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 to roll out digital birth certificates for young people aged 16–21
Young people in New South Wales will soon be able to access a digital birth certificate on their mobile phone for the first time, as part of a major step towards modernising identity documents across
Half of Australia’s students missing a month of school as fears about the future surge
A landmark national report has revealed an alarming shift inside Australia’s classrooms, with more than half of government secondary students missing at least a month of school each year. The first State of Australia’s Children
Major student debt relief begins for three million Australians as Albanese government rolls out $16bn initiative
A sweeping cost-of-living boost has begun reaching millions of Australians, with the Albanese government activating its long-promised plan to cut student debt for roughly three million people. The $16 billion initiative—legislated in July—will be implemented
Australian home prices poised to break all records in 2026
Australia’s housing market is set to enter unprecedented territory, with both house and unit prices in every capital city projected to hit new all-time highs by the end of 2026, according to Domain’s Forecast Report
Australia concedes defeat in high-stakes battle to host COP31, handing victory to Turkey
Australia is preparing to concede defeat in its bid to host next year’s major United Nations climate summit, COP31, despite months of lobbying, millions of dollars in preparatory work, and strong public advocacy from senior
Greece expands tourism footprint with new GNTO (EOT) office opening in Melbourne, Australia
Greece has taken a significant step toward strengthening its presence in the Australian tourism market with the official launch of a new Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) office in Melbourne. The office, housed within the
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.
“Medusa 14”: A Greek–Egyptian message of strength and deterrence in the southeastern Mediterranean
The large-scale air–naval exercise “Medusa 14” is in full progress in the wider area of Alexandria, Egypt, from 16 to 26 November. The exercise, which began a decade ago as a bilateral joint-operation initiative between
“His hand worked like a compressor, it was brutal” – Eyewitnesses describe 29-year-old’s fatal beating of 58-year-old in Neos Kosmos
Eyewitnesses have described extreme violence in the assault that led to the death of a 58-year-old man in Neos Kosmos. The 29-year-old attacker reportedly targeted the man because he had blocked him on the road.
Dendias’ stark message on war casualties alarms Europe
A storm has erupted in recent days over Defence Minister Nikos Dendias’ deeply unsettling comments about a supposed shift in Europe’s “culture of sacrifice”. Dendias’ stark message on war casualties alarms Europe and Greece. In
Mitsotakis calls for return of Parthenon Marbles, highlights tourism strategy
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reaffirmed Greece’s long-standing position that the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to the Acropolis Museum, describing the issue as “highly complex” and noting that progress in negotiations with the British
Over 23,000 protesters marked the 52nd anniversary of Polytechnic Uprising
Over 23,000 people participated in peaceful demonstrations across Greece yesterday to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising. Large gatherings were also reported in Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa, and other major cities. The central
Greece’s early loan repayment brings unexpected benefit to France, says Le Monde
Greece’s decision to repay early a €1.1 billion loan to France has been described as an “unexpected benefit” for French public finances, according to the French newspaper Le Monde. The loan, originally contracted in the
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
Turkey, a global problem
Turkey has once again escaped the consequences of its actions, this time in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is probably today in the crosshairs of the Pentagon, which wishes to destroy it like all the other states in
British holidaymakers ‘to be given free coronavirus tests to take abroad’
UK travellers will reportedly be issued free coronavirus tests to take abroad under plans to make foreign holidays safer. Fast-turnaround tests will be made available for free to cut the hassle and expense of getting
‘Signal to the world’: Singapore ready and waiting for Australian travel bubble
Singapore’s so-called “Cruises to Nowhere” have been a big hit since being given the green light last November, with more than 120,000 passengers. “They’ve made something that sounds tacky actually quite fun and enjoyable,” said
Flights between India and Australia suspended until May 15
Flights to and from India into Australia have now been suspended, amid increasing concerns over the nation’s escalating COVID-19 situation. Flights to and from India into Australia have now been suspended, Scott Morrison has announced,
Greek passport eighth most powerful in the world
Due to the enormous ramifications of the global pandemic on travel worldwide, the gap in citizens’ freedom to travel anywhere they wish is the largest in decades, and how the vaccine rollout goes will foretell
U.S. says Turkey violated international law, NATO commitments in Mediterranean
Turkey broke international law and its NATO commitments in the eastern Mediterranean during a dispute with Greece last year over territory, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Bilateral disputes should be settled peacefully and
