The arrival of migrants dropped 91 percent in May compared with the same month last year, according to data released by the Migration Policy Ministry on Thursday.
In May, 6,264 first-degree asylum decisions were issued and 2,030 appeals were examined. There are still 99,936 asylum applications pending, down from 105,501 in April and 126,181 in January 2020.
Greece’s four islands that receive heavy migrant traffic, saw no arrivals last month; being Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos.
Regarding the transfers of asylum-seekers to the mainland, the ministry said that 13,728 were moved since the start of the year, while the number of residents in all the reception and identification centres on the islands has decreased by 16.1 pct. The total number of camp residents on the islands has fallen by 14.17 pct.
The EU-Turkey Statement on the readmission of migrants without a residence permit has been temporarily suspended “for reasons of public health,” the ministry said.
The Migration Ministry confirmed last Friday that a total of 11,237 refugees will be moved out of state facilities and hotels.
It remained unclear, however, how many of the total are refugees who secured asylum and how many had their applications rejected and therefore, face deportation.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday gave the opening speech at the unveiling of a new national campaign dubbed “Restart Tourism.”
“We hope to be able to welcome visitors safely, first and foremost, and that this, the summer of 2020, will be a memorable one,” said Mitsotakis.
“Greece is more than just sea and sun,” said Mitsotakis. “What we want to communicate is that Greek summer…is a state of mind.”
The prime minister said that if all goes will in the first phase of welcoming visitors from countries that have shown a good coronavirus containment records, Greece will be able to open up to more destinations as of July 1.
Visitors, he said, “will be coming to a Greece that’s the same yet also different.”
“Basic health protocols will have to be applied without exception. Safeguarding public health, the safety of visitors and tourism workers, are our top, non-negotiable priority,” Mitsotakis said.
The Tourism Ministry campaign was being presented at an event in Athens by the head of Rebranding Greece and the government’s chief creative officer, Steve Vranakis, ahead of the official reopening of the Greek tourism season on June 15.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America joined the protests in honour of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign, marching through the streets of Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Archbishop marched together with Borough president of Brooklyn, Eric Adams and state Senator Andrew Gounardes.
“We must speak and speak loudly against the injustice in our country. It is our moral duty and obligation to uphold the sanctity of every human being,” he posted on his social media accounts.
“I came here to Brooklyn today in order to stand in solidarity with my fellow sisters and brothers whose rights have been sorely abused. This was a peaceful protest, one without violence of any kind, and thank all of those involved, because violence begets only more violence.”
I came here to Brooklyn today in order to stand in solidarity with my fellow sisters and brothers whose rights have been…
The Brooklyn Borough President thanked Archbishop Elpidophoros for attending the rally saying,“It’s important to be in this together, united around the cause of change”.
Elpidophoros is not the first Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America who has expressed sincere solidarity with the black community in the USA.
Archbishop Iakovos (1911-2006) was one of the only Church leaders who walked hand in hand with Martin Luther King Jr. during the famous march in Selma, Alabama.
Archbishop Iakovos to the right of Martin Luther King Jr., captured on the cover of Life Magazine on March 26, 1965.
Help is on its way to the most vulnerable people affected by COVID-19, with the NSW Government providing over $6 million in funding for multicultural communities including migrants and temporary visa holders.
More than $500,000 of this funding will go towards a COVID-19 Community Support Grants program, which multicultural community organisations are encouraged to apply for.
Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee said these grants are vital as they will provide immediate assistance for basic necessities like food, transport and language support for vulnerable people.
“The NSW Government is determined to ensure we support our most vulnerable by providing funding for essentials like food and medicine,” Mr Lee said.
“Temporary visa holders, including refugees and asylum seekers, have become increasingly vulnerable during COVID-19 and they don’t qualify for any of the support packages announced by the Commonwealth Government.”
The NSW Government will distribute urgent support to communities in crisis through this quick response grants program. NSW organisations that prioritise immediate community care support are being invited to apply.
“Strong communities support each other through challenges. This funding will enable dedicated and committed individuals to continue to help the most vulnerable,” Mr Lee said.
“Our multicultural community leaders and organisations, and specialist migrant and settlement NGOs have shown immense leadership during this time, and I thank them for the work they have been doing to support our communities.”
Applications are now open for the COVID-19 Community Support Grants and close 9am, 13 June 2020. For more information and to apply, click here.
Greece is going all out to attract visitors this summer.
Once-stringent scuba diving regulations for Greek waters were recently lifted, eliminating diving depth limits and allowing diving at archaeological sites and sunken ships in the seas around Greece.
This latest loosening of restrictions follows the passing of a 2019 bill in Parliament easing scuba diving laws, and is part of larger group of incentives to encourage the return of international tourists to Greece following the worldwide coronavirus lockdown.
An archaeologist dives next to ancient amphoras from a 5th Century B.C. shipwreck in Greece. Source: AP News.
Scuba divers can now make unescorted visits to shipwrecks that are older than 50 years. Source: AP News.
Prior to the passage of the bill, scuba divers could only enter archaeological sites when accompanied by qualified underwater divers, who are typically hard to come by.
Now, scuba divers are understandably expected to flock to Greece’s many sunken ships, as the 2019 bill allows for unescorted visits to shipwrecks that are older than 50 years.
In 2019, the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, a department of Greece’s Ministry of Culture, along with the Ministry of Tourism, designated four ancient shipwrecks to become Greece’s first underwater museums in a bid to expand underwater-heritage marketing.
The first two Underwater Archaeological Parks in the nation are scheduled to open to visitors by this summer. The two parks are located on the islet of Sapientza, opposite Methoni town and in Navarino Bay in the Pylos area of southwestern Messinia.
The Northern Territory will become the first Australian state or territory to welcome back competitive football on Friday evening, with the territory’s Women’s and Men’s Premier League competitions set to return in Darwin.
Grassroots football was suspended on March 17 in the face of COVID-19 related restrictions but in light of the NT having effectively eliminated COVID-19 within its borders, football’s return was announced by Football Northern Territory (FNT).
Given the success of the state in suppressing COVID-19, the fixtures are also set to be played in front of fans with FNT to allow free entry – albeit with attendance capped at 500 to maintain social distancing requirements.
NT Yappas, Australia’s only indigenous women’s team playing in the Territory’s women’s top tier, and Hellenic Athletic, the reigning champions and premiers, will meet in the first of two games set to be staged at Darwin Football Stadium on Friday night, followed by Mindil Aces taking on Hellenic Athletic’s men.
Spectators will be allowed in stadiums to watch the football game between Hellenic Athletic and the NT Yappas.
“Many congratulations to Football Northern Territory and the NT Government for the close collaboration and the hard work that has enabled the return of football this weekend,” FFA CEO James Johnson said.
“As the most popular club-based participation sport in the country, football has an important role to play in the recovery of our nation post-coronavirus, and it’s great to see Football Northern Territory leading the way and kicking off the re-booted season in Australia.
“I wish everyone playing this weekend a safe and successful return to action, and I’m particularly looking forward to watching Friday night’s opening fixture between NT Yappas and Hellenic Athletic Women.”
To mark the return of football to the NT and Australia at large, both the men’s and women’s fixtures are set to be broadcast – for the first time – on SBS’ The World Game’s Website and the FFA’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The Hellenic Athletic’s men team will go head to head with the Mindil Aces. Source: Hellenic Athletic Club Facebook.
ABC Darwin’s Shannon Byrne and former Socceroo Craig Foster are set to feature on Yappas and Athletic’s contest, while Fox Sports’ Simon Hill and FNT Technical Director and former North Queensland Fury player John Tambouras will be behind the microphone for the clash between Aces and Athletic.
“Our clubs have been asked to strictly adhere to government advice and implement special guidelines for our community to follow and they have done an amazing job so far. We look forward to the next step on our journey to recovery when our clubs take to the field this Friday night,” FNT Chief Executive Bruce Stalder said.
“We met with the Chief Health Officer during the week and confirmed we were able to host a crowd of up to 500 spectators. All those attending will be reminded of the protocols required to adhere to social distancing requirements.
“We are extremely excited that for the first time, all of the games in the Men’s Premier League this season will be live streamed on the FNT Facebook page and YouTube Channel, showcasing our game and the Northern Territory to new audiences both in Australia and around the world.”
A further four matches, two men’s premier league and two women’s, will be played across the weekend.
After the Fall of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks on May 29, 1453, Athens came under the rule of the Franks and became a tax subject of the Sultan. The once stately city became the capital of the Duchy of Athens, headed by the young Florentino Francesco Acciaiuoli.
With the approval of Sultan Muhammad II, Francesco’s ambitious mother usurped power until 1455 when Francesco gained the upper hand once again, imprisoned his mother in Megara and later killed her.
Such heinous actions prompted Mohammed II to overthrow the Duchy of Athens. General Turahanoglou Omer Bey moved against Athens and on June 4, 1456, occupied it, except for the Acropolis, which was bravely defended by the young Atzagiolis.
The Fall of Athens by the Ottoman Turks occurred on June 4, 1456.
According to historical sources, the people of Athens, who had suffered for two centuries from the political, economic and religious oppression of the Franks, were initially relieved to receive the new tyrant, who promised to provide political and ecclesiastical privileges to the city’s Greek Orthodox population.
However, with the fall of the Acropolis in July 1458, Athens passed into the dark era of Ottoman rule.
One month later, Mohammed II visited Athens for four days. He first received the keys to the city from the abbot of the Monastery of Kaisariani and then, according to the historian Kritovoulos, he went up to the Acropolis, where he admired the ancient monuments and ordered a mosque to be built (this did not go ahead).
Athens was eventually liberated on May 31, 1833, and on September 18, 1834, it was declared the capital of free Greece.
Greek American police officer Shay Mikalonis, who was gravely wounded during a protest in Las Vegas, continued to fight for his life on Wednesday after undergoing successful surgery to remove a bullet from his neck.
The 29-year-old was shot on Monday at the end of a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Circus Circus. Police said he was shot in the head, causing a spinal injury.
Las Vegas Police Protective Association Union President Steve Grammas said Wednesday morning that Mikalonis remained in a critical condition but there was some encouraging news.
“They successfully removed the bullet from his neck. His blood pressure is getting better. He is still alive and he is fighting,” Grammas said.
Mikalonis has been employed as a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer for four years. His initial medical condition was reported as “grave” as he was placed on life support.
His alleged shooter, 20-year-old Edgar Samaniego, has since been jailed on multiple counts, including attempted murder. During an initial court appearance, Samaniego was denied bail.
The Greek American fraternal organisation AHEPA wrote on Facebook that Mikalonis is a member of St John’s Greek Orthodox church in Las Vegas.
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, has declared that Greece has no right to protect Hagia Sophia, the nearly 1500-year-old former cathedral, as it is “on Turkish territory.”
“Hagia Sophia is on Turkish territory, it was conquered,” Cavusoglu told Turkey’s 24 TV. “What we do in our country and with our property is up to us.”
Cavusoglu added that Athens is the only capital city without a single mosque and hence, should be the last to criticise Ankara.
Turkey marked the 567th anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople with Muslim prayers at Hagia Sophia, causing controversy. Source: SKAI TV.
“On the pretext of COVID-19 spread, Athens also did not allow the mosques to open in western Thrace,” Cavusoglu said.
This controversy between Greece and Turkey began on Friday, May 27, when Turkey celebrated the 567th anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople with Muslim prayers at Hagia Sophia.
At the time, the Greek Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the move as “an unacceptable attempt to alter the monumental character of Hagia Sophia,” as well as a challenge to the religious sentiment of Christians everywhere.
“We once again call on Turkey to respect its international obligations and stop putting domestic expediencies ahead of its very privileged role as guardian of a monument as important as Hagia Sophia, which belongs to all of humanity,” the statement added.
On a number of occasions, Ankara has also strained relations with Athens by hinting that Hagia Sophia might be turned back into a mosque.
Demonstrators hurled firebombs in a march towards the US Embassy in Athens on Wednesday in a protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Reuters journalists saw demonstrators throwing several flaming objects which erupted into flames on the street towards the heavily-guarded embassy in central Athens and police responding with rounds of teargas.
The embassy itself was cordoned off with rows of blue police buses.
Demonstrators were holding banners and placards reading “Black lives matter” and “I can’t breathe”.
Police sources estimated the number of protesters at more than 3,000.
![Greek demonstrators hurl firebombs towards US embassy in Athens [VIDEO]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/firebombs-768x512.jpg "Greek demonstrators hurl firebombs towards US embassy in Athens [VIDEO]")