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Waymo looks to test its self-driving cars in New York

Google-owned Waymo on Wednesday said it has applied for a permit to start testing its self-driving cars in New York City, a first for the Big Apple.

'Argentina with Cristina': Thousands rally for convicted ex-president

Tens of thousands of Argentines took to the streets Wednesday in support of former president Cristina Kirchner, who vowed to make a comeback as she serves a six-year fraud sentence under house arrest.

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Gaza rescuers say 33 killed by Israel fire

Gaza's civil defence agency said 33 people were killed by Israeli fire in the Palestinian territory on Wednesday, including 11 who were seeking aid.

Khamenei vows Iran will never surrender, hypersonic missiles target Israel

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday Iran would never surrender, with the country unleashing a volley of hypersonic missiles at Israel on the sixth day of war between the longtime enemies.

US Fed keeps interest rates unchanged in face of Trump criticism

The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for a fourth consecutive meeting Wednesday, forecasting higher inflation and cooler growth this year as President Donald Trump's tariffs begin to take hold and geopolitical uncertainty swirls.

'Terrified': Supporters fear for prisoners trapped in Iran

As Israel presses its aerial attacks on Tehran, concern is growing over the fate of foreign nationals and Iranians seen by rights groups as political prisoners imprisoned in the capital who have no chance of fleeing to safety.

Oil prices drop following Trump's Iran comments, US stocks rise

Oil prices dropped Wednesday as comments by President Donald Trump trimmed concerns about an imminent US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict.

Iran-Israel war: a lifeline for Netanyahu?

The Iran-Israel war has helped strengthen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu domestically and overseas, just as his grip on power looked vulnerable.

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation initiative 'outrageous': UN probe chief

The use of the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distribute food in the Palestinian territory is "outrageous", the head of a UN inquiry said Wednesday.

Gaza flotilla skipper vows to return

The Dutch captain of a Gaza-bound ship carrying activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg said Wednesday future missions could still be in the works as he returned to the Netherlands.

Putin T-shirts, robots and the Taliban -- but few Westerners at Russia's Davos

Russia's flagship economic forum kicked off Wednesday with stalls selling Vladimir Putin-themed merchandise and humanoid robots, but Westerners were few and far between -- despite warming ties between Moscow and Washington under Donald Trump.

Trump on Iran strikes: 'I may do it, I may not do it'

President Donald Trump said he was considering whether the United States will join Israeli strikes on Iran Wednesday, as he said that Tehran had reached out to seek negotiations.

Khamenei vows Iran will never surrender

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday the nation would never surrender and warned the United States of "irreparable damage" if it intervenes, while Israel said it had destroyed the internal security headquarters in Tehran.

Oil rises, stocks mixed as investors watch rates, conflict

Oil prices rose and stock markets diverged Wednesday as investors tracked the Israel-Iran conflict and a looming US interest rate decision.

Iran-Israel war: latest developments

Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on Wednesday, the sixth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East.

Iran threatens response if US crosses 'red line': ambassador

The United States is "complicit" in Israel's strikes in Iran, Tehran's ambassador to the United Nations claimed Wednesday, vowing that his country would respond if Washington crosses a "red line".

Iranians buying supplies in Iraq tell of fear, shortages back home

Near the once-bustling Iraqi border crossing of Bashmakh, Iranian driver Fatah stocked up on rice, sugar and tea, staples that have become increasingly hard to get back home.

Khamenei says Iran will 'never surrender', warns off US

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday the nation would never surrender as demanded by President Donald Trump and warned the United States it would face "irreparable damage" if it intervenes in support of its ally.

UN says two Iran nuclear sites destroyed in Israel strikes

The UN nuclear watchdog said Israeli strikes on Wednesday destroyed two buildings making centrifuge components for Iran's nuclear programme near Tehran, while Iran said it fired hypersonic missiles as the arch foes traded fire for a sixth day.

Israel targets nuclear site as Iran claims hypersonic missile attack

Israel said it struck a nuclear site near Tehran on Wednesday, while Iran said it fired hypersonic missiles as the arch foes traded fire for a sixth day.

Spain pushes back against mooted 5% NATO spending goal

Spain is resisting US President Donald Trump's demands to hike defence spending to five percent of national output, potentially threatening NATO unity at a crucial alliance summit this month.

Oil edges down, stocks mixed but Mideast war fears elevated

Oil prices slipped Wednesday following the previous day's surge but investors remained on edge fearing a US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict after Donald Trump called for Tehran's "unconditional surrender".

New Zealand approves medicinal use of 'magic mushrooms'

New Zealand on Wednesday approved the medicinal use of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound notably found in so-called "magic mushrooms".

N. Korea to send army builders, deminers to Russia's Kursk

North Korea will send military builders and sappers to help restore Russia's Kursk region after Ukraine's incursion, Moscow's security chief said, in a fresh sign of deepening ties between the two countries.

G7 summit minus Trump rallies behind Ukraine

Group of Seven leaders on Tuesday vowed greater support for Ukraine but stopped short of joint condemnation of Russia for its growing attacks, at a summit missing Donald Trump.

Iran says hypersonic missiles fired at Israel as Trump demands 'unconditional surrender'

Iran claimed early Wednesday to have fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest round of overnight strikes between the archfoes, hours after Donald Trump demanded the Islamic republic's "unconditional surrender".

Oil stabilises after surge, stocks drop as Mideast crisis fuels jitters

Oil prices stabilised Wednesday after surging the previous day on fears of a US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict sparked by Donald Trump calling for Tehran's "unconditional surrender".

Paul Marshall: Britain's anti-woke media baron

Unlike Rupert Murdoch, he is barely known, but the UK has a new right-wing media mogul: Paul Marshall who has quietly built a powerful empire that reaches millions of Britons.

China downplayed nuclear-capable missile test: classified NZ govt papers

China tried to mislead foreign governments in 2024 by playing down the importance of a nuclear-capable missile test over the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand diplomats privately warned in documents obtained by AFP.

US Fed set to hold rates steady as it guards against inflation

The US central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady Wednesday after its key policy meeting, as officials gauge the impact of tariffs on inflation -- and despite President Donald Trump's calls for rate cuts.

US judge orders Trump admin to resume issuing passports for trans Americans

A federal US judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to resume issuing passports to transgender Americans with "X" as their gender designation, a practice suspended since Donald Trump's return to the White House.

India, Canada return ambassadors as Carney, Modi look past spat

India and Canada agreed Tuesday to return ambassadors to each other's capitals, turning the page on a bitter spat over an assassination as Canada's new leader welcomed counterpart Narendra Modi.

'What are these wars for?': Arab town in Israel shattered by Iran strike

An Arab town in northern Israel paid a heavy price for the ongoing air war between Iran and Israel when a ballistic missile slammed into a home there, killing four people and upending life in the small community.

Curfew lifted in LA as Trump battles for control of California troops

Calm appeared to be returning to protest-hit Los Angeles on Tuesday as the mayor lifted a nighttime curfew, while President Donald Trump battled to keep control of California troops he deployed to the city.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)