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
Swordfish killed by swimmers on a beach in Chalkida, Greece
A swordfish which swam its way to the shallow waters of a beach in Chalkida on the island of Evia, was killed by beachgoers. The swordfish went to the shallow water to give birth and
Autonomy
The government intends to allow universities and not the education ministry to set the number of students they will admit each year. That addresses a basic need, the need (for many and varied reasons) for
Alarm bell
To avoid the errors of the past the current government must move swiftly to address the deficiencies left behind by previous ones. The extent of the natural disasters by which Greece was struck over the
Theofilus
About 150 years ago, the influential folk artist Theophilus (Theophilus Kefalas – Hatzimichail) was born in the village of Vareia, on the south-eastern tip of the island of Lesvos, overlooking the shores of Asia Minor.
Greek elections: Landslide victory for centre-right New Democracy party
Incumbent prime minister Alexis Tsipras, of Syriza, calls rival Kyriakos Mitsotakis to concede defeat Voters in Greece have given Kyria-kos Mitsotakis’ centre-right New Democracy party a resounding mandate to form a new government after it
Ballot Box stolen from polling center in Exarchia and set on fire
At least one ballot box was stolen from a polling station in the anarchists’ district of Exarchia in Athens and were allegedly set on fire. The unprecedented incidents took place on early Sunday evening short
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
A Historic day in Israel: Hostages freed as Trump delivers message of peace at the Knesset
In a moment charged with emotion and hope for Middle East peace, the eyes of the world turned to Israel on Monday, October 13, 2025, as the first hostages held by Hamas were released —
Afghanistan–Pakistan border clash leaves 58 Pakistani soldiers dead
At least 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and dozens wounded in fierce overnight clashes along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, according to Taliban officials in Kabul. The Afghan forces reportedly seized over 20 Pakistani military outposts in
Iran declines attendance at Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt
Iran announced that it will not participate in the high-level summit on peace in the Gaza Strip taking place today in Egypt, despite receiving an official invitation. The summit, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, is co-chaired
France’s new government: Sébastien Lecornu appointed prime minister amid political test
Macron seeks stability and approval of the 2026 budget France has a new government, with Sébastien Lecornu sworn in as Prime Minister after days of negotiations and internal tensions within President Emmanuel Macron’s camp. The
Hostage release nears as Trump heads to the Middle East for Gaza Peace Summit
Hamas gathers hostages for handover to Red Cross Hamas has reportedly gathered all living hostages at three designated locations across the Gaza Strip, preparing for their transfer to the Red Cross later today, according to
Donald Trump to meet families of Gaza hostages before addressing the Knesset
US President to travel from Washington to Israel and Egypt as peace ceremony looms US President Donald Trump will meet with relatives of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza before delivering a historic address to
