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USAID freeze calls into question billions in support for poorest countries

The Trump administration's attempt to fold the USAID humanitarian agency into the State Department calls into question the future of tens of billions of dollars in financial support to some of the world's poorest countries.

Musk takes reins of US Treasury payments, sparking alarm

Elon Musk and his aides have taken control of the US Treasury Department's payments system -- which manages trillions of dollars of transactions each year -- sparking alarm among critics.

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From ban to buyout: What next for TikTok in the US?

TikTok faces an imminent shutdown in the United States after Congress passed a law last year forcing its Chinses owner ByteDance to either sell the platform or close it by this Sunday.

Venezuela restricts diplomats from France, Italy, Netherlands

Venezuela said Tuesday it would limit the number of accredited diplomats at the French, Italian and Dutch embassies, citing their governments' "hostile" response to Nicolas Maduro's inauguration for a third presidential term.

Trump cabinet hearings start with controversial Pentagon pick

Confirmation hearings for Donald Trump's cabinet nominees kicked off Tuesday with a combative session for controversial Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct and who lacks experience leading large organizations.

Blinken proposes UN role, Palestinian state path in Gaza

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday proposed international security forces and temporary UN leadership to stabilize post-war Gaza but said Israel in turn must agree on a pathway to a Palestinian state.

Trump would have been convicted of election subversion: special counsel

Donald Trump would have been convicted for his "criminal efforts" to retain power after the 2020 election if the case had not been dropped because of his November White House victory, special counsel Jack Smith said Tuesday.

Stocks mixed as they track tariffs, inflation and earnings

Stock markets moved in different directions on Tuesday with traders' attention fixed on President-elect Donald Trump's tariff plans, earnings updates and inflation data.

Transnistria leader visited Moscow for energy talks: reports

The leader of breakaway Moldovan region Transnistria visited Moscow recently for talks on resolving its energy crisis, local media reported Tuesday.

Trump's cabinet hearings kick off with controversial Pentagon pick

Confirmation hearings for Donald Trump's cabinet nominees kicked off Tuesday with his controversial Pentagon pick, Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host dogged by sexual assault allegations and no experience leading large organizations.

Lebanon's new PM says reaching out to all sides to save country

Lebanon's new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday that he was reaching out to all political persuasions to help "rescue" his crisis-hit country ahead of talks aimed at forming a government.

US to ban smart cars containing Chinese tech

The United States finalized a rule Tuesday effectively barring Chinese technology from cars in the American market, taking aim at software and hardware from the world's second biggest economy over national security risks.

Trump to make online address to global elite's Davos meeting

Donald Trump will speak online to the annual meeting of the global political and business elite in Davos next week, days after taking office as US president, the World Economic Forum said on Tuesday.

Volkswagen deliveries fall in 2024 as electric push slows

Volkswagen's deliveries fell last year, the German carmaker said Tuesday, underlining fierce Chinese competition and faltering demand for electric vehicles.

Stocks rise tracking tariffs, inflation and earnings

Stock markets mostly rose Tuesday with traders' attention fixed on President-elect Donald Trump's tariff plans, earnings updates and upcoming inflation data.

Qatar says Gaza truce talks in 'final stages'

Key mediator Qatar said negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal were in their "final stages" on Tuesday, adding that it was hopeful an agreement could be reached "very soon".

UK finance minister under pressure to restore market confidence

Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to address parliament Tuesday to try and regain the confidence of markets in the face of rising pressure over the country's struggling economy.

Gaza truce talks enter 'final round': source briefed on negotiations

A "final round" of Gaza truce talks was due to start Tuesday in Qatar, said a source briefed on the negotiations aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war after more than 15 months.

New French PM faces first key parliamentary hurdle

France's new prime minister Francois Bayrou is set to give his first policy speech to a divided parliament on Tuesday, hoping to avoid a no-confidence vote that could prolong the country's rumbling political crisis.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles before Trump's return

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Tuesday, according to Seoul's military, in what experts said could be a message to US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.

TikTok calls report of possible sale to Musk's X 'pure fiction'

TikTok on Tuesday labeled as "pure fiction" a report that China is exploring a potential sale of the video-sharing platform's US operations to billionaire Elon Musk as the firm faces an American law requiring imminent Chinese divestment.

NATO Baltic leaders seek to boost security after cable 'sabotage'

NATO countries on the Baltic Sea met in Helsinki on Tuesday, looking to boost security following the suspected sabotage of undersea cables, widely blamed on Russia.

Gaza talks enter 'final round' in Qatar: source briefed on negotiations

A "final round" of Gaza truce talks is due to start Tuesday in Qatar, said a source briefed on the negotiations aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war after more than 15 months.

Japanese tourist magnet Kyoto to hike hotel taxes

Kyoto authorities announced Tuesday plans to hike lodging taxes, as Japan's ancient capital seeks to assuage grumbles from locals about too many tourists.

Trump's cabinet picks come under US Senate spotlight

Donald Trump's cabinet nominees go under the microscope in a frenzied week on Capitol Hill starting Tuesday, as US senators hold confirmation hearings that could make or break their political careers.

Impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon begins

The impeachment trial of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol started Tuesday, with the country's Constitutional Court deciding whether to strip him of his presidential duties over a failed martial law bid.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles before Trump return

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea Tuesday, according to Seoul's military, in what experts said could be a message to US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.

Asian markets mixed as traders eye US inflation data, earnings

Asian markets diverged Tuesday as bargain buying after recent losses played against ongoing worries about the outlook for the global economy and the impact of a second Donald Trump presidency.

NATO Baltic leaders set to boost security after cable 'sabotage'

NATO countries on the Baltic Sea will look to boost security when they meet in Helsinki on Tuesday, following the suspected sabotage of undersea cables widely blamed on Russia.

Even before taking office, Trump shaking up global order

Donald Trump has not yet returned to the White House but is already thrusting himself to the front of international stage as he once again shatters diplomatic niceties.

Trump unbound: America braces for wild, dark comeback

Buckle up: Donald Trump returns to the White House next week for a second term that promises to be even more volatile -- and hard-line -- than his roller-coaster first presidency.

Iran, European powers hold 'constructive' nuclear talks

Iran and European powers said they held "frank and constructive" talks on Monday about Tehran's nuclear programme, just a week before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Village People, Carrie Underwood to perform at Trump inauguration

The Village People -- the group behind "Y.M.C.A," a staple of Donald Trump's rallies -- said Monday they have accepted an invitation from the president-elect to perform at events connected to next week's inauguration.

Biden says 'on the brink' of truce deal as dozens killed in Gaza

US President Joe Biden said Monday that a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Hamas and Israel was "on the brink" of being finalised, even as heavy fighting rocked the Palestinian territory.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)