FORBES' GREEKS AND THE TEN RICHEST PEOPLE OF 2022

As 2022 is slowly approaching a close, it is worth noting that the world's richest people, whose tremendous wealth influenced the world throughout this year.    

According to Forbes, the prestigious American business magazine, in 2022. apart from the multi-billion dollars worth of tech entrepreneurs, business magnets, and investors, there are also four extremely wealthy Greeks. 

Yet, the list of the world's billionaires this year decreased by 87 people. mainly due to the Russian-Ukraine war. the Covid-19 pandemic and the global economic situation.      

INDIA BRIDGE COLLAPES HUNDREDS PLUGED INTO RIVER AND DOZENS KILLED IN GUJURAT

At least 68 people have died after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in the western state of Gujurat.  

Hundreds of people were plunged into the river Macchu in Morbi town, local footage shows survivors hanging off the partly-submerged suspension bridge.  Reports say as many as 400 people were at the structure, at the time.  More than 80 people have been rescued said Brijesh Merja a state official. The 230-meter-long colonial-era crossing was built during British rule in India in the 19th century. 

Videos show scenes of chaos as onlookers on the river banks attempted to rescue those trapped in the area.      

THE BOY PLAYING WITH YO-YO SHOWN ON ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY

 

The very first depiction of a yo-yo anywhere in the world is found n an ancient Greek vase from the 5th century BC where a boy can be seen playing with the timeless toy.

The yo-yo is the second oldest known toy, after dolls according to historians. Its origin is paced in China after a toy known as the diabolo.

From China the yo-yo traveled to ancient Greece. Through time it became popular all over the world. In ancient Greece, Yo-yos were made out of wood, terracotta, metal, and clay. 

It is believed that in ancient Greek society the toy was used as an offering to the gods. Some also believe as a coming-of-age ritual for boys.  

These ancient toys were often decorated with pictures of Greek gods. As children began to enter adulthood in antiquity. it became a tradition to place their yo-yos on the family altar to pay homage as a rite of passage.   

The vase depicting the boy playing with the toy, dating back to 440 BC is exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens along with fragments and a disc of the popular toy,            

MARK ZUCKERBERG TO TESTIFY IN US CASE AGAINST FACEBOOK

 Meta Platforms Inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify to a US case by the Federal Trade Commission (FDC).

The case argues that the company's proposed deal to buy Virtual reality (VR) content maker Within Unlimited Inc should be blocked. 

In an official court document filed with the US District Court of Northern California, the FTC listed eighteen witnesses it plans to question. The list includes Zuckerberg. Within Unlimited CEO Chris Milk and Meter Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth. They were on the list of witnesses submitted by defendants Meta and Within Unlimited.        

According to the court document in addition to defending the Within Unlimited acquisition, Mark Zuckerberg  is expected to be questioned about the Facebook parents' strategy.

STUFFED TOMATOES WITH RICE

 

6 tomatoes

Filling:

3 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped

150 gr long-grain rice, rinsed

1 tbsp tomato puree

2 tbsp raisins

2 tbsp pine kernels

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to180 C (350 F) and slice off the tops of the tomatoes  Using a teaspoon carefully scoop out. the soft pulp and seeds and place them in a bowl. 

Place the tomato shells on a baking dish and stuff them with the above filling. place the tops on and bake for for 1 hour until the rice is tender. 

 

CHRISTMAS PUDDING

 

150 g raisins

150 g sultanas

150 g currants

50 g orange peel

50 g lemon peel

50 g Pergamon peel

2 apples, peeled, cored, and cubed

150 g dried apricots. chopped

150 g almonds, peeled and chopped 

1 cup brandy

Mix all the fruit and almonds together and soak for 24 hours, stirring occasionally 

75 g butter

100 g self-rising four 

120 g sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground cloves 

1/2 tsp ground ginger 

3 beaten eggs whites whipped stiff with 1 pinch of salt

Rub butter and flour together and season with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger add the egg yolks, one by one,  Add the soaked fruit and finally, the whipped egg whites 

Spoon the mixture into 2 pudding basins.  Steam over simmering water until firm. 

Serve hot and drenched with flaming brandy and whipped cream.  

 

28TH OCTOBER 1940

 

"Oxi day" is a Greek National Holiday with military and student parades across the country. public buildings and private residences are festooned with the blue and white Greek flag.

Oxi day is observed by all the Greek communities of the diaspora, including major cities in the USA, Canada, Australia, and wherever Greece is diplomatically represented.  It is a day of proud celebration and commemoration.  

Ioannis Metaxas, the Greek Prime Minister bravely refused the ultimatum handed to him by the Italian ambassador to Greece, Emmanuele Grazzi, which came from the dictator Mussolini and Metaxas replied: "Alors, c'est la guerre" (so, we are at war.)   The Greek soldiers. outnumbered by their Italian counterparts, pushed them deep back into Albania.     

However, if the Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas had said "yes" to the Italian ambassador Grazzi it would have been a disaster for Greece and Europe who were bravely fighting against the AXIS forces. 

Mark Mazower called the Greek resistance "The first Axis setback of the entire war, the Greeks surprised everybody with the tenacity of their resistance."

Even Winson Churchill said that heroes fight like Greeks!