20% of Alcoholic Beverages in Greece are Illegal or Adulterated

Tasos Kokkinidis
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20% of Alcoholic Beverages in Greece are Illegal or Adulterated
Alcoholic Beverages Greece
Bulk illegal tsipouro and similar spirits are not included in the survey. Credit: Klearchos Kapoutsis/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0

One in five alcoholic beverages consumed in Greece is adulterated and contraband, which is twice the world average, the Association of Alcoholic Beverage Companies (ENEAP) said on Wednesday.

Adulterated alcoholic beverages are legal alcoholic products that have been illicitly tampered with, for instance, by criminally diluting them with water, purposely putting them into new containers to conceal their true origin, or adding toxic substances to manipulate the quality of the alcoholic beverages.

ENEAP says that illegal products exceed 20 percent of the domestic consumption of alcoholic beverages when international organizations calculate the average in the world market at 11 percent.

This percentage does not include bulk illegal tsipouro and similar spirits circulating in the Greek market.

High tax on alcoholic beverages in Greece

ENEAP, says that the problem in Greece stems from the VAT on alcoholic beverages, which is the fourth highest in the European Union and the highest based on purchasing power.

In addition, the VAT rate in Greece is higher compared to the neighboring countries. In Greece, it is 4.6 times higher compared to North Macedonia and 4.5 times compared to Bulgaria.

Greek consumers, especially in the northern part of the country, cross the borders to purchase alcoholic beverages of dubious quality, often adulterated. The illegal trade flourishes, ENEAP says, affecting the market, public health, and government revenue.

According to the World Health Organization, illegally produced alcohol accounted for a quarter of all alcohol consumed in 2014 globally. But despite more than 144 countries having formal licensing policies, counterfeiters have infiltrated the industry, and the result is a flood of tainted and adulterated spirits at bars, retail stores, and resorts.

Tainted, adulterated, and counterfeit alcohol has been responsible for hundreds of deaths globally.

Would a tax decrease help?

The Association calls for a reduction of the VAT on alcoholic beverages, arguing that this measure will have multiple benefits for the economy and for consumers as well as for businesses.

It estimates that the reduction in VAT will lead to an increase in sales of legal products by approximately 10 percent until 2026, a boost to GDP by approximately 325 million euros in the period 2024 to 2026, an increase in employment throughout the alcoholic beverage supply chain by 11.3 thousand full-time jobs, and expansion of domestic production by 10 percent over three years.

According to a recent study by IOBE (2024), the total losses of tax revenue from the illegal trade in alcoholic beverages amount to approximately 70 million euros.

Tax revenue losses may be significantly higher, as the bulk of illegally trafficked liquor is channeled into the local market, where VAT revenue is significantly higher.

Regarding the product distilled by two-day distillers (bulk tsipouro), the losses from VAT are estimated at up to 90 million euros, as this particular product, taking advantage of the low taxation regime, is channeled into the market in multiple quantities (either without being declared, or from illegal distilleries) for commercial use.

Treat Yourself With Bread From Ancient Greece

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Treat Yourself With Bread From Ancient Greece
Bread Ancient Greece
Woman kneading bread, c. 500–475 BC, National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Credit: Marsyas, CC BY-SA 2.5

Modern chefs have been recreating bread from ancient Greece that has been intricately woven into human history for thousands of years.

Bread, one of the oldest foods, started being prepared as a dish in ancient Egypt, coinciding with the rise of civilization. Egypt, with its abundant wheat fields, played a pivotal role in this.

Herodotus noted that, in ancient Egypt, bread was kneaded with the feet, a practice that persisted into the early 20th century in many regions of Greece and Europe.

Greek sailors and traders brought Egyptian flour to Greece, where the creation and baking of bread became an art form.

The bread held symbolic and ritualistic significance. It was often associated with religious ceremonies and considered a divine gift. Ancient texts reveal the Greeks offered bread to the gods, calling them “divine loaves.”

The profound connection to wheat and bread is underscored by the Greeks’ reverence for the goddess Demeter. During the Thesmophoria festival in Eleusis, large loaves were offered at her temple.

The craft of making bread was mastered in ancient Greece

Ancient Greek bakers mastered the craft, using simple ingredients such as wheat, barley, flour, water, salt, and, at times, olive oil or honey. Skilled bakers were highly respected in society, and breadmaking techniques evolved over time, influenced by other civilizations.

The ancient Greeks became so skilled at breadmaking that, by 400 B.C., they had come up with around 72 different types of bread. Competitions were held to see which bakery could produce the best bread, with Athens becoming well-known for its loaves. Athens boasted about Theario, its finest baker, whose name appeared in the writings of many authors.

Lynceus of Samos, a classical author of comedies who lived in the 3rd or 4th century BC, said in a letter that: “The Athenians talk a great deal about their bread, which can be got in the market, but the Rhodians put loaves on the table which are not inferior to all of them.”

The bread was made of flour ground in household mills and baked at home. The first bakeries appeared much later around the 2nd century B.C. during Roman rule.

Among the various types of bread, there were zymitis (leavened), azymos (unleavened), and simigdalitis (made of fine flour from quality wheat).

Hippocrates mentioned various bread types made from wheat flour, sifted or not, with or without leaven, with bran, semolina, honey and cheese, oil, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds. The rarity of wheat and its high nutritional value meant that wheat bread was consumed primarily by high-status individuals, while the common people consumed barley bread.

Athenaeus, a 2nd to 3rd century AD grammatist, names a long list of various breads in The Deipnosophistae (dinner table philosophers), sometimes called the oldest surviving cookbook, that underlines the importance of bread in ancient Greek life.

The artolaganon: the famous bread of ancient Greece

The artolaganon was one of these breads. The recipe of the artolaganon comes from a book about baking, unfortunately not survived, written by Chrysippus of Tyana.

Artolaganon means laganon bread (artos is bread in Greek). Laganon appears frequently in both Greek and Roman sources. Hesychius, a Greek grammarian who lived in the 5th century, describes it as a circular sheet of dough made of water and white wheat flour, dried and fried in olive oil. Athenaeus confirms the shape of the laganon, adding that it is thin.

Modern cooks have been recreating this ancient Greek bread. For example, the blog Historical Italian Cooking demonstrated its preparation and baking in the following video:

Pliny the Elder (1st century CE) also mentions artolaganon, “bread cake,” which is prepared with milk, pepper, wine, and lard or oil. There is no mention of the leavening agent, yeast, or sourdough.

Today, the ancient art of breadmaking lives on in Greece. Traditional bakeries throughout the country proudly preserve centuries-old recipes and techniques. Greek bread, known for its rustic crust and soft interior, remains a beloved staple in Greek cuisine.

The legacy of breadmaking in Greece showcases culinary ingenuity and reflects the cultural significance and mythological ties that have shaped Greek society for millennia.

Related: Archaeologists Discover 8,600-Year-Old Bread in Turkey

Near Misses Show Problems in Greek Railways a Year After Tempe Disaster

Philip Chrysopoulos
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Near Misses Show Problems in Greek Railways a Year After Tempe Disaster
Relatives and friends of the Greek railway disaster lay flowers at the site
Relatives of the 57 victims lay flowers at Tempe, the site of the Greek railway disaster. File photo. Credit: AMNA

The Greek railways safety issue surfaced once again when a suburban train in Athens ran a red light on Saturday, putting hundreds of passengers in danger a year after the Tempe disaster.

In addition to Saturday’s near miss, railway authorities have encountered 567 train malfunctions in the past eleven months. Furthermore, dozens of train crossings across Greece remain unguarded, adding to the problems faced by the two main railway operators.

The Hellenic Trains Organization (OSE) and Hellenic Train SA, the private company that operates passenger and freight trains in Greece, are marred by continuous incidents that have thousands of passengers doubting the safety of railway travel in the country.

A few days prior to Saturday’s incident, local media in Larissa showed security camera images accompanied by a deafening noise and a flash when a train passed by the area of Karagatsi Street in Larissa. The incident is being investigated.

Α video posted on YouTube two weeks ago on the one-year anniversary of the tragic collision at Tempe shows a freight train stopping at a crossing while the driver opens the cabin door to see if there are cars approaching.

So far, OSE and Hellenic Train seem to be failing to agree on a strategy to make Greek railways safe for travel. The pertinent Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport appears to have failed to impose order on the Greek railway system as well.

Meanwhile, the relationship between state-owned OSE and Italian-owned Hellenic Train seems to be rocky. It is a problem that became evident in the aftermath of the Tempe railway disaster. The two sides do not assume any responsibility regarding the accident.

On Monday, in a meeting between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and all agencies and organizations involved, political authorities requested that OSE and Hellenic Train commit to continuous and close cooperation in all issues related to railway safety and strict compliance with the General Traffic Regulation throughout the Greek railway network.

EU investigation in a tangle

The ongoing investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) on the Tempe tragedy shows that the issue of Greek railway safety is in a twenty-year tangle, showing Greece’s insufficient investment planning and the European Commission’s lax monitoring mechanisms.

Two key projects, namely the installation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) and  the upgrade of the communication and signaling system on trains, both meant to ensure railway safety, have not been implemented.

The first project should have been completed in the 2000 to 2006 period while the second was to have been completed between 2000 and 2013. Both projects were based on digital technology in order to avoid human error, such as was the case with the Tempe disaster that cost the nation fifty-seven lives.

Neither has been completed, even though the European Commission had been pressuring for their implementation for years.

In 2014, a new contract was signed under a New Democracy/PASOK government, the 717/2014 contract for the upgrade of the signaling system on Greek trains and remote control operation. The project was supposed to have been completed by 2016.

It included the construction of fifty-two stations and three remote control centers for the Greek railway system from Athens to Thessaloniki and Promachonas. Remote control is critical because without the ETCS control system, which automatically brakes trains if they exceed a set speed or detect a serious problem, it cannot function.

However, the contract had technical ambiguities and loopholes and stalled. In January 2015, Greece had a new government, the leftist SYRIZA, and the signing of a new MoU for Greece’s bailout. The stalled project went to the court of auditors.

According to Euractiv, the court ruled in 2018 that a supplementary contract was needed,  raising the costs by €13.3 million while the initial amount was €42 million. SYRIZA claims it delivered a contract without any legal hurdles and the project was seventy percent complete.

The European Commission pushes for railway project completion

The supplementary contract was ready in 2018, but in the 2019 national election, the New Democracy party came to power and did not sign the contract until 2021.

In June 2021, the European Commission sent a letter to the Greek government explicitly saying that the two projects had been co-financed by the EU but were never implemented. There was also a warning that Greece would be subject to a “financial correction” of almost €18 million.

The Greek government reacted, saying that efforts are made for the projects to be finalized and that the “financial correction” amount was unjust considering the amounts of national resources invested in the two projects. The European Commission was not convinced and asked for a hearing so that the Greek government could explain the delays.

Athens claims the project is in the execution process. The end date for expenditure eligibility for the EU co-funded projects implemented under the 2014 to 2020 programming period was December 31, 2023.

The Greek railway disaster brought to the surface the 717/2014 contract that was never implemented. EPPO is currently investigating the contract to determine if there are financial damages to EU interests.

 

EU Sues Greece for Failing to Revise Flood Risk Plans

Tasos Kokkinidis
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EU Sues Greece for Failing to Revise Flood Risk Plans
Greece Flood Risk
At least 16 people died from the floods caused by Storm Daniel in September 2023. Credit: Amna

The European Commission is taking Greece to the EU’s top court for failing to revise its flood risk management plans, a key tool for EU countries to prepare themselves against floods.

The action comes five months after the worst rains in Greece flooded its fertile Thessaly plain, devastating crops and livestock and raising questions about the Mediterranean country’s ability to deal with an increasingly erratic climate.

Under EU rules, countries need to update once in six years their flood management plans, under the commission’s Water Framework Directive, a set of measures aimed to help them mitigate the risks of floods on human lives, the environment and economic activities.

“Compliance with the Floods Directive is critical for preparedness and management of floods. Under the Floods Directive, Member States must also update and report their flood risk management plans every six years.

“These plans are key to fulfil the objectives of the Floods Directive, that is to reduce and manage the risks that floods pose to human health, the environment, cultural heritage, and economic activity. Greece has so far not reviewed, adopted nor reported its flood risk management plans,” the European Commission says.

The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Greece in February 2023. This was followed, in November 2023, by a reasoned opinion calling on Greece to comply with its obligations and complete the review of its plans.

“However, the relevant plans have still not been finalized. The Commission considers that efforts by the Greek authorities have, to date, been insufficient and is therefore referring Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union,” it adds.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ), the highest court of the European Union, may impose a sanction, which may consist of a one-time payment if compliance is achieved before the judgement or a daily penalty to encourage the member state in question to promptly rectify the infringement following the court’s ruling.

Greece’s flood risk exposed by Storm Daniel in September

Storm Daniel which hit Greece in early September 2023 left 16 people dead in Thessaly, central Greece. Whole towns were submerged for weeks and agriculture in the region regarded as the bread-basket of Greece, was devastated.

The government promised to urgently repair the damage and compensate farmers who lost their crops and animals. However, months later not much has been achieved.

Farmer unions have been demonstrating for much of February calling among other things their full compensation for the floods.

Thousands of Greek farmers arrived, many driving their tractors, in Athens after farmers’ unions who have been in negotiations with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government for weeks said the measures announced so far don’t go far enough to satisfy their concerns.

The floods and the farmers’ protests that followed were some of the most serious challenges faced by the government which took pride in its ability in crisis management.

The Splendor of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens

Nick Kampouris
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The Splendor of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens
Ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus with the Acropolis in the background, under a clear blue sky.
The majestic remnants of the Temple of Olympian Zeus with a view of Athens’ iconic Acropolis in the distance. Credit: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The Temple of Olympian Zeus lies at the heart of the Greek capital of Athens. It remains one of the most iconic landmarks of this historic city and an important center of the ancient Greek world.

The temple of Olympian Zeus was once amongst the largest temples in the ancient world. This monumental structure was, apparently, dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods.

Its colossal size and imposing stature symbolized the wealth and power of ancient Athens. The temple’s colossal columns continue to dominate the Athenian landscape. This is despite the fact that most of the temple now lies in ruins. Whatever is left of it offers a glimpse into the religious faith and architectural ambition that defined Athens and ancient Greece as a whole.

The past of Athens’ grand temple

climate change
Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Jebulon / Public Domain

The origins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus go all the way back to the 6th century BC. The whole concept was initiated by the Athenian tyrant Pisistratus. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the sheer size of the construction was monumental, the temple’s completion would span several centuries. As a result, the involvement of various rulers led to the contribution of something different to the construction throughout the ages. This ambitious project saw a genuine and renewed interest under Hellenistic King Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the 2nd century BC.

Antiochus employed the Roman architect Cossutius to oversee its construction. He introduced innovative architectural techniques and decided that the temple would be constructed with the renowned Pentelic marble rather than limestone. He also chose to switch from the more austere Doric to the more extravagant Corinthian style. However, it was not until the reign of the famous Roman Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD that the temple was finally completed. This historic moment marked a significant point in the history of Athens, connecting its ancient past with its Roman legacy.

The construction of the temple of the Olympian Zeus became the living example of the changing dynamics and religious practices of both ancient Greece and Rome. It stood there, at the heart of a bustling religious precinct, surrounded by other sanctuaries and altars. Each one of them played its own unique role in Athens’ busy life. Nonetheless, this particular temple was not like any other. It was a monumental structure, embodying not only architectural innovations but also significant artistic achievements of the Greek and Roman times.

This is why the Temple of Olympian Zeus was proof of the changing fates of Athens throughout its history—from its Classical glory through the Roman period and into the early Christian era. The completion of the temple by Hadrian was celebrated with great fanfare. This became the cornerstone of the close ties between Classical Athens and the emerging Roman Empire. For the Romans, this temple became a symbol of imperial patronage but also of religious continuity.

Digital reconstruction superimposed on the Temple of Olympian Zeus ruins, visualizing its complete form.
A digital reconstruction brings the full glory of the Temple of Olympian Zeus to life. Credit: Valentin Fiumefreddo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Architectural wonders of the Olympian Zeus temple

Apparently, the Temple of Olympian Zeus became famous across the then-known world for its staggering dimensions and architectural splendor. It was truly a marvel of engineering and architectural ingenuity. Among the most striking features of the temple were the colossal Corinthian columns. Each one of them stood at a staggering height of about 17 meters (56 feet). Because of Antiochus’ decision, they were all crafted from Pentelic marble, which always shines under the beautiful Athenian sun.

Originally, the temple had a total of 104 columns. Unfortunately, only 15 remain standing today, with an additional column lying on the ground. It is still in the spot where it fell during a storm in 1852. These columns remain emblematic of the Corinthian elegance and truly represent the zenith of Greek architectural expertise.

The layout of the temple was no different than the traditional one of many other Greek temples. It had a rectangular cella, which was surrounded by columns. However, it was its size that made it anything but ordinary.

It measured approximately 96 meters (315 feet) in length and 40 meters (131 feet) in width. This made it one of the largest temples ever constructed in the ancient world. The temple incorporated architectural advancements of the Hellenistic and Roman periods and reflected the ambition of Athens to create a religious monument that would celebrate Zeus as the supreme god of the Greek pantheon.

Adjacent to the temple were numerous other structures, including altars, smaller temples, and statues. All together they formed a proper religious unit, honoring the god of the gods. The Athenians of the time would gather there to worship Zeus and participate in various festivals of the Olympieion, as the temple precinct was known as a whole.

Corinthian Column at Temple of Zeus, Athens. The most elegant style used in ancient Greece.
Corinthian Column at Temple of Zeus, Athens. Credit: seligmanwaite. CC BY 2.0/flickr

The rise, fall, and restoration of Athens’ ancient marvel

Sadly, the decline of the Temple of Olympian Zeus began in the late antiquity period. As Christianity started to replace the ancient Greek religion, the temple lost its previous prestige. Most of the large spaces of the temple, as well as its surroundings, were repurposed. Many parts of the construction were, unfortunately, dismantled.

They were then used in the construction of other buildings, particularly during the Byzantine era. As time went by and Athens lost its prestigious stature in the world, the temple suffered from neglect. On top of that, earthquakes and looting led to the loss of many of its columns as well as the deterioration of the structure itself.

In the Middle Ages, when Athens was not the important hub that it used to be, the area around the temple was largely abandoned. It was quite literally turned into grazing land for the livestock of the locals. It wasn’t until the 19th century that interest in the temple was rekindled once again. This was spurred by the Greek War of Independence and the establishment of the modern Greek state. Archaeological interest in the site grew worldwide. This, thankfully, led to efforts to document and preserve what had remained from this once-colossal monument.

The temple of Olympian Zeus as a modern attraction

Modern preservation efforts have mainly focused on stabilizing and restoring what is left of the temple. Despite the various challenges, these efforts have helped the Temple of Olympian Zeus remain a prominent landmark in Athens to this day. It stands as a poignant reminder of the city’s ancient splendor and continues to attract tourists from around the world who hope to experience this great ancient city. The preservation of the temple also serves an educational purpose for many archaeologists. It offers insights into the architectural techniques of the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as the religious and cultural practices of the time.

From its inception in the 6th century BC to its role as a modern tourist attraction, the Temple of Olympian Zeus has gone through a remarkable historical journey. Despite its decline and destruction, it remains a pure symbol of Greece’s great past.

Recently, the temple started to get a makeover in what is seen as the single most difficult and important maintenance project in recent years in the Greek capital. The aim of the restoration project, carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens, is to proceed with consistent maintenance work on the monument, as it has suffered serious damage over the centuries.

Roman Marble Bust Unexpectedly Unearthed in English Estate

Abdul Moeed
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Roman Marble Bust Unexpectedly Unearthed in English Estate
An ancient Roman marble bust uncovered in English estate
An ancient Roman marble bust uncovered in an English estate. Credit: Burghley House

While working on construction at Burghley House, a famous English country estate near Stamford, Lincolnshire, workers unearthed a Roman marble bust.

Greg Crawley, while operating a digger, made the discovery when his machine accidentally rolled over what seemed like a regular stone.

To his surprise, it turned out to be the finely carved head of a Roman statue dating back to the first or second century CE, as reported by Archaeology magazine.

“I had a real shock as the digger bucket rolled over what I thought was a big stone to reveal a face,” stated Crawley. “When I picked it up, I realized it was a head of a statue. I couldn’t believe it when they told me it was a Roman marble statue. It was an amazing feeling to have found something so old and special—definitely my best-ever discovery.”

Additional digging revealed a marble bust, likely connected to the previously discovered head. Experts quickly dated the sculpture to the first or second century. They also found an iron dowel attached, which was probably added later to mount it on a pedestal or bust.

This kind of alteration was common among Italian antiquities dealers in the late eighteenth century. They did so to make excavated relics more appealing to aristocrats on the Grand Tour.

The bust might be acquired by Brownlow Cecil during the 1760s

The origins of the sculpture are still unclear, leaving room for speculation. Some suggest it might have been accidentally buried or deliberately hidden.

There is a belief that the sculpture could have been obtained by Brownlow Cecil, 9th Earl of Exeter, during one of his trips to Italy in the 1760s, according to the official news published on Burghley House’s website.

This era saw many acquisitions of ancient artifacts. However, the reasons behind its burial and manner in which it was eventually found remain a mystery.

Following careful cleaning and restoration work carried out by expert conservators, the head and bust have been pieced back together, bringing the sculpture back to its original form.

There are plans to showcase the artifact prominently at Burghley House, accompanied by an explanation of its journey from excavation to restoration. The discovery has also been shared with the British Museum, adding to the existing understanding of Roman art and culture in Britain.

Burghley House is a magnificent English country house from the sixteenth century, located near Stamford, Lincolnshire. It is a prime example of an Elizabethan prodigy house constructed by the Cecil family that remains inhabited by them today. This historical gem is listed as Grade I.

While the exterior largely maintains its Elizabethan charm, many of the interiors were remodeled prior to 1800, according to Wikipedia.

Japan’s 1st Commercial Rocket Explodes Shortly After Liftoff

Abdul Moeed
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Japan’s 1st Commercial Rocket Explodes Shortly After Liftoff
Rocket Japan
Japan’s first commercial rocket launch exploded shortly after liftoff. Image: Japan’s H-IIA rocket Credit: Flickr / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center CC BY 2.0 DEED

A Japanese company tried to launch its first rocket into space on Wednesday, but it didn’t go as planned. The rocket, known as Kairos, took off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Japan.

It was 10:01 p.m. EDT on March 12th (or 02:01 GMT, which is 11:01 a.m. Japan time on March 13th), when, unfortunately, just after liftoff, things went awry.

The rocket suddenly exploded in the air. This was the result of the activation of the flight termination system, leading to the unexpected end of the mission, as reported by SPACE.com.

The Japanese company’s effort to be the first private launch company from Japan to reach orbit left debris scattered around the launch site. However, in a press conference after the launch, it was announced that there was no damage, and no one was hurt. Any fires seen right after the launch were quickly extinguished.

Rocket autonomously terminated the flight leading to explosion

Company President Masakazu Toyoda stated, as reported by Reuters, that the rocket decided to end the flight because it determined that completing its mission would be difficult.

However, what caused the autonomous flight termination system to activate wasn’t revealed. There will be further investigations to determine the reason for the launch’s failure. The next launch will depend on what the investigation reveals and the steps needed to prevent a repeat of the failure.

The Kairos rocket is constructed with three solid-propellant stages and a liquid-propellant upper stage. It is designed to carry payloads weighing up to 550 pounds (250 kilograms) into low Earth orbit. Additionally, it’s made to be highly automated for smoother operation, as reported by SPACE.com.

Tokyo-based Space One aims to launch 20 times per year

Space One, headquartered in Tokyo, was founded in 2018 by key stakeholders, including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd., Shimizu Corporation, and the Development Bank of Japan. The company has expressed its goal to conduct over twenty launches annually by the end of the decade.

An earlier launch, originally set for March 9th Japan time, was postponed due to safety concerns triggered by a vessel in the designated area downrange.

Failures during the initial launches of new rockets are quite common. SpaceX Falcon 1 is frequently mentioned as an example of a rocket that initially failed during its early launches but eventually succeeded.

Recently, various new launchers, such as those from US company Astra and China’s Landspace, have also experienced failures, according to SPACE.com.

“Rocket Lab, too, did not achieve its mission at the inaugural (Electron) flight, but it went on to launch three rockets in its second year,” Toyoda said, according to Reuters.

Greek Influencer Dies After Falling from a Balcony in Calabria, Italy

Matthew Norman
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Greek Influencer Dies After Falling from a Balcony in Calabria, Italy
Roghudi Vecchio - Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy, where Greek influencer Tzane fell from a balcony and died.
Roghudi Vecchio – Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy, where Greek influencer Tzane fell from a balcony and died. Credit: wikimedia commons / Tinss CC BY 4.0

The popular Greek influencer ‘Tzane’ has died in Calabria, Italy after falling from a balcony with no safety rails during a holiday with his friends.

Tzane was on Holiday with Fellow Influencers in Calabria

The beloved TikTok and Instagram content producer was on holiday in a town called Roghudi Vecchio, in Calabria, with fellow Greek influencers “Dream Greek” and Chris Koyas, where they had traveled to shoot videos and take vacation.

Italian authorities were immediately alerted and police officers and a helicopter hastily arrived in Roghudi Vecchio to collect the body. Further details on why Tzane took the risk of stepping onto the un-railed balcony in a long-abandoned house are as yet unknown.

The news of the influencer’s tragic death was confirmed by Christos Koyas, who said “Unfortunately, Tzane is no longer with us. He left us yesterday afternoon on our trip to Italy. Pray with us for his  soul to rest in peace.”

Shortly afterwards, another famous Greek influencer, Alexandros Kopsialis, also made a related post, writing “This is not a troll or some kind of prank. Koyas probably on his confusion, has captured it in such a way that it looks like a joke, but unfortunately it’s not a joke!”

Tzane was one of the best known Fitness Influencers on Greek TikTok and among other things produced comedic content. In recent months he had set up a business venture with “Dream Greek.”

Tzane’s father is traveling to Calabria to identify the body and move forward with the necessary procedures to transfer his deceased son back to Greece.

@lordtzane

#tzane @Valakos real #reaction #fyp #global #fitness #realreaction

♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος – lordtzane

The Greek Town of Roghudi Vecchio, in Calabria

Roghudi Vecchio - Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy, where Greek influencer Tzane fell from a balcony and died.
The abandoned village of Roghudi Vecchio – Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy. Credit: Michael from Minnesota. CC BY-2.0/Wikimedia Commons/Michael from Minnesota

Roghudi Vecchio is described by National Geographic as a “ghost town,” raised up in the hilly Calabria region, and was once home to one of Italy’s last Greek-speaking communities. In a sense, it is a site of Greek ruins.

The town, in Italy’s Aspromonte mountains was founded in the 11th century, and the origins of its former inhabitants may extend to ancient times. The region of Calabria sits at the toe-tip of Italy’s boot, and when the Greeks began to colonize the area in the eighth century BC, Calabria was a toehold.

Over the centuries, southern Italy likely saw new waves of Greek immigrants, displaced from the eastern Mediterranean. New arrivals either gave new life to a flagging Greek-speaking minority, or reintroduced a language which had died out locally.

Even today there are a few thousand Greek speakers in Calabria. One village where the local dialect of Greko (Italian Greek) may be heard is Roghudi Nuovo (New Roghudi), which is part of a group of seacoast towns on the outskirts of the city of Reggio.

Russian Church Infiltrating Greek Orthodox Churches, Former Deputy Minister Says

Matthew Norman
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Russian Church Infiltrating Greek Orthodox Churches, Former Deputy Minister Says
Former deputy minister says Russian church is attempting to infiltrate Greek Orthodox churches.
Former deputy minister says Russian church is attempting to infiltrate Greek Orthodox churches. Credit: Wonderlane. CC BY 2.0/flickr

A member of the Greek parliament and former Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Angelos Syrigos, has called out the Russian Church for its attempts to infiltrate the Greek Orthodox patriarchates and churches, according to a recent article from the Orthodox Times.

“The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, like the other Ancient Patriarchates, predominantly consists of Greek or Cypriot clergy, serving a relatively small population with substantial needs,” Syrigos stated according to the Orthodox Times. “Within this framework, even modest financial contributions can significantly impact its operations.”

He added: “There are ongoing concerns about Russia’s attempts to exert influence over the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. While there have been instances where it appears to make progress towards this goal, at other times, these efforts have been halted. They made efforts to do the same thing within the Patriarchate of Alexandria. There, the resolute stance adopted by Patriarch Theodore prevented Russian infiltration into the Patriarchate. Consequently, they sought to establish an Exarchate as an alternative approach. This endeavor is heavily financed by Russian resources.”

Angelos Syrigos.
Angelos Syrigos. Credit: Evripidis Stylianidis. CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons/Evripidis Stylianidis

The former deputy minister highlighted that a similar situation is taking place on Mount Athos, where Russia, through financial support to a handful of monasteries, is attempting to grow its influence.

“The war in Ukraine reduced the number of Russian pilgrims to Mount Athos, which was even greater before the recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine by the Church of Greece,” Syrigos said. “This was the primary factor that sparked tensions and has led to tensions among hierarchs. I attentively listen to all views, recognizing that it was a decision made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, subsequently endorsed by the Church of Greece, a step the Church of Albania did not take, for instance.”

How is the Russian Church infiltrating Greek Orthodox churches?

Syrigos also expanded on the various ways that the Russian Church is infiltrating, stating: “When a Metropolitan of the Church of Greece needs funds to manage the balance sheets in nursing homes, Russia steps in and offers assistance. At the same time, various proposals are made to establish a spiritual connection between Russia and Greece.”

He also made reference to the recent elections of a new Archbishop in Cyprus, wherein the people vote for three hierarchs, who form the “Triprosopo” from which a new Archbishop comes forward. There was a lot of pressure on Orthodox residents of the island to take part in the vote, including fifty thousand to sixty thousand Russian residents living in Cyprus.

The proposal ultimately led to granting voting rights to permanent residents, hugely reducing the number of Russians eligible to vote.

“It was clear that there was an attempt to influence voters,” he stressed. “If the Russians participated, an Archbishop who was a supporter of Russia would have been elected.”

He also said that during the COVID pandemic, the Russian Orthodox Church attempted to uphold the view that, despite what was happening with the closed churches, Orthodox believers should go on Sundays to attend the liturgy. “Their aim was to create social division at the time when the pandemic was raging,” he concluded. “This was prevented by the serious stance adopted by the Church of Greece.”

Hiker Discovers ‘Alien’ Monolith in Wales

Matthew Norman
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Hiker Discovers ‘Alien’ Monolith in Wales
monolith
Hiker in Wales discovers a monolith, which conspiracy theorists think may have come from aliens. Image: A similar monolith found a few years ago in Utah. credit: wikimedia commons / Patrickamackie2 cc by 4.0

A hiker has discovered a mysterious, 10-foot-tall silver monolith in Powys, Wales, which is the latest in a spate of monolith discoveries since 2020, prompting conspiracy theorists to make claims about aliens.

The Toblerone-shaped steel monolith was discovered on a Welsh hill on Hay Bluff, near the town of Powys at the weekend, by Craig Muir, who was hiking to the summit. He believed he was having an encounter of the third kind, which, while unprovable, doesn’t make the object any less mysterious.

“When I first saw it, I was a bit taken aback as it looked like some sort of a UFO,” Muir, a builder who lives in Hay-on-Wye told The Guardian. “It seemed like a very fine metallic [material], almost like a surgical steel. The steel structure was almost 10ft long and looked perfectly levelled and steady, despite the weather being windy.”

Several monoliths appeared around the globe in 2020 – in the Isle of Wight, Romania and the Utah desert – and conspiracy theorists have speculated that aliens and UFOs may be behind the structures, including this one in Wales.

As there is no way of driving to the top of Hay Bluff hill, Muir said it could have been taken up by a group of people or lowered by a helicopter.

“It didn’t seem like it was chucked in there, instead it has been accurately put in the ground,” he told PA Media. “However, there were no obvious tracks around it and one would think that there would be a lot of mess around it, but there wasn’t.”

Richard Haynes, who took photographs of the latest sighting while running on Hay Bluff, told WalesOnline: “I went off towards Hay Bluff towards where the trig point is and I looked over to my right. I thought it looked a bit bizarre and might be a scientific media research thing collecting rainwater.

“But then realized it was way too tall and strange for that. Then I went up to it and it was about 10-foot-tall at least and triangular, definitely stainless steel. It was hollow and I imagine pretty light. Light enough for two people to carry it up and plant it in the ground.”

Monoliths Discovered Prior to the one in Wales

As yet, nobody has come forward to claim responsibility for the Welsh monolith, which bears some resemblance to the one that features in Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

This latest monolith is akin to the one found on Compton Beach on the Isle of Wight four years ago, which was also described as being around 10ft tall. The first one of these structures reported in Utah was originally spotted by state wildlife officials who were counting bighorn sheep from a helicopter. The 10-12ft monolith was found in the ground, nestled into a red rock cove, and was later removed by the Utah Bureau of Land Management.

An anonymous collective called The Most Famous Artist took credit for the structures in the US in 2020.

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