Capital Gains Tax discount reform under consideration
Speculation is intensifying that one of Australia’s most controversial tax concessions, the capital gains tax (CGT) discount, may undergo significant reform as a central feature of this year’s federal budget. Senior government ministers have stopped
APRA to cap high-risk home loans amid housing boom
Australia’s banking regulator, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), will impose limits on high-risk home loans starting February 1, aiming to curb the rapid buildup of household debt. APRA announced that no more than 20
Australia faces shortfall in 2030 and 2035 climate targets, minister warns
Australia is projected to narrowly miss its 2030 climate target and is at serious risk of failing its 2035 target without significant policy changes, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has warned. Speaking to Parliament in
Australian inquiry alleges Mormon Church exploited tax loophole and operates as a cult
A government inquiry in Australia has received submissions claiming that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as the Mormon Church, functions as a cult and has allegedly exploited a
Inflation surge crushes hopes of interest rate cut in 2025
Australia’s inflation has risen again, effectively eliminating any realistic prospect of an interest rate cut in 2025 and even reviving concerns that the Reserve Bank may be forced to lift rates further. New data from
Albanese government retreats on rural speed-limit cuts after fierce backlash
The Albanese government has abruptly withdrawn its proposal to reduce rural speed limits to as low as 70 km/h, following a wave of public anger and rare internal dissent from Labor MPs. The plan, part
NSW to roll out digital birth certificates for young people aged 16–21
Young people in New South Wales will soon be able to access a digital birth certificate on their mobile phone for the first time, as part of a major step towards modernising identity documents across
EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims
The Egypt–Greece 3 GW electricity interconnector has received a €9.56 million EU grant to support further studies and implementation. EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims. The European Commission has approved the funding for additional preparatory work on the 3-gigawatt electricity link connecting the power systems of Greece and
The Karystianou political bet and the opposition’s uneasy response
Greece’s opposition landscape appears to be entering a period of significant recalibration, as the prospect of a new political party led by Maria Karystianou sends tremors across the political spectrum. Figures and parties that only
Mitsotakis from Brussels: Transatlantic ties tested, but signs of cautious stabilisation
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged that relations between Europe and the United States have gone through a turbulent period, while stressing that recent developments point to a modest improvement, following the conclusion of the
Attica submerged by severe weather: Where the heaviest rainfall fell
Attica was effectively “swamped” by extreme weather, with vast areas left underwater after rainfall levels exceeded all previous records. Residents were forced to dig their cars out of mud and debris carried by flash floods.
Targeting Maria Karystianou: How an independent voice became a threat
A wave of political vilification in full motion “Targeting Maria Karystianou at all costs,” on orders of the ‘centre of power’. Targeting Maria Karystianou: How an independent voice became a threat. Over the past few
IDF: Israel to share F-35 experience with Greece, citing Greek mastery at sea
Significant development – IDF spokesperson: “We will share with Greece what we have learned about the F-35s. The Greeks know how to prevail at sea” IDF: Israel to share F-35 experience with Greece, citing Greek
Stefanos Kasselakis: many gay politicians hide their identity in parliament and government
Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of the Democratic Movement, recently spoke in an interview with Crete TV, highlighting what he described as a significant issue in Greek politics: many gay individuals in Parliament and the government conceal
EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims
The Egypt–Greece 3 GW electricity interconnector has received a €9.56 million EU grant to support further studies and implementation. EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims. The European Commission has approved the funding for additional preparatory work on the 3-gigawatt electricity link connecting the power systems of Greece and
Germany: Record number of bankruptcies for businesses and individuals
Germany is experiencing its highest number of bankruptcies since 2014, with experts warning that the peak of the crisis “has not yet been reached.” According to the credit rating agency Creditreform, approximately 23,900 companies will
Hamas signals openness to “freezing or storing” weapons as talks enter difficult second phase
Hamas has indicated it is willing to discuss the “freezing or storing” of its weapons arsenal as part of the emerging ceasefire framework with Israel, according to senior official Bassem Naim, who spoke to the
Modi welcomes Putin with full honours in New Delhi
Russian President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial welcome in India on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting him in a display designed to highlight the deep and enduring ties between the two nations. Putin
Deported neo-Nazi protester arrives in South Africa after visa cancellation
A South African national who took part in a widely condemned neo-Nazi demonstration in Sydney has arrived back in Johannesburg after being deported by Australian authorities. Matthew Gruter, 35, was removed from the country following
Europe’s fear isn’t of Russia, it’s of itself
Europe’s fear isn’t of Russia, it’s of itself. The Guardian splashed its front page with the usual hysteria, hoping readers wouldn’t notice the one line that undercut the entire narrative: “We are not planning to
SIPRI reports record arms sales in 2024
Global arms sales hit record $679 billion amid ongoing conflicts The world’s top 100 arms manufacturers reached record revenues in 2024, totaling $679 billion (€586 billion), marking a 5.9% increase compared to the previous year,
