Japan records biggest jump in foreign workers in 2024

Japan saw its biggest year-on-year jump in foreign workers since records began, government data showed Friday, as the country seeks to address labor shortages exacerbated by its aging population.

In October 2024, the nation’s foreign workforce stood at 2.3 million — an increase of around…[Read more]

Turkish intel secures release of 5 Thai hostages in Gaza

The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has coordinated with Hamas to secure the release of five Thai hostages on Thursday held in the Gaza Strip, Turkish security sources reported on the same day.

The agency, which has mediated the release of some foreign hostages held in Gaza…[Read more]

Türkiye poised to become a UN humanitarian aid hub

Türkiye is preparing to become a central hub for the United Nations humanitarian aid operations.

While regional crises in Syria, Gaza and Ukraine have underscored its strategic role, Türkiye’s involvement extends beyond its immediate neighbors, playing a key part in peace efforts in Ethi…[Read more]

Türkiye aims to be center of high-tech investments in 2025

Türkiye is striving to establish itself as a global hub for high-tech investments, with significant advancements anticipated in areas ranging from biotechnology to industrial robotics.

In a recent interview with Anadolu Agency, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır de…[Read more]

Fire ravages Paris district town hall, leaving spire ‘in danger of collapsing’

A fire in Paris’s 12th district town hall broke out overnight from Sunday to Monday, ravaging the roof and bell tower of the 19th-century building. Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez warned the 36-metre spire was ‘in danger of collapsing’ after firefighters extin…[Read more]

France imported record amount of US crude in November

French crude imports in November included a new high from the US.

Customs data show imports at 4.3mn t (1.04mn b/d), up by 7pc on the year and down from 4.5mn t a month earlier.

Deliveries of US crude were just over 1.25mn t, up from the previous record of slightly more than 1.2mn t in…[Read more]

France says EU will lift some sanctions against Syria

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters on Monday that the European Union is lifting some sanctions against Syria, as top EU diplomats met in Brussels to discuss a coordinated approach to sanctions relief for the war-torn country. Barrot added that France would also propose…[Read more]

Osaka bans street smoking ahead of World Expo

The city of Osaka on Monday imposed a smoking ban on public streets as part of efforts to become more visitor-friendly ahead of this year’s World Expo.

Around 160 countries and regions are participating in Expo 2025, the latest edition of an event held every five years in different global…[Read more]

Japan’s dirty secret

This is not a story of romance or consent but of coercion and power wielded with devastating consequences

The recent sexual misconduct scandal involving Masahiro Nakai, a prominent talk show host and former member of Japan’s legendary boy band SMAP, is likely just the tip of the iceberg — a glimpse into the disturbing reali…[Read more]

Top Fuji TV executives in Japan resign over sex scandal

Chairman and president step down to take responsibility for a widening sex assault scandal linked to celebrity host.

Japan’s Fuji Media says its chairman and the head of its TV unit will step down immediately amid a probe into alleged sexual misconduct by a celebrity TV host.

Chairman S…[Read more]

Peter Dutton’s boilerplate campaign video is most interesting for what it omits

The shots of sharing cuppas with constituents and laughing with his kids skates over the details of his ‘small family business’

Election season officially begins when the prime minister drives in the back of C1 to visit the governor general – but its unoffic…[Read more]

Australia braces for five cyclones

Experts have said it is “very unusual” to see cyclone activity in so many areas, and have warned it could be very problematic for one part of the country.

Australia is bracing for the possibility of five cyclones to hit over the weekend.

A monsoon surge forecast to move through Indonesia and into northern Aus…[Read more]

Sinner will be one of greatest players we’ve ever seen

Each time Jannik Sinner enters a tournament, records seem to tumble.

The world number one’s commanding 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win over second seed Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open final meant Sinner became Italy’s first three-time Grand Slam champion.

The 23-year-old has started the…[Read more]

Australian broadcaster apologises to Djokovic

Coverage: Live radio commentary on Tennis Breakfast from 07:00 GMT on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app

An Australian broadcaster has apologised to Novak Djokovic for comments he made on TV that the 24-time Grand Slam champion considered “insulting and…[Read more]

Body of pastor missing in NSW floodwaters found days after his disappearance

The body of a 53-year-old pastor, who was missing in floodwaters in northern New South Wales, has been found two days after he disappeared.
The man had officiated at a wedding rehearsal at Selah Valley Estate in Limpinwood on Saturday and was leaving in his ute when he…[Read more]

NSW public hospitals made $51.7 million from parking fees in just one year

Hospitals in New South Wales are making record multi-million-dollar profits by raking in millions more from parking fees.
The total revenue from public hospital car parking fees rose from $30.2 million in 2023 to $51.7 million in 2024, according to the latest financial…[Read more]

Trump presidency will help to ‘occupy Brussels’, says Orbán

Hungary PM says new US leader will bolster Europe’s rightwing forces as nationalist politicians attend inauguration

Donald Trump’s presidency will boost rightwing political forces across Europe, the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has said, as he announced an offensive “to occup…[Read more]

French PM Bayrou survives first no-confidence vote in parliament

French Prime Minister François Bayrou survived his first major test in the National Assembly on Thursday after Socialist lawmakers and the far-right National Rally chose not to support a no-confidence motion put forward by hard-left party La France insoumise (France…[Read more]

France Vows To Secure Release of 2 French-Israeli Hostages

France is steadfast in its efforts to secure the release of two French-Israeli nationals still held by Hamas, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Monday. Speaking to BFM TV, Barrot reiterated France’s commitment to ensuring their freedom, despite having no updates on their co…[Read more]

Youth crime plaguing residents of Australia’s historic peanut capital

Welcome to Kingaroy, Australia’s historic peanut capital, a quiet and quaint town in Queensland’s South Burnett Region.

Residents of the community, along with those in the surrounding towns of Wondai and Murgon, have reached breaking point after a string of youth crime…[Read more]