The Hellenic Armed Forces has refused to accept most of the offered weapon systems from US stockpiles due to high refurbishment costs.
In January, US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken sent a letter to the PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis informing him of the Washington’s approval of the sale of the F-35 fighter jets to Greece.
According to Ekathimerini, the Hellenic Navy decided to decline the four LCS frigates offered by the US, as they were older versions and would require substantial resources to make operational.
Greece and the US conducting joint military exercises in May three years ago. Credit. GEETHA.
The only part of the Blinken package, expected to be completed without issues, is the purchase of the 20 F-35 fighter jets. It also remains to be seen if Athens will participate in the Constellation frigate program.
As a result, negotiations between the Greek and American sides have stagnated, with Athens trying to secure concessions on some lesser portable weapons systems.
“Greece strongly condemns today’s missile attacks by Russia in several Ukrainian cities, especially on Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt children’s hospital.
The attacks which resulted in numerous dead and wounded civilians constitute another grave violation of international humanitarian law,” read the announcement. “Greece will continue to support Ukraine and stand by its people,” it concluded.
Ohmatdyt – Ukraine's biggest children's hospital known for its cancer treatment was hit today during a massive Russian missile attack on Ukrainian cities, including its capital Kyiv. Across the country over thirty people were killed.
According to Ekathimerini, the Russian missile attack on Monday morning killed at least 36 people and injured more than 150 others throughout Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian officials, one of the Russian missiles targeted Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, leading President Zelesnky to convene an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
Moscow has denied striking the children’s hospital, claiming it was hit by a Ukrainian air defense missile.
Harry Fatouros has officially opened his new photography exhibition titled ‘Monash University Memories: Student Life & Migrant Stories – 1960s & 70s‘ at the City of Monash Civic Centre Gallery in Glen Waverly, Victoria.
Running until September 30, the photographic exhibition showcases a series of images taken in the late 1960s around Monash University, Clayton, and various Melbourne suburbs.
All photos supplied by Harry Fatouros.
The photographs offer a glimpse into student life at Monash and the experiences of European migrants and their children who settled in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s.
Most of the students in the photos came from disadvantaged and migrant backgrounds and through gaining an education at Monash were able to move into the professions and make a significant contribution to society.
Antonis, Evangelos & Andreas – three Greek men who arrived in Melbourne from Lefkada in 1956, all with children who gained degrees at Monash Uni, Clayton in the early 1970s. Photo supplied.
The exhibited images comprise a collection developed from 35mm black and white negatives taken with a Pentax Spotmatic camera and Kodak TriX film. Over five decades, these negatives survived travels from the Monash Halls of residence to various homes from Brunswick to Vermont South to undergo digitisation during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
During the official opening, a speech was given by Jacqui Dynan, the Cultural Development and Events Coordinator of the City of Monash. People mingled and had refreshments while being entertained with Greek music by Spiro from Spiros Entertainment. Two people later danced the Zorba and Spiro & Chris gave a rendition of ‘Hotel California’ Greek style.
‘Monash University Memories: Student Life & Migrant Stories – 1960s & 70s’ will be on show at City of Monash Civic Centre Gallery (293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverly, Victoria) until September 30. Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 8.30am to 5pm.
The Justice for Cyprus Co-ordinating Committee (SEKA NSW) held a fundraising luncheon on Sunday, July 7 at The Cyprus Community Club in Stanmore, Sydney.
The proceeds from the day will go towards commemoration events for the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
The luncheon, emceed by Ellise Voulgarakis, featured a lineup of distinguished speakers and guests, underscoring the strong community support for SEKA NSW.
More than 300 people attended the luncheon.The luncheon was emceed by Ellise Voulgarakis.
Among the notable dignitaries in attendance were Panikos Achilleos, President of the Cyprus Hellene Club, George Angelopoulos from SAE, and George Tsanis of the Pan-Macedonian Association of New South Wales.
Dr Miranda Adamou, President of SEKA NSW, delivered a compelling speech, highlighting the organisation’s ongoing efforts to achieve justice for Cyprus 50 years after the Turkish invasion of the island.
The President of PASEKA, Chris Koulinos, the President of the Cyprus Community of NSW, Michael Kyriakou, Themis Kallos from SBS Radio, and Ellie Stassi also spoke, emphasising the importance of unity and collaboration within the Cypriot Australian community.
Michael Kyriakou.Ellie Stassi.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of an award to Dr Adamou for her dedicated services to SEKA NSW, recognising her significant contributions to the Justice for Cyprus cause.
Dr Miranda Adamou was presented with an award.
Additionally, attendees were treated to a moving documentary titled “Η ιστορία μου / My History” created by primary school children from Aradippou, Cyprus. The documentary showcased the children’s perspectives and stories, adding a heartfelt and personal touch to the event.
The luncheon also featured a documentary screening.
The SEKA NSW luncheon not only celebrated the organisation’s achievements but also strengthened the bonds within the community, marking it as a memorable and impactful occasion.
SEKA NSW has organised a full program of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on Sunday, July 28. Full program here.
Melbourne’s newly crowned Lord Mayor Nick Reece pledged on Sunday to make the city cleaner, safer and greener as part of his campaign to retain the top job at the October council elections this year.
Reece was presented with the mayoral robes and gold chains on Tuesday after four years as Sally Capp’s loyal deputy.
In an interview with the Herald Sun, Reece confirmed he will run for Lord Mayor at the upcoming council elections, and laid out his long-term vision for the city.
If elected, Reece promised to dedicate $10 million to illuminating the city in a bid to increase safety and boost night-time trading.
“I will do whatever it takes to make sure Melbourne is safe and clean,” he told the Herald Sun.
It is the honour of my life to serve the city that I love.
I will be a responsive and action-driven Lord Mayor – and I will work hard every single day to make life better for the people of Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/laZYrWDp8Q
— Nick Reece – Lord Mayor of Melbourne (@LordMayorMelb) July 2, 2024
The Lord Mayor added that his priorities include improving the city’s economy, investing in more green spaces, and ensuring Melbourne has a well-run Town Hall and balanced budget. For the first time in five years, the City of Melbourne wrangled its 2024-25 budget back in the black, with a “modest surplus” of $101,000.
With only about 100 days until the election in October, Reece has a limited amount of time as Lord Mayor to woo voters, but he’s confident people will know his priorities and vision.
Reece now joins pollster Gary Morgan and Labor’s Phil Reed in the mayoral race.
With the battlelines being drawn up, Reece credits his wife Felicity Pantelidis and three daughters, aged 16, 14 and 11, with keeping him “sane.”
“I actually can’t put into words how much I love my family,” he said. “They are literally my everything and without them, I am nothing. They’re there at the start of the day, there at the end of the day.
“It’s fair to say, as the father of three daughters, they keep me well and truly grounded.”
Led by Associate Professor George Frazis, the students are visiting Greece to learn about Greek culture, history and language. They are taking part in the University’s Greek In-Country language program which gives people over 18 years of age a chance to experience Greek culture first-hand.
The program runs from June 29 to July 18 and includes Kalymnos and other Greek islands, Athens, and a study trip in the northern mainland region of Macedonia.
So far, the students have visited the Embassy of Australia in Greece and met with Ambassador Alison Duncan and Greece’s Secretary General for Greeks Abroad, John Chrysoulakis.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Chrysoulakis said he hopes to expand the University’s Greek In-Country language program in collaboration with the Australian Embassy. He also said other Australian universities are planning similar initiatives in Greece.
During their trip, the students have also enjoyed the second day of the 4th International Conference on the Hellenic Diaspora at the University of the Aegean in Rhodes on June 29. The third day will be hosted by the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki on July 12.
The conference, which first began in 2017, is an interdisciplinary collaboration between CDU, the University of the Aegean, and the University of Macedonia in Greece.
It highlights research from individuals around the world on the Greek language, literature, identity and culture, migration, history of the Greek diaspora in Australia, experiences and perspectives of Hellenes and First Nations Australians.
The conference began earlier this year in Darwin with the launch of the publication of Perspectives on the Hellenic Diaspora Volume 3, which covers research presented at the 2022 conference as well as other academic papers.
South Melbourne FC took another small step towards reclaiming the NPL Victoria premiership title, defeating Dandenong Thunder 1-0 on Sunday night to extend their lead at the top of the table by seven points.
During the match at Lakeside Stadium, Esteban Quintas’ team gave a performance that showed they have the spirit to conquer the top spot for the second time in the last three years.
South Melbourne’s Harrison Sawyer scored the decisive goal in the 25th minute with an individual effort, driving past defenders and slotting the ball into the net.
Both teams had many complaints and protests about the refereeing, as they believed they were denied penalties in contentious situations.
In the end, South Melbourne has reached 50 points on the NPL Victoria table after 21 games, while Oakleigh and Avondale have 43 points, five games before the end of the regular season.
NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Peter Boukouvalas along with Laura Paeglis have been selected in the Australian Olympic Team, with both athletes set to make their Olympic debut at Paris’ famed Esplanade des Invalides.
25-year-old Boukouvalas has been selected for the men’s individual event, while 22-year-old Paeglis will take on the women’s individual event in Paris.
The mixed team’s event will then be determined by the top 16 ranked teams based on the combined scores from the individual qualification round.
Sydney-local Boukouvalas said he is honoured to be selected to his first Olympic Team.
“It feels surreal. I am not sure it has fully sunk in yet that I have been selected for my first Olympic Games,” Boukouvalas said.
“I have just been so focused on the task at hand, which was to qualify, so I haven’t had the chance to stop and fully appreciate what I have been able to achieve.
“To wear the Olympic Rings and the green and gold has always been a dream of mine, I am really looking forward to just taking it all in, enjoying everything the Olympics has to offer and savouring every moment I am there.”
Paris 2024 marks the 14th consecutive Olympic Games in which Australia will compete in archery, continuing our legacy that began at the Munich 1972 Games.
South Australia’s Minister for Transport, Tom Koutsantonis has spearheaded the push to install new protective screens in buses across the state to keep bus drivers safe from violence.
According to The Advertiser, stainless-steel and polycarbonate screens will be installed on 940 Adelaide Metro buses over four years to protect drivers from violent passengers. They are designed to not break when pulled.
Mr Koutsantonis said this new tech was a “long time coming” given the “worrying increase in assaults on our drivers in recent times.” 95 assaults on bus drivers were reported in the past 12 months in SA, up from 76 the previous year.
Tom Koutsantonis MP. Photo: AAP/Kelly Barnes.
“People who assault bus drivers are scumbags and are committing aggravated offence that can see them jailed,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“These security upgrades will provide a safer working environment for hardworking bus drivers, protecting them from violent and anti-social behaviour without compromising their ability to do their job.”
Bus services will continue to run as usual during the rollout with high-risk areas set to receive the screens first, Mr Koutsantonis said.
The Greek frigate ‘Psara,’ part of the EU operation in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES), successfully thwarted a four-drone attack against a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden early on Sunday, July 7.
This operation, aimed at protecting merchant vessels from Houthi attacks, demonstrated the effectiveness of the frigate’s anti-drone systems and weaponry.
The ‘Psara’ managed to shoot down two of the UAVs while the remaining two retreated, as confirmed by military sources. The frigate continues its mission in the region following this incident.
This successful defence comes on the heels of a visit to the Greek frigate in Djibouti by Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell on Saturday, July 6, 2024.
I know that we are deploying you to a danger zone; already, this evening you will be escorting a ship through the “High Risk Zone”. Besides the pride I feel in seeing the Greek flag flying on your mast as you sail through the Red Sea, I would like to tell you that this operation… pic.twitter.com/DNAQjLjWkm
During their visit, they were briefed by the frigate’s commander on its operations. Dendias expressed his appreciation for the sailors’ dangerous mission, emphasising the critical importance of ensuring the free passage of shipping to avoid significant economic repercussions.
“If the free passage of shipping is interrupted, the upheaval in markets, the increase of inflation, the loss of jobs, will deeply affect Greek society, will deeply affect European society,” Dendias remarked.
The visit also included meetings with the local commander from the Netherlands and Rear Admiral Vassilios Gryparis, head of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operations. Dendias met with the president of the Greek community in Djibouti, Marios Armenakis. Accompanying the officials were Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis and Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras.
