A dominant result for the ruling party Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set for a commanding victory after snap elections, with early estimates showing her ruling bloc securing a two-thirds majority in the lower house. Media projections suggest the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) alone could win around 300 of the chamber’s 465 seats, a dramatic jump from its previous tally and its strongest showing since 2017 under former prime minister Shinzo Abe. The result could even give the LDP a supermajority without relying on coalition partners. LDP secretary general Shunichi Suzuki said voters had endorsed Takaichi’s “responsible and proactive”…
Author: Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 20 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. She earned her degree in Political Science and Journalism from Stanford University. Throughout her career, she has contributed to outlets such as MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Known for her thorough reporting and compelling storytelling, Rachel delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and global developments.
Gigafactory Plans Put on Ice Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has dropped plans to build major electric vehicle battery plants in both Italy and Germany, citing weaker-than-expected demand for EVs across Europe. The decision affects proposed gigafactories in Termoli, Italy, and Kaiserslautern, Germany, projects that have been in limbo since 2024. Italy’s metalworkers’ union UILM said ACC management confirmed the worst fears during talks on Saturday, making clear that both sites have now been definitively shelved. Slower EV Demand Forces Rethink ACC, which counts Stellantis among its backers, acknowledged that the conditions needed to restart the projects are no longer in…
Pressure Builds to Enforce Tough Emissions Standards A group of US lawmakers is urging the European Union not to weaken its methane emissions rules, warning against giving special treatment to American oil and gas producers unless US standards meet the EU’s level of accuracy and enforcement. In a letter seen by Euronews, 24 members of Congress argue that the bloc’s methane regulation is vital to curbing pollution and preventing the wasteful flaring or venting of natural gas. Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that traps far more heat than carbon dioxide over the short term, is a major contributor to climate…
Tech Weighs Heavily on Wall Street Wall Street moved sharply lower on Thursday after Alphabet shares dropped more than 4%, pulling major indexes into the red and unsettling markets beyond equities. The S&P 500 fell 1.2%, marking its sixth loss in seven sessions since reaching a record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 606 points, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.5%. Alphabet was the biggest drag despite posting quarterly profits that beat expectations. Investors focused instead on the company’s warning that capital spending could nearly double this year to about $180 billion (€152bn), far exceeding analyst forecasts. The surprise…
SpaceX and xAI Close the Valuation Gap Elon Musk’s business empire has taken on a new shape after SpaceX merged with artificial intelligence venture xAI, pushing the combined group’s valuation to $1.25 trillion (€1.06tn). The deal sharply narrows the gap with Tesla, now valued at about $1.58 trillion (€1.34tn), and marks a shift in where Musk’s wealth is concentrated. On paper, his stake in the space business now outweighs his holdings in the electric carmaker. The merger values SpaceX at $1 trillion (€847bn) and xAI at $250 billion (€212bn). It follows last year’s move in which xAI acquired social media…
Conflicting Details Surround Fatal Attack Libyan media outlets have reported that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed near the city of Zintan in western Libya. According to the reports, he was attacked and killed by four individuals, though specific details about how the incident unfolded remain unclear. Advisers Confirm Death, Questions Remain Abdullah Othman, Saif al-Islam’s political adviser, confirmed the death in a brief statement posted on Facebook, offering no further information about the circumstances or the identities of those involved. His French lawyer, Marcel Ceccaldi, told AFP that the attackers have…
“At Last, the Truth Is Coming to Light”Dr. Gerhard Podovsovnik on the Full Senate Hearing of February 3, 2026 Abu Dhabi Times:Dr. Podovsovnik, on February 3, 2026, a full hearing of the U.S. Senate on Nazis and Swiss banks will take place. Why is this hearing historic from your perspective? Dr. Gerhard Podovsovnik:Because, for the first time, what has been known for decades but systematically suppressed is being openly stated at the highest parliamentary level of the United States: Swiss banks collaborated extensively with the Nazi regime.This hearing marks the point at which decades of denial, trivialization, and stonewalling can…
President Donald Trump said he plans to reduce U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, down from 25%, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil. The move follows months of pressure from Washington, which has argued that India’s purchases of discounted Russian crude help bankroll Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Trump also said India would begin lowering import taxes on U.S. products to zero and commit to buying $500 billion worth of American goods. Announcing the decision on Truth Social, Trump claimed the agreement would help bring an end to the war in Ukraine, which he said…
The United States has begun tentative discussions with Cuba, President Donald Trump said over the weekend, even as his administration ramps up economic pressure on the communist-run island by tightening restrictions on oil supplies. Speaking to reporters while flying to Florida on Saturday night, Trump offered few details but said simply, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba.” Pressure Campaign Targets Energy Supplies Trump’s comments come after a series of moves aimed at squeezing Cuba’s access to oil. In recent weeks, the US cut off shipments from Venezuela following the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro and moved to block oil supplies…
The United Nations is facing a serious financial crunch that could leave it unable to operate by midyear, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday, as unpaid dues from member states continue to pile up. Guterres said the organisation could run out of cash as early as July unless countries meet their financial obligations or agree to reform how the UN is funded. Unpaid Dues Push UN to the Brink At the heart of the problem are chronic delays and shortfalls in mandatory contributions. While more than 150 member states have paid what they owe, others have failed to pay in…
