The Japan Times - Politics

Fire erupts near Riyadh airport as Houthis claim strikes

Black smoke and flames rose near Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, as Yemen's Houthis announced they had carried out strikes on targets in the Saudi capital and coastal oil facilities.

Black smoke, flames rising near Riyadh airport: residents to AFP

Black smoke and flames rose near Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, as a flight tracking website reported cancellations and delays at the hub, hours after Saudi authorities issued an air raid alert.

Saudi capital issues first air raid alert since renewed fighting in Yemen

Saudi authorities issued their first air raid alert in the capital since fighting returned to neighbouring Yemen, leaving residents of Riyadh rattled after they heard explosions ringing out in the early hours of Saturday.

Denmark hails 'binding' Greenland deal with Trump

Denmark on Saturday hailed a "binding" deal announced by US President Donald Trump to give Washington "permanent control" over Greenland's security and bar Russian and Chinese bases from the Arctic territory.

Ed Sheeran returns to stage after Palestinian controversy

Protesters and police were expected to greet concertgoers in Philadelphia on Saturday for pop superstar Ed Sheeran's first show since he became embroiled in controversy set off by his opening act's pro-Palestinian comments.

Death toll from attack at police HQ in Pakistan rises to 31

The death toll from an explosion and gun attack at a police headquarters in northern Pakistan rose to at least 31, including 16 police personnel, a senior police official told AFP on Saturday, with fighting ongoing.

Trump says Denmark to give US 'permanent control' over Greenland security

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington "permanent control" over Greenland's security that would bar Russia and China from setting up bases in the Arctic territory.

Trump's beef policies irk Texas ranchers, testing their loyalty

As dawn breaks over the Texas prairie, where a herd of cattle grazes peacefully, there's growing discontent among ranchers over President Donald Trump's moves to lower beef prices.

Trump says CNN, Politico, MS NOW banned from White House

US President Donald Trump said Friday he was banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing them of spreading "fake news" about his administration.

Trump claims 'infinite' Greenland security deal with Denmark

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington "permanent control" over Greenland's security that would bar Russia and China from setting up bases in the Arctic territory.

'Pause' on overt repression in Venezuela, but reforms still needed: HRW

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez has overseen a "pause" in the overt repression of opponents since taking office in January, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Friday, 18 years after the organization was expelled from the country.

Global stocks mixed as yen falls despite Bank of Japan rate hike

Global stocks were mixed Friday at the end of a week dominated by central bank moves to tame inflation as the yen retreated against the dollar despite a Bank of Japan interest rate hike.

UN chief 'deeply regrets' US visa refusal to Abbas for annual meeting

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "deeply regrets" Washington's decision to deny a visa for the second year running to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, a UN spokesman said Friday, preventing him for attending the UN General Assembly.

Costa Rica's Grynspan tops third informal poll for UN chief: diplomat

Rebeca Grynspan narrowly topped an indicative poll of the UN's most powerful body, the Security Council, on Friday as it chooses the embattled organization's next leader, according to a diplomatic source.

California governor signs order to explore AI 'kill switch'

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday directing state officials to explore the feasibility of imposing a mandatory "kill switch" for the most advanced AI models.

Stock markets retreat after central bank rate hikes

European and US stock markets retreated while oil prices wobbled on Friday at the end of a week dominated by central bank moves to tame inflation driven by the Middle East war.

Macron warns of Russian 'hybrid' threat after meeting presidential hopefuls

President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday of the growing threat posed by Moscow's shadow operations across Europe, saying he had ordered measures to protect France's critical infrastructure from Russian "hybrid attacks".

UN holds third informal poll for new chief

The UN's most powerful body, the Security Council, met Friday to again gauge the popularity of contenders to lead the organization as world leaders prepare to gather for its annual signature event.

Russia seizes assets of Nestle, French firms over West's Ukraine support

Russian authorities have seized the businesses and assets of Swiss food giant Nestle and three French groups, a move the Kremlin defended Friday as a justified measure against firms representing "unfriendly countries" that back Ukraine.

Stock markets diverge after central bank rate hikes

Global stock markets diverged and oil prices fell on Friday approaching the end of a week dominated by central bank moves to tame inflation driven by the Middle East war.

Russians vote as Ukraine war drags on for fifth year

Russians began voting Friday in a tightly controlled three-day election that will likely see President Vladimir Putin tighten his grip on power after 26 years at the helm, in the country's fifth year of war with Ukraine

Most Asian stocks track Wall St rally, yen drops after BoJ rate hike

Asian stocks mostly rose on Friday in line with a rally on Wall Street as a drop in oil prices eased inflation concerns, while the yen dropped against the dollar even after the Bank of Japan hiked interest rates to a three-decade high.

Russians begin voting in controlled election as war drags on

Polling stations opened early Friday in Russia's Far East, kicking off a three-day election that President Vladimir Putin's party is all but guaranteed to win in the fifth year of war with Ukraine.

Trump 'clearly' wants dialogue with Pyongyang: South Korean President

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday that US President Donald Trump clearly wants dialogue with Pyongyang and confirmed Seoul will not be deploying troops to intervene militarily in the Iran war.

Thailand's Muslim separatists vow to fight to the end

Two decades into an insurgency that has killed thousands in southern Thailand, a leader of the main Malay-Muslim separatist group vowed this week to keep fighting until they achieve their goals.

Mideast turmoil, AI set to dominate UN gathering of world leaders

As wars rage in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, and fears mount over rapidly advancing AI, world leaders descend on the UN in New York from Tuesday for the world's signature diplomatic event.

South Korea makes Asian Games complaint over Japan warlord ceremony

South Korea's Olympic committee said Friday it filed a complaint with Asian Games organisers in Nagoya for featuring a Japanese warlord at a welcoming ceremony.

October 7 survivors, families take centre stage in Israel vote

Sharon Sharabi shot into the limelight in Israel after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 as he pleaded for the return of hostages dragged into Gaza, including his two brothers.

Sudanese women hold fast to threatened henna body art

Inside a beauty salon in northern Sudan, a woman in a striped dress sat patiently as henna artist Najwa Mubarak painted crimson floral patterns across her hands, preserving a cherished tradition that is under threat.

US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

The United States has approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth warplanes to Saudi Arabia, the State Department said Thursday, the kingdom's latest major arms purchase since the start of the Iran war.

Stocks climb as oil retreats, Fed calms inflation fears

Stock markets rose on Thursday a day after the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates as expected to cool inflation pressures, with falling oil prices also bolstering sentiment.

Russians begin voting in controlled election as war drags