London Greek Radio

Hundreds of tributes have been paid to 18-year-old British Cypriot George Zographou after he died in hospital after contracting meningitis.

A Bristol student who died after contracting meningitis was a star student and had done well in his A levels.

George Zographou – better known as Zoggy to his close friends – died on Wednesday, August 16, after falling ill at the Boardmasters Festival in Newquay last Saturday.

The pupil at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College had been due to collect his A level results on Thursday with his close friends and family.

But tragedy struck on the weekend and he fell into a coma and was brought to Royal Cornwall Hospital.

He died around 1.40pm on Wednesday. Instead of huge celebrations, there was a sombre mood at St Brendan’s today as his close friends collected their results.

Instead of huge celebrations, there was a sombre mood at St Brendan’s today as his close friends collected their results.

Michael Jaffrain, principal of the college, said his staff had been left in tears at the news and called it a day of ”great achievement and sadness”.

He added: ”George would have done really well in his A level results, and he had done really well in his GCSEs.

”We briefed the staff first thing in the morning about the situation and we had extra members of staff on hand to provide support to the pupils.

”There were also three members of Public Health England in a room in case there were any questions from parents, pupils and staff who were trying to understand what happened.

”Many of hi Mr Jaffrain paid tribute to the talented young man, who was also a brilliant striker for local teams in Bristol.

”He was very academic – popular and clever – and in terms of his studies he was very interactive in class.

”We had teachers in tears today when they heard about it. We rang the teachers that taught him over the last few years to update them about the situation.

”It’s terrible.

”He was a popular pupil among his peers and teachers, and really nice and just a really good boy.

”George would have done well today.”His friends signed a book of condolences.”

His friends signed a book of condolences.”

They wrote: ”Very sad news.

”On the eve of A Level results day, we are very sad to hear the shocking news of the death of a former student.

”George Zographou was a much admired student, a talented sportsman and academic and a good friend to many. He left Colston’s after achieving a great set of GCSE grades and then attended St Brendan’s.

He left Colston’s after achieving a great set of GCSE grades and then attended St Brendan’s.

”He was taken ill earlier this week with meningitis and passed away today.

”Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Here at London Greek Radio, our thoughts are with George’s family at this time.

Article written by London Greek Radio

Actress Zoe Laskari, best known for her stellar performances in Greek films of the late 1960s, has died at the age of 72.

According to reports, Laskari was found dead at her home in the coastal resort of Porto Rafti, east of Athens, on Friday 18th August.

The cause of her death has not been released.

Crowned a beauty queen in 1959 at the age of just 15, she made her debut appearance in Greek cinema two years later in Katiforo (Downhill), a film by the prolific Greek producer Filopimin Finos.

Some of her later movies were Stefania (1966) and Oi Thalassies Oi Hadres (The Blue Beads) (1967). Other Laskari film hits included Nomos 4000 (Law 4000), Merikoi To Protimoun Kryo (Some Like It Cold), Koritsia Gia Filima (Girls Made For Kissing), Dakrya Gia Tin Ilektra (Tears For Electra), Mia Kyria Sta Bouzoukia (A Lady At The Greek Bouzoukia) and Marijuana Stop.

Her stage work included famous plays like Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? the ancient Greek tragedy The Trojan Women by Euripides and Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park. Laskari’s first television appearance was her leading role in the TV series Romaios Kai Loulieta in 1976.

In 1985, at the age of 41, she became the first major movie star to take her clothes off for a legendary Playboy (Greek edition) shooting. She was reportedly paid an obscene amount of money for her appearance on the magazine’s cover.

Laskari, whose real name was Zoe Kouroukli, is survived by her two daughters, Martha Koutoumanou and Maria-Eleni Lykourezou, and her husband, the prominent lawyer Alexandros Lykourezos.

Here at London Greek Radio would like to extend our condolences to her friends and family.

Article written by London Greek Radio

GREECE edged out Great Britain in tight EuroBasket warm-up…

Our own UK Greeks/Cypriots fan-base whipping up an electrifying atmosphere…

In front of nearly 5,000 fans representing both teams, Greece pulled out a nail biter of a win with Britain showing a worldwide audience just what they can do, in an 84-88 defeat.

GB trailed 84-83 with 24 seconds remaining and stole the ball, but missed a shot and a free throw, with Greece’s four free throws sealing the game.

Dan Clark had 23 points to lead GB’s scoring, with Gabe Olaseni and Luke Nelson adding 20 and 13 points respectively.

The defeat is GB’s fifth in their warm-up games for next month’s EuroBasket finals.

On a four-game losing streak after a 72-68 behind-closed-doors loss on Friday to their visitors, GB looked eager to make a mark early but had to come from behind to share the first quarter 22-22.

Greece were missing four regulars, including NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and two other starters, but their wealth of talent – almost the entire squad plays in the continent’s top league, the Euroleague – meant they were still tough opponents for head coach Joe Prunty’s team.

That showed in the second quarter as centre George Papagiannis, fed by classy point guard Kostas Sloukas, ignited a 10-0 run for a 32-25 lead before Gabe Olaseni and newcomer Luke Nelson brought GB back to lead briefly, 40-39 on Nelson’s assured three-pointer.

Down by two points at the break, GB slipped further behind before a storming 14-1 run, inspired by veteran Kieron Achara, brought GB a 65-59 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The return of Sloukas and increased defensive intensity gave the visitors an 11-0 start to the final quarter.

GB set up the chance of an unlikely win with a run of five unanswered point in the last two minutes, but Nelson’s drive and shot missed, and when Andrew Lawrence missed a free throw with six seconds remaining, Greece escaped to another win over their hosts.

Article written by London Greek Radio

A Greek woman was among those injured in yesterday’s vehicle attack in the Spanish city of Barcelona that left 13 people dead and dozens injured.

“She is in the city’s hospital in a critical condition”, a close relative told Greek private tv station SKAI.

The relative added that the unfortunate woman “was planning to leave Barcelona the next day.”

All Cypriot tourists who are in Barcelona on organized trips via travel agencies in Cyprus, are accounted for and are all in good health, the Head of the Cypriot Travel Agencies has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the country’s News Agency.

The Embassy of Cyprus in Madrid has contacted all Cypriots who reside permanently in Barcelona and so far there has been no information about any of them being among the victims.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has condemned the “heinous terrorist act” in Barcelona.

‘Condemning in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist act in #Barcelona. My sincere condolences to the government & people of #Spain’ he wrote in his personal account on twitter.

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos expressed his disgust at the “barbarous terrorist attack” in a message of condolences to Spanish King Felipe VI and the Spanish people.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed “solidarity with the Spanish people and sympathy with the families of the victims.”

Article written by LGR

Our very own UK Greeks/Cypriots celebrate August 15^th or Dekapentavgoustos

Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos or the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God on August 15^th or Dekapentavgoustos each year.

It is a national and religious holiday (in Greece and Cyprus) including our very own UK Greek & Cypriot community, attending local Church services. That marks the ”falling asleep,” repose or kimisis of the Virgin Mary, mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Feast also commemorates the Assumption of the body of the Theotokos into heaven.

The Greek Orthodox believe the doctrine of the Assumption, which teaches that at the end of her life, Mary, the mother of Christ, was taken body and soul (i.e. both physically and spiritually) into heaven to live with her son Jesus Christ, forever.

(Pic) Thank you to Fr Joseph Paliouras from The 12 Apostles,
Greek Orthodox Church, Hertfordshire, 15th August 2017

Article written by London Greek Radio

Forty-three years ago to this day the Turkish military launched its second offensive against the Republic of Cyprus, in full violation of international law, including the UN Charter, despite the ceasefire that had been agreed.

The Turkish army invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and launched the second phase of the invasion on August 14 of the same year, occupying the best part of Mesaoria, Famagusta, Karpasia and Morphou.

The Turkish side continues to disregard calls by the international community relating to Cyprus and continues to hold the city of Famagusta hostage of its illegal military occupation. Dubbed a “ghost town”, Famagusta’s fenced off section – called Varosha – remains to this day deserted, abandoned to the elements.

Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. Two unproductive conferences in Geneva followed; the first between Britain, Greece and Turkey and the second with the additional attendance of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives. Three weeks after the ceasefire of July 22, and despite the fact that talks were still being held and just as an agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive. As a result, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta in the east and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou in the west.

All in all, almost 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation. Nearly one-third of the population, some 200,000 Greek Cypriots, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties, thousands were killed during the hostilities, over 1,000 persons were listed as missing while thousands of Greek Cypriots and Maronites remained enclaved.

Numerous UN resolutions have demanded respect to the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, the return of the displaced to their homes, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, but all resolutions have been ignored by Turkey.

The latest effort to reach a Cyprus settlement was concluded last month in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana without result. Cyprus Since then, President Nicos Anastasiades repeatedly said that he is ready to return to the negotiating table if Turkey accepts the termination of guarantees and intervention rights and is ready to withdraw its troops from the island.

Article written by CNA

”The one I’ve been waiting for and finally won best gentlemen’s stylist 2017!”

Tas Anastasis Panteli had written on his Facebook Page, celebrating receiving a gold award from this year’s British Hair and Beauty Awards.

He couldn’t hold back his excitement at the award Greek Cypriot hairdresser Tas is the proprietor of Pure Hair and Beauty Enfield and has long participated in the English awards.

Tas registered for the Best Male Grooming Barber Grooming/Barber award back in March shortlisted by the judges down to the final five through reviews and industry achievements over the last year.

Tas speaking to London Greek Radio described the decision-making process of the judges in the Final:

”For the first Round judges look at all entered salons and look at salon/individuals reviews, Round 2 would consist of mystery clients whether it be a haircut or even stopping by salons for advice and judging the service they received during their experience.”

What would have been the criteria they scored the finalists?

”The judges have a pre defined criteria to score each finalist by, all judges score independently and don’t work in a group to score the finalist. This year the awards had 5 judges scoring the finals who would submit their score to be added up and the highest collective score would be awarded GOLD, Silver or Bronze. This year I did try to be different I included a variety of haircuts from young and trendy to old and stylish and I also used different hair types and race to show how diverse my style can be. I also included a lot about me and what I have done in the industry and to help others with my skills, I have spent time at the homeless shelter cutting hair for the homeless and I have also visited local collages to teach students different haircuts and share my knowledge of experience with them.”

Tas, what does winning the award mean to you?

”Winning the award for me was a great recognition of the passion I have for my industry and profession, goes to show you don’t have to be a massive west end salon to be recognised! But it has taken a long time but I enter every year and make it to the finals of the English hair and beauty award, but don’t win! But now we pick up the British award so goes to show if you stay focused on what you want it eventually comes to you.”

If you were ever offered it, would you ‘say Yes!’ to being rewarded your own hairdressing reality programme on television…

”I think a reality TV show in a hair salon would be hilarious especially if they focus on all the customers coming in and out, I can tell you some really funny stories and I’ve also had some cringe worth conversations with clients over their private life’s but would all make good viewing.”

And a ‘fun’ question, which famous Greek or Cypriot singer/celebrity would you like to cut their hair?

”So many of our singers I’d love to get in the salon chair both male and female some because they are great singers and others because I would love to sort their hair out! But the main one would be Paschalis Terzis as he’s one of my favourite singers plus his eyebrows always look like they need a trim!”

Here at London Greek Radio would like to congratulate Tas, on receiving his award and may he long continue to prove he is a ‘cut above the others’.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

Arleta, the iconic singer songwriter of the New Wave Movement of the 1960’s ‘Neo Kyma’ has died at the age of 72. She passed away in the intensive care unit of an Athens hospital where she had been receiving treatment after suffering a severe stroke.

Arleta was born in Athens in 1945. Her real name was Ariadne Nicoleta Tsapra. She studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts. She published her first album of her own creation (A Hat with Songs) in 1960. She is well-known for the songs ‘Mia Fora Thimame’, ‘Serenata’, ‘To Leei Kai To Tragoudi’, ‘Ta Mikra Paidia’, ‘Ta Isiha Vradia’, ‘Bar To Navagio’, and ‘Tsai Giasemiou’.

Amid the early 1960’s launching her music career, she had collaborated with famous Greek composers like Mikis Theodorakis, Giannis Spanos, and Manos Hatzidakis.

Her songs have been performed on the alternative Greek music scene ‘Bouat’ in Athens.

Article written by London Greek Radio

The 19th World Conference of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), the International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the World Conference of Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) is taking place in Nicosia, between August 21-24.

According to a relevant announcement, distributed by PIO, the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will open the conference on the evening of August 21.

Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Affairs Fotis Fotiou, House President Demetris Syllouris, Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of issues of Greeks abroad, Terence Quick will also address the conference.

Heads of POMAK Andreas Papaevripides, PSEKA Philip Christopher, and NEPOMAK Antonia Savvides will also speak during the event.

It is added that the Central Council of Overseas Cypriots will be received by President Anastasiades, at the Presidential Palace. Moreover, members will be briefed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy and Finance, as well as by the Presidential Commissioner on issues of their competence.

Leaders or representatives of political parties will address the Conference’s second day, while Overseas Cypriots will also meet with other governmental and non-governmental authorities.

A press conference is scheduled on Thursday, August 24, at the Filoxenia Conference Center.

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The process for a Cyprus settlement which ended in Crans-Montana can be resurrected but this will not happen by the UN but through an agreement by the sides, UNSG`s Special Adviser on Cyprus said on Thursday after a farewell meeting he had with Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades.

Asked if the UN believe that  the negotiating process which ended in Crans-Montana is dead or can be extended, Eide said that the process that led in Crans-Montana ended in Crans-Montana, and that was what the SG said but that doesn`t mean that it cannot be resurrected.

“What I am saying and I think the leaders agree with – I am not speaking on their behalf but it is my sense that it is a shared understanding – that it will not be resurrected by the UN. The resurrection will have to happen from here in harmony and through agreement by the sides. and if they agree the SG is there,” he noted.

Asked if it is difficult now to have a new process or a new attempt, Eide said that “you should not give up hope. On the other hand, I cannot with confidence say that I think it is just around the corner. We are here to help. We will always be available and the SG has said that he remains available if the sides want it.”

“We are not planning an initiative. I think that`s natural. We had Crans-Montana. We believe that we did what we would to facilitate this process but if there is a shared, joint request by the sides and by the guarantors, the UN of course – it is part of its mandate – would be available to help. But the decision has to be made here,” he noted, adding that the international community now needs to be convinced that there is a real intent to try again.

He said that if ever a new chance comes along in the future, it would be good to preserve as much as possible the Guterres framework which is the outcome of months of preparation. “If we were able to answer those six questions at the same time, simultaneously, I think we would have a strategic deal. But I don`t think you should give up with the idea,” he said.

Eide said that this was his last meeting in this format with Anastasiades. He noted that they had a good, friendly conversation about their shared experience in this process.

He said he has mixed feelings about leaving Cyprus. “I think we achieved a lot in this process and I think that Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akinci with our help and with all the international support and the support from people here in Cyprus managed to bring this process further than any pair of leaders before them,” Eide noted.

At the same time, he added, “we cannot hide the fact that we did not succeed in solving the problem. I would rather leave after having assisted the leaders in actually achieving a settlement that could be implemented.”

He noted that these are large and complicated issues and that what`s left of this phase is a better understanding of where an agreement could be found, if ever there will be a new attempt and if somebody would try again, I hope that the achievements that have been achieved over these past years, particularly the past 27 months which is the time that the Anastasiades-Akinci talks started in May 2015 till Crans-Montana and the conclusion of the Conference on Cyprus.

“We want to record all these and we will make sure in the report that I will submit – I will work with the SG and then he will submit it to be more formal to the SC. We will take down all that we can say of course respecting the boundaries of the sides. We will try to record all that was achieved and also where we think we could have been going so that the work has not been lost,” the diplomat said.

Eide refrained from responding to a question about the Turkish stance during the last dinner in Crans-Montana, noting that things have been said about that and he does not think it would contribute to anything to continue that now.

He said that his focus now is to finalise his job here with the reports to the SC, noting that they will make a public report and their own internal lesson learned.

Asked about his message for the Cypriots, he said that Cyprus is a great country with a rich culture and with the benefit of having the potential of being a united country with several rich cultures coinciding.

He expressed the conviction that Cyprus would be better off united. “I think you would be stronger together, I think you will be richer together, economically but also culturally, you will be safer together,” he noted.

He stressed that it is up to the Cypriots, who “need  to take their faith in their own hands. We cannot do it for them. We are not asked to do it for them. We are asked to be here and be helpful as facilitators but at the end of the day it is up to the Cypriots and the leaders of course like Mr. Anastasiades and Mr. Akinci”, noting also the role of the society.

If people want change, they need to stand up for change, he stressed, noting that this is not the only legitimate view and that it is not illegitimate to think that things are better as they are, but he disagrees with this.

He said that he has been strengthened in his conviction that a united federal Cyprus is the best option for all the people in Cyprus.

Referring to his cooperation with the leaders, the negotiators and their negotiating teams, Eide said that the fact that they sometimes disagree on certain issues is normal, because you cannot expect an envoy to be constantly in full agreement with both sides if they are in disagreement with each other.

“Overall we have developed a high degree of respect for each other. I think I have learned to understand at least some of the particular sensitivities that comes with being a Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot or Greek Cypriot, and things that might easy from the outside are less easy when you see it from the inside. And I say that with empathy and understanding”, he noted.

Eide also said that when Cypriots discuss the future it is relatively easy to discuss future arrangements, when they discuss the present it becomes a little bit more difficult and when they try to agree on the past it is absolutely impossible.

He brought as an example the settlement of property issues, “where you have strong personal memories of loss on both sides” and the past comes back into the present .

He also said that everyone should be critical of their own efforts and that “one thing we could collectively collect upon, that means the UN and the sides and everybody involved, is that maybe this process was too secretive”.

Eide said that given that it took quite some time, maybe it would be better with hindsight to have some more transparency and some more sharing of what was actually happening.

The fact that even though a lot of progress was made, they were unable to say what that progress was made people, understandably, suspicious, he explained. It also made it easier for those people who have the conviction that there should not be a solution to tear it apart and take it down, he added.

Eide said that you either have a short, quick and effective secret process or you have a long and more transparent process.

The Norwegian diplomat said that some more involvement by the broader society would have been helpful, noting that civil society came on the stage relatively late. He noted that he knows many-many people on the economic side, business leaders, trade union leaders who were determined to help for a settlement but who didn`t want to raise their voice.

Eide noted that more work could have been done to prepare the people for the reality that a solution will not be absolutely perfect from either side. “A solution entails an element of compromise. You have to accommodate and meet each other,” he said.

Asked if it was a mistake that the security issue was left to be discussed at the end of the process, Eide noted that they were engaging with it for years in a brainstorming format and in a shuttling format.

He said that there was a concept available for a fundamental change in the 1960 system, a fundamental change in the system of guarantees, an end of the right of intervention, a massive reduction of troops but also that would entail a security structure which with some foreign involvement, UN, EU and others, that would be helpful in alleviating the fears of both communities.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.  The latest round of the UN-backed Cyprus talks in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, ended inconclusively. The peace talks under the auspices of the UN aim at reuniting the island under a federal roof.

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