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NASA fires chief scientist, more Trump cuts to come

NASA announced Tuesday the dismissal of its chief scientist and others to comply with orders from President Donald Trump, marking the latest in a series of administration actions undermining climate change research.

US trades barbs with Canada as steel, aluminum tariffs loom

The United States and Canada traded angry tariff warnings Tuesday, as trade tensions soared and President Donald Trump doubled down on provocative plans to annex his country's northern neighbor.

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Putin says 'impossible' to isolate Russia, vowing to cut gas and oil supplies

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday it was "impossible" to isolate Moscow and vowed to cut gas and oil deliveries to countries imposing a price cap on supplies.

Albania cuts ties with Iran over 'cyberattack'

Albania broke diplomatic ties with Iran on Wednesday over an alleged cyberattack against the government this summer, prompting rebuke from Washington, which vowed to hold Tehran accountable for targeting its NATO ally.

Preparing for harsh winter in Ukraine's Donbas

In a lush garden between two apartment blocks in the city of Kramatorsk, Oleskandr Matviyevsky chops dead trees into kindling.

How Bellingcat became Russia's 'biggest nightmare'

Digital investigators from the Bellingcat group have spent eight years exposing the lies of the powerful and gathering evidence of their crimes – work that has a grave human cost, the organisation's chief told AFP in an interview.

Green groups demand loss and damage money ahead of COP27

Hundreds of environmental groups called Wednesday for the issue of loss and damage finance to be on the formal agenda of the forthcoming COP27 UN climate summit in Egypt.

UK's new PM meets cabinet with economic package in prep

British Prime Minister Liz Truss convened a new-look cabinet Wednesday on her first full day in office, to thrash out an economic support package and forestall an energy crisis linked to the war in Ukraine.

Eyeing Asia pivot, Putin says 'impossible' to isolate Russia

President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday it was "impossible" to isolate Russia and hailed Asia's growing global influence, as Moscow looks east in the face of unprecedented Western sanctions over Ukraine.

Former Pakistan PM Khan accuses govt of 'unacceptable' censorship

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan accused the government Wednesday of "unacceptable" censorship after authorities apparently blocked national access to YouTube to prevent a rally speech from being broadcast live.

Burundi appoints new PM after president warns of 'coup' plot

Burundi's parliament on Wednesday approved the appointment of a new prime minister after President Evariste Ndayishimiye warned last week of a possible coup plot against him.

India's Gandhi channels namesake in 'long march'

Emulating Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi was set Wednesday to begin a "long march" seeking to halt the seemingly inexorable slow decline of his once-mighty Congress party.

Germany can 'survive' winter despite energy turmoil: Scholz

Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced confidence Wednesday that Germany was well prepared to "survive" the winter despite turmoil in the energy markets in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

French lawmakers visit Taiwan after China's war drill threats

A group of French lawmakers landed in Taiwan on Wednesday, the first high-level European delegation since China conducted huge war drills to protest a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

A new life begins for the Titkovs, far from Ukraine

After months of anguish and hesitation, the Titkov family -- who fled to Vienna from Ukraine just after Russia invaded -- have finally decided to stay.

East Timor says China could help fund major pipeline project

East Timor leader Jose Ramos-Horta on Wednesday said China could help fund a vast fossil fuel project seen as crucial to the nation's economic future, dismissing Western concerns over Beijing's growing influence.

Ethiopians from war-ravaged Tigray celebrate holiday in Sudan

Donning a festive white dress, with her hair intricately braided and her eyes lined with the traditional kohl paint, Ethiopian Yudita Ihab prepared for the annual Ashenda celebration.

Stocks tank, dollar rises as traders prepare for big rate hikes

Equity markets suffered more losses in Asia on Wednesday and the dollar extended a rally after a forecast-beating US economic report gave new life to talk of a third straight blockbuster interest rate hike next month.

'Wrath of God': Israel's response to 1972 Munich massacre

The killing of 11 Israelis at the 1972 Munich Olympics prompted Israel to turn to a strategy which endures to this day: deploying secret operatives abroad to assassinate its enemies.

Germany's nuclear stay fails to quell debate

Germany's decision to keep two atomic plants on standby through the winter amid a power crunch has exposed cracks in the government and unleashed criticism from economic and energy experts.

Truss to meet cabinet, face MPs on first full day in power

Britain's new prime minister Liz Truss convenes her senior ministers for an inaugural cabinet meeting on Wednesday on her first full day in office, before she faces a barrage of questions in parliament.

Divisive campaign clouds party as Brazil turns 200

Brazil celebrates the 200th anniversary of its independence Wednesday, with the festivities clouded by a divisive election race and accusations that President Jair Bolsonaro is using the festivities to bolster his campaign.

Fossil fuel investment in Africa dwarfs clean air funding

Foreign governments are spending more than 30 times more on fossil fuel projects in Africa than on initiatives to lessen the impacts of the continent's second-biggest killer, air pollution, research showed Wednesday.

Dollar weighs on yen and euro as US stocks extend slump

The euro and yen sunk to new multi-year lows against the dollar on Tuesday as investors focused on central bank efforts to contain surging inflation and fears of an economic slowdown.

Russia 'regrets' IAEA report did not blame Ukraine: UN envoy

Russia on Tuesday voiced regret that a report by the UN nuclear watchdog warning of risks at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant did not blame Kyiv for shelling the Moscow-occupied site.

Russia buying huge amounts of N.Korean ammunition for Ukraine: US

Russia is buying potentially millions of artillery shells and rockets from communist North Korea to replenish its stocks depleted by invading Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday.

UN watchdog urges 'security' zone at Ukraine nuclear plant

The UN's atomic watchdog called Tuesday for a security zone to be set up around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russia, as the area was hit by fresh shelling.

Chile's president changes ministers after referendum rout

Chile's leftist President Gabriel Boric reshuffled his cabinet Tuesday in response to voters resoundingly rejecting a draft text backed by him to replace the country's dictatorship-era constitution.

Biden rejects branding Russia 'state sponsor of terrorism'

US President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday said it would be counterproductive to brand Russia a "state sponsor of terrorism," rejecting calls from Ukraine and lawmakers to take the far-reaching action.

New UK PM Truss promises to ride out economic storm with new-look top team

Liz Truss on Tuesday unveiled her new top team as she formally took over from Boris Johnson as UK prime minister, with no place for white men in any of the three senior-most cabinet posts for the first time ever.

Markets brace as UK's new PM readies 'bold' economic action

Britain's new Prime Minister Liz Truss is getting down to business fast with plans for a big-spending offensive to rein in soaring energy prices, putting her on collision course with nervous financial markets.

Israeli president retraces father's footsteps at Nazi camp

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited the Bergen-Belsen Nazi concentration camp on Tuesday, retracing the footsteps of his father who helped liberate the site as a British army officer in 1945.

Russia buying N. Korean munitions for Ukraine: US

Russia is buying large amounts of ammunition from North Korea to replenish stocks depleted by months of intense fighting in Ukraine, a US official said Tuesday.

Stocks push higher, but yen and euro under pressure

European and US stocks rose Tuesday, but gains were capped by economic slowdown fears and central bank efforts to contain surging inflation.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)