The Japan Times - Politics

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Trinidad leader sworn in, vows fresh start for violence-weary state

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the head of Trinidad and Tobago's centrist United National Congress party, vowed Thursday to create wealth that would benefit "seven generations" to come, as she was sworn in as prime minister.

EU preparing new sanctions on Russia, French minister tells AFP

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday that the European Union is preparing to hit Russia with a 17th round of sanctions, describing President Vladimir Putin as the "sole obstacle" to peace in Ukraine.

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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.

Russia holds key rate at two-decade high despite slowdown fears

Russia's central bank kept borrowing costs at a two-decade high of 21 percent on Friday to combat rampant inflation, despite banks and businesses warning the economy was headed for a slowdown.

S. Korea's former president claims his bribery indictment 'unjust'

South Korea's former president Moon Jae-in claimed Friday that prosecutors abused their power, were politically motivated and "unjust" to indict him on bribery charges.

Arms maker Saab posts record sales as Europe rearms

Swedish defence group Saab on Friday reported soaring quarterly earnings and record sales as European countries beef up their defence capacities amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainties.

Cameras and automatic rifles: how the Kashmir attack took place

Survivors of the deadliest attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir for years described how gunmen burst out of the forest to rake holidaymakers with automatic weapons.

Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire in Kashmir

Troops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire overnight across the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir, officials said Friday, after the United Nations urged the nuclear-armed rivals to show "maximum restraint" following a deadly shooting in the region.

India and Pakistan urged to have 'maximum restraint' after Kashmir attack

The United Nations urged India and Pakistan to show "maximum restraint" as the nuclear-armed rivals imposed tit-for-tat diplomatic measures over a deadly shooting in Kashmir.

Russia's Lavrov says 'ready to reach a deal' on Ukraine

Russia's foreign minister said Thursday that Moscow was ready to do a deal on its war in Ukraine after Donald Trump urged Vladimir Putin to halt attacks, in a rare rebuke following the deadliest strikes on Kyiv in months.

Vatican braces for huge crowds ahead of Pope's funeral

The Vatican will make final preparations Friday for Pope Francis's funeral as the last of the huge crowds of mourners file through St Peter's Basilica to view his open coffin.

Spain scraps contested Israeli arms deal after uproar

Spain on Thursday cancelled a contract to buy bullets from an Israeli company following pressure from the Socialist-led government's far-left coalition partner -- a move swiftly condemned by Israel.

'Trump 2028' merch for sale on US president's store

Donald Trump's online store is selling merchandise emblazoned with "Trump 2028," the year of the next US presidential election, in which the Republican is constitutionally banned from running.

Crowds join Anzac Day services for Australia, New Zealand forces

Crowds of Australians and New Zealanders gathered just before dawn on Friday to observe solemn Anzac Day ceremonies, many of which were held at beaches and war memorials across the two countries to honour their armed forces.

Trump signs order to ramp up US deep-sea mining

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to expand US deep-sea mining for rare earth minerals in domestic and international waters, despite warnings by environmental groups.

Trump goes mum on 'Armenian genocide' after Biden recognition

US President Donald Trump on Thursday steered clear of describing the Ottoman Empire's World War I-era mass killings of Armenians as "genocide," a reversal from his predecessor Joe Biden.

EU still far from tariff deal with US: French minister

The European Union and United States are far from reaching a deal on tariffs, France's economy minister said Thursday, as the bloc seeks a way out from trade tensions with Washington.

Sudan war destroys world's only research centre on skin disease mycetoma: director

The world's only research centre on mycetoma, a neglected tropical disease common among farmers, has been destroyed in Sudan's two-year war, its director and another expert say.

'Vladimir, STOP!': Trump tells Putin after deadly Kyiv strike

Donald Trump called Thursday on Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine, in a rare rebuke of the Russian leader after Moscow fired missiles and drones at Kyiv in the deadliest attack on the capital in months.

Trump says pressuring Russia, claims concessions

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was applying pressure on Russia to end the Ukraine war, insisting that Moscow agreeing not to take over the entire country was a "big concession."

Trump tariff talks are prolonging uncertainty: S.Africa central bank chair

The central bank governor of G20 chair South Africa warned Thursday that the ongoing trade talks sparked by US President Donald Trump's tariff plans could prolong uncertainty in the global financial markets.

Grief and discontent as Armenia marks WWI mass murders anniversary

A sea of flowers blanketed the cold concrete of the brutalist memorial to the Armenian genocide on the Tsitsernakaberd hill, overlooking the capital Yerevan. Tens of thousands went there on Thursday to mourn the victims of World War I-era mass murders of ethnic Armenians by the Ottoman Empire.

Israel army warns of 'larger' Gaza assault as strikes kill 55

Gaza rescue teams and medics said Israeli air strikes killed at least 55 people on Thursday, as the military threatened an even larger offensive if hostages were not freed soon.

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 53

Gaza rescue teams and medics said Israeli air strikes killed at least 53 people on Thursday, as the military issued fresh evacuation orders ahead of a planned attack.

Trump should be 'free' to criticize the Fed, senior official says

President Donald Trump should be free to voice his opinion about the US Federal Reserve, a senior bank official said Thursday, while defending the central bank's independence to tackle inflation.

'Made in America' lingerie squeezed by Trump's tariffs

After years spent working in sweatshops in California, Francisco Tzul got a job at a trendy lingerie brand that prides itself on ethical business practices and a "Made in America" approach.

'Vladimir, STOP!': Trump turns on Putin after deadly Kyiv strike

Donald Trump on Thursday called on Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine, in a rare rebuke of the Russian leader after Moscow fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Kyiv, killing at least 10 in the deadliest attack on the capital in months.

Warning lights flash at Nissan after monster profit warning

The road ahead looks treacherous for Nissan after the Japanese auto giant predicted an enormous loss just as US President Donald Trump's tariffs on car imports hit the industry.

Hundreds protest in Pakistan over India's threats

Hundreds of Pakistanis joined protests across the country on Thursday, including in Kashmir, to rage against Indian threats after a deadly attack on tourists across the contested border.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)