Australia’s productivity collapses to zero amid weak investment and population surge
Australia’s labour productivity has effectively stalled, with new analysis showing growth has collapsed to zero, placing the country near the bottom of advanced economies since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an OECD assessment cited in
Melbourne and Sydney record surge in population
Both Melbourne and Sydney have seen a surge in population growth, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The biggest increase was seen in Melbourne, which jumped by 167,500 people in
Inflation holds steady at 3.4 per cent
Inflation has held stable at 3.4 per cent for the third month in a row, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Inflation in the 12 months to February was driven by increases
One in 20 mortgage holders spend more than they earn, says new RBA report
A new Reserve Bank report reveals a worrying trend in Australia, with one in 20 mortgage holders spending more money than they earn. What’s more, tens of thousands of households are at risk of running
Easter trading hours 2024: What major stores will be opened on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday?
Easter is upon us again and that means a whole heap of confusion with stores across the country either open, shut or operating at different hours. To make things easier for you around the busy
Measles outbreak in Melbourne’s south-east: Residents advised to be on alert
A case of measles in Melbourne’s south-east has prompted local health authorities to alert residents. The patient, a returning traveler to the area, had visited 18 locations in the area between 14 and 19 March
Hundreds of cannabis plants seized in Melbourne’s north
A major cannabis plant seizure has taken place in Melbourne’s northern suburbs as police raided a factory that was operating a sophisticated cannabis cultivation facility. Specifically, police discovered and seized more than 500 cannabis plants
PULS missile system paves the way for Greece’s “Achilles Shield” as defence cooperation with Israel and UAE deepens
Greece is moving decisively to strengthen its military deterrence, following parliamentary approval for the acquisition of the Israeli-made PULS multiple rocket launcher system, a key component of the country’s planned multi-layered air and missile defence architecture known as the “Achilles Shield”. The Special Standing Committee on Armaments Programs of the
Turkey’s vessels south of Crete? “We’ll consider all scenarios,” warns Greek Ministry of Defense
“If Turkey violates our sovereignty, we will consider all scenarios”, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said on Friday. “We are not warmongers but we will react if deemed necessary,” he added. The threats come just
Cyber-attacks against handful of Greek govt websites
A handful of Greek government and state websites were targets of hackers on Friday evening, with Turkish media reports claiming the cyber-attacks emanated from Turkey. A Facebook page, claiming to represent Turkish “hackers”, said the
The strong symbolism of the Sakellaropoulou nomination
The Prime Minister’s decision to nominate Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou to serve as President of the Hellenic Republic did not startle those in the know. For months most had known that Mr. Mitsotakis had singled out the
Man jailed for 11 months after Greek police mistake baking flour for drugs
A Scopian citizen spent 11 months in a Greek jail suspected of drug trafficking after Greek police mistook a bag of baking flour he was carrying for heroin. The incredible story of the 38-year-old resident
Hundreds of Santas take part in Athens run 2019
Hundreds of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes took part on Sunday in a special 3-kilometer charity run in the center of Athens. This merry tradition returned to the streets of Athens for the sixth
Greek Christmas Question: Melomakarona or Kourabiedes?
This is the eternal Christmas question Greeks are challenged with every year: the traditional to-die-for Greek sweets during the festive days: Melomakarona or Kourabiedes? Melomakarona are egg-shaped calorie-bombs. They are soft and soaked in syrup
Robert Fico confronts Brussels, claiming EU has abandoned democracy
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has crossed a line Brussels hoped no European leader would openly cross — and he has done so publicly. In a sweeping and highly confrontational statement, Fico accused the European Union of suppressing free speech, manipulating democratic processes, enforcing double standards on energy policy, and
Albanese meets Trump again at APEC summit in South Korea
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met US President Donald Trump face-to-face for the second time in two weeks, after months of being unable to secure a one-on-one meeting. The encounter took place during a special
North Korea fires cruise missiles ahead of Trump’s visit to South Korea
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have flared once again after North Korea launched a series of cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, just hours before former U.S. President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated visit
Israel and Hamas exchange blame over ceasefire breach: eleven killed in Gaza airstrikes
A wave of Israeli airstrikes struck Gaza City and surrounding areas, shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to carry out immediate strikes, accusing Hamas of violating the recently established ceasefire. According
Skopje: Garbage crisis escalates – two municipal officials detained
A court in Skopje has ordered the 30-day pretrial detention of the head of the city’s Municipal Cleaning Service and another senior official, following the ongoing failure to collect garbage in the capital. Both are
Jamaica ravaged by hurricane “Melissa”: Roofs torn off, schools and hospitals damaged
Communities across southwestern Jamaica are reeling from the destructive power of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on Tuesday afternoon. Winds reaching up to 260 km/h have devastated homes, especially those not built to modern
Strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey, felt in Istanbul and North Aegean islands
A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck western Turkey on Monday night, shaking large parts of the Marmara region and being felt as far away as Istanbul and several Greek islands in
