Japan’s economy is growing, but political uncertainty is among the risks

Japan’s economy grew at an annual rate of 2.9%, slower than the earlier report for 3.1% growth, in the April-June period, boosted by better wages and spending, revised government data showed Monday.

That shows clear risks remain, including U.S. economic growth, which g…[Read more]

Japan’s Prince Hisahito turns 18, first male royal to reach adulthood in nearly 40 years

In a significant moment for Japan’s royal family, Prince Hisahito celebrated his 18th birthday on Friday, marking the first time in nearly four decades that a male royal has reached adulthood.

This milestone is especially crucial for Japan’s imperial fam…[Read more]

How to plan the ultimate trip to Japan

Tradition and ritual are still vital in the daily life of this pacific nation, whether exploring neon-lit metropolises and onsen spa towns or mountain trails and subtropical islands.

Known as Edo under the rule of the shoguns — Japan’s military rulers — until 1868, Tokyo sits at the centre of a histo…[Read more]

Speed limit on vital Paris ring road falls to 50km per hour on October 1

The speed limit on the ring road that surrounds and delineates the city of Paris will be limited to 50 kilometres (30 miles) per hour starting on October 1, the city’s mayor announced on Monday. The decision, which immediately drew criticism for having been taken…[Read more]

France’s newest nuclear reactor shuts itself down

France’s newest nuclear reactor automatically shut itself down Wednesday, a day after starting up for the first time. The state-owned operator said there was no need for concern and that shutdowns can happen during such “long and complicated” startup processes. The European Pressurised Reactor…[Read more]

Paralympics closing ceremony has Paris partying

The Paris 2024 Paralympics concluded with a sparkling closing ceremony on Sunday to round off a fantastic summer of sport in the French capital.

Twenty-four artists from the French electronic music scene led a party atmosphere despite heavy rain at the Stade de France in front of 4,400 athletes…[Read more]

Mass protests erupt in France after Macron picks Barnier as PM

More than 100,000 take to the streets across France to protest President Macron’s decision to appoint centre-right Michel Barnier as prime minister.

More than 100,000 left-wing demonstrators were reported to have taken to the streets across France to protest President Emmanuel M…[Read more]

CIA and MI6 heads discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts, Russian threat in unprecedented joint public appearance in London

CIA chief Bill Burns said Saturday he hoped to have a “more detailed” hostage and ceasefire proposal to put before Israel and Hamas negotiators in the coming days, but stressed that its success would come down to “political will”…[Read more]

Donald Trump’s debate plan is simple, but its execution is uncertain

Former President Donald Trump has a very basic plan for debating Vice President Kamala Harris – attack, attack, attack – but says he has no idea how it will play out in prime time on Tuesday.

Describing debates as spur-of-the-moment events, Trump braced supporters for the…[Read more]

US and Chinese commanders hold rare talks to dial down risk of ‘miscalculation’

American and Chinese military commanders spoke in a long-anticipated call Tuesday as the two powers seek to manage their intensifying rivalry in a contentious Asia-Pacific region – and repair lines of military communication severed more than two years ago.

US Indo-…[Read more]

`Erdoğan receives Shell CEO after major BOTAŞ deal

The closed-door meeting at the presidential palace in the capital Ankara came after Turkish state energy company Botaş and Shell signed a 10-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement starting from 2027 that will see Shell provide Türkiye with the gas.

Under the terms of the agr…[Read more]

US thanks Türkiye for ‘rapid response’ after attack on service members

“We can confirm reports that U.S. service members embarked aboard the USS Wasp were the victims of an assault in Izmir today and are now safe.”

“We thank the Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation,” the embassy stated on X.

Following the…[Read more]

US soldiers assaulted in Turkey’s Izmir, 15 nationalist Turkish youth arrested

A nationalist Turkish youth group on Monday physically assaulted two US soldiers in western Turkey, the US Embassy in Turkey and the local governor’s office said, adding that 15 assailants had been detained over the incident.

In a statement, the Izmir governor’s offic…[Read more]

California lawmakers pass just one part of reparations legislation

California lawmakers passed just one part of a three-bill package addressing reparations for slavery and racism in the waning days of their state house session, amid reports the governor had raised concerns.
Dozens of demonstrators arrived to support the measures proposed by…[Read more]

Trump says he had ‘every right’ to interfere in 2020 election

Republican former U.S. President Donald Trump, who faces federal and state charges accusing him of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democratic President Joe Biden, insists he had “every right” to interfere in that election.
“Whoever heard you get indicted for interfering…[Read more]

US Seizes Venezuelan President’s Plane in Dominican Republic

he United States has seized a plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and flown it from the Dominican Republic to Florida after determining that its purchase violated U.S. sanctions, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday.

The seizure of the aircraft came amid continuing…[Read more]

Japan sees joint hottest summer on record

This summer tied with last year’s for Japan’s hottest on record, with the three months between June and August being 1.76 degrees Celsius hotter than average, the Meteorological Agency said Monday.
The second-hottest summer was in 2010, when it was 1.08 C higher than average, illustrating the extent of…[Read more]

Mining boss opposes staff leaving office for coffee

Workers who leave the head office to buy a cup of coffee are costing an Australian mining firm too much money, according to its boss.
Managing director of Mineral Resources Chris Ellison said during a financial results presentation on Wednesday he wants to “hold staff captive all day long”.
“I…[Read more]

Australia introduces cap on international students

Australia will introduce a cap on the number of new international students it accepts, as it tries to reduce overall migration to pre-pandemic levels.
The nation has one of the biggest international student markets in the world, but the number of new enrolments will be limited to 270,000 for…[Read more]

‘Some of the worst tennis I have ever played’ – Djokovic crashes out of US Open

Defending champion Novak Djokovic followed Carlos Alcaraz out of the door at the US Open as he suffered a shock defeat by Alexei Popyrin in the third round.

Australia’s 28th seed Popyrin stood with his arms aloft as he wrapped up a surprise 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 win to…[Read more]