Erika Kirk Elected CEO and Chair of Turning Point USA After Charlie Kirk’s Death

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Turning Point USA has unanimously elected Erika Kirk, the widow of the group’s founder Charlie Kirk, as its new Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. The decision comes in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.

Turning Point USA released a statement noting that Charlie had previously told executives that, in the event of his death, Erika should succeed him. The board expressed pride in honoring those wishes. “Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests,” the statement read.

Erika Kirk has vowed to carry on her late husband’s work, characterizing his legacy as something that must endure. She emphasized that the organization will continue to pursue its mission to mobilize young Americans under conservative causes. Turning Point USA added that the attempt to end Charlie’s work will instead make its mission more powerful and more lasting.

In the aftermath of his death, the organization has also prepared for a public memorial service, scheduled for September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where prominent political figures will speak. As Erika steps into her new role, Turning Point USA appears focused on maintaining continuity and reinforcing its presence in political youth engagement, especially as support among conservative students has surged since the founder’s passing.

Erika Kirk, 36, previously engaged in the organization’s work and has become a central figure in advocating for its values. Her election reflects both the board’s confidence in her leadership and a broader strategy to sustain Turning Point USA’s influence during a period of grief and transition.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Resigns, Leaving Liberal Democratic Party at a Crossroads

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Jiji Press via AFP

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his decision to resign this week, a dramatic development that threatens to reshape the nation’s political direction at a critical time. Ishiba’s resignation, confirmed by national broadcaster NHK, stems from internal divisions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and growing dissatisfaction over his leadership style.

A seasoned politician known for his expertise in defense and security, Ishiba took office with promises of revitalizing Japan’s economy and strengthening its regional standing. However, his administration struggled to deliver significant reforms, while factional rivalries within the LDP deepened. Reports suggest Ishiba chose to step down preemptively to prevent the party from splintering further ahead of upcoming leadership elections.

The resignation leaves Japan at a moment of political uncertainty. The LDP has long dominated Japanese politics, but leadership changes often set off waves of instability and short-lived administrations. A leadership contest is expected soon, with several key figures including younger, reform-minded politicians emerging as potential successors.

Domestically, Ishiba’s departure raises questions about Japan’s economic trajectory. The country continues to grapple with sluggish growth, labor shortages, and demographic decline. Policy continuity will be critical to maintaining investor confidence, yet a new prime minister may prioritize different reforms, from tax policy to immigration.

Japan’s leadership vacuum also carries consequences for international relations. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific particularly with China’s growing military assertiveness, Tokyo’s role as a U.S. ally and regional stabilizer becomes more crucial. Ishiba was known for advocating stronger defense policies, including expanding Japan’s military capabilities within constitutional limits. His successor’s stance will be closely watched in Washington, Beijing, and beyond.

Meanwhile, Japan’s relationships with neighboring countries such as South Korea and Taiwan could also be influenced by the leadership transition. A prime minister who prioritizes diplomacy may seek to ease tensions, while a hardliner could adopt a more confrontational stance against China.

Porsche Shares Slide as Carmaker Delays EV Rollout Amid Weak Demand and Rising Competition

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: Osmond Chia, Getty Images

Porsche’s stock plunged more than 7% on Monday, extending losses triggered by the company’s warning last week that delays in its electric vehicle (EV) rollout will weigh heavily on 2025 earnings. Parent company Volkswagen also saw shares tumble more than 7%, as it pledged to spend billions of euros to overhaul Porsche’s product line.

The setback underscores mounting challenges for European carmakers, who are struggling to balance the costly transition to electrification with slowing consumer demand and intensifying competition from Chinese automakers.

In a statement issued Friday, Porsche slashed its projected profit margin from as much as 7% to as low as 2%, citing “US import tariffs, the decline in the Chinese luxury market, and the slowdown in the ramp-up of electric mobility.”

The company confirmed it will delay the launch of its newest EVs and extend production of combustion engine models, despite the European Union’s 2035 deadline to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

In a major strategic shift, Porsche said that an upcoming line of sport utility vehicles, originally planned to be fully electric, will instead debut with combustion engines and plug-in hybrid options. Current models such as the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan will continue to be sold with non-electric variants well into the next decade.

Porsche’s caution reflects broader strains in the European automotive sector. Luxury rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have also been cutting costs in recent months, seeking to maintain profitability in the face of shrinking margins.

Manufacturers have urged Brussels to ease ambitious emissions targets, arguing that the pace of regulatory change is unrealistic given weakening market demand and the high cost of electrification.

Chinese brands like BYD and XPeng are compounding the pressure. With China’s EV market locked in a price war, average vehicle prices have dropped by nearly 19% over the past two years, to around 165,000 yuan ($23,190). Many international automakers, including Porsche, have struggled to keep pace with these aggressive competitors.

The latest announcement marks a significant retreat from Porsche’s earlier ambitions. The company unveiled its first electric concept car, the Mission E, in 2015, positioning itself as a potential leader in high-performance EVs. But nearly a decade later, demand has cooled, forcing the carmaker to recalibrate.

“Exchanges and cooperation are a short cut to peace,” said Lee. “By gradually expanding inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, we will pave the way for sustainable peace on the Korean peninsula.”

While Porsche insists it remains committed to electrification in the long term, the near-term pivot signals that hybrid and petrol-powered models will remain central to its strategy even as the industry moves toward a zero emissions future.