Japan has appointed its first woman prime minister, marking a historic political shift in a country long dominated by male leadership. Lawmakers elected Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, ending a three-month leadership gap following the resignation of former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba. Takaichi, a veteran member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is known for her socially conservative views, including support for male-only imperial succession and opposition to same-sex marriage. While she has pledged to expand women’s participation in government, her initial Cabinet lineup includes ju

U.S. President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, signalling reluctance to approve Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles. The talks focused on military aid and the ongoing war with Russia, as Kyiv continues to seek advanced weapons to bolster its defence. The meeting followed a lengthy phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier, during which the two discussed the conflict in Ukraine. While Trump had recently indicated a willingness to consider missile sales, he appeared to scale back exp

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem says the central bank will take a cautious approach as it resumes formal economic forecasting later this month, acknowledging the need for “humility” in the face of continued trade uncertainty. The Bank of Canada is expected to release its next economic outlook alongside an interest rate announcement on October 29 its first full forecast this year. The central bank paused detailed projections earlier in 2025, citing unpredictable global conditions tied to U.S. tariffs and shifting trade relations. Speaking from Washington, D.C., where he is attending th

A Montreal resident has pleaded guilty to making death threats against Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and his family. Court records show that 42-year-old Philippe Clément-Laberge entered the plea on Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse. The threats were reportedly made in early March 2024, prompting a police investigation that led to his arrest shortly afterward. St-Pierre Plamondon publicly addressed the incident last year after news of the threats surfaced, saying he was concerned for his family’s safety but expressed confidence in the justice system’s response. The cas

The British Columbia government has approved plans to rebuild Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam, nearly two years after a fire destroyed the original building. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma announced Friday that a new, 240-seat school will be constructed on the same site where the blaze occurred in October 2023. The province says the $39-million project will be developed through an accelerated model designed to shorten construction timelines, marking what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind approach in B.C. Ma said the school’s loss was deeply felt across the commu

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will move ahead with new border security and public safety investments as part of the upcoming federal budget, including hiring 1,000 additional Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. According to the announcement, the new officers will focus on curbing the movement of stolen goods, illegal firearms, and drugs, while enforcing import measures and investigating unfair trade practices. The government also plans to increase the CBSA recruit stipend from $125 to $525 per week the first raise since 2005 to attract and retain new recruit

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce says the provincewide teachers strike is starting to take a toll on businesses as it enters its ninth school day. Chamber president Doug Griffiths said while the organization remains neutral in the dispute, many employers are struggling with staff absences and reduced customer traffic. “It’s impacting everyone,” Griffiths told reporters Thursday, adding that many parents are staying home to care for children affected by school closures. About 51,000 teachers represented by their union walked off the job on October 6, leaving roughly 740,000 students out o

The head of the International Monetary Fund says Canada remains in one of the strongest fiscal positions among G7 countries, even as Ottawa prepares to run a higher deficit this year. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva made the remarks Thursday during the organization’s annual meetings in Washington. Asked about the fiscal health of advanced economies, she said some G7 members face deeper challenges, while “Germany and Canada stand up in that regard.” Georgieva added that Canada has room to make targeted investments in areas that could boost productivity and long-term growth. She

An Ontario Provincial Police investigation into cross-border drug and weapons trafficking has led to the seizure of more than 70 illegal handguns from a tractor-trailer stopped in northern Ontario. Police say the truck was pulled over at a Ministry of Transportation inspection station near Temiskaming Shores on September 11, following an eight-month probe that began in the Greater Toronto Area. Officers reportedly discovered 72 U.S.-made handguns and 66 prohibited devices during the search. Investigators believe the shipment originated in Toronto and was part of a larger network involved in co