Site-Wide Activity

Fund-raisers in Tokyo generated 942 million yen for parties in ’23

Some 108 organizations held 274 political fund-raising parties in Tokyo in 2023, generating 942.21 million yen ($6.1 million) in total, a political fund balance report showed.

The report was released by the Tokyo metropolitan government’s Secretariat to Election Adm…[Read more]

Tokyo inflation likely exceeded BOJ’s 2% target again in November – Reuters poll

Consumer inflation in Tokyo for November likely surpassed the Bank of Japan’s 2 per cent price target following a reduction in fuel subsidies and with an increase in food costs, a Reuters poll showed on Friday.

The core consumer price index (CPI) in Tokyo, a leading…[Read more]

India, Japan Discuss Defense Pact to Boost Military Cooperation, Tech Ties

The proposed pact was discussed at a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani that took place on the sidelines of a regional security conclave in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.

India and Japan on Friday deliberated on…[Read more]

China to allow 30-day visa exemption for Japan visitors from Nov. 30

China said Friday it will restart its unilateral visa-free arrangement for short-term Japanese visitors on Nov. 30, allowing stays of up to 30 days, a measure believed to be aimed at promoting tourism and trade amid a downturn in the world’s second-largest economy.

The…[Read more]

Germany’s Scholz, China’s Xi hold talks at G20

EU tariffs on electric vehicles from China and the war in Ukraine were on the agenda as the leaders of two of the world’s largest economies met on the sidelines of the summit in Rio de Janeiro.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, met on the sidelines of the G20…[Read more]

Germany suspects sabotage behind severed undersea cables

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said damage to two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea looks like an act of sabotage and a “hybrid action”, without knowing who is to blame.

A 1,170km (730-mile) telecommunications cable between Finland and Germany was severed in the early hours of…[Read more]

Germany on mysteriously severed cables in the Baltic Sea: it’s sabotage

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday, the 19th of November, at a meeting of the Council of the European Union that “nobody believes” that two telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea were “cut accidentally”, but that it was not k…[Read more]

Chancellor candidate for Germany’s Green Party pledges Taurus missiles to Ukraine if elected

Missiles, which could potentially reach Moscow, have been point of contention in German politics

German Green Party chancellor candidate Robert Habeck said Sunday that he would approve the delivery of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine if he w…[Read more]

Xi Jinping said China is ready to boost China-France ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on Tuesday that China is committed to continuing the steady and positive progress of its relationship with France, News.azreports citing Xinhua.

China is willing to work with France to make greater contribution to the sound development of China-Europe…[Read more]

French farmers escalate protests against EU trade deal with South America’s Mercosur

French farmers launched new protests Tuesday against a proposed deal between the EU and the four South American countries of the Mercosur trade bloc. The French government is strongly opposed to the deal but protesters want French President Emmanuel Macron to do…[Read more]

Charles Dumont, composer of Édith Piaf’s Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, dies at 95

Singer-songwriter also composed melodies for stars including Dalida, Jacques Brel and Barbra Streisand

Charles Dumont composed melodies for French and international stars ranging from Dalida to Jacques Brel, Juliette Gréco and Barbra Streisand. But the sin…[Read more]

Gisèle Pelicot slams ‘macho’ society that ‘trivialises rape’ in closing statement

In her closing statement of the mass rape trial that has sent shockwaves across the country, survivor Gisèle Pelicot said it was time for “macho” society that “trivialises rape” to change. “I’ve lost 10 years of my life that I’ll never make up for,” she added…[Read more]

RFK Jr.’s No. 1 hurdle to take on unhealthy food: Money

The federal government invests little money in healthy food initiatives compared with what the food industry spends promoting fast food and sugary drinks.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to transform America’s food system, vowing to crack down on foods and ingredients he blames for many o…[Read more]

NYC issues first drought warning in over 20 years after record rainless streak

“It’s hard to believe that we’d be talking about brush fires and droughts in New York City,” Mayor Eric Adams said.

New York City declared a drought warning on Monday, its first in 22 years, as the Northeast deals with severe dry conditions and brush fires during…[Read more]

Trump picks former congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy as next Transportation secretary

President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday he has selected former congressman and recent Fox Business co-host Sean Duffy to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Transportation.

Duffy served in the US House of Representatives from 2011…[Read more]

Ukraine fires US-made longer-range missiles into Russia for the first time

Ukraine has fired US-made ATACMS missiles into Russia’s Bryansk region, Russia’s Defense Ministry said, in a major escalation on the 1,000th day of war.

The attack comes just two days after the Biden administration gave Kyiv the green light to use the longer-range Ame…[Read more]

World’s first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space

The world’s first wooden satellite, built by Japanese researchers, was launched into space on Tuesday, in an early test of using timber in lunar and Mars exploration.

LignoSat, developed by Kyoto University and homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry, will be flown to the International Spa…[Read more]

Britain remains on board next-generation fighter jet plan with Japan, Italy

The British government has decided to remain on board a joint fighter jet development program with Japan and Italy following a review of defense expenditure, amid speculation the plan could be axed, a source close to the matter said Saturday.

The Labour government under…[Read more]

Japan plans automated cargo transport system to relieve shortage of drivers and cut emissions

Japan is planning to build an automated cargo transport corridor between Tokyo and Osaka, dubbed a “conveyor belt road” by the government, to make up for a shortage of truck drivers.

The amount of funding for the project is not yet set. But it’s seen…[Read more]

Germany: Scholz open to new talks with CDU leader Merz

A party ally says Chancellor Scholz would be open to talks with Friedrich Merz on when to move toward new elections — but only after dealing with urgent business in parliament. Merz earlier said this wasn’t acceptable.

The standoff between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition l…[Read more]