
Capital Gains Tax discount reform under consideration
Speculation is intensifying that one of Australia’s most controversial tax concessions, the capital gains tax (CGT) discount, may undergo significant reform as a central feature of this year’s federal budget. Senior government ministers have stopped

Positive response to proposed changes on children’s online privacy
In a bid to bolster privacy protections, Australia’s Minister for Justice, Mark Dreyfus, has introduced a proposal for a children’s online privacy code. This initiative aims to impose strict regulations on how personal data of

Government and opposition reach landmark agreement on aged care reforms
Australia’s aged care system is set to undergo major reforms, following a historic agreement between the federal government and the opposition. After months of negotiations, a consensus was finally reached, ensuring the sustainability and quality

69-year-old man died after waiting 4 hours for an ambulance
A 69-year-old man in Melbourne’s east has died after waiting four hours for an ambulance due to severe shortages at Ambulance Victoria. The delays were caused by 50 ambulances being out of service due to

Top engineers call for data and solutions for unsafe water in remote Indigenous communities
An explainer released today on the 17th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) outlines the ongoing challenges to providing

Australia to set a minimum age for social media use
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday announced a landmark move to establish minimum age requirements for social media use, with the aim of protecting children from the mental and physical health risks associated with these platforms.

Gas stoves can remain
Victorians can keep using gas stoves in their kitchens for as long as they want because the Allan government has removed them from the net zero plan. New laws will be proposed to state parliament

EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims
The Egypt–Greece 3 GW electricity interconnector has received a €9.56 million EU grant to support further studies and implementation. EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims. The European Commission has approved the funding for additional preparatory work on the 3-gigawatt electricity link connecting the power systems of Greece and

Greece and Turkey agree on closer cooperation against organised crime
Greece and Turkey have agreed to significantly strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against organised transnational crime, following high-level talks in Istanbul between Greek Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis and Turkish Interior Minister Ali

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

Farmers submit demands to government, reject transfer of OPEKEPE oversight to tax authority
Greek farmers have formally submitted a comprehensive list of demands to the government, placing strong emphasis on their opposition to the transfer of oversight and control of OPEKEPE—the agency responsible for agricultural subsidies—to the Independent

Postal voting for Greeks abroad set to expand to national elections
The government has signalled its intention to extend postal voting to Greek citizens living abroad in national elections, marking a significant institutional reform of the country’s electoral system. The announcement was made by Interior Minister

Greece hails Pierrakakis’ Eurogroup victory as a win for the nation — Implications for Australia–EU relations
Greece’s Minister for National Economy, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, received an overwhelmingly enthusiastic welcome from the parliamentary caucus of New Democracy after his election as President of the Eurogroup. His elevation to one of Europe’s most influential

OPEKEPE fraud ring in Crete: Subsidy payments routed through bank account of deceased man
A major agricultural subsidy fraud ring in Crete has been dismantled by the Hellenic Financial Police, revealing a sophisticated yet brazen scheme that channelled public funds into bank accounts belonging even to deceased individuals. Authorities

EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims
The Egypt–Greece 3 GW electricity interconnector has received a €9.56 million EU grant to support further studies and implementation. EU–US backed power link shatters Turkey–Libya maritime claims. The European Commission has approved the funding for additional preparatory work on the 3-gigawatt electricity link connecting the power systems of Greece and

Unanimous condemnation of Iran’s attack by the EU – International reactions
On October 2, 2024, the international community has called for de-escalation following the launch of hundreds of missiles by Iran targeting Israel. During this tense period, both nations have resumed threats against each other, heightening

Why the world’s biggest powers can’t stop a Middle East war
The United States’ ability to influence events in the Mideast has waned, and other major nations have essentially been onlookers. Over almost a year of war in the Middle East, major powers have proved incapable

What is Diddy accused of? From JLo to 1,000 baby oil bottles and TikTok conspiracy theories
The 54-year-old rapper and music mogul was arrested by federal agents in New York this September, facing charges of trafficking, sexual assault, and rape – “He exploited his connections with celebrities”. Diddy’s arrest is leading

Horror in Malaysia: Over 350 arrests for child sexual Abuse – Raids on Islamic Institutions
The Malaysian police announced on Saturday that a total of 355 individuals have been arrested as part of an investigation into hundreds of incidents of physical and/or sexual abuse of children in shelters and host

Afghanistan: Taliban’s Draconian laws now impacting men too
For the past three years, since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan, women have faced a myriad of restrictions on their individual rights and personal freedoms, starting with their attire. In contrast, men in urban

Lebanon counts its wounds, Israel prepares for new assault – Hundreds dead, thousands injured
Tensions are escalating in Lebanon, as Israel struck targets in the southern part of the country and the Bekaa Valley throughout Monday. At least 480 people have lost their lives. Hezbollah responded with rocket fire.

