The Japan Times - Politics

Accused IS militant to appear in US court over Kabul airport attack

An Islamic State operative who allegedly helped carry out the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport during the chaotic US military withdrawal was to appear in a Virginia court Wednesday, the Justice Department said.

US signals possible exemptions in Canada, Mexico tariffs

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an announcement on Canada and Mexico tariffs was expected later Wednesday, signaling potential relief for specific sectors such as automobiles, a day after the steep levies took effect.

Swiss lawmakers vote to enshrine cash in constitution

Swiss lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of enshrining cash in the country's constitution as mobile and card payments have taken a dominant position.

Israelis bid farewell to hostage in emotional kibbutz funeral

Dozens of mourners gathered Wednesday in Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel near Gaza, to bid farewell to Ohad Yahalomi, whose body was returned by Hamas last month.

Greek govt to face no-confidence vote over 2023 train tragedy

Four Greek opposition parties on Wednesday submitted a motion to trigger a no-confidence vote against the government over its handling of the country's worst rail tragedy in 2023, the head of the socialist party said.

Zelensky says lasting peace 'achievable'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that a lasting peace was "entirely achievable" as the Kremlin called it "positive" that Kyiv was professing its readiness for talks on ending the three-year war.

US official says possible Canada, Mexico tariff relief on 'categories'

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an announcement on Canada and Mexico tariffs was expected later Wednesday, signaling potential relief for specific sectors such as automobiles, a day after the steep levies took effect.

Minerals, mines, hydrocarbons: Greenland's key but limited resources

The vast autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, coveted by US President Donald Trump, is believed to hold untapped mineral and oil reserves, but on a global scale these amounts are modest and offer only minor potential for exploitation.

Panama president says Trump 'lying' about reclaiming canal

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Wednesday accused his US counterpart Donald Trump of "lying" about Washington taking back the Panama Canal.

Israel's new army chief says mission against Hamas 'not accomplished'

Israel's newly appointed military chief Eyal Zamir said Wednesday that his country's mission to defeat Hamas was not yet accomplished, with his inauguration coming at a precarious moment for the fragile truce in Gaza.

France warns against weight loss supplements using Garcinia plant

France warned Wednesday against dietary supplements promising weight loss that use the tropical plant Garcinia cambogia after a range of rare but serious side effects including one death were reported.

Germany set for massive rearmament as divide with US widens

Germany is set to rearm in a way not seen since World War II after the likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said his government would vastly increase defence spending.

Greenland rejects Trump pledge to make the island American

Greenland's prime minister on Wednesday hit back at President Donald Trump's pledge to take the Arctic territory "one way or the other", insisting that islanders did not see their future with the United States or even Denmark.

China's goals for 2025: five things to know

China laid out its economic growth goals and spending for 2025 on Wednesday.

EU asked to say how much funding given to Musk firms

The EU faced questions on Wednesday over how much of its money goes to tech billionaire Elon Musk's companies as tensions ramp up between the new US administration and Brussels.

Macron to address France over global 'uncertainty'

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would address the nation Wednesday over the current global uncertainty in the wake of the radical change in US policy on Ukraine under Donald Trump.

US tax agency weighs firing half of its 90,000 employees

The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering letting go up to half of its approximately 90,000 employees, a source with knowledge of the situation told AFP on Tuesday.

Trump says Zelensky ready for Russia talks, mineral deal

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky has told him Kyiv was ready for talks with Russia and the finalization of a US minerals deal, days after the pair's explosive White House meeting.

Love and loathing for Trump in longest ever Congress speech

Donald Trump leaned on his reality TV instincts as he goaded opponents, wooed adoring fans, and engineered heart-tugging moments Tuesday in the longest-ever presidential speech to Congress.

Trump tells Greenland US will get it 'one way or the other'

President Donald Trump urged Greenland on Tuesday to choose to join the United States but vowed to take the Danish-ruled island "one way or the other" -- whatever the locals decide.

'America is back,' Trump declares in divisive Congress speech

Donald Trump declared "America is back" Tuesday in his first address to Congress since returning to power, touting his radical policies in the face of raucous Democratic hostility while proclaiming a breakthrough on Ukraine.

China says to hike defence spending by 7.2% this year

China's defence spending will rise by 7.2 percent in 2025, the same as last year, Beijing said on Wednesday, as its armed forces undergo rapid modernisation and eye deepening strategic competition with the United States.

America 'is back' Trump touts in Congress speech

Donald Trump declared "America is back" Tuesday in his first address to Congress since returning to power, facing instant Democratic hostility as he touted radical social and economic policies, while hailing his billionaire adviser Elon Musk.

Trump jokes 'nobody has heard' of Lesotho

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked tiny Lesotho as a country "nobody has ever heard of" as he defended his sweeping cuts in aid.

Trump's addresses a tense Congress on partisan night

There was dismay on the left and jubilation on the right as Donald Trump's addressed the US Congress on Tuesday in a tense atmosphere and with Washington's political divisions rarely more visible.

'We're all afraid': Austria moves to deport Syrian refugees

Syrian refugee Khaled Alnomman said he made a big effort to integrate since he fled to Austria 10 years ago, learning to speak German fluently, getting a job as a bricklayer and applying for citizenship.

Trump hails 'unstoppable' America in return to Congress

Donald Trump proclaimed Tuesday that the "American dream is unstoppable" in his first address to Congress since a whirlwind return to power that has roiled the nation and the world.

Trump tariff uncertainty overshadows growth promises: analysts

President Donald Trump's tariffs and the retaliation they attracted will likely weigh on US growth and boost inflation, according to analysts, but, beyond that, uncertainty surrounding the levies threatens to overshadow optimism about his future policies.

China targeting growth of 'around 5 percent' in 2025: official document

China is pushing for economic growth of "around five percent" in 2025, an official document seen by AFP on Wednesday showed, an ambitious goal as Beijing faces down an intensifying trade war with the United States and deepening economic doldrums at home.

Trump gives Chevron a month to 'wind down' Venezuela operations

The United States on Tuesday gave energy giant Chevron just one month to stop its operations in Venezuela, delivering a heavy blow to cash-strapped authorities in Caracas.

Hong Kong firm offloads Panama ports after Trump pressure

Under fierce pressure from US President Donald Trump, Hong Kong firm Hutchison said Tuesday it had agreed to sell its lucrative Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium.

China to unveil 2025 growth goals eyeing trade war woes

China's leadership will on Wednesday unveil their growth goals for the coming year as they eye a mounting trade war with the United States and deepening economic doldrums at home.

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