Chile's new president, José Antonio Kast, has appointed Judith Marín, a staunch abortion opponent, as the country's women and gender equality minister. In Japan, Tetsuya Yamagami has been sentenced to life in prison for the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a case that has raised questions about political ties to the Unification Church. Meanwhile, Sydney Water has revealed that up to 12,000 food businesses may be illegally contributing to a massive fatberg in the city's sewage system.

Chile's Abortion Policy Shift

José Antonio Kast, Chile's far-right president-elect, has announced Judith Marín as his women and gender equality minister. Marín, known for her strong opposition to abortion, has expressed her belief in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. Her appointment comes amid a national debate on abortion laws, as Chile's congress considers a bill to decriminalize abortion in all circumstances up to the 14th week of pregnancy. Kast's cabinet, predominantly composed of right-wing members, reflects his anti-crime and anti-migration campaign platform. He emphasized that this cabinet is formed to confront a national emergency, rather than to maintain the status quo.

Sentencing of Shinzo Abe's Assassin

In Japan, Tetsuya Yamagami has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the shooting death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign event in July 2022. Yamagami, who cited revenge against Abe's connections with the Unification Church as his motive, pleaded guilty to the crime, which has sparked widespread discussions about the influence of the church in Japanese politics. Abe's assassination marked a significant moment in Japan's postwar history, given the country's low rates of gun violence. The prosecution described the act as unprecedented, and while they sought a life sentence, they did not pursue the death penalty, which is typically reserved for multiple homicides.

Sydney's Fatberg Crisis

Sydney Water has identified a potential crisis involving a massive fatberg in the sewage system, attributed to illegal discharges from food businesses. A secret report revealed that as many as 12,000 food outlets in the city's south-west may be contributing to the accumulation of fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) in the sewage system. This issue has been exacerbated by changes in Sydney Water's Wastesafe program, which has seen fewer inspections and a reliance on digital reporting. As a result, many businesses may be operating without the necessary grease control measures, leading to significant environmental concerns, including beach closures due to sewage contamination.

Wrap-up

These stories highlight significant political and environmental issues across the globe. In Chile, the appointment of a minister opposed to abortion raises questions about women's rights and health care. The sentencing of Shinzo Abe's assassin sheds light on the complex interactions between politics and religion in Japan. Meanwhile, Sydney's fatberg crisis underscores the challenges of managing urban waste and the need for stricter regulatory measures.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team