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July 24, 2026
 

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Daphne Psaledakis
The quality of democracy in the U.S. has declined significantly as a result of President Donald Trump's policies, Human Rights Watch warned Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 5, 2026
Trump has attacked pillars of democracy, Human Rights Watch says
The Republican president¡¯s immigration crackdown, threats to voting rights and other policies were raised as examples.
Residents inspect the damage after U.S. forces had launched a strike against Islamic State group militants in Nigeria on Friday.
WORLD
Dec 27, 2025
Nigeria averts unilateral U.S. action by cooperating on airstrike
Security experts say it is unclear whether such strikes can do much to hinder Islamist militants who have long menaced communities in the area.
U.S. President Donald Trump (left), Rwandan President Paul Kagame (center) and Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi hold up a signed document during a signing ceremony at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington on Dec 4.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Dec 24, 2025
Trump¡¯s recall of ambassadors compounds staffing problems at posts in Africa
The mass recall will complicate America¡¯s efforts to push its agenda in a region that has faced military coups and devastating conflicts in recent years.
It was reported on Saturday that the U.S. is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 25, 2025
U.S. labels another Venezuelan group as terrorist, ramping up pressure
The U.S. on Monday formally designated Venezuela¡¯s Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, layering additional terrorism-related sanctions.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand (center) leads a G7-plus session on maritime security during the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the White Oaks Resort in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 13, 2025
G7 diplomats mull how to get Russia to engage in Ukraine peace talks
Efforts to organize a summit between the presidents of Russia and the U.S. were put on ice last month after Moscow¡¯s rejection of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
The U.S. State Department's 2024 Human Rights Report was delayed for months as appointees of President Donald Trump altered an earlier draft dramatically to bring it in line with "America First" values, according to government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 13, 2025
U.S. State Department softens criticism of some countries in human rights report
The 2024 Human Rights Report¡¯s section on Israel was much shorter than last year¡¯s edition and made no mention of the severe humanitarian crisis or death toll in the Gaza Strip.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 20
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 8, 2025
Trump¡¯s latest tariffs cast shadow on Rubio¡¯s first Asia trip as top U.S. envoy
Rubio is expected to seek to firm up U.S. ties with partners unnerved by Trump¡¯s global tariff strategy, but the tariff announcements seem certain to make that task harder.
Palestinians queue for a portion of hot food distributed by a charity kitchen at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Monday.
WORLD
May 9, 2025
U.S. says solution for Gaza aid is ¡®steps away¡¯ as aid groups raise alarm
Anticipation has built up about a new aid plan for Gaza, laid waste by 19 months of an Israeli military campaign against Hamas.
U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House in Washington on April 24.
WORLD / Politics
May 3, 2025
Now a trusted ally, ¡®Little Marco¡¯ gets Trump¡¯s big jobs
Marco Rubio¡¯s expanding resume underscores President Donald Trump¡¯s increasing trust in the former Florida senator, officials said.
The crude oil tanker New Odyssey arrives at the port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province on April 15. The U.S. has issued new sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports, including against a China-based independent oil refinery.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 17, 2025
U.S. issues new sanctions targeting Chinese importers of Iranian oil
The move comes as Washington seeks to ramp up pressure on Iran as it reentered talks with Tehran over its nuclear program this month.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as Vice President JD Vance looks on during a meeting with President Donald Trump and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in the White House in Washington on April 14. Rubio and his aides shut down a State Department office on Wednesday that tracks and counters global disinformation from foreign actors, including the governments of China, Russia and Iran, U.S. officials said.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 17, 2025
U.S. State Department closing office targeting foreign disinformation
The GEC had come under intense criticism from some Republicans who said it was straying from its mission, accusing it of disfavoring opinions by conservative media in particular.
Demonstrators gather outside offices of the U.S. Agency for International Development for a nationwide "Hands Off!" protest against U.S. President Donald Trump and his adviser, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 9, 2025
U.S. moves to restore some terminated foreign aid programs, sources say
The World Food Programme awards in Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq and Ecuador have been ordered to be restored.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with the media on his military airplane as he flies to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 11, 2025
U.S. wants no G7 Russia antagonism as allies fear blockage
The U.S. opposes language in a joint document that could harm its efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an Executive Order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 14, 2025
U.S. embassies told to brace for staff cuts amid Trump overhaul, sources say
Some embassies have been asked to look into reducing both U.S. staff as well as locally employed staff by 10% each.
Demonstrators protest outside the U.S. Agency for International Development headquarters in Washington on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 4, 2025
Elon Musk targets closure of U.S. humanitarian aid agency
The billionaire tasked with downsizing the federal government has been increasingly critical of USAID, calling it a left-wing agency unaccountable to the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he attends the Commander in Chief Ball in honor of his inauguration in Washington on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 22, 2025
Aiming to weaken U.S. foes, Trump faces an ¡®unholy alliance¡¯
Russia, China, North Korea and Iran have drawn closer following Moscow¡¯s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
A person holds an image of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot dead by Israeli forces, as Palestinians march to honor her in Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 11, 2024
Death prompts U.S. to demand overhaul of Israeli conduct in West Bank
Israel¡¯s military said the American protester¡¯s death was unintentional, and it voiced deep regret.
Antony Blinken, U.S. secretary of state, during a news conference in London on Tuesday
WORLD / Politics
Sep 11, 2024
Russia received missiles from Iran, U.S. says as it piles on sanctions
Russian defense ministry representatives are believed to have signed a contract in December with Iranian officials for ballistic missile systems.
A Palestinian walks among the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israel's military offensive in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 13, 2024
U.S. says Hamas seeks changes to the cease-fire plan
Hamas reiterated its stance that it is Israel rejecting proposals and that the Palestinian Islamist group was not suggesting new ideas.
Local residents look at damage at a site of a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
May 2, 2024
U.S. issues hundreds of sanctions targeting Russia and takes aim at Chinese firms
Of the nearly 300 targets onto which the U.S. imposed sanctions, 20 are companies based in China and Hong Kong.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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