
Australian father stranded in Iraq issues urgent Christmas plea amid legal limbo
An Australian father, Dr. Robert Pether, who spent more than four years in an Iraqi prison under what he calls “bogus charges,” has issued a desperate Christmas plea, urging Australians to push the government to

Australia sets tougher PFAS guidelines amid health concerns — But experts warn of high costs
The Australian Government has introduced stricter national limits on cancer-linked “forever chemicals” in drinking water, in a move welcomed by health and environmental experts—but one that could impose significant financial burdens on communities, particularly in

Australia designates white supremacist network Terrorgram a terrorist organisation
In a decisive move to combat domestic extremism, Australia has formally designated the white supremacist online network Terrorgram as a terrorist organisation. The announcement, made by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Thursday, grants law

Key quad meeting in Washington: Australia at the forefront of Indo-Pacific strategy
In a pivotal diplomatic gathering on July 1, the foreign ministers of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia will convene in Washington for the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with US Secretary of State

No panic at the pump: Fuel prices hold steady despite Iran-Israel ceasefire
Despite recent tensions in the Middle East and fears of a global oil shock, fuel prices across Australia have remained surprisingly steady. The ceasefire between Iran and Israel — announced after a series of intense

Darwin embraces Greece at GleNTi 2025
The aroma of grilled meats and the sound of bouzouki music filled the Darwin Esplanade as an estimated 40,000 people gathered over the weekend for the much-anticipated return of the Darwin GleNTi Festival — Darwin

Coalition pushes Albanese to meet Trump amid AUKUS uncertainty
Australia’s opposition is urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to urgently secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump, following news that the Trump administration is reviewing the AUKUS security pact. The review casts doubt over the

Holiday traffic normalizes after Tuesday’s gridlock
After yesterday’s disruptions, traffic on the Athens–Lamia and Athens–Corinth highways is expected to return to normal today, Wednesday, as farmers and traffic police coordinated to improve vehicle flow ahead of Christmas. On Tuesday, drivers faced queues of up to 20 kilometres due to farmers’ roadblocks, leaving many stranded for hours.

Greece tables emergency asylum bill – Immediate deportations for illegal entries from North Africa
The Greek Parliament is debating today a controversial emergency amendment that imposes a three-month suspension on asylum applications by individuals entering the country illegally via sea routes from North Africa. The amendment, attached to a

4.4 Magnitude earthquake strikes off Amorgos coast – no damage reported
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Amorgos in the early hours of Thursday, sparking concern among residents but causing no reported damage or injuries. According to the Geodynamic Institute of Athens, the

Oropos fire: Fierce overnight battle with flames – improvement in Asprochori, concerns shift to Sykamino
A large wildfire continues to burn in the Oropos region of Attica, with two active fronts threatening local communities. One front is advancing toward Asprochori and the other toward Sykamino, where the situation is currently

Greece Plans Detention Centres in Crete After Diplomatic Rift with Libya
Following a diplomatic incident in Benghazi that saw Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar expel a European migration delegation, the Greek government is preparing a new wave of strict measures to stop migrant arrivals from Libya to

Mitsotakis knew everything about the OPEKEPE scandal
“We failed. Trading for a few votes is unacceptable.” Mitsotakis knew everything about the OPEKEPE scandal. There are more scandals, at least two more to be revealed, and there are elections on the horizon as

Greek Security Council (KYSEA) convenes amid Middle East tensions – Athens evaluates risks to stability and national interests
Greece’s top security body, the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), is convening in an extraordinary meeting today at 12:00 PM, chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in response to rising geopolitical tensions

Australian father stranded in Iraq issues urgent Christmas plea amid legal limbo
An Australian father, Dr. Robert Pether, who spent more than four years in an Iraqi prison under what he calls “bogus charges,” has issued a desperate Christmas plea, urging Australians to push the government to secure his safe return. Dr. Pether was arrested in Iraq in 2021 and sentenced to

Baltimore: Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses – 6 presumed dead
via the Associated Press A cargo ship lost power and rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, destroying the span in a matter of seconds and plunging it into the river in a

Moscow terror attack a blow to Putin, who promised Russia security
Barely a week since Vladimir Putin secured his fifth presidential term, Russia has been plunged into carnage and disarray. The appalling attack on the vast Crocus City Hall concert venue and shopping complex near Moscow,

Shock and dismay from the UN and EU over terrorist attacks in Moscow, but who was behind it?
The EU is shocked and dismayed by the reports of a terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall in Moscow. The EU condemns any attacks against civilians. Our thoughts are with all those Russian citizens

World Happiness Report 2024
While the top ten countries remain largely unchanged, there has been much more action in the top twenty Finland has retained its position as the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year,

Putin: Is he now more powerful than ever?
Vladimir Putin wins fifth term as President of Russia with a record percentage Vladimir Putin has secured his fifth term as president of Russia with a record-breaking percentage, amid protests and allegations. What does this

War in Ukraine: from caution to panic, what Macron’s change of heart hides
This is an exceedingly rare and fascinating article in the French magazine Marianne, who got access to “several confidential defense reports” from the French army on the situation in Ukraine: https://marianne.net/monde/europe/guerre-en-ukraine-endurance-russe-echec-de-la-contre-offensive-ce-que-cache-le-virage-de-macron . This explains the

