
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

Evros: Greek Army conducted exercise with live ammunition on March 2
Real ammunition were used on Monday, March 2, 2020, across the Evros river, an announcement by the Greek Army said. The 4th Army Corps announced military exercises with live ammunition at all border outposts at

Personal responsibility
The state appears to be making every effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the first cases of which were detected in Greece over the last few days. State services are mobilising, the country’s

Coronavirus: Greece on High Alert at Gates from Italy
Greek authorities have put portals from Italy on high alert. More than 100 people are confirmed to have coronavirus in Italy and in the past two days SIX people have died. Greece is taking emergency mea-sures at

Staramaki: Straws made of wheat, innovation made in Greece
One hundred thousands unique straws made of wheat. The first large quantity of eco-friendly straws, “staramaki” has been produced in the last few days by a Social Cooperative Enterprise (Koinsep) in Kilkis, northern Greece. Producers

Carnival in Naoussa: The unique tradition with ancient Greek roots
Greece is a country where the annual Carnival season is closely linked to its rich and very ancient folklore tradition. Dozens of beloved local festivities take place each late Winter across the entire country. However,

Cypriot student aims at breaking Guinness World Record for solving Rubik’s cube
Michael Eleftheriades is a 17-year old student from Cyprus who aims to break a Guinness World Record for solving the Rubik’s cube while being upside down in the fastest time. Eleftheriades has managed to win

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

New Russian provocation in the Baltic – Trump warns of “big problems” as NATO remains on full alert
A new violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian MiG fighter jets has triggered a major diplomatic crisis and heightened tensions across the Baltic region. According to Estonia’s foreign ministry, the jets entered Estonian airspace

NATO on high alert after Putin’s provocations – Emergency council meeting next week
The West has gone on high alert following a series of new Russian provocations that escalated tensions in the Baltic region. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised the Alliance’s “swift and decisive response,” noting he held

Erdogan–Trump: Secret talks, upgraded contacts, and growing concerns for Greece
The revelation of a surprise meeting between Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Donald Trump Jr. in Istanbul—combined with the upcoming official Erdoğan–Trump meeting at the White House on September 25—has sent shockwaves through regional diplomacy and

UN: Overwhelming approval for Palestinian participation – A strong signal amid geopolitical tensions
On Friday (September 19), the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved—by 145 votes in favor, only 5 against, and 6 abstentions—a resolution granting Palestine participation rights in the proceedings of the 80th Session as a

Bulgaria boosts Air Force readiness to defend national airspace
€3.27 billion EU funding secured for defence modernization Bulgaria’s Air Force is on full operational alert to defend the nation’s airspace, either independently or as part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. Defence

Albanese embarks on pivotal tour to US, UK and UAE – First UNGA address as Prime Minister
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese departs today for a three-nation diplomatic mission covering the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The trip marks his first address to the United Nations General

