Murder of Paris student fuels anger at failed deportation

The murder of a 19 year-old female student in an exclusive neighbourhood of Paris is fuelling new calls from the French right for tougher action on immigration.

The body of the young woman, named only as Philippine, was found on Saturday, half-buried in the Bois de Boulogne park on the…[Read more]

Charity cyclists find battlefield route quite tough

Cyclists travelling through France are facing an emotional test of endurance, as they pay their respects to thousands of men killed in World War One.

Team Blind Dave, led by West Bromwich fundraiser Dave Heeley, have completed four days of their seven-day challenge to cycle 1,000km (600 miles)…[Read more]

French champagne makers aim to protect grape harvesters from abuse

Champagne vineyards are taking steps to better protect seasonal workers from abuse, hoping to restore the iconic bubbly’s damaged reputation after reports emerged last year of migrant workers living in appalling conditions and other labour violations.

French champagne producers…[Read more]

Shinkansen makes emergency stop when cars uncouple en route to Tokyo

A shinkansen made an emergency stop between northeastern Japan and Tokyo on Thursday after its two linked trains uncoupled, railway operator JR East said, but no injuries were reported among the some 320 people aboard.

The incident involving the Komachi and Hayabusa high-speed…[Read more]

BOJ keeps interest rates unchanged, weighs July hike impact

The Bank of Japan left its key interest rate steady at around 0.25 percent as widely expected at the end of a two-day policy meeting Friday, as it continued to assess the impact of its previous rate hike two months ago.

The central bank stood pat after it raised the target for the…[Read more]

Child dies after stabbing near Japanese school in China

Japan condemns ‘despicable act’ committed against the 10-year-old boy who was on his way to the Shenzhen Japanese School.

A 10-year-old boy enrolled in a Japanese school in China’s Shenzhen city has died after being stabbed by a 44-year-old man, according to officials in both count…[Read more]

Japan faces labor shortages and demographic crisis as elderly population hits record high

Japan commemorated its “Respect for the Aged Day” earlier this week, with the national holiday underscoring a somewhat problematic fact — the country has a record number of elderly citizens to celebrate.

Government data released ahead of the event showe…[Read more]

Australia’s population reaches 27 million with growth largely driven by overseas migration

Australia is now home to more than 27 million people but policies over the last decade have failed to deliver the housing needed, an expert warns.

New data issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the national population grew by 2.3 per cent to…[Read more]

Delays to Southwest Metro will cost taxpayers $3.6 million a day until resolution with Rail union, Minister says

The construction of Sydney’s Southwest Metro train line will be delayed after the union and government could not reach a bargaining agreement, costing taxpayers $3.6 million a day until it’s resolved.
The conversion of the T3 B…[Read more]

China pulls handbrake on Australian lobster imports

Negotiations to resume Australia’s lobster trade with China are proceeding at a crawling pace as Beijing makes more demands of the industry.

China alleged Australian lobsters were contaminated – which Canberra denied – and the hurdle remains a point of contention within the trading relat…[Read more]

Diabetic driver’s charges over five deaths at Daylesford pub thrown out

A diabetic driver who ploughed into a beer garden and killed three adults and two children will walk from court a free man after all charges against him were struck out.
William Swale, 66, faced a three-day committal hearing this week in Ballarat Magistrates Court as he…[Read more]

Japan’s premier hopefuls pledge more spending to support economy

Japan will likely see another stimulus package under a new prime minister, with several candidates running in the ruling party’s leadership race pledging fresh spending measures to boost growth and cushion the blow to households from rising inflation.

In announcing his int…[Read more]

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]

`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]