
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

Liberal MP breaks ranks to call for increase to Newstart
Liberal senator Dean Smith has broken ranks with the federal government to call for an increase to the Newstart payment. WA Senator Dean Smith has become the first Liberal MP to publicly back an increase

Aged care homes spending as little as $7 a day on residents food
Some aged care homes spend as little as $7 a day on food for each resident, a royal commission has been told. Celebrity chef Maggie Beer says that sort of budget is inadequate to prepare

Vic wants federal funds to remove cladding
The Commonwealth is being asked to stump up $300 million to help remove dangerous cladding from hundreds of buildings across Victoria. The state Labor government is establishing a $600 million fund, to be overseen by

Asylum seeker tries to set himself on fire at Melbourne detention facility
Another incident of self-harm has occurred in an Australian detention centre. An asylum seeker detained in the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation facility has been taken to hospital after trying to set himself on fire, according

No paperwork, increasing rent: Sydney landlords exploiting international students
International students are being exploited by landlords in Sydney’s tight housing market, a new report has found. International students in Sydney are falling victim to financial exploitation by dodgy landlords, who are overcharging on bonds,

Record number of Aussies rush to file tax returns
A record number of Australians have lodged their tax returns in the hope of getting their hands on a hefty refund. About 650,000 people have already filed their tax returns, with this year’s early rush

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.

Government closes fronts – price cuts and stable electricity rates
The government is attempting to close open political fronts in order to promote a positive agenda that could provide both political and polling relief. In this context, Giorgos Mylonakis, in a letter to the head

Copenhagen: Greece emphasizes protection of Europe’s southern borders amid Russian threats
The informal EU Summit in Copenhagen, hosted by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and chaired by European Council President António Costa, focused on strengthening European defense and supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian

Major reforms announced in Cabinet meeting: Tax cuts, defence overhaul, and legal migration policy
Key reforms were presented at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on three main areas: taxation, defence, and migration. Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis introduced a comprehensive tax reform bill titled “Tax

How Athens views Erdoğan’s visit to the White House – Turkey’s F-35 prospects
The recent meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first top-level contact in six years, signifies a new phase in U.S.-Turkey relations. Despite the

Dendias: Greece moves ahead with Two Bergamini frigates – major steps to strengthen the Navy
Greece is moving swiftly to reinforce its Navy, as the deal for two Italian Bergamini-class frigates is expected to be finalised on Monday. Defence Minister Nikos Dendias informed Parliament’s Defence Committee that the Hellenic Navy

Sokratis Famellos: “It is Time for a common progressive response to today’s challenges”
SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance president, Sokratis Famellos, delivered a strong message of political readiness and coalition-building during a meeting of the party’s Political Secretariat. Famellos stressed that both domestic and global developments make it imperative

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

Australian teens traumatised after seeing Charlie Kirk assassination video with no warning
Australia is facing renewed scrutiny over online safety after multiple teenagers reported seeing unfiltered footage of US political commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination without any warning on Saturday morning. The shocking event occurred earlier this week

USA: Evacuation and intense police activity at Tyler Robinson’s family home – new details emerge
On Friday morning (local time), Washington, Utah, was placed on high alert as authorities ordered the evacuation of the area surrounding the family home of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has been arrested and confessed to

Qatar PM’s high-stakes Washington visit: Al Thani and Trump to discuss Israel bombing and fragile Gaza ceasefire talks
Diplomatic tensions in the Middle East are reaching a critical point as Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, travels to Washington for urgent talks with US President Donald Trump. According to Politico,

FBI releases new photos of Charlie Kirk murder suspect – $100,000 reward and U.S. political fallout
The FBI has released four new photos of the suspect in the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, as authorities continue their intensive manhunt. The young man is pictured wearing black clothing, sunglasses,

Anthony Albanese praises EU for following Australia’s lead on social media restrictions for children
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to follow Australia’s lead in implementing strict social media restrictions for children under 16. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the creation

Brazil: Former President Jair Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 Years for 2022 coup attempt
Brazil’s Supreme Court on Thursday handed down a 27-year prison sentence to former president Jair Bolsonaro after finding him guilty of orchestrating a coup attempt following his 2022 electoral defeat by Luiz Inácio Lula da

