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US, Iran trade threats to target infrastructure in Middle East

Iran threatened on Sunday to "irreversibly destroy" key infrastructure across the Middle East if US President Donald Trump follows through on his vow to "obliterate" the Islamic republic's power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz swiftly reopens.

Belgium remembers Brussels jihadist attacks 10 years on

Belgium on Sunday marked 10 years since 2016 jihadist bombings in Brussels, a trauma that still scars the country and that authorities say sharpened focus on intelligence and counterterrorism.

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Venezuela to debate historic amnesty bill for political prisoners

Venezuela could pass a landmark bill on Thursday granting amnesty to political prisoners, marking an early milestone in the transition from the rule of toppled leader Nicolas Maduro.

Markets mostly rise as stong US jobs data ease economy worries

Equities mostly rose on Thursday as investors cheered a bumper US jobs report that eased concerns about the state of the world's top economy, even as they pared back their bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

Israel president says at end of visit antisemitism in Australia 'frightening'

Antisemitism in Australia is "frightening" but most people want good relations, Israel's President Isaac Herzog said on Thursday as he wrapped up a four-day visit and was met by protests in the city of Melbourne.

Canada probes mass shooter's past interactions with police, health system

Canadian police Wednesday identified the 18-year-old who carried out a mass shooting in a remote mining town, as authorities investigate the suspect's mental health and previous interactions with police and health care providers.

Most Asia markets rise as traders welcome US jobs

Most equities rose Thursday as investors cheered a bumper US jobs report that eased concerns about the state of the world's top economy, even as they pared back their bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

UN aid relief a potential opening for Trump-Kim talks, say analysts

A new push to lift aid sanctions on North Korea could kickstart efforts to lure Kim Jong Un into nuclear negotiations with US President Donald Trump, analysts told AFP.

Taiwan leader wants greater defence cooperation with Europe: AFP interview

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called for greater defence and AI cooperation between Taiwan and Europe, as the democratic island seeks to bolster its protection against China.

Taiwan leader warns countries in region 'next' in case of China attack: AFP interview

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te warned that countries in the region would be China's next targets should Beijing seize the democratic island, as he insisted on the need for Taiwan to dramatically shore up its defences.

'No one to back us': Arab bus drivers in Israel grapple with racist attacks

What began as an ordinary shift for Jerusalem bus driver Fakhri Khatib ended hours later in tragedy.

Scrutiny over US claim that Mexican drone invasion prompted airport closure

The closure of a Texas airport triggered conflicting explanations Wednesday, as the government claimed an incursion by Mexican cartel drones but lawmakers and media reports suggested the Pentagon's use of anti-drone technology was to blame.

Israel president says antisemitism in Australia 'frightening'

Israel's President Isaac Herzog said Thursday antisemitism in Australia is "frightening" but most people want good relations, on the final day of a visit expected to spark protests in the city of Melbourne.

Bangladesh's political crossroads: an election guide

Bangladesh has been in political turmoil since a student-led revolt overthrew former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, ending her 15-year autocratic rule.

Bangladesh votes in landmark polls after deadly uprising

Bangladesh votes Thursday in its first election since a deadly 2024 uprising, as parties crushed under Sheikh Hasina's rule return to the fray with a powerful political heir facing an Islamist‑led coalition.

Trump tells Israel's Netanyahu Iran talks must continue

US President Donald Trump told Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House Wednesday that talks with Iran must continue, rebuffing the Israeli prime minister's push for a tougher stance against Tehran.

'Disgrace to Africa': Students turn on government over Dakar university violence

Sitting in front of the closed gates of Senegal's largest university, Boubacar shows footage he took on his phone of police violence during clashes that shook the Dakar campus for several days this week.

Mourning Canada in 'shock' after deadliest school shooting in decades

Canada was in mourning Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said, after a lone shooter killed at least nine people, including seven at a school, and injured dozens more in a remote western town.

Ukraine will only hold elections after ceasefire, Zelensky says

Ukraine will only hold elections once it has security guarantees in place and a ceasefire with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday, pushing back at suggestions he was planning to stage fresh ballots under US pressure.

WHO urges US to share Covid origins intel

The World Health Organization on Wednesday urged Washington to share any intelligence it may be withholding on the Covid-19 pandemic's origins, despite the United States quitting the WHO.

Israel's Netanyahu pushes Trump on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Donald Trump at the White House to push for a harder line in Iran nuclear talks Wednesday, with the Middle East still on edge over the threat of US military action.

Colombia election favorite vows US-backed strikes on narco camps

Colombia's right-wing presidential frontrunner told AFP on Wednesday that he would seek US support for a bombing campaign to rout cocaine-producing armed groups during his first 90 days in office.

Stocks spin wheels despite upbeat US jobs data

Optimism over better-than-expected jobs data in the United States proved short lived with stocks failing to hold onto gains as investors worried about delays to interest rate cuts.

NATO launches 'Arctic Sentry' mission after Greenland crisis

NATO on Wednesday said it had launched a new mission to bolster security in the Arctic, in a move to assuage US President Donald Trump after he backed off claims on Greenland.

Israel's Netanyahu at White House to push Trump on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, after rushing to Washington to push the US president to take a tougher stance in nuclear talks with Iran.

Johannesburg residents 'desperate' as taps run dry

Sitting in the middle of a Johannesburg road as traffic snaked around her, Susan Jobson banged empty bottles to protest the water cuts that have upended her life for nearly three weeks.

Stock markets rise as US jobs data beats expectations

World stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday as data showed US job growth beat expectations in January, reassuring investors about the outlook for the world's top economy.

Daniel Siad, the modelling scout with close ties to Epstein

Hundreds of emails containing photographs of young women from around the world suggest modelling scout Daniel Siad may have been a significant recruiter for convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to public documents reviewed by AFP.

IOC to try to convince Ukrainian not to wear banned helmet

The International Olympic Committee will try to convince Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych to not wear a banned helmet that depicts victims of the war with Russia at the Milan-Cortina Games, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

Tractors hit Madrid to protest EU's trade deal with South America

Hundreds of honking tractors rolled into Madrid on Wednesday as Spanish farmers staged a protest against the European Union’s trade deal with four South American countries.

The obstacles to holding war-time elections in Ukraine

Throughout Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin -- and more recently the White House -- have said Ukraine must hold elections as part of any peace deal.

Stock markets mixed, dollar dips before US jobs data

World stock markets diverged and the dollar slipped Wednesday ahead of US jobs data as investors weighed the outlook for Federal Reserve interest rates and digested more annual earnings.

Three Ukrainian toddlers, father, killed in Russian drone attack

A Russian drone strike on a house in northeastern Ukraine killed three toddlers and their father and wounded their pregnant mother, officials said Wednesday.

WTO must reform, 'status quo is not an option': chief

The World Trade Organization must urgently reform itself, its chief warned Wednesday, saying that "I don't think the status quo is an option".

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The Japan Times - Politics (English)