The US has been in negotiations with Europe and Greece to prevent the rapid expansion of Chinese giant Huawei in the Greek market.
Officials from the US Department of Commerce are planning another visit to Greece, bringing US industry representatives to offer alternative solutions for 5G and new-generation networks. These meetings are reportedly set to take place in February with Greek officials and members of industry.
According to Ekathimerini, the 5G networks that the US aims to implement in Greece will award the country over 500 million euros worth of equipment over the next 3 years.
Mobile network operator, COSMOTE, which is the largest carrier in Greece, is the first company to exclude Huawei from their 4G and 5G networks. While its rivals, Vodafone and WIND exclusively rely on Huawei.
Though, Vodafone have shown signs that allude to them becoming part of the Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) which the US is promoting.
Former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou led Yokohama F.Marinos to their first J-League title on Saturday following a 3-0 victory against FC Tokyo.
Despite going down to 10 men in the second half, Yokohama claimed the victory against second place FC Tokyo, meaning they finished six points clear at the top of the league.
“We’re champions!” the ex-Socceroos boss cheered after the victory.
“I’m very proud of the players, very proud of the staff…. We’ve got fantastic supporters and I’m very happy for them.”
Postecoglou’s latest title win adds to his stunning managerial honour roll that already included Australia’s 2015 Asian Cup win, two A-League championships with Brisbane Roar and two NSL titles with South Melbourne.
Postecoglou was appointed Yokohama’s head coach in December 2017 following his surprise resignation from the Socceroos manager role, despite his successful World Cup qualification campaign.
Following the domestic success, Postecoglou as now been listed as a potential candidate as coach for the Japanese national team, as well as other European teams. Despite these rumours, Postecoglou has distanced himself from any move away from Yokohama.
“I’m definitely going to be around next year for sure,” he said.
“There’s still stuff that I want to do here. I still think we can be better.”
The role of Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for the Greek diaspora worldwide has been assigned to Dr Costas Vlassis.
This came after the previous minister, Antonis Diamataris, resigned last week following a scandal regarding false information on his CV. The announcement of Diamataris’ resignation came as he landed in Australia for a Ministerial visit, which has now become a personal trip.
Dr Costas Vlassis is a 44-year old doctor graduate from the Medical School of Athens, from where he obtained his PhD in 2005. Vlassis has been an Associate Professor since 2016.
Vlassis was appointed the role by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, due to his strong connection with Greeks abroad, particularly those in America.
Acclaimed Greek director, Yorgos Lanthimos dominated the European Film Awards in Berlin on Saturday, December 7th, taking out eight awards for his film “The Favourite”.
One of these awards included the biggest award of the night – European Director.
Lanthimos’ wins came after his film “The Favourite” was nominated for 10 Academy Awards last year.
The film also won “Best European Film”, “Best European Comedy” and lead actress Olivia Colman won “Best European Actress” for her role in the film.
“The Favourite” has been described as a “tragicomedy” about the story of Queen Anne.
Greece has seen an increase in Chinese tourists in 2019.
Between 150,000 and 200,000 Chinese tourists visited Greece last year, which marks a 20 percent growth from the year before.
China is among the 50 countries who are participating in the 6th International Tourism Expo in Athens, on Sunday 8th December.
“For tourists, today’s quality does not mean only luxury experiences and services, but a product and service respecting the environment, employees, tradition, which preserves cultural heritage,” said Tourism Minister Harry Theocharis at the expo.
With Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently visiting China, as well as China’s President Xi Jinping recently returning from his visit to Greece, the two countries have put increasing diplomatic relations on the agenda.
“What we are currently doing is trying to increase the number of the 250,000 (Chinese) visiting Greece today (per year) to 500,000 gradually,” said Angela Gerekou, president of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).
Greece is trying to promote more cultural and historical aspects of tourism year-round, which Chinese tourists have recognised, outside of Santorini and Mykonos.
“The (Attica) Region is here, coordinating in all levels hoteliers, health services providers, cultural and sports organisations so that we will all be ready in two years to welcome 500,000 Chinese visitors who will enjoy their stay in the country of wellbeing and cradle of western civilisation, a country Chinese people love, as we know”, Giorgos Patoulis, regional governor of Attica said at the International Tourism Expo.
Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday on 6th of December with a surprise video from Bucks fans, wishing the Greek Freak a happy birthday.
Many fans in the video wished the basketball star a happy birthday, along with sending personal messages of gratitude and happiness. One fan told Giannis, “You’re my biggest inspiration”, with another saying, “thank you for being a great leader”.
The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday in a 119 – 91 point win, ranking first on the Eastern Conference ladder.
President of the Greek Orthodox Community in Melbourne, Mr Bill Papastergiadis, has been invited by the Greek parliament to discuss the legislative limitations in the current diaspora vote.
In her letter, Vice-President of the Commission Mrs Sofia Voultepsis invited Mr Papastergiadis to come to the Chamber of the Senate of the House of Representatives on the 6th of July to present his views on the draft law of the Ministry of Interior, stating that the bill “Facilitates the exercise of the right to vote for non-Greek voters and greatly modifies the electoral process”
However, Papastergiadis wrote back saying that he was unable to arrive in Greece until Monday and instead, due to the seriousness of the matter, proposed to give his views on the telephone.
The bill allows Greek citizens who currently reside in Australia to vote on the Greek parliament, however Papastergiadis believed that it excluded the majority of expatriates from voting and did not practically accommodate expatriates in the election process.
“Libya’s Ambassador was summoned to the foreign ministry this morning, where he was informed of the decision for his expulsion. He was given a 72-hour deadline to leave the country,” Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias stated on Friday.
The foreign minister noted that the decision reflects the Greek government’s dissatisfaction with the Tripoli government and noted that it was taken after “the Libyan side did not meet the terms that we set.”
Dendias added that the text of the agreement between Turkey and Libya bears the signature of the Libyan foreign minister, who had provided the Greek side with assurances of the opposite nature in September.
The expulsion does not constitute the severing of diplomatic relations, the foreign minister stressed.
Referring to the Turkey-Libya deal on the delimitation of the two countries’ maritime zones, the foreign minister said that its posting on the Turkish National Assembly’s website simply served to confirm Greece’s future.
“The coordinates of the attempt to demarcate maritime zones confirm that this agreement is a large violation of the International Law of the Sea and the sovereign rights of Greece and other states,” he said.
Dendias made it clear that, in addition to its substantive and formal defects, this attempt was unlawful and did not generate legal effects, while adding that it points to the deliberate provoking of tension on a bilateral and regional level. It is therefore unequivocally condemned, he underlined.
Moreover, Dendias confirmed that the president of the Libyan House of Representatives will be in Athens on Wednesday.
This is one of the most loved (and healthiest) traditional recipes in Greece. Dolmadakia consists of vine leaves stuffed with rice and several herbs. A drizzle of lemon and virgin olive oil skyrocket the taste! This delicious delicacy is one of the best things to eat along with your ouzo after a day at the beach.
Tirokafteri is a spicy cheese dip usually spread on bread. It’s not a secret that the Greeks love cheese and especially the delicious local feta. That’s why you’ll often find feta in many versions, such as tirokafteri. This dip is made of feta (obviously), greek yogurt, peppers, wine, and vinegar. The best part is it’s a very simple recipe you can easily follow at home.
Tigania is one of the most popular meat-based mezes in Greece. It’s a delicious plate consisted of chopped meat (beef chicken) cooked with several vegetables, such as bell peppers, leek, and onions and herbs. It is usually cooked in a pan with virgin olive oil and served along with fries. If you are a meat lover, you’re going to adore it!
Fava
Fava is one of the most delicious Greek spreads/dips! It is made of chickpeas, olive oil, and several herbs that give it a rich taste. Fava is one of Santorini’s local delicacies, so if you happen to visit the island, don’t miss to try the traditional fava. What’s more, it is a dish you can easily recreate on your own, as it is made of simple ingredients blended together!
Kolokithokeftedes is basically zucchini balls with cheese and herbs. They are usually fried, but can also be roasted as a more diet-friendly option. They are tasteful and light and are often accompanied by a fresh yogurt-based dip. Zucchini and yogurt make a killer combination!
Cheese
Greece is wildly popular for its hard cheeses. Depending on what island or town of the Greek mainland you might be, you’ll get the chance to taste different local cheeses. Graviera, kasseri, arseniko Naxou, and ladotiri Mytilines are some of the Greek cheeses you need to try. They are so delicious, that they can alone accompany your ouzo or wine!
Fried calamari is one of the most popular Greek mezes, especially in the summer. Especially if you’re planning on visiting a Greek island or a seaside village in the Greek mainland, don’t miss to try fried calamari. It is usually freshly caught by the local fishermen and tastes like heaven!
Olives
Olives play an important role in the Mediterranean diet! Their rich taste and high nutritional value make it not only a great snack but also an inseparable part of a Greek meze dinner. They are perfectly paired with freshly baked bread and feta cheese.
Tomatokeftedes is yummy tomato balls, usually fried or roasted. It is one of the most iconic traditional recipes of Santorini, which is famous for its tomato production but can be found at restaurants all around the Cyclades.
Stuffed peppers are a must for a traditional Greek meze dinner! This dish is usually made with green peppers that get stuffed with feta cheese and herbs. The sweet taste of the peppers and the slightly sour taste of the feta cheese create an absolutely dreamy dish.
Students from All Saints Grammar graced the offices of the Australian Archdiocese on Tuesday, December 3rd, with songs and carols that spread the Christmas spirit.
The students sang well-known Christmas and New Year songs in Greek and English, after being welcomed into the office of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios.
His Eminence sent his warmest wishes to the students present, as well as the rest of the school.
His Eminence invited the students back to visit next Christmas, and gave them a tour of the Archdiocese.
Throughout the tour, His Eminence Makarios explained the historical background of the Archdiocese, including his predecessors and the international structure of Orthodox Christianity.
