) and El Cheeky Flamingo (Best Small Bar).

A beacon of hope: Adelaide High Greek Class students keep language and culture strong

There was no annual dance and big celebrations this year to congratulate the eleven Stage 2 Adelaide High School Modern Greek Class students for their continuous efforts to keep the language and culture alive.

But one of the things Greeks know best is how to be resilient.

In a small ceremony, that took place on Wednesday morning, in room 55 at Adelaide High, South Australia’s only Special Interest Language School, the Greek Parents Association in conjunction with the Foundation for Hellenic Studies acknowledged this year’s students and emphasized on their commitment to stand by the side of the new generation of Greek Australians. 

Philotimo and Passion, core concepts of Greek culture:

“It is very important not to be a monolingual country,” Chair of The Foundation for Hellenic Studies, Greg Crafter, said. 

“There are many Greek success stories in South Australia and we need to continue them,” Mr Crafter told the students.

Also attending the event were, Principal of Adelaide High School Cez Green, Assistant Principal of Special Languages Helen Manning-Bennett and President of the Greek Parents Association Nektaria Boundris.

“Learning the Greek language, is your connection with the past and your legacy for future generations. You have shown grit, philotimo and passion and we are proud of your achievements,” Modern Greek Teacher Dimitra Rozaklis, told the students during the ceremony that concluded with the presentation of certificates and a book by Ms Boundris and Mr Crafter.

“We need to help our children to stay in touch with their roots and to encourage them to keep learning our language, culture and history. It’s not an easy mission but the Greek Parents Association will keep supporting the students, the educators and the school,” President of the Greek Parents Association Nektaria Boundris, told The Greek Herald.

“Learning Greek gives you a different perspective”:

Although a small bunch, Adelaide High Greek Class students are the largest cohort of Stage 2 Modern Greek students in the state and very passionate about keeping the Greek spirit alive. 

“I am very proud of my background and Greece’s rich history,” said student Michael Margiannis who migrated to Australia from Kalamata, nine years ago.

For student Sofia Zavlagka, who immigrated to Australia from Greece last year, learning the language is the way to acquire a different perspective of the world.

“The Greek language is base to many other languages and by understanding Greek one can have a more diverse perception of the world around them,” she said.

Sofia, born in Greece to an Australian mother, was the one who motivated her family to move back Down Under so she can have a better future.

Bold, with love, passion and meraki. This is our next generation and we all should stand-by them, united along the way.

Remembering influential Cypriot composer, Manos Loizos

Manos Loizos was considered one of the most iconic Cypriot composers of his time. He composed for many famous Greek artists such as Haris Alexiou, George Dalaras and Mikis Theodorakis.

Early Life:

Manos Loizos was born on October 22, 1937 in the village of Agioi Vavatsinias in the province of Larnaca. He was the only child of Andreas Loizos and Despina Manaki, the daughter of an agronomist from Rhodes.

At the age of seven, his family moved to Alexandria, Egypt in search of better fortune. He enrolled in the National Conservatory of Alexandria and started learning the violin, but ended up playing the guitar. 

Manos Loizos was considered one of the most iconic Cypriot composers of his time.

After graduating from the Averofio High School of Alexandria in 1955, he relocated to Athens and enrolled first in the School of Pharmacy and then in the School of Economics and Business. 

In 1960, he dropped his studies and began to pursue a career in music.

Music Career:

In the spring of 1962, Mikis Theodorakis employed Loizos as the choir conductor of the Society of Friends of Greek Music for the staging of ‘Beautiful City.’

Motivated by Mimis Plessas, Loizos released his debut single ‘The Street Song,’ with lyrics by Federico Garcia Lorca and sung by Giorgos Moutsios.

During the dictatorship, he was repeatedly targeted by the authorities for his left-wing political beliefs. After the uprising of the Polytechnic in November 1973 he was arrested and spent 10 days in security custody. 

https://soundcloud.com/mirsini-loizou/pzt9dwyu4dnm

In the frantic atmosphere of the post-junta period, he participated in folk concerts and at the end of 1974, he released the album “The Songs of the Street,” with all his songs that had either been banned in previous years or had not been allowed to be recorded.

In 1978, he was appointed Chairman of the Association of Songwriters and Lyricists of Greece. He collaborated with Lefteris Papadopoulos, Stelios Kazantzidis, Maria Farantouri, Haris Alexiou, George Dalaras and many more.

Death:

On June 8th, 1982, Loizos suffered a stroke and was hospitalised for a month.

In August of the same year, he traveled to Moscow for treatment, where he suffered a second stroke on September 7th.

Ten days later, Manos Loizos died on September 17th, 1982.

Man charged over crash that killed mother-of-five, Tammara Macrokanis

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A man has been charged over the death of mother-of-five, Tammara Macrokanis, whose body was found on the side of the Pacific Motorway on the Gold Coast on the weekend.

Police were called to an exit of the motorway about 9:30pm Saturday over reports a car was dangerously parked on the shoulder of the road.

The driver of the damaged car, a 31-year-old male, was taken to hospital.

Tammara Macrokanis, who was killed in a car crash on Saturday night, with her five children. Picture: Supplied.

Tammara Macrokanis’s body was found a few kilometres away between the Pimpama and Coomera exits.

The 32-year-old, from Casino in northern NSW, was visiting family on the Gold Coast.

Queensland Police have charged a 31-year-old man from Upper Coomera with a string of offences, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death whilst adversely affected, driving disqualified and driving an uninsured and unregistered vehicle.

He will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning.

Ms Macrokanis’s family and friends are raising money for her funeral and children.

“She now leaves behind five beautiful children and a family who love and miss her dearly,” they said on a GoFundMe page.

“We are completely shattered and still seeking answers around the circumstances of her death.

“We were all so proud of her.”

Source: ABC News.