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Sanae Takaichi was reappointed as Japan’s prime minister on Wednesday after Parliament approved her second Cabinet, days after her party’s sweeping election victory, AP reported. All ministers are expected to retain their posts as she begins her new term.

According to AP, her ruling Liberal Democratic Party now controls a two-thirds supermajority in the powerful lower house, giving it the ability to override the upper chamber and fast-track legislation. Takaichi has pledged to expand military capabilities, increase defense spending and review restrictions on weapons exports. She also supports tougher immigration rules, male-only imperial succession and traditional family policies, while opposing same-sex marriage and a dual-surname system for married couples.

AP wrote, at the same time, she faces mounting pressure to tackle rising prices and stagnant wages. She has proposed a temporary sales tax cut on food to ease living costs, though economists warn her spending plans could add to Japan’s heavy public debt.

On foreign policy, Takaichi is preparing for talks with US President Donald Trump and has taken a firm stance toward China, including comments about Taiwan that have drawn criticism from Beijing. Analysts say her decisive election win could embolden a more hawkish regional approach in the months ahead.

An avalanche struck a group of backcountry skiers near Lake Tahoe during a powerful winter storm. Rescuers saved six skiers and nine are still missing. 

According to AP, the 15-member group was touring near Castle Peak when the snow slide hit. Authorities received a 911 call reporting people buried under snow. Teams from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office pushed through deep snow and dangerous conditions to reach the site. Two of the rescued skiers were taken to hospital.

The expedition was led by Blackbird Mountain Guides. Emergency beacons helped crews to locate survivors. Heavy snowfall and strong winds had triggered avalanche warnings across the Sierra Nevada.

A senior US official on Tuesday revealed what he said were new details of an underground nuclear test blast that China allegedly conducted in June 2020, Reuters reported. 

Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw told an event at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington that a remote seismic station in Kazakhstan measured an “explosion” of magnitude 2.75 located 450 miles (720 km) away at the Lop Nur test grounds in western China on June 22, 2020.

“I’ve looked at additional data since then. There is very little possibility I would say that it is anything but an explosion, a singular explosion,” said Yeaw, adding that the data were not consistent with mining blasts, according to Reuters. 

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 500 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 300, 500 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 301, 900 per tola on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 4, 880 per tola.

Tension ran high in Banepa, Kavrepalanchowk after a scooter rider died after being hit by a tipper, on Wednesday.

Police said that the tipper hit the scooter this morning. 

The identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.

Following the incident, the angry mob set the tipper on fire. 

As a result, vehicular movement along the Araniko Highway has been disrupted. 

Nepal beat Scotland by seven wickets in a Twenty20 World Cup Group C dead rubber in Mumbai on Tuesday as the Himalayan side signed off from the tournament with a memorable victory, Reuters reported.

Both teams were already packing their bags after the West Indies and England had sealed progress to the Super Eight, but that did not stop Nepal’s fans from turning up in numbers to create a party atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium.

Chasing 171 for their first victory of the tournament, Nepal got there with four balls to spare thanks to Dipendra Singh Airee’s explosive unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, according to Reuters. 

Galatasaray delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday to dismantle 10-man Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff, with Noa Lang and Gabriel Sara starring in a scintillating display, Reuters reported. 

The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute when Brazilian Sara struck a thunderous long-range shot that left goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio with no chance.

However, Juventus equalised almost instantly when Teun Koopmeiners reacted quickly after Pierre Kalulu's header was saved by Ugurcan Cakir, converting the rebound in the 16th minute, according to Reuters. 

Champions League holders Paris St Germain overcame a horror start and a two-goal deficit to beat 10-man Monaco 3-2 away in the first leg of their knockout round playoff tie on Tuesday, Reuters reported. 

Desire Doue came off the bench to engineer an impressive turnaround for PSG, who conceded a goal in the opening minute and were 2-0 down after 18 minutes as Folarin Balogun grabbed a double for the hosts.

The 20-year-old Doue replaced Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who went off injured after 27 minutes, and proved decisive for the visitors as he struck two superb goals plus set up one for Achraf Hakimi, according to Reuters.