The Japan Times - Politics

Continuity or rupture: what direction for the next pope?

For years, traditionalists raged at Pope Francis's liberal approach. The question now is whether his successor will walk the same path, or take the Catholic Church in a new direction.

Diplomacy likely to trump geography in choice of new pope

Pope Francis smashed the stereotypical profile for a pontiff, becoming the Catholic Church's first leader from the Americas and the first non-European since the eighth century.

Progressive Canadians say social issues blown off election agenda

For Canadian Zita Dube-Lockhart, whose 12-year-old child receives gender-affirming care, the campaign ahead of Monday's election has avoided issues that matter to her, including LGBTQ rights.

Canada leaders make closing pitches in campaign upended by Trump

Canadian leaders campaigned in battleground districts Saturday, two days before a vote electrified by US President Donald Trump's threats, with Prime Minister Mark Carney favored after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington.

Canada leaders make final pitches in campaign upended by Trump

Canadian leaders campaigned in battleground districts Saturday, two days before a vote electrified by US President Donald Trump's threats, with Prime Minister Mark Carney favored after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington.

US, Iran say progress in 'positive' nuclear talks

The United States and Iran reported progress in their latest round of nuclear talks on Saturday and agreed to meet again next week as they pursue a deal that could help ease soaring Middle East tensions.

Turkey's opposition says Erdogan's canal plan behind latest arrests

Prosecutors in Turkey announced dozens more arrests Saturday as part of an ongoing corruption probe, denounced by opposition leaders as a pretext to remove resistance to an ambitious Istanbul canal project.

Trump raises Putin doubts after Zelensky talks at pope's funeral

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met briefly in the hush of St Peter's basilica before Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday in their first encounter since a noisy White House clash and the US president later cast doubt on whether Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants a peace deal.

Russia says retook Kursk from Ukraine with North Korean help

The Russian army has fully liberated the border Kursk region from Ukrainian control with the help of North Korean soldiers, Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Saturday, admitting their participation in the conflict for the first time.

Trump, Zelensky meet on sidelines of pope's funeral

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met briefly in the hush of St Peter's basilica on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday in their first encounter since a noisy White House clash, as the US president pushes the Ukrainian leader to make a peace deal with Russia.

Pakistan says open to neutral probe into Kashmir attack after India threats

Pakistan's leader said his nation was open to a neutral investigation on Saturday into a deadly attack in Indian-run Kashmir that New Delhi blames on Islamabad, and that has sent fraught relations into a tailspin with soldiers exchanging gunfire across their contested frontier.

Hamas says open to 5-year Gaza truce, one-time hostages release

Hamas is open to an agreement to end the war in Gaza that would see all hostages released and secure a five-year truce, an official said Saturday ahead of talks with mediators.

Pakistan ready to 'defend sovereignty' after India threats

Pakistan's leader said Saturday he was ready to defend the country after a deadly attack in Indian-run Kashmir that New Delhi blames on Islamabad, sending already fraught relations into a tailspin with soldiers exchanging gunfire across their contested frontier.

Indian army says new exchange of gunfire with Pakistan

Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged gunfire overnight in contested Kashmir for a second day running, the Indian army said Saturday, following a deadly shooting that New Delhi blames its arch-rival.

Iran, US to hold new round of high-level nuclear talks

The United States and Iran were to hold a fresh round of technical and high-level nuclear negotiations in Oman on Saturday, after both sides reported progress in previous meetings.

On the horizon? Wave of momentum for high seas treaty

A treaty to protect the high seas will not come to life by the time the UN Oceans Conference opens in June, but persistence by member states has nudged the landmark pact towards enactment.

Trump says Russia-Ukraine deal 'very close' after new Kremlin talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday discussed the "possibility" of direct talks with Ukraine in a meeting with a US envoy, the Kremlin said, while President Donald Trump claimed the warring parties were "very close to a deal".

Venezuela accuses El Salvador president of 'human trafficking'

Venezuela's attorney general accused Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele of "human trafficking" and suggested he face international justice for accepting cash to jail deportees from the United States.

Zelensky insists Crimea is Ukrainian as US envoy meets Putin

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday rejected suggestions Ukraine give up Crimea to Russia, as US President Donald Trump's envoy met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the Kremlin said they discussed the "possibility" of direct ceasefire talks.

Zelensky insists Crimea 'belongs' to Ukraine as US envoy meets Putin

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday rejected suggestions Ukraine give up Crimea to Russia, as Donald Trump's envoy met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where the Kremlin said they discussed the "possibility" of direct ceasefire talks.

Trinidad and Tobago votes for parliament, PM, with opposition in lead

Trinidad and Tobago votes in parliamentary elections Monday that will determine whether Prime Minister Stuart Young stays in power as the twin-island Caribbean nation battles an economic slump and a rise in gang violence.

Iran FM Araghchi in Oman ahead of nuclear talks with US

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared for fresh nuclear talks with the United States in Oman on Friday after apparent progress in previous rounds.

Huge crowds pack Vatican for last day of Pope's lying in state

Some 250,000 people paid their respects to Pope Francis during a three-day lying in state at St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said on Friday, as public viewing ended and world leaders began gathering for his funeral.

Pakistan and India border closure separates families

Two months ago, Haider Ali waved goodbye to his wife as she left Pakistan, crossing the border to visit her family in India. Now the couple are not sure when they will see each other again.

US envoy Witkoff, Putin discuss 'possibility' of direct Russia-Ukraine talks

US envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin on Friday discussed the "possibility" of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine during a meeting in Moscow, the Kremlin said Friday.

Russia accuses Ukraine of killing general in car bombing

Russia on Friday accused Ukraine of being behind a car bombing that killed a senior general, the latest in a spate of assassinations of figures linked to Moscow's military offensive.

Syrian foreign minister raises new flag at UN headquarters

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raised his country's new flag at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, in what he called a "historic" moment.

Pope Francis's funeral: who's attending?

The Vatican said at least 130 foreign delegations had confirmed their attendance at Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday, including around 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs.

WFP says has depleted all Gaza food stocks as Israel blocks aid

The UN's World Food Programme said Friday it had depleted its food stocks in war-ravaged Gaza where Israel has blocked all aid for more than seven weeks.

Trump claims China's Xi called him on tariffs

US President Donald Trump has insisted Chinese leader Xi Jinping called him despite Beijing denials of any contact between the two countries over their bitter trade dispute.

US envoy meets Putin in Russia for Ukraine ceasefire talks

US envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Friday to tout Washington's plan to settle the Ukraine conflict, a day after Donald Trump issued a direct appeal to the Russian president to halt his offensive.

Russian general killed by car bomb near Moscow

An explosive device ripped through a parked car near Moscow on Friday killing a senior Russian general, investigators said, in an attack that resembled previous killings claimed by Ukraine.

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