
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

Pentagon confirms AUKUS nuclear submarine deal moving ahead
The Pentagon has completed its review of the landmark AUKUS defence pact involving Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, confirming that the trilateral submarine program remains on track despite earlier uncertainty under the

Greek-Australian’s winter sports dream hits the slopes by 2028
Greek-Australian’s winter sports dream hits the slopes by 2028, as Australia is closer than ever to having its first indoor ski resort. The ambitious $700 million Winter Sports World project — to be built in

“Listen, don’t ban us”: Young Australians speak out against the teen social media blackout
“Listen, don’t ban us” is what young people across Australia are saying, as thousands under the age of 16 prepare to be locked out of their social media accounts from next Wednesday. The federal government’s

More than one million Australians to receive social security boost from January
More than one million Australians will receive higher social security payments from January 1, 2026, as part of the federal government’s latest indexation round, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has confirmed. The increases will apply

Federal Government announces major overhaul of defence agencies to improve efficiency and accountability
The federal government has unveiled a significant restructuring of the Department of Defence, consolidating three major agencies into a single, streamlined entity. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles announced that the Capability Acquisition

Millions of Aussies at risk of losing thousands in health benefits by year-end
Millions of Australians could lose thousands of dollars in health insurance benefits by the end of the year if they don’t act fast. According to a study by Money.com.au, the extras benefit limits of many

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.

Warm welcome for 27 Greek activists from Gaza Flotilla – Greta Thunberg among returnees
With emotional scenes and the victory sign raised high, 27 Greek activists who took part in the “Global Sumud Flotilla” to Gaza returned to Athens on Monday afternoon, following their detention by Israeli authorities. The

Political turmoil in SYRIZA: Alexis Tsipras resigns from parliament – “I’m not quitting political action”
The sudden resignation of former Prime Minister and historic SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras from Parliament has triggered strong political tremors and a new wave of realignments within the centre-left. In a public statement, Tsipras clarified

How Greece is changing the balance of power in the Mediterranean
Greece is entering a new era of naval strength, as the Hellenic Navy undergoes a sweeping modernization under a 12-year defense program that is set to reshape the balance of power in the Aegean and

Greta Thunberg to be deported from Israel alongside 27 Greek activists on Tuesday
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg will be deported from Israel on Tuesday, along with 27 Greek activists, according to a report by Ynet. The group was detained after attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of

Fierce clash between Adonis Georgiadis and Zoe Konstantopoulou over Panos Routsis: “A predator of power and human pain”
A fierce political clash erupted between Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and the leader of the Plefsi Eleftherias party, Zoe Konstantopoulou, over the case of Panos Routsis — a father of a Tempi train crash victim

Turkey’s ‘Piri Reis’ research vessel sails north of Lesvos – Athens closely monitoring movements
The ship departed Izmir Bay under an illegal Navtex and is expected to conduct surveys in central Aegean waters The Turkish research vessel Piri Reis was sailing north of Lesvos, near the Turkish coastline, on

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

Pipeline Wars Revisited
Pipeline wars are often overlooked in the scheme of things, where pipelines represent competing national interests of a purely economic sort, beyond the usual political rhetoric surrounding ideology and demagoguery. Because a gas pipeline transports

Cyprus repays remainder of Russian loan, two years early
Cyprus’ finance minister said on Monday that the country has repaid ahead of schedule the remaining 1.58 billion euros ($1.73 billion) of a 2.5 billion euro ($2.74 billion) loan it received from Russia in 2011

What is going on in Libya?
Libya is now ruled by the Government of National Accord (GNA). The GNA is recognized by the UN and holds Tripoli but little else. The situation is immensely complex and forever in flux. For eight

US slaps new tariffs on China; One minute later China retaliates
The biggest reason for last week’s torrid stock market rally was rekindled “optimism” that the escalating trade war between the US and China may be on the verge of another ceasefire following phone conversations, fake

Turkey sending fourth energy drill ship into Cyprus’ waters for oil exploration
Turkey has sent its fourth drilling ship to the eastern Mediterranean waters to participate in the exploration for natural gas and oil within the Cypriot maritime economic zones, defying European and international warnings. The Ministry

US demands that Turkey should cease all activity in Cyprus waters
The US State Department has called on the Turkish authorities to remove its drilling vessels from the territorial waters around Cyprus and to cease immediately any “unlawful activities”. The demand comes as Turkey has established

