The Japan Times - Politics

Ukraine blames Russia for making grain export 'impossible'

Russia's blockade of grain exports makes it "impossible" for fully loaded ships to leave port, Ukraine charged Sunday after Moscow claimed drone attacks on its Crimea fleet had exploited the grain corridor safe zone.

Twitter owner Musk tweets conspiracy theory about violent Pelosi attack

New Twitter owner Elon Musk tweeted an anti-LGBT conspiracy theory Sunday about what happened the night US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband was attacked, underscoring concerns about the platform's future after he vowed it would not become a "free-for-all hellscape."

Iran protesters rally again despite Guards order to stand down

Iranian protesters rallied again Sunday, defying an order by the powerful Revolutionary Guards to stop the demonstrations -- now in their seventh week -- sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini

Ukraine blames Russian blockade for making grain export 'impossible'

Russia's blockade of grain exports makes it "impossible" for fully loaded ships to leave port, Ukraine charged Sunday after Moscow claimed drone attacks on its Crimea fleet had exploited the grain corridor safe zone.

Trolls flooded Twitter with slurs to test Musk, safety chief says

An organized trolling campaign tweeting slurs tens of thousands of times tested Twitter's moderation policies after the platform was taken over by billionaire Elon Musk, its safety chief said Saturday, adding that the rules "haven't changed."

Brazil votes in white-knuckle Bolsonaro-Lula showdown

Brazil was on a knife-edge Sunday as voters chose between far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist arch-rival, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in a presidential election seen as too close to call.

'Horrible scene': Somalis in desparate search for missing relatives after blasts

Anguished families in Somalia on Sunday desperately searched under debris and into body bags for loved ones after two simultaneous bombings tore through a busy intersection in the capital Mogadishu.

Brazil votes in down-to-wire Bolsonaro-Lula showdown

Brazilians began voting Sunday in a white-knuckle presidential runoff election, choosing between wildly different visions of their future offered by far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist arch-rival, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Ukrainians watch war change course on edge of Kherson

The bursts of Ukrainian fire flying over his head at the Russians in their southern stronghold of Kherson down the road gave Oleksandr Prikhodko reason to hope.

Ukraine grain exports halted after Russia suspends deal participation

Ukraine's maritime grain exports were halted Sunday after Russia suspended its participation in a landmark agreement that allowed the vital shipments, blaming drone attacks on its ships in Crimea.

Death toll from Somalia twin bombings climbs to 100

The number of people killed in an attack on Saturday at a busy intersection in the Somali capital Mogadishu has risen to 100, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Sunday.

Brazil on tenterhooks in Bolsonaro, Lula election showdown

Brazilians will vote Sunday in a white-knuckle presidential race, choosing between wildly different visions of their future offered by incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and his rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Pelosi 'heartbroken and traumatized' over attack on husband

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said Saturday she and her family were "heartbroken and traumatized" by the violent attack on her husband at their California home.

Hardline general vs pragmatic centrist: Brazil's VP duel

Like their bosses at the top of the ticket, the men vying to be Brazil's next vice president are polar opposites.

Danes go to the polls in thriller election

Like an episode of political drama "Borgen," Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is fighting to cling to power on Tuesday in a legislative election that could well crown an outsider.

DR Congo expels Rwandan ambassador as M23 rebels gain ground

The authorities in Kinshasa on Saturday announced they were expelling the Rwandan ambassador as M23 rebels they accuse Kigali of supporting made fresh gains in the east of the troubled country.

Lula lead narrows on eve of tense Brazil runoff: poll

Leftist challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's lead over far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro narrowed slightly on the eve of Brazil's polarizing presidential runoff, according to a poll published Saturday night.

In Brazil, a dirty vote campaign ends with colorful rallies

Thousands of cheering supporters poured into the streets of Brazil Saturday for final rallies on the eve of a knife-edge electoral showdown between Jair Bolsonaro and rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that is seen as too close to call.

Clashes as thousands march in France against agro industry water 'grab'

Thousands of demonstrators defied an official ban to march on Saturday against the deployment of new water storage infrastructure for agricultural irrigation in western France, according to organisers.

Bolsonaro feted at final rally ahead of cliffhanger Brazil vote

Thousands of cheering supporters chanted "legend, legend," as Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro held a motorcycle rally Saturday in a final race for votes on the eve of divisive election seen as too close to call.

UN ups troop alert as DR Congo rebels take more ground

Rebels seized more territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, prompting the UN peacekeeping mission to increase its "troop alert level" and boost support for the army.

Russia suspends participation in Ukraine grain deal

Russia on Saturday suspended its participation in a landmark agreement that allowed vital grain exports from Ukraine, blaming alleged drone attacks on Russian ships in Crimea.

Somalia car bombs kill at least nine

At least nine people, including children, died on Saturday in twin car bomb attacks targeting Somalia's education ministry in the capital Mogadishu, security officers and witnesses said.

UN steps up troop alert as DR Congo rebels take more territory

Rebels seized more territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, prompting the UN peacekeeping mission to increase its "troop alert level" and boost support for the army.

Iran protests swell, as Guards chief says stay home

Protests over Mahsa Amini's death spread Saturday in universities across Iran, even as the commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guards told them: "Do not come to the streets".

Russia says repelled Ukraine drone attack on Crimea fleet

The Russian army accused Ukraine of a "massive" drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea on Saturday, claiming the UK helped in the strike that damaged a ship.

UN steps up 'troop alert level' in DR Congo

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday announced an increase in its "troop alert level" following deadly clashes with rebels in the east.

Brazil rivals stage final rallies ahead of cliffhanger vote

Brazil's presidential candidates will hold their final rallies Saturday in a scramble for votes on the eve of a white-knuckle election that has deeply polarized Latin America's largest economy.

Artillery battles engulf Ukraine's southern front

The thrill of a precise artillery strike was fading as the Ukrainian defenders of the last village before the invading Russians cowered for safety in the shattered remains of a school.

Xi invokes Mao in visit to cradle of Communist revolution

Dressed in matching navy windbreakers and flanking President Xi Jinping, China's freshly appointed top leadership this week made their first group outing to the Communist Party's "holy land".

Facing uncertain future, Ukrainians struggle to adapt in Germany

In her previous life in southern Ukraine, Tetiana Chepeliova was an accountant.

Viagra, exorcism and lies: Brazil's testy final election debate

The word "liar" rang out dozens of times Friday night in a bitter final debate that also featured mentions of exorcism and Viagra, as Brazil's presidential rivals made a last-ditch bid for votes two days before a run-off election.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)

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