The Japan Times - Politics

Bessent says Europe dumping US debt over Greenland would 'defy logic'

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday rejected the idea that European governments could aggressively sell American debt to counter Washington's threats over Greenland, saying such a move would "defy logic".

Talks between Damascus, Kurdish-led forces 'collapse': Kurdish official to AFP

Negotiations have collapsed between the Syrian president and the chief of the country's Kurdish-led forces, a Kurdish official told AFP, as the army deployed reinforcements to flashpoint areas in the north.

Israel begins demolitions at UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem

Israeli bulldozers began demolitions at the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem on Tuesday, in what the organisation called an "unprecedented attack".

Almost half of Kyiv without heat, power, after Russian attack: govt

An overnight Russian aerial attack left thousands of residential buildings in Kyiv without heating and water in -14C temperatures on Tuesday -- another blow to a capital already reeling from strikes that have knocked out vital utilities.

Australian lawmakers back stricter gun, hate crime laws

Australian politicians voted in favour of tougher hate crime and gun laws Tuesday, weeks after gunmen targeting Jewish people on Bondi Beach killed 15 people.

EU wants to keep Chinese suppliers out of critical infrastructure

The EU is expected on Tuesday to unveil plans to keep "high-risk" Chinese suppliers away from European critical infrastructure, as the bloc ramps up efforts to reduce dependencies on third countries.

AI reshaping the battle over the narrative of Maduro's US capture

Since the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in early January, pictures and videos chronicling the events have been crowded out by those generated with artificial intelligence, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

Vietnam leader pledges graft fight as he eyes China-style powers

Vietnam's top leader promised to fight corruption in an address Tuesday to a twice-a-decade congress of the Communist Party, where he is seeking expanded powers similar to China's political structure.

Long-delayed decision due on Chinese mega-embassy in London

The UK government is Tuesday due to rule on plans for a sprawling Chinese mega-embassy in central London, amid security concerns and ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's expected visit to China.

Asian markets sink, silver hits record as Greenland fears mount

Asian markets extended losses Tuesday and silver hit a fresh peak on fears of a US-EU trade war fuelled by Donald Trump's tariff threat over opposition to his grab for Greenland.

North Korea's Kim sacks vice premier, rails against 'incompetence'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has fired his vice premier and railed against "incompetent" officials in a rare and very public broadside against apparatchiks at the opening of a critical factory, state media said Tuesday.

Vietnam leader promises graft fight as he eyes China-style powers

Vietnam's top leader promised to fight corruption Tuesday in an address to a twice-a-decade congress of the Communist Party where he is seeking expanded powers similar to China's political structure.

North Korea's Kim sacks senior official, slams 'incompetence'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has fired a senior official tasked with economic policy and condemned "incompetent" apparatchiks for delays in the opening of an important factory, state media said Tuesday.

EU leaders take stage in Davos as Trump rocks global order

European leaders take the stage on Tuesday ahead of Donald Trump at the gathering of global elites in Davos, as the US president dangles tariff threats in a bid to pressure the EU over Greenland.

Blast at Chinese restaurant in Kabul kills 7

A blast at a Chinese restaurant in central Kabul on Monday killed at least seven people and wounded more than a dozen others, emergency services said.

Guatemalans call for iron fist over surge in gang violence

Guatemalans on Monday called for an iron fist to stamp out gang violence after the murder of nine police officers and riots in several prisons, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency.

Colombian paramilitary-turned-peace-envoy sentenced over atrocities

A Colombian ex-paramilitary leader, who was appointed a peace negotiator by President Gustavo Petro, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Monday for murders and other crimes committed at the height of the country's armed conflict.

Syria says Sharaa, Trump discuss Kurdish rights as forces deploy in country's north, east

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump discussed guaranteeing Kurdish rights in a phone call on Monday, Syria's presidency said, a day after Damascus reached a deal with Kurdish forces including a truce.

Allies tepid on Trump 'peace board' with $1bn permanent member fee

Key allies reacted coolly Monday to US President Donald Trump's invite to pay $1.0 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" for resolving international conflicts, with analysts likening it to a pay-to-play version of the UN Security Council.

France PM to force budget into law, concedes 'partial failure'

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on Monday he would ram his budget bill through parliament without a vote, conceding it was a "partial failure", after weeks of stalled negotiations.

Iran warns protesters who joined 'riots' to surrender

Iran's top police officer issued an ultimatum on Monday to protesters who joined what authorities have deemed "riots", saying they must hand themselves in within three days or face the full force of the law.

Central African Republic top court says Touadera won 78% of vote

Faustin Archange Touadera, who has led the Central African Republic since 2016, was re-elected for a third term as president in last month's election with 78 percent of the vote, the constitutional court said Monday, announcing final results.

Trump tariff threat has global investors running for cover

International investors bought heavily into precious metals while switching out of stocks Monday in a flight to safety after US President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs over opposition to his Greenland plans.

Trump says not thinking 'purely of peace' in Greenland push

Donald Trump no longer needs to think "purely of peace" after being snubbed for a Nobel, the US president said in comments published Monday, adding the world will not be safe until Washington controls Greenland.

Syria's Kurds feel disappointed, abandoned by US after Damascus deal

Residents of the Kurdish Syrian city of Qamishli voiced disillusionment on Monday after a deal with Damascus struck a fatal blow to their long-held aspirations of autonomy, with some accusing the United States of abandoning them.

Syria offensive leaves Turkey's Kurds on edge

Turkey's Kurds are hoping that Ankara's bid to end the decades-long PKK conflict won't be hurt by Damascus' lightning offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria that was backed by Turkey.

Ivory Coast faces unusual pile-up of cocoa at export hubs

At a warehouse in western Ivory Coast the backlog of cocoa beans waiting to be shipped has grown so big the storage site can barely accept another sack.

What is Trump's 'Board of Peace'?

US President Donald Trump's government has asked countries to pay $1 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts, according to its charter seen by AFP.

Syrian army deploys in former Kurdish-held areas under ceasefire deal

Syria's army deployed in formerly Kurdish-led areas in the country's east and north on Monday after a ceasefire announced a day earlier, as Syria's president and the Kurds' leader were set to hold talks.

Trump to charge $1bn for permanent 'peace board' membership: reports

US President Donald Trump's government has asked countries to pay $1 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts, according to US media reports.

Trump says world 'not secure' until US has Greenland