The Japan Times - Politics

Israel army says failed on Oct 7, underestimated Hamas

An internal Israeli army investigation into Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack released on Thursday acknowledged the military's "complete failure" to prevent the deadly assault, saying that for years it had underestimated the group's capabilities.

German conservatives, SPD to make first moves towards new govt

Germany's conservatives, who won elections last weekend, are set to start exploratory talks with the Social Democrats on Friday towards forming a coalition government, party sources said.

King Charles III invites Trump for unprecedented second state visit

King Charles III has invited US President Donald Trump for an "unprecedented" second state visit to Britain, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said while visiting the White House on Thursday.

Hungary will no longer 'tolerate' public Pride march

Hungary's government has proposed legal changes to stop the annual Pride march from taking place in the "same public form" as previously, a top official said Thursday.

Trump tariffs pose challenge for Europe's carmakers

US tariffs on imported cars will create a major headache for European manufacturers such as Volvo, Volkswagen and Mercedes.

UK's Starmer meets Trump to push for Ukraine guarantees

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Donald Trump Thursday to plead for a US "backstop" to any Ukraine ceasefire, insisting it would be the only way to deter Russia's Vladimir Putin from invading again.

Explosions at M23 rally in east DR Congo kill at least 11

Two explosions that rocked a city in eastern DR Congo after a meeting of the Rwanda-backed M23 group Thursday have killed at least 11 people and wounded around 60, a hospital source told AFP.

'So much anxiety': Trump migrant crackdown vow stirs fear in NY

Venezuelan migrant Omar Virguez took to the streets of New York to protest, hiding his face fearing he would be targeted by immigration enforcement carrying out President Donald Trump's promised mass deportations.

After 45 years, Palestinian prisoner freed from Israeli jail in latest swap

The longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails, Nael Barghouti who spent more than four decades behind bars, walked free on Thursday under the latest hostage-prisoner swap of a fragile Gaza truce.

Russia says annexation of Ukrainian land is 'non-negotiable'

The Kremlin on Thursday ruled out giving back Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed as part of a future peace deal, setting out a major red line as Russian and US officials met in Istanbul for a new round of talks to normalise relations.

Seoul says North Korea has deployed more troops to Russia

North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia and re-deployed several to the frontline in Kursk, Seoul's spy agency told AFP on Thursday.

A French-UK nuclear umbrella for Europe? Not likely, say analysts

France and Britain are unlikely to include European allies in their nuclear deterrence, analysts said after future German leader Friedrich Merz called for European defence "independence" and a possible "nuclear sharing".

Former African leaders launch debt relief drive for poor nations

The high debt saddling the world's poorest countries needs an urgent reset to avoid multiple crises, African leaders said Thursday as they launched an initiative for debt relief and fairer borrowing terms.

EU will 'do the same' if US imposes tariffs hikes: French finance minister to AFP

French Finance Minister Eric Lombard told AFP on Thursday that the European Union would "do the same" if the United States follows through with 25 percent tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.

UK's Starmer pushes Trump for Ukraine guarantees against Putin

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump Thursday to plead for a US "backstop" to any Ukraine ceasefire, insisting it would be the only way to deter Russia's Vladimir Putin from invading again.

East DR Congo explosions kill at least 11

Two explosions that rocked a city in eastern DR Congo after a meeting of the M23 armed group Thursday have killed at least 11 people and injured around 60, a hospital source told AFP.

Israel sends negotiators after Hamas hands over hostage bodies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched negotiators to Cairo on Thursday after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Russia says talks on annexed Ukrainian land 'non-negotiable'

The Kremlin on Thursday ruled out giving back Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed as part of a future peace deal, setting out a major red line as Russian and US officials met in Istanbul for a new round of talks aimed at normalising relations.

Israel dispatches negotiators after Hamas hands over hostage bodies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched negotiators to Cairo on Thursday after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

UN nature talks in 'end game' to break funding deadlock

Brazil spearheaded a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock at UN nature talks in Rome on Thursday, as nations struggled against the clock to agree a deal over money to halt rapid global species loss.

Thailand deports dozens of Uyghurs to China

Thailand deported dozens of Uyghurs to China on Thursday despite warnings from human rights groups that they would face persecution on their return, drawing swift condemnation from the United Nations.

US cuts overseas aid contracts by more than 90%

The United States has slashed its multi-year aid contracts by 92 percent, as it sought around $60 billion in savings in development and overseas humanitarian programs, the State Department said Wednesday.

Hamas calls on Israel to start talks for next phase of truce

Hamas called on Israel Thursday to enter negotiations for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire after the group handed over the bodies of four hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel frees hundreds of Palestinian prisoners after body handover

Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on Thursday, shortly after saying Palestinian militant group Hamas handed over coffins believed to contain the bodies of four hostages.

Vietnam jails leading journalist over Facebook posts

A Vietnamese court on Thursday sentenced a leading independent journalist to 30 months in prison over Facebook posts that criticised the government, state media said.

Domestic violence charity cuts ties with Australia's NRL over Trump invite

A leading domestic violence charity severed ties Thursday with Australia's National Rugby League after it invited US President Donald Trump to its season-opening games in Las Vegas this weekend.

North Korea has deployed more troops to Russia: Seoul

North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia and re-deployed several to the frontline in Kursk, Seoul's spy agency told AFP on Thursday.

Taiwan says detects 45 Chinese aircraft in 24-hours, highest this year

Taiwan said Thursday it detected 45 Chinese aircraft near the self-ruled island, the highest number this year and a tally that comes a day after Taipei condemned China's "live-fire" drills off the south.

Tesla owners sour on Musk's venture into US politics

Tom Blackburn was so proud of his Tesla, he even bought one in bright red to stand out. But with company CEO Elon Musk's foray into US politics, he's sworn never to buy from the electric carmaker again.

Proposed 'weather control' bans surge across US states

Fake stories that atmospheric experiments are triggering natural disasters have led to US states pushing blanket bans on weather modification, which experts say may jeopardize current local scientific programs and hinder future research.

Starmer pushes Trump for Ukraine guarantees against Putin

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Donald Trump on Thursday to plead for a US backstop to any Ukraine ceasefire, insisting it would be the only way to stop Russia's Vladimir Putin from invading again.

Panama AG agrees Hong Kong firm's canal concession is 'unconstitutional'

Panama's attorney general said Wednesday that concession granted to a Hong Kong-based firm to operate ports on either end of the Panama Canal should be scrapped for being "unconstitutional."

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