The Japan Times - Politics

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.

US lawmakers certify Trump win, four years after Capitol riot

Donald Trump capped a historic political comeback on Monday as Congress certified his election victory, in a remarkable turn from four years ago, when a mob he had summoned to Washington ransacked the US Capitol.

Caracas vows to arrest opposition's Gonzalez Urrutia if 'sets foot' in Venezuela

Tension mounted in Venezuela Monday ahead of strongman Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in ceremony, with Caracas vowing to arrest exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia if he returns to the country.

Trudeau to resign as Canada PM, citing 'internal battles'

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, saying he will leave office as soon as the ruling Liberal party chooses a new leader after months of slumping polls and internal division.

Trump asks court to delay hush money sentencing

US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday urged a judge to delay the sentencing set for Friday in his New York hush money case, as he prepares for his historic White House return.

US Fed's top banking regulator says he will step down early

The US Federal Reserve's top banking regulator announced his early resignation Monday, avoiding a confrontation with President-elect Donald Trump who can now pick his replacement.

S. Korea's Yoon avoids arrest by deadline, extension sought

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol evaded arrest after a warrant's Monday deadline passed, but anti-graft investigators asked for more time to enforce his detention.

Trudeau says to resign as Canada PM

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, saying he will leave office as soon as the ruling Liberal party chooses a new leader after months of slumping polls and internal division.

Syria announces end of Homs security sweep: state media

Syrian state media said a five-day security operation in Homs city ended Monday, with a war monitor reporting hundreds of arrests in sweeps mostly targeting neighbourhoods of ousted president Bashar al-Assad's Alawite community.

S. Korea's Yoon avoids arrest by deadline, extension requested

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol evaded arrest after a Monday deadline passed but anti-graft investigators were likely to be granted more time to enforce the warrant.

Canada's Trudeau expected to announce resignation amid political crisis

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to hold a news conference on Monday, with a senior government source telling AFP the embattled premier has decided to leave office.

Israel says Hamas knows 'exactly' where hostages are after offer

Israel said Monday that Hamas had yet to clarify whether 34 hostages it claimed it was ready to free were dead or alive, throwing doubt on the group's assertion that it needed time to ascertain their fate.

EU rules don't prohibit Musk's German far-right chat on X

Elon Musk's controversial plan for a live chat with a German extreme-right leader on X this week is allowed under European Union laws but will be scrutinised for potential violations of electoral interference rules, Brussels said on Monday.

France's Sarkozy on trial over alleged Kadhafi financing pact

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial Monday charged with accepting illegal campaign financing in an alleged pact with the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Austria's president tasks far right to form govt in historic first

Austria's president tasked far-right leader Herbert Kickl with trying to form a government Monday, in a historic move after coalition talks that excluded the Freedom party (FPOe) collapsed.

Nepal suspends helicopters in Everest region after protests

Nepal's airlines have halted helicopter flights to the Everest region after locals angry at the environmental impact and loss of income from trekkers threatened landing sites, aviation officials said Monday.

Macron urges 'realistic' expectations from Ukraine on territory

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday urged Ukraine to have "realistic" expectations on territory as its fight against the Russian invasion heads into a fourth year, saying he saw no "quick and easy solution" to the conflict.

'Protect our people': Armed Syrian volunteers watch over Damascus

Every night, Damascus residents stand guard outside shops and homes armed with light weapons often supplied by Syria's new rulers, eager to fill the security vacuum that followed the recent takeover.

Israel says Hamas has not given 'status of hostages' it says ready to free

Israel said Monday that Hamas had not yet provided the status of 34 hostages the group declared it was ready to release in the first phase of a potential exchange deal.

Jailed ex-Malaysian leader Najib moves closer to house arrest

Jailed former Malaysian leader Najib Razak moved closer on Monday to serving the rest of his sentence at home after an appeal court ruled he could use a royal decree supporting his claim.

France's ex-president Sarkozy on trial over alleged Kadhafi pact

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, convicted twice in separate cases since leaving office, goes on trial Monday charged with accepting illegal campaign financing in an alleged pact with the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Russia says captured key town in eastern Ukraine

Russia said Monday its forces had captured the "important logistics hub" of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine in what would be a key advance after months of steady gains in the area.

South Korea's Yoon set to avoid arrest by warrant deadline

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared set to evade arrest ahead of a Monday night deadline after anti-graft investigators asked for more time to enforce a warrant.

Charlie Hebdo unveils special edition 10 years since attack

French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo unveiled a special edition Monday to mark 10 years since an attack on its offices by Islamist gunmen that decimated its staff.

North Korea fires missile as Blinken warns of Russia cooperation

North Korea on Monday fired a missile as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Korea, where he warned Pyongyang was working ever closer with Russia on advanced space technology.

South Korea investigators ask police to arrest Yoon

South Korean anti-graft investigators asked police Monday to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, after he fended off their week-long efforts to bring him into custody over his failed martial law bid.

North Korea fires missile as Blinken seeks stability in South

North Korea on Monday fired a missile just as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Korea, where he sought a stable course on foreign policy as political turmoil engulfs the US ally.

Venezuela opposition seeks army backing, leader to meet Biden

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia called Sunday for the military to recognize him as commander-in-chief, as he continued an international tour seeking to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power.

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