
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.

Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF): Up to €2 Billion Package to Support the Middle Class
The government’s economic team is expected to present the final plan for the benefits package immediately after the August 15 holiday, to be announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). The total cost of the

Turkish blocks research vessel from conducting surveys on behalf of Cyprus
Turkey is reported to have blocked the research vessel Fugro Gauss, sailing under the flag of Gibraltar, from conducting geophysical surveys on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus in a maritime area that Ankara considers

Albanian Foreign Ministry issues provocative map encompassing Greek territory
“Good neighbourly relations are not just rhetorical niceties. They are practices based on the principles of reciprocity, mutual respect, and a shared understanding of international law. Albanian Foreign Ministry issues provocative map encompassing Greek territory.

Outcry over bribery allegation in public hospital
Immediate Intervention by the Ministry of Health and Minister Adonis Georgiadis A particularly serious allegation regarding a demand for a bribe by a doctor at a Regional Hospital in the country has sparked a strong

Taxi driver arrested in Athens – He demanded €310 for Airport to Syntagma trip
A 20-year-old taxi driver was arrested Friday afternoon by officers of the Syntagma Police Department in central Athens after charging a customer €310 for a ride from Athens International Airport to Syntagma Square—an amount nearly

Firefighters battle overnight wildfires in Attica, Euboea, Kythera, Chania, and Messinia
Greek firefighters have been battling relentless wildfires throughout the night in several regions including Attica, Euboea, Kythera, Chania, and Messinia. Ground forces, volunteers, and local residents are working tirelessly to control the fires, which have

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

Japan urges Albanese at ASEAN to lead regional push against China
Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called on Anthony Albanese to “spearhead efforts” for a free and open Indo-Pacific, urging closer Japan–Australia leadership in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region. During

Independent pro-Palestinian MP Catherine Connolly elected new President of Ireland
Ireland has elected a new head of state — independent left-wing MP Catherine Connolly — marking a historic political shift in the country. Connolly won Friday’s presidential election with an overwhelming 63.4% of the vote,

Eurofighter deal with Turkey nears completion – Airbus CEO confirms final negotiations underway
According to a Deutsche Welle report, the long-anticipated agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft to Turkey is now approaching its final stage. Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn revealed in an

Seven UN staff arrested by Yemen’s Houthis over alleged espionage for Israel
Seven Yemeni employees of the United Nations were arrested in the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, accused of spying for Israel, according to reports by the French news agency AFP. The arrests took place between Thursday night

Europe tightens pressure on Moscow: New sanctions, mirage jets for Ukraine, and Trump weighs tomahawk missiles
In a decisive show of transatlantic coordination, the “Coalition of the Willing” has agreed on tougher measures against Russia while accelerating military aid to Ukraine. The summit, held in London and attended by 33 world

Russia will unleash a devastating response to any US missile strike
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued his starkest warning yet to Washington, vowing a “serious and devastating” response if any US Tomahawk missiles were to strike Russian territory — a threat that comes as Moscow

