The Japan Times - Politics

Putin, Trump discuss Iran, Ukraine in phone call: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with US counterpart Donald Trump, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Wednesday, adding the two leaders discussed the Middle East war and Ukraine.

Iran officials leave Canada before FIFA Congress over airport 'insult': Iranian media

Top Iranian football officials have left Canada before the start of the FIFA Congress because of the behaviour of officials during immigration checks at Toronto's international airport, Iranian media reported Wednesday.

Oil spikes while divided Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged

Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Wall Street stocks moved indecisively after a divided Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged.

Alleged Trump assassin took selfie moments before attack: prosecutors

The man accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump took a selfie in his hotel room moments before bursting through security with a pump-action shotgun, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Powell to bow out as Fed chief but stay as a governor on legal pressure

US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said Wednesday that he plans to stay at the central bank as a governor after his chair term ends, as the independent institution battles legal challenges under the Trump administration.

Trump says US has 'a shot' at crewed Moon landing before presidency ends

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he believes NASA has a good chance of returning astronauts to the Moon's surface before he leaves the White House at the start of 2029.

Hungary's Magyar pushes to unblock EU billions in Brussels

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar vowed Wednesday that frozen EU funds would start flowing to Budapest soon, after talks with top officials on his first vist to Brussels since defeating Viktor Orban.

US Fed divided at Powell's likely last meeting at helm

A divided US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting Wednesday on high uncertainty from the Middle East war, in what was likely its last gathering helmed by Jerome Powell.

King Charles touts 'solidarity' with US at 9/11 memorial

King Charles III declared his "enduring solidarity with the American people" Wednesday, as he visited the 9/11 memorial in New York as part of a state visit focused on healing strained ties between Britain and the United States.

Australia FM says China agrees to collaborate on jet fuel exports

Australia's foreign minister said Wednesday that China has agreed to work together to facilitate exports of jet fuel, in an attempt to ease supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.

Pentagon chief spars with Democratic lawmakers on Iran war

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth repeatedly clashed with Democratic lawmakers over the Iran war on Wednesday, in his first testimony to Congress since President Donald Trump launched the conflict more than two months ago.

Hungary's Magyar pushes to unblock EU billion in Brussels

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar vowed Wednesday that frozen EU funds would start flowing to Budapest soon, after talks with top officials on his first vist to Brussels since defeating Viktor Orban.

'River on fire': Toxic fumes as Ukrainian drones pound Russian oil town

Plumes of black smoke towered over the southern Russian town of Tuapse on Wednesday where residents wore face masks to shield themselves from polluted air after multiple Ukrainian drone strikes on a major oil refinery in the coastal town.

End of an era: last hereditary peers exit UK parliament

A centuries-old element of Britain's parliament came to an end on Wednesday as hereditary peers took their seats in the House of Lords for the final time.

Guerrillas claim deadly Colombia attack, say it was an 'error'

Dissident guerrillas from Colombia's defunct FARC rebel army took responsibility for a bomb attack that killed 21 people, claiming a "tactical error" during an electoral campaign marked by a surge in violence.

Oil spikes while stocks slide ahead of US Fed rate decision

Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while stocks slid as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of a US Fed rate decision and a slew of tech firm earnings.

Tuareg rebels vow Mali junta 'will fall', north will be captured

Mali's Tuareg rebels told AFP Wednesday the country's ruling junta will fall and that they intend to conquer the north, just days after unprecedented large-scale attacks targeting the nation's military government.

France's 'roadmap' to exit fossil fuels by 2050

France has released a detailed "roadmap" to wean the country from planet-heating oil, gas and coal by 2050, an important signal at a moment when nations are reassessing their reliance on fossil fuels.

Hungary's Magyar visits Brussels seeking to unblock EU billions

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar headed to Brussels Wednesday for his first visit to EU chiefs since his election win, looking to turn the page on the bad blood of nationalist Viktor Orban's tenure.

Thai ex-PM Thaksin to be released from prison next month

Thailand's jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be released early from prison next month, the corrections department said on Wednesday.

EU chief says Kremlin imposing 'digital Iron Curtain' on Russians

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday accused the Kremlin of cutting Russians off from the internet to hide worsening economic conditions in the country as sanctions over the Ukraine war bite.

EU finds Meta failing to keep under-13s off Facebook, Instagram

The EU said on Wednesday Meta is failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram, potentially exposing them to inappropriate content -- and putting the tech giant at risk of a massive fine.

Indian opposition slams Nicobar megaport plan as 'destruction'

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said Wednesday a proposed $9 billion megaport and city project on the strategic Great Nicobar Island is "destruction dressed in development's language".

Pentagon chief to testify on Iran war, peace efforts stall

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth will make his first testimony before Congress on the Mideast war Wednesday, as efforts to end the conflict stalled with the United States reportedly skeptical of Tehran's latest offer to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

Anxiety, resentment around AI spur violence against tech's figureheads

Several proponents of artificial intelligence (AI) have become the victims of violent acts in recent days, reflecting the existential dread around the emerging technology -- and the public's growing resentment towards its advocates.

Hungary's Magyar to push post-Orban EU reset on Brussels visit

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar on Wednesday pays his first visit to EU chiefs in Brussels since his election win, looking to turn the page on the bad blood of nationalist Viktor Orban's tenure.

New Zealand officials reject statue remembering Japan's sex slaves

New Zealand officials rejected on Wednesday an application to install a statue commemorating so-called "comfort women" enslaved by Japan before and during World War II after Tokyo suggested it could harm diplomatic relations.

King Charles, Trump toast ties despite Iran tensions

Britain's King Charles and Donald Trump hailed their countries' longstanding ties at a White House state dinner Tuesday -- despite the US president claiming the monarch agreed with him on Iran's nuclear weapons.

Stocks swing, oil edges up with Iran war peace talks stalled

Asian stocks fluctuated Wednesday while oil prices swung as talks to end the Iran war appeared to be at a standstill and the crucial Strait of Hormuz no nearer being reopened.

Sexual violence in Sudan triggers mental health crisis: UN

The widespread use of rape and other sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan has spurred a massive mental health crisis, United Nations agencies and local aid groups warned.

The loyal, lonely keepers of Sudan's pyramids

Mostafa Ahmed Mostafa is the heir to a long line of groundskeepers who have guarded Sudan's ancient pyramids of Meroe. Now, three years into the war between the army and paramilitary forces, he stands near-solitary sentinel over his heritage.

All eyes on Powell with US Fed expected to hold rates steady

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday after a key policy meeting, likely the last chaired by central bank chief Jerome Powell, a frequent target of President Donald Trump's ire.

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