AP News reports that Sanae Takaichi has been elected as Japan’s first female prime minister, and the first woman to lead the historically male-dominated Liberal Democratic Party. A staunch conservative, Takaichi aligns with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s vision and is known for her hawkish views on China and her visits to Yasukuni Shrine. While she rarely discussed gender equality during her campaign, her policies lean towards a stronger military, increased fiscal spending, and tougher immigration policies. Despite her conservative stances, including opposition to same-sex marriage and a focus on traditional values, her election is seen by some as progress, though her views may complicate relations with China and South Korea.
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Sanae Takaichi made history as Japan’s first female prime minister, assuming leadership amidst economic difficulties and political fragmentation. A protégé of Shinzo Abe, she aligns with his conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution. However, her stances on issues like China and same-sex marriage may complicate international relations and face domestic challenges such as high inflation and a declining birthrate. Takaichi, inspired by Margaret Thatcher, aims to address immediate threats and revitalize her party, which has experienced a recent decline in popularity. Her election signals a rightward shift in the LDP, but her success hinges on addressing the urgent issues facing Japan and maintaining public trust.
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President Emmanuel Macron has surprisingly reappointed Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister, just four days after his resignation, following a week of political turmoil. Lecornu, who previously served for only 26 days, faces the challenge of forming a government and presenting next year’s budget by Monday, despite a National Assembly where Macron lacks a majority. The new prime minister will also need to address France’s significant public debt and budget deficit, which have contributed to the downfall of previous leaders. Political divisions within the conservative Republicans and lack of support from the left-wing parties further complicate Lecornu’s task.
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In a surprising turn of events, French President Emmanuel Macron reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as Prime Minister after accepting his resignation just days prior, which followed the collapse of his initial government. Lecornu’s reappointment was met with harsh criticism from political opponents, who decried the decision as a democratic failure. Lecornu’s new government will need to navigate a divided political landscape, and as part of this, potential ministers have been asked to disengage from presidential ambitions for 2027 to foster stability. The selection process for the new cabinet will be closely watched, as the previous choices were heavily criticized, and the final consultations included Macron’s centrist bloc and traditional parties, excluding the far-left and far-right.
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Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new leader of Japan’s ruling party, potentially making her the nation’s first female prime minister. She faces the task of uniting the party after recent turmoil and addressing economic challenges like inflation and stagnant wages. As a staunch conservative, Takaichi, a long-time admirer of Margaret Thatcher, is expected to continue the economic policies of Shinzo Abe. However, her conservative views and focus on right-wing voters may limit her appeal, potentially complicating her ability to navigate both domestic and international issues, including US-Japan relations.
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Amazon has agreed to a historic $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) due to claims of tricking customers into Prime subscriptions and hindering cancellation. The settlement includes a record $1 billion civil penalty and $1.5 billion in refunds for affected Prime customers who were either unintentionally enrolled or faced difficulties in canceling. The FTC alleged that Amazon violated the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, making it difficult for consumers to understand and manage their subscriptions, a process internally referred to as “Iliad”. The FTC began its investigation in 2021, eventually leading to the lawsuit and settlement, which occurred before a separate antitrust case was filed against the company.
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Sushila Karki, Nepal’s former Chief Justice, has been sworn in as the interim Prime Minister, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the country’s history. The oath of office was administered by President Ramchandra Paudel following the dissolution of Parliament and the resignation of the former Prime Minister amid anti-corruption protests. Karki is highly regarded for her integrity and judicial independence, and she served as Chief Justice from 2016 to 2017. Her appointment comes with the support of the Gen-Z movement and will be closely observed during Nepal’s transitional period.
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Phone calls between Donald Trump and British Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson were reportedly so unpredictable that they left Downing Street staff in tears of laughter. These conversations frequently veered off-topic, with Trump raising subjects ranging from wind turbines to the Queen’s health. His relationship with the two prime ministers differed, warmer with Johnson than with May, potentially due to May’s Brexit approach and Trump’s views on women. Tensions currently exist between Trump and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer, partly due to leaked details of a previous call and a potential ambassadorial dispute.
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John Q. Hosedrinker