
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

RBA keeps cash rate at 4.35%
The cash rate will remain at 4.35% following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) March monetary policy meeting. The decision was largely expected, as the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed annual trimmed mean

$216 Billion: The cost of Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop
The cost of building and operating the Allan Government’s new underground rail loop through Melbourne’s city centre, which will take five decades to build, has soared to $216 billion, according to an independent study. Estimates

Using Super for home deposits would inflate property prices by $75,000, study claims
A recent study suggests that a Coalition proposal allowing first-time homeowners to use their super for a house deposit could lead to a significant surge in prices, potentially raising property values by nearly $75,000 across

Australian PM is the first Western leader referred to ICC as ‘Accessory to Genocide in Gaza’
More than 100 lawyers endorsed the referral, which points to the military, intelligence, and rhetorical support Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has provided to the Israeli government. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with several Western

The Help to Buy scheme will help but it won’t solve the housing crisis
Brendan Coates – via The Conversation The federal government’s Help to Buy scheme is before the parliament. Both the Coalition and the Greens are opposed to it. If the bill is passed, the government will

By establishing a dedicated whistle-blowing body, Labor can prove its integrity credentials
Without the support of a whistleblower protection authority, too many whistleblowers remain silent, to the detriment of our democracy. Imagine finding something amiss at work: irregularities in project numbers as a public servant or discovering

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

The Kapodistrian University of Athens topped the list in Southeastern Europe
An important victory for Greek universities – and especially for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The Kapodistrian University of Athens topped the list in Southeastern Europe, the ranking of the “Shanghai Academic Ranking

Greece, the country where offenders go unpunished
In an article “on fire” Politico “burns” the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on three major cases that have shocked Greece, referring to “cover-ups, failed investigations” and the “general sense of impunity”, which sounds the

SYRIZA: Kasselakis’ leadership challenged in political secretariat meeting
Tensions within the main opposition party SYRIZA between President Stefanos Kasselakis and prominent party officials continued to escalate during the political secretariat meeting on Thursday, after eight members of a top party committee “87” walked

Over 60,000 lightning strikes in 48 hours – “Multicellular storms” expected in the coming hours
The extreme weather that has been affecting parts of Greece since yesterday, with thunderstorms and hailstorms, is expected to continue through tonight, according to an Emergency Weather Bulletin issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service

Turkey stops the Divine Liturgy at Panagia Soumela on 15 August
Turkey is putting an end to the celebration of August 15 at Panagia Soumela in Trapezounta (Trebizond) and the “Kyra of Pontus” will not be reopened for divine service on one of the most important

Greece must shift its mindset to tackle future wildfires
Focusing solely on firefighting without a broader prevention strategy will make it difficult for EU countries to manage future wildfires, according to a Greek expert, where thousands of hectares of forest were recently destroyed in

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

Winners and losers in global commodities this year
The global commodities market has experienced significant volatility this year, with prices generally remaining elevated across various sectors. The first half of the year saw orange juice and cocoa prices reach record highs, while crude

WHO reassures: Mpox is not the new COVID – We know how to control its spread
A World Health Organization (WHO) official emphasized today that Mpox, whether it’s the new or old strain of the disease, is not the new COVID-19, as health authorities have the knowledge to control its spread.

The Middle East on a razor’s edge: Tough bargaining for a ceasefire
International concerns over the escalation of war in the Middle East have peaked as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. This

Monkeypox: WHO Recommends Vaccination in Affected Areas
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended on Monday that countries affected by the mpox virus (commonly known as monkeypox) initiate vaccination programs, particularly in regions where cases have been reported. The mpox outbreak in the

Sicily shipwreck: Tech tycoon Mike Lynch among the missing
At least one person has died and six others are missing after a luxury yacht was struck by a severe storm and sank off the coast of Palermo, Sicily’s capital. Among the missing is British

159 countries poised to adopt BRICS new payment system
Amid ongoing efforts to create a SWIFT alternative, the BRICS alliance is developing its payment system. This system will play a crucial role in the bloc’s trade, enabling transactions without relying on the US dollar.