The Japan Times - Politics

No country 'formally' boycotting Paralympics ceremony: organisers

Organisers of the Milan-Cortina Paralympics said on Sunday that no countries are "formally" boycotting the closing ceremony in protest at Russian athletes being allowed to compete under their own flag.

Hundreds rally in London for banned pro-Palestinian march

Hundreds of people turned out in London Sunday for a pro-Palestinian march banned by the government after police said it was organised by a group "supportive of the Iranian regime".

Iran says women's football captain withdraws Australia asylum bid

The captain of the Iranian women's football team which played in the Asian Cup in Australia has withdrawn her bid for asylum, state media said Sunday, making her the fifth member of the delegation to change her mind.

Blackened, wrecked Russian tanker nears Malta

A liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier Russia claims was attacked by Ukraine in the Mediterranean is blackened by fire with two large holes in the hull, AFP footage showed Sunday.

Strait of Hormuz forms part of front line in Mideast war

Attacks targeting commercial vessels in or near the Strait of Hormuz have put the blockaded waterway on the front line of the Middle East war, with spreading economic repercussions.

Iran warns against wider war as Trump asks allies to escort ships

Iran warned more countries against getting involved in its war with the United States and Israel on Sunday, after President Donald Trump urged world powers to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint in the Gulf.

Kazakhstan votes on constitution overhaul

Kazakhs began voting Sunday in a constitutional referendum that authorities brand as democratising -- though several proposed amendments appear to strengthen presidential powers in Central Asia's richest country.

Zelensky: EU pressure to open Russian oil pipeline is 'blackmail'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told his European allies that pressure to re-open the Druzhba oil pipeline carrying Russian supplies was like "blackmail", he said in remarks released Sunday.

Trump says US not ready to agree deal to end Iran war

Donald Trump warned that he is not ready to seek a deal to end the war with Iran, as US ally Israel launched a new wave of strikes Sunday and Tehran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to hunt down and kill the Israeli leader.

Trump urges other nations' warships to protect Gulf oil route

US President Donald Trump called for other nations' warships to help protect world oil supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, still virtually blocked Sunday by the threat of Iranian attacks.

Kazakhstan to vote on constitution overhaul

Kazakhs will cast ballots on Sunday in a constitutional referendum that authorities brand as democratising -- though several proposed amendments appear to strengthen presidential powers in Central Asia's richest country.

The environment, another casualty of war in the Mideast

From the jet fuel used in bombing raids to acrid smoke from burning oil depots, the conflict in the Middle East is inflicting a significant toll on nature and the climate.

French right-wing ex-minister vies for Paris city hall

Leftist mayors have transformed Paris over the past 25 years to include countless cycling lanes, a cleaner Seine river, and even fresher air.

Deadly Israeli settler violence surges in West Bank during Iran war

When Israeli settlers attacked their West Bank village of Abu Falah, Milia Hamayel told her son not to try to fight them off, but the 30-year-old went to defend a friend's land anyway.

'Dubai is safe': UAE pushes to contain fallout from Iran onslaught

Dubai is scrambling to preserve its image as a safe haven despite Iran's onslaught, with influencers rallying behind the government's message as authorities crack down on those sharing footage of strikes.

North Korea conducts test of nuclear-capable rocket launchers

North Korea tested nuclear-capable rocket launchers, state media reported on Sunday, a day after Seoul detected the launch of around 10 ballistic missiles.

Polls open in Vietnam legislative election: AFP

Polling stations opened in Vietnam, AFP journalists saw Sunday, as voters began casting their ballots for members of the National Assembly of the one-party state.

North Korea conducts test of nuclear-capable multiple rocket launchers

North Korea conducted a test of its "state of the art", nuclear-capable multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), state media reported Sunday, a day after Seoul identified the launch of around 10 ballistic missiles.

Trump seeks global backing to secure vital Gulf oil route

US President Donald Trump urged other nations to help secure a vital shipping lane choked off by the war with Iran that showed no signs of slowing on Saturday, as strikes hit the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.

Three Iranian football team members leave asylum in Australia

Three more members of the Iranian women's football team have left their asylum in Australia and decided to return home, Canberra said Sunday.

N. Korea conducts test of nuclear-capable multiple rocket launchers

North Korea conducted a test of its "state of the art", nuclear-capable multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), state media reported Sunday, a day after Seoul identified the launch of around 10 ballistic missiles.

F1 races in Bahrain, Saudi cancelled due to Iran war

Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been cancelled as the Middle East war engulfs the region, motorsport's governing body the FIA announced on Saturday.

One-party Vietnam holds parliamentary election

Vietnam goes to the polls on Sunday to elect members of the National Assembly, the country's top legislative body that serves mainly to ratify decisions by the ruling Communist Party.

Trump says other countries 'must take care' of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said countries that rely on oil carried through the Hormuz strait should take responsibility for keeping the passage open, with American help.

Iran envoy says Ukraine support to US, Gulf is a 'joke'

Iran's envoy to Ukraine, Shahriar Amouzegar, dismissed the support Kyiv has offered to the United States and its Gulf allies, after Ukraine advertised its expertise in destroying Iranian-designed drones launched by Russia.

'Normal, but not really': Iraqis try to carry on as missiles fly

Hours before strikes hit Iraq's capital, crowds milled in central Baghdad to the sound not of missiles but clinking coffee cups, children laughing and women filming TikToks.

Trump urges world powers to secure Iran shipping lane

US President Donald Trump urged other nations to help secure a vital shipping lane choked off by the war with Iran that showed no signs of slowing on Saturday as strikes hit the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.

Trump urges other nations to send ships to secure Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged other nations to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil supplies disrupted by the Mideast war.

Uganda opposition leader in hiding says left country

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, who has been in hiding since a January presidential election he alleged was stolen, announced Saturday that he has left the country.

Kharg Island: Vital Iran oil hub in Trump's crosshairs

Kharg Island, targeted in US air strikes on Saturday, is a scrubby stretch of land in the Gulf that handles almost all of Iran's crude exports.

Israel says Iran war entering 'decisive phase'

Israel said the war against Iran was entering its "decisive phase" on Saturday, as explosions rocked cities across the Middle East, with strikes on the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.

Hezbollah's 'existential' war against Israel could be its last

Hezbollah suffered heavy losses in a war with Israel more than a year ago, but the Shia movement has now regrouped only to end up fighting what it has called an "existential battle" and which some warn could be its last.

The Japan Times - Politics (English)

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