Japan Election 2026: Sanae Takaichi Poised for Landslide Win Despite Record Snowfall 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Nicaragua Ends Visa-Free Entry for Cubans, Disrupting Key Migration Route to the U.S. 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Israel Approves West Bank Measures Expanding Settler Land Access 
Bosnian Serb Presidential Rerun Confirms Victory for Dodik Ally Amid Allegations of Irregularities 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy 
Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party Wins Thai Election, Signals Shift Toward Political Stability 
Ghislaine Maxwell to Invoke Fifth Amendment at House Oversight Committee Deposition 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Trump Congratulates Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi After Historic Election Victory 
Antonio José Seguro Poised for Landslide Win in Portugal Presidential Runoff 
Trump Administration Appeals Court Order to Release Hudson Tunnel Project Funding 
Michelle Obama’s Spotify-exclusive podcast premiered this week, with her husband, former president Barack Obama as her first guest. During the podcast, the former first lady seemed to take a light jab at Donald Trump, with her introduction to her husband.
The Independent reports the Obamas talked about their life in quarantine, along with the current situation in the United States, with the fight to combat systemic racism as well as the ongoing pandemic. Both the former president and former first lady took a jab at Trump without mentioning him directly, and Michelle referred to her husband as someone who is aware of and reads history.
“As a former president who reads and knows history, as that person, you understand the arc of progress,” said Michelle, who then told listeners to pause and think about the current political climate in the US today.
“We are moving towards more inclusivity, more openness, more we-ness, it’s not an easy trajectory, it is bumpy and it is uncomfortable, and that’s how change happens,” said the former first lady.
The former president also weighed in on the current situation, expressing how the danger that today’s generation is facing, paired with the pandemic and the protests to end systemic racism, is “that they become too deeply cynical in government. Not understanding that all government is us collectively making decisions together.” Mr. Obama then noted that the situation has to worsen before it can get better through people finally figuring out how to overcome the current challenges.
Meanwhile, the former first couple’s production company, Higher Ground, has received seven nominations for its projects in the upcoming 2020 Emmys, which were announced Tuesday. The seven nominations were under two of their documentaries, titled American Factory and Becoming. American Factory, which is a look into a Chinese factory that is based in Ohio, received Emmy nods in direction, picture editing, and cinematography. Becoming, the documentary named after Michelle’s book that looks into the first lady’s life and work, received Emmy nominations for direction, cinematography, music composition, and outstanding documentary.
American Factory previously won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature back in February.
