Japan‘s prime minister is a heavy metal music fan. She loves motorcycles and playing the drums, including with visiting dignitaries. She thrilled a nation that often fetishizes company loyalty by declaring that her secret for success as leader would be “ work, work, work, work, work. ”
This charismatic combination, along with an image that is both tough and playful, has made Sanae Takaichi very popular, something exceedingly unusual for recent prime ministers in Japan, where her political party, which has led Japan for most of the last seven decades, has struggled mightily.
In stark contrast to the long line of often elderly men who’ve run Japan over the decades, Takaichi’s popularity is rooted in her support by younger people. They affectionately use her nickname, “Sana,” closely follow her fashion, her choice of stationery and her favorite food — steamed pork buns. Polls show her Liberal Democratic Party, despite deep-rooted problems, is now poised to make big gains in Sunday’s vote in the lower house of Parliament, thanks to Takaichi.
This would allow her to take the country in the direction of her hawkish, deeply conservative mentor, the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and beyond.
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The Associated Press takes a look at the first woman to lead Japan as prime minister.
She worked her way up from the middle class
Born in Nara, Japan’s ancient capital, Takaichi was raised by conservative parents who taught her prewar moral values. Her mother was a police officer and her father worked at a machinery maker.
As a child, she enjoyed listening to her parents recite an 1890 imperial document that praises paternalistic family values and loyalty to the government, Takaichi said in 2012.
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Though she was admitted to prestigious Tokyo schools, her parents made her attend Kobe University while living at home, something that was normal then for unmarried daughters of conservative families.
She was briefly an intern for a U.S. Democratic lawmaker in Denver in the late 1980s and, after returning to Japan, worked as a television personality, an author and a critic.
She’s known for her straight talk
Takaichi is unique because she both speaks her mind and is seen as easygoing, said Izuru Makihara, a University of Tokyo politics expert.
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“Takaichi is highly regarded, especially by women and younger generations who strongly feel stuck and hopeless,” he said.
She was elected prime minister by Parliament in October, and her first weeks were marked by a hawkish comment on a possible Chinese military action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own territory, that angered China by deviating from past strategic ambiguity.
She struggled in male-dominated politics, but is not a feminist
She was first elected to Parliament in 1993 after defying her parents’ opposition. Some voters insulted her as “a little girl,” she said in 2023, recalling that first campaign as a 32-year-old.
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“In those days, women who were not considered old enough were unwelcome,” she said. She also faced groundless allegations of being a mistress of a senior politician, and criticism — often from women — for wearing heels, flashy jewelry and short skirts.
“I am who I am,” Takaichi said. “The only way to prove myself is with the work I do.”
She supports the imperial family’s male-only succession and opposes same-sex marriage as well as amending the 19th-century law requiring married couples to have the same surname, under which most women are pressured into abandoning theirs.
Feminists are not happy and say Takaichi’s leadership is a setback for Japanese gender equality.
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But Riho Shimogomi, a 43-year-old office worker, said that when she looks at Takaichi’s policies, “her being a woman doesn’t matter. … I think she has strong leadership skills and charisma.”
Following Abe’s policies while pushing even further to the right
As Abe’s protégé, Takaichi has echoed his nationalistic views, defending Japanese wartime actions, pushing for greater military capability and spending, as well as more patriotic education, and the promotion of traditional family values.
She rose quickly through the ranks during Abe’s leadership and was given ministerial and party posts.
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After Abe stepped down and backed her as “the star of the conservatives,” Takaichi ran for the LDP leadership race twice, in 2021 and 2024, both unsuccessfully, before finally winning the top job in October, replacing Abe’s rival — centrist Shigeru Ishiba.
Takaichi has reappointed some of Abe’s top advisers as lieutenants and is expected to push Japan even further to the right on security, gender and immigration if she makes gains in Sunday’s election.
A workaholic who’d rather be in the office than socializing
Takaichi has admitted she doesn’t like drinking parties and would much rather study at home, though she tried to socialize more to build connections with colleagues after her two unsuccessful leadership bids.
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After being elected as LDP leader, Takaichi asked her party members to “work like a horse” and said she would forget her “work-life balance” and “work, work, work, work and work.” These phrases became buzzwords, but some found them uncomfortable in a country known for long hours and overwork.
Analyzing her daily schedule during her first three months in office, the Kyodo News Agency reported last month that she was largely “holed up” in the official residence or her office. She had no dinner appointments with political or business leaders in the first month in office, the Mainichi newspaper said.
Strict but lighthearted
Her strictness can be linked to her mother. One time when Takaichi returned to Nara and complained about being tired because of her work, her mother slapped her in the face, she said, scolding her for griping about a path she’d chosen for herself.
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At her mother’s funeral in 2018, Takaichi said her mother slapped her even after she was appointed a government minister, according to Nobumitsu Nagai, a local television executive who described Takaichi’s funeral speech as “not formal and filled with affection for her mother. … I felt she has inherited that strictness.”
But there’s also a playful side.
Years earlier when Takaichi found out that they attended the same elementary school in Nara, she asked Nagai if he remembered the school song, and they sang it together.
“While she gives out a strong impression of being right wing and a hawk, I realized she also has a (playful) side like that,” he said.
For instance, Liberia, Africa’s oldest republic, was founded by freed black American slaves in 1822. After Ghana became independent in 1957, a wave of black intellectuals and artists moved there from the US. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali subsequently paid high-profile visits to Ghana, while Guinea became home to Black Panther leader Stokely Carmichael.
All tenants are expected to be contacted over the next few weeks to advise of their new rent charges and what they need to do
The Housing Executive has announced its annual rent increase which will take place on April 6.
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The increase will see rents go up by 4.8% which will equate to a rise of £3.94 on the average weekly rent. According to the department, the weekly rent is currently currently £82.04, excluding rates.
All tenants are expected to be contacted over the next few weeks to advise of their new rent charges and what they need to do.
Chief Executive Grainia Long said: “Rent from our tenants is a vital funding stream that is invested straight back into our homes and tenant services. It enables us to provide essential high-quality customer and neighbourhood services as well as ongoing maintenance of our homes and significant improvement work.
“In 2026/27 we plan to spend circa £270million on improving and maintaining our homes, with more than a quarter of our homes being upgraded with work programmes.
“Importantly £42.3million of this will go to installing new energy efficient measures to make our homes warmer and future proof them for many years ahead. We understand that an increase in rent may be concerning and challenging for some tenants and we are here to help.
“Our dedicated financial inclusion team can provide, free, confidential money advice, help you to manage a budget and check your benefit entitlement. We encourage any tenant who is having difficulty paying their rent, to contact us immediately for assistance and advice. We would also reassure tenants that we will only take legal action incircumstances where rent is not fully paid and a tenant refuses to engage with us.
“We have included details of how to get in touch and the help available in our letter to each tenant.”
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81% of Housing Executive tenants receive full or partial Housing Benefit support or Universal Credit towards their rent.
Grigg’s study showed a tight-fitting FFP2 mask led to less air pollution in the blood, but “we’re not saying that everyone should wear a mask”, says Grigg, adding some clinically vulnerable people including those “recovering from a heart attack or have chronic respiratory disease” might benefit while in areas of high pollution.
The Coronation Street star will fly back to the UK for further tests this weekend
Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard reveals she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Callard, best known for her role as Liz McDonald, said she is in the “early stages” and will be going ahead with further treatment before returning to the screen.
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The actress is soon to join the Irish soap Fair City as a new character named Lily, long-lost mother of existing character Gwen Connolly. She found out the news just 20 minutes before having to film one of her first scenes.
She told RTE’s Late Late Show on Friday: “I’ve had some tests just before I left the UK, and literally, 15, 20 minutes before I was in my dressing room at Fair City, getting ready to go on, and I was quite nervous and thinking, ‘I hope everybody thinks I’m all right’, whatever.
“And my consultant rang me and said, ‘you’ve got to come back to the UK’ I said, ‘Well, I can’t possibly, I’ve just taken a new job’. I said ‘I’m away for a month’, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
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“But I’m fine, I’m absolutely fine. My head was a bit mashed for the first few days. It’s very early stages, and I’m along with thousands of other women as well.
“It’s early stages, I travel back to the UK tomorrow, just for a couple of weeks, they’re going to test lymph nodes and lymph glands and all that. But then I need an operation and some radiotherapy, and then I’m coming back to Fair City, so I will be back in just a few weeks.”
She added: “I just thought, the world is full of strong, feisty women and I love strong, feisty women, and I just thought, rather than read about it in a newspaper and it all be distorted and everything else, I just said it, so that’s it.”
Callard and her husband are set to move to Co Wicklow as she is filming the soap. After acting in Corrie from 1989 to 2020, Callard said she was looking forward to her first appearance on Irish soap Fair City, which will hit the screen on February 19.
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Elland Road. It is safe to say the weather is pretty miserable in Leeds this evening. Here is a reminder of the teams:
The Late Late Show featured Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Lisa McGee on Friday night with viewer reactions divided over the guest selection
Rob Currell and Thomas Telford
22:20, 06 Feb 2026Updated 23:08, 06 Feb 2026
The Late Late Show made its return this evening, with the guest line-up once more sparking conversation for less than ideal reasons.
Irish actress Saoirse-Monica Jackson appeared on The Late Late Show this week, where she spoke about her breakthrough in Derry Girls, her latest part in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast and the wedding ceremony that turned into a viral sensation.
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She also spoke about how her Northern Irish heritage remains central to her identity and revealed exciting developments fans can look forward to from her this year.
Award-winning writer Lisa McGee, the creative force behind Derry Girls, also joined the studio to discuss her latest series, the comedy-thriller How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.
She spoke about how her upbringing in Northern Ireland continues to influence her work and why she thinks Derry Girls became such a worldwide success across its three series, reported Galway Beo.
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Comedian Gearóid Farrelly stopped by to recount tales from his touring experiences – from supporting Joanne McNally to headlining his own performances. He also looked back on how Dancing with the Stars introduced him to an entirely fresh audience.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for viewers to voice their opinions.
One commented: “More rubbish guests time for bed and cocoa, can’t wait to see what Beverley Callard has to say, she’s always a great guest!” Another disappointed viewer commented: “Imagine! ! Someone from another RTE show on the LLS. Why did they never think of that before? Oh wait! They did last week. And the week before. And every week. RTE people all interviewing each other. It’s called public service broadcasting.”
A third viewer urged people to “turn off your televisions. Depression on a screen.”
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A fourth person questioned what they perceived as the absence of male guests, stating: “the amount of male guests on the programme is striking!”.
Additional guests on Friday evening included Beverley Callard, best known for portraying Liz McDonald on Coronation Street. She joined Patrick to talk about her choice to accept a part on Ireland’s premier soap, Fair City.
Prior to her first appearance in Carrigstown, Beverley offered an exclusive preview of what audiences can anticipate from her character, explained why she’s approaching this new phase with such enthusiasm and discussed how she’s been adapting to life in Dublin.
Majella O’Donnell had an intimate conversation with Patrick regarding her mental health challenges that resulted in a 10-week hospital admission for depression and the tremendous support she’s experienced since publicly sharing her journey.
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Additionally on Friday’s programme, Hothouse Flowers marked 40 years in the music industry. The band reminisced about four decades of touring and delighted viewers with not one, not two but three special performances.
Beverley Callard has revealed her cancer diagnosisCredit: RTEThe 68-year-old played Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald in CorrieCredit: ITV
Beverley – who starred on I’m A Celebrity in 2020 – has been told she will have to undergo an operation and radiotherapy.
She is also returning to the UK this weekend for tests to check the cancer has not spread.
Beverley told RTE’s Late Late Show, hosted by Patrick Kielty, on Friday: “I’ve had some tests just before I left the UK, and literally, 15, 20 minutes before I was in my dressing room at Fair City, getting ready to go on, and I was quite nervous and thinking, ‘I hope everybody thinks I’m all right’, whatever.
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“And my consultant rang me and said, ‘you’ve got to come back to the UK’.
She started her new role as Gwen’s long-lost mother Lily in Fair City last month with plans to move over to Co Wicklow with her husband.
Speaking about being offered the part she told RTE: “I got asked to do it almost a year ago now, and I said, ‘Oh I don’t know if I can do another soap, I don’t know whether I should do that’.
“And they said, ‘well, just have a look at it’.
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“In the UK it’s quite difficult to get and so I was watching it on my computer, and I just became addicted to Fair City and I just thought, this is fantastic.
“The editing is so good. The scripts are amazing. Got my husband to have a look at it. And I said, ‘I can’t say no to this’.”
She insisted: “Listen I have worked out my whole life and I have been working my ass off, literally.”
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Beverley furiously hit back at skinny jab rumoursCredit: Instagram
How to check your breasts
It is important to regularly check your breasts for any changes.
Breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbone and across to your armpit, so it’s vital to check these areas too.
If you feel or see any changes in your breast you should always consult your GP.
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Charity CoppaFeel! recommends checking your breasts monthly, so you can pick up on any changes quickly.
Breasts do change naturally as part of your monthly menstrual cycle, so you should get to know your breasts, how they feel and what changes they usually go through to know if anything is out of the ordinary.
Five-step check
There is a five-step self exam you can do at home to check for any changes.
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Step one: Begin by looking in a mirror, facing it with your arms on your hips and your shoulders straight. You should be looking for any dimpling, puckering, bulging skin, redness, soreness, a rash or changes in the nipple.
Step two: Still looking in the mirror, raise both arms above your head and check for the same changes.
Step three: With your arms still above your head, check for any fluid coming from the nipples. This can include milky, yellow or watery fluid, or blood.
Step four: While lying down use your opposite hand to check each breast. Using a few fingers, keeping them flat and together, go in a small circular motion around your breasts. Make sure you feel the entire breast by going top to bottom in these small circles. It helps to develop a system or pattern to make sure every inch is covered. Use light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle of your breasts, and firm pressure to feel the tissue at the back, feeling down to your ribcage.
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Step five: Feel your breasts while either standing or sitting, using the same small circular motion.
The music legend was due to perform in Manchester this summer
Neil Young has announced the cancellation of his European tour this year which included a gig at Heaton Park this summer.
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Glastonbury headliners Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts were due to perform at the Eden Project on June 17 as part of their 2026 UK and European leg of the Love Earth World Tour. They were also due at a sold-out gig at Heaton Park on June 19.
However, the music legend announced today (February 6) that the tour will no longer be going ahead, axing the Eden Sessions show where they were going to be supported by Elvis Costello.
Neil Young shared the following statement earlier: “Folks, I have decided to take a break and will not be touring Europe this time.
“Thanks to everyone who bought tickets. I’m sorry to let you down, but this is not the time. I do love playing LIVE and being with you and the Chrome Hearts.”
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Sharing the news on Facebook, Eden Sessions said: “We’re sorry to share that Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts will no longer be touring Europe this year. This means that regrettably the Eden Sessions show on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, is cancelled.”
It said ticket purchasers will be contacted directly and will be fully refunded against the original payment card used.
Those who purchased tickets directly through the Eden Sessions should allow ten working days for funds to be received, there is no need to contact them.
Those who purchased through the Neil Young Archive will be contacted directly by AXS regarding their refunds.
The Pentagon said Friday it is cutting ties with Harvard University, ending all military training, fellowships and certificate programs with the Ivy League institution.
The announcement marks the latest development in the Trump administration’s prolonged standoff with Harvard over the White House’s demands for reforms at the Ivy League school.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement Friday that Harvard “no longer meets the needs of the War Department or the military services.”
“For too long, this department has sent our best and brightest officers to Harvard, hoping the university would better understand and appreciate our warrior class,” Hegseth said. “Instead, too many of our officers came back looking too much like Harvard — heads full of globalist and radical ideologies that do not improve our fighting ranks.”
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In a separate post on X, Hegseth wrote, “Harvard is woke; The War Department is not.”
Starting with the 2026-27 academic year, the Pentagon will discontinue graduate-level professional military education, fellowships and certificate programs, the statement said. Personnel currently attending classes at Harvard will be able to finish those courses.
The military offers its officers a variety of opportunities to get graduate-level education both at war colleges run by the military as well as civilian institutions like Harvard.
Broadly, while opportunities to attend prestigious civilian schools offer less direct benefit to a servicemember’s military career than their civilian counterparts, they help make troops more attractive employees once they leave the military.
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Harvard has long been Trump’s top target in his administration’s campaign to bring the nation’s most prestigious universities to heel. His officials have cut billions of dollars in Harvard’s federal research funding and attempted to block it from enrolling foreign students after the campus rebuffed a series of government demands last April.
The White House has said it’s punishing Harvard for tolerating anti-Jewish bias on campus.
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The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Mega Clearance Outlet, described as “the North East’s largest discount clearance centre”, opened its doors on Friday, February 6, at Tofts Farm Industrial Estate in Hartlepool.
The new store, run by STW Clearence, will offer huge savings and discounts on a wide variety of items, from everyday essentials such as toilet rolls to sofas.
It opened the doors at 10am, welcoming shoppers keen to snap up goods at discounted prices.
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Posting on social media following the launch, the STW Clearance team said they were “blown away” by the response.
The Facebook post said: “What an incredible opening day at Mega Clearance Outlet.
“We were blown away by the amazing turnout and are so thrilled to welcome so many of you into our warehouse.
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“Thank you for the support, the smiles, and the buzz – you made our opening one to remember.”
Videos from the opening day show a huge turnout of shoppers snaking around the store.
The clearance centre offers a wide range of products, including furniture, homeware and everyday essentials such as toilet roll, with the company operating on a “once it’s gone, it’s gone” basis.
Bargain hunters who missed the opening day can also visit this weekend, with the outlet open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm.
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The post added: “If you missed out, don’t worry, we’re open all weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm.
“Come down and grab a bargain, with everything from furniture and homeware right through to everyday essentials like toilet roll. There really is something for everyone.”
In the run-up to the opening, the owners teased various pictures and videos on social media, stirring up a lot of excitement from customers eager for a discount.
Since the launch, customers have already been posting on social media about how happy they are with their purchases.
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One person said: “Over the moon with our purchases this morning. Had a great time and very friendly staff.”
While another commented: “This looks amazing, can’t wait to have look this weekend.”
The outlet is located at Tofts Farm Industrial Estate, next to Hartlepool Borough Council offices, and joins a growing number of businesses operating on the site.
