The Japan Times - Politics

US House targets data centers as midterm backlash grows

The US House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday on whether data centers should shoulder more of their own electricity costs, as the power-hungry engines of America's AI boom become a major issue in November's midterm elections.

French ex-minister Dati goes on trial in Renault-Nissan corruption case

France's ex-culture minister Rachida Dati appeared in court Wednesday on corruption charges linked to dealings with the Renault-Nissan group, just months after her bruising defeat in the Paris mayoral race.

Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of targeting Mecca, warns of 'red line'

Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday of launching a "cowardly" attack targeting Islam's holy city of Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world.

Ex-president's lengthy war crimes sentence shocks Kosovo

Kosovo's former president Hashim Thaci was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a tribunal in The Hague on Wednesday for war crimes, in a verdict that sparked shock and anger among many Kosovars.

TotalEnergies pumps up controversy in France with cut-price gas

French motorists are clogging TotalEnergies service stations to fill up with discount gasoline but its rivals are crying foul, accusing the energy giant of distorting competition with the encouragement of the government.

Sweden expels Iran embassy employee over anti-Jewish threats

Sweden said Wednesday it had expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned the country's ambassador, accusing Tehran of making threats against Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden.

Courts jails LGBTQ activists as Turkey crackdown widens

Turkish courts have jailed more LGBTQ activists and supporters, raising to 62 the number remanded in custody following a weekend crackdown, a legal rights group said on Wednesday.

Palestinians are the real victims, Thunberg tells Ed Sheeran

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and other activists have called out British superstar Ed Sheeran after rapper Macklemore was dropped from his tour for making pro-Palestinian comments while performing.

The German state premier hoping to halt far-right surge

Germany's anti-immigration AfD party is eyeing another election triumph on Sunday in a northeastern coastal state where the popular premier is campaigning on a promise to hold back a rising far-right tide.

Hashim Thaci: From 'George Washington of Kosovo' to Hague convict

Kosovo's former president Hashim Thaci, sentenced to 25 years in prison Wednesday for war crimes, has long been seen within the Balkan country as a guerilla hero and symbol of its bloody independence struggle.

Lebanon wants Israel security deal as prelude to peace: president to AFP

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told AFP in an exclusive interview he wants a security agreement with Israel once it withdraws its troops as a possible prelude to peace, and is determined to disarm Hezbollah without a confrontation.

Saudi says Houthis target Mecca, warns of 'red line'

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthis accused them on Wednesday of targeting Islam's holy city Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world.

EU chief pitches 'associate member' status for Canada

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen raised the prospect Wednesday of Canada becoming the 27-nation bloc's first "associate member', as she pitched closer cooperation on tech, defence and energy to Canadian leader Mark Carney.

Lebanon wants Israel security deal, Hezbollah disarmament without confrontation: president to AFP

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told AFP in an exclusive interview he wants to reach a security agreement with Israel once it withdraws from the south, and is determined to disarm Hezbollah without resorting to confrontation.

English village votes to 'secede' from UK over asylum centre plan

An English village of around 350 people announced Wednesday that a vast majority of residents had voted yes in an "independence referendum" staged to protest plans to house over 1,200 migrants in a nearby facility.

Stocks head higher as traders prepare for Fed decision

Equity markets climbed on Wednesday as investors geared up for an expected interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve later in the day, with sentiment boosted by a drop in oil prices following their recent run-up.

English village votes to 'secede' from UK over asylum centre

An English village of around 350 people announced Wednesday that a vast majority of residents had voted yes in an "independence referendum" to protest plans to house over 1,200 migrants in a nearby facility.

Macau holds first closed-door national security trial

Macau was to start its first national security trial behind closed doors on Wednesday, in a case against a former pro-democracy lawmaker charged with subversion.

Hong Kong unveils plan to align economy with China's goals

Hong Kong's government unveiled plans on Wednesday to significantly boost investment on innovation and technology as it aims to align the financial hub with mainland China's development goals.

Peace is a 'dangerous' word in Russian city heading to polls

"Terrified" by escalating Ukrainian drone attacks, locals in the Russian city of Tambov head to parliamentary elections this weekend under no illusions that the pro-peace candidate stands a chance of victory.

Saudi says Houthis target Mecca, warn of 'red line'

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthis accused the rebels on Wednesday of targeting Islam's holy city Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and deepening the conflict roiling the region.

Asian stocks stutter as traders prepare for Fed decision

Asian stocks struggled Wednesday as investors prepare for an expected interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve later in the day, though there was a little support from a dip in oil prices following their recent run-up.

Saudi, Egypt demand open Red Sea as Riyadh vows response to Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia and Egypt's leaders called on Tuesday for free navigation in the Red Sea, after Riyadh vowed a firm response to attacks by Yemen's Houthis, who now control the southern entrance to the key waterway.

AI giants pursue self-regulation as safety fears mount

The world's biggest AI companies are working on creating a standards body, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said on Tuesday, as fears rise about the dangers of AI and pressure is on to create a safer version of the technology.

Maduro ally pleads guilty to US money laundering charges

Alex Saab, a former Venezuelan minister and close ally of ousted president Nicolas Maduro, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to money laundering under a deal with US prosecutors, court filings showed.

Finnish president Stubb speaks to AFP about Trump, Russia and saunas

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Donald Trump "pretty much does what he wants" and recommended staying calm in a world on edge, preferably with a sauna, in a freewheeling interview to AFP on Tuesday.

US judge rules Trump's name must remain off Kennedy Center

A US federal judge ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump's name cannot be added back onto the Kennedy Center's exterior, rebuking the storied cultural institution's new board for trying to circumvent an earlier order.

Carney sells Canada to global investors but says US ties still key

Prime Minister Mark Carney pitched Canada as an investment haven Tuesday at a gathering of global financial elite, but conceded ties with the United States remained crucial despite an escalating trade war.

Trump slams Supreme Court over 'horrible' mail-in ballot ruling

US President Donald Trump blasted the Supreme Court on Tuesday after it blocked his divisive plan to restrict mail-in ballots, launching a rare and blistering attack on the justices he hand-picked in his first term.

EU calls Russia 'reckless' after flares fired at Danish helicopter

The European Union accused Russia on Tuesday of the "reckless" firing of flares at a Danish frigate which, with the shooting down of a drone over Lithuania, heightened the continent's anxiety over the Ukraine-Russia war.

Saudi, Egypt demand open Red Sea, as Riyadh vows to hit back against Houthis