Australia and Solomon Islands sign $190 million security deal in blow to China

Australia has signed a $190 million security deal with the Solomon Islands to boost the size and capacity of the Pacific nation’s police force.
The money will go towards training and infrastructure, which includes an officer training centre in the capital…[Read more]

Cafes, bottle shops could be exempt from government’s cash mandate

Australian businesses are getting an idea of what could be exempt from new cash protections, set to be brought in by early 2026.

Cafes, takeaways, bottle shops and hairdressers could avoid being hit by an incoming cash mandate, according to a government discussion paper f…[Read more]

Coalition senator says nuclear ‘not going to cut it’ in video

The senator has gone against the grain in an unearthed video and says the Coalition is “latching onto” nuclear “because it fixes a political issue for us”.

Nationals senator Matt Canavan says the Coalition is “latching onto” nuclear energy “because it fixes a political issue f…[Read more]

Japan Govt Eyes Jan. 24 Start of Ordinary Diet Session; Upper House Election Likely to Be Held on July 20

The government and ruling bloc on Thursday began making adjustments to the schedule in order for the ordinary Diet session to convene on Jan. 24, 2025.

Considering the Public Offices Election Law, the start of the campaign period for the…[Read more]

Foreign visitors to Japan top 33 mil in Jan-Nov, breaking annual record

The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 33 million from January to November, setting a new annual record, driven by a tourism boom and a weak yen, government estimates showed Wednesday.

The total stood at 33,379,900, surpassing the previous full-year high of 31.88…[Read more]

Mount Fuji access fees to be doubled as authorities address overcrowding

Climbers using the most popular trail on Mount Fuji are expected to be slugged with a doubled fee of 4,000 yen from next summer as the Yamanashi prefectural government seeks to tackle overcrowding, a source close to the matter said Thursday.

The prefectural government also…[Read more]

Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average Set for Weekly Decline Despite Weak Yen Tailwind

Japan’s Nikkei share average on Friday was headed for its worst week since early November despite the tailwind of a weaker yen, as weakness on Wall Street and caution ahead of major central bank policy decisions weighed.

The Nikkei rose 0.2% to 38,889.95 at the mid…[Read more]

Honda and Nissan are in merger talks

Honda and Nissan are discussing a possible merger, potentially bringing together two Japanese automaking titans that have recently fallen on hard times.

The companies said in statement that they have been in talks, but they offered no details or timeframe for when a deal – if one should develop – may be com…[Read more]

French PM Francois Bayrou hopes to have budget ready by mid-February

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Thursday he hopes to have a budget ready by mid-February and that he would consider using special constitutional powers to get it through parliament if opposition parties tried to block it.

France’s new prime minister, Francois…[Read more]

Defendants face judgement for actions that led to beheading of French teacher

Eight people accused of abetting the jihadist murder of French teacher Samuel Paty are to learn their fate after a six-week trial in a Paris court.

They include the father of a schoolgirl whose lie about Paty’s alleged discrimination against Muslims in the classroom…[Read more]

Macron vows to rebuild Mayotte after cyclone devastation

French President Emmanuel Macron was met with angry residents of Mayotte, who urged him to help with critical issues plaguing the island in Chido’s aftermath.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the overseas territory of Mayotte, which was devastated by Cyclone Chido, where he pledged…[Read more]

FM Fidan rejects Trump claim of ‘Turkish takeover’ of Syria

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s claim of a so-called Turkish “takeover” in Syria, as he said it would disrespect the will of the Syrian people.

“We wouldn’t call it a takeover, because it would be a grave mistake to present what’s been happening…[Read more]

Türkiye urges world to keep eyes on Gaza under Israeli attacks

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday warned the recent developments in the Middle East should “not lead the international community to ignore the genocide being committed by Israel in Gaza.”

Israeli attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure have intensified in recent days an…[Read more]

Int’l bodies fail to provide peace, security: Erdoğan

International organizations tasked to produce peace and security fail to fulfill their responsibilities in the face increasing conflict and war, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, calling on D-8 members to stand with the people of Syria as the country is building a new future after the…[Read more]

Erdoğan says Assad declined request for talks on Syria

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his attempts to meet with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad were rebuffed, as fighting intensifies between opposition and government forces in the war-torn country.

“We made a call to Assad, saying, ‘Come and let’s determine the future of Syria t…[Read more]

Turkey, Russia and Iran meet in Doha seeking exit from Syria chaos

Moscow and Tehran have offered military support to help President Bashar al-Assad crush the opposition

Turkey’s Foreign Minister will meet with his Russian and Iranian counterparts in Doha on Saturday to try to find a solution to the renewed fighting in Syria and avoid chaos on…[Read more]

Turkish diplomat takes the helm of OSCE

A senior Turkish diplomat, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, has been appointed as the secretary-general of the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) with the votes of all 57 member states, becoming the first Turkish national taking the helm of the prestigious organization.

Sinirlioğlu’s app…[Read more]

Türkiye warns Greek Cyprus’ increasing armament risk ‘arms race’ on island

Türkiye has raised objections to increasing militarization by the Greek Cypriot administration, warning that such actions threaten the fragile stability and peace in the region.

“This misguided policy could further undermine the stability and peace of our region and w…[Read more]

Trump to attend Notre Dame reopening as Macron weathers political storm

US president-elect returns to world stage at high-profile celebration that belies growing crisis in French politics

The restored Gothic spire of Notre Dame is to provide a dramatic backdrop for Donald Trump’s return to the geopolitical stage this weekend, as the US p…[Read more]

Emmanuel Macron vows to name new French PM within days

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he will name a new prime minister “in the coming days”, after Michel Barnier resigned following a no-confidence vote in parliament.

In a 10-minute address to the nation on Thursday, he rejected opposition pressure to stand down, vowing to stay in his…[Read more]