The Japan Times - Politics

US official says Venezuela freeing Americans in 'important step'

Venezuela on Tuesday started freeing jailed Americans, said a US official, who hailed the move by the country's interim leadership following Washington's ouster of ex-president Nicolas Maduro.

Japan, South Korea leaders drum up viral moment with K-pop jam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi played two K-pop songs during a post-summit drumming session with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who joked he felt "a little awkward" in front of the former heavy metal band member.

Danish foreign minister heads to White House for high-stakes Greenland talks

Denmark's top diplomat visits the White House on Wednesday in a high-stakes attempt to lower the temperature on Greenland, which US President Donald Trump has vowed to seize from the longtime ally.

US to take three-quarter stake in Armenia corridor

Armenia will give the United States a nearly three-quarters stake in a corridor of its land connecting parts of rival Azerbaijan, Washington announced Tuesday, as it said it expected to benefit financially from the arrangement but promised to respect sovereignty.

Trump warns of 'very strong action' if Iran hangs protesters

US President Donald Trump warned Tuesday of unspecified "very strong action" against Iran if its authorities go ahead with the threatened hanging of some protesters, as international outrage grew over a crackdown that one rights group said has likely killed thousands.

Fear vies with sorrow at funeral for Venezuelan political prisoner

Fear mixed with sorrow at the funeral of Edilson Torres, a policeman and government critic who died in custody just before Venezuela began releasing political prisoners following the toppling of strongman Nicolas Maduro.

Russia strikes power plant, kills four in Ukraine barrage

Russia pummelled a power plant early Tuesday as it kept up pressure on Ukraine's battered energy system, while unidentified drones hit two oil tankers in the Black Sea.

US pushes forward trade enclave over Armenia

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the United States would move forward on building a corridor linking Azerbaijan through Armenia, saying it would benefit all sides.

Trump tells Iranians 'help on its way' as crackdown toll soars

US President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to keep protesting against the country's theocratic leadership, telling them "help is on its way" as international outrage grows over a crackdown one rights group said has likely killed thousands.

Iran threatens death penalty for 'rioters' as concern grows for protester

Iranian authorities will press charges punishable by death against some individuals arrested during recent demonstrations, prosecutors said on Tuesday, as concern grew that one man arrested during the protests already risks imminent execution.

US ends protection for Somalis amid escalating migrant crackdown

The United States said Tuesday it would end a special protected status for Somalis, telling them they must leave the country by mid-March under an escalating crackdown on the community.

Oil prices surge following Trump's Iran tariff threat

The price of oil surged around three percent on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on anyone trading with Iran, sparking expectations the threat will restrict supplies of crude.

'We choose Denmark,' says Greenland ahead of W. House talks

Greenland would choose to remain Danish over a US takeover, its leader said Tuesday, ahead of crunch White House talks on the future of the Arctic island which President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened.

Davos braces for Trump's 'America First' onslaught

All eyes will be on Donald Trump next week as politicians and business leaders head to the World Economic Forum, wondering how to square the mercurial US leader with the Davos creed of open markets and multilateralism.

WHO says sugary drinks, alcohol getting cheaper, should be taxed more

Sugary drinks and alcohol are getting relatively cheaper, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, urging countries to hike taxes to reduce consumption levels and boost health funding.

Davos elite, devotees of multilateralism, brace for Trump

All eyes will be on Donald Trump next week as politicians and business leaders head to the World Economic Forum, wondering how to square the mercurial US leader with the Davos creed of open markets and multilateralism.

US consumer inflation holds steady as affordability worries linger

US consumer inflation was steady in December as analysts expected, government data showed Tuesday, capping a year in which affordability worries flared while President Donald Trump's tariffs weighed on the economy.

South Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for ex-leader Yoon

South Korean prosecutors called on Tuesday for the death penalty to be handed down to former president Yoon Suk Yeol for his December 2024 declaration of martial law, which plunged the country into chaos.

Le Pen appeal trial opens with French presidential bid at stake

The appeal trial of Marine Le Pen opened Tuesday, with the French far-right leader hoping to overthrow a graft conviction and save her 2027 run for president.

Sudan 'lost all sources of revenue' in the war: finance minister to AFP

Widespread destruction, massive military spending and plummeting oil and gold revenues have left Sudan's economy in "very difficult times", army-aligned finance minister Gibril Ibrahim said, nearly three years into the army's war with rival paramilitary forces.

Is China a threat to Greenland as Trump argues?

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take Greenland by force from NATO ally Denmark in order to keep the Arctic island from Beijing's hands.

Takaichi says urged S. Korea's Lee to help 'ensure regional stability'

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung Tuesday to help "ensure regional stability", as Beijing pressures Tokyo over its stance on Taiwan.

South Korean prosecutors set to demand heavy sentence for Yoon

South Korean prosecutors are expected to call on Tuesday for either life in prison or the death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol, accused of leading an insurrection when he declared martial law over a year ago.

Honduras electoral authorities reject vote recount

Honduras electoral authorities rejected Monday an order by the outgoing president to recount November's election won by Trump-backed candidate Nasry Asfura.

Trump announces tariffs on Iran trade partners as protest toll rises

US President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with Iran, ramping up pressure as a rights group estimated a crackdown on protests has killed at least 648 people.

Trump has options on Iran, but first must define goal

US President Donald Trump has options to intervene in protest-hit Iran that range from low to high risk, but choosing his course depends on him deciding his ultimate goal.

Australia's ambassador to US leaving post, marked by Trump rift

Australia said Tuesday its ambassador to the United States is leaving after a three-year tenure overshadowed by President Donald Trump's verdict on him: "I don't like you either."

US stocks at records despite early losses on Fed independence angst

Wall Street stocks finished at new records Monday, shrugging off worries about a US criminal probe of the Federal Reserve that initially weighed on equities.

Leaders of Japan and South Korea meet as China flexes muscles

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will host South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung for talks on Tuesday aimed at demonstrating their cordial ties as Beijing pressures Tokyo over its stance on Taiwan.

Trump sets meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader, Caracas under pressure

Washington announced Monday Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump this week as pressure grew on the interim leadership in Caracas to speed up the release of political prisoners.

NATO, Greenland vow to boost Arctic security after Trump threats

NATO and Greenland's government on Monday said they intended to work on strengthening the defence of the Danish autonomous territory, hoping to dissuade US President Donald Trump from trying to seize the island.

Trump keeping Iran air strikes on the table: White House

US President Donald Trump is considering air strikes on Iran to stop a crackdown on protesters, the White House said Monday, adding that people were being "killed on the streets."

The Japan Times - Politics (English)

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