China, France pledge cooperation as Xi joins Macron in trip to Chengdu

French leader Macron says he was ‘very touched’ by Xi’s gesture to accompany him to Chengdu – a departure from protocol.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have pledged deeper cooperation on global issues, as the two leaders met ahead o…[Read more]

Japan sends letter to UN after China’s 2nd letter on Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks

Japan has sent a second letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres rebutting China’s assertions regarding remarks that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae made about Taiwan. This comes after China sent Guterres a second letter about the issue.

Takaichi told…[Read more]

Soaring Costs Creating Choppy Waters for Urban Development Projects as Old Ways Reaching Limits

Soaring construction costs are forcing developers to review their plans for urban development projects, with some slashing building sizes or even starting from scratch before seeking approval to begin breaking ground.

Urban development projects often…[Read more]

Japan’s economy minister says up to BOJ to decide ‘specific monetary policy means’

Japan’s economic revitalisation minister, Minoru Kiuchi, called on the central bank to closely communicate with the government in setting monetary policy on Friday, but did not voice opposition to a near-term interest rate hike.
Asked about growing prospects of an…[Read more]

Germany rejects US security strategy’s ‘outside advice’

The US strategy outlines US President Trump’s “America First” view, signaling a shift from Washington’s global role, and sharply criticizes European allies. Berlin said it doesn’t need a lecture on freedom of expression.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has pushed back against…[Read more]

German leaders plan to cut red tape in just 200 steps

When it comes to tackling bureaucracy, why stop at just a measure or two? Premiers of Germany’s 16 states want to go further — so they drafted a 200-point plan to ease the country’s bureaucratic burdens.

The leaders of Germanys’s 16 states on Thursday agreed on a 200-point plan to modernize g…[Read more]

Direct UK-Germany rail link plans advance
Cross-Channel train operator Eurostar and Germany’s state-owned rail operator, Deutsche Bahn (DB), have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at introducing direct rail connections between the UK and Germany.

The companies announced the step on Thursday, amid German President Frank-Walter…[Read more]

Is US President Donald Trump preparing to strike Venezuela?

Venezuela slams Trump’s warning that its airspace should be considered closed amid rising tensions.

United States President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that Venezuelan airspace had been “closed”, without offering any further details, spiking tensions between Washington and Carac…[Read more]

US seeks ‘bridge’ role in Turkish-Greek ties, ambassador says

The White House intends to act as a “bridge” between Türkiye and Greece to improve the relations between the two neighboring countries, U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack has said.

“What we’re seeing in the world is a new momentum of putting the regrets of the past aside and cr…[Read more]

Senator Graham points to Türkiye, Iran as potential refuge for Maduro amid US pressure

Republican senator publicly speculated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro might seek refuge in Türkiye or Iran, as the Trump administration intensified pressure on Caracas with a declaration that Venezuelan airspace should be considered closed and a m…[Read more]

Ukraine negotiators to meet US officials in Florida over revised peace proposal

Ukrainian negotiators are set to meet U.S. officials in Florida on Sunday to discuss Washington’s proposal for ending the war with Russia, as Kyiv faces mounting pressure on both military and political fronts.

The talks come amid renewed Russian drone and missile s…[Read more]

Iran and Türkiye announce $1.6 billion railway to link Asia and Europe

Iran and Türkiye have reached an agreement to construct a new railway line aimed at creating a strategic transport corridor between Asia and Europe, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Sunday.

The planned route, known as the Marand-Cheshmeh Soraya railway t…[Read more]

Türkiye charts road map for PKK’s disarmament

Details of an updated road map for the terrorist group PKK’s disarmament as part of the terror-free Türkiye initiative are gradually emerging.

The PKK has announced that it has fully withdrawn from Türkiye, completing the first stage of the dissolution plan.

Security sources say there are four c…[Read more]

9,300 Gaza kids under 5 suffer severe acute malnutrition: UNICEF

Nearly 9,300 children under 5 in Gaza were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition in October, UNICEF warned Saturday, saying winter conditions and the rapid spread of disease are further endangering the lives of the territory’s most vulnerable children.

“High levels of…[Read more]

Four men charged after 500 kilograms of cocaine found floating off Lancelin coast

An international livestock carrier’s chief officer is among four people charged over the ocean find.

he chief officer of an international livestock carrier is among four men charged over a foiled alleged attempt to smuggle more than 500 kilograms of cocaine into A…[Read more]

New behaviour standards are in place for parliament but crossbenchers say question time still rife with bullying

Independent MP Zali Steggall says it’s not always clear who is behind disorderly behaviour – and sometimes it can be a whole section of a political party

Sweeping behavioural standards have now been in place in Australia’s parli…[Read more]

Gen Z Australians are attempting suicide and self-harming more than previous generations, study finds

: Separate research also shows number of young children having suicidal thoughts has risen at ‘alarming’ rate

Young Australians aged 16 to 25 are attempting to kill themselves, self-harming and experiencing suicidal thoughts in greater num…[Read more]

Democrats who told troops to disobey illegal orders push back on alleged FBI probe

A group of Democratic lawmakers who encouraged US troops to disobey any orders they deem illegal are pushing back on an alleged federal inquiry into their actions.

US Senator Elissa Slotkin, of Michigan, said the FBI had notified the six lawmakers of its…[Read more]

US military’s Caine meets with Trinidad prime minister

A top U.S. military official on Tuesday met with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to reaffirm partnership and discuss priorities for regional security and stability, the Pentagon said.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine told Persad-Bissessar that…[Read more]

Trump’s case against Senator Mark Kelly faces steep hurdles under military law

Threats by the Trump administration to recall Senator Mark Kelly to active Navy duty, and to prosecute him under military law for urging troops to disobey illegal orders, would face steep hurdles in a system designed to give troops strong rights to due process,…[Read more]