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Paul Sonne
Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs after the third night of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 19, 2024
Fearful or cheerful? World leaders mull Trump's potential foreign policy
With Donald Trump polling ahead of Joe Biden to be reelected president in the U.S., some governments are taking concrete steps to prepare for his possible return.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov attends a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with commanders of troops of military districts, in Moscow on May 15.
WORLD / Politics
May 20, 2024
The technocrat who’s taking control of Putin’s war effort
While other technocrats in Russian President Vladimir Putin's orbit privately see his geopolitical moves as problematic, the new defense minister is a true believer.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting in St. Petersburg on Friday.
WORLD / Politics
Apr 28, 2024
Putin’s war will soon reach Russians’ tax bills
The move reflects both the burgeoning costs of his war in Ukraine and the firm control he has over the Russian elite.
People lay flowers on Sunday at a memorial near the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow, where over 130 people were killed and more than 140 injured Friday night in an attack.
WORLD
Mar 25, 2024
In Russia, fingers point anywhere but at Islamic State group for concert hall attack
Despite hinting that Ukraine is responsible, Russia has not presented any evidence, and Ukrainian officials have dismissed the accusations.
Leonid Volkov, who was chief of staff to Alexei Navalny, speaks during an interview in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2021.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 13, 2024
Top Navalny aide attacked with hammer outside home in Lithuania
At least one assailant smashed Leonid Volkov's car window, sprayed him with tear gas and began beating him with the hammer.
Alexei Navalny delivers remarks during his election campaign in Moscow on Aug. 1, 2013. Russian authorities vilified the opposition leader with a viciousness that suggested he was more influential than Moscow would admit. Little has changed since he died.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 4, 2024
Kremlin seeks to suppress Navalny’s influence, in death as in life
Russian authorities have vilified late opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a viciousness that suggested he was more influential than Moscow would admit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to U.S. talk show host Tucker Carlson at the Kremlin in Moscow on Tuesday.
WORLD
Feb 10, 2024
Putin to U.S.: Let’s make a deal on Ukraine (on my terms)
The message seemed aimed at the American right and Republicans in Congress, with an eye to undermining support for aid to Ukraine.
Today in Russia, a robust consumer world carries on, helping Russian President Vladimir Putin maintain a sense of normalcy despite a war that has proved longer, deadlier and costlier than he predicted.
WORLD / Politics
Dec 19, 2023
How Putin turned a Western boycott into a bonanza
If companies want to leave Russia, the president is setting the terms — in ways that benefit his government, his elites and his war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting near Moscow on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 8, 2023
On Russian nuclear threat, Putin lets others rattle the saber
While hard-liners voice provocative proposals about nukes, Putin presents himself as a moderating force — while never taking the option off the table.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 29, 2023
Barely noting war in public, Putin acts like time is on his side
Vladimir Putin looks like a commander in absentia, treating Russia's war in Ukraine as unfortunate but distant. His options have narrowed, but he is still betting on outlasting his foes.

Longform

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo is a popular place to foster curiosity in the natural sciences.
Can Japan's scientific community rebound from a Nobel nosedive?