1. The race to lead Japan’s main ruling Liberal Democratic Party has officially kicked off. Five lawmakers filed their candidacy papers on Monday morning in the hopes of succeeding Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru. Here are the candidates: Former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki, the party’s former Secretary-General Motegi Toshimitsu, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa, former Economic Security Minister Takaishi Sanae, and Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro.
2. US President Donald Trump has appealed to conservative supporters for solidarity at a memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot and killed during a campus event at a university in the western state of Utah on September 10, allegedly by a 22-year-old male. Kirk was a leading inspiration for pro-Trump MAGA youth.
3. Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have officially recognized Palestine as a state. Their announcements on Sunday came while the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to further deteriorate.