The Japan Times - Politics

EU Commission chief hopes Cyprus-Gaza aid route will open Sunday

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed hope Friday that a humanitarian aid corridor from Cyprus to Gaza will open this weekend, amid fears of famine in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Red Cross warns of 'immense crisis' in DR Congo

The Red Cross on Friday said clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo had triggered an "immense" crisis that risked going unnoticed and appealing for nearly $60 million to provide desperately-needed aid.

Zelensky to hold Istanbul talks with Erdogan on war, Black Sea

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Istanbul on Friday for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the war with Russia, Turkish state media reported.

EU Commission chief hopes aid route from Cyprus to Gaza opens Sunday

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed hopes Friday that a humanitarian aid corridor from Cyprus to Gaza will open this weekend, amid fears of famine in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Stock markets diverge before US jobs data

Stock markets diverged Friday, with all eyes on key US jobs data to see if it alters expectations of a cut to US interest rates in June.

Are Spain's working hours too late? Govt reopens debate

An integral part of Spanish culture or a longstanding tradition that needlessly burdens staff? Spain's late working hours -- predominantly in bars, shops and restaurants -- have sparked heated debate over the government's wish to curb "unreasonable" excesses.

Polish women 'betrayed' by slow pace of abortion reforms

An unprecedented mobilisation among women brought a liberal alliance to power in Poland, raising hopes that one of Europe's strictest abortion laws would be scrapped. But now they feel betrayed.

Plans gather pace for Gaza maritime aid corridor

The United States plans gathered pace on Friday to get aid by sea into Gaza, where the UN has repeatedly warned of famine and Israel has been accused of limiting aid as it battles Hamas militants.

No May election: ex-UK PM joins Tory MPs quitting before vote

Former prime minister Theresa May announced on Friday she will stand down as an MP at the next election, adding to a growing list from the UK's ruling Conservatives to abandon leader Rishi Sunak.

With men on the front, women descend Ukraine's mines

Even though Anya Karkachova grew up in the heartland of Ukraine's industrial east -- dotted by coal mines and their smoking chimneys -- she never imagined she would be working underground herself.

Sleepless nights for mothers of Palestinians jailed in occupied West Bank

"I don't sleep anymore," Latifa Abu Hamid said while looking at pictures of her children hanging on the walls of her living room, two women and 10 men. All have passed through Israeli prisons.

Two decades after Madrid attacks, jihadist threat to Spain changed

Twenty years ago, a large, well-organised terror cell planned and staged the deadly Madrid train bombings, but today the jihadist threat facing Spain comes from lone wolves and small self-radicalised groups.

France's Macron to seal abortion becoming constitutional right

France's President Emmanuel Macron is on Friday to oversee abortion becoming a constitutional right at a special ceremony in Paris to mark the world first.

Hong Kong unveils new national security law with tough penalties

Hong Kong on Friday introduced the draft bill of a new national security law that includes life sentences for major offences such as treason and insurrection.

Biden warns Israel not to use Gaza aid as 'bargaining chip'

US President Joe Biden warned Israel on Thursday that it cannot use aid as a "bargaining chip" in its fight against Hamas and called for an immediate temporary ceasefire in Gaza, where fears of a looming famine have multiplied.

Biden announces emergency port for Gaza aid

The US military will establish a temporary port off Gaza's coast to bring in desperately needed aid, President Joe Biden announced Thursday, in a major operation as Israel holds up deliveries on the ground.

Biden attacks Trump in fiery State of Union speech

President Joe Biden launched a scorching attack on his "dangerous" November presidential election rival Donald Trump in Thursday's State of the Union address, warning that US democracy is under "assault."

Biden pushes higher corporate tax, touts strong economy in key speech

US President Joe Biden called for higher taxes on corporations Thursday in his State of the Union address, pushing for lower medicine costs and improved housing affordability, seeking to allay concerns over the economy.

Asian markets join rally after Wall St, European records

Asian markets on Friday tracked a record-breaking day in New York and Europe as traders grew increasingly optimistic for a series of US interest rate cuts this year, with attention now on crucial jobs data due later in the day.

China vows to 'safeguard' national security with new laws at conclave

China will adopt wide-ranging security laws in 2024 to "resolutely safeguard" its sovereignty, a top lawmaker vowed at a key legislative meeting Friday, as President Xi Jinping's government seeks to eliminate perceived threats to its rule.

'It hurts': Gaza war robs Muslim world of Ramadan joy

For Muslims worldwide, Ramadan is a time of prayer, reflection and joyful evening meals, but all Gazans wish for this year is an end to five months of war and suffering.

Biden attacks Trump, warns US democracy at risk in State of Union speech

President Joe Biden opened his State of the Union speech Thursday with a fiery attack on his "dangerous" November presidential election rival Donald Trump, warning that US democracy is under "assault."

Biden to slam Trump 'revenge and retribution' in high-stakes speech

US President Joe Biden will use his State of the Union address Thursday to attack election rival Donald Trump for plotting "revenge and retribution" while offering skeptical voters his own vision of an American comeback.

"Don't starve Gaza!": Israeli activists attempt aid delivery

Bearing food aid and wearing "Don't Starve Gaza!" t-shirts, dozens of Israeli activists drove towards the border of the besieged territory on Thursday in a show of support for Palestinians.

Biden warns against Trump 'retribution' in high-stakes speech

US President Joe Biden will use his State of the Union address Thursday to attack election rival Donald Trump for plotting "revenge and retribution" while offering skeptical voters his own optimistic version of an American comeback.

Haiti's main port closes as US presses for 'urgent' transition

Haiti's main port was forced to close Thursday as chaotic gang violence engulfed the Caribbean nation and the United States told the absent Haitian prime minister to enact "urgent" political reform.

US soldier arrested for selling defense secrets to China

A US Army intelligence analyst was arrested on Thursday for allegedly providing national defense information to China.

US stocks hit new records on fresh hopes of easing inflation

Stock markets rose on both sides of the Atlantic and gold hit new records Thursday as the both the European and US central banks indicated interest rate cuts could be on the way later this year.

Alabama court ruling upends IVF patients' lives

After the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, women who were undergoing fertility treatments in the southern US state had their lives thrown into shock and uncertainty.

Biden orders US military to set up temporary aid port in Gaza

President Joe Biden has ordered the US military to establish a temporary port in Gaza for aid deliveries, officials said Thursday, as famine warnings multiplied after five months of war.

Zelensky to visit Turkey on Friday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Istanbul on Friday for talks with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the war against Russia and Black Sea navigation, the Turkish presidency said.

Haiti's main port closes as gang violence spirals

Haiti's main port was forced to close Thursday due to sabotage after days of worsening gang violence that have plunged the country into chaos and left the prime minister unable to return from abroad.

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