Politics News
Latest politics news and updates
Total: 107
Trump’s Public Push for a Netanyahu Pardon Sparks Rare Tension with Israel’s Presidency
Donald Trump publicly chastised Israeli President Isaac Herzog for not pardoning Benjamin Netanyahu, prompting Herzog’s office to seek clarification from Netanyahu’s team. Netanyahu’s office denied involvement, saying Trump acted independently, while Herzog reaffirmed that any clemency decision will follow standard legal review. The episode highlights tensions over judicial independence in Israel and raises questions about the propriety of foreign leaders publicly weighing in on another country’s legal processes.
Herzog Rebukes Trump’s Pardon Pressure — A Test of Israeli Institutions
President Isaac Herzog rebuked Donald Trump after the former U.S. president urged him to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu. Herzog’s retort underscored the independence of Israel’s presidential office and highlighted tensions between foreign political pressure and domestic legal procedures concerning Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial.
Deadlock Over Immigration Sends Homeland Security Into Temporary Shutdown, Exposes Wider Risks
A partisan dispute over aggressive federal immigration enforcement has left the U.S. Department of Homeland Security without new funding as Congress adjourned, forcing essential employees to work without pay. While an extended shutdown would hamper agencies such as TSA, FEMA and the Coast Guard, analysts expect a short-term compromise; the political battle over immigration policy, however, is unlikely to abate.
China’s Armed Police Send Lunar New Year Greetings — A Reminder of Duty Behind the Festivities
Xinhua published a short piece showing the People’s Armed Police offering Lunar New Year greetings, a mix of public-relations and reassurance during the high-travel chunyun period. The dispatch underscores the dual role of China’s paramilitary forces as both community-facing and continuously on duty.
Japan’s Big-Ticket U.S. Arms Purchases Marred by Delays and Defects — Audit Raises Questions About Strategy and Value
A Japanese Board of Audit review found extensive delays and maintenance problems in U.S. defence equipment bought through the Foreign Military Sales program, even as Tokyo increases spending to bolster its forces. The findings raise questions about the cost‑effectiveness, timing and strategic rationale of Japan’s heavy purchases of American arms.
Trump Poised to Pare Back Steel and Aluminum Tariffs to Ease Consumer Pain and Court Voters
The administration is preparing to exempt selected steel and aluminum products from high tariffs introduced last summer, aiming to cool consumer prices and regain voter support. The shift narrows broad, politically contentious levies in favour of targeted national‑security probes, easing pressure on exporters in Europe and North America but preserving future legal and lobbying battles.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak Expresses Regret over Ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Denies Wrongdoing
Ehud Barak has publicly expressed regret for his association with Jeffrey Epstein while denying any involvement in illegal activity. The interview follows a major U.S. document release tying numerous high-profile figures to Epstein and raises reputational questions for Barak without, so far, indicating criminal exposure.
Taiwan’s NT$1.25 Trillion Defence Bill Sparks Row Over Job Claims, US Arms and Transparency
A proposed NT$1.25 trillion special defence budget in Taiwan has sparked a domestic row after defence officials claimed it would generate NT$400 billion in output and 90,000 jobs, while critics say most spending will go to US arms purchases and demand greater transparency. The dispute draws in US pressure, opposition allegations of corruption, and Beijing’s condemnation, underscoring tensions between urgent rearmament needs and demands for legislative oversight.
A Chaotic ‘Breakfast Club’ at the EU Summit Exposes Faultlines Over Inclusion and Migration
A hastily arranged pre-summit breakfast hosted by Italy with Germany and Belgium delayed the start of an EU summit and provoked complaints from several member states who said they were not invited. The meeting—intended to coordinate tougher migration policy—produced little substance but highlighted risks to EU cohesion from informal, selective gatherings.
Red Militias Bring Revolutionary Heritage to Villages and Screens Ahead of Lunar New Year
In Jiangxi’s Ji'an region, militia-led teams are delivering patriotic lectures, performances and livestreams at Jinggangshan sites and villages ahead of the Lunar New Year. Combining on-site storytelling, cultural services and digital outreach, the campaign reinforces revolutionary memory while supporting local red-tourism economies and civic education efforts.
KMT Pushes to Reopen Cross‑Strait Channels, Casting DPP as Obstacle to 'Revival of Dawn'
KMT vice‑chair Zhang Rong‑gong vowed to revitalise cross‑Strait exchanges following a Beijing think‑tank forum that produced 15 joint opinions across five areas. He accused the DPP of blocking cooperation and argued that promoting a Chinese identity in Taiwan will deliver economic benefits and greater stability in the Taiwan Strait.
KMT Vice‑Chair Urges Push to Reopen Cross‑Strait Channels, Blames DPP for Obstruction
KMT vice‑chair Zhang Ronggong pledged to convert a Beijing think‑tank forum’s 15 joint recommendations into concrete cross‑strait exchanges, framing the effort as a response to popular demand and a defence of Chinese identity on the island. He accused the DPP of obstructing ties and warned that "de‑Sinicisation" threatens Taiwan’s stability, signalling a renewed contest between engagement and distancing in Taipei politics.