The Japan Times - Politics

Yemen separatists say Saudi-backed forces to deploy in seized territories

Separatists from Yemen's Southern Transitional Council said on Thursday that Saudi-aligned government forces would enter territories seized by the UAE-backed group, in a step that appeared unlikely to satisfy Riyadh after it repeatedly demanded their full withdrawal.

Israel says it 'will enforce' ban on 37 NGOs in Gaza

Israel said on Thursday that 37 international NGOs operating in Gaza had not complied with a deadline to meet "security and transparency standards," in particular disclosing information on their Palestinian staff, and that it "will enforce" a ban on their activities.

Near record number of small boat migrants reach UK in 2025

The second-highest annual number of migrants arrived on UK shores in small boats since records were started in 2018, government statistics confirmed on Thursday.

Leftist Mamdani takes over as New York mayor under Trump shadow

Zohran Mamdani, the young upstart of the US left, was sworn in Thursday to take over as New York mayor for a term sure to see him cross swords with President Donald Trump.

Israel's Netanyahu among partygoers at Trump's New Year's Eve fete

US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a glittering New Year's Eve party at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort on Wednesday, according to social media.

Eight dead in US strikes on alleged drug boats: US military

The US military said Wednesday that eight people were killed in multiple new strikes on alleged drug boats, bringing the death toll in Washington's campaign against what it says are narcotics traffickers to at least 115.

Taiwan's president vows to defend sovereignty after China drills

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Thursday to defend the democratic island's sovereignty in a New Year's speech, after China carried out military drills.

N. Korea's Kim hails 'invincible alliance' with Russia in New Year's letter

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his troops fighting abroad as forging an "invincible alliance" with Russia in a new year's message, state media said Thursday.

In Venezuela, price of US dollar up 479 percent in a year

Venezuela, currently in the throes of an escalating crisis with the United States, closed the books Wednesday on a complicated year for its economy, with the official cost of buying a US dollar up 479 percent in the last 12 months.

Zelensky says deal to end war '10 percent' away

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday his country was "10 percent" away from a deal to end the war with Russia, but cautioned that the most important issues were unresolved and warned against rewarding Moscow.

We are '10 percent' away from peace, Zelensky tells Ukrainians

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday his country was "10 percent" away from a peace deal with Russia, but cautioned that the most important issues were still unsolved and that any agreement should not reward Moscow.

Trump says pulling National Guard from three cities -- for now

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was withdrawing National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, following a series of legal setbacks over his military deployments in US cities.

Trump-hosted Kennedy Center awards gala ratings plummet

Donald Trump joked about quitting as US president if his hosting of the annual Kennedy Center awards went well.

Israel begins demolishing 25 buildings in West Bank camp

Israeli bulldozers began demolishing 25 buildings housing Palestinians in a refugee camp on Wednesday, in what the military said was an effort to root out armed groups in northern areas of the occupied West Bank.

Cambodian soldiers freed by Thailand receive hero's welcome

Eighteen Cambodian soldiers received a hero's welcome Wednesday after Thailand released them as part of a truce deal that ended weeks of deadly fighting along their contested frontier.

Ukrainians wish for peace in 2026 -- and no more power cuts

Ukrainians marking their fourth New Year's Eve since Russia's invasion said their biggest wish for 2026 was peace -- as well as an end to the power cuts that had made life "hell".

Putin wishes Russians victory in Ukraine in New Year speech

President Vladimir Putin said Russia believed it would win in Ukraine in an address Wednesday, as his country marked another New Year -- their main holiday -- at war.

Israel to ban 37 aid groups operating in Gaza

Israel has said 37 aid organisations will be banned from operating in Gaza from Thursday unless they comply with guidelines requiring detailed information on Palestinian staff, drawing criticism from the United Nations and the European Union.

Filmmaker Panahi says Iran protests 'to move history forward'

Award-winning Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi said Wednesday that protests which have gripped his country in recent days aimed "to move history forward".

China says live-fire drills around Taiwan 'completed successfully'

China "successfully completed" military drills around Taiwan that included live-fire exercises aimed at simulating a blockade of key ports and assaults on maritime targets, its military said on Wednesday.

Hoping for better year ahead, Gazans bid farewell to 'nightmare' of 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, Palestinians in Gaza are marking the new year not with celebration, but with exhaustion, grief and a fragile hope that their "endless nightmare" might finally end.

Japanese women MPs want more seats, the porcelain kind

Nearly 60 women lawmakers in Japan, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building to match their improved representation.

Silver slips lower in mixed end to Asia trading year

Silver slipped further as Asian markets presented a mixed picture in the the final trading day of 2025 on Wednesday, with some stocks tracking Wall Street losses as investors eyed a New Year break.

Guinea junta chief Doumbouya elected president: election commission

Guinea's junta chief Mamady Doumbouya, who had pledged not to run for office after seizing power four years ago, has been elected president after securing a sweeping majority of the vote, according to initial results by the country's election commission published on Tuesday.

Taiwan coastguard says Chinese ships 'withdrawing' after drills

Chinese warships and coastguard vessels are withdrawing from waters around Taiwan, the island's coastguard said Wednesday, with Beijing's military drills appearing to be "over".

Leftist Mamdani to take over as New York mayor under Trump shadow

Zohran Mamdani, young upstart of the US left, was readying Wednesday to take over as New York mayor for a term sure to see him cross swords with President Donald Trump.

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July

Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in July, both governments said, after a fresh ceasefire between the neighbours held for more than three days following weeks of deadly border clashes.

Asia markets mixed in final day of 2025 trading

Asian stocks were mixed at the start of the final trading day of 2025 on Wednesday, with some tracking Wall Street losses as investors eased towards the New Year break.

Global 'fragmentation' fuelling world's crises: UN refugee chief

The outgoing United Nations refugee chief fears an increasingly fragmented world is fuelling global conflicts and crises, and inflaming hostility towards people desperately fleeing for safety.

Guinea junta chief Doumboya elected president: election commission