Browsing: featured

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 17-year high

Business

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has raised its short-term policy rate to “around 0.5%,” marking its highest level in 17 years. This decision follows December’s inflation surge, with core consumer prices rising 3% year-on-year, the fastest pace in 16 months.

Captain Cook statue vandalised ahead of Australia Day

News Briefing

A statue of Captain James Cook in Sydney has been defaced with red paint and damaged, just days before the Australia Day weekend. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, marking the second time the monument has been targeted in the past year.

Micheál Martin elected Taoiseach after chaos 

Europe

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has been elected taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland for the second time, following intense debates in the Dáil (Ireland’s lower house of Parliament). The Dáil faced multiple suspensions on Wednesday due to heated exchanges between the government and opposition parties.  

Trump urges OPEC to lower oil prices, links high costs to Russia-Ukraine war 

Business

President Donald Trump has called on Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations to reduce oil prices, warning that high costs are prolonging the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump expressed surprise that OPEC hadn’t acted to lower prices before the elections, emphasising the impact on global stability.  

Firefighters battle massive wildfire north of LA as winds intensify

News Briefing

A rapidly growing wildfire, known as the Hughes Fire, is threatening communities about 45 miles north of Los Angeles. The blaze has already consumed over 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares), forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents in an area still recovering from previous devastating fires.

‘Southport killer jailed for 52-years’ – Paper Talk UK 

News Briefing

Almost every front page of the Friday national newspapers led with pictures of the three young girls who were murdered in Southport last summer as they attended a dance class. The papers’ lead articles react to the 52-year sentencing of the killer Axel Rudakubana, the opportunities missed to stop him from carrying out his horrific crime and the statements from the parents of the victims.

Elsewhere, the UK is bracing for 100mph winds as Storm Eowyn barrels down on the country.

The back pages lead on English football teams, with Manchester United’s 2-1 win in the Europa League the most prominent.