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Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba vows to stay on after bruising election defeat

Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba vows to stay on after bruising election defeat

Time of India3 days ago
TOKYO: Japanese Premier
Shigeru Ishiba
vowed to remain in his post on Monday after his ruling coalition suffered a bruising defeat in upper house elections, prompting some in his own party to doubt his leadership as the opposition weighed a no-confidence motion.
The embattled prime minister told a news conference he would remain in office to oversee tariff talks with the United States and other pressing matters, such as rising consumer prices that are straining the world's fourth-largest economy.
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"I will stay in office and do everything in my power to chart a path toward resolving these challenges," Ishiba said, adding that he intended to speak directly with US President
Donald Trump
as soon as possible and deliver tangible results. Analysts say his days may be numbered, however, having also lost control of the more powerful lower house in elections last year and shedding votes on Sunday to opposition parties pledging to cut taxes and tighten immigration policies.
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"The political situation has become fluid and could lead to a leadership change or the reshuffling of the coalition in coming months," said Oxford Economics' lead
Japan
economist
Norihiro Yamaguchi
.
Investors fear Ishiba's administration will now be more beholden to opposition parties advocating for tax cuts and welfare spending that the world's most indebted country can ill afford.
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The 68-year-old leader said he had no plans to expand his coalition but would work with opposition parties to address voter concerns about inflation. He cautioned, though, that tax changes would not deliver the immediate help households need. Markets in Japan were closed for a holiday on Monday, although the yen strengthened and
Nikkei futures
rose slightly, as the election results appeared to be priced in.
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Germany: Would compulsory military service hurt the economy?
Germany: Would compulsory military service hurt the economy?

Time of India

time34 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Germany: Would compulsory military service hurt the economy?

AI- Representative Image The German economy cannot cope with young people first completing mandatory military service, and only then entering the labour force, Steffen Kampeter of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA) told the Financial Times. Are his concerns warranted? Germany got rid of compulsory service in 2011, through strictly speaking, it was not abolished but merely suspended. This suspension may be lifted for national defence needs — should the country be threatened or under attack. Since then, young men must no longer undergo medical examinations to determine their physical fitness for military service. But now, German defence minister Boris Pistorius has cautioned that Europe is facing a growing security threat. "According to the assessments of international military experts, it must be assumed that Russia will be in a position to attack a Nato state, or a neighbouring state, from 2029 onwards," Pistorius said last summer, speaking with the German daily Frankfurter Rundschau. Pistorius has promoted a range of measures to address this threat, including a proposal that would reintroduce a kind of compulsory military service. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo These measures would strike a balance between the current model of voluntary military service and selective service. Germany eager to strengthen its army The German military, or Bundeswehr, currently has about 181,000 active personnel. Its ranks are set to grow by over 10 per cent to 203,000 by 2027. The Financial Times reports that the German armed forces will need around 80,000 additional recruits over the next 10 years to meet its Nato commitments. In June, Pistorius announced plans to introduce a hybrid model of voluntary military service and selective conscription. It would see approximately 5,000 18-year-olds conscripted for basic service each year. If there are not enough additional volunteers to fill all positions, a return to compulsory military service could follow, Pistorius told the German weekly Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. The minister's proposed measures have been submitted to Germany's parliament, where a decision is anticipated "before the 2025 summer recess." The defence Ministry has said "this should significantly improve the operational readiness of the armed forces." Just how voluntary is this? Pistorius envisions a basic service that could have a duration of least six months, with a possible extension of up to 23 months. "Everyone can decide for themselves how long they want to serve in the military," his ministry stated on the matter. "Regardless of this, all other types of enlistment, whether as a soldier on temporary duty or as professional soldier, will continue to exist." The plan is to send a letter to all young people after their 18th birthday, with a QR code that would direct them to an online questionnaire. Those who complete the questionnaire and express a basic interest in serving will be invited for a medical examination. Young men will be required to complete the questionnaire, whereas for "women and persons of other genders, answering the questions is voluntary," according to the defence Ministry. Pistorius' plans to strengthen the army have received backing from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who told the public broadcaster ZDF that he was "in favor of compulsory military service." Steinmeier said Europe's tense security situation, Russia's war in Ukraine and the US government's stance on trans-Atlantic relations under president Donald Trump warranted the move. The BDA'S Kampeter agrees with the assessment, and told the Financial Times he thought Europe's "security situation is dramatic." And while he also believes that Germany needed "more active soldiers and to strengthen our pool of reservists," he said he felt that "only a strong economy can make that possible." Will conscription hurt the economy? DW spoke with the German economic institute (IW) in Cologne to determine how justified Kampeter's concerns were. "The effect of compulsory military service on the labor market depends on how many recruits are drafted, and how long they have to serve," said economist Holger Schäfer. "Drafting 20,000 recruits is unlikely to have much of an impact, but drafting an entire age group certainly would." Schäfer did not want to give his opinion on whether compulsory military service was sensible or even necessary, but added that "naturally, security aspects play a major role in this question." The Bundeswehr currently provides opportunities for young people to complete vocational training in skilled trades and academic fields, such as mechatronics or medical professions. But Schäfer said this is unrealistic, given that basic military service is too short "to typically complete vocational training." The new conscription model under debate does provide possibilities for extending one's service period, during which vocational training could be completed. This was the case when Germany had mandatory military service during the Cold War. This way, young people might enter the labour market later, but they would be fully trained, and able to counter the shortage of skilled workers. Mandatory or voluntary service? 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Masala believes that the German economy has recognized "that it must engage in some positive way with defence questions" and that ultimately, it must "accept this."

South Park Season 27 roasts Trump in wild premiere: Satan, lawsuits & desert PSAs
South Park Season 27 roasts Trump in wild premiere: Satan, lawsuits & desert PSAs

Time of India

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  • Time of India

South Park Season 27 roasts Trump in wild premiere: Satan, lawsuits & desert PSAs

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Raising children in the Gulf: What every expat family should know
Raising children in the Gulf: What every expat family should know

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Raising children in the Gulf: What every expat family should know

Gulf-based expat families navigate cultural values, schooling, and identity challenges while raising children in the region/Representative Image TL;DR: Parenting in the GCC as an expat comes with both privileges and pressures Key concerns include education, language, faith, and legal guardianship rules Countries like the UAE and Qatar offer expat-friendly policies and global schooling options Family life is generally safe and culturally rich, but adapting takes effort For millions of expat families across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait; parenting comes with a unique set of questions. How do you balance cultural integration with preserving your child's identity? What schools offer the best globally recognized curriculums? And how do local laws affect your rights as a guardian? 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In the UAE alone, there are over 200 private schools in Dubai offering British, American, Indian, IB, French, and other programs, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also expanded their private education sectors to meet expat demand. According to Oxford Business Group (2024), Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to increase private education enrollment from 14% to 25% by the end of the decade, creating more choices for expat families. Still, costs are high, particularly in the UAE where fees for international schools can range from AED 12,000 ($3267) to over AED 100,000 ($27225) annually. Parents are encouraged to compare accreditation, student-teacher ratios, and language support before enrolling. 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As for safety, the GCC consistently ranks among the safest regions globally, with very low violent crime rates. A Numbeo 2025 mid-year safety index placed Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Sharjah among the world's top 15 safest cities. This has allowed families to enjoy a lifestyle with frequent outdoor activities, mall outings, and community events, often with dedicated family-only zones. Building Support Networks: You're Not Alone Parenting as an expat can be isolating, especially when you're far from extended family. Many turn to expat parenting forums, local meetup groups, and school-based communities for support. Platforms like Internations, ExpatWoman, and Mumsnet UAE provide practical tips, while cultural centres and embassies often host events to keep children connected with their roots. Raising children in the Gulf as an expat is not without its challenges, but it also offers an unparalleled opportunity to raise globally minded, culturally fluent individuals. 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