The Japan Times - Politics

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.

Gunfire erupts inside presidency in Chad capital

Gunfire erupted Wednesday evening inside the presidency in Chad's capital N'Djamena, with tanks and a heavy security presence on the streets, according to AFP reporters on the scene and security sources.

Venezuela opposition decry crackdown before Maduro swearing-in

Opponents of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday decried a worsening crackdown 48 hours before he is to be sworn in on the back of elections he is widely accused of having stolen.

Israel army says body of hostage retrieved from Gaza

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that its troops had recovered the body of a hostage in Gaza and brought it back to Israel following a "complex and difficult operation".

'Democracy won', says Lula two years after Brasilia riots

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday hailed the triumph of democracy as he oversaw the return of restored artworks two years after they were damaged during an assault on the national seats of power by his predecessor's supporters.

Sweden says Christmas tree needles safe to eat -- after Belgian warning

A day after Belgium warned against eating Christmas trees, Swedish officials said that the needles can be safely used to make butter and other products -- as long as the trees are young and wild.

UN peacekeepers patrol in Lebanon as truce deadline nears

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon patrol through rocky hills and olive groves near the border with Israel, ahead of a deadline for a truce in the war with Hezbollah that some residents fear will not hold.

Russian strike on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia kills 13

A Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least 13 people, Ukrainian officials said, one of the deadliest single air attacks for weeks in the three-year war.

Italian reporter jailed in Tehran returns to Italy

An Italian journalist arrested and jailed in Iran since December has been freed and returned to Rome on Wednesday, even as a diplomatic spat between the two countries lingers over an Iranian held in Milan.

Lula marks anniversary of Brasilia riots with restored artworks

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva oversaw the return on Tuesday of iconic restored artworks two years after they were damaged during an assault on the national seats of power by his predecessor's supporters.

Biden says he could have defeated Trump

Joe Biden thinks he could have won reelection if he had stayed in the White House race, he said in an interview published Wednesday -- while conceding he was unsure if he would have served another full term.

Spanish PM says Musk 'stirs up hatred', warns against fascism

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Wednesday that fascism could return as X owner Elon Musk, an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, "openly attacks our institutions" and "stirs up hatred".

Global stocks diverge on renewed US inflation fears

Stock markets diverged and the dollar rose Wednesday after data pointed to a robust US economy, further denting hopes of several more cuts to interest rates in the world's biggest economy.

France urges European Commission to be firm against Musk interference

France on Wednesday urged the European Commission to protect its member states with "the greatest firmness" against interference in political debate particularly from the billionaire owner of social media platform X, Elon Musk.

South Syria fighters reluctant to give up weapons: spokesman

Fighters in southern Syria who helped topple President Bashar al-Assad are reluctant to disarm and disband as ordered by the country's new rulers, their spokesman told AFP.

Hundreds rally for South Korea's Yoon as new arrest bid beckons

Hundreds of supporters of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol rallied outside his home on Wednesday in a bid to protect him as investigators prepared a fresh arrest attempt.

Thai police hunt suspect over Cambodian politician shooting

Thai police on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for a gunman suspected of shooting dead a Cambodian opposition politician in a brazen attack in downtown Bangkok.

Venezuela on tenterhooks ahead of rival protests, Maduro swearing-in

Venezuela is on tenterhooks as it braces for pro- and anti-government protests Thursday -- the eve of President Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in for a third term rejected by the opposition and much of the international community as illegitimate.

S. Korea's impeached President Yoon holds out in capital 'fortress'

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's residence has been turned into a "fortress", with layers of barbed wire and vehicle blockades protecting the elusive leader.

Trump's provocative, often confusing, US foreign policy is back

In a provocative and headline-grabbing Tuesday speech on his territorial ambitions for the United States, incoming US leader Donald Trump was heavy on intimidation but light on details -- leaving many wondering how seriously the comments should be taken.

Asian markets mixed after Wall St hit by US inflation fears

Equities wavered on Wednesday as sentiment was knocked by a sell-off on Wall Street that was sparked by data indicating the US economy and jobs market remained robust, further denting hopes for interest rate cuts.

Venezuela arrests two Americans, five other 'mercenaries'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday announced the arrest of seven foreigners -- including two Americans -- whom he accused of being "mercenaries" trying to prevent him from being sworn-in for another six years in power.

Race begins to replace Canadian PM Trudeau

The race to be Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's successor kicked off on Tuesday, a day after he resigned amid a looming trade war with the United States and a divisive political climate at home.

Venezuela's Gonzalez Urrutia says son-in-law detained in new clampdown

Venezuela's Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who the opposition says won a July presidential election over incumbent Nicolas Maduro, said Tuesday his son-in-law was detained by "hooded men."

Turkey threatens military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters

Turkey threatened Tuesday to launch a military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria unless they accepted Ankara's conditions for a "bloodless" transition after the fall of strongman president Bashar al-Assad.

Freewheeling Trump sets out US territorial ambitions

Donald Trump threatened military action to secure the Panama Canal and economic force against neighboring Canada, in a meandering press conference Tuesday a day after Congress certified his election victory.

'Snowball's chance in hell' Canada will merge with US: Trudeau

There is not a "snowball's chance in hell" that Canada will merge with the United States, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday, while his foreign minister added the country will "never back down" from threats by Donald Trump.

Daglo, feared Darfuri general accused by US of genocide

Sudanese paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who has been sanctioned by the United States for genocide, went from feared Darfur militia commander to de facto vice-president before unleashing a devastating war for power.

Trump Jr. in Greenland on 'tourist' trip as father eyes territory

Donald Trump Jr. made a private visit to Greenland on Tuesday as his father, the US President-elect, refused to rule out military action to take control of the mineral- and oil-rich autonomous Danish territory.

Trump says NATO members should raise defense spending to 5% of GDP

Donald Trump on Tuesday pushed NATO members to boost their defense spending to five percent of GDP, underlining his long-standing claims that they are underpaying for US protection.

Freewheeling Trump sets out territorial ambitions