Will nuclear energy make a comeback in Germany?

One year ago, Germany took its three remaining nuclear power plants off the grid, consigning the technology to the history books.

Nuclear fission was once seen as the future. In the early 1960s, politicians and scientists in Germany thought that it would provide an endless supply of electricity,…[Read more]

Germany records a sharp rise in counterfeit bills

German authorities recorded a sharp increase in counterfeit cash in 2023, with around 56,600 banknotes theoretically worth almost €5.1 million withdrawn from circulation.

The figures, announced by the country’s central bank, the Bundesbank on Monday, represent a 28% increase in the number of n…[Read more]

German defense minister says the military is unfit for problems Europe faces

Germany’s defence minister has called for a “serious national debate” about the future of the country’s military, arguing that in its current state it is not fit to tackle the array of security policy challenges facing Europe.

Boris Pistorius, who has frequently called…[Read more]

Germany unearths pro-Russia disinformation campaign on X

Digital forensic experts in Germany have uncovered a vast, pro-Russia disinformation campaign against the government using tens of thousands of fake accounts on the social media platform X.

The German foreign ministry, which commissioned the study after suspecting it was being targeted by…[Read more]

Gov’t estimates Japan quake damage will reach ¥2.6 tril

The government on Thursday said damage to infrastructure from the earthquake that rocked central Japan on New Year’s Day may reach as high as 2.6 trillion yen.

The magnitude-7.6 quake that struck the Noto Peninsula in central Japan has added a layer of uncertainty over the economy, amid…[Read more]

21,818 people committed suicide in Japan in 2023, health ministry says

The number of suicides in Japan in 2023 was 21,818, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced on Friday. The provisional figure, based on National Police Agency statistics, was 63 fewer than in 2022.

Males accounted for nearly 70% of the total, at 14,854, and…[Read more]

Diet starts 150-day regular session, with funds scandal in focus

Japan’s Diet convened a 150-day ordinary session on Friday, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida set to be grilled over a political fundraising scandal that has continued to rattle his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

During the Diet session through June 23, the government’s response…[Read more]

Traffic jams as French farmers block highway near Paris to protest low prices

Unions have called for the roadblocks in and around Paris to increase pressure on Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s government, which the farmers accuse of not doing enough to help them.

“We will go right into Paris to highlight our rage, our grievances,” said farme…[Read more]

France Rejects Russia’s ‘Mercenary’ Claims, Doubles Down on Support for Ukraine

Paris has rejected claims by Moscow that dozens of French “mercenaries” were killed in a recent Russian strike on a facility in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

“France helps Ukraine with supplies of military material and military training in full compliance…[Read more]

France Gets Ready to Say ‘Merci’ to World War II Veterans for D-day’s 80th Anniversary This Year

France is getting ready to show its gratitude toward World War II veterans who will return, many for the last time, to Normandy beaches this year for 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day to mark the defeat of the Nazis.

A ceremony at Omaha Beach…[Read more]

Jim Chalmers defends Albanese government’s revised stage three tax cuts

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended the Albanese government’s revised stage three tax cuts, which critics say do not address the issue of bracket creep.

Treasury modelling shows that over the next 10 years, the extra bracket creep will result in the government raking in an…[Read more]

Cricket Australia ends up mentioning Australia Day at the Gabba Test on Friday against the West Indies

Cricket Australia opted for mentioning Australia Day at the Gabba on Friday after a couple of days of tossing up the idea, though Indigenous culture was the main focal point in the pre-match welcome.

After a tense interview on 2GB with Ben…[Read more]

‘Show some respect’: Warren Mundine clashes with Indigenous activist during heated Australia Day debate

Two prominent Indigenous leaders have become embroiled in a tense debate on Australia Day, disagreeing on Woolworth’s controversial move to drop patriotic merchandise from its shelves.

Indigenous activist Jay Walton appeared alongside former…[Read more]

Turkey, Iran agree on need for regional stability amid Israel’s war on Gaza

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he and his Iranian counterpart have agreed to avoid steps that could threaten Middle East stability, during a visit to Ankara by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi.

At a news conference after the meeting on Wednesday, Erdog…[Read more]

Turkey’s parliament approves Sweden’s NATO bid

Turkey’s parliament has approved Sweden’s NATO membership bid after more than four hours of debates.

The legislators ratified Sweden’s accession protocol by 287 votes to 55, with four abstentions on Tuesday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming da…[Read more]

Thousands of flood damage victims still waiting on claims as insurers face ‘perfect storm’

After two years of floods inundating the east coast of Australia, thousands of customers are still waiting for claims to be processed.

Figures from the Insurance Council of Australia show that of 160,000 building insurance claims made across four major…[Read more]

Rio Tinto to buy all electricity from European Energy’s planned solar project near Gladstone

Australia’s largest solar project has reached a major milestone — agreeing to sell all its electricity to mining company Rio Tinto.

European Energy plans to build its Upper Calliope Solar Farm about 50 kilometres south-west of Gladstone in central Q…[Read more]

BOM declares Cyclone Kirrily with impacts expected on Queensland’s coast and islands

Cyclone Kirrily has been declared and is expected to be felt on Queensland’s coast and islands into Thursday morning.

The cyclone is currently a category one but is expected to cross the coast as a category two system on Thursday night, according to the Bureau…[Read more]

Booming renewable energy generation halves wholesale power prices across the national grid

Rapid growth in renewable generation slashed the wholesale cost of power in the national energy grid late last year, and dramatically reduced reliance on coal-fired power.

Prices more than halved in the final three months of 2023 compared to the same…[Read more]

Most taxpayers to get $804, but high-end tax cut halved as the government rewrites stage 3

he government will halve the stage 3 tax cuts for the highest earners and use the money to deliver an $804 tax cut across the board.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to confirm the details of the biggest policy shift in his government’s first…[Read more]