Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, UK, Germany on January 13: Report

The next round of talks with European powers will take place one week before Trump’s return to the White House.

The next round of nuclear talks between Iran and France, the United Kingdom and Germany will take place in Geneva in January, Iran’s semi-official ISNA news age…[Read more]

France says it carried out missile strikes against ISIS in Syria last weekend

France carried out missile strikes last weekend in Syria, targeting Islamic State sites in the country, French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday.
“On Sunday, French air forces carried out targeted strikes against Islamic State sites based on Syrian…[Read more]

French rescuers save 107 migrants in English Channel on Christmas day

French authorities said they rescued 107 migrants in the English Channel on Christmas Day in 12 operations along the northern coast. At least 73 migrants have died trying to cross the Channel this year, making 2024 the deadliest year on record for the crossings.

French…[Read more]

French far-right leader Le Pen predicts quick demise of new Bayrou govt

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Tuesday predicted an early presidential election, saying that President Emmanuel Macron “is finished” a day after his fourth prime minister in a year named a new government. Le Pen is seen as being in a strong position to take the…[Read more]

Australia and Solomon Islands sign $190 million security deal in blow to China

Australia has signed a $190 million security deal with the Solomon Islands to boost the size and capacity of the Pacific nation’s police force.
The money will go towards training and infrastructure, which includes an officer training centre in the capital…[Read more]

Cafes, bottle shops could be exempt from government’s cash mandate

Australian businesses are getting an idea of what could be exempt from new cash protections, set to be brought in by early 2026.

Cafes, takeaways, bottle shops and hairdressers could avoid being hit by an incoming cash mandate, according to a government discussion paper f…[Read more]

Coalition senator says nuclear ‘not going to cut it’ in video

The senator has gone against the grain in an unearthed video and says the Coalition is “latching onto” nuclear “because it fixes a political issue for us”.

Nationals senator Matt Canavan says the Coalition is “latching onto” nuclear energy “because it fixes a political issue f…[Read more]

Trump opposes deal to avert gov’t shutdown

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged Republican lawmakers Wednesday to scupper a cross-party deal to avert a fast-looming U.S. government shutdown, as the White House accused him of “playing politics.”

Staring down a Friday night deadline to fund federal agencies, party leaders in Congress had agreed…[Read more]

Musk’s possible meddling in UK politics stirs concern

Concerns are growing in the U.K. as tech billionaire Elon Musk takes an increasingly close interest in Britain’s political scene, appearing to cosy up to hard-right firebrand lawmaker Nigel Farage.

With Musk named to a new position in the incoming U.S. administration of Donald Trump, there…[Read more]

US hopes for Gaza truce within weeks as CIA chief heads to Doha

The U.S. expressed optimism Tuesday that a Gaza cease-fire and hostage exchange deal could be finalized within weeks, citing ongoing efforts to resolve remaining disputes, according to the State Department.

Addressing reporters at the Foreign Press Center, State Department…[Read more]

Zelensky urges EU-US unity at bloc’s last summit before Trump

Donald Trump loomed large over EU leaders Thursday at their last summit before he reclaims power in the United States, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying only transatlantic unity can “save” Ukraine.

The upheaval in Syria after the toppling of Bashar al-Assad, and how to deal…[Read more]

Japan Govt Eyes Jan. 24 Start of Ordinary Diet Session; Upper House Election Likely to Be Held on July 20

The government and ruling bloc on Thursday began making adjustments to the schedule in order for the ordinary Diet session to convene on Jan. 24, 2025.

Considering the Public Offices Election Law, the start of the campaign period for the…[Read more]

Foreign visitors to Japan top 33 mil in Jan-Nov, breaking annual record

The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 33 million from January to November, setting a new annual record, driven by a tourism boom and a weak yen, government estimates showed Wednesday.

The total stood at 33,379,900, surpassing the previous full-year high of 31.88…[Read more]

Mount Fuji access fees to be doubled as authorities address overcrowding

Climbers using the most popular trail on Mount Fuji are expected to be slugged with a doubled fee of 4,000 yen from next summer as the Yamanashi prefectural government seeks to tackle overcrowding, a source close to the matter said Thursday.

The prefectural government also…[Read more]

Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Set for Weekly Decline Despite Weak Yen Tailwind

Japan’s Nikkei share average on Friday was headed for its worst week since early November despite the tailwind of a weaker yen, as weakness on Wall Street and caution ahead of major central bank policy decisions weighed.

The Nikkei rose 0.2% to 38,889.95 at the mid…[Read more]

Honda and Nissan are in merger talks

Honda and Nissan are discussing a possible merger, potentially bringing together two Japanese automaking titans that have recently fallen on hard times.

The companies said in statement that they have been in talks, but they offered no details or timeframe for when a deal – if one should develop – may be com…[Read more]

French PM Francois Bayrou hopes to have budget ready by mid-February

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Thursday he hopes to have a budget ready by mid-February and that he would consider using special constitutional powers to get it through parliament if opposition parties tried to block it.

France’s new prime minister, Francois…[Read more]

Defendants face judgement for actions that led to beheading of French teacher

Eight people accused of abetting the jihadist murder of French teacher Samuel Paty are to learn their fate after a six-week trial in a Paris court.

They include the father of a schoolgirl whose lie about Paty’s alleged discrimination against Muslims in the classroom…[Read more]

Macron vows to rebuild Mayotte after cyclone devastation

French President Emmanuel Macron was met with angry residents of Mayotte, who urged him to help with critical issues plaguing the island in Chido’s aftermath.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the overseas territory of Mayotte, which was devastated by Cyclone Chido, where he pledged…[Read more]

If 1.5m Germans have them there must be something in it’: how balcony solar is taking off

Balcony solar panels can save 30% on a typical household’s electricity bill and, with vertical surface area in cities larger than roof space, the appeal is clear

By Stephen Burgen in Barcelona

They are easy to install, and knock chunks off electricity bil…[Read more]