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G7 Foreign Ministers Meet in Niagara to Hear Ukraine’s Plea Amid Escalating War

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven (G7) nations gathered in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario , for high-stakes talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister as Russia intensifies its assault on Ukraine’s power grid. The meeting, hosted by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand , comes at a critical moment as rolling blackouts sweep across Ukraine ahead of winter. Foreign ministers from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union posed for a family photo before beginning discussions. Ukraine’s foreign minister is expected to brief the group on the humanitarian and security consequences of Russia’s latest attacks, which have left millions vulnerable to freezing temperatures. The summit is not limited to Ukraine. Ministers are also addressing broader geopolitical challenges, including instability in the Middle East and shifting trade relationships. Still, Ukraine remains the centerpiece of the agenda, with G7 leaders reaffirming ...

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Historic First for Japan’s Ruling Party, But Premiership Uncertain for Takaichi

 

Newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. 


Japan’s long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, marking the first time a woman has risen to the top of the party in its postwar history. The 64-year-old former economic security minister defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff vote, breaking a political glass ceiling in a country that consistently ranks low on global gender equality indexes.

While her victory positions her to become Japan’s first female prime minister, the path forward is far from guaranteed. The LDP recently lost its parliamentary majority, and the collapse of its coalition with Komeito has left the party vulnerable to opposition maneuvers. To formally assume the premiership, Takaichi must secure enough support in the National Diet, where opposition parties are now exploring a unified front to block her appointment.

Takaichi, known for her conservative views and strong stance on national security, faces the dual challenge of restoring public trust in the LDP while navigating a fractured political landscape. Whether she can translate her historic leadership win into the prime minister’s office will depend not only on her party’s resilience but also on the shifting alliances within Japan’s parliament.


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