Category Archives: politics

Takaichi Announces Candidacy for LDP Leadership

I, Sanae Takaichi, as someone who loves Japan and the Japanese people with all my heart, and who firmly believes in their strength, will once again run in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, Takaichi said at a press conference on September 19th.

Calling for Japan to once more stand at the top of the world, she pledged to pursue economic growth without compromise. Her proposals include the creation of a control center for foreign resident issues and stronger measures against illegal overstayers, aiming to shore up conservative support.

At the same time, her willingness to adopt opposition-backed policies has raised doubts among some conservatives about her capacity to build alliances across party lines. Takaichi said she would push for a tax credit system that increases net income relative to wages, known as a refundable tax credit—an idea championed by the Constitutional Democratic Party.

She also pledged to develop backup crisis-management functions for the capital, echoing Nippon Ishin’s second capital concept, and to reform income thresholds, as advocated by the Democratic Party for the People.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who placed third behind Takaichi in last year’s race, launched his campaign team the same day. “We must not forget last year’s result, and fight through with a sense of urgency until the end,” Koizumi said, adding that he will announce his policy platform on September 21st.

Koizumi also gained a significant endorsement. Former Digital Minister Taro Kono said, “When we think about who can truly rebuild the party from its foundation, Koizumi is the most suitable.”

With the official announcement just three days away, leadership contenders are stepping up their campaigns.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146947.php

Trump administration again asks Supreme Court to lift block on ending TPS for Venezuelans

Americans’ grocery bills are growing, causing some shoppers to cut back on discretionary spending as they struggle to afford the basics. Food prices grew by half a percent from July to August, marking the fastest monthly rate of change since the fall of 2022.

Behind the rising cost of food items on store shelves are three main culprits, according to experts: tariffs from the Trump administration, climate change, and a shortage of agricultural workers in the U.S.

**The Impact of Tariffs**

Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst known as the “Supermarket Guru,” told CBS News correspondent Jo Ling Kent that the Trump administration’s wide-ranging tariffs are a leading cause of grocery inflation. Price hikes have been steepest on goods that the U.S. imports from nations facing higher levies. For example, the U.S. imports about 35% of its coffee from Brazil, whose exports are taxed at a rate of 50%. The latest Consumer Price Index data shows that coffee prices rose 21% in August compared with a year ago.

As companies face rising costs, they often pass those burdens onto consumers. In the case of tariffs, some businesses began raising prices on products even before the levies were fully in place.

“There’s no question that what we’ve seen is companies increasing prices because of the impending tariffs,” Lempert said. “What they want to do is protect themselves. A lot of these big food companies are public companies, so they have to report back to their shareholders on profit margins. They’ve been hedging their bets.”

Sometimes, packaged-goods companies disguise price hikes by offering consumers less product for the same amount of money. This covert inflation strategy is known as “shrinkflation,” Lempert explained:
“What they’re doing is putting less in the package, hoping that you and I won’t notice and will keep paying the same price or just a slightly increased price.”

**Climate Change’s Role**

Increasing temperatures and shifting weather patterns have made conditions for growing some fruits and vegetables in the U.S. inhospitable. As a result, much of domestic production has moved to Central and Latin America.

“We can’t grow our food where we used to grow it,” Lempert said.

**Labor Shortage in Agriculture**

Additionally, Trump-era immigration policies—including workplace raids targeting large numbers of immigrant workers—combined with waning interest in agricultural labor, have led to an industry-wide shortage.

**How Consumers Are Responding**

Consumers are reacting to higher prices by looking for deals, purchasing store-brand goods instead of name brands, and buying shelf-stable groceries in bulk at shopping clubs like Costco.

Lempert emphasized that a little planning can go a long way to help consumers buy what they need without overspending.

“The number one thing people want to do if they want to save money is stop wasting food,” Lempert said. “Forty percent of all the food in this country is wasted, and a lot of that happens in our homes. So take doggy bags from restaurants, use leftovers, freeze leftovers, and don’t waste food—you’ll save a substantial amount of money.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/supreme-court/3816255/trump-administration-supreme-court-lift-block-end-tps-venezuelans/

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Dishonest’ Trump Keeping Information From UK Prime Minister During Meeting, Body Language Expert Claims… as Prez Signs Massive $350B Tech Deal

**Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Sign $350 Billion Technology Deal Amid Speculation**

*Published: September 19, 2025, 2:45 p.m. ET*

Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer may have finalized a monumental $350 billion deal this week, but according to a body language expert, the U.S. president could be withholding critical information.

On Thursday, September 18, President Trump signed a joint memorandum of understanding that authorizes multi-billion dollar investments in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), civil nuclear energy, and quantum computing.

### Details of the Deal

During a press conference, Trump and Starmer announced the **Technology Prosperity Deal**, touting it as a significant win for both nations that could create up to 17,500 new jobs across the United States and the United Kingdom.

“This trip has galvanized $350 billion in deals across many sectors, and we’re committed to ensuring that the UK is a secure and reliable supply of the best AI, hardware, and software on Earth, and we supply that and make sure we supply it in quantity to the UK,” Trump remarked.

The 79-year-old president joked that it was “a better deal for you than us,” while praising Starmer’s negotiation skills.

Starmer referred to the agreement as “a good deal” and added, “It’s a blueprint to win this new era together, shape it according to our shared values, and seize the incredible opportunities that are on offer.”

### What’s Trump Hiding?

Despite the positive public exchanges, body language expert Inbaal Honigman observed a different dynamic, especially noting Trump’s hand gestures during the meeting.

“The President’s hands are close together, and he might be keeping his cards close to his chest, while the Prime Minister’s hands are wider apart, fingers splayed, which indicates sincerity and honesty,” Honigman told RadarOnline.com.

She continued, “As both are involved in creating a historic deal, there’s still a big advantage to the U.S. leader, as his body language suggests that he knows some stuff that his British counterpart doesn’t know.”

According to Honigman, Starmer “wasn’t sure what to expect” from their encounter and was “not confident the meeting would go well.”

### Are Trump’s Enemies Plotting?

Social media users have also expressed skepticism about Trump’s true motives with this massive agreement, with some branding it as “fake.”

One user questioned, “So, Trump wants the UK to get involved in AI for the US and turn it into a surveillance state to match the UK’s?”

Another added, “Great news… more fake deals.”

Some pointed out domestic priorities being overlooked, with one saying, “But not enough money for school lunches, Offender Registry, Sesame Street, or Environmental Cleanup. Priorities.”

While Trump appears to be fostering friendly relations with the UK, his global standing is far from secure. Reports suggest that China, Russia, and North Korea are covertly collaborating on a disturbing initiative to develop “biotech-fueled super soldiers” aimed at global domination.

### Secret Meeting of Authoritarian Leaders

Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and China’s Xi Jinping recently convened in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender. However, alongside celebratory events, the three dictators allegedly discussed plans to create “super soldiers.”

Sources claim the leaders were overheard on a hot mic discussing chilling topics, including harvesting human organs from political prisoners, advanced biotechnology, and medical transplants that could potentially allow soldiers and leaders to live—and fight—well beyond typical human lifespans, possibly for 150 years or more.

“In a few years, with the development of biotechnology, human organs can be constantly transplanted so that [people] can live younger and younger, and even become immortal,” Putin reportedly told Xi.

### Trump’s Response

It appears that Trump may have caught wind of these clandestine discussions. Historically active on his Truth Social platform, he wrote recently:

“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.”

As the Technology Prosperity Deal moves forward, the world watches closely to see what this historic agreement truly entails — and what it might be hiding beneath the surface.
https://radaronline.com/p/trump-keeping-information-from-uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer-tech-deal/

WATCH: ‘Wounded, terrified, bleeding, helpless’: Ex-hostage Naama Levy speaks at NY event

WATCH: ‘Wounded, Terrified, Bleeding, Helpless’ — Ex-Hostage Naama Levy Speaks at NY Event

Naama Levy, who was released after 477 days in captivity, shared her harrowing experience during a recent event in New York. She described the ordeal as a time when she “suffered severe malnutrition, indescribable hunger, and many untreated injuries.”

Levy’s powerful testimony sheds light on the extreme conditions she endured, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of her captivity.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868110

WATCH: ‘Wounded, terrified, bleeding, helpless’: Ex-hostage Naama Levy speaks at NY event

WATCH: ‘Wounded, terrified, bleeding, helpless’ — Ex-hostage Naama Levy Speaks at NY Event

Naama Levy, who was released after 477 days in captivity, shared her harrowing experience during a recent event in New York. She described the ordeal as a period marked by “severe malnutrition, indescribable hunger, and many untreated injuries.”

Levy recounted feeling “wounded, terrified, bleeding, [and] helpless” throughout her captivity, shedding light on the severe physical and emotional toll she endured.

Her powerful testimony underscores the resilience of those who survive such traumatic experiences and highlights the urgent need for awareness and support for hostages and their families.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868110

UN allows Palestinian President Abbas to speak via video after US denies visa

Riyad H. Mansour, the Palestinian Permanent Observer to the United Nations, is seen on screens as he addresses delegates following the United Nations General Assembly vote on the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

The event took place at the UN headquarters in New York City, US, on September 12, 2025.

(Photo credit: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ)
By REUTERS
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https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-868109

‘Seva Pakhwada’ launched in Palghar to mark PM Modi`s 75 birthday

**Seva Pakhwada Launched Across India to Promote People-Centric Governance and Environmental Conservation**

The Seva Pakhwada (Service Fortnight) under Maharashtra government’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rajaswa Mission was formally launched in Palghar by District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar, an official announced on Friday. This 15-day-long Sewa Pakhwada, initiated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mark the 75th birthday of its prominent leader, runs from September 17 to October 2.

The initiative aims to provide citizens with direct access to government services and ensure faster delivery of welfare scheme benefits. It is part of the state government’s broader effort to promote efficient, people-centric governance at the grassroots level, according to reports by news agency PTI.

During her visit, Collector Jakhar reviewed various development initiatives and government schemes in Jawhar and Mokhada talukas. She also inspected farm ponds constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). In Mokhada taluka, 53 farm ponds have been approved for 2025-26, while Poshera has 35, Hirve 10, and Ase 8. Each pond is designed to store 2.5 lakh litres of water, aiding local irrigation and water conservation efforts.

**Diplomats from 70 Nations Participate in Sapling Plantation During Delhi’s Seva Pakhwada**

In New Delhi, diplomats from 70 countries came together to plant saplings at the Central Ridge as part of the Delhi government’s 15-day Sewa Pakhwada. A total of 75 diplomats, alongside Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, attended the event on Thursday.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta planted a tree under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and highlighted the global significance of the diplomats’ participation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she said, “The participation of 75 diplomats from 70 countries has given the campaign a form of global cooperation and shared responsibility.”

Under the Seva Pakhwada, observed on the birthday of visionary Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign not only spreads the message of environmental conservation but also symbolizes gratitude toward Mother Earth, she added.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also posted on X, emphasizing that the involvement of foreign diplomats has transformed the mission into a truly global event.

**PM Modi to Launch ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ and Foundation of PM MITRA Park in Madhya Pradesh**

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the country’s first PM MITRA Park and launch the fortnight-long ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ during his visit to Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced.

In addition to these events, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan at Bhainsola village in Dhar district. The campaign focuses on the health and empowerment of women, reinforcing the government’s commitment to social welfare.

These events mark a concentrated push by the central and state governments to enhance public service delivery, environmental sustainability, and community development initiatives across India.

*With inputs from PTI*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-seva-pakhwada-launched-in-palghar-under-rajaswa-mission-23594841

Canada launching CUSMA review consultation Friday, LeBlanc says

Dominic LeBlanc announces that consultations on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will begin this Friday, ahead of a planned review of the North American trade pact next year. The Canadian trade minister stated that Ottawa will engage with provinces, territories, industry representatives, and workers in preparation for formal negotiations with the United States and Mexico scheduled for 2026.

An exemption for CUSMA-compliant goods has so far shielded much of Canada’s trade from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war. However, sectoral duties remain in effect in industries such as steel, aluminum, automotive, and softwood lumber.

LeBlanc noted that while Ottawa would be open to signing a broader deal with the U.S. should Washington propose terms beneficial to Canada, his immediate priority is addressing the existing sectoral tariffs.

Meanwhile, Carney and Sheinbaum emphasized that the upcoming trade agreement will complement CUSMA, strengthening cooperation among the three countries.

*With files from Craig Lord in Ottawa*
https://globalnews.ca/news/11436583/canada-launching-cusma-review-consultation/

`Chunaav ka chawkidaar` protected `vote chors`: Rahul Gandhi`s dig at EC

To buttress his allegation, Rahul Gandhi cited data from a Karnataka assembly constituency to claim that votes of Congress supporters were being systematically deleted.

The Election Commission, however, dubbed the allegations “incorrect and baseless,” stating, “No deletion of any vote can be done online by any member of the public, as misconceived by Gandhi.”

In a post in Hindi on X on Friday, Gandhi said,
“Wake up at 4 a.m. Eliminate two voters in 36 seconds,
Then go back to sleep – this is how vote theft happens!
Chunaav ka chawkidaar jaagta raha, chori dekhta raha, choron ko bachata raha
(The election watchman stayed awake, watched the theft, and protected the thieves),” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha charged.

Gandhi also shared a 36-second video from his press conference in which he explains the modus operandi of the alleged “vote theft.”

Earlier, in a post on Thursday evening, Gandhi had said,
“The nation’s youth, the nation’s students, the nation’s Gen Z, will defend the Constitution, protect democracy, and stop vote theft. I always stand with them. Jai Hind!”

In his fresh offensive against the Election Commission, Gandhi stated on Thursday that the poll panel must stop protecting “vote chors” and provide, within a week, the information sought by the Karnataka CID in an investigation into voter deletions.

“If not, it will be known for sure that the poll body is complicit in the ‘murder of the Constitution’,” Gandhi alleged at his press conference held at the Congress’ Indira Bhawan headquarters.

He also clarified that this was not the “hydrogen bomb” revelation he had promised — that update would come soon.

Gandhi cited details of alleged attempts to delete 6,018 votes in Karnataka’s Aland constituency in the run-up to the 2023 assembly polls.

He further gave the example of Maharashtra’s Rajura constituency, where he claimed 6,850 voters were added in a “fraudulent” manner using automated software.

“Same system is doing this. It is doing it in Karnataka, Maharashtra, it has done it in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and we have proof of it,” the Congress leader alleged.

“Our demand is Gyanesh Kumar, do your job. You have taken an oath, you are India’s chief election commissioner, you must give evidence to the Karnataka CID,” Gandhi said, directly addressing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

He also urged the CEC to “stop giving excuses” and immediately release evidence to the Karnataka CID.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/chunaav-ka-chawkidaar-protected-vote-chors-rahul-gandhis-dig-at-ec-23594799

Piers Morgan UNLOADS on Crybaby Don Lemon — Calls Him a “D**k” After He Melts Down Over Getting “Ambushed” with the Very Clip That Got Him FIRED from CNN

**Piers Morgan and Don Lemon Discuss Reactions to Charlie Kirk’s Death and Cancel Culture**

**Piers Morgan:**
With Charlie Kirk’s death, a lot of people on the left have come out gleefully celebrating what happened. Many have been posting on social media, very happy. They turned out to be teachers, professors, doctors, nurses—people in extraordinary positions of power over other human beings. What should happen to those people?

**Don Lemon:**
Now, I don’t believe that anyone should be celebrating anybody’s death at all, ever. I don’t think anyone should be celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death. We know, and you know, Piers, that freedom of speech does come with consequences, and there are limits. There are limitations to freedom of speech. If you work for a private company, they have the right to fire you or discipline you for whatever it is that they want. If you break the rules, their codes of conduct, then you have to suffer the circumstances.

They don’t believe in canceling people.

**Piers Morgan:**
Do you feel you were a victim of cancel culture?

**Don Lemon:**
Probably, yes. I’m sure that I was a victim of cancel culture, but I would say mostly on the right for cancel culture.

**Piers Morgan:**
But this is what led to you leaving CNN. Let’s take a look at the clip.

**Don Lemon (CNN Interview):**
She says people—politicians or something—are not in their prime. Nikki Haley is in her prime. Sorry. When a woman is considered to be in her prime—in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s. What are you talking about? That’s not according to me. Prime for what? It depends. It’s just like prime. If you look it up, if you Google, “When is a woman in her prime?” it’ll say 20s, 30s, and 40s. I don’t necessarily agree with that. I think she has to be careful about saying that.

**Piers Morgan:**
When you watched that, Don, I happened to be watching that live, and I was like, well, what did you just say?

If you had a do-over, would you say that again? What led you to say that?

**Don Lemon:**
Okay, Piers, let me just say, I’m going to answer your question, but just so the audience knows, and I hope you don’t cut this out—when I asked you what subjects you wanted to talk about, you know what you said to me? You said, “I want to talk to you about freedom of speech in America and the response to Charlie Kirk’s death.” Not once did you mention that we were going to talk about CNN or whatever. And had I known that, I probably wouldn’t have accepted this interview.

You have invited me on many times, and I tell you, Piers, I know you. I would come on your show, but I don’t do panels. And so when you said, “I’m not going to be involved in a panel,” I agreed to come on your show. But I thought you would also stick by the subjects that you told me that you were going to talk about rather than try to ambush me with something.

**Piers Morgan:**
Don, just to be clear, you and I haven’t had any conversation about your appearance here. You’re talking about my team talking to you?

**Don Lemon:**
Yeah. No. And I saw you, Piers, in a restaurant, and I said, “Hey, Piers, good to see you. I would come on your show, but I don’t do panels.” And I said the same thing to your bookers. There’s only one of you, Doug, right? When I asked you: “Okay. Yes.” And I said that’s why I agreed to do it. But when you asked me, or when your team asked me what subjects, and I asked them two or three times—I have text messages—“What do you want to cover?” Not once was CNN mentioned. So I don’t appreciate being ambushed. But let me answer your question since we were here.

**Piers Morgan:**
Hang on one second, Don. Let’s just be crystal clear about what’s just happened. You brought up the subject of cancel culture. I asked you, did you feel your departure from CNN was an example of that? And you answered the question. I think it’s perfectly reasonable.

**Don Lemon:**
And I answered the question.

**Piers Morgan:**
Perfectly reasonable in that. If you said to me, “I don’t want to talk about it,” it’s fine. No, it’s your story. You said what you’re going to say.

**Don Lemon:**
That is completely disingenuous. I don’t like arguing like this. I’m not going to get into an argument with you. Piers, I think that’s completely disingenuous. I think anyone watching that—

**Piers Morgan:**
What are you talking about?

**Don Lemon:**
And so if you will let me, if you will allow me, please—

**Piers Morgan:**
What are you talking about?

**Don Lemon:**
Did you invite me here to interrupt me? Or are you going to let me answer the question?

**Piers Morgan:**
I think you’re being a complete dick, if I’m honest with you.

**Don Lemon:**
Okay.

**Piers Morgan:**
I do.

**Don Lemon:**
Well, that’s very kind and respectful of you.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/09/piers-morgan-unloads-crybaby-don-lemon-calls-him/