Japan’s sputtering economy likely stalled before Trump’s tariffs

Japan’s economy likely suffered a contraction in the first three months of this year, signaling underlying fragility even before U.S. tariff measures started hitting the country in earnest, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
Gross domestic product adjusted for infla…[Read more]

Japan Begins Production of Stealth Patrol Vessels to Enhance Surveillance of its Territorial Waters

Amid increasing naval activity by China and Russia near its maritime borders, Japan has launched the construction of a new series of next-generation patrol vessels for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The program calls for the…[Read more]

Türkiye’s first domestic flying auto ‘AirCar’ takes to sky

Türkiye’s first domestically developed flying car, AirCar, built up within a project in the northwestern province of Kocaeli, known as the hub for the automotive industry and information technologies, has started crewed flights, according to a report on Thursday.

The flights commenced a…[Read more]

Leading aid group shuts Gaza soup kitchens amid Israeli blockade

Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza forced a major relief organization on Thursday to close its community soup kitchens, as empty warehouses and the lack of resupply left it unable to feed civilians in the war-ravaged enclave.

World Central Kitchen was s…[Read more]

US judge to weigh releasing Turkish student detained for being pro-Palestine

A federal judge on Thursday decided to assess the release of a Tufts University doctoral student being held in an immigration detention facility in Louisiana without waiting for President Donald Trump’s administration to return her to Vermont as previously o…[Read more]

French pro-Palestinian group contests government decision to shut it down

A French pro-Palestinian protest group is contesting a government decision to shut it down, saying the move was politically motivated and based on “false” arguments as part of a wider crackdown on the movement for Palestinian rights.
Urgence Palestine (Emergency…[Read more]

Poland and France deepen defence ties amid doubts over U.S. support

France and Poland signed a treaty on Friday to increase cooperation on defence, nuclear energy and other measures, in a sign of growing alliances between European nations amid concerns about U.S. commitment to Europe’s security.
The signing came a day before Ukraine hosts leaders…[Read more]

‘Spectre of war has returned’ to Europe, Macron warns on 80th anniversary of V-E Day

French President Emmanuel Macron struck a sombre tone on Thursday as he presided over ceremonies in Paris commemorating the 80th anniversary of the capitulation of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that…[Read more]

Ute driver calls on special training as he plunges 45 metres into water

After being hit by a freighter, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the south-eastern US collapsed on May 9, 1980, killing 35 people as their vehicles plunged 45 metres into the Tampa Bay.

The sole survivor was ute driver Wesley MacIntire whose vehicle hit the giant ship and r…[Read more]

The race narrows in the seats still too close to call

Teal independent Zoe Daniel has refused to concede her seat of Goldstein despite incoming Liberal MP Tim Wilson claiming victory earlier this week.
Today, Daniel said a definitive position is still not clear as a little more than 87 per cent of the votes have been counted in the inner M…[Read more]

Whittlesea council election in Melbourne overturned over ‘fraud’ votes: VCAT

A local election in one of Australia’s biggest cities has been overturned over concerns about fraudulently completed ballots.

Voters will be forced to return to the polls in Melbourne’s outer suburbs after a local election was voided over concerns about fraudul…[Read more]

Japan wants all tariffs reviewed to reach deal with U.S.: negotiator

Japan has no intention of striking a trade deal with the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump unless all of its new tariffs are reviewed, top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa indicated Saturday as he returned to Japan following the second round of ministerial-level tariff…[Read more]

Japan ranks worst among G7 in 2025 world press freedom rankings

Japan trailed other members of the Group of Seven countries in the 2025 world press freedom rankings as government pressure on news outlets has become common practice, a media freedom group said Friday.

Of the 180 countries and regions surveyed, Japan moved up four places from last…[Read more]

Ishiba vows to work to revise Constitution; yet momentum low

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his desire to seek the country’s first-ever revision of the pacifist Constitution, as Japan marked the 78th anniversary of its coming into force with no clear political momentum toward such a move.

In a video message to a pro-reform…[Read more]

Türkiye Maarif Foundation hosts Africa’s largest youth science festival

High school students from across Africa convened in Abidjan this week for the continent’s largest science and technology festival, organized by the Türkiye Maarif Foundation (TMV).

The event, organized by TMV’s Côte d’Ivoire Maarif Schools, brought together participan…[Read more]

Hunger silences Gazan children crying out against Israel’s aid block

In a devastated Gaza neighborhood where rubble replaces homes and walls gape open to the sky, hungry and trembling children begged for food and medicine – supplies Israel has withheld for two months amid its 19-month campaign that Palestinians call a genocide.

With sunken eye…[Read more]

Hundreds arrested in crackdown on May Day protests in Istanbul

Hundreds of people have been arrested in Istanbul, with 50,000 police officers deployed to the city as authorities attempt to crack down on May Day protests.

Public transport was shut down to stop people reaching Taksim Square, where demonstrations have been banned since…[Read more]

French left divided over the term ‘Islamophobia’ after the murder of a Muslim in a mosque

United in condemning the murder of Aboubakar Cissé at the mosque in a small southern French village, the radical left La France Insoumise and the Socialists are split over the use of a term that reignites tensions in France.
At Place de la République in P…[Read more]

Mates in banger rally to Spain in memory of friend

Two friends will embark on a 2,000-mile journey (3,220km) from Birmingham, through Europe to Benidorm in an “old banger” in memory of their friend who passed away.

Simon Lewis, 57, from Gloucester, and Kevin Paskin, 53, from Worcester, are taking part in Benidorm Bangers charity road trip…[Read more]

Donald Trump is looming over Australia’s election

In Western Sydney, an audience of Stetson-wearing Australians are sitting in their fold-up camping chairs, swigging beers and eating a spiralled fried potato on a skewer known as a ‘chip on a stick’.

People here are enjoying bull rides, barrel racing and bucking broncos. It feels like a slice of…[Read more]