Ankara attack disrupts talks between the PKK and Turkish government

Turkey likely to maintain military pressure on the Kurdish armed group while keeping the door open for dialogue

Efforts to initiate dialogue between Turkey’s government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) appear to have been disrupted following an attack by the armed group o…[Read more]

5th-century amulet depicting biblical figure King Solomon spearing the devil discovered in Turkey

Archaeologists in Turkey say they have discovered an ancient amulet depicting a Biblical figure in a battle against the devil.

The rare artifact was found during an ongoing excavation project in Hadrianopolis, an ancient city near Karabük, and…[Read more]

Fund-raisers in Tokyo generated 942 million yen for parties in ’23

Some 108 organizations held 274 political fund-raising parties in Tokyo in 2023, generating 942.21 million yen ($6.1 million) in total, a political fund balance report showed.

The report was released by the Tokyo metropolitan government’s Secretariat to Election Adm…[Read more]

Tokyo inflation likely exceeded BOJ’s 2% target again in November – Reuters poll

Consumer inflation in Tokyo for November likely surpassed the Bank of Japan’s 2 per cent price target following a reduction in fuel subsidies and with an increase in food costs, a Reuters poll showed on Friday.

The core consumer price index (CPI) in Tokyo, a leading…[Read more]

India, Japan Discuss Defense Pact to Boost Military Cooperation, Tech Ties

The proposed pact was discussed at a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani that took place on the sidelines of a regional security conclave in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.

India and Japan on Friday deliberated on…[Read more]

China to allow 30-day visa exemption for Japan visitors from Nov. 30

China said Friday it will restart its unilateral visa-free arrangement for short-term Japanese visitors on Nov. 30, allowing stays of up to 30 days, a measure believed to be aimed at promoting tourism and trade amid a downturn in the world’s second-largest economy.

The…[Read more]

Germany’s Scholz, China’s Xi hold talks at G20

EU tariffs on electric vehicles from China and the war in Ukraine were on the agenda as the leaders of two of the world’s largest economies met on the sidelines of the summit in Rio de Janeiro.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, met on the sidelines of the G20…[Read more]

Germany suspects sabotage behind severed undersea cables

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said damage to two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea looks like an act of sabotage and a “hybrid action”, without knowing who is to blame.

A 1,170km (730-mile) telecommunications cable between Finland and Germany was severed in the early hours of…[Read more]

Germany on mysteriously severed cables in the Baltic Sea: it’s sabotage

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday, the 19th of November, at a meeting of the Council of the European Union that “nobody believes” that two telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea were “cut accidentally”, but that it was not k…[Read more]

Chancellor candidate for Germany’s Green Party pledges Taurus missiles to Ukraine if elected

Missiles, which could potentially reach Moscow, have been point of contention in German politics

German Green Party chancellor candidate Robert Habeck said Sunday that he would approve the delivery of long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine if he w…[Read more]

World’s first wooden satellite, developed in Japan, heads to space

The world’s first wooden satellite, built by Japanese researchers, was launched into space on Tuesday, in an early test of using timber in lunar and Mars exploration.

LignoSat, developed by Kyoto University and homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry, will be flown to the International Spa…[Read more]

Britain remains on board next-generation fighter jet plan with Japan, Italy

The British government has decided to remain on board a joint fighter jet development program with Japan and Italy following a review of defense expenditure, amid speculation the plan could be axed, a source close to the matter said Saturday.

The Labour government under…[Read more]

Japan plans automated cargo transport system to relieve shortage of drivers and cut emissions

Japan is planning to build an automated cargo transport corridor between Tokyo and Osaka, dubbed a “conveyor belt road” by the government, to make up for a shortage of truck drivers.

The amount of funding for the project is not yet set. But it’s seen…[Read more]

Germany: Scholz open to new talks with CDU leader Merz

A party ally says Chancellor Scholz would be open to talks with Friedrich Merz on when to move toward new elections — but only after dealing with urgent business in parliament. Merz earlier said this wasn’t acceptable.

The standoff between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition l…[Read more]

How a German football club is making refugees feel at home

Hertha Bonn, a football club in western Germany, has started the project “Football Connects” to help refugee children integrate into society. The initiative has drawn praise from Germany’s football association.

With just a few hand gestures, Salim Mehdaoui indicates what he wants from…[Read more]

Germany’s Habeck set to run for chancellor for the Greens

Green minister and Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck is expected to announce candidacy as leader Olaf Scholz faces pressure to call early elections after the collapse of his governing coalition.

Germany’s Deputy Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck will announce his bid for the…[Read more]

Gaza truce talks hit major snag after Qatar suspends mediation role

Qatar has paused its mediation efforts for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement, stating Saturday that it will only resume when both Hamas and Israel demonstrate genuine commitment to negotiations, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Gulf emirate, which has hosted…[Read more]

Turkey, Greece top diplomats meet to help mend ties between regional rivals

Athens and Ankara say no magical solution is reached in their latest talks but dialogue will continue.

Turkey’s top diplomat has agreed with his Greek counterpart in Athens to keep dialogue moving forward with the goal of resolving longstanding issues that have brought t…[Read more]

Türkiye expects Washington to ease, remove trade hurdles

Türkiye expects the new administration under Donald Trump’s presidency to remove some trade barriers, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat has said.

He noted that the bilateral trade volume almost doubled compared to five years ago to $35 billion.

Türkiye and the United States had set a target of re…[Read more]

Erdoğan calls for national unity to honor Atatürk’s legacy

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for national unity on the 86th death anniversary of modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, urging all segments of society to come together and strengthen Türkiye’s cohesion.

“Let us together face and overcome the threats before us t…[Read more]