An announcement by the United States that it will lift a 33-year arms embargo on Cyprus and deepen its security cooperation with Nicosia has prompted an angry response from Turkey.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the decision “ignores the equality and balance between the two peoples on the island.”
“It is certain that this decision will also have negative effects on the efforts to reach a settlement on the Cyprus issue,” the Ministry’s statement reads.
“In a time, where efforts are spent to reduce the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, the US’s approval of such a decision, which poisons the peace and stability environment in the region, does not comply with the spirit of alliance.
“We expect the US to reconsider this decision and support the ongoing efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
“Otherwise, Turkey, as a guarantor country, will take the necessary decisive counter steps to guarantee the security of the Turkish Cypriot people, in line with its legal and historical responsibilities.”
The statement comes a day after Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades, welcomed the lifting of the arms embargo on Twitter.
I welcome the lifting of the #US arms embargo on non-lethal defense articles. A positive development which reinforces further the bilateral security relationship between #Cyprus and the #UnitedStates.
“I welcome the lifting of the US arms embargo on non-lethal defense articles. A positive development which reinforces further the bilateral security relationship between Cyprus and the United States,” Mr Anastasiades wrote.
The lifting of the embargo will be valid for one year and can be renewed on an annual basis.
US officials reportedly said that the decision is not related to recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
A turf war has erupted after NRL boss Peter V’landys ridiculed the AFL’s alleged ploy to win over Queensland rugby league fans by bringing the grand final to the Gabba in Brisbane.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the AFL to play its showcase event outside of Victoria for the first time in its 123-year history and Brisbane will host the premiership decider on October 24.
But ARL Commission boss V’landys fired a stinging response at this decision, declaring the NRL will always reign supreme in Queensland.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, was pleased to hear the AFL grand final would be held at the Gabba in Brisbane this year.
“Our supporters are solid, they’re not straw. They can blow all they like but they won’t blow the brick wall down. Our rugby league supporters are strong, to say the least,” V’landys told The Daily Telegraph.
“Queensland is part and parcel of rugby league. We’ve got the left arm in New South Wales and the right arm in Queensland. It’s a vital part of our game.”
The Queensland Government has played a major role in rescuing this year’s AFL premiership, with 15 of the league’s 18 teams currently in “hubs” from Cairns to the Gold Coast.
The AFL’s decision to overlook bids from Western Australia and South Australia has reinforced the game’s desire to spread its wings in Queensland.
Vlandy’s has scoffed at suggestions the NRL could lose a turf war to the AFL.
But V’landys scoffed at suggestions the NRL could lose a turf war to the AFL.
“The AFL can steal whatever databases they want,” he said.
“It’s a flash in the pan. The AFL will never have another grand final in Queensland ever again.
“Who cares? Queensland is rugby league heartland. As if some Cowboys fan in Cairns is going to start following the Brisbane Lions? I don’t think so.
“The AFL can sell meat but the vegetarians won’t eat it.”
Greece has placed the overcrowded Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos under a two-week quarantine, after they detected the first case of coronavirus there.
A Migration Ministry official confirmed a 40-year old asylum seeker tested positive for the virus and has been placed in isolation while authorities try to trace the people he had contact with.
Authorities say the man originally left the camp on July 17. In early August, he arrived in Athens but unable to find work in the capital, he returned to Moria to use the free shelter and food there.
A statement released by the ministries of Citizen Protection and Immigration and Asylum said: “This incident highlights the need to create ‘enclosed’ refugee and migrant camps where authorities can control the movement of inhabitants.”
People walk outside the Moria refugee camp on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. Photo: AP Photo / Vangelis Papantonis.
The Moria facility, which hosts about 13,000 people (more than four times its stated capacity), has been frequently criticised by aid groups for poor living conditions.
The International Rescue Committee called for an urgent increase in healthcare and sanitation services on Lesvos, including sufficient space for isolation and quarantine.
“Social distancing and basic hygiene measures like hand washing are simply impossible to adhere to in Moria, where thousands of people live in close proximity to each other with inadequate access to running water and soap,” said Dimitra Kalogeropoulou, the IRC Greece director.
Tents are seen outside the perimeter of the Moria refugee camp on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. Photo: AP Photo / Vangelis Papantonis.
“COVID-19 could spread rapidly and those at risk, including the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions, must be urgently evacuated to safety before it is too late.”
Greece has been seeing a spike in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, which authorities have attributed to people on holiday ignoring protective measures such as maintaining social distance.
The country was initially credited with tackling the pandemic’s initial outbreak well, with an early lockdown keeping the number of seriously ill people and deaths low.
Health authorities on Wednesday announced 233 new confirmed coronavirus cases and two new deaths in the previous 24 hours. Greece’s total confirmed cases stand at 10,757, with 273 deaths.
The United States is urging “everyone to stand down” in ongoing disputes about drilling and maritime rights in the East Mediterranean, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.
“President Trump’s been in conversations with President Erdogan, he’s spoken with the Prime Minister in Greece,” Pompeo began during a press briefing in Washington.
“We’re urging everyone to stand down, to reduce tensions and to begin to have diplomatic discussions about the conflicts that exist there in the Eastern Mediterranean, the security conflicts, the energy resource conflicts, the maritime conflicts.
Warships from Greece, Italy, Cyprus and France, participate in a joint military exercise which was held from 26-28 of August, south of Turkey in eastern Mediterranean sea. Photo: Greek Defense Ministry via AP.
“They need to sit down and have conversations about this and resolve this diplomatically. It is not useful to increase military tension in the region; only negative things can flow from that.”
Asked about Washington’s decision to lift an arms embargo on Cyprus – a move that has angered Turkey – Pompeo said it was “a long time coming.”
“We know that this decision was announced in light of heightened tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean but we thought it was the right thing so I made the decision that we would move forward with it,” he said.
Weddings have been a part of Australia’s coronavirus story since the start of the pandemic and although countless have been postponed or cancelled, some couples choose to change their plans and get married during the COVID-19 restrictions.
Maria Trovas, founder of ‘Story of Stefania’ an Adelaide based business has been creating personalised stefana (Greek wedding crowns) since 2012 and is one of the people who work behind the scenes to make these weddings happen while keeping Greek traditions alive.
“It has been a heart-breaking process for the couples I work with. Many are postponing for a second time this year. It has been an unprecedented time and people have been showing their support to local Australian businesses,” Maria tells The Greek Herald explaining that she has been handcrafting stefana for Greek weddings in Australia, US, UK and around the world.
“I have a genuine interest in the symbolisms and tradition of Greek weddings. I wanted to put a personal touch to my Greek wedding ceremony and I had the idea to personalise the joining ribbon.
“Then my mum showed me her stefana and this is where I drew my inspiration from and started creating original designs using Swarovski crystals and pearls. The first ones I made were for my mother in law’s wedding,” Maria tells The Greek Herald.
In a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding, the crowing is considered the focal point of the ceremony and the ‘stefana’ symbolize the unity of the couple. Originally, the crowns were made of materials ranging from lemon leaves to vines to gold and jewels.
“I wanted to create modern designs but I also wanted them to look traditional and timeless. I feel privileged that I handcraft something so special that couples will display in their home as a keepsake. I feel I have contributed to this generation’s stefana style,” Maria says.
How Maria’s Greek heritage and upbringing inspired her art
Maria would not have followed this career path if it wasn’t for her Greek upbringing and the close relationship she shares with her ‘yiayia’.
“Born in Florina, Greece; My Yiayia Evangelia has witnessed and survived the horrors of WW2, started a new life in Australia and created a loving family with her husband. She arrived by plane in Adelaide, in 1957 to join her mother and siblings who were already beginning their new lives and three years later, in 1960, she was introduced to my Pappou, Pavlos, who had just arrived in Adelaide from Greece.
“After three weeks they were engaged and eight months later they were married! In a new and foreign country, with not much but each other, they created a family together and were successful in their business endeavours,” says Maria.
“I lived next door to my yiayia and pappou. My childhood was spent sitting in the kitchen, watching yiayia as she busily prepared food or I would play in the backyard with pappou. Pappou watching me climbing the olive tree. These days it is my children, her great grandsons that watch yiayia Evangelia in the kitchen!
“My life has been shaped by the strong women in my life, my yiayia and my mum Theodora, they support and motivate me to achieve my dreams. I am the person I am today because of these strong women and the sacrifices they made,” Maria concludes.
Tony Popovic has announced his departure from Perth Glory FC with the coach set to join Greek Australians Bill Papas and Arthur Diles at Xanthi FC in Greece.
Popovic told the club on Wednesday morning he was activating a release clause in his contract allowing him to take up an offer to coach a team in Europe.
The 47-year-old former Socceroo joined Glory in 2018 and guided the club to its maiden Hyundai A-League Premiership and second Grand Final in his debut season at the helm.
“I had a wonderful two years, winning the Premiers’ Plate being a fantastic highlight, along with playing in front of a sell-out crowd at Optus Stadium in the Grand Final and being a part of the club’s first foray into the AFC Champions League,” Popovic said.
Bill Papas, CEO of Iugis and Billy Hogan, managing director and chief commercial officer at LFC. Photo: Business Live
“An opportunity has now come for me to pursue in Europe, but I’m very thankful to everyone for making my time in Perth so enjoyable.”
Popovic will join Sydney Olympic President Bill Papas’ new team in Greece, Xanthi FC, after the Greek Australian reached an agreement with current owner Christos Panopoulos.
Papas reportedly overcame the last hurdle with the current owners after they agreed on a price for the club, should they play in the Super League League next season and not be relegated.
Popovic will also join Greek Australian Western Sydney Wanders youth coach Arthur Diles. Diles undertook the youth head coaching job a few years ago, being part of Western Sydney Wanderers for about 5 years.
Western Sydney Wanderers announced his departure in August, with CEO John Tsatsimas wishing him “all the best in his new coaching appointment overseas”.
Arthur Diles was part of the Western Sydney Wanders coaching staff for about 5 years before departing. Photo: Supplied
The link up between Popovic, Papas and Diles is set to be an interesting move, especially at a club that has struggled this season and is at risk of relegation. Sources have revealed that Popovic will be given a large reign at the Greek club, assisted by his coaching staff which will be made up of Greek and Australian professionals.
“The opportunity to work with an Australian owner, I think that weighed heavily in the decision,” said Glory chief executive Tony Pignata. “The most interesting aspect was the way he could go and set this club up and coach in Europe.”
Fedra Olive Grove, one of Australia’s highest quality olive oil groves, recently announced their victory in the prestigious 2020 Athena International Olive Oil Competition.
The annual Athena International Olive Oil Competition is designed to promote high-quality extra virgin olive oil in Greece and internationally, and to help consumers pick the best olive oils in the world thanks to the quality certification provided by the ‘Athena’ seal to award-winning bottles.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, owner of ‘Fedra Olive Grove’ Jeff Konstantinou says he’s proud to add another prestigious award to the company’s collection.
‘Fedra Olive Grove’ owner Jeff Konstantinou. Photo: Supplied
“It’s the passion you have for the olives,” Konstantinou says to The Greek Herald.
“In 2009 we became the Australian olive grove of the year, and I think that’s what kicked off our success.”
The NSW-based olive grove won double gold for their Jeff’s Blend oil and gold for Fedra oil products, bringing their total number of international and national awards to 39 for 2019-2020.
“Awards are like a passion-payment… and I’m humble that Greece has recognised us with this award,” Konstantinou adds.
Other awards earned this year includes Gold at the Australian International Olive Awards, RASV Australian Food Awards, Perth Royal Show, Royal Adelaide Show, Hunter Valley Show, Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and the international Sol d’Oro Southern Hemisphere (Osaka Japan) Competition.
“We are so humbled to be recognised as a leader of quality olive oil production in Australia and internationally, especially the recognition from Greece – the mother of olive oil, “ Konstantinou said.
“The award is wonderful recognition for our hard work and determination of our team. It is also a great nod to the Australian harvests.”
Fedra Olive Grove is located in Collector, NSW, yet distribute their products as an online wholesaler HERE. Visitors are still welcome though to stroll amongst the olive trees and take in the vista from the comfort of ‘Kiki’s in the Grove’ cafe.
Australian’s ability to share news on social media is being threatened by Facebook as a response to the ACCC’s proposed code which would see publishers able to bargain with tech giant for payment for its news content.
The code in question is a proposed bill which allows publishers to bargain for payment when their content is used. Facebook claims that the move would force Facebook to pay arbitrary and theoretically unlimited sums for information that makes up only a small fraction of its service.
Will Easton, managing director for Facebook in Australia and New Zealand, has claimed that the bill would have a negative impact on the publishers who are calling for the change, as well as the tech platforms.
“Australia is drafting a new regulation that misunderstands the dynamics of the internet and will do damage to the very news organisations the government is trying to protect,” said Easton in a blog post.
“When crafting this new legislation, the commission overseeing the process ignored important facts, most critically the relationship between the news media and social media and which one benefits most from the other.”
Should the bill pass, the managing director says Facebook will have no choice but to suspend the sharing of news on its social media platform.
“Assuming this draft code becomes law, we will reluctantly stop allowing publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram,” Easton adds.
“This is not our first choice – it is our last. But it is the only way to protect against an outcome that defies logic and will hurt, not help, the long-term vibrancy of Australia’s news and media sector,” said Easton.
Australian Communications Minister Paul Fletcher declined to say whether he thought Facebook would make good on its threat.
“It’s far from unprecedented for big tech companies to make heavy-handed threats,” Fletcher said.
“We will continue with our thorough and careful process, our public policy process, based upon the facts, based upon giving all stakeholders the chance to put their views,” he added.
The bill has the support of major news organisations in Australia, as they believe that Facebook and Google are making large profits from ads, which take advantage of the journalistic content shared by its users.
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the bill would move forward and that the government “does not succumb to threats”.
Maria Sakkari fought for more than 2 hours and emerged victorious after a difficult battle with Stefanie Vögele, qualifying for the second round of the US Open.
Maria Sakkari managed to take the victory over the very combative Stefanie Voegele with 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 and will continue her course at this year’s US Open.
Sakkari dominated the match in the 1st set, taking a convincing 6-3 victory over Voegele.
Sakkari’s confidence faltered in the 2nd set however, with the Swiss winning 3 consecutive games. The Greek managed to break her and climb to a score of 2-3. Voegele, however, made another break in the 8th game to finish the set 3-6, taking the match to a 3rd set.
The two female tennis players gave a tough fight in the 3rd set, yet Maria expertly claimed a 2-1 lead with her powerful serve.
Photo: Tennismajors.com
Voegele managed to equalise at 4-4 and later at 5-5, bringing the set into an 12th game. Finally, winning the break that sent her into the next round, Sakkari returned from 30-0 and got four straight points.
Sakkari will play in the 2nd round of the US Open for the 4th consecutive year as she faces American Bernarda Pera, who previously defeated Zarina Diyas 7-6 (4), 6-0.
Local residents are being urged to sign a petition calling for the NSW Government to redevelop Canterbury Hospital.
The petition was launched on Thursday 27 August 2020 at Canterbury Hospital by State Labor MPs Sophie Cotsis, Jihad Dib and Jo Haylen. The MPs were joined by Health Services Union official Adam Hall, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association organiser Mark Murphy and healthcare staff from the hospital.
State Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said Canterbury Hospital should be upgraded to meet the needs of the Canterbury area’s growing population.
“Canterbury Hospital needs a major redevelopment to cope with the pressure of our growing population,” Ms Cotsis said.
“The NSW Liberal Government’s housing policies mean the population of our area is forecast to grow by almost 40 percent over the next ten years.
Sophie Cotsis, Jihad Dib and Jo Haylen at Canterbury Hospital. Photo: Supplied
“We need to invest in Canterbury Hospital now to ensure it is ready for the future”.
With the Canterbury Hospital’s last major upgrade being in 1998, patients on the elective surgery waiting list has increased by 14% in 2019 alone. State Member for Lakemba Jihad Dib said Canterbury Hospital should be upgraded to provide vital services for local residents.
“Canterbury Hospital urgently needs to be redeveloped to provide vital services for our community,” Mr Dib said.
“Canterbury Hospital has no renal dialysis, angiogram or MRI scanning technology, and it has limited ultrasound capacity.
“Residents deserve to access these services locally at Canterbury Hospital, instead of being forced to travel to other areas”.
State Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen spoke about how upgrading Canterbury Hospital would create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
“Many families and small businesses are struggling due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19,” Ms Haylen said.
“Upgrading Canterbury Hospital could create opportunities for local tradespeople and hundreds of jobs during the construction phase.
“An upgraded Canterbury Hospital would also create new long-term job opportunities in fields including medicine, healthcare, science and technology.”
To receive a copy of the petition call the office of Sophie Cotsis on (02) 9718 1234.
