
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

Tragedy south of Crete: Seventeen illegal migrants found dead — bodies stored in refrigerated truck as authorities investigate
Greek authorities are facing a major tragedy after 17 bodies of illegal migrants were recovered south of Crete following the sinking of a small boat in rough seas. Only two survivors, aged 16 and 20,

Tragedy in Zakynthos: Father of 2-year-old Leo speaks out — “I took in the pit bull because it was dying, and it killed my son”
The father of 2-year-old Leo, who was killed after being mauled by a pit bull in the village of Agios Leontas on Zakynthos, has spoken publicly in deep grief. The dog, which was kept chained

Farmers begin airport blockades: “This is a warning – we are not backing down”
Greek farmers are escalating their nationwide mobilisations, warning the government that symbolic road and border blockades are only the beginning. Speaking to journalists, representatives from agricultural unions insist they “will not retreat unless justice is

Pavlos Kontogiannidis launches fierce attack on Alexis Tsipras over new party plans
Greek actor and former MP Pavlos Kontogiannidis has issued an unusually harsh public critique of former prime minister Alexis Tsipras, accusing him of hypocrisy, political opportunism and an attempt to launch a new political party

First Greek defence and security micro-satellites successfully launched
Greece has officially entered the space age with the launch of its first Greek micro-satellites for Defence and Security on 28 November, from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in

Tsipras announces plans for a new “progressive party” focused on self-organization
Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced plans for the creation of a new political movement aimed at reorganizing the progressive space in Greece, during a high-profile event at the Pallas theater. Speaking in front of

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

Israel urges US to resume strikes on Houthis after attacks on Greek-operated ships
Tensions in the Red Sea are rising rapidly as Israel formally requested the United States resume military strikes on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, following a deadly escalation that saw two Greek-operated ships sunk. The

Internal chaos in Trump White House threatens future of AUKUS submarine deal
The AUKUS submarine deal is under renewed scrutiny amid reports of internal dysfunction within the Trump administration, described by insiders as “Game of Thrones politics.” While U.S. Secretary of State Marc Rubio has sought to

How Putin rebuilt Russia into a global power
Many wonder how the Russian economy manages to stay afloat under numerous sanctions, maintain low debt levels, and even outperform the West in certain production sectors. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moscow—a once-great

Six Secret Service agents punished over Trump assassination attempt failures
Six U.S. Secret Service agents have been disciplined over serious security failures during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The agents, whose identities were not

Orthodox mission in Fiji, faith beneath the southern cross
Before the sun lifts its golden veil over Vanua Levu, as the matangi—a soft morning breeze—stirs the banana trees and cassava leaves, a single flame flickers before an icon of Christ. In the stillness of

Australia may face higher AUKUS costs and pressure to join US-China conflict
Australia’s nuclear submarine deal under AUKUS could become more costly and politically fraught, as the US Department of Defence reviews the trilateral agreement under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. A report from The Age

