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Migrants jailed for detention centre riot

The Greek Herald
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Migrants jailed for detention centre riot

Greek authorities say two Afghan men have been jailed for six years and nine months each after being convicted of participating in riots this week at a migrant detention centre near the border with Turkey where some 150 unaccompanied minors are being held.

The two men, aged 22 and 23, were found guilty by a court Thursday of causing serious property damage, assault, and participation in a violent revolt and were each fined 1,375 euros. Both men told the court they had not been involved in the violence.

Twenty-six minors, all from Afghanistan, were also arrested following the rioting at the detention centre where protesters threw kitchen appliances at police, caused extensive property damage and set fires, according to officials from the detention centre.

The minors were to be tried separately at a later date.

Despite repeated complaints by human rights groups, Greece continues to detain many unaccompanied minors. The government says it is trying to expand efforts to move the minors to other European Union countries. About 250 migrants are currently being held at the detention site.

Sourced By: Associated Press

‘Tough times do not excuse tougher times at home,’ says Fiona Martin MP

Andriana Simos
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‘Tough times do not excuse tougher times at home,’ says Fiona Martin MP

The Morrison Government is rolling out extra measures to ensure people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence know where to get help during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Help is Here campaign will include advertising of two national helplines, 1800RESPECT and MensLine Australia, across television, social media, radio and newspapers, as well as in shopping centres, hospitals and GP surgeries.

Member for Reid, Dr Fiona Martin, welcomed the new campaign and said it will show all Australians that there is free and confidential help at all hours, every day, if they are feeling unsafe in their homes.

“It’s important that anybody who feels unsafe in their home is able access help,” Dr Martin said.

“The campaign aims to make sure everybody in Reid is aware of the two national hotlines where they go for support. Tough times do not excuse tougher times at home.”

Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Anne Ruston, also supported the campaign and said it will direct people more easily to the hotlines where they can talk directly and confidentially via online chat or phone.

“The campaign delivers the strong message that violence and abuse are never acceptable, no matter the circumstances,” Minister Ruston said.

“Increased stresses at a time like this are known and understandable but they are not an excuse for causing physical or psychological harm.”

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, more than 15 percent of contacts for MensLine Australia have been COVID-19 specific, while 1800RESPECT has seen an 11 percent increase in people accessing support when compared with the same time last year.

If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of domestic, family or sexual violence contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) 1800respect.org.au or MensLine Australia (1300 789 978) mensline.org.au

For further information on the Federal Government’s Help is Here campaign, visit: www.australia.gov.au/dvsupport

Your ultimate guide to how each state in Australia is easing its coronavirus restrictions

Andriana Simos
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Your ultimate guide to how each state in Australia is easing its coronavirus restrictions

Physical distancing and hand washing are still the order of the day, as socialising in moderation and gathering in small groups outdoors are back in our tentative post-ISO world. With the number of COVID-19 cases remaining relatively low in Australia compared to other countries, the federal government provided a three-step roadmap for states and territories to start carefully relaxing some restrictions on our movement.

However, since this roadmap was released last Friday, state and territory Premiers have decided to pick and choose measures from the map to suit their own citizens and regions. Confusion obviously ensued.

But to ease some of this confusion, The Greek Herald has compiled a handy list outlining everything you need to know about what you can and can’t do this weekend in your hometown. Here goes nothing!

New South Wales (from Friday, May 15):

  • Household visits will move to five people at a time, including children.
  • Ten guests are allowed at weddings.
  • Indoor funerals will be allowed up to 20 mourners and up to 30 for outdoor funerals.
  • Religious gatherings and places of worship can have up 10 worshippers.
  • Children are asked to head back to school for one day a week. This will increase over the coming weeks.
  • Cafes and restaurants can seat up to 10 patrons at any one time but they must comply with the four-square-metre ruling.
  • Pubs and clubs will be allowed to open their restaurants. 
  • Retail stores are allowed to be open and people can shop, so long as social distancing is maintained.
  • There is no set distance in place for travel but NSW residents must still have a reasonable excuse to be out and about.

Victoria (since Wednesday, May 13):

  • Five guests are allowed in homes.
  • Ten people are allowed to hold public gatherings. Victorians can return to the golf course or have a kick of footy with up to 10 people.
  • Fishing is allowed but social distancing must be adhered to.
  • Indoor funerals can be attended by 20 people, and 30 people for outdoor funerals.
  • Religious gatherings, auctions and open-house inspections can occur with only 10 people present.
  • Shops are open with social distancing but leisurely window shopping is not on.
  • Restaurants and cafes are open for takeaway only.
  • Public playgrounds, pools, outdoor gym equipment and caravan parks stay out of bounds. National parks are open again but no camping is allowed.
  • Prep, grade one and two and years 11 and 12 will go back to school on May 26. Years three to 10 will return on June 9.
  • Local or regional travel is discouraged.

Queensland (from Friday, May 15):

  • From 11:59pm, Queenslanders will be able to gather in groups of up to 10 people from any household in many settings including parks, restaurants, cafes, beauty salons and public libraries.
  • Public amenities including pools and parks will be fully reopened and open homes and auctions will be able to be staged with the 10-person limit.
  • Weddings can have 10 guests while funerals will be allowed up to 20 mourners for an indoor service and 30 for an outdoor function.
  • The recreational travel limit will also be extended to 150 kilometres from your home.
  • Schools will start a staggered reopening with all kindergarten, prep and year 1 students, as well as year 11 and 12 students in high schools, returning to classes.

Western Australia (from Monday, May 18):

  • Non-work gatherings, indoor and outdoor, are capped at 20 people.
  • Cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, community clubs and casinos can have a maximum of 20 seated dine-in patrons, counting both those inside and outside, with staff on top of that. They must still observe the 4-square-metre rule.
  • A pub can only serve a drink with a meal. Reopening pubs just for drinking will be considered for a later phase.
  • Weddings and funerals are capped at 20 attendees indoors, 30 for outdoor events.
  • Places of worship, community facilities and libraries will reopen for 20 attendees at a time.
  • Non-contact community sports can involve 20 people. Same goes for fitness classes.
  • Public pools are open but only for 20 patrons per pool.
  • Retailers are encouraged to reopen in accordance with the 20-person, 4-square-metre rules.
  • The state’s hard border to overseas and interstate travellers remains in place, which requires anyone entering WA to go into quarantine for 14 days.

Tasmania (since Monday, May 11):

  • Funeral limits have increased to 20 attendees.
  • Aged care visits are opened to two visitors, once per week.
  • State border restrictions remain in place, including bans on regional travel. But exercise is allowed up to 30 kilometres from home.
  • From May 18, public gathering limits will increase to 10 people, and up to five for household visits. Weddings and religious gatherings will also be allowed to have 10 people attend.
  • From May 25, primary school, plus year 11 and 12 students, will return to classrooms with all remaining students in years 7 to 10 back on June 9. 

South Australia (since Monday, May 11):

  • School students returned to school as usual on April 27 while at universities and TAFE’s, face-to-face learning resumed May 11.
  • Household visits from up to 10 people are allowed as long as there is enough space to keep 1.5 metres apart and four square metres per person indoors.
  • Regional travel is being encouraged and camp grounds and caravan parks are open, making South Australia the first state to do so.
  • Restaurants and cafes are open for 10 patrons if they sit outside.
  • Auction and home inspections have restarted.
  • Up to 30 people can attend an outdoor funeral, with 20 people allowed at indoor funerals.
  • Public swimming pools and places of worship have reopened, although gathering numbers of maximum 10 still apply.

Northern Territory (since Friday, May 1):

  • No limits on household visits, although social distancing must be upheld.
  • Weddings and funerals have no limit as long as social distancing guidelines are adhered to.
  • Playgrounds, parks and reserves have reopened.
  • Public swimming pools and water parks also have the green light, and NT residents are allowed to go fishing with friends and play golf.
  • You can shop at your leisure but there’s no eating at food courts just yet.
  • Pubs, restaurants, cafes are serving takeaway food and drink only.
  • Students are expected to return to school in term two.

ACT (from Saturday, May 16):

  • Household visits are capped at 10 people both inside and outside with social distancing.
  • Weddings can have 10 attendees, while 20 people can attend an indoor funeral and 30 an outdoor one.
  • Boot camps can take place outdoors with a maximum of 10 people.
  • A 10-person limit applies to places of worship.
  • Cafes and restaurants will be able to reopen with 10 seated guests.
  • Students will begin to return to public schools from May 18 for a staggered reopening of schools.
  • Two adults and any dependent children can leave the ACT and enter New South Wales for the purposes of providing care and support.

Varoufakis accuses Greek government of authoritarianism

Andriana Simos
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Varoufakis accuses Greek government of authoritarianism

Former Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis, has accused the Greek government of authoritarianism over its crackdown on young people gathering in squares in Athens.

In a message addressed to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday, Varoufakis said the government’s actions to stop the gatherings were ‘unprecedented.’

“A government that cares for the health of young citizens that meet at a square can send the police to politely recommend that they keep safe distances, or perhaps return to their homes,” Varoufakis wrote.

“But what can one say about a government that sends fully equipped police to beat unarmed people without any warning.

Varoufakis (right) and Greek PM Mitsotakis (left) discussing the future of Greece. Source: The National Herald.

“The same young people that in a few days it will force to go back to school without any plan for testing them or their teachers, with laughable protection measures within classrooms and corridors.”

According to the current leader of MeRA25, this move indicated either a foolish government or a government planning new forms of authoritarianism.

“For MeRA25 the answer is clear, we do not believe your government is foolish, we consider that you revolve around the axis of authoritarianism, which demands the sacrifice of the many at the altar of the parasitic oligarchy whose interests you serve.”

The Mitsotakis government is yet to respond to these comments.

Oldest olive tree in the world is located in Crete

Andriana Simos
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Oldest olive tree in the world is located in Crete

The ancient Olive Tree of Vouves (Elia Vouvon) is located in the village of Ano Vouves on the island of Crete. It is believed to be the oldest olive tree in the world which still produces highly-prized olives.

Although its exact age cannot be verified using radioisotopes as the tree’s heartwood has been lost through the centuries, scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be 4,000 years old. It is presumed that the tree first appeared in 1100BC, in the sub-Minoan period of Cretan history.

The olive tree’s trunk is now hollow, making it difficult to accurately determine its age. Source: Argophilia.

Due to this unique ecological and historical importance, the tree has been declared a “natural heritage monument” by the Secretary General of the Region of Crete.

Olive Tree Museum of Vouves:

The Olive Tree Museum of Vouves is ideally located next to the special Olive Tree of Vouves and it is visited by over 20,000 people each year from around the world. Mostly they are impressed by the tree’s enormous shape and the imposing volume of its trunk, which is characterised by unusual twists.

Entry to the museum is free and people gain access to a wealth of exhibits that demonstrate the cultivation of olive trees in the area and the processing of olives for olive oil and other purposes. 

Australia’s unemployment rate rises to 6.2 per cent for April

Andriana Simos
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Australia’s unemployment rate rises to 6.2 per cent for April

About 594,300 Australians lost their job in April 2020 as a result of government restrictions and business shutdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
       
The Bureau of Statistics says the unemployment rate jumped from 5.2 percent seasonally adjusted in March to 6.2 percent seasonally adjusted in April.

But economist Danielle Wood from The Grattan Institute told the ABC this morning that experts were expecting the unemployment figure to be higher.

“I mean certainly in terms of the number of people becoming unemployed it is extremely high by historical standards and the rate we are seeing unemployment shoot up again, is like nothing we have ever seen,” Wood said.
 
“Really, what is going on here as well is we have seen a fall in the participation rate at the same time as a lot of people just decided it wasn’t worth looking for work in the individual environment.
 
“So in terms of that headline unemployment figure, certainly a bit lower than what we are expecting, but it does really bring home just how significant and how fast this shock has been.”  

Beach clubs to reopen in Greece on Saturday, with restrictions

The Greek Herald
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Beach clubs to reopen in Greece on Saturday, with restrictions

Greece’s Civil Protection authority announced on Wednesday a series of guidelines that will allow 515 privately or municipally run beach clubs to open to the public as of Saturday.

Following the recommendations of the Health Ministry’s special advisory committee on the coronavirus crisis, these restrictions include a cap of 40 people per 1,000 square meters of the facility’s area and a distance of at least 4 meters between sun umbrellas.

Catering facilities on the grounds of beach clubs can only offer takeaway service and are prohibited from delivering food and drinks to customers’ umbrellas, as well as from selling alcoholic beverages.

Even sport that requires any form of physical contact between participants has been banned.

The experts also “strongly recommend” that staff wear masks to cover their nose and mouth, though this is not mandatory.

The move to open beach clubs comes in the face of the swimming ban being lifted last week in Greece.

READ MORE: Strict new rules for hotels in Greece as they prepare to reopen on June 1.

Defence of sovereign rights ‘non-negotiable,’ says Greece’s Foreign Minister

Andriana Simos
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Defence of sovereign rights ‘non-negotiable,’ says Greece’s Foreign Minister

Greece is dealing with “escalating Turkish violations” in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean with “calm and determination,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said on Wednesday, adding that the “defence of Greece’s sovereign rights is non-negotiable.”

Dendias was speaking after a meeting of the National Council for Foreign Policy, which was called to brief opposition parties on Turkey’s recent activities and the ministry’s new operational plan.

Social distancing measures applied at the meeting of the National Council for Foreign Policy. Source: Ekathimerini.

“We are using every diplomatic medium and raising awareness among our partners and allies of Turkey’s increasingly aggressive stance,” Dendias said, noting that Greeks remain united in the face of truly important issues.

Referring to the Libya issue, Dendias also informed the Council that Greece will be joining the EU’s ‘Operation Irini,’ which seeks to enforce the full implementation of the arms embargo on Libya.

“We consider this mission very important for the creation of the necessary conditions for the resolution of the crisis in Libya,” he said.

The meeting comes as Turkish jets violated Greek airspace again on Wednesday and after comments by Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to Akit TV on Tuesday, saying that Ankara’s “open-door policy” for migrants and refugees trying to reach the European Union “will continue.”

Vassilis Spanoulis makes final cut for EuroLeague All-Decade Team

The Greek Herald
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Vassilis Spanoulis makes final cut for EuroLeague All-Decade Team

Three-time EuroLeague champion and Final Four MVP Vassilis Spanoulis was announced as the final player to be added to EuroLeague All-Decade Team on Tuesday.

Spanoulis was voted by fans, media, players and coaches and was recognised by EuroLeague as, “one of the best clutch players European basketball has ever seen.”

“Led by his class and willpower, Olympiacos Piraeus became the only team to win back-to-back titles in the 2010s. He is the one and only Vassilis Spanoulis!” a statement by EuroLeague reads.

“It is impossible to review the past decade in the EuroLeague without talking about Spanoulis, a natural-born leader who made his competition debut with Panathinaikos Athens.”

Prior to joining crosstown rivals Olympiacos, Spanoulis was already a EuroLeague champion and Final Four MVP. The EuroLeague recognised him on Tuesday as one of the greatest players in European basketball history.

The announcement arrives in the seven-year anniversary of Olympiacos winning the 2013 EuroLeague. 

Vassilis Spanoulis is joined by other Greek icons in the EuroLeague All-Decade Team, including former Olympiacos teammate Georgios Printezis, along with two-time EuroLeague Final Four MVP Dimitris Diamantidis.

The complete team consists of: Kyle Hines, Luka Doncic, Dimitris Diamantidis, Georgios Printezis, Milos Teodosic, Sergio Llull, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nando De Colo, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Vassilis Spanoulis.

NPL.TV shows off ‘massive appetite’ for football in Australia, says Peter Filopoulos

The Greek Herald
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NPL.TV shows off ‘massive appetite’ for football in Australia, says Peter Filopoulos

Football Victoria CEO Peter Filopoulos said that the new NPL.TV streaming service proves that Australia has a ‘massive appetite’ for live football, speaking in a live interview with SBS The World Game on Wednesday afternoon.

SBS The World Game journalist Lucy Zelić asked Peter Filopoulos a question raised by Greek Herald writer Peter Oglos, regarding NPL Victoria potentially joining the NPL.TV streaming service.

“We were part of the drive of that strategy initially, that broadcasting strategy because we were keen to elevate the status of the NPL and the NPL clubs, and to attract the eyeballs to our competition,” the Football Victoria CEO says.

“We are committed to the NPL.TV and have decided to let NSW and QLD launch it in the first instance so we can monitor the situation.”

The NPL.TV streaming service was launched in March this year for NPL NSW and NPL QLD, allowing for the free viewing of all NPL Men’s and Women’s competitions.

Filopoulos stressed that the streaming service is “enormous”, believing it to be one day part of a crucial “football fraternity”.

“I think this is where we need to be going, which is creating our own content platforms and distribution model, because there is a massive appetite for football,” Filopoulos says.

Despite recognising its immense potential, Filopoulos confirmed that joining the NPL.TV streaming platform is not in the Victorian Football Federation’s direct line of vision. The Football Victoria CEO added that they will continue to stream through Facebook and Youtube, until “certain questions” regarding the streaming service are addressed.

“We’re not quite ready to transition away from those platforms into this new NPL.TV, and we’ve got some certain questions that we want answered and want to monitor before we also join the NPL.TV platform,” Filopoulos adds.

All NPL and grassroots football competitions were suspended on March 17, almost one week after NPL.TV was announced.

“It is very regrettable that grassroots football will not proceed for the next month, but as a good and responsible citizen, we recognise that our game of approximately 1.96 million participants, has a significant role to play in slowing the spread of the virus,” FFA Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said.

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