Former defence minister Ishiba to be Japan's PM

25 Sept 22:55 Key points summarised by AI

Shigeru Ishiba, a seasoned 67-year-old former defence minister, has been elected as Japan's next Prime Minister after winning the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race.
Ishiba plans to reshape Japan's military alliance with Washington, proposing an expansion of existing blocs like the Quad and establishing a military training facility in the US to strengthen bilateral capabilities.
Domestically, he vowed to restore confidence in the LDP after a funding scandal, address economic challenges by supporting the Bank of Japan's policy exit, and revitalize rural regions.
He emphasized his commitment to national security amidst regional challenges, including incursions by Chinese and Russian military planes and North Korean missile tests, and indicated a desire to call a snap election to shore up his mandate.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.