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US Congress debate bill to lift Cyprus’ arms embargo

The Greek Herald
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US Congress debate bill to lift Cyprus’ arms embargo

A new bill introduced in the United States House of Representatives by members of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus calls for the permanent removal of the arms embargo on Cyprus.

While the US has already lifted the embargo, it must be renewed annually, creating uncertainty and hindering long-term defence planning for the island.

The US initially imposed the embargo in 1987 to prevent an arms race between Cyprus and Turkey and encourage a peaceful resolution to the island’s divisions.

However, under the provisions of the 2019 Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, the embargo was partially lifted, allowing for defence equipment transfers to Cyprus, contingent upon annual certification by the US president.

Photo: Petros Karadjias / AP.

The new bill aims to eliminate the annual renewal process and permanently lift the restrictions on the export of US arms and military assistance to Cyprus. It proposes an amendment to Section 1250A of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020.

Cyprus has met the conditions outlined in 2019, including efforts to combat money laundering and prevent Russian military vessels from accessing its ports. Given Cyprus’ strengthened regional role and evolving geopolitical dynamics, the bill argues that the arms embargo and its associated waivers are now outdated and no longer align with US interests.

In related news, four Greek American US Representatives—Nicole Malliotakis, Gus Bilirakis, Chris Pappas, and Dina Titus—have introduced a bipartisan resolution urging President-elect Trump to prioritise a Cyprus solution. The resolution condemns Turkey’s ongoing occupation of the island and calls for US leadership in seeking a resolution to the conflict.

Greece condemns Turkish leader’s ‘revisionist’ claims about Dodecanese Islands

The Greek Herald
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Greece condemns Turkish leader’s ‘revisionist’ claims about Dodecanese Islands

Greece’s Foreign Ministry issued a firm response on Tuesday, January 14, to remarks made by Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party and government partner of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bahceli had claimed that the Dodecanese Islands were “stolen” from Turkey and stated that “having the Dodecanese live without Turkey is clearly unreal,” emphasising that Turkey would never relinquish its “sovereign rights in the Blue Homeland.”

The Greek Foreign Ministry reiterated that the status of the Dodecanese is governed by the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, which formally transferred the islands to Greece. The ministry stressed that, as a sovereign state, Greece would not relinquish its right to self-defence, as outlined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

“All the more so since Greece is threatened with war (casus belli) in case it exercises a right deriving from its sovereignty in accordance with International Law,” the statement added.

The Greek Foreign Ministry also called for responsibility and prudence, asserting, “Maintaining peace requires prudence and a sense of responsibility, not hostile statements. Issues pertaining to sovereignty lie outside the scope of any discussion and any revisionist views are categorically rejected.”

Greek PM extends congratulations and invitation to Lebanon’s new President

The Greek Herald
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Greek PM extends congratulations and invitation to Lebanon’s new President

Lebanon’s newly elected President, Joseph Aoun, has received a series of congratulatory messages following his election, signalling strong international support for his leadership.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced he had a “warm and constructive call” with the new President, congratulating him on his election.

He also extended an invitation to President Aoun for an official visit to Greece, emphasising a desire to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

Joseph Aoun was elected by Lebanon’s parliament on the 13th attempt, securing 99 out of 128 votes, effectively ending a more than two-year vacancy in the presidency. His election brings increased optimism, particularly regarding the stability of Lebanon.

Aoun’s election, which followed the departure of former President Michel Aoun in October 2022, was supported by international powers including Saudi Arabia, France and the United States, all of which had positive relations with him during his tenure as head of Lebanon’s armed forces.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the election as “a critical step towards overcoming Lebanon’s political and institutional impasse.” At the same time, US President Joe Biden praised Aoun as “the right leader for this time.”

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York host historic Epiphany ceremony

The Greek Herald
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St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York host historic Epiphany ceremony

The St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero in New York hosted a historic Epiphany ceremony on Sunday, January 12, marking the first Casting of the Holy Cross and Blessing of the Waters on the Hudson River in 23 years.

The event was a significant spiritual moment for the Orthodox community in America.

With the blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the day began with Matins and the Divine Liturgy of the Sunday after Theophany, celebrated by Protopresbyter Rev. Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas and Rev. Fr. Samuel Davis.

The church was filled to capacity with over 500 worshippers from New York’s diverse Orthodox communities.

Following the service, a procession made its way to the North Cove Marina, located near the World Trade Centre. There, the Great Sanctification of Theophany took place, and the Holy Cross was cast into the Hudson River. Eight brave individuals, undeterred by the icy waters, dove in to retrieve the Cross.

Young Logan Triantafillou, the first to retrieve the Cross, received heartfelt congratulations and blessings. The ceremony’s spiritual atmosphere was further enhanced by the powerful chanting of Protopsaltis Dimitrios Katsiklis.

The event marked a milestone for the St Nicholas church, which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The church’s revival is a testament to the dedication of Archbishop Elpidophoros, Rev. Fr. Vithoulkas, major benefactors like Michael Psaros, and the leadership of the parish council, including Dimitrios Papakostas and Executive Director Andy Veniopoulos.

Source: Orthodox Times.

Maria Sakkari exits Australian Open in first round

The Greek Herald
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Maria Sakkari exits Australian Open in first round

Maria Sakkari’s Australian Open campaign ended in the first round on Tuesday, January 14, as the Greek tennis star was defeated 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-4 by Colombia’s Camila Osorio after a gripping 2-hour, 32-minute battle on Court 3.

The contest was closely contested from the start. Sakkari opened with a break but quickly found herself trailing 1-3 after losing three straight games. She fought back to level at 3-3 and 4-4, but ultimately lost her serve again in the 10th game, giving Osorio the first set 6-4.

In the second set, Sakkari rallied from a 2-4 deficit, winning a crucial tie-break 7-4 to level the match at one set apiece. However, the third set saw both players exchange breaks early, with Sakkari leading 4-3 before facing a pivotal game at 4-4.

Despite saving three break points and reaching game point, Sakkari could not hold serve, allowing Osorio to break and lead 5-4. The Colombian sealed the match 6-4 in the final game.

Sakkari, who has been recovering from a shoulder injury and was playing in Australia for the first time in five months, acknowledged that she is still working on regaining her top form.

With the win, Osorio advances to the second round. For Sakkari, it was the earliest exit from the tournament since 2018 and her first first-round loss in Melbourne since 2021.

Source: Tennis News.

Great Aussie Cultural BBQ to be held on Australia Day in Sydney

The Greek Herald
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Great Aussie Cultural BBQ to be held on Australia Day in Sydney

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) has announced its celebration of Australia Day on Sunday, 26 January 2025, with the much-anticipated Great Aussie Cultural BBQ at the Greek Community Home for the Aged in Earlwood.

This event will celebrate Australia’s rich multicultural heritage, promoting inclusion, respect, and community participation.

The Great Aussie Cultural BBQ offers a vibrant day of festivities, starting with a First Nation Welcome to Country ceremony to honour the traditional custodians of the land.

Guests will experience live entertainment reflecting the diversity of Australia, featuring traditional Greek, Italian, and Arabic music and dance, showcasing the cultural fabric that makes Australia so unique.

Traditional Greek food will be on display.

In addition to the exciting entertainment, attendees will enjoy a delicious range of diverse cultural foods, creating a feast that celebrates Australia’s multiculturalism.

The event is open to the public, inviting people of all backgrounds to come together and celebrate the values of respect, inclusion and community.

Event Details:

  • Date: Sunday, 26 January 2025
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: Greek Community Home for the Aged, 2 Woolcott St Earlwood
  • Admission: Free

This year’s Australia Day celebration at The Greek Community Home for the Aged is more than just a barbecue – it’s a moment to celebrate unity, embrace cultural diversity, and strengthen the sense of belonging for all Australians.

Stefanos Tsitsipas promises to return to meet GCM school students

The Greek Herald
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Stefanos Tsitsipas promises to return to meet GCM school students

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) recently welcomed Stefanos Tsitsipas to the Greek Centre ahead of the Australian Open.

GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, Vice President Michael Karamitos, Treasurer A/Prof Marinis Pirpiris, and Board Member Manuel Tsirmiris along with GCM staff warmly greeted the tennis star. They engaged in a heartfelt discussion about his connection to Melbourne and the Greek community.

Stefanos Tsitsipas visited the Greek Centre in Melbourne. All photos: Astrini Kopeloudi- Wallace.

Stefanos shared that he was thrilled to return to Melbourne, sharing his deep affection for the city which he has described in previous interviews as feeling “like home.”

During his visit, he expressed enthusiasm about being surrounded by fellow Greeks, adding, “Their support and cheers from the sidelines give me strength.”

During his time at the Greek Centre, Stefanos also vowed to return to Melbourne to meet with students from the GCM schools.

Stefanos Tsitsipas visited the Greek Centre in Melbourne. All photos: Astrini Kopeloudi- Wallace.
SONY DSC

He expressed his passion for language and education, emphasising the importance of staying connected to his roots and inspiring the next generation of Greek Australians. This commitment further solidified his bond with the community and highlighted his genuine appreciation for their unwavering support.

Mr Papastergiadis was delighted with the Greek tennis star’s return to the Greek Centre, saying, “We are thrilled that Stefanos and his team selected to use the Greek Community’s Centre for their media interviews and commitments.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas visited the Greek Centre in Melbourne. All photos: Astrini Kopeloudi- Wallace.

“The Greek Centre is a cultural landmark and beacon for Greeks from all over the world that we hope is welcoming to all. Stefanos was fantastic and his genuine interest in our schools’ program was well received by my Board colleagues and our staff,” Papastergiadis added.

“Although Stefanos was knocked out early in the Australian Open, he knows he has a second home at the Greek Community of Melbourne, and we hope to expand our relationship with him on our educational initiatives. This includes hopefully a potential involvement in our Melbourne University Hellenic Global Diaspora Program.”

The GCM looks forward to further opportunities to collaborate with and support Stefanos as he continues to inspire and unite Greeks worldwide.

‘Special Ks’ street art a huge hit in Melbourne’s iconic Hosier Lane

Andriana Simos
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‘Special Ks’ street art a huge hit in Melbourne’s iconic Hosier Lane

A larger-than-life poster featuring the ‘Special Ks’ – Australian Open 2022 men’s doubles champions Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios – has popped up at Melbourne’s iconic Hosier Lane.

Produced by bespoke network Yitonia alongside artist John Barrett, the poster showcases the moment Kyrgios and Kokkinakis celebrated their AO men’s doubles victory back in 2022.

yitonia special ks hosier lane melbourne
The artwork.
yitonia special ks hosier lane melbourne
John Barrett.

“We really wanted to encapsulate the attitude that Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have,” John told The Greek Herald about the creative work.

“I really like that they’re so entertaining, so when they came together as a doubles team, we sort of wanted to bring that personality off the court and into the design.”

After six months of creative brainstorming with the Yitonia team, John’s vision finally came to life and the poster is now on display at Hosier Lane, an iconic place in Melbourne known for its graffiti and street art.

“The poster is a couple of metres tall and it’s just really surreal seeing it up in Hosier Lane. The street is so synonymous with artwork in Melbourne so seeing your own work there is a bit of a weird feeling,” John said.

yitonia special ks hosier lane melbourne
yitonia special ks hosier lane melbourne

Yitonia’s Dean Kotsianis added that he loved collaborating with John on the creative work and seeing it on display was exciting.

“It was pretty obvious to us that some of the main personalities of the Australian Open are Kyrgios and Kokkinakis… so it was kind of a no-brainer that we’d collaborate on something like that,” Dean said.

“It’s a little bit creative, a little bit different. Melbourne is known for its street art, it’s a language we speak down here, so that’s what kind of inspired it as well.”

yitonia special ks hosier lane melbourne
yitonia special ks hosier lane melbourne
Yitonia’s Dean Kotsianis helps install the artwork.

As for whether John and Dean hope the poster gets the attention of the ‘Special Ks’ themselves, they remained hopeful.

“That would be cool, no doubt,” Dean said, while John added, “That’s the goal, we’d love to seem them get around it!”

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, you heard it here first!

Greek Consul General in Sydney meets with youth from Diaspora Symposium

Andriana Simos
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Greek Consul General in Sydney meets with youth from Diaspora Symposium

The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, recently hosted a meeting with participants from the 1st Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium which took place in Athens, Greece on 27–28 November 2024.

During the meeting, the young participants aged 18–25 shared their enthusiasm for the Symposium and their memorable experiences in Greece.

The two-day Symposium, titled “Diaspora Dialogues: Connecting Young Voices around the World,” was organised by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora 2024-2027.

The initiative provided a unique opportunity for participants to connect with their Greek heritage, engage in cultural exchanges, and form lasting friendships with peers from around the globe.

Victoria’s Liberal leader and Steve Dimopoulos MP clash over neo-Nazi claims

The Greek Herald
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Victoria’s Liberal leader and Steve Dimopoulos MP clash over neo-Nazi claims

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin has rejected claims by Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Steve Dimopoulos, that he failed to strongly condemn neo-Nazis.

The controversy arose after reports in the Herald Sun linked Battin to a November 2024 rally in his Berwick electorate, where members of the white supremacist National Socialist Network were present. Battin categorically denied inviting the group and stated he left the rally immediately upon recognising their presence.

“There is no place for hate-filled people in our state, period,” Battin said in a statement to the Herald Sun over the weekend.

Steve Dimopoulos MP
Steve Dimopoulos has criticised Brad Battin.

At a press conference on Monday, January 13, Dimopoulos criticised Battin for using “weasel words” and not taking a stronger stance. He accused the Opposition Leader of failing to unequivocally disown neo-Nazis and called for unity against hate.

“He [Battin] needs to step up and say to these people, ‘you are wrong, and you are disgraceful’,” Dimopoulos said.

In response, Battin described Dimopoulos’ remarks as a “political ploy” and defended his record.

“I would never, ever in my life stand beside, near or around a neo-Nazi. I would call them out for the scum they are,” he said. “For Steve Dimopoulos to use this as a political ploy is an absolute disgrace…”

He also criticised the Allan government’s response to rising anti-Semitism, arguing that more proactive measures are needed to ensure the Jewish community feels safe.

Source: Herald Sun

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