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July 24, 2026
 

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Jorge Valero
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for a College meeting of commissioners in Brussels on May 6.
WORLD / Politics
May 12, 2026
The EU¡¯s commission chief is increasingly seen as too powerful
Sources say Ursula von der Leyen¡¯s working style is leading her broader campaign to revive the EU project to falter.
The Tanbreez rare earth minerals near Narsarsuaq, Greenland
BUSINESS
Feb 4, 2026
EU to offer U.S. critical minerals partnership to check China
Both the U.S. and EU have become tethered to abundant, cheap Chinese minerals, giving Beijing leverage over their supply chains.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Turnberry, Scotland on July 27. A wary and frustrated Europe said it was ready to get back to work with the United States.
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 23, 2026
Europe returns focus to Ukraine after fractious week with Trump
With President Donald Trump¡¯s threats to seize Greenland off for now, European Union leaders are trying to find a path forward on a host of issues.
U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announce a U.S.-EU trade deal after a meeting at Trump Turnberry golf club in Turnberry, Scotland, in July.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 19, 2026
Trump¡¯s Greenland tariffs have blown up the EU ¡®appeasement¡¯ plan
At some point, said one senior EU diplomat, Europe may have to decide that a relationship with the U.S. is lost for now and the costs outweigh the benefits.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron. Germany and France are supporting a push to discuss China¡¯s increasingly restrictive trade measures at a European Union leaders¡¯ summit in Brussels on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 22, 2025
Germany and France back China trade discussion at EU summit
The bloc is scrambling to protect its industries from a glut of subsidized Chinese competition and Beijing¡¯s recently announced export controls on rare earths.
A worker inspects wafers at Nexperia Newport semiconductor plant in Newport, England. The European Union is considering new measures that would apply to companies seeking access to key digital and manufacturing markets like cars and batteries, requiring the firms to use a set amount of EU goods or labor, and to add value to the products on EU soil.
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 15, 2025
EU considers forced tech transfers for Chinese investments
The measures would apply to companies seeking access to key digital and manufacturing markets like cars and batteries, according to people familiar with the plans.
German Chancellor and the leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union Friedrich Merz addresses the media in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 30, 2025
Merz¡¯s ambitions for Germany¡¯s role in EU put him at odds with von der Leyen
The German chancellor is trying to tug power back to Berlin, publicly rebuking the European Union¡¯s top executive on issues like trade, the EU budget, green policy and defense.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on July 9.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 14, 2025
EU to engage more with other nations hit by U.S. tariffs ¡ª including Japan
The move comes as talks between the EU and the U.S. have dragged on and continue to be stuck on several issues, including cars and tariff rates on agriculture.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington in April.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 12, 2025
A U.S.-EU trade deal hinges on cars, agriculture and Trump
Cars and tariff levels on agriculture have emerged as key sticking points between the European Union and the U.S., sources have said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (center) speaks at a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 6.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 12, 2025
Group of Seven tries to avoid Trump conflict by scrapping joint communique
Agreeing on a final communique is usually a ritual for leaders gathered at meetings such as the G7 summit.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 25, 2025
Trump¡¯s trade whiplash sinks world into dreaded ¡®uncertainty¡¯
¡°The worry I hear more often is actually not even tariffs, it is uncertainty,¡± IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters Thursday. ¡°Let¡¯s have clarity.¡±
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a statement on plans to strengthen the European defense industry and the EU's military capabilities in Brussels on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 4, 2025
EU proposes €150 billion defense loan plan as Trump pulls back
Any push for new EU borrowing is going to have to win the backing of the 27 member states, a significant hurdle.
A worker rides a tractor while spraying organic pesticide on crops at a farm in Hudson, New York, in 2020.
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2025
EU plans stricter food import restrictions over pesticide use
EU farmers have been protesting across Europe over the past year about the increasing burdens of the bloc¡¯s climate and environmental rules.
An attendee records a virtual address by U.S. President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 23.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 30, 2025
Trump threats risk stretching Europe¡¯s fragile unity to breaking point
The European Commission urged member states in a private meeting last week to remain united, with some comparing the situation to the Brexit negotiations.
European Council President Antonio Costa looks on as he attends a handover ceremony at the European Council in Brussels on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 2, 2024
Before tackling Trump, new EU leader aims to end infighting
For years, attempts to shore up the EU have been hampered by internal dysfunction.
Electric vehicles bound for shipment to Europe at the Port of Taicang in Taicang, China.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 5, 2024
EU tests its mettle to take on China with new EV tariff fight
The EU voted on Friday to boost tariffs as high as 45%, arguing that Beijing provides unfair subsidies to its carmakers.
Ursula von der Leyen has been president of the European Commission since 2019.
WORLD / Society
Jul 29, 2024
Global backsliding on gender parity puts EU ambitions at risk
Political expediency and institutional hurdles have complicated EU efforts to meet wide-ranging gender-parity goals.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech as she visits Cafe Kyiv, in Berlin on Feb. 19.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Von Der Leyen seeks new EU term with pivot on defense sector
Her candidacy, which was widely expected, comes as the EU faces a change in leadership with a possible surge in far-right and populist forces.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Jan. 5.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 29, 2024
Threats from Trump and China stoke a very European leadership fight
As a new term as European Commission president hangs in the balance, Ursula von der Leyen¡¯s future is intertwined with wider dilemmas.
French President Emmanuel Macron, then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and then-U.S. President Donald Trump during a photo opportunity at a NATO leaders summit in the U.K. in 2019.
WORLD
Sep 29, 2023
Europe is trying to ¡®Trump proof¡¯ the transatlantic relationship
Trump, 77, holds a commanding lead over his rivals in the contest for the Republican nomination, despite his mounting legal troubles.
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.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
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.

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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