Top Asian News 2:51 a.m. GMT

Associated Press

Updated 13 August 2024 at 10:51 pm·1-min read

Japan's Kishida announces he will not run in September, paving the way for a new prime minister

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a surprise move Wednesday, announced he will not run in the upcoming party leadership vote in September, paving the way for Japan to have a new prime minister. Kishida was elected president of his governing Liberal Democratic Party in 2021 and his three-year term expires in September. His drop out of the race means a new leader who wins the party vote will succeed him as prime minister because the LDP controls both houses of parliament. Kishida, stung by his party’s corruption scandals, has suffered dwindling support ratings that have dipped below 20%.

The Telegraph
Taylor Swift’s endorsement backfires on Kamala Harris
Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris appears to have backfired, according to a poll.
The Daily Beast
John Roberts’ Secret Trump Memo Revealed in Huge SCOTUS Leak
The Supreme Court was hit by a flurry of damaging new leaks Sunday as a series of confidential memos written by the chief justice were revealed by The New York Times.The court’s Chief Justice John Roberts was clear to his fellow justices in February: He wanted the court to take up a case weighing Donald Trump’s right to presidential immunity—and he seemed inclined to protect the former president.“I think it likely that we will view the separation of powers analysis differently,” Roberts wrote to
The Independent
‘Clearly chicken you weirdo’: People respond to JD Vance sharing video he claims shows migrants grilling cats
The “gotcha” footage posted online by Vance may not be the slam dunk he apparently hoped it would be
The Independent
North Korea inadvertently gives away location of nuclear weapons facility with pictures of Kim Jong-un visit
State media images of Kim Jong-un visiting a uranium enrichment plant did not include its location. But analysts say tell-tale features in the photographs are a ‘close match’ to a particular site near Pyongyang
The Independent
Kamala Harris just gave her first solo interview as the presidential nominee. Here’s what we learned
Vice President Kamala Harris discussed the economy, gun control, and reaching undecided voters
The Telegraph
Hardman who may be Uganda’s next president is Putin fan and asked Meloni to marry him
When he is not busy fawning over Vladimir Putin, the army chief aiming to be Uganda’s next president has spent a good deal of time salivating over Giorgia Meloni.
The Telegraph
US sends ‘unserviceable’ military arms to Taiwan
The United States sent faulty military items to Taiwan including mouldy armour and expired ammunition.
HuffPost
Bill Maher Goes Big With Trump Prediction: 'I Have The Credibility For This'
"I'm going to make this a very momentous night with a prediction," the "Real Time" host promised.
AFP News
Philippine ship in standoff with China leaves flashpoint reef
A Philippine vessel that spent months anchored at a disputed reef in the South China Sea has left the area, the national maritime council said Sunday. "During her deployment... she challenged an encirclement by a larger flotilla of intruders, battled inclement weather, with her crew surviving on diminished daily provisions," National Maritime Council Chairperson Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement Sunday.
INSIDER
The US Army put on a sudden show of force out on the far edge of Alaska to send the message it can as Russia and China partner in the Pacific
The 11th Airborne Division led efforts to deploy artillery and over 130 soldiers to the far tip of Alaska as US rivals conducted massive naval drills.
The Telegraph
Two Russian soldiers predict their own deaths after arguing with commanding officer
Two Russian soldiers correctly predicted their deaths after being ordered on a suicide mission as punishment for arguing with their commander.
The Hill
North Carolina and Georgia shift toward toss-up status for Harris
The presidential race is tightening in North Carolina and Georgia, with both now firmly seen as swing states by both parties — a huge turnaround from before Vice President Harris joined the race. With President Biden in the race against former President Trump, Georgia, a state Biden won four years ago, looked out of reach.…
CNN
Watch comedians react to Trump’s fake name of Taliban leader
Comedians react to former President Donald Trump’s use of a fake name of a Taliban leader during the ABC News presidential debate. Watch CNN’s new comedy quiz show, “Have I Got News For You,” Saturdays at 9pm ET/PT.
The Telegraph
Kursk clashes becoming deadlier, say Ukrainian troops
Clashes in the southern border region of Kursk are becoming deadlier, Ukrainian troops say, as Russian resistance and counterattacks slow Kyiv’s advances.
Reuters
Ukraine suffering high losses due to slow arms supplies, says Zelenskiy
Russia has been gaining ground in parts of eastern Ukraine including around Pokrovsk. Zelenskiy said the situation in the east was "very tough", adding that half of Ukraine's brigades there were not equipped. Zelenskiy said weapons aid packages promised by the United States and European nations were arriving very slowly.
Reuters
Polish minister, visiting Kyiv, calls for end to benefits for Ukrainian men in Europe
European governments should halt welfare benefits to Ukrainian men of military age who are living in their countries, Poland's foreign minister said, a measure he said would help Ukraine call up more troops to fight Russian forces. Following a meeting in Kyiv with his Ukrainian counterpart, Poland's Radoslaw Sikorski said ending social benefits for Ukrainian male refugees would also benefit state finances in host countries in Western Europe.
Associated Press
Days of preparation and one final warning. How Kamala Harris got ready for her big debate moment
It was almost time for the presidential debate, but Kamala Harris’ staff thought there was one more thing she needed to know. While answering a question about immigration policy, Trump said migrants in Springfield were “eating the dogs” and “they’re eating the cats.” Harris laughed, shook her head and stared at her Republican opponent in amazement.
BBC
Trump rushed to safety and suspect held after man spotted with rifle
A gunman pointed a rifle at the former president on his Florida golf course, in what the FBI calls an apparent assassination attempt.
INSIDER
Why these 7 Republican senators still aren't endorsing Trump
Several GOP senators have not endorsed Trump — and likely won't before the election. Others are keeping their vote private or have specific reasons for withholding a formal endorsement. With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner, a solid chunk of the Senate Republican conference still won't get behind former President Donald Trump.
The Hill
Harris organizer objects to subpoena from Judiciary Committee Chair Jordan
A Democratic strategist who helped organize a “White Dudes for Harris” call said Friday he is fighting back against a subpoena from House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). “I am objecting to the subpoena issued by Jim Jordan and the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee in its entirety. This subpoena serves no legitimate legislative purpose…

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