Nationals formally abandon commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050

The Nationals have formally abandoned a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, in a unanimous party room decision.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said the party would shift its focus to climate adaptation instead of being “focused solely” on reducing…[Read more]

‘Diabolical’: why Australia’s teacher shortages are among the worst in the world – and who is suffering most

Regional and disadvantaged schools are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with almost two-thirds of teachers reporting high levels of stress

Mathew Burt has been principal at Broome Senior High School for less than a decade, yet he’s on…[Read more]

ATO is paying private debt collector $42m to pursue taxpayers, including welfare recipients

The tax office’s increased reliance on Recoveriescorp has coincided with a spike in complaints to the watchdog

The Australian Taxation Office has awarded the private debt collector Recoveriescorp more than $42m in contracts as part of a hard-edged c…[Read more]

Takaichi buys time and builds trust with ‘near-perfect’ Trump summit

A “near-perfect meeting.” That was how one senior Liberal Democratic Party official labeled new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.
It’s hard to argue with that, supporters and rivals say. With a successful summit, Takaichi achieved mo…[Read more]

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, w…[Read more]

Hegseth welcomes Japan’s arms spending increase, says US-Japan alliance key to deter China

Japan has already moved up a planned deployment of its medium and long-range missiles such as Tomahawk and Japanese-made Tupe-12 anti-ship missiles.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday welcomed Japan’s determination to accelerate its ong…[Read more]

Australia’s consumer agency sues Microsoft over 365 pricing

Australia’s consumer authority accused Microsoft of “deliberately” hiding subscription information from its Australian customer base.

On Monday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission sued the software giant for allegedly misleading more than 2.5 million Australian users…[Read more]

Australia’s tropical forests now emit CO₂, clouding the COP30 talks

Carbon emissions from this one region may foreshadow global forest trends

Australia’s tropical forests are the world’s first to flip a worrisome switch. The forests are now putting more carbon into the atmosphere than they are taking out, researchers report in the Oct. 16 Natu…[Read more]

Indian minister accused of victim blaming after Australian cricketers’ assault

An Indian minister’s comment that two female Australian cricketers, who were “touched inappropriately” last week, should’ve informed authorities before leaving their hotel has sparked a row with many accusing him of victim blaming.

The incident occurred in Indore in…[Read more]

Shizuoka Studies Yamanashi’s Approach to Managing Overtourism on Mt. Fuji

The Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly’s special committee on the preservation and proper use of Mt. Fuji held its fourth meeting on October 21st, hearing from officials of Fujiyoshida City in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture about their initiatives to curb “bullet climb…[Read more]

Japan’s new PM is preparing large economic stimulus to tackle inflation, sources say

Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing an economic stimulus package that is likely to exceed last year’s $92 billion to help households tackle inflation, government sources familiar with the plan said on Wednesday.
The package of more than 13.9…[Read more]

Takaichi’s choice: revolution, reform or regression

Without bold action, the new prime minister will lack the momentum for enduring leadership

Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stands at a crossroads. Her choices will define not only her legacy but the nation’s trajectory for the next decade and beyond.
As the country’s first female…[Read more]

Victoria’s top cop Mike Bush apologises for using police helicopter to fly to Tasmania

Victoria’s top cop has apologised for making the “wrong decision” to take a police helicopter to Tasmania to attend a work conference.
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush travelled to Hobart via a Victoria Police Air Wing on Monday afternoon for the annual A…[Read more]

Australian PM defends ambassador to US after Trump run-in

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly defended his ambassador to the US after Donald Trump said he did not like the diplomat during a meeting at the White House.

On Monday, Trump was asked about Kevin Rudd, a former prime minister turned ambassador to the US, who wrote…[Read more]

China accuses Australia of covering up South China Sea airspace incursion

China and Australia have traded accusations over an incident Australia said involved a Chinese jet releasing flares.

China has accused Australia of covering up an incursion into Chinese airspace in response to Canberra’s earlier claims about an “unsafe and unp…[Read more]

Lost Recording of Anti-War Director Kihachi Okamoto Discovered

A long-lost recording of acclaimed film director Kihachi Okamoto, known for his lifelong commitment to anti-war cinema, has been discovered, shedding new light on the convictions behind his influential body of work. The tape, found in January in a storage room at BSS San’in B…[Read more]

Osaka Police Officers Demonstrate Safe E-scooter Riding to Promote Proper Use

To promote safe and proper use of electric scooters, Osaka prefectural police officers wearing helmets have been demonstrating correct riding methods for passersby. The police explained that “people will notice when uniformed officers ride them” and have encouraged res…[Read more]

Influenza cases in Japan surge 50% week on week

Health authorities in Japan are urging people to take precautions against influenza. They say cases nationwide have surged by about 50 percent in the space of a week.

The Japan Institute for Health Security and others say there were 9,074 cases reported by more than 3,000 medical institutions…[Read more]

Hawthorn dad Grant Brown unloads on Premier Jacinta Allan and Victoria’s bail laws after home invasion terror

The hero dad dubbed “Captain Underwear” has unloaded on Premier Jacinta Allan and Victoria’s bail laws in the aftermath of his own home invasion terror.

The hero dad who chased down two boys in his underwear after they allegedly broke i…[Read more]

‘Ambitious’ Warren Moon hungry for success with Central Coast Mariners

New Mariners coach Warren Moon has embraced his interim role despite uncertainty around the club’s ownership and coaching structure.

Mariners interim coach Warren Moon has no concerns about jumping into the Central Coast hot seat despite the looming shadow of Labinot Halit…[Read more]