
Australia to mandate cash payments for essential purchases from 2026
Australia will introduce a nationwide cash mandate requiring major grocery and fuel retailers to accept cash payments from January 1, 2026, in a move aimed at protecting consumers who rely on physical currency for everyday

Labor’s First Home Buyer Scheme sparks fears of price surge and market instability
Just two days after its launch, Labor’s new first home buyer scheme has come under fire for allegedly driving property prices up almost overnight. A key plank of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s re-election campaign, the

Australian activists detained in Israeli prison – Canberra demands access and answers
Australian consular officials are heading to a notorious Israeli prison where five Australian citizens are reportedly being held after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla en route to Gaza. The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid,

Andrew Hastie Resigns from Sussan Ley’s Frontbench Amid Immigration Policy Rift
Liberal leadership hopeful Andrew Hastie has dramatically quit Sussan Ley’s Coalition frontbench after refusing to accept new expectations set by the Opposition Leader, including being sidelined from leading the party’s immigration response. The West Australian

Brett Button appeals 32-year sentence over deadly Hunter Valley bus crash
The driver of a bus that crashed in the New South Wales Hunter Valley in 2023, killing ten wedding guests, has appealed his 32-year jail sentence, arguing it was “manifestly excessive.” Brett Andrew Button is

NSW Police moves to block pro-Palestine march at the Sydney Opera House
New South Wales Police have filed a legal action in the Supreme Court seeking to block a planned pro-Palestine march involving an estimated 10,000 participants set to take place at the Sydney Opera House on

Melbourne launches new flood risk register – hundreds of thousands of homes to receive climate hazard rating
In a landmark shift for urban planning and climate adaptation, Melbourne Water has unveiled a new flood risk register that will classify hundreds of thousands of homes across the city into six hazard categories (1–6).

Mitsotakis unveils major housing, loan and farming measures during Budget speech
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis used his address to Parliament during the debate on the State Budget to announce a series of significant policy initiatives targeting housing affordability, Swiss franc loan holders, and farmers. The announcements were described as some of the most substantial interventions of the current parliamentary term.

Greece tightens gun laws: Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis announces seven tough new measures against illegal firearms possession
The Greek government has announced sweeping new reforms aimed at cracking down on illegal gun ownership and use, following a series of violent incidents such as the recent shooting in the village of Vorizia, Crete.

U.S., Greece, Cyprus, and Israel form joint front for energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean
A new chapter in regional cooperation unfolded in Athens this week as the United States, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel reaffirmed their commitment to energy security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Meeting at the Zappeion

Greece emerges as a key energy security partner in U.S. talks
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a high-level meeting at the Maximou Mansion with U.S. officials, including Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, ahead of the 6th Ministerial Meeting

Vorisia tragedy: Three brothers surrender after Crete double murder as families plead for calm
Crete remains gripped by shock and grief following the brutal double murder in the village of Vorisia, Heraklion, which has revived painful memories of violent vendettas on the island. Late on Tuesday night, the three

Kimberly Guilfoyle will officially begin her duties in Greece tomorrow with presentation of credentials to President Konstantinos Tassoulas
Kimberly Guilfoyle will officially assumed her role as the new United States Ambassador to Greece, presenting her credentials to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tassoulas, at the Presidential Mansion on Tuesday. The ceremony

Libya parliament speaker declares Turkey–Libya memorandum invalid, opens door to talks with Greece, Egypt and Turkey
Libya’s House of Representatives Speaker, Aqila Saleh, has publicly declared the 2019 Turkey–Libya maritime memorandum “invalid,” marking the first such statement in six years and signalling a potential shift in Libya’s approach to maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Speaking to the Libyan News Agency, just days after an official

Algeria calls for UN Security Council emergency meeting after Israeli attack in Doha
The international community is closely monitoring the recent Israeli military strike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior leaders of the Palestinian movement Hamas. Algeria submitted a formal request for an emergency meeting of the United Nations

Australia condemns Israeli strike in Doha – global repercussions
Israel’s airstrike in the Qatari capital, Doha, targeting senior Hamas officials, has triggered strong international backlash. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the move as “wrong” and a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, warning that it

USA: Trump administration launches crackdown on illegal immigrants in Chicago
The Trump administration has escalated its hardline stance on immigration, announcing a sweeping police operation in Chicago targeting undocumented migrants accused of violent crimes. The initiative, named “Midway Blitz”, was launched by the Department of

Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas: “Accept the deal or face the consequences”
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a “final warning” to Hamas on Sunday night, urging the group to accept a proposed deal that would secure the release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip. In

Trump Renames the Department of Defense to Department of War
Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order today renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War, as he recently promised, the White House announced Thursday. The Republican U.S. president’s order aims to “restore

Backlash over Daniel Andrews attending Beijing’s military parade
Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has sparked controversy in Australia after being warmly greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping at Beijing’s massive military parade marking 80 years since the end of World War II. The


