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MP Jenny Mikakos dismisses holiday concerns following surfaced “zorba dance” footage

Victoria’s health minister says she won’t be distracted by the release of a video showing her Zorba dancing alongside parliamentary colleagues in Bali while bushfires in the state escalated.

Footage emerged on Tuesday of Health Minister Jenny Mikakos and backbench Labor MPs Nick Staikos, Steve Dimopolous and Jackson Taylor dancing at a Bali venue on December 28.

Bushfires prompted an evacuation of the state’s East Gippsland region the following day.

The MPs returned from their privately-funded Bali holiday on January 2, ahead of Victoria declaring a state of disaster for much of the east of the state that evening.

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said the health minister should have been home after East Gippsland evacuations began.

“We had massive pressure on our country hospitals, we had people being injured…The health minister should have been on deck,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Ms Mikakos says she returned as soon as she could – having tried unsuccessfully to get an earlier flight from December 29 – not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

“I am not going to be distracted by this,” she told reporters.

“I have been busy visiting bushfire-affected communities, including health services that were on the front line during the fires”

She stressed there is no issue with her having taken a holiday or enjoying a dance, with the video showing her and her colleagues doing the Greek Zorba.

“It is important that ministers have the opportunity to take some leave and to refresh, so we can refresh for the year and the big job that we have, that we take very seriously,” she said.

“The fact that I do enjoy a Zorba would be no surprise to anybody.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was appropriate ministers have some leave.

“I’m happy to stand beside an outstanding health minister. This is not a story,” he told reporters, standing alongside Ms Mikakos.

Fellow holiday-maker Mr Staikos also dismissed the significance of the story.

“The biggest revelation is that I’m a bad dancer, and I’m just glad that they didn’t get footage of Footloose,” he told reporters.

Mr Dimopolous said he had been behaving how he would around friends. Video shows him having liquid from a bottle being poured into his open mouth.

“It was a personal holiday with friends, and I felt very comfortable and safe with friends.”

Sourced by: Australian Associated Press

Athens transport halts to a standstill as thousands protest against pension overhaul

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Thousands protested in Greece on Tuesday against a new pension reform as a 24-hour strike paralysed transport and services.

Some 10,000 people demonstrated in the capital against the reform, which encourages a longer stay in the workforce, police said. The labour action brought public transport in Athens, intercity trains and ferry ship services to a standstill.

Civil servants also walked off the job and journalists will stage a three-hour work stoppage against the pension reform.

“This bill is practically the continuation of (austerity) laws introduced in 2010-2019,” civil servants’ union ADEDY said.

Unions are also holding protests in Thessaloniki and other major cities. The new conservative government says the reform, to be voted by Friday, will make the troubled Greek pension system viable to 2070.

The labour ministry says the overhaul, the third major revamp in a decade, will contain pension increases and reduce penalties for pensioners still working.

Successive governments have attempted to reform the pension system, whose previously generous handouts are seen as one of the causes of the decade-long Greek debt crisis.

“The government will pay dearly for the further dismantling of social insurance, as (its predecessors) did. The Greek people do not forget,” said Communist party general secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas.

Athens AFP

Hellenic Petroleum set to finance new solar plant in northern Greece

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Greece’s biggest oil refiner, Hellenic Petroleum, said on Monday it will finance and operate a 204 megawatt solar energy plant in northern Greece to tap into the country’s shift from coal to renewables.

Last year Greece announced an ambitious plan to shut down almost all its coal-fired power plants by 2023 and shift more to renewables. Most of its coal-fired plants are based in northern Greece and the government has announced a series of actions, including renewable energy projects and funds to make up for job losses in that region.

Hellenic, which is 35 percent state owned, already operates solar and wind energy facilities in Greece. It said it will invest 130 million euros ($141 million) in the plant in Kozani, northern Greece, which will be built by Germany’s Juwi. It is expected to start operations in the final quarter of 2021, the company said.

Greece plans to boost renewables to 35 percent of its energy consumption by 2030 from 19.7 percent this year, hoping to generate investment worth about 44 billion euros.

Hellenic, with three refineries of a total 344,000 barrels per day capacity, operates 26 megawatt of solar and wind parks in Greece. It wants to add another 300 megawatt of renewables to help in the country’s transition to clean energy.

Sourced by: Reuters

Multiple Greek food products continue to be exempted from US tariffs imposed on EU

On February 15, the US Department of Commerce renewed Greece’s exemption from US tariffs on the EU for specific food products, the Greek Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Foods such as Greek olive oil, olive products, cheese, wines and related export products remain exempted from the US tariffs on European Union products. 

The Greek government continues its efforts to clear the tariffs on peaches, which have been burdened with an excessive import duty by the US Department of Commerce decision last October, the ministry said.

The Greek ministry repeatedly emphasised that its agriculture food sector has been disproportionately affected, and that measures are needed to mitigate the negative impact and to formulate a positive trade agenda with the US.

With the coordinated efforts by the ministries of Agriculture, Development and Economic Diplomacy Department of the ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government has brought the matter to the highest level, in an attempt to maintain the new revision which is in force since October 2019.

The statement emphasised that efforts have continued with intensive consultations on the removal of peach duties, which have been burdened from an excessive cost since last October with the decision of the US Trade Representative (USTR).

Sourced by: Keep Talking Greece

Pantelis Pantelidis: Remembering the much-loved Greek singer

The announcement of the death of popular singer Pantelis Pantelidis, on February 18th 2016, left everyone shocked.

Pantelidis died in a car crash when he lost control of the car he was driving and crashed against the road barriers in Athens.

Just one day after his tragic death, Pantelidis was set to start performing at a night club in Athens, along with popular singers Despoina Vandi and Kostas Martakis.

He was also set to tour Australia in May, with Greek icon Antonis Remos. The tour went ahead in his honour.

His death came as a shock to his colleagues, friends and fans all over Greece and abroad, who expressed their sadness and condolence to his family via social media, and his loss is still felt today.

The 32-year-old singer was born in 1983 in Athens and he was a self-taught musician. He was working as a non-commissioned officer in the Hellenic Navy when he decided to abandon his career in the Hellenic Navy to pursue his dream and become a singer.

He became famous when he started posting his songs on Youtube stealing the hearts of many fans who were watching him playing his guitar at home and singing his songs.

His talent soon became recognised and he started performing in Greece’s biggest nightclubs, while his songs became great hits.

Pantelidis’ career was rising, and he was on his path to being a star in Greece. He still became that star, with his music reaching new heights of popularity after his death.

After his death, two of his songs reached the #1 spot on the Billboard chart “Greece Digital Songs”. The two songs being “Ta Shinia Sou” and “Pino Apo ‘Ki Psila Gia Sena“.

On June 25, 2016, a CD single was released with 1 unpublished song and 1 song that was only available on video clip (which was planned to be in the new CD). The song Thimamai in YouTube has nearly 30.000.000+ views. On 14 December 2016, his pre-recorded song “Alli Mia Efkeria” was released via artist’s official YouTube channel and gained over 1.1 million views in 2 days after the release and 20.000.000+ views after few months.

On February 18, 2017, one year after his death, another unpublished demo song was released Karavia Sto Vitho.

On October 27, 2017, Tha Zo, another unpublished song of the artist was released. It was written and composed by Pantelis Pantelidis and sung by Amaryllis. Within a month, it received 3,000,000 views.

On December 1, 2017, his final unpublished song was released (“Na Se Kala”). Within one month, it had been viewed 6.000.000+ times.

The impact of his loss is still felt through the power of his music, which is enjoyed by all Greeks, in Greece and abroad, by all generations.

Coronavirus: Greece to accelerate recruitment of medical staff in hospitals, labs, entrance gates

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Greece has decided to accelerate the recruitment of health personnel as one of the alert measures of the country to deal with possible infections of coronavirus. This was decided at the meeting of the National Public Health Council on Monday with the aim to shield Greece against the disease.

Recruited will be doctors, nurses, paramedics and lab specialists who will fill personnel shortage sin hospitals, laboratories and entrance gates in the countries.

Professor for Infectious Diseases Sotiris Tsiodras said after the meeting that in the coming weeks there could be a coronavirus infection in the country.

He revealed that  28 “pseudo-suspected cases” have so far been tested in the epidemiological laboratories, and that all tests were “negative.”

Health Minister Vassilis Kikkilias advised citizens to pay no attention to rumors and follow the protection guidelines by the epidemiologists at the National Health Organization.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Chinese nationals have increasingly purchased masks to sent them to China.

The President of Pharmacists Association in Piraeus, Konstantinos Kouvaris, told newsit that Chinese nationals were buying masks in bulks, 200-300 masks, to send them to relatives in their home country. They would come from Cosco, from the port form cruise ships, especially in the first days of the coronavirus outbreak and we would not know why, he added.

Sourced via Greek Media Group.

Greek billionaire Alki David to bring marijuana empire to Australia

A billionaire weed merchant, who was arrested with 5000 cannabis plants on his private jet in the Caribbean, plans to open shop in Australia. 

Greek Coca-Cola bottling heir Alki David, who is part of the Leventis family, has told Daily Mail Australia he has big plans to expand his medicinal cannabis operations down under. 

Mr David revealed he was looking to distribute his Swissx brand of products throughout the country and create a weed-lovers resort off the coast of Australia. 

Based out of Switzerland, Swissx is described as the Red Bull for cannabis and boasts its cannabis oil contains 65 per cent cannabidiol (CBD) – a non-psychoactive part of the plant hailed as a cure for disease.

As cannabis laws in Australia continue to be relaxed, the bong smoking billionaire plans to move in. 

‘Australia is championing changes to cannabis laws in March, which is great,’ he said. 

Last September, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed a bill legalising possessing and growing cannabis for personal use in the nation’s capital. 

From this month Canberrans aged over 18 are allowed to possess 50 grams of cannabis and grow two plants.

Victoria was also the first Australian state to legalise medical access for cannabis patients back in 2016, with most states following its lead.   

Mr David said he recently returned to St Kitts at risk of being jailed to submit a constitutional case to allow the sale of hemp. 

‘The law is wrong,’ he said. ‘The state has accepted our case to represent that hemp should be exempt from the cannabis act. And it’s going to happen which is great news.’

Mr David said he was in the process of organising import licences to bring his cannabis products, which include strains named Swissx Cherry Wine and Donald Trump, into Australia.

‘There is a huge opportunity for hemp farming in Australia … these are tough plants that yield three or four times a year,’ he said.

‘Bringing that farming knowledge and the efficiency of the farming to Australia is something that, to tell you the truth I haven’t fathomed the potential, because the opportunity is massive.’

Part of his plan includes a Swissx resort similar to one he operates in Malibu. 

Mr David purchased the Malibu mansion, which once belonged to the granddaughter and heir of legendary Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor, for $19 million. 

‘I’ve looked at a number of private islands (around Australia),’ he said. 

Mr David said the Swissx Island would be a ‘wellness experience’ that he hoped would see visitors get whacked on the most potent hullucinogenics known to man.  

‘It’s known on YouTube as the spirit molecule. It is so profound – the change to our perception of what reality is that it’s the most powerful medicine that we have. It’s the greatest technology that we have,’ he said. 

‘It is a three-day vomit show of existential experiences where the mystical aspects of these experiences effect your very thinking and your very being.’

Mr David said these ‘transformation holiday experiences’ were already operating in certain parts of the world where they were legal, including Antigua, Italy and Mexico. 

‘The drug laws around the world are really bizarre,’ he said. ‘How it’s okay in some countries to have magic mushrooms and peyote legalised and in other countries these are Class 1 narcotics. 

‘In other countries they are sacraments to churches and others they are Class B narcotics. It is completely a cross-cultural dynamic that is fascinating.’

Mr David said he had gained support from the World Health Organisation, which was instructing governments to legalise cannabis. 

‘There is a massive movement in the world right now which is truly transforming our entire species,’ he said. 

Mr David described our time as a ‘golden age’ which would only get better. 

‘In Australia there is a huge movement  … there are movements of plant medicine lifestyle,’ he said. ‘My intention is to bring plant-medicine wellness to Australia as best as I can … Cannabanoids are part of the arsenal of medicine that is revolutionising our species.’

Mr David has a long list of celebrity endorsers, including Mike Tyson, Scott Disick of Keeping up with the Kardashians, guitarist Dave Navarro of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, hip-hop artists Snoop Dogg, Chief Keef, and Lil Wayne, as well as cannabis legend Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong. 

‘I can show you 100 major, global clinical trials that prove cannabis kills most cancerous cells,’ he said.  

Speaking from his Californian mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Mr David gave an insight into his strange world, which includes a genetically cloned dog named Vader.

So identical is the dog to its genetic father, which was also named Vader, he shares the exact same birthmark on his tongue.  

‘He’s seven months old. One year ago he was a concept. The DNA from my previous dog was replaced into the DNA of a surrogate that was merged with her cells and impregnated into her eggs and then she gave birth to four exact atomic copies of my previous dog,’ he said. 

So impressed was Mr David with the outcome that he hired the Korean doctor responsible and made him his head geneticist. 

‘So we’re starting to make some interesting plant genetic modifications,’ he said. 

Mr David said he was fully licensed in California to grow 99 cannabis plants in his own home and drive around with up to eight pounds of weed. 

‘I can smoke this thing anywhere I choose to because I have a licence from a doctor that I paid for because the powers that be that govern society on a global scale deem that it’s time to deregulate the most sacred plant we have,’ he said. 

 Mr David said his company is already shipping hemp products to Australia with a 0.001 per cent trace of THC – the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. 

‘Our products are legal even ahead of the Cannabis Act and we ship today to Australia,’ he said.   

Mr David said he had much love for Australians. 

‘They’re as naive as all f**k and they are beautiful for that,’ he said. 

Asked for one message to Australians about his plans, Mr David reverted to his company slogan – one he passionately believes in. 

‘It’s for the higher good.’

Sourced via Infosurhoy.

Greece welcomes new mission to enforce Libya arms embargo

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Greece welcomed a decision by European Union foreign ministers on Monday to launch a new maritime effort focused on enforcing the UN arms embargo around Libya.

Speaking in Brussels where the meeting of EU foreign ministers took place, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias reiterated Greece’s commitment to take part in the operation.

After chairing the meeting, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the operation, which is still unnamed, will centre on implementing the arms embargo with the deployment of aerial, satellite and maritime assets.

Sourced via Ekathimerini.

Whittlesea councillor quits “scandal-plagued” area

A local councillor, Ricky Kirkham, has quit scandal-plagued Whittlesea Council, saying he no longer has faith in the council’s ability to discharge its duties in the best interests of the community.

The council, in Melbourne’s north-east, has been beset by claims of bullying and alleged workplace safety breaches since late 2019.

The council’s chief executive, former police chief Simon Overland, was sacked in December after a long-running effort by councillors to oust him. He was the third chief executive in four years to be fired by the council.

Mr Overland, who was on leave for medical reasons, was sacked a week before giving highly-anticipated evidence to the royal commission into Victoria Police’s handling of barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo.

Soon after the sacking, a government monitor was installed to oversee the council and report on whether the council should be dismissed.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Monday, Councillor Ricky Kirkham said the council’s inability to perform its key duties “made it impossible for me to discharge my obligations to hold council accountable”.

“This situation has led me to determine that despite my best efforts, I can no longer in good conscience continue in this role,” he wrote.

Cr Kirkham, who was first elected to council in October 2012, has served as mayor twice, most recently in 2016-17.

He said it was a “privilege” to serve as a councillor, but said he was “unable to provide the level of representation and accountability” the public deserved.

Whittlesea mayor Emilia Lisa Sterjova sparked tensions between the local Greek and Macedonian communities after posting a photo on Facebook showing her holding a flag with the Vergina Sun symbol. She has since removed the post

Emilia Sterjova, the council’s current mayor, was pictured dancing with a flag featuring the Vergina Sun symbol – a contentious symbol that is a flashpoint in hostilities between the Greek and Macedonian communities.

A man was allegedly assaulted following a protest over Ms Sterjova’s flag-waving at a council meeting in December.

Whittlesea council will be monitored over the next six months, with an interim report about councillor behaviour due on March 27.

Yehudi Blacher – a former deputy secretary in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and a former administrator for the City of Greater Geelong when that council was sacked in 2016 – is acting as the monitor.

Speaking last December, Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek did not rule out sacking the council, as it did on Monday with Casey Council, but said he would wait for the report from the monitor.

“Mr Blacher has extensive experience in public administration … and will play an important role at the City of Whittlesea,” said Mr Somyurek in December.

“Mr Blacher will help the council make decisions in the best long-term interests of local ratepayers.”

Sourced via The Age.

The Greek Herald celebrates new beginnings with official ‘Relaunch’ Party and 94th year anniversary

The Greek Herald, one of the first Greek Australian newspapers, and currently the largest national daily Greek newspaper in Australia, signified its transition into the new era, with a relaunch party last Thursday evening.

The newspaper, which still stands as one of the only national daily Greek newspapers outside of Greece, celebrates its 94th year under new management, as new visions were announced by the two young women who will lead the paper into a new age.

Sisters and new publishers, Dimitra Skalkos and Elaine Kintis officially introduced the Greek Australian community to their new vision for this historic, landmark platform.

The “new” Greek Herald

The Greek Herald publishers Elaine Kintis (left) and Dimitra Skalkos (right)

With 28-year-old Dimitra assuming the role of Publisher, after the death of her late father Theo Skalkos, in February 2019, she signified the importance of young Greek Australians “stepping up” to carry on the legacies, and fill the very big shoes, left to them by the generations before.

The sisters announced they will be continuing the daily print newspaper, which continues to be a landmark in the homes of older generations, whilst also engaging younger Greek Australians through a new digital platform that was established in June, 2019. The Greek Herald aims to build on the multi-generational audience it has already congressed, to achieve three main outcomes:

  1. To engage young Greek Australians in the Greek community, and to inspire them to carry on the legacies left behind for them
  2. To promote Greek language and culture for successive generations
  3. To engage the Greek Australian community in continuing what The Greek Herald always was…a platform to celebrate the success, achievements, initiatives and stories of all individuals, groups and organisations, and to unite the Greek Australian community in continuing the strong presence of Greeks in Australia.

“The Greek Herald has been there throughout history, and is itself a part of history,” said Ms Skalkos.

YOU CAN READ DIMITRA’S FULL SPEECH HERE

Continuing on from Ms Skalkos, her sister and co-Publisher, Elaine Kintis emphasised the significance of The Greek Herald in promoting the Greek language and culture amongst younger generations. This is particularly pressing, as it was recently announced that Greek is the second fastest disappearing language in Australia.

READ MORE: Greek is the second fastest disappearing language in Australia

“I’m sure you will all agree, there are two things that remain relevant and prominent for all of us and is possibly at the core of everything that we do as a community. That is our language and our culture. I believe that through The Greek Herald, we can help continue to play a role in promoting our language and the Greek culture, which is imperative for our future generations. We are in an era of change,” said Ms Kintis.

The Greek Herald has undergone its biggest transformation in 94 years, with plans to reach out to younger generations through the development of its online platform, which has a primary audience of Greek Australians that starts from 25-years-old. This, combined with a following through the newspaper that spans up to 90-years-old, means The Greek Herald “has the market covered”.

YOU CAN READ ELAINE’S FULL SPEECH HERE

Dimitra Skalkos (left) with Archbishop Makarios (middle) and Elaine Kintis (right)

The event

The event was MC’d by former news presenter prominent Greek Australian, John Mangos.

“I think the loveliest thing to say about the The Greek Herald is that it has just always been there…The Greek Herald has played such a vital role in our society, in the decades of its existence…When I say the paper was just always there, well it was. It was there when Cyprus was invaded, it was there when reporting the Polytechnio, it was there when the ‘Patris’ landed in Australia and it played a significant role I think in connecting Australians to Greece, especially newly arrived Greeks,” said Mr Mangos in his opening address. 

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Consul-General Mr Christos Karras, Trade Commissioner Katia Gkikiza, MP Eleni Petinos representing the State Premier, CEO of Multiculural NSW, Joseph La Posta, Shadow Minister for Transport and Corrections, Chris Minns, MP Sophie Cotsis, MP Steve Kamper, John Loukadellis President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, and Paul Nicolau, CEO of Australia Chamber of Commerce, were among the distinguished guests.

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios joined celebration of new beginnings at The Greek Herald, took the opportunity to thank the Greek Australian community for their acceptance of him and his new approach as head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

READ MORE: His Eminence Archbishop Makarios announces 2020 plans for Archdiocese at name day event

His Eminence offered to make a speech to signify this occasion, and placed emphasis on the importance of new beginnings, abandoning tensions of the past, and moving forward as a united community.

“This Relaunch for the Greek Herald is a very appropriate theme because we are, in truth, experiencing a new beginning. A new era is unfolding before us, with many opportunities at our doorstep because it is a period of love and unity between the Church and the people and we should take advantage of this to rise even further,” His Eminence said, before cutting a vasilopita – the cake of the new year – with both Dimitra and Elaine.

Archbishop Makarios giving his speech at the Greek Herald Relaunch

His Eminence assured his support for The Greek Herald and the rest of the Greek Australian community, highlighting values of unity and forgiveness.

“As your Archbishop, I would like to assure you that we, the Church, are by your side and that you have our support in whatever you may need. I mean these words because unless we remain united and have forgiveness and love, we will not be able to give a good witness to those around us,” said His Eminence.

YOU CAN READ HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP MAKARIOS’ FULL SPEECH HERE

The room was truly filled with a fresh air with all attendees consumed by the words of Archbishop Makarios, Consul-General Christos Karras, Publisher Dimitra Skalkos, and Co-Publisher Elaine Kintis, who discussed the new era of unity in the Greek Australian community, put forward by The Greek Herald.

Consol General Christos Karras speaking at the Greek Herald Relaunch

Guests were also entertained by a number of musical Greek acts.

The Australian Hellenic Choir, under the direction of Thessaloniki’s Penelope Menounou, and Foteini Stavridis on the piano, performed three wonderful songs: “Tis Agapis Emata”, “Menexedes and Zoumpoulia” and “S’agapo”.

The Greek Australian community that were present at the event also experienced a performance by three generations of bouzouki players – traditional prodigy, Sotiris Prokopiou, the ever-popular young bouzouki player, Tommy Tsonis, and an up-and-coming young star that stole the hearts of the room, 10-year-old George Athanasiou.

The performance aligned with the significance of the night, joining together all different generations through the universal connection of our Greek culture.

Bazouki players Tommy Tsonis (right) and 10-year-old George Athanasiou (left).
The Hellenic Choir performing at the Greek Herald Relaunch

Co-publisher, Elaine insisted that, despite suggestions that there was no future in print, the sisters understand that this newspaper holds a historical legacy, and for as long as there is a shred of demand, The Greek Herald will continue to publish. In saying this, The Greek Herald also understands the demand for an online platform in catering for the needs of younger generations. With a hard-working, collaborative team behind it, who range from 19 to 70 years-of-age, The Greek Herald has secured a personal understanding of meeting modern needs, whilst respecting traditional values, which is showcased throughout its pages and into the community.

Full coverage of the event in-print will also be posted in Wednesday’s edition of The Greek Herald newspaper.