Japan PM leaves for U.S., Germany for summits amid security concerns

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida left for Washington on Wednesday to attend a NATO summit to confirm cooperation with the alliance in addressing the increasingly severe security challenges posed by Russia and China.

During his five-day overseas trip through Sunday, Kishida…[Read more]

Leaders of South Korea, Japan share concerns over Russia-North Korea ties

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shared concerns over growing ties between Russia and North Korea and agreed to continue their security cooperation, a statement from Yoon’s office said on Thursday.

The two leaders, who are…[Read more]

French election results: No party secured a majority, so what’s next?

How will President Emmanuel Macron appoint a new prime minister, and how will a hung parliament work?

A loose alliance of leftist parties has won the most seats in French legislative elections after a second round of voting.

While the coalition has managed to keep F…[Read more]

French police kill alleged gunman amid continued unrest in New Caledonia

French police shot and killed an alleged gunman in New Caledonia on Wednesday, bringing the death toll from nearly two months of chaos in the French Pacific territory to 10. The unrest began over plans to expand the electoral roll, which indigenous Kanak people fear would…[Read more]

France’s Macron slams Israeli minister’s backing of Marine Le Pen

Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli publicly supported far-right candidate Marine Le Pen before France’s parliamentary vote.

French President Emmanuel Macron has denounced “unacceptable” comments made by an Israel minister who publicly promoted far-right candidate M…[Read more]

Australia appoints second woman governor-general in 123 years to represent British monarch

Australia appointed Sam Mostyn on Monday as only its second woman governor-general, a largely ceremonial role representing the British monarch who is the nation’s head of state.

It is the first such Australian appointment since the reign of King Charles I…[Read more]

Pro-Palestinian protesters breach security at Australia’s Parliament House to unfurl banners

Pro-Palestinian protesters breached security at Australia’s Parliament House to unfurl banners from the roof on Thursday as a senator quit the government over its direction on the Gaza war.

Tensions over Israel’s war against Hamas dominated Parli…[Read more]

Gas shortages to hit the east coast earlier than predicted, ACCC warns

Australians have been warned of the potential for a serious gas shortage to hit the east coast earlier than anticipated, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) saying new sources and supply are needed to avoid the shortfall.
The consumer watchdog, in i…[Read more]

Search underway for missing man after boat capsizes in Swansea

A desperate search for a missing man is under way after a boat capsize on the NSW Hunter coast yesterday evening.
Four men were thrown into waters near Channel Street in Swansea after the small boat they were travelling in overturned about 7.50pm.
Passengers on a passing boat man…[Read more]

Turkish fans make national gesture during national anthem at Euro 2024

Merih Demiral, who scored both goals for Türkiye’s national team in a 2-1 win over Austria in the last 16 of Euro 2024, has been banned by UEFA for making the national gesture.

Turkish supporters making their way to the European Championship quarterfinal against the…[Read more]

Lawyers call for harsher penalties over stray bullet incidents

Lawyers have expressed the need to impose harsher judicial penalties for incidents involving stray bullets resulting in fatalities or injuries, citing the increasing number of such cases.
Celebrations such as weddings and military send-offs sometimes witness “celebratory gunfire,” lea…[Read more]

Türkiye slams Israeli move to expand West Bank settlements

Türkiye has condemned Israel’s plans to recognize settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank legally.

“The decisions taken by Israel to ‘legalize’ some settlement outposts and to ‘approve’ new housing units in the occupied West Bank are flagrant violations of international law,” s…[Read more]

Japan’s stock records lack punch of yen’s fall

Japanese stocks hit new highs on Thursday with a whimper rather than a bang, greatly contrasting the noise around the yen’s recent fall to a 38-year low.
Analysts contacted on Friday about the rise of the 225-issue Nikkei average to an all-time record above 40,000 dispensed with celebratory remar…[Read more]

Suggestive poses and pets in election campaigning tests Tokyo’s patience

Tokyo elects a new governor this weekend, but residents say personal publicity stunts have overtaken serious campaigning to a degree never seen before, with nearly nude women in suggestive poses, pets, an AI character and a man practicing his golf swing.

It’s impossible to…[Read more]

Japan confirms China set up buoy over its southern continental shelf

The Japanese government said Friday it has confirmed China has installed a buoy in the high seas over Japan’s southern continental shelf in the Pacific Ocean, in a move that could further strain bilateral relations.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a news…[Read more]

France’s frenzied finale: Will last-minute deals thwart far-right win?

The ink on the campaign posters barely had time to dry. Yet, France’s frenzied snap legislative election races are nearly over. President Macron hoped to clear the air with his shock dissolution of parliament but after the far-right’s unprecedented surge and so many unholy all…[Read more]

France’s opportunity to be a global leader on climate action at risk

France’s opportunity to be a global leader on climate action could be at risk, depending on who wins the upcoming legislative elections. The current frontrunner, the National Rally Party has historically mocked or downplayed environmental issues, while Macron’s party wants to…[Read more]

Dutch rider Groenewegen sprints to stage six win of Tour de France in Dijon

Dylan Groenewegen of the Netherlands won stage six of the Tour de France on Thursday in a mass dash for the Dijon finish line in which Belgian Jasper Philipsen was relegated for a swerve.

Overnight leader Tadej Pogacar retains the yellow jersey by 45sec from Belgian…[Read more]

For the French market, hung parliament ‘might be better outcome than to give power to far right or left

Emmanuel Macron’s centrist camp and a left-wing alliance were on Monday battling to prevent the far right from taking an absolute majority and control of the government in a historic first after the French president’s gamble on early…[Read more]

French left races to prevent far-right takeover

Despite calls for voters to form a united front against the National Rally (National Front), the far-right party came out on top when the results of the first round of voting for France’s snap legislative elections were revealed.