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
NSW officers admit assaulting naked woman in mental health crisis
Two former NSW police officers have admitted to assaulting a 48-year-old naked woman who was experiencing a psychotic episode on a Sydney street in January 2023. Nathan Black (28) and Timothy Trautsch (30), both off-duty
Crackdown on antisemitism: Albanese warned to cut funding to universities failing to act
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under mounting pressure to withdraw public funding from universities, programs, and individuals who tolerate or fail to combat antisemitism, following a major report released today. The report, authored by Australia’s
Australia may face higher AUKUS costs and pressure to join US-China conflict
Australia’s nuclear submarine deal under AUKUS could become more costly and politically fraught, as the US Department of Defence reviews the trilateral agreement under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. A report from The Age
Bipartisan support for PBS amid Trump’s Pharma tariff threat
Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 200% tariff on pharmaceutical imports has united Australia’s political leadership in support of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The Albanese government reaffirmed its commitment that the PBS is “not
Qantas confirms data breach affected 5.7 million customers, criminal contact made
Qantas has confirmed that 5.7 million of its customers have had personal data compromised in a major cybersecurity breach, with the company now contacting those affected and working with law enforcement following contact from a
ATO GST scam rocks public sector as taxpayer losses hit $2 billion
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is facing one of the worst integrity scandals in its history, after it was revealed that a massive GST refund fraud—amplified on social media—has cost taxpayers over $2 billion. So
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.
Plevris: Migration alone cannot solve Greece’s demographic challenge
Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, emphasized in a recent interview with Ertnews that migration cannot be treated as a cure-all for the country’s demographic problems. Speaking on Monday evening, Plevris highlighted the
Mitsotakis in the Financial Times: Five golden rules for Europe’s green transition
The European Green Deal stands at a critical crossroads, with soaring energy prices and new geopolitical challenges threatening the EU’s strategy for climate neutrality. In an article for the Financial Times, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Finikounda murders: Athens businessman questioned for 4 hours over crucial phone call after double killing
The investigation into the shocking double murder in Finikounda has entered its main judicial phase, with key testimonies now being collected by the Kalamata investigating magistrate. On Saturday, a businessman from Athens — the employer
Athens plans multilateral conference with Turkey, Cyprus, Libya, and Egypt
Athens is preparing an ambitious diplomatic initiative aimed at fostering regional cooperation and dialogue among Eastern Mediterranean states. The Greek government plans to host a multilateral meeting involving Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, and Libya to discuss
Athens mayor Haris Doukas challenges PASOK leadership, calls for unity and dialogue with Tsipras’ party
A wave of political tension has rippled through the ranks of PASOK after Athens Mayor Haris Doukas voiced his discontent over the exclusion of several senior party figures from the party’s upcoming Congress committees, while
Opinion Poll: ND leads by 16.3 points – rising public discontent and political fluidity
A new Opinion Poll survey for October shows the New Democracy (ND) party maintaining a 16.3-point lead over PASOK, but with growing public dissatisfaction and a volatile political landscape. ND records 30.1% (-0.4%), PASOK 13.8%
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
‘Jewish Artists for Palestine’ disrupt Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall
A group called Jewish Artists for Palestine disrupted the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) in London, protesting against “Zionist funding, censorship,” and the treatment of Australian-British pianist Jayson Gillham. The interruption occurred Friday night (Saturday AEST)
Netanyahu: Israel discusses demilitarised zone in southern Syria and humanitarian corridor for Druze
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel is currently in talks to establish a demilitarised zone in southern Syria and a humanitarian corridor to support the Druze minority in the region. The statement was
Maduro: No chance of U.S. invasion in Venezuela
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has firmly ruled out any possibility of a U.S. military invasion or regime change in his country, despite the recent deployment of American warships in the Caribbean. Maduro declared that Venezuela
NATO: All member countries to meet 2% of GDP defense spending target this year – Expansion plan up to 2035
All 32 NATO member countries are set to meet the long-standing target of allocating at least 2% of their GDP to defense this year, according to new figures released in Brussels. This goal was established
Ukraine thriller continues – Trump: “In two weeks we’ll know if peace is possible”
The war in Ukraine, now over three and a half years ongoing, remains at a critical juncture. Former U.S. President Donald Trump continues diplomatic efforts to arrange a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and
Niger Army Reports Killing of Boko Haram Leader
The Nigerien army announced on Thursday that during an operation in the Lake Chad basin, it had successfully eliminated the notorious leader of the jihadist group Boko Haram, known by the alias Bakura, whose real name
