When Europe’s railroad dining cars were the height of luxury

On October 4, 1883, the legendary Orient Express departed Gare de l’Est in Paris for the very first time, slowly winding through Europe on its way to Constantinople, as Istanbul was then known. During a seven-day round trip, the service’s 40 passengers — including several promine…[Read more]

Marine Le Pen’s niece starts own party: What it means for French far-right

Marion Marechal, 34, has launched Identite-Libertes, through which she hopes to strengthen France’s ‘national camp’.

The niece of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has founded her own political party aimed at becoming a new force in the country’s growing right-win…[Read more]

French treasure hunt for buried owl statue ends after 31 years

A mass treasure hunt appears to have come to an end, after an announcement in France that a buried statuette of a golden owl has finally been unearthed – after 31 years.

A 31-year-long treasure hunt that drew in thousands of enthusiasts across France appeared to have come to an end T…[Read more]

Judge rules public can view video evidence in French mass rape trial

Warning: This story contains distressing details from the start.

A French judge has reversed a ruling in the trial of a man who is accused of drugging his wife to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for over a decade.

Lawyers for Gisèle Pelicot, 72, had earlier…[Read more]

PM Barnier tells parliament France must trim its ‘colossal’ debt

New French PM promises ‘targeted tax hikes’ and spending cuts in order to cut budget deficit, national debt.

France’s new Prime Minister Michel Barnier has outlined the policy programme of his new government, seeking to shore up its fragile position just three weeks after taking of…[Read more]

France’s left rages at Emmanuel Macron for shutting it out of power despite election victory

A furious French left called for mass protests across more than 130 towns and cities Saturday after French President Emmanuel Macron named a right-wing prime minister, despite the left’s surprising victory in July’s tumultuous elections.

The New Popular…[Read more]

Ishiba omits divisive proposals in first policy speech as PM

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gave his first policy speech to parliament on Friday, omitting some of the most divisive proposals he made during last month’s Liberal Democratic Party presidential campaign and instead prioritizing quickly actionable measures.
While he did not touch on p…[Read more]

The man behind Japan’s $170bn bid to prop up the yen

For several years, Masato Kanda hardly slept.

“Three hours a night is an exaggeration,” he laughs as he speaks to the BBC from Tokyo.

“I slept for three hours consecutively before being woken up but I then went back to bed, so if you add them up, I got a bit more.”

So why was this 59…[Read more]

Japan PM warns ‘today’s Ukraine could be tomorrow’s East Asia’

TOKYO: Japan´s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned in his first policy speech on Friday that “today´s Ukraine could be tomorrow´s East Asia”, saying that the world is becoming ever more divided.

The 67-year-old former defence minister, who took office this week, also dubbed th…[Read more]

Runway closed at Japan airport after WWII bomb explodes on taxiway

An unexploded World War II-era bomb exploded on a taxiway at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan on Wednesday morning, forcing the closure of its runway, although no injuries were reported, authorities said.

Video footage from the Civil Aviation College, which uses the airport…[Read more]

NYC mayor Adams pleads not guilty to federal corruption charges

Eric Adams says he will fight charges stemming from alleged illegal campaign contributions from Turkish sources.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges stemming from alleged bribes taken from Turkish diplomats and businesspeople.

Adams, 64,…[Read more]

Turkish Parliament to discuss measures against Israeli expansion

Turkish lawmakers are set to assemble for a closed session next week to discuss Israel’s expansionist policies and Türkiye’s potential measures against it, according to a report in Turkish newspaper Sabah.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler will be briefi…[Read more]

Gaza GDP shrunk nearly 90% due to ‘devastating’ war: IMF

A year of Israel’s attacks on Gaza has had a “devastating impact on the economy” in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported on Thursday.

That includes a nearly 90% decline in Gaza’s gross domestic product (GDP), severely affecting livelihoods in the…[Read more]

Turkey anti-inflation steps don’t go far enough, experts warn

Although Turkish inflation slowed in September, it is still raging out of control with the government avoiding difficult decisions that could help tackle it, experts told AFP.

Turkey has experienced spiraling inflation the past two years, peaking at an annual rate of 85.5 percent in O…[Read more]

NSW Police Force takes court action to stop pro-Palestine October 7 anniversary rallies in Sydney

Police are going to the Supreme Court to block two pro-Palestine protests planned for Sydney to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the war in Gaza this weekend.
The NSW Police Force’s move comes as the Australian Federal Police investigates…[Read more]

Dutton hits out at ABC after Hezbollah question

Peter Dutton says the ABC is in “greater trouble” than he thought after a reporter asked him about Australia listing Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.

Peter Dutton says the ABC is in “greater trouble” than he thought after a reporter asked him about Australia’s listing of Hezbollah a terrorist…[Read more]

US and allies call for 21-day ceasefire across Lebanon-Israel border

Allies including the US, UK and EU have called for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, following an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The 12-strong bloc proposed an immediate 21-day pause in fighting “to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a…[Read more]

Judge says controversial women-only art exhibit is legal

A controversial women’s-only museum exhibit could soon re-open in Australia, after an appeal judge overturned a ruling that it breached anti-discrimination laws.

The luxurious Ladies Lounge at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) in Hobart had sought to highlight historic misogyny by b…[Read more]

Fifth time’s a charm as former defense minister finally wins Japan ruling party leadership contest and will become country’s next leader

Former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba will become Japan’s new prime minister after winning his party’s leadership contest on Friday, following a crowded race that ended in a runoff vote.

The 67-year…[Read more]

Shigeru Ishiba to become Japan’s next PM

Shigeru Ishiba, a veteran politician with a reputation for irking his conservative colleagues, is set to become Japan’s next prime minister after winning the leadership race for the Liberal Democratic Party Friday.

Ishiba, a 67-year-old former defense minister, defeated socially conservative foreign pol…[Read more]