The Japan Times - Politics

Brazil urges 'new globalization' at G20 meet overshadowed by Ukraine

Brazil called for a "new globalization" to address poverty and climate change as it opened a meeting Wednesday of finance ministers from the world's top economies, but the Ukraine and Gaza wars risked overshadowing the plea.

Macron-Scholz rift deepens with Ukraine war at crucial juncture

Emmanuel Macron's refusal to rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine has exposed deep divisions with France's traditional partner, Germany, which could play into the hands of Russia, analysts warned Wednesday.

UN peacekeepers begin pullout from war-torn DR Congo

The United Nations on Wednesday started pulling peacekeepers out of Democratic Republic of Congo, moving to end a 25-year presence as conflict surges in the east of the long-troubled African state.

Brazil urges 'new globalization' at G20 meet overshadowed by Ukraine war

Brazil called for a "new globalization" to address poverty and climate change as it opened a meeting Wednesday of finance ministers from the world's top economies, but the Ukraine and Gaza wars risked overshadowing the appeal.

Gunfire near Chad opposition HQ after attack on security services

Sporadic shots were heard Wednesday in Chad's capital near the headquarters of an opposition party, accused by the government of an overnight attack on the internal security agency's offices which left several dead.

Biden, 81, undergoes annual medical exam

US President Joe Biden reported to a hospital Wednesday for his last yearly medical examination before November's election as scrutiny intensifies over the 81-year-old's fitness and mental acuity for a second term.

Palestinian FM says Hamas knows it cannot be in new govt

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said Wednesday he believes Hamas understands why it should not be part of a new government in the Palestinian territories.

Armenia, Azerbaijan make new push for peace in Berlin

Germany on Wednesday hailed the "courageous steps" taken by Armenia and Azerbaijan as the Caucasus neighbours began peace talks in Berlin, in a new push to resolve a decades-long conflict.

Gaza death toll nears 30,000 as UN warns of 'imminent' famine

Fighting raged Wednesday in the besieged Gaza Strip, where the reported death toll neared 30,000 as mediators insisted a truce in the Israel-Hamas war could be just days away.

Mossi Traore brings France's forgotten suburbs to Paris fashion week

Mossi Traore is the only French designer in the official Paris fashion week line-up to operate outside the chi-chi boulevards of the capital, staying faithful to the mixed suburb where he grew up.

Breakaway Moldovan region asks Russia for 'protection'

Pro-Russian rebel officials in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria appealed to Russia for "protection" on Wednesday, amid fears the territory could become a new flashpoint in Moscow's conflict with neighbouring Ukraine.

UN peacekeepers begin pullout from war-torn east DR Congo

The United Nations on Wednesday kicked off the withdrawal of MONUSCO peacekeeping forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo by handing over a first UN base to national police, an AFP team saw.

Zelensky rallies Balkan allies for support, weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday appealed to Balkan leaders for greater backing to help fend off Russian forces, noting an ammo shortage was impacting frontline troops.

UK broadcast journalists demand open access to Gaza

More than 50 UK-based broadcast journalists have sent an open letter to the Israeli and Egyptian embassies calling for "free and unfettered access" to Gaza for foreign media, British media reported Wednesday.

Pro-Russian rebels in Transnistria hold meeting as tensions rise

Pro-Russian rebel officials in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria gathered for a rare meeting Wednesday, amid fears the territory could open a new flashpoint in Moscow's conflict with neighbouring Ukraine.

Burkina's stuntman biker, 72, reignites road safety debate

Burkina's celebrity stuntman, 72 years young, sped down the dusty road lying back on his moped seat, feet draped over the handlebars -- and no protective gear.

Ukraine film with gay hero prompts praise and protest

In a new comedy film that challenges Ukraine's lingering homophobia, an activist reassures a bewildered family hosting him, saying: "I'm gay, not a Martian."

Battleground Ukraine: 10 years of Russian aggression

Ukraine has been locked in an existential fight for its freedom ever since Russia sent armed soldiers with no insignia -- dubbed the "little green men" -- to take over the Crimea peninsula on February 28, 2014, following a pro-EU revolution in Kyiv.

Gaza death toll nears 30,000 as aid groups warn of 'imminent' famine

The Gaza war's reported Palestinian death toll neared 30,000 Wednesday as fighting raged in the Hamas-run territory despite mediators insisting a truce with Israel could be just days away.

God-given vote: the bishops in the UK parliament

One considers itself to be "the mother" of democratic parliaments, the other is an Islamic theocracy. While Britain's and Iran's legislatures are vastly different, they do share something in common: clerics.

Biden rebuked by Gaza protest vote in Michigan primary

Joe Biden scored an easy win in Michigan's presidential primary Tuesday but was dealt a stinging rebuke over the war in Gaza in an Arab American-led protest that raised concerns over his bid to win the swing state in November's election.

Iran gears up for elections dominated by conservatives

Iranians will cast ballots in legislative and key assembly elections on Friday, with conservatives expected to tighten their grip on power in the absence of any serious competition.

Biden primary win in Michigan overshadowed by Gaza protest vote

US President Joe Biden cruised to an easy victory in Michigan's presidential primary on Tuesday -- but was bracing for a substantial rebuke from an Arab American-led protest over his handling of the war in Gaza.

$With 'Texit,' some want to make Texas a country, again$

With 'Texit,' some want to make Texas a country, again

Texas, an independent country 200 years ago, now boasts a pocket of people who want that status back, advocating a separation they call Texit.

G20 finance ministers meet on world economy hit by crises, conflicts

G20 finance ministers will meet Wednesday in Brazil, seeking ways to shore up a global economy whose nascent recovery is threatened by a raft of conflicts and crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Jihadist attacks displace tens of thousands in Mozambique

Mozambique's government confirmed Tuesday that tens of thousands have been driven from their homes by a wave of jihadist attacks in the restive north, but rejected calls for a state of emergency.

Gaza ceasefire efforts at heart of Qatar emir's France visit

Attempts to organise an Israel-Hamas ceasefire to allow the release of hostages held in Gaza dominated the first day of a state visit to France by Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Biden faces anger over Gaza in Michigan primary contest

The US state of Michigan voted Tuesday in a presidential primary that was expected to be another ticker-tape parade for Republican Donald Trump -- but could deliver Democratic leader Joe Biden a bloody nose over the war in Gaza.

Caribbean summit host hails possible Benin troop deployment to Haiti

Guyana, hosting a summit of Caribbean countries, on Tuesday welcomed an announcement that Benin was mulling a 2,000-strong troop contribution to a UN security mission in crisis-torn Haiti.

US, Qatar hope for Israel-Hamas truce within days

Mediator Qatar said Tuesday it was "hopeful" a new truce between Israel and Hamas could be secured within days, after US President Joe Biden said a ceasefire could start next week and last through Ramadan.

Biden faces protest vote over Gaza in Michigan primary contest

Voters in Michigan headed to the polls Tuesday for a US presidential primary expected to be another ticker-tape parade for Republican Donald Trump -- but could deliver Democratic leader Joe Biden a bloody nose over the war in Gaza.

Chad to hold presidential vote on May 6 to end junta rule

Chad will hold a presidential election on May 6, the national poll body announced Tuesday, ending a three-year junta rule when President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno took power following his father's death while fighting rebels.

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