Japan has a new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female leader in 78 years of democracy. Takaichi, a conservative stalwart, was parliament-selected, not popularly elected, and she became Japan’s fourth prime minister in five years. The paradox is stark: Japan is the fourth-largest economy in the world, a global industrial powerhouse where one in every 12.5 cars is made in Japan, yet societal norms remain rigid. Japanese women are among the most educated globally, yet face pressures to conform to traditional roles — prioritizing marriage, motherhood, and domesticity over leadership or ambition. Feminists worry that Takaichi’s conservative stance may reinforce the patriarchal status quo, rather than empower women. Symbolically, she breaks the glass ceiling; substantively, change may be limited. So why does Japan produce so many brilliant, capable women but so few in power? This story unpacks the tension between economic might, gender equality, and cultural inertia.

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In an interview with HT, analyst Uzair Younus explains why U.S. President Donald Trump is pursuing closer ties to Pakistan. Younus, sitting down with Shashank Mattoo, explains that the Trump administration wants Pakistan’s help on the Middle East and on critical minerals.
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What if foreign policy didn’t hide behind spies, coups, or covert operations, but came wrapped in a MAGA cap? Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, all bear witness to a bold new U.S. strategy. Javier Milei has visited Trump four times in ten months, nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, and received a $20 billion lifeline. Jair Bolsonaro, though barred from running, still gets Trump’s open endorsement, while Venezuela’s María Corina Machado becomes a focal point for sanctions, international praise, and even military pressure at sea.Trump’s playbook is clear: public praise, implicit threats, and ideological signaling replace covert meddling. The rhetoric is sharp, leftist opponents are framed as dangerous, conservative allies celebrated, and entire elections subtly influenced from Washington. Is America still using fear to shape governments or has it just made the process more unapologetic, louder, and impossible to ignore? Where once spies pulled the strings in secret, now an unashamed president wields influence like a spotlight, shaping politics across continents.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pvOtdvtHiB8

In this exclusive interview, former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his top aide, Nripendra Mishra, opens up on the defining decisions that shaped India’s economic and political landscape, from the rollout of GST to the contentious demonetization drive. Mishra reveals how Modi approaches decision-making, the inside story behind demonetization, and why the Prime Minister sees digitisation and Aadhaar as India’s biggest governance successes. This candid conversation offers rare insights into the mind of India’s leader, through the words of the man who worked closest with him.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Iezglsh0zDA

Global protests have erupted across Italy, Germany, Mexico, and other countries as public opinion shifts sharply against Israel over its actions in Gaza. Once widely seen as a victim, Israel now faces growing international criticism and condemnation, with many accusing it of disproportionate force and civilian harm in the conflict.

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Ukraine is fighting a war with a shortage of weapons and now, it wants to sell weapons. President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine is ready to export its homegrown arms to Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East. But why would a country still under attack sell its own weapons abroad? Is this a desperate attempt to fund its war, or a strategic move to build a long-term defense industry? In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta unpacks the economics, politics, and strategy behind Zelensky’s bold new plan. From battlefield-tested drones and missiles to the moral dilemma of selling while fighting, this is a story about how modern wars are no longer just fought on the frontlines but also negotiated in markets and boardrooms. Can Ukraine turn its war into a business? Or is this the start of a new arms race in Europe?

Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is a leader whose legacy sparks intense debate. Despite peace initiatives, the decision to lead UK into the Iraq War, tailing America, did not go down well with citizens and diplomats alike. Now, decades later, Blair is expected to a major role in governing postwar Gaza, according to US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace framework. This association rekindles controversy, as both local Palestinians and Hamas have publicly rejected his involvement, citing his past actions and the broader implications of international oversight over Palestinian affairs. But how does Tony Blair fit into Trump's proposal? In this episode of HT In-Depth, we delve deeper into Blair's politics and his ties to the Middle East in the past two decades. Watch this video to find out the realities behind Blair's involvement in the Gaza plan.

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The EU has refused President Trump’s call for tariffs on India and China over Russian oil, stressing independence in trade policy and unveiling a landmark 19th sanctions package on Russia. In this conversation between HT's Aayesha Varma and Former EU Trade Negotiator John Clarke, listen in to insights about EU trade policy and much more as U.S. pressure escalates and India remains resilient.INTERNATIONAL NEWS #Europe #RussiaSanctions #Trump #India #EnergyCrisis #EUIndiaTrade #JohnClark #GlobalPolitics #UkraineWar #EconomicPolicy