Greek football icon Mimis Domazos, 83, is in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest on Wednesday, January 22.
The Panathinaikos legend collapsed while walking in the Halandri area of northern Athens and was initially treated with first aid at a diagnostic centre before being rushed to the Red Cross hospital.
Captains Mimis Domazos and Luis Ubiña before the Intercontinental Cup 1st leg in Greece – Panathinaikos vs. Nacional (1971).
Ambulance crews performed successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during the transfer.
Domazos is celebrated for leading Panathinaikos to the European Champions Cup final in 1971, a historic achievement often referred to as the “Wembley Epic,” which remains unmatched by any other Greek team.
President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, announced on Wednesday, January 22, that the Council of Ministers has approved a historic change allowing citizens as young as 17 to vote in elections, along with automatic voter registration.
The move, which aims to strengthen participatory democracy, marks a significant step in involving young people in the country’s democratic processes.
“Today, we’re moving forward with the right for 17-year-olds to vote and automatically be included in the electoral rolls,” President Christodoulides said.
“This is an important decision that we are making, and it’s about giving young people a voice in the decisions that shape our country.”
This change is part of a broader initiative to engage youth in public life. Christodoulides emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts, including using technology to create platforms for youth to discuss national issues and introducing civic education in schools from 2024 to prepare children for democratic participation.
“We have complete trust in our youth. They are already playing a leading role in public discussions, and they have demonstrated that they are ready to take responsibility,” the President added.
Christodoulides expressed hope that the House of Representatives will swiftly pass the law, enabling 17-year-olds to vote in the 2026 parliamentary elections, aligning Cyprus with other EU countries in terms of youth participation in the electoral process.
He called the decision a major milestone in the country’s journey toward a more inclusive democracy.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shared his perspective on the “woke agenda” during a conversation with Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Italian Prime Minister.
The discussion took place at an event organized by the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce in Athens on Tuesday, January 21. The central theme of the event was “The Future of Europe in a Fast-Changing World – Leadership and Global Challenges.”
Addressing his stance on gender, Mitsotakis stated, “I personally believe that there are two genders, male and female. This is my view, based on biology. Naturally, every country has its own culture and unique characteristics, but it is important to express this clearly.”
Turning to political trends in the United States, Mitsotakis commented on the “Donald Trump phenomenon” and attributed part of Trump’s resurgence to the growing influence of extreme elements within the woke movement.
“I have previously noted that the extreme positions of the woke agenda in the US triggered a strong counter-reaction, causing the pendulum to swing sharply in the opposite direction. This reaction is, in many ways, natural,” he explained.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks at the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce event in Athens, addressing global challenges, the ‘woke agenda,’ and Greek-American relations.
Mitsotakis emphasised, however, that Europe differs significantly from the United States in this regard. He argued that the extreme elements of the woke agenda, which are most prominent on the liberal campuses of elite American universities, have not gained traction in Europe.
“I do not observe similar issues in Europe that would provoke such reactions. This is mainly an American phenomenon,” he stated.
On Greek-American relations, Mitsotakis highlighted that ties between the two countries are stronger than ever. “We have a five-year defense cooperation agreement, but our relationship extends well beyond defense into areas like advanced technologies, education, and culture,” he remarked.
Commenting on the rise of the far-right in both Europe and the United States, Mitsotakis acknowledged the presence of such trends but suggested that Greece has been more successful in managing the issue.
“In Greece, we have been able to contain this to a significant extent. That said, there is still a portion of the population that chooses to support parties positioned further to the right of New Democracy,” the PM concluded.
At just 23, Madison Stefanis has transformed her passion for vintage cameras into a thriving $4 million business.
Founder of 35mm Co, a reusable film camera brand, Madi’s entrepreneurial journey began while she was still studying business at university.
In 2019, during her first year of university, Madi got the idea of starting her line of reusable film cameras after selling an old SLR film camera on Facebook Marketplace.
By 19, Madi used $50,000 of her savings from working at a supermarket to launch 35mm Co. The brand’s debut product, The Reloader, aimed to provide a beginner-friendly, affordable alternative to disposable cameras.
With her business rapidly growing, Madi dropped out of university to focus on 35mm Co full-time.
The cameras, priced from $119.95, are available in seven colours and are now sold in over 200 stores across Australia, with plans to expand to international markets like the UK.
A standout moment in her journey came when she appeared on Shark Tank in October, securing a $300,000 investment offer from two investors. At that time, the brand had already surpassed $4 million in sales.
The exposure led to significant retail distribution deals, including partnerships with major retailers.
Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: “Get close to your customer and understand their key pain points to validate the need for your product.”
She also emphasises the importance of taking risks, saying, “You will only regret the risks you didn’t take.”
The Australian has named 60 individuals who have significantly shaped Australian life over the past six decades.
Among them are two iconic figures of Greek heritage: Peter V’landys, the influential sports administrator, and George Miller, the renowned director.
Peter V’landys: Reshaping Australian sport
Peter V’landys, 62, has been a driving force in transforming Australia’s sporting landscape over the past 20 years. As the head of Racing NSW and the Australian Rugby League Commission, V’landys has overseen the explosive growth of two major billion-dollar industries.
Under his leadership, Racing NSW introduced The Everest, the world’s richest horse race on turf, and the NRL expanded its reach with a spectacular Las Vegas opening round.
V’landys attributes his success to long-term vision, explaining, “A lot of people in sport and business talk about a three or five-year plan, but I think you’ve got to do more than that… It’s all about capturing the next demographic coming through.” His strategies have seen the NRL reach a record $700m revenue and Racing NSW secure $600m.
A skilled dealmaker, V’landys brokered numerous key agreements, including a $235m government funding package for equine influenza management and a $100m win in the High Court regarding sports betting.
George Miller: The visionary filmmaker
George Miller, 79, is another of the 60 chosen, credited with putting Australian cinema on the global map. A trained doctor, Miller chose filmmaking over medicine, creating some of the most iconic films in history. His breakout film, Mad Max (1979), which starred a young Mel Gibson, made more than $100m worldwide and launched the New Wave of Australian cinema.
Miller’s portfolio includes Oscar-nominated films like Lorenzo’s Oil (1992) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987), but it was his Babe (1995) and Happy Feet (2006) that solidified his international reputation, with the latter earning him an Academy Award. Miller’s work continues with the Mad Max franchise, with Furiosa released last year.
Are you a young woman in Sydney who’s looking to make new friends, stay fit and get healthy mentally and physically?
Then why not come along and join Girls Gang – an inclusive, free initiative that invites young women ages 16 and over of all skill levels to come and socialise and participate in tennis matches, workshops and games.
Evangelia Stivactas, the founder of Team Tennis Sydney from Earlwood, began coaching six years ago as she had a passion for playing tennis and wanted to use her skills and knowledge to help others.
The 22-year-old pre-service primary school teacher and tennis coach told The Greek Herald that after being involved in so many types of group settings when it came to sport, she wanted to come up with a way to make tennis more inclusive.
“Even though tennis can be seen as an individual sport, I like to see it as a team sport. That way each player can help one another with their strengths and weaknesses,” Evangelia said.
“This is why I decided to create Girls Gang, so that I could invite young women of all skill levels to get active on the court.
“Whether they’re a beginner, experienced, competitive, or just want to have a good, fun time and socialise, they’re all welcome to come along on a Saturday morning and participate. It’s free too.”
Evangelia said the inspiration for Girls Gang came from Team Murph Bondi, which is a free community fitness initiative that takes place every Friday and is run by personal trainers.
“These sessions just have such a positive environment and they inspired me see what I could do for the community in my area,” she said.
“I wanted to form my own free initiative that people could come and just have fun with. Now I accept new people every weekend and encourage the girls to bring their friends along too.”
Evangelia’s Girls Gang sessions take place on Saturday mornings and run for 1.5 to 2 hours. The sessions involve tennis drills, warm-ups, one-on-one technique tutorials, games and singles and doubles matches.
“I accept anyone from ages 16 and up,” she said.
“Often, I get groups of six to eight people come along, but I’d love to encourage more young women to get involved. Many of the girls are in their early twenties, however I have people of all different ages, skill levels and backgrounds participate.”
The sessions are designed to allow the girls to socialise on the court, make new friends and improve their tennis skills. Evangelia said she always provides light refreshments and snacks too. “It just brings people together and it encourages people to stay healthy and fit both mentally and physically,” she said.
“The girls get to build social skills and connect with their community, which is a great benefit. Especially after experiencing COVID lockdowns over the last few years, it’s nice to come together, get active with people again and make new friends.”
To find out more about Evangelia’s Girls Gang, visit Team Tennis Sydney’s Instagram @teamtennissyd to see where and when the sessions will be held.
South Yarra has welcomed a fresh addition to its dining scene with the opening of Astoria Bar Kè Grill, a Greek restaurant offering traditional dishes with a contemporary twist.
The venue, located in the former Shadowboxer space on Toorak Road, is the brainchild of seasoned hospitality professional Nik Pouloupatis, whose 35-year career includes stints at renowned Melbourne restaurants such as Grossi Florentino, Attica, and Vue de Monde.
While the restaurant’s design remains largely unchanged, with only a fresh coat of paint and new furniture, the front terrace remains the ideal spot for leisurely drinks or long lunches under the sun.
Astoria Bar Kè Grill’s menu features classic Greek fare, including house-made spanakopita, zucchini fritters with tzatziki, pan-seared saganaki, and prawns with oven-baked tomatoes and feta.
Main dishes, perfect for sharing, include seared snapper with asparagus and mussels, lamb stew with kritharaki (youvetsi), and vegetarian moussaka.
The drink list features a selection of Greek and Australian wines, beers, as well as a range of cocktails and mocktails.
A gynaecologist from Heraklion and a colleague from Chania, were arrested on Monday, January 20, as part of an investigation into an illegal adoption ring uncovered last August.
Nine newborns – including a number of Australian babies – were detained by the Greek government in a high-security neonatal ward in Crete’s Chania Hospital after the Mediterranean Fertility Institute was raided by federal police on accusations of human trafficking and fraud.
Through the utilisation of DNA testing for identification, the babies were eventually returned to their biological parents.
The Heraklion-based doctor supposedly linked to the scandal was arrested while working and discreetly transferred to Chania for questioning. There, he was initially brought before the prosecutor and then the investigating judge.
He has been given until Wednesday, January 22, to give a statement, during which time he will remain in custody.
The second arrest involved a colleague from Chania, who also has until Wednesday to provide a statement.
Both individuals face criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in a human trafficking ring, which includes egg theft, virtual embryo transfers and the distribution of genetic material.
The Heraklion gynaecologist’s lawyers have denied the charges, issuing a statement claiming their client is innocent. They argued that the arrest was unnecessary and that their client has not committed any criminal acts.
“It is tragic when a person is slandered, and when he is solemnly acquitted in court, we only remember his arrest and the shadow it unjustly cast on him,” the statement said.
The lawyers expressed confusion over the arrest process, emphasising that their client has always been available to authorities.
A US military assessment team will visit Cyprus this week as part of ongoing defence upgrades, according to a statement from Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
The assessment will take place at the “Andreas Papandreou” Air Base in Paphos, where the team will offer expertise on improving interoperability with the US and other international partners.
#Briefing Στη χώρα μας θα βρίσκεται αυτή την εβδομάδα ομάδα αξιολόγησης από την 435η Μοίρα Υποστήριξης Αντιμετώπισης Έκτακτων Αναγκών της Αεροπορίας των ΗΠΑ.
Η συγκεκριμένη ομάδα, που έχει τη βάση της στη Γερμανία, θα επισκεφθεί την αεροπορική βάση «Ανδρέας Παπανδρέου» στην…
Areas of focus include airport operations, logistics, and communications, all aimed at modernising Cyprus’ defence infrastructure.
“The upgrading of infrastructure, the supply of modern means and the investment in training are key pillars of our national strategy for an effective and flexible defence,” Letymbiotis stated at a news briefing.
Cyprus, strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, has become an essential player in regional stability.
