Ozawa, 49 allies to leave DPJ

Ozawa, 49 allies to leave DPJ

TOKYO, Japan - Ichiro Ozawa, former leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2012, after tendering a letter of resignation from the ruling party. Ozawa, a Japanese political heavyweight, and 49 allies submitted letters of resignation from the DPJ the same day in protest at the government's sales tax hike proposal, triggering a party split and weakening Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's hold on power.

Ozawa, 49 allies to leave DPJ

Ozawa, 49 allies to leave DPJ

TOKYO, Japan - Ichiro Ozawa, former leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, leaves following a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2012, after tendering a letter of resignation from the ruling party. Ozawa, a Japanese political heavyweight, and 49 allies submitted letters of resignation from the DPJ the same day in protest at the government's sales tax hike proposal, triggering a party split and weakening Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's hold on power.

Ozawa, 49 allies to leave DPJ

Ozawa, 49 allies to leave DPJ

TOKYO, Japan - Ichiro Ozawa, former leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 2, 2012, after tendering a letter of resignation from the ruling party. Ozawa, a Japanese political heavyweight, and 49 allies submitted letters of resignation from the DPJ the same day in protest at the government's sales tax hike proposal, triggering a party split and weakening Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's hold on power.

Turkish, Finnish defense ministers meet over lifting arms embargo on Türkiye

STORY: Turkish, Finnish defense ministers meet over lifting arms embargo on Türkiye DATELINE: Dec. 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:49 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish and Finnish defense ministers meeting STORYLINE: Turkish and Finnish defense ministers met on Thursday as Türkiye urges the Nordic country to lift the embargo on its defense industries to pave the way for Finland's NATO membership. "We expect all our allies, especially Finland, to support and contribute to Türkiye's fight against terrorism and the modernization efforts of the Turkish armed forces," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said after a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Antti Kaikkonen in Türkiye's capital Ankara. In what he called a "productive" and "constructive" meeting with Kaikkonen, Akar said the meeting focused on two issues in the Turkish-Finnish relations: the fight against terrorism and removal of arms export restrictions. This was the first visit to Türkiye by a Finnish defense min

Biden's visit to East Asia expected to increase geopolitical instability: South Korean expert

STORY: Biden's visit to East Asia expected to increase geopolitical instability: South Korean expert DATELINE: May 21, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:49 LOCATION: Seoul CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Korean): WOO SUKEUN, Head of Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea STORYLINE: U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday began a four-day visit to South Korea and Japan. It is his first trip to Asia as president. Woo Sukeun, head of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea, told Xinhua that Biden's visit to East Asia is obviously intended to win over allies such as South Korea and Japan to confront China. According to Woo, issues to be discussed during Biden's visit are expected to increase geopolitical instability in the region, which will harm the region's long-term and common interests. SOUNDBITE (Korean): WOO SUKEUN, Head of Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea "I think it (Biden's visit to South Korea) is a typical visit with American intentions. It also proves that South Korea and Japan are necessa

Lebanon's Hezbollah, allies lose majority in parliamentary elections

STORY: Lebanon's Hezbollah, allies lose majority in parliamentary elections DATELINE: May 18, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:49 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi holding a press conference to announce results of parliamentary elections STORYLINE: Lebanon's Interior Ministry on Tuesday announced the final results of the 2022 parliamentary elections, which showed the loss of majority in the parliament by Hezbollah and its allies. Hezbollah and its allies secured 59 seats, down from 71 in the previous elections in 2018, which are fewer than the 65 seats needed to secure a majority in the 128-seat parliament. The Free Patriotic Movement, a major Hezbollah ally, is no longer the largest Christian parliamentary bloc in the country as it won 18 seats compared to its rival the Lebanese Forces, which won 20 seats. Moreover, Hezbollah lost key allies including Druze leader Talal Arslan and Sunni leader Faysal Karame in Tripoli. The results published by the Ministry o