Australia to mandate cash payments for essential purchases from 2026
Australia will introduce a nationwide cash mandate requiring major grocery and fuel retailers to accept cash payments from January 1, 2026, in a move aimed at protecting consumers who rely on physical currency for everyday
Regular cannabis use now more accepted by Australians than smoking tobacco, study finds
Source: The Guardian Regular cannabis use has become more accepted than smoking tobacco, the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) has found. The 2019 data, compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Telstra moves call centres back to Australia after customers made their preference ‘loud and clear’
Source: 9news Telstra has moved all its call centres that service Australian customers and small businesses back to Australian shores to appease its customers. Telstra CEO Andy Penn has announced the move today, saying it
Cybersafety expert’s alarm over Snapchat’s new precise location feature: ‘Literally shows where you sleep at night’
Source: 9news Sometimes it feels like a full-time job keeping our children safe from online predators. So the last thing we need is technology making the job even harder. But a new feature on the
NASA successfully launches its first rocket from newly created Arnhem Space Centre
Source: ABCnews NASA has successfully launched its first rocket from Australian soil in more than a quarter of a century. After rain and wind delayed the launch by more than an hour, the suborbital sounding rocket took
16 hours from Australia to Greece may become a reality with Qantas
Source: Greekcitytimes Qantas has launched direct flights between Australia and Europe with non-stop routes becoming available between Perth to Rome. The new route will be the only direct flight between Australia and continental Europe offered
Australia’s bulk billing clinics are not covered by Medicare subsidies, doctors say
Doctors warn that regional areas will soon be left with few bulk-billing practices if Medicare subsidies for general practitioners are not increased. An increasing number of practices in Australia have stopped using bulk billing in
Mitsotakis unveils major housing, loan and farming measures during Budget speech
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis used his address to Parliament during the debate on the State Budget to announce a series of significant policy initiatives targeting housing affordability, Swiss franc loan holders, and farmers. The announcements were described as some of the most substantial interventions of the current parliamentary term.
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
Germany: All EU members must take in Migrants
The continuing debate over migration is, at its core, about European federalism and the degree to which the European Union will be allowed to usurp decision-making powers from its 28 member states. If everything goes
Greek court hands down maximum sentences in Siemens bribery case; prominent defendants tried in absentia
A three-justice Athens appellate court on Monday handed down mostly the maximum possible prison sentences to defendants convicted last month in the more than decade-old Siemens bribery and money laundering case – although four of
EU Backs Athens and Nicosia, asks Turkey to publish Turkish – Libyan accord
During the daily briefing of the European Commission in Brussels on Wednesday, the EU asked Turkey to publish its agreement with Libya, and at the same time expressed its unequivocal solidarity with Greece and Cyprus
Dendias: Turkey blackmailed Libya
The Libyan-Turkish memorandum delineating common maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean is the product of Turkish blackmail to the embattled Libyan government and is totally devoid of substance, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Sunday. “The Turkish
Greece issues damning statement following Turkey’s disrespectful remarks on Pontian Genocide
The Greek Foreign Ministry issued a damning response on Sunday morning to the Turkish slander published on Saturday evening regarding a conference about the Pontian Genocide, where Greece’s PM was present giving a speech. The
Libya parliament speaker declares Turkey–Libya memorandum invalid, opens door to talks with Greece, Egypt and Turkey
Libya’s House of Representatives Speaker, Aqila Saleh, has publicly declared the 2019 Turkey–Libya maritime memorandum “invalid,” marking the first such statement in six years and signalling a potential shift in Libya’s approach to maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean. Speaking to the Libyan News Agency, just days after an official
World Trade Center – 24 years on
The attacks that Reshaped the World and Australia. It has been 24 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. Nearly a quarter of a century later, the consequences of that
Australian travellers remain safe following deadly attacks in Doha – experts reassure
Following recent deadly air strikes in Doha, Qatar, Australian travellers have not experienced flight cancellations or major disruptions. Hamad International Airport continues to operate normally, serving flights to and from Australia. Airlines are avoiding airspace
Algeria calls for UN Security Council emergency meeting after Israeli attack in Doha
The international community is closely monitoring the recent Israeli military strike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior leaders of the Palestinian movement Hamas. Algeria submitted a formal request for an emergency meeting of the United Nations
Australia condemns Israeli strike in Doha – global repercussions
Israel’s airstrike in the Qatari capital, Doha, targeting senior Hamas officials, has triggered strong international backlash. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the move as “wrong” and a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, warning that it
USA: Trump administration launches crackdown on illegal immigrants in Chicago
The Trump administration has escalated its hardline stance on immigration, announcing a sweeping police operation in Chicago targeting undocumented migrants accused of violent crimes. The initiative, named “Midway Blitz”, was launched by the Department of
Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas: “Accept the deal or face the consequences”
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a “final warning” to Hamas on Sunday night, urging the group to accept a proposed deal that would secure the release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip. In
