The National Times

Taiwan's Lai set to depart on Pacific island tour

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will leave Saturday on a week-long tour of the Pacific that includes a stopover in Hawaii, which has ignited fiery threats from Beijing.

Romania's economic troubles fuel far-right rise

In a working class neighborhood of Bucharest, pensioners like Ana Sandu wait for the afternoon to buy food when prices are lower, as inflation dampens hopes of a better life in the EU state heading into key elections.

Icelanders head to the polls after government collapse

Icelanders vote in a legislative election Saturday after the collapse of a fraught coalition prompted a snap poll where the economy is a top concern.

North Korea's Kim, Russian minister agree to boost military ties

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and agreed to boost military cooperation between the two isolated nations, Pyongyang state media said Saturday.

Kamala's coda: What's next for defeated US VP Harris?

For months US Vice President Kamala Harris was laser-focused on one potentially career-defining, history-making goal -- becoming the first woman entrusted with the keys to the White House.

Trudeau in Florida to meet Trump as tariff threats loom

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Florida on Friday for a dinner with Donald Trump at the president-elect's Mar-a-Lago estate, as the incoming US leader promised tariffs on Canadian imports.

Jihadists, allies breach Syria's second city in lightning assault

Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies breached Syria's second city of Aleppo on Friday, as they pressed a lightning offensive against forces of the Iranian- and Russian-backed government.

Trudeau in Florida to meet Trump as tariff threats loom: media

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday for what Canadian and American media said was a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago luxury estate.

Alarm over high rate of HIV infections among young women, girls

The UN's children's fund raised the alarm on Friday over the high rate of new HIV infections among young women and girls, warning they lacked access to prevention and treatment.

Rallies mark one month since Spain's catastrophic floods

Angry residents protested and lit candles in memory of victims on Friday as Spain marked one month since its worst floods in a generation killed 230 people.

Romania recounts presidential ballots as parliamentary vote looms

Romania on Friday began recounting the votes from last week's dramatic first-round presidential election, amid concerns the ballot might be annulled as authorities pointed to Russia's influence and alleged interference via TikTok.

Brazil's Bolsonaro aims to ride Trump wave back to office: WSJ

Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro believes incoming US leader Donald Trump's return will boost his own comeback ambitions, despite being banned from seeking office until 2030 and investigated for allegedly plotting a coup.

Iconic Uruguayan ex-leader hails country's swing left as 'farewell gift'

Uruguay's ex-president Jose Mujica, who at 89 is an icon for leftists across Latin America, hailed the return of the left to power in his country's weekend elections as a "farewell gift."

Thousands rally in Georgia after violent police crackdown on pro-EU protesters

Thousands of Georgians rallied for a second day running on Friday after police arrested dozens in a violent overnight crackdown on protests against the government's decision to delay EU membership talks.

British MPs back contentious assisted dying bill in 'historic' vote

UK lawmakers voted Friday in favour of assisted dying for terminally ill people in England and Wales, advancing the emotive and contentious legislation to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny.

Namibia reopens polls after election chaos in ruling party test

Namibians seized their second chance to vote Friday after elections were extended following logistic and technical failings that prevented many from casting their ballots two days ago, angering opposition parties aiming to loosen the ruling SWAPO party's 34-year grip on power.

Georgia police arrest dozens in clashes with pro-EU protesters

Police in Georgia arrested dozens of people overnight and early Friday in a violent crackdown on protests against the government's decision to delay EU membership talks.

US stocks rise on Black Friday

Wall Street shares rose in a holiday-shortened session as the Black Friday shopping spree got under way and traders speculated whether Donald Trump may temper his trade tariff threats.

Jihadists, allies enter Syria's second city in lightning assault

Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies reached Syria's second city of Aleppo Friday, as they pressed a lightning offensive against forces of the Iranian- and Russian-backed government.

Traumatised Spain marks one month since catastrophic floods

Angry residents called for fresh protests in Spain on Friday as the country marked one month since its worst floods in a generation killed 230 people.

Syria jihadists, allies shell major city Aleppo in shock offensive

Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies shelled Syria's second city Aleppo on Friday, in a major offensive against government troops that has sparked some of the deadliest fighting the country has seen in years.

WTO chief reappointed as Trump threat looms

World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was reappointed Friday for a second term, in the shadow of the coming return of Donald Trump and his disdain for international trade rules.

US landmine offer to Ukraine throws treaty into 'crisis': campaign group

A US offer to give Ukraine anti-personnel mines to help battle Russia's invasion has thrown a landmark global anti-landmine treaty into "crisis", campaigners said Friday, urging Kyiv to snub the proposal.

Syria jihadists, allies shell Aleppo in shock offensive

Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies shelled Syria's second city Aleppo on Friday, in a major offensive against government troops that has sparked some of the deadliest fighting the country has seen in years.

Japan government approves $92 bn extra budget

Japan's unpopular minority government approved on Friday an extra budget to help pay for a massive stimulus package after the ruling coalition's worst election result in 15 years.

Toll in Syria jihadist-army fighting rises to 242: monitor

More than 240 people, mostly combatants, were killed as intense fighting approached Syria's northern Aleppo city after jihadists launched a major offensive on government-held areas this week, a monitor said Friday.

UK transport secretary quits in setback for Starmer

Louise Haigh resigned as Britain's transport secretary on Friday after revelations that she pleaded guilty to a criminal offence before becoming a member of parliament.

Taiwan detects 41 Chinese military aircraft, ships ahead of Lai US stopover

Taiwan said Friday it detected 41 Chinese military aircraft and ships around the island ahead of a Hawaii stopover by President Lai Ching-te, part of a Pacific tour that has sparked fury in Beijing.

Israel PM again warns Iran after top diplomat talks of revising nuclear doctrine

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel would do "everything" to stop Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon after Iran's top diplomat warned it could end its ban on developing one if Western sanctions are reimposed.

US landmine offer to Ukraine throws global treaty into 'crisis': campaign group