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.
Tax breaks
During the years of the crisis Greek citizens shouldered a huge tax burden. Those who did not have the means to hide their incomes – salaried employees and pensioners – bore the bulk of the
Greece resumes migrants deportations to Turkey
Greece says it is restarting deportations of migrants to Turkey in an effort to deal with the increasing number of illegal crossings in recent weeks, the Associated Press reported on Friday. The number of migrants
France to briefly return Parthenon metope to Greece on occasion of 2021 events
France will reportedly loan a frieze from the Parthenon, displayed today at the Louvre, to Greece on the occasion of events and comme-morations in 2021, the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek War
Samos: Tourists and locals evacuated as forest fire is ranging
A big forest fire is raging on the island of Samos and authorities have ordered the evacuation of two hotels as well residents of the area of Mesokampos near Pythagorio. The fire broke out in
Unaccompanied teen migrant accused of fatally stabbing compatriot at Lesvos ‘hotspot’
A minor from Afghanistan, reported as being roughly 15-years-old, was arrested at a “hotspot” on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos (Mytilene) overnight after he allegedly fatally stabbed a compatriot, also identified as a teenager.
First corporate-business tax cut ‘fixed’, according to Greek PM Mitsotakis
Another highlight from Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ wide-ranging interview to “Le Figaro” this week was an announcement that the first reduction in the corporate tax rate, from 28 to 24 percent, for 2019 profits has
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
Hong Kong’s major events at protests
Hong Kong’s anti-government protesters have sustained their momentum for more than three months, facing off against police through summer heat and clouds of tear gas. Officers have met demonstrators head on with a variety of
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
