The Japan Times - Politics

Japan protests Putin's first visit to disputed islands

President Vladimir Putin visited Thursday Russia's far-eastern Kuril islands for the first time, prompting a "strong" protest by Japan which also claims the territory.

Zambia votes with president's economic record on the line

Zambia went to the polls Thursday with economic hardship testing President Hakainde Hichilema's record as he seeks a second term to govern the copper-rich nation.

Putin visits Kuril islands claimed by Japan

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the far-eastern Kuril islands for the first time on Thursday, prompting a "strong" protest by Japan which also claims the territory.

Senators demand inquiry into conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Congressional Democrats demanded answers Wednesday about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises during the aircraft carrier's record-setting deployment.

Farage and Count Binface go head-to-head in snap UK poll

Voters in eastern England head to the polls Thursday for a by-election triggered by hard-right Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, but amid a boycott by mainstream parties his main rival is a joke candidate called Count Binface

Venezuela govt, opposition wrap up round of post-Maduro talks

Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives on Wednesday wrapped up a first round of talks aimed at reconciling the nation following the US ouster of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.

Five things to know about Zambia as it goes to the polls

Copper-rich Zambia, once known for defaulting on its debt, heads to the polls Thursday in an election that will test whether President Hakainde Hichilema has convinced voters his economic reforms are paying off.

President's economic record on the line as Zambia votes

Zambians go to the polls Thursday with economic hardship testing President Hakainde Hichilema's record as he seeks a second term to govern the copper-rich nation.

'Imposing ignorance': US climate science under siege

A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.

Caracas protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks

Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting political transition talks in Venezuela's capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and opposition, AFP journalists observed.

'Trying to bury the science': US climate research under siege

A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.

Eurovision to bar countries at war from hosting

Eurovision Song Contest organisers announced rule changes Wednesday excluding any country in an armed conflict from hosting the competition and increasing the mininum age of competitors.

Protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks

Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting transition talks in the Venezuelan capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and the opposition, AFP journalists observed.

Trump sued over sale of access to Truth Social posts

Two US media groups on Wednesday sued President Donald Trump over his move to charge for early access to his often market-moving Truth Social posts.

US equities gain as inflation report eases fear of rate rise

US equities inched up and the dollar slipped Wednesday as July's inflation data came in as expected, taking pressure off the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates.

Zhu Rongji, trailblazing ex-premier who transformed China's economy

Zhu Rongji, China's former premier who died on Wednesday aged 97, championed free-market policies and delivered far-reaching economic reforms during his five years at the helm.

'To make the civilians leave': Russia pummels Ukraine's petrol stations

A streak across the sky, then a muffled blast. Near Izyum in eastern Ukraine, another petrol station has just been blown to pieces.

Japan brushes off Australian PM's melon drama

Tokyo on Wednesday played down comments by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about melons gifted to him by his Japanese counterpart that have triggered a row Down Under, stressing the leaders' good relationship.

Australian delivery drivers win 'world-leading' pay rise

Hundreds of thousands of gig workers in Australia have been granted a huge pay rise from next week under a decision by the country's workplace relations tribunal lauded as "world-leading".

New Zealand PM survives leadership challenge months from election

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had the "full support" of his ruling National Party on Wednesday after surviving a leadership challenge called with less than three months until a general election.

Oil prices rise, stocks mixed ahead of crucial US inflation data

Oil prices rose again Wednesday and stock markets were mixed, with eyes on the release of key US inflation data that could guide the Federal Reserve on its plans for interest rates.

UK 'joke' candidate Binface pushes serious point about politics

British politics has a long-cherished reputation for attracting the weird and wonderful.

New Zealand PM Luxon survives leadership challenge months from election

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had the "full support" of his ruling National Party on Wednesday after surviving a leadership challenge called with less than three months until a general election.

Cuba celebrates Castro's 100th as his revolution faces its toughest test

As Cuba marks 100 years since Fidel Castro's birth, Cubans are questioning the promises of the socialist revolution he led for nearly half a century, and asking whether his successors are up to the job.

New Zealand's ruling party meets to decide PM Luxon's fate

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's fate hung in the balance on Wednesday as his ruling National Party met to decide whether he should stay on as leader with less than three months until a general election.

UN says 2 staff arrested by Afghan intelligence agency

Two staff members of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan have been arrested by the country's intelligence agency, the world body told AFP on Tuesday, adding that it had no access to them for two days.

Trump's secret plane swap triggers questions and confusion

A secret operation that reportedly smuggled Donald Trump off Air Force One in a catering truck before the plane departed carrying journalists and staff at apparent risk of an Iranian strike has raised questions over US security practices.

AI firm Manus to resume 'independent' operations after China blocks Meta deal

AI startup Manus said Tuesday it would resume "operating as an independent company," months after Beijing blocked Meta's multi-billion-dollar acquisition of the Chinese-developed, Singapore-based company.

Barred from elections, Russia's anti-war party vows to fight on

When 18-year-old Karina learnt the party she supported ahead of her first parliamentary election in Russia was barred from contesting, she was shocked -- but also surprised by what happened next.

Cambridge academic in plagiarism row publishes memoir

Black British academic Jason Arday, who has been at the center of a row over alleged plagiarism and racism, published his memoir in the United States on Tuesday, days after resigning from Cambridge University.

Oil prices higher, stocks flat ahead of inflation report

Oil prices bounced around in choppy trading and stock markets were little changed Tuesday as investors awaited a key inflation report and weighed progress on re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Orban-critic ex-judge becomes Hungary president after predecessor ouster

Andras Baka, a former supreme court chief and critic of Viktor Orban who was fired during the ex-premier's time in power, on Tuesday became Hungary's next head of state, saying a "new Hungary" could not be built on "revenge".

The Japan Times - Politics (English)

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