Tag - armed-conflicts

 
 

ARMED CONFLICTS

WORLD
Feb 9, 2015
Leaders scramble to avert 'dramatic spiral' in Ukraine; Putin branded 'tyrant'
The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France agreed to meet in Belarus on Wednesday to try to broker a peace deal for Ukraine amid escalating violence there and signs of cracks in the trans-Atlantic consensus on confronting Vladimir Putin.
WORLD
Feb 7, 2015
Nigeria's Boko Haram has 'up to 6,000 hardcore' fighters
The Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, which is fighting a violent insurgency in northeast Nigeria, has about 4,000-6,000 "hardcore" fighters, U.S. intelligence officials said Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 7, 2015
Taiwan uses Chinese shipping firm to transport items to Spratly port
Taiwan had to use a mainland Chinese shipper to get vital materials to a $100 million port it is building on a disputed island in the South China Sea last month after it couldn't find a local firm to do the job, Taiwanese officials said Friday.
WORLD
Feb 7, 2015
Islamic State punishes cleric who objected to pilot's fiery death
An Islamic State cleric who objected to the group's decision to burn to death a captive Jordanian pilot has been removed from his post and will be put on trial, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 6, 2015
Merkel, Hollande head to Moscow for deal to pull Ukraine back from brink
Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande will press Vladimir Putin for a cease-fire in Ukraine on Friday as U.S. and Russian officials expressed skepticism that a quick resolution to stem the spiraling violence is possible.
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Feb 5, 2015
Former Russian rebel leader makes Putin look cautious
Vladimir Putin's critics say he went too far on Ukraine. The former Russian agent who helped trigger the conflict says his biggest mistake was not going far enough.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 4, 2015
Sending arms to Kiev would be big gamble for U.S.
By considering giving weapons to Ukraine, the United States is contemplating a risky venture that advocates say would help end the conflict in Ukraine but opponents warn might fan the flames of war.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 4, 2015
Grenades cheaper than Coca-Cola menace the Central African Republic
As Capt. Victor leads a team of Spanish special forces on a night patrol in the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, one thing worries him most: Chinese-made hand grenades that sell for less than a soft drink.
WORLD
Feb 3, 2015
Russia, Ukraine in indirect talks to reopen key Black Sea air corridor: report
Russia and Ukraine are holding indirect talks to reopen a key international air corridor over the Black Sea to commercial flights as part of a plan that could give Ukraine much-needed overflight fees and ease congestion on other crowded air routes, according to five sources familiar with the matter.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices
Feb 2, 2015
Tokyo: Does anyone else share responsibility for the death of Kenji Goto?
After the killing of a second Japanese hostage, Kenji Goto, by the Islamic State group, Mark Buckton asked people whether others share some culpability in his death. Some interviewees declined to have their pictures and surnames published.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 1, 2015
Kiev and separatists trade blame as Ukraine peace talks collapse
Peace talks on Ukraine collapsed Saturday after just over four hours with no tangible progress toward a new cease-fire but with Ukraine's representative and separatist envoys angrily accusing each other of sabotaging the meeting.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 31, 2015
Islamic State militants attack Kurdish outposts across Iraq
Islamic State militants struck at Kurdish forces southwest of the Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Friday, while bombs in Kirkuk, Baghdad, Samarra and Ramadi killed at least 27 people.
JAPAN
Jan 28, 2015
Journalists, Muslims say Japan is a friend, urge Goto release
Multiple organizations in Japan have issued statements on the hostage crisis. Following are selected quotes:
WORLD
Jan 27, 2015
Israeli spy unit boots soldiers who refused to snoop on Palestinians
Israel's top military electronic surveillance unit expelled dozens of veterans Monday for refusing to spy on Palestinians living under occupation, Army Radio said.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 26, 2015
Philippine police clash with Muslim rebels; 30 killed
Heavy fighting in the southern Philippines between police and Muslim rebels on Sunday left at least 30 elite policemen dead, a military spokesman said.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 25, 2015
Pro-Russian rebels attack key Ukrainian port; at least 30 reported dead
Pro-Russian rebels launched an offensive against the strategic port of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on Saturday, prompting the European Union's foreign policy chief to warn of a further "grave deterioration" in EU-Russian relations.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 24, 2015
Fate of Japanese hostages uncertain as deadline passes
The fate of two Japanese taken hostage by the Islamic State group remains unknown, as the militants apparently have not made any announcements since the ransom deadline expired.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 24, 2015
Source in Syria says two Japanese hostages captured by the Islamic State still alive
According to an anti-government source in Syria, the two Japanese hostages captured by the Islamic State group are still alive.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 24, 2015
New Saudi deputy crown prince marks generational shift for ruling family
Saudi Arabia's interior minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, a close friend of the United States and a scourge of Islamist militants, will be the country's first king from the third generation of its ruling dynasty.
WORLD
Jan 24, 2015
Some counterterrorism efforts in Yemen frozen
The United States has halted some counterterrorism operations against al-Qaida militants in Yemen following a takeover of the country by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, U.S. officials said Friday.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals