
Australian meth, cocaine, MDMA, and heroin use jumps 34% in one year
Australians consumed 34 per cent more methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and MDMA in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. The survey found that 22.2 tonnes of these

Crackdown on antisemitism: Albanese warned to cut funding to universities failing to act
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under mounting pressure to withdraw public funding from universities, programs, and individuals who tolerate or fail to combat antisemitism, following a major report released today. The report, authored by Australia’s

Australia may face higher AUKUS costs and pressure to join US-China conflict
Australia’s nuclear submarine deal under AUKUS could become more costly and politically fraught, as the US Department of Defence reviews the trilateral agreement under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. A report from The Age

Bipartisan support for PBS amid Trump’s Pharma tariff threat
Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 200% tariff on pharmaceutical imports has united Australia’s political leadership in support of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The Albanese government reaffirmed its commitment that the PBS is “not

Qantas confirms data breach affected 5.7 million customers, criminal contact made
Qantas has confirmed that 5.7 million of its customers have had personal data compromised in a major cybersecurity breach, with the company now contacting those affected and working with law enforcement following contact from a

ATO GST scam rocks public sector as taxpayer losses hit $2 billion
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is facing one of the worst integrity scandals in its history, after it was revealed that a massive GST refund fraud—amplified on social media—has cost taxpayers over $2 billion. So

Opposition presses Albanese government over lagging productivity
Australia’s economic debate has intensified after Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock cited weak productivity as a key concern in her justification for holding interest rates steady — prompting the opposition to demand urgent action from

Wildfires rage across western Greece and the islands, devastating homes and forests
In the past 24 hours, 48 new fires broke out, bringing the total to 109 incidents since the outbreak began. For a second consecutive day, firefighters battled relentless wildfires across Western Greece and several Aegean islands, as authorities reported a record number of fires sweeping through the country. The most

Bloomberg warns the World: Turkey’s naval ambitions surge with two new frigates
The commissioning of two new Turkish frigates this month marks a significant step in Ankara’s naval expansion, strengthening its influence in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas, and extending its reach beyond these regions. This

Greece rises against a failing state in the wake of the Tempi tragedy
The Tempi tragedy, which in February 2023 claimed the lives of 57 people, remains an open wound for Greek society. Greece rises against a failing state in the wake of the Tempi tragedy. Last Sunday,

Skopje’s PM Mitskoski defies Prespa Agreement, fuels nationalist rhetoric
The policy of Skopje’s Prime Minister, Christian Mitskoski, towards the Prespa Agreement remains uncompromising, as Skopje’s PM Mitskoski Defies Prespa Agreement, Fuels Nationalist Rhetoric marked by open violations of the agreement and a nationalist tone

Greece’s out of touch government played and lost in Ukraine
Veteran journalist and Kathimerini director Alexis Papachelas has criticised the Mitsotakis government’s handling of foreign policy, stating that Greece’s out of touch government played and lost in Ukraine. During a recent Prime Time broadcast on

Victorian Government bows to Turkish lobby, denying Christian Genocide
Today, Turkey’s Christians (Greeks, Armenians, and Assyrians) comprise only around 0.1% of the population despite being indigenous peoples of the land. A significant reason for this population collapse is the Christian genocide committed by the

EU cancels Turkey’s “Turkaegean” Trademark
Greece has secured a major legal victory as the EU cancels Turkey’s “Turkaegean” Trademark. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) cancelled Turkey’s controversial “Turkaegean” trademark, citing cultural and economic concerns. The decision announced on

August 15: Melbourne honours the “Easter of Summer” with splendor and devotion
August 15, the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, is one of the most important celebrations of Orthodoxy and is observed with deep emotion both in Greece and in Greek communities around the world. In Melbourne, celebrations began early in the morning, with the faithful filling churches to honor

Shock and dismay from the UN and EU over terrorist attacks in Moscow, but who was behind it?
The EU is shocked and dismayed by the reports of a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall in Moscow. The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens

World Happiness Report 2024
While the top ten countries remain largely unchanged, there has been much more action in the top twenty Finland has retained its position as the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year,

Putin: Is he now more powerful than ever?
Vladimir Putin wins fifth term as President of Russia with a record percentage Vladimir Putin has secured his fifth term as president of Russia with a record-breaking percentage, amid protests and allegations. What does this

War in Ukraine: from caution to panic, what Macron’s change of heart hides
This is an exceedingly rare and fascinating article in the French magazine Marianne, who got access to “several confidential defense reports” from the French army on the situation in Ukraine: https://marianne.net/monde/europe/guerre-en-ukraine-endurance-russe-echec-de-la-contre-offensive-ce-que-cache-le-virage-de-macron . This explains the

Erdoğan-affiliated party competing in EU polls sparks fears in Germany
A group of Germans with Turkish roots have formed a political group to compete in the European elections, sparking fears it could be a vehicle for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to expand his influence

Irish people vote in a referendum (75%) to defend traditional family
Women’s value in society comes from performing tasks at home, according to the Irish Constitution. DUBLIN – Irish voters after the referendum reject the attempt to rewrite the 1937 Constitution’s view of women and family