Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, both European Union (EU) members, have shown a united front on welcoming Turkey-EU talks.
The leaders made their statements during a press conference after their meeting on Monday at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus.
According to Ekathimerini, both Mitsotakis and Christodoulides said they would re-engage with Turkey, but it would be “gradual” and “reversible” if required.
“Those two words should guide us. We can be optimistic, but we are not naive,” Mitsotakis said.
Ευχαριστώ τον Πρόεδρο της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας @christodulides για τη θερμή υποδοχή. Η Κύπρος υπήρξε εξαρχής συμπαραστάτης μας στη μάχη με τις πυρκαγιές και θέλω να μεταφέρω και πάλι τις θερμές μου ευχαριστίες, αλλά και ολόκληρου του ελληνικού λαού. https://t.co/n6D5OZoVm2pic.twitter.com/2ZMe2fwZNb
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 31, 2023
Division between Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations are an ongoing friction in Cyprus.
For the past two decades, Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership. However, Turkey has continued to advocate for a two-state Cyprus solution, which has been condemned by the EU, Greece and other countries.
“Any partitionist thoughts of two states is completely off any agenda of discussion, and I want to be very clear on that,” Mitsotakis said.
President Christodoulides said re-engaging talks with Turkey also includes “positive moves” over the Cyprus problem.
Australia’s Matildas have put on a clinical performance to smash Canada 4-0 in the Women’s World Cup on Monday night at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium.
Hayley Raso scored twice before Mary Fowler and captain Steph Catley got the remaining goals in an impressive victory for the Australians.
Sydney’s property market is set to heat up with the latest grand opening of Chris Papantoniou’s Century 21 Summit in Toongabbie.
Chris, alongside his wife Madeline and sons Jonathan and Christian, are behind the new business at 28 Aurelia Street in Greater Western Sydney. As Principal, Chris brings close to 35 years experience in real estate to the job, as well as a legal and business background.
“Mum and dad had takeaway shops and cafes, like a lot of Greeks did coming to Australia. So I went to school and in the afternoons and on weekends, I help my parents in the shops. Later, I went to university and completed my Bachelor of Economics degree, before joining my father in the food industry,” Chris explains to The Greek Herald.
During his time supporting his dad, Chris built the business into a thriving enterprise supplying major supermarkets, airlines and franchise retail outlets.
Chris Papantoniou (third from right) with attendees at the relaunch of Century 21 Summit. All photos copyright The Greek Herald.
In 2013, Chris stepped into the law firm established by his mother Stella in 1992, assuming the role of non-solicitor Director, while also resuming his legal studies.
To this day, the Greek Australian is still finishing his law degree, but he’s managed to find a way to combine his love of property, law and finance.
Having spent his whole life looking after properties, Chris wanted to formalise this passion by working in real estate.
After a stint as partner at Century 21 Eternity in Toongabbie, Chris opened up his own franchise with Richardson and Wrench (R&W). He was later contacted by the owners of Century 21 to re-join them and on Thursday, July 27, he finally had his grand opening and relaunched as Century 21 Summit.
The relaunch event was enjoyed by all.Chris’ wife (right) at the relaunch event.
The relaunch was attended by a number of official guests such as the Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Councillor Sameer Pandey, and the CEO of Century 21 Australasia, James Bell. Chris was also supported on the night by his family and team including Peter Kitas and Leo Apostolopoulos.
Mr Bell gave a small address to the crowd and stressed that Century 21 Summit was all about “family.”
“I’m sure the Toongabbie area will be much better off for real estate services by having you with us,” Mr Bell said with reference to Chris and his team.
Century 21 Summit is a family affair. Peter Kitas (left) with his family and friends.
The Lord Mayor of Parramatta congratulated Chris on his grand opening and stressed that “the people involved in the business make the business.”
“I think you have a craft according to your customer base of 30 years in business,” Cr Pandey added.
This was followed by an official ribbon cutting and a plaque presentation, before people enjoyed drinks and canapes.
The Mayor of Parramatta presents a plaque to Chris.Officially cutting the ribbon at the relaunch event.
When The Greek Herald asked Chris at the end of the night how he feels to be relaunching Century 21 Summit, he said he couldn’t believe it.
“It feels like coming home,” Chris said.
“Going into Century 21, it was very family orientated. It was the way I was brought up in running businesses. It’s more about people rather than money. So when the opportunity came to go back to Century 21 I jumped at it. They’re all about people and relationships and that’s really important to me.”
Century 21 Summit can be found at 28 Aurelia Street, Toongabbie, NSW, 2146. You can contact the team via their website: https://bit.ly/3KlJnM2.
2019’s South Australian Woman of the Year, Alexandra Vakitsidou, met with government officials on Thursday, July 27, at the Office of the Deputy Governor of Western Macedonia in her hometown of Florina, Greece.
The Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, Giorgos Kasapidis, the Mayor of Florina, Vassilis Giannakis, the Deputy Regional Governor of Florina, Sotiris Vosdou, and the President of the Local Community of Florina, Kostas Rozas, congratulated Ms Vakitsidou during the meeting for her charitable work in Australia and Florina.
According to Prlogos.gr, Ms Vakitsidou and the Greek officials also discussed strengthening relations with the Greek diaspora for future generations who are born and active abroad to learn about the homeland.
Ms Vakitsidou. Photo: Pontos News
The Deputy Governor of Florina later presented Ms Vakitsidou with statuettes in the local costume of Sitaria, Flambouros and the Macedonian Warriors.
Ms Vakitsidou has been honoured many times in the past for her volunteer work in education, and for the dissemination of Greek culture and Greek tradition.
According to radio-lehovo.gr, Ms Vakitsidou works as a volunteer in three hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia. She became the first Greek female “ambassador” of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was awarded an honorary title for her contribution and charity work.
The Milwaukee Bucks player took to Instagram to share a photograph of himself and his mother walking in Lagos, with a caption that reads: “Finally made it to Nigeria with Mama the Mama.”
The two-time MVP engaged with aspiring young athletes at Rowe Park in Yaba, Lagos State while on his visit.
A TikTok shows Antetokounmpo playing a game of basketball with the young athletes at the Youth Alive Basketball Championship in Lagos.
A rampant Sydney Olympic side secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Central Coast Mariners in round 26 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s action at Belmore Sports Ground.
A couple of familiar faces to Central Coast football were the ones to do the damage with four of the five Sydney Olympic goal scorers having Mariners roots in a dominant display.
Signs were ominous for the visitors from the early stages of the fixture as Sydney Olympic were quick to settle. Creating a few good chances before taking the lead 18 minutes in.
Sam Mcillhatton won the ball in midfield before feeding Adam Parkhouse further forward on the left wing. Parkhouse’s pinpoint cross finding the head of Roy O’Donovan who made no mistake with the finish into the left side of the net in the 18th minute.
That goal was soon followed by further chances to Jakob Cresnar from a Darcy Burgess cut-back a minute later, and a Fabio Ferreira shot which was saved well by Lewis Alvarez in the Mariners goal.
At the other end, Mariners were having occasional chances of their own. Their best of the half falling in the 29th minute when Nicholas Duarte picked out Dylan Susovic with his cross, his header missing wide right.
Olympic were having no such issues creating chances and they doubled their lead before the half hour. Jakob Cresnar with a simple finish in the 29th minute after a keeping error.
Sensing the opportunity for more goals, they found another couple of goals in the 34th and 36th minute. The first from Ferreira after O’Donovan flicked the ball into his path from a long throw on the right. The Portuguese ace with a superb touch and finish around his body.
Then a fourth was added two minutes later, O’Donovan once again playing a part with a backheel assist into the path of Parkhouse who rolled it into the bottom right corner of the net.
Olympic finished the half with another couple of chances before the break with the Mariners holding on.
Four goals down, the Mariners had the first chance of the second half, Aidan Milicevic tried his luck from 25 yards which Christopher Parsons comfortably saved.
Ferreira responded in turn for the hosts in the 60th minute with a volleyed effort seeing a save from Alvarez once again. O’Donovan then followed that up with a header six minutes later which fell to a similar fate.
Mariners were able to claim a goal at the other end however, an attack down the right leading to the ball being squared to Milicevic who finished with a well hit strike into the back of the net on 76 minutes.
While O’Donovan just couldn’t get his second goal, skying an effort from point blank range with just over five minutes left, the cross coming in from the left.
The icing on the cake for the hosts was then applied by Nick Fitzgerald with a minute left in regulation, controlling a Mcillhatton through ball with his chest before applying the finish for his sides fifth goal.
Sydney Olympic have the chance to throw a cat amongst the pigeons in the title race against rivals APIA Leichhardt next week, while Central Coast Mariners host Rockdale Ilinden at home next Sunday.
12-year-old Niki Chrysanthopoulos was attacked by her family’s American Bull Terrier in their home on Thursday, July 27, in Melbourne, Victoria.
The Melbourne girl suffered severe facial injuries after being attacked by the dog, named Ollie, and was rushed to hospital, reported 7News.
On the day of the attack, Niki came home from school and was eating a snack when the dog started growling at her. Niki told him not to growl and leaned forward to give the dog a kiss on the head.
According to Perth News, Ollie latched onto Niki’s face, causing serious injury.
12-year-old Niki Chrysanthopoulos was attacked by her family’s American Bull Terrier in their home on Thursday, July 27.
Part of Niki’s lip was ripped off and her teeth were knocked out of place.
In an interview with 7News, Niki said after the surgery she was “freaking out.”
“I couldn’t look at my face because I was scared to see what I’d look like,” the 12-year-old said.
Niki’s mother, Tanya, said the dog was put down following the attack.
AHEPA NSW’s lease agreement for the Bexley Bowling Club in southern Sydney has been revoked by Bayside Council.
According to council meeting minutes from Wednesday, June 28, Bayside Councillors rejected a request from AHEPA NSW to “amend their Agreement for License and Lease dated 6 May 2021 (AFL) to modify their rescission rights…”
The Councillors instead agreed to “rescind the AFL by providing written notice” to AHEPA NSW.
Members of AHEPA NSW made it known to The Greek Herald that they will challenge this decision by Bayside Council in court.
Keys to the Bexley Bowling Club were handed over to executive members of the organisation in November last year.
Celebrity chef, George Calombaris, publicly responded over the weekend to a negative Google review of his restaurant, The Hellenic House Project (THHP), in Highett, south east of Melbourne.
Calombaris publicly called out the one star Google review as “racist” on his Instagram page, Ninereported.
The diner claimed in their review that their night at THHP was the “worst ‘non’ dining experience ever” and it was “far from” an “‘authentic Greek’ experience.”
“Practically none of the staff were Greek (including the Manager who was of Indian descent) and the menu didn’t reflect what has been posted online,” the review reads.
The diner allegedly didn’t receive their food for 45 minutes and it was revealed that the manager “forgot” to put in the order, according to Nine.
The diner called out Calombaris in the review to say “this place is a joke” and “you’ve certainly got a few people fooled,” leaving one star in food, service and atmosphere.
In response to the Google review, Calombaris said in his Instagram post: “Yes my manager is Indian.”
“You don’t have to speak Greek or be a Greek to work at THHP. You just have to be a good human. I am so proud of my team. I hate racism,” the chef added.
Calombaris also pubically banned the diner from returning to THHP.
Celebrity chefs, such as Manu Feildel and Gary Mehigan, as well Celebrity Masterchef contestant Nicholas Fredrick Riewoldt, commented on the Instagram post in support of Calombaris.
Grants of up to $10,000 are available to fund programs focused on getting older people out and about during the 2024 NSW Seniors Festival.
NSW Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said the $200,000 NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program helps organisations deliver engaging activities for people aged 60 and over to keep them active and connected to their communities.
“We would love to see as many organisations and local councils as possible apply for these grants and plan exciting events for seniors to enjoy across the state,” Minister Harrison said.
“The Seniors Festival is a wonderful time of the year, and we want to make sure older people are treated to a diverse selection of activities such as art, sport, music, technology, travel, recreation, and health.
“We know connection is so important as we age, and the NSW Seniors Festival is a great way to encourage seniors to get out and meet like-minded friends in their communities, while participating in the various activities on offer.”
Previous grant recipients delivered a wide range of activities from dance classes to modified sports, computer classes and gardening workshops.
“The Seniors Festival celebrates the valuable contribution seniors make to families and our community as volunteers, role models and carers,” Minister Harrison added.
