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
Measles alert: Second case in Cairns – Vaccination urged for Bali travellers
Queensland health authorities have confirmed a second case of measles in Cairns, urging travellers to Bali to ensure they are vaccinated. The new case involves a close contact of a person diagnosed last week after
Dementia now Australia’s leading cause of death
Dementia has overtaken all other illnesses to become the leading cause of death in Australia, according to a sobering new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). In 2023, nearly 17,400 Australians
Awkward Moment for Anthony Albanese at Pacific Summit – $100 Million Pledge to Climate Fund
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese found himself in an awkward situation during the Pacific Islands Forum in the Solomon Islands when he arrived wearing the wrong shirt. Instead of the navy-blue shirt worn by the
Alleged tobacco ‘mastermind’ arrested after major Melbourne raid
Melbourne authorities have charged the alleged ringleader of a criminal syndicate believed to supply illegal tobacco across the city, following a raid on a North Coburg property. The 49-year-old man is accused of orchestrating a
Australia launches world-first Koala Vaccine to combat Chlamydia
Australia has approved a groundbreaking vaccine to protect its koala population against chlamydia, marking a world-first initiative. Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast spent over ten years developing the single-dose vaccine, designed to
Long wait times still plague Services Australia calls despite recent improvements
New operational data from Services Australia for April–June 2025 has revealed which Australians face the longest call wait times — and who gives up first. Older Australians experienced the longest waits, averaging 36.5 minutes, while
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.
How the Aphrodite of Milos statue shaped the Western idea of female beauty
The statue of Aphrodite of Milos, which was discovered on April 8, 1820, changed western culture in the 19th century, creating a certain ambivalence about the idea of female beauty. Aphrodite – the goddess of
Sitia under water after torrential rains strike East Crete
Homes and businesses flooded, agricultural land was covered by water and mud and the city of Sitia in Lasithi Prefecture on the island of Crete turned into a huge lake following huge volume of rainwater
Doctor in Mani wins WONCA 2019 Europe Award of Excellence in health care
Dr Anargiros Mariolis, director of the Areopoli Health Center in Mani, is the winner of the WONCA Europe Award of Excellence in Health Care for 2019. The 5-Star Doctor is an award to doctors, who,
Repatriating two rare ancient vessels
Standing at just under 60 centimeters in height, two 4th century BC marble vessels – a funerary lekythos and a loutrophoros – that the Greek state is in negotiations to repatriate from Switzerland have traveled
Turkish researchers: No Sultan’s edict allowing Lord Elgin to loot the Acropolis
Two Turkish researchers have de-bunked the British claim that the Parthenon Marbles were a gift by the Ottoman Sultan Selim III to Lord Elgin. The Sultan did not issue an edict (ferman) allowing Elgin to
Rights of ethnic Greeks in Albania abused, again
Albania on Saturday reportedly withdrew a decision published in the online version of its government gazette calling for the seizure of properties belonging to members of the ethnic Greek minority in the town of Himara.
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
Australian travellers remain safe following deadly attacks in Doha – experts reassure
Following recent deadly air strikes in Doha, Qatar, Australian travellers have not experienced flight cancellations or major disruptions. Hamad International Airport continues to operate normally, serving flights to and from Australia. Airlines are avoiding airspace
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
