The Japan Times - Politics

'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

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.

US sanctions top Hungary minister over 'corruption'

The United States announced sanctions against the head of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in corruption.

US says Sudan's RSF committed 'genocide' in Darfur

The United States determined on Tuesday that members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had "committed genocide" and imposed sanctions on the paramilitary group's leader.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, architect of French far-right surge, dies at 96

Jean-Marie Le Pen, an extreme right-winger who haunted the French political establishment for decades, died on Tuesday aged 96, dividing opinion until the end.

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

Donald Trump Jr made a private visit to Greenland on Tuesday, just weeks after his father restated his interest in the mineral- and oil-rich Danish autonomous territory, which itself wants independence.

Macron irks allies, left with Africa 'forgot to say thank you' jibe

President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday faced an angry backlash from France's remaining allies in West Africa and accusations at home of showing a neo-colonialist attitude after lamenting that African countries "forgot to say thank you" for France's decade-long military deployment to fight an Islamist insurgency.

Ghana's John Mahama sworn in after presidential comeback

Ghana on Tuesday swore in president-elect John Mahama in the capital Accra, with around 20 African leaders in attendance.

French far-right figurehead Jean-Marie Le Pen dies at 96

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the historic leader of France's far right, died on Tuesday aged 96, his family told AFP.

South Korea investigators get new warrant to arrest President Yoon

South Korean anti-graft investigators secured a new court-ordered arrest warrant Tuesday for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed martial law bid threw the country into turmoil.

South Sudan says will resume oil production from Jan 8

South Sudan could resume oil production "as early as tomorrow" almost a year after fighting in neighbouring Sudan ruptured a key pipeline, the government said Tuesday.

Stock markets mostly rise on US optimism

European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Tuesday following another tech rally on Wall Street.

S. Korea investigators get new warrant to arrest President Yoon

South Korean anti-graft investigators secured a new court-ordered arrest warrant Tuesday for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed martial law bid threw the country into turmoil.

Blinken says US-Japan ties solid despite rift over steel deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted during a visit to Tokyo on Tuesday that ties with Japan were stronger than ever, days after President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel.

North Korea's Kim says new hypersonic missile will deter 'rivals'

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un said it tested a new hypersonic missile this week aimed at deterring the country's Pacific rivals, state media reported Tuesday, as Washington's top diplomat visited the region.

Asian markets mostly up after tech-fuelled Wall St rally

Most markets rose in Asia on Tuesday following another rally on Wall Street sparked by tech giants as traders try to assess Donald Trump's tariff plans following a report he may take a more targeted approach.

Blinken says US-Japan ties rock solid despite rift over steel deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted during a visit to Tokyo on Tuesday that ties with Japan were stronger than ever, days after President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel.

Blinken in Japan after rift on steel deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Japan on Tuesday for talks expected to address North Korean missile launches, but President Joe Biden's blocking of a steel deal is straining the allies' warm ties.

S. Korea investigators seek new warrant to arrest President Yoon

South Korean anti-graft investigators were waiting on Tuesday for a new court-ordered arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed martial law bid threw the country into turmoil.

North Korea's Kim says new missile will deter 'rivals'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said a new hypersonic missile system tested this week would help deter the country's Pacific rivals, state media reported Tuesday, as Washington's top diplomat visited the region.

Tensions mount in Venezuela ahead of Maduro swearing-in

Venezuela's embattled opposition on Monday vowed to overcome "fear" and thwart President Nicolas Maduro's plans to be sworn in for another term, with defiant leaders renewing calls for mass protests and visiting the White House to rally international support.

US, European markets mostly rise as Trump tariff plans in question

US and European markets mostly rose Monday following a report -- strongly denied by US President-elect Donald Trump -- that his incoming administration was mulling applying tariffs more selectively than he had previously suggested.

Trudeau to resign as Canada PM, ruling party to choose new leader

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday, saying he would leave office as soon as his party chooses a new leader, with slumping polls and internal division taking their toll.

Venezuela on tenterhooks ahead of Maduro swearing-in

Tensions mounted in Venezuela ahead of strongman Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in ceremony, with Caracas vowing Monday to arrest exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia -- widely recognized as the country's legitimate president-elect -- if he returns home.

Harris gracious in defeat as Congress certifies Trump's election

It is not a job that she would have had on her bucket list, but a gracious Kamala Harris put on a brave face -- and even a broad grin -- on Monday as she presided over the certification of her defeat to Donald Trump in November's presidential election.

Canada's Trudeau: Liberal star who dazzled then fizzled

The term "political rock star" has not been applied to many Canadian leaders, but when Justin Trudeau stormed into office in a 2015 landslide election, it appeared to fit.

'Dozens' of Ukraine soldiers deserted while training in France

Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers have deserted while training in France, a French army official told AFP on Monday.

US envoy says Israeli forces begin pullout from 2nd south Lebanon town

Visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein said Israeli forces began withdrawing on Monday from a south Lebanon border town more than halfway into a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

England urged to boycott Afghanistan match by British politicians

A group of more than 160 British politicians have called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott next month's Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan as a stand against the Taliban regime's assault on women's rights.

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