
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

PM Mitsotakis: By 2023 Greeks living abroad will be able to vote per post
“By 2023 you will finally be able to vote from your permanent place of residence,” Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, told the Greek-American community of Astoria during his visit to New York. One of the key
Gold mask, bronze helmets uncovered at ancient cemetery of Macedonian warriors
Archaeologists in northern Greece have uncovered a gold mask and bronze helmets from a vast ancient cemetery at Ahlada, near the town of Florina. In a statement Friday, the Culture Ministry said the most impressive

Archaeological Museum of Athens to host events on Antikythera Mechanism and the Moon
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens announced on Thursday that a total of four presentations on the Antikythera Mechanism and the understanding ancient Greeks had of the moon will be held in September, October, and

Greece to push for action on protecting cultural heritage at UN climate summit
Greece will present a proposal for coordinated action to protect cultural and natural heritage from the impact of climate change on Monday at the UN Climate Action Summit, taking place in New York City. Greek

Council of State rules “religion courses in schools only for Greek-Orthodox students”
`The Council of State ruled on Friday that religion courses in primary and secondary education schools are exclusively “Greek-Orthodox.” The ruling cancels the previous content of religious books as it was decided by SYRIZA Education

Plan to tax Airbnb, short-term rentals underway
The tourism ministry is considering imposing a tax on short-term rentals such as Airbnb on the grounds that it would establish equal treatment with hotel accommodations. As the daily Ta Nea has reported, sources say

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

East-West prisoner swap: Largest since the Cold War
US President Joe Biden has celebrated the return of three Americans who were imprisoned in Russian penal colonies after secret “sham” trials. They were freed as part of a significant East-West prisoner swap. Biden and

USA: We are working to ensure that North Macedonia respects the Prespa agreement
The assurance that the US is working to ensure that the new government of North Macedonia respects the Prespa Agreement was underlined by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien. During

Man accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, reaches plea deal
The man accused of plotting the September 11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and two of his accomplices have reached a plea deal with US prosecutors, the Pentagon said Wednesday local time. The trio have reportedly

Maduro under scrutiny at the International Criminal Court?
OAS Secretary General recommends his arrest for bloodshed in Venezuela The turmoil in Venezuela following the recent election results continues to escalate, drawing international reactions. On Wednesday, Luis Almagro, the Secretary General of the Organization

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran
Tehran: Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination but suspicion immediately fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and

Italy and China forge three-year action plan as Meloni aims to reset ties
Italy and China signed a three-year action plan on Sunday to implement past agreements and explore new forms of cooperation, announced Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her official visit to Beijing. That’s a rather

