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Where things stand in China-US trade tensions

China has made good on its threats to retaliate in the escalating trade war with the United States, imposing tariffs on American imports of energy, cars and machinery parts.

At Damascus opera house, hopes for a better future

To applause, percussionist Bahjat Antaki took the stage with Syria's national symphony orchestra, marking the first classical concert at the Damascus opera house since president Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

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What do we know about latest Gaza talks?

Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have launched a new push to end the Gaza war and secure the release of dozens of hostages held in the Palestinian territory.

Chad says bid to storm into presidential palace foiled, 20 dead

Two dozen armed men tried to storm into Chad's presidential palace but 18 of the attackers and two soldiers were killed in the failed attack, the national prosecutor said Thursday.

'Venezuela will be free': anti-Maduro protests roil Caracas

Opponents of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro took to the streets Thursday in a last-ditch protest against his swearing-in for a third six-year term as president.

Macron welcomes 'crucial election' of new Lebanon president

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday welcomed the "crucial election" by Lebanese lawmakers of army chief Joseph Aoun as president after a two-year vacuum at the top, calling his victory an opportunity for reform in the country.

Jimmy Carter unites US as presidents attend state funeral

Jimmy Carter brought a brief moment of national unity to a divided America Thursday as five US presidents gathered for the solemn state funeral of the 39th commander-in-chief in Washington's National Cathedral.

Chinese foreign minister pledges military aid for Africa

Chinaese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday pledged Beijing's full support and military aid for the world's poorest continent as he wrapped up his Africa tour in Nigeria.

Musk draws ire because 'isn't left-wing': Italy's Meloni

Italy's far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said on Thursday Elon Musk's political interventions only caused outrage because he wasn't left-wing -- and that foreigners had been interfering in Italian politics for years.

Jimmy Carter honored at state funeral as US mourns

Jimmy Carter began his final journey Thursday, with his flag-draped coffin being moved from the US Capitol for his state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral as mourners paid their respects to the 39th US president.

Lebanon army chief Aoun becomes president after two-year void

Lebanon's lawmakers on Thursday elected army chief Joseph Aoun as president after a two-year vacancy in the position, in a step towards lifting the war-battered country out of financial crisis.

What we know about the LA fires

Wildfires across Los Angeles have claimed at least five lives and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. Some blazes are threatening to engulf parts of Hollywood.

Clashes as crowds welcome Mozambique opposition leader home from exile

Mozambique's main opposition leader returned from weeks of exile Thursday, insisting he won October's presidential elections and welcomed by thousands of jubilant supporters but at least one person was killed as police tried to disperse the crowds.

Ukraine's leader calls for support as Trump's return opens 'new chapter'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said Donald Trump's return to the White House would open "a new chapter" and reiterated a call for Western allies to send troops to help "force Russia to peace".

Lebanon army chief set to become president in second parliament vote

Lebanon's lawmakers voted for a second time in the day Thursday to elect a much-needed president, with army chief Joseph Aoun expected to win.

37 killed in north Syria clashes between pro-Turkey, Kurdish forces: monitor

Battles between Turkish-backed groups, supported by air strikes, and Kurdish-led forces killed 37 people on Thursday in Syria's northern Manbij region, a war monitor said.

Italy's Meloni denies discussing SpaceX deal with Musk

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denied Thursday talking to Elon Musk about a cybersecurity deal with the American billionaire's SpaceX company following reports that sparked controversy in Italy.

Beijing says EU imposed unfair trade barriers on Chinese firms

China said Thursday that an investigation had found the European Union imposed unfair "trade and investment barriers" on Beijing, marking the latest salvo in long-running commercial tensions between the two economic powers.

Thousands welcome Mozambique opposition leader as he returns from exile

Thousands of people turned out to meet Mozambique's main opposition leader after he returned home from more than two months in exile Thursday to push his claim that he won the October presidential election.

UK FM Lammy refuses to condemn Trump comments on Greenland

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Thursday refused to condemn president-elect Donald Trump's Greenland ambitions while insisting that the US acquiring the self-governing Danish territory is "not going to happen".

Blinken seeks to avert Syria turmoil with Europeans on final trip

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was heading on Thursday to Rome for talks with European counterparts on bringing stability to Syria in the face of flare-ups with Turkey, capping what is likely his final trip.

Mozambique opposition leader returns home, ready for government talks

Mozambique's main opposition leader on Thursday returned from more than two months in exile saying he was ready to take part in talks over disputed election results that have led to weeks of deadly protests.

Waymo exec hopeful Trump will boost autonomous driving

A top Waymo executive said Wednesday the United States could lead globally on autonomous driving, expressing hope that a national standard under the incoming Trump administration would boost safety.

YouTube patriots? The men backing S. Korea's impeached president

Fears of North Korea, online conspiracies and unproven claims of electoral fraud -- conservative South Korean men told AFP why they had descended on impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's residence to protect him from arrest.

Asian markets hit by worries over US inflation, rates outlook

Asian markets fell Thursday after a tepid lead from Wall Street, with investors increasingly worried about the outlook for inflation and US interest rates as Donald Trump's second presidency looms.

Tensions high in Mozambique as opposition leader due home from exile

Security forces prevented people from reaching the airport in Mozambique's capital on Thursday as the opposition leader Venancio Mondlane was due to arrive home from exile to push his claim that he won presidential elections.

Trade war worries loom over Las Vegas tech show

Chinese companies have turned out in force again at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, with their prospects overshadowed by the threat of steeper tariffs from incoming US president Donald Trump.

America mourns former president Jimmy Carter at state funeral

Jimmy Carter was to be honored Thursday with a state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral, amid a groundswell of tributes honoring the 39th US president and the last from the so-called Greatest Generation.

Bangladesh garment industry rebounds, but workers say little change

In a vast Bangladeshi factory hall thrumming with sewing machines, garment workers churn out seemingly endless pairs of mountain hiking trousers for customers in Europe and North America.

Asian markets drop as trades fret over US inflation, rates outlook

Asian markets struggled Thursday after a tepid lead from Wall Street, with investors growing increasingly worried about the outlook for inflation and US interest rates as Donald Trump's second presidency looms.

Mozambique opposition leader due home amid tension over disputed vote

Mozambique's opposition leader is expected to return from exile Thursday to push his claim to have won presidential elections, risking an escalation in a dispute about the vote just days ahead of the swearing in of his rival.

Lebanon set to finally elect president after two-year vacancy

Lebanese lawmakers are expected to finally elect a president Thursday after more than two years of deadlock, in a much-needed step to help lift the war-battered country out of financial crisis.

Assault on Chad presidential complex leaves 19 dead

Gunmen attempted to storm the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on Wednesday, sparking a battle that left 18 attackers and one security personnel member dead, the government said.

Fighting at Chad presidency leaves 19 dead, several injured

Gunmen launched an attack on the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on Wednesday, sparking a battle that left 18 attackers and one security personnel member dead and several others injured, the government said.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)