The Japan Times - Politics

US launches new airstrikes to 'punish' Iran after two troops killed

The United States launched new airstrikes Saturday to "punish" Iran after reporting the first US military deaths since renewing its hostilities with the Islamic republic.

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

Prominent Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara flew to exile Saturday in the United States after serving a five-year sentence on the island, as Washington urged Havana to release more than 700 political prisoners.

Zelensky mulls army changes as protests rock Ukraine for third day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday hinted at potential changes in the army, as rare wartime protests over the removal of a popular defence minister rocked the country for a third day.

NY mayor says still mulling Netanyahu arrest during UN meet

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is in talks over whether to try to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an upcoming UN summit, he said in an interview published Saturday -- prompting a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu's camp.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian warehouses kill 8, shroud skies in smoke

Waves of Ukrainian explosive-laden drones on Saturday pounded e-commerce warehouses in the Moscow and Tambov regions, killing eight people and causing large fires that blackened the skies with thick smoke for hours.

Botswana says 'alarming rise' in citizens lured to Russia's war

An "alarming" number of Botswana nationals are being forced into combat in Russia's war against Ukraine after falling for deceptive recruitment schemes, the government said Saturday.

Brazil high court says Argentina's Milei cannot visit Bolsonaro

Brazil's top court on Saturday denied a request by Argentine President Javier Milei to visit former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest, a ruling obtained by AFP showed.

German lawmaker steps down for using US surrogacy to have a child

A prominent figure in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right party resigned his leadership post Saturday, party sources told AFP, amid controversy over his use of a surrogate mother in the US despite a ban on the practice in Germany.

US-Iran fighting escalates with infrastructure targeted

Iran on Saturday struck infrastructure in the Gulf and threatened a "full-scale offensive" in retaliation for the seventh consecutive night of US strikes on the Islamic republic.

German lawmaker steps down over surrogate pregnancy controversy: party sources to AFP

A prominent figure in German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right party resigned his leadership post Saturday, party sources told AFP, amid controversy over his use of a surrogate mother in the US despite a ban on the practice in Germany.

The challenges facing UK's next PM Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham, who is set to become Britain's prime minister Monday, will face a roster of challenges when he steps into the office as the UK's seventh leader in a decade.

Spain, Argentina prepare for World Cup final, Trump hails success

Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday as organisers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from wildfires in Canada.

Trump questions England's World Cup tactics

To the long list of critics of England's tactics in the World Cup semi-final they lost to Argentina can now be added Donald Trump.

China's Kimi K3 rattles US AI industry

Kimi K3, a new artificial intelligence program from a Chinese startup called Moonshot AI, stunned the US tech industry on Friday, setting off fresh discussion over the China-US rivalry to dominate AI.

Thousands protest sacking of Ukraine defence minister: AFP

Thousands of people turned out in Kyiv on Friday to protest Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's sacking of his popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov as part of a controversial reshuffle.

Ex-president Sall back in Senegal for talks with successor

Senegal's ex-president Macky Sall, who is campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general, held a meeting in Dakar Friday with his successor, a visit criticised by the former leader's detractors.

British Museum shows Bayeux Tapestry unfurled after 'titanic' efforts

The British Museum on Friday revealed some sections of the Bayeux Tapestry a week after its arrival, as the curator of the forthcoming exhibition told AFP he was "relieved" the fragile embroidery appeared to have "travelled well".

US, Iran trade attacks as renewed war intensifies

The United States and Iran traded drone and missile strikes on Friday, as Tehran announced it had targeted American assets across the region, in the biggest escalation since the two foes resumed their conflict.

German lawmaker faces criticism for US surrogacy to have a child

A prominent member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right party came under fire on Friday for having a child through a surrogate pregnancy in the United States, despite the practice being illegal in Germany.

Ex-president Sall arrives back in Senegal for meeting with successor

Senegal's ex-president Macky Sall, who is campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general, arrived in Dakar Friday for a brief meeting with his successor, a visit criticised by the former leader's detractors.

'Overpriced Dubai skyscraper': Slovaks outraged by ministry's $61-mn HQ

Slovakia's defence minister has come under fire for his lavish taste in architecture after unveiling his ministry's new 27-storey headquarters, with many criticising the cost of the 53-million-euro ($61 million) renovation.

Russia fines anti-war politician as he suffers medical episode

A Russian court fined anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin $13 on Friday for displaying "extremist symbols", delivering the verdict moments after paramedics performed a cardiogram on him in court for extreme high blood pressure.

J.K. Rowling blasts Amnesty 'anti-rights' label on women's centre

Britain's charities regulator is looking into concerns about an Amnesty International report that branded a women's centre for sexual violence victims founded by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling as "anti-rights".

New Labour leader Burnham vows to renew hope as next UK PM

Andy Burnham vowed Friday to "give hope" back to the British people as he was confirmed as the ruling Labour party's new leader, set to be the next UK prime minister.

Polish president vetoes civil partnerships bill

Poland's conservative President Karol Nawrocki on Friday vetoed a bill proposed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government legalising civil partnerships, he announced in a statement.

US, Iran trade attacks in return to full-blown war

The United States and Iran traded attacks on Friday, with Tehran targeting American assets across the Middle East in the biggest escalation since the two foes returned to outright war.

Stocks slide, oil prices jump as tech, Mideast war in focus

Tokyo and Taipei stock markets led a fresh selloff for technology shares Friday, as concerns that the sector had been overbought in recent months intensified.

EU reforms carbon market under pressure from industry

The European Union on Friday proposed easing its carbon trading scheme for companies, as it unveiled reforms to one of its flagship climate policies under pressure to shore up industry.

Pakistan pressures Afghans in border province to leave

Members of Afghan settlements in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border province hurriedly packed up belongings this week while others hid at home as police launched a "large-scale crackdown" on undocumented residents.

Argentina await FIFA decision over displaying World Cup Falklands banner

Football's global governing body FIFA will assess match reports before deciding if they take any action over Argentina's players holding up a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine) following their 2-1 victory over England.

Japan outlaws flag desecration despite critics

Japan enacted a law on Friday that criminalises damaging the national flag, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes forward with her conservative agenda despite worries over freedom of expression.

US strikes Iran as Tehran warns of Mideast reprisals

The United States hit Iran on Friday, with Tehran accusing US forces of striking civilians sites and drawing Iranian threats of reprisals on regional infrastructure.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)

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