The Japan Times - Politics

Hezbollah chief rejects truce, demands Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon

Hezbollah's chief on Thursday rejected a conditional truce announced by Lebanese and Israeli envoys, demanding instead a comprehensive ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal as he threatened northern Israel with new attacks.

Brazil may purchase 20 more fighter jets from Sweden

Brazil wants to acquire 20 additional Gripen fighter jets, made by Swedish defence company Saab, on top of the 36 it already has, Sweden's defence minister said Thursday.

UK PM says Elon Musk 'trying to whip up division' over student's murder

UK leader Keir Starmer accused US tech tycoon Elon Musk on Thursday of "trying to whip up division" in Britain following anger over the police handling of the murder of a white student by a Sikh man.

Israel strikes Lebanon after 'last chance' truce announcement

Israel carried out new strikes in Lebanon on Thursday and again threatened Beirut, despite the two countries agreeing to a conditional ceasefire that Lebanon's president called the "last chance" for a durable end to the fighting.

What we know about Kushner's project in Albania

Protesters are furious over a planned luxury tourism complex in Albania that is linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Israel strikes Lebanon after truce announcement

Israel struck south Lebanon on Thursday and threatened new attacks on Beirut despite an announcement hours earlier that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to implement a conditional ceasefire.

Somalia capital rocked by gunfire and fighting overnight

Heavy gunfire rocked Somalia's capital overnight, with smoke rising over the city and armed forces deployed on the streets on Thursday, AFP journalists reported, after clashes erupted between rival political factions ahead of planned protests.

South Korea ruling party fails to flip Seoul in blemish on local poll results

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party swept most seats in local elections but failed to flip the crucial Seoul mayoral seat, official results showed Thursday, in a sign that voters sought to keep a check on its power.

South Korea's ruling party fails to flip Seoul in blemish to local polls showing

South Korea's ruling Democratic Party swept most seats in local elections but failed to flip the crucial Seoul mayoral seat, official results showed Thursday, in a sign that voters sought to keep a check on its power.

N. Korea's Kim vows 'exponential' boost in nuclear forces

Kim Jong Un vowed an "exponential" increase in nuclear military capabilities as state media reported the North Korean leader visited a new atomic facility.

Ukraine strike kills 3 in Russian-occupied Crimea

A Ukrainian strike killed at least three people in Crimea, the region's Moscow-installed authorities said Thursday, a day after Kyiv targeted energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg where Russia was hosting an economic forum.

In Peru's highlands, hopelessness shapes a bitter presidential runoff

Peru's presidential runoff has exposed deep dissatisfaction in the Andean south, where poor rural voters see the election as a bitter choice and say Lima has abandoned them.

China bans New Zealand lawmakers over Taiwan trip

China has slapped a travel ban on a group of New Zealand lawmakers after they recently visited Taiwan, Wellington said Thursday.

Israel, Lebanon agree to conditional ceasefire

Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a "complete cessation" of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a joint statement after US-led talks in Washington.

Iran FM says 'no tangible progress' in talks but Trump says deal close

Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that "no tangible progress" has been made in negotiations to end the Middle East war as fresh US and Iranian strikes strained a fragile ceasefire.

Cuba has 'technocrats' willing to negotiate, Rubio says

Cuba has "technocrats" ready to negotiate change in the island's governance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday.

Somalia ex-PM says attacked by govt forces in Mogadishu

Heavy gunfire broke out in central Mogadishu on Wednesday as Somalia's former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire said he was attacked by government forces ahead of planned protests.

Ukraine drone strikes causing 'panic' for Kremlin: EU's Kallas to AFP

Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russia are causing "panic" for the Kremlin, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas told AFP Wednesday, saying Moscow was lashing out at Kyiv with increased attacks.

Rubio brushes off Trump mental acuity concerns as 'absurd'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday brushed off suggestions that President Donald Trump was regularly dozing off during Cabinet meetings, as questions persist over the health of the oldest US president ever inaugurated.

Deadly drone strike on Kuwait airport as Iran, US trade fire

A Iranian drone strike on a passenger terminal in Kuwait's international airport killed one person and wounded 63 more Wednesday, Kuwaiti officials said, as conflict escalated between Tehran and US forces in the Gulf.

EU eases spending rules to tackle energy shock

The EU on Wednesday eased its spending rules to help member states confront the energy shock sparked by the Middle East war, as back-to-back crises leave countries in a fiscal squeeze.

Romania wants to boost air defence after drone strike blamed on Russia

Romania's foreign minister said Wednesday her country needed to bolster its air defences with the help of its allies, days after two people were wounded in a drone strike on an apartment block close to the Ukraine border that was blamed on Russia.

Ukraine drones hit Saint Petersburg as 'Russian Davos' opens

Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg early Wednesday morning as officials gathered for a flagship economic forum in the city, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said.

Hundreds flee as South Africa anti-migrant mobs go door-to-door

Hundreds of foreigners fearing for their lives have taken shelter in community halls on South Africa's south coast, saying mobs of locals were going door-to-door telling them to leave the country.

Drone strikes close Kuwait airport as Iran and US clash in Gulf

A drone strike on a passenger terminal in Kuwait's international airport wounded several people Wednesday and forced air traffic to be suspended, as Iranian and US forces traded attacks in the Gulf.

OECD cuts 2026 global growth forecasts over Mideast war fallout

The war in the Middle East has dented economic growth prospects worldwide, with a more severe shock likely if no effective ceasefire is agreed before 2027, the OECD warned Wednesday.

'Blind spots': drone alert lays bare Lithuania poor shelter access

When a drone threat alert blared out in Lithuania's capital Vilnius urging residents to seek shelter, Ruta Gaskauskaite hurried down to the nearest one, only to discover it was locked.

Military seeks prison time for Indonesian soldiers in acid attack

Indonesian military prosecutors sought two-and-a-half years in prison on Wednesday for each of the four soldiers charged over an acid attack on an activist critical of the armed forces' perceived expanding role in government.

Solomons PM says to review secretive security pact with China

New Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale said Wednesday he would be reviewing a secretive 2022 security pact with Beijing, which rattled Canberra and Washington by opening the door to Chinese forces in the South Pacific.

Migrant journeys in focus ahead of pope visit to Spain's Canaries

Haruna Ndom, 18, set out two years ago on a days-long journey across the Atlantic in a fragile boat with dozens of other migrants.

Thousands protest Jared Kushner-linked resort project in Albania

Thousands of Albanians protested Tuesday against a coastal tourism complex allegedly linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Solomons PM says to review security pact with China

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale said Wednesday he would be "reviewing" his country's secretive 2022 security pact with China, which rattled Canberra and Washington.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)

Featured

UK's Starmer mulling 'political realities': senior minister

Ukrainian strikes on Russian-annexed Crimea kill 4, pause fuel sales

Last news