London Greek Radio

A Cypriot Politician is widening his efforts to save the A level Modern Greek Exam by writing to all the Members of Parliament on the House of Commons Education Select Committee.

Stephen Alambritis is the Aradippou born Council leader at the London Borough of Merton and he has today written to Mr Neil Carmichael MP, the Chair of the Education Select Committee in Parliament.

In his letter to Mr Carmichael (copied to all ten cross party MP’s on the Select Committee) Cllr Alambritis reminded the Education Select Committee Chair of the recent inquiry into the work of Ofqual that his committee was undertaking.

Merton Council Leader Stephen Alambritis

Alambritis stressed the importance of languages in the workplace. He said children of Greek background taking A level language exams have to plan their schooling in advance and it was important to come to a decision on the Modern Greek A level language Exam which is currently in limbo.

Britain’s first ever Cypriot council leader is once more writing to the Chair of Ofqual, Amanda Spielman urging her to announce a permanent decision to help in saving the crucial language exam from abolition by examining authorities. Spielma has only committed to the exams until the Summer of 2019.

Commenting on efforts to save the A Level Cllr Alambritis said “ Members of Parliament on the influential Education Select Committee should be made aware of our plans to save the Greek exam. There are many Greek Community schools that help towards community cohesion in the UK. Working towards the Greek Exam helps our young children of Greek origin and others to develop a lifelong appreciation of the richness of Greek culture. Education Select Committee MP’s will also be aware of the critical importance of language qualifications in the search for work and how prized language skills are by employers both large and small”

The remains of six Greek soldiers who were killed in Cyprus during the period of 1963 and 1967 and the 1974 Turkish invasion and were missing since then, returned to Greece ον Τθεσδαυ after being identified with the DNA method.

Panos Kammenos (L)- Christoforos Fokaides (R)

In the Greek Ministry of Defence in Athens a special ceremony took place in the presence of the Ministers of Defence of Greece and Cyprus, Panos Kammenos and Christoforos Fokaides respectively, members of the Cypriot House Committee on Defence, members of the Greek political parties, as well as relatives and friends of the soldiers.

The Greek state, `with an inexcusable delay of many years` the Greek Minister said, honours today the six Greek soldiers with flags flying at half-mast.

The Cypriot Defence Minister said that “there is no worse time than this one, when a hero returns home dead, dead but immortal`.

`The 6 heroes we welcome today are now deleted from the list of the missing persons, and added to the list of heroes”, he went on to say.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikos Voutsis.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. As a result of the invasion, 1,619 Greek Cypriots were listed as missing, most of whom soldiers or reservists, who were captured in the battlefield.

A Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) was established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning the remains of missing persons to their relatives. According to CMP, the total number of identifications has reached 625, 476 of whom were Greek Cypriots and 149 Turkish Cypriots.

The CMP `s list includes a total of 77 Greek missing persons 73 of whom had gone missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion and 4 of them since the period 1963-`67. The remains of 14 of the 77 have already been identified through DNA testing.

Breakthrough in 1982 Yiannoula Yianni case

There was a development in the unresolved case of a 17 year-old rape and murder in 1982, a man has been arrested in connection with the rape and murder, confirmed Metropolitan Police.

Yiannoula Yianni was found dead at the family house in Belsize Park, which immediately triggered a murder enquiry by the Met on Friday, 13th August 1982.

The 56-year old man, linked to an address in Golders Green, was detained on 12th January, for an unrelated matter. His detection seemed to have come about by matching him on the National DNA database.

The police recollecting the fateful day’s events of 1982, Yiannoula initially spent the morning with her mother, at about 12:30 they walked to nearby family shop where they brought lunch to Yiannoula’s father and brother.

Later, that afternoon 13:30 Yiannoulla had gone back home this time without her mother in order to fix dinner. Her parents returning home made a gruesome discovery only a couple of hours later, found Yiannoula’s body, at 15:00.

Yiannoulla was a pupil of the Quintin Kynaston School, in St John’s Wood, and was employed part-time in Finchley Road’s Woolworth’s branch.

This represents the biggest breakthrough in the case, with police reviewing the case from time to time, and more than 1,000 witness statements have been accounted for in the intervening years.

Det Insp Julie Willats, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “The Met never close unsolved murders and regardless of the passage of time cases can and will be reviewed, for any new opportunities to develop previously unknown lines of enquiry, and follow-up any fresh information which has become known to us.

“Yiannoulla’s family – who understandably are still devastated by the loss of their beloved daughter and sister more than three decades ago – have been fully informed of this new development.”

Epiphany

The 6th January is known as the day of the “feast of Epiphany”. Epiphany comes from the Greek word Epiphaneia (Ἐπιφάνεια), meaning Manifestation.

This is the 12th day of Christmas also known as the end of the festive season. The feast of Epiphany, is a Christian feast that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as human in Jesus Christ.

This day marks two important events. It is the day that the three wise men followed the star to Bethlehem leading them to visit Jesus for the first time when he was revealed to the world. The three wise men were called Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar who brought Jesus gifts of myrrh, frankincense and gold. It is also the day that marks the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. Pope Francis is holding the annual mass today in Vatican City in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome to celebrate these two historical events.

Epiphany is mainly celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It’s a big and important festival in Spain, where it’s also known as ‘The festival of the three Magic Kings’.

According to Greek Orthodox Church’s traditions, a priest will bless the waters by throwing a cross into it as worshippers try to retrieve it. In Prague, there is a traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany Day at the Vltava River.

Kyriacos releases new hit Single…

Since Cypriot singer Kyriacos Georgiou performed at our “End of Summer Party” in September 2015, he has not taken his foot off the accelerator. After visiting London, Kyri spent the intervening few weeks, and months, in Thessaloniki recording and releasing his latest hit.

The E-Single ‘Den Pao Apopse Spiti‘ is an up-beat and catchy Modern Laiko number, co-written by Giannis Iremias and Grigoris Vaxevanelis.

The 22-year-old singer then flew back to London to film the music video to his song featuring Athena Efstathiou, with London as their backdrop and Salih Karakis as the video director.

Fans of Kyriacos Georgiou are expecting exciting things in 2016; Kyri will be performing alongside Despina Vandi, Pantelis Pantelidis and Kostas Martakis, at the Pyli Axiou which is in Thessaloniki, until 9th January.

Kyri will then be travelling to America on the 18th January, going from Miami, to Orlando Florida for a Greek Party on the 31st January. He finally returns to Athens in February, initiating what will be Easter Season at Teatro.

If you have yet to check out the music video for ‘Den Pao Apopse Spiti‘ then stop everything and watch this:

Anaxagoras Hadjigeorghiou is missing from Winchmore Hill

Police appealing for a man of Cypriot origin missing from Winchmore Hill, was last seen at 04:00 hours on Sunday, 3 January. Police have contacted LGR tonight, at about 9:45pm which means he is still missing and his whereabouts is uncertain.

Anaxagoras Hadjigeorghiou, 74, (date of birth is 29^th August 1941), is described as white, 6ft tall of slim build. He has grey hair and grey stubble; he may also be wearing glasses.

He has dementia and may be confused.

LGR was appealing for any news tonight live On-Air on 103.3FM to listeners, broadening that appeal to anybody who might be able to find this gentleman.

If you think you might have any information which might help find Mr Hadjigeorghiou is asked to contact officers at Enfield on 07748 780330 or via 101.

UPDATED… 5th January 2016

Police sources confirmed to LGR Anaxagoras was found safe and well at 4:30 this morning. He walked in to a shop and was recognised by his photograph…

Thank you for the overwhelming reaction to helping to find this gentleman and all of your shares and visits to lgr.co.uk.

Article written by London Greek Radio

The government of Cyprus has clarified that it has not received a proposal to move the Cyprus reunification talks or to have a conference on the issue of guarantees on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In a written statement Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides (pictured) also reiterates the government`s focus on the dialogue and expresses its “determination not to consent to the kind of actions that in essence impede the process that is under way.”

“With regard to the public dialogue that is taking place on the occasion of the invitation to the President of the Republic for Davos, the Government wishes, first of all, to clarify that it has not been the recipient of a proposal for the transfer of the talks (on the Cyprus problem) and/or for the holding of any conference that would concern the issue of guarantees, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos,” Christodoulides notes.

Moreover, he continues, “as the President of the Republic himself has also made clear, at the present phase of the dialogue that is under way, such a thing would be premature and under no circumstances helpful.”

Presently, he recalls, “there is a process under way for the resolution of the Cyprus problem, and our side is doing whatever is possible so that those prospects are created that would allow us to be optimistic for a positive outcome which will terminate the occupation and reunite our homeland.”

“Whatever ideas and/or thoughts, in which – it is repeated – the Government was not a participant, succeed only in creating problems in the dialogue that is under way”, he points out.

And because nobody wishes more than our side for the present negotiating process to bring specific positive results, the Spokesman stresses, “we reiterate our concentration on the dialogue and we express our determination not to consent to the kind of actions that in essence impede the process that is under way.”

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks resumed in May aiming to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Mario Frangoulis sings Christmas songs for charity cause…

On the 23rd of December, there will be a Christmas Charity Concert, Reception and Dinner featuring Mario Frangoulis, at the ‪Jumeirah‬ Carlton Tower Hotel in ‪‎Knightsbridge‬, in support of the ‎British Red Cross and ‪Hellenes and Philhellenes Worldwide.

Accompanying Greek tenor, Mario Frangoulis will be a pianist (Stathis Soulis) and a string quartet, (Jonathan Hill in Violin, Mike Gray in Violin, Ivan McrCeady in Cello and Christopher Pitsillides in viola), will perform Christmas songs recorded in Abbey Road Studios and the new album ”Tales of Christmas” will for the first time be performed in the UK.

Artists Christina Deljanov, Konstantinos Kapetanopoulos, Evangelos Konstantelos, Mina Kordali, and Stella Viopoulou-Voulgaraki, will be displaying their art work.

The special guests on the night, will be His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, the member of the British Royal Family Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia, his Royal Highness Prince Abdullah Alsaud of Saudi Arabia and Lady Colin Campbell. Also among guest-list is the President of the British Red Cross Lady Lamport, the Vice-President of the British Red Cross Solangela Garbutt, his Excellency the Greek Ambassador to the UK, Konstantinos Bikas, his Excellency the High Commissioner of Cyprus Evripides Evriviades.

For bookings: +44 (0) 7437498405

email: [email protected].

For more information:

http://dianoiaworldwide.com/index.php/coming-events

His Excellency, the High Commissioner of Cyprus in the UK Euripides L. Evriviades (pictured) recently gave a speech  entitled “Cyprus: Prospects for reunification, peace with Turkey and regional stability” at Oxford University

The event was organised by Oxford University’s research centre of South East European Studies (SEESOX).

If you click on the link below you can read a summary of the High Commissioner’s speech, penned by David Madden (SEESOX Associate and Senior Member of St Antony’s College)

Cyprus: Prospects for Reunification, Peace with Turkey and Regional Stability

Article written by London Greek Radio

China closely follows developments in the Cyprus issue and supports its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Foreign Minister of the People`s Republic of China Wang Yi, who concludes today an official visit here, has said.

In statements after a meeting with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, the Chinese FM said he looks forward to a mutually acceptable solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The two Ministers discussed the deepening of bilateral relations, with Wang saying that they could cooperate in infrastructure, hydrocarbons, tourism, ports and agricultural products. Kasoulides said that Cyprus supports China`s initiative for the Silk Route and looks forward to concrete prospects of cooperation. He also said that Cyprus submitted an application to become a regional member of the Asian Infrastructure and Development Bank.

Welcoming the Chinese official to Cyprus, Kasoulides said that he was briefed in the morning by the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on the Cyprus talks and they underlined the crucial role of the UNSC in the implementation of a solution.

Kasoulides pointed out that China follows with great interest developments in the Cyprus problem and thanked his Chinese counterpart for China`s principled stance on Cyprus` territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The two Ministers also discussed EU – China relations, Syria and other regional issues.

In his initial statement to the press, Wang Yi said that his visit to Cyprus aims to deepen the mutual political trust which defines the relations between the two states as well as the promotion of practical cooperation. He stressed Cyprus` strategic geographical position

Referring to the Cyprus issue, the Chinese FM said his country, as a permanent UNSC member state, follows developments in the Cyprus peace talks and supports the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to retain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China, he said, will continue playing a positive role at the UNSC.

As regards bilateral cooperation, he said that China is ready to discuss cooperation in the maritime sector by contributing to the upgrading of the Cypriot ports, as well as the development of industrial areas around the ports.

Wang said that other fields of cooperation could be infrastructure and hydrocarbons, as well as tourism. Referring to the latter, the Chinese Minister said that this year, 120 million Chinese tourists traveled abroad, noting that if only 1% of them visits Cyprus, then the island could receive 1,2 million additional tourists.

He added that the last sector of cooperation could be agricultural products such as olive oil, wine and milk products.

Replying to a question whether the Republic of Cyprus would provide facilities for Chinese warships, Minister Kasoulides noted that “Cyprus’ ports are open and Chinese warships are welcome to approach our ports. I recall that during the operation on the chemical weapons in Syria, a Chinese warship was docked here, being part of the escort of the merchant ship.”

Finally, in relation to the role that the Security Council could play in case of a solution of the Cyprus problem, Foreign Minister Kasoulides noted that his Chinese counterpart listened with great interest President Anastasiades’ views about the role of the Security Council in the adoption, as well as the monitoring and implementation of the solution. “I believe there is understanding on behalf of China, but the final outcome, will be subject to consultation among the Permanent Members of the Security Council”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded.