Japan’s Eneos to ramp up investment in LNG, SAF while slowing hydrogen

Japan’s top oil refiner, Eneos Holdings, plans to increase investment in low-carbon energy such as liquefied natural gas and sustainable aviation fuel, while slowing efforts in cleaner alternatives like hydrogen, its CEO said on Monday.
Under a new three-year business plan…[Read more]

Japan’s sputtering economy likely stalled before Trump’s tariffs

Japan’s economy likely suffered a contraction in the first three months of this year, signaling underlying fragility even before U.S. tariff measures started hitting the country in earnest, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
Gross domestic product adjusted for infla…[Read more]

Japan Begins Production of Stealth Patrol Vessels to Enhance Surveillance of its Territorial Waters

Amid increasing naval activity by China and Russia near its maritime borders, Japan has launched the construction of a new series of next-generation patrol vessels for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The program calls for the…[Read more]

Türkiye’s first domestic flying auto ‘AirCar’ takes to sky

Türkiye’s first domestically developed flying car, AirCar, built up within a project in the northwestern province of Kocaeli, known as the hub for the automotive industry and information technologies, has started crewed flights, according to a report on Thursday.

The flights commenced a…[Read more]

Leading aid group shuts Gaza soup kitchens amid Israeli blockade

Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza forced a major relief organization on Thursday to close its community soup kitchens, as empty warehouses and the lack of resupply left it unable to feed civilians in the war-ravaged enclave.

World Central Kitchen was s…[Read more]

US judge to weigh releasing Turkish student detained for being pro-Palestine

A federal judge on Thursday decided to assess the release of a Tufts University doctoral student being held in an immigration detention facility in Louisiana without waiting for President Donald Trump’s administration to return her to Vermont as previously o…[Read more]

Germany’s socialist Left Party is flying high

Shortly after the new government has taken office, the smallest opposition party in the Bundestag is taking stock of its recent success at a party conference in Chemnitz. Its motto is “We are the hope.”

For months, the socialist Left Party has been rubbing its eyes in amazement: It won an unexpected…[Read more]

German Chancellor Merz says Berlin back with voice in Europe

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has met top EU officials, promising that Europe’s biggest economy was back to help steer the bloc at a tough time. Follow DW for our latest updates on news from and about Germany.

AfD lawmaker Krah investigated over China bribes, money…[Read more]

French pro-Palestinian group contests government decision to shut it down

A French pro-Palestinian protest group is contesting a government decision to shut it down, saying the move was politically motivated and based on “false” arguments as part of a wider crackdown on the movement for Palestinian rights.
Urgence Palestine (Emergency…[Read more]

Poland and France deepen defence ties amid doubts over U.S. support

France and Poland signed a treaty on Friday to increase cooperation on defence, nuclear energy and other measures, in a sign of growing alliances between European nations amid concerns about U.S. commitment to Europe’s security.
The signing came a day before Ukraine hosts leaders…[Read more]

‘Spectre of war has returned’ to Europe, Macron warns on 80th anniversary of V-E Day

French President Emmanuel Macron struck a sombre tone on Thursday as he presided over ceremonies in Paris commemorating the 80th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that…[Read more]

Ute driver calls on special training as he plunges 45 metres into water

After being hit by a freighter, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the south-eastern US collapsed on May 9, 1980, killing 35 people as their vehicles plunged 45 metres into the Tampa Bay.

The sole survivor was ute driver Wesley MacIntire whose vehicle hit the giant ship and r…[Read more]

The race narrows in the seats still too close to call

Teal independent Zoe Daniel has refused to concede her seat of Goldstein despite incoming Liberal MP Tim Wilson claiming victory earlier this week.
Today, Daniel said a definitive position is still not clear as a little more than 87 per cent of the votes have been counted in the inner M…[Read more]

Whittlesea council election in Melbourne overturned over ‘fraud’ votes: VCAT

A local election in one of Australia’s biggest cities has been overturned over concerns about fraudulently completed ballots.

Voters will be forced to return to the polls in Melbourne’s outer suburbs after a local election was voided over concerns about fraudul…[Read more]

Japan wants all tariffs reviewed to reach deal with U.S.: negotiator

Japan has no intention of striking a trade deal with the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump unless all of its new tariffs are reviewed, top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa indicated Saturday as he returned to Japan following the second round of ministerial-level tariff…[Read more]

Japan ranks worst among G7 in 2025 world press freedom rankings

Japan trailed other members of the Group of Seven countries in the 2025 world press freedom rankings as government pressure on news outlets has become common practice, a media freedom group said Friday.

Of the 180 countries and regions surveyed, Japan moved up four places from last…[Read more]

Ishiba vows to work to revise Constitution; yet momentum low

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his desire to seek the country’s first-ever revision of the pacifist Constitution, as Japan marked the 78th anniversary of its coming into force with no clear political momentum toward such a move.

In a video message to a pro-reform…[Read more]

Germany hits back at Marco Rubio after he panned labeling of AfD as ‘extremist’

Far-right German party was labeled a ‘confirmed rightwing extremist group’ by country’s domestic intelligence service

Germany’s foreign ministry has hit back at the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, following his criticism of Germany’s decision to label the far-rig…[Read more]

Europe marks VE Day with Trump on its mind

“Celebration? What celebration? It feels more like a funeral” – the damning words of a former senior Nato figure to describe this week’s ceremonies marking Victory in Europe Day.

The top-level diplomat who spent years at the transatlantic defence alliance asked not to be named in order to speak freely,…[Read more]

Germany updates: Almost 50% of Germans back AfD ban — poll

Forty-percent of respondents to an INSA survey were in favor of banning the far-right party. Meanwhile, Germany’s incoming interior minister has vowed tighter border controls.

German Air Force receives Israeli air defense system
The chief of the German Air Force was in Israel this w…[Read more]