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Recent articles highlight two major food trends: McDonald's expanding its value menu with significant discounts, and New York's rising popularity of handheld pastries like patties and empanadas. These shifts reflect a focus on affordability, cultural fusion, and sustainability in the food industry, with stories from the US, UK, and Hong Kong illustrating diverse consumer preferences today.
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Recent incidents include disruptive passengers on flights from Hong Kong, Costa Rica, and Saudi Arabia, as well as crew health emergencies causing delays and diversions. Airlines are increasingly addressing passenger misconduct and crew safety, with some agreements beginning to compensate ground time.
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Global markets gained as investors anticipate the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month. Asian stocks hit new highs, while Wall Street remains near record levels amid signs of slowing inflation and expectations of monetary easing. Economic data continues to influence investor sentiment today, Thursday, 18 September 2025.
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As of mid-September 2025, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers face mixed fortunes. Tesla's sales in China have declined for six consecutive months, losing market share to domestic rivals like Xpeng and Xiaomi, which offer more affordable, feature-rich models. BYD, the largest Chinese EV maker, is expanding aggressively in Europe with new showrooms and local production to offset slowing domestic growth. Meanwhile, startups like AeroHT are pioneering flying cars, signaling innovation beyond traditional EVs. However, intense price wars and overcapacity continue to pressure profitability across the sector.
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China's military activities in the Taiwan Strait have increased, including the passage of its new Fujian aircraft carrier and heightened patrols. Beijing asserts Taiwan as part of China and opposes external interference, while Taiwan and the US emphasize peaceful resolution and regional stability. The situation reflects rising regional tensions.
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Chinese visitors to Japan surged in 2025, driven by a weaker yen making high-end shopping and cultural experiences more affordable. Over 6.7 million visited in the first eight months, with wealthier travelers spending more on luxury goods, wellness, and cultural stays, especially in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hokkaido.
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Recent data highlights shifts in global travel, with UAE travelers influenced by AI-driven marketing, Chinese outbound travel surging during holidays, and Nepal experiencing a sharp decline in Chinese visitors due to protests. These developments reflect evolving consumer behaviors and geopolitical impacts on tourism.
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President Trump and Xi Jinping held multiple calls this week, signaling efforts to stabilize relations. They discussed trade, TikTok, and upcoming in-person meetings at the APEC summit. While progress was reported, key issues like TikTok's ownership and trade tariffs remain unresolved amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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Chinese GPU startup Moore Threads received approval for an IPO on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, aiming to raise 8 billion yuan ($1.12 billion). The company, founded in 2020 by ex-Nvidia executive Zhang Jianzhong, seeks to boost domestic AI chip development despite US sanctions and geopolitical tensions. The IPO was approved in just 88 days, reflecting China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency.
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Hong Kong hosts the World’s 50 Best Bars awards, with Bar Leone ranked No. 1, marking a historic first for Asia. The city also sees new bar openings, immersive dining experiences, and a vibrant event week, highlighting its rising prominence in the global cocktail scene.
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China is developing underwater data centres, including a new facility in Hainan, as part of its digital infrastructure push. Meanwhile, the US and UAE accelerate their data centre expansion, raising environmental and technological concerns. The US leads in AI partnerships, challenging China's ambitions in the industry.
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Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th, defeated Novak Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters semi-final, marking the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 finalist ever. He then faced his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final, winning in a remarkable family showdown. The victory propels Vacherot into the top 50, amid questions about Djokovic's declining dominance.
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Amid rising economic and health challenges, small business owners and individuals are taking action. A Maine bakery owner offers free meals to those affected by SNAP cuts, while entrepreneurs in Chicago and Shanghai navigate supply chain issues. A woman in the UK shares her recovery from alcohol dependence, highlighting broader societal issues.
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Markets worldwide gained amid easing trade tensions after the US confirmed a meeting with China’s Xi. Major indices in Asia and the US approached record highs, boosted by positive economic data and hopes for a potential trade deal, despite ongoing uncertainties.
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Tensions between Japan and China have intensified following Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan's potential attack, prompting China to reimpose a seafood import ban and issue travel advisories. Diplomatic and economic retaliations threaten regional stability and trade relations.
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As of December 1, 2025, Airbus has completed software updates on the vast majority of its 6,000 affected A320-family jets worldwide following a recall triggered by a JetBlue flight incident in late October. The fix, primarily a rollback to earlier software versions, addresses data corruption caused by intense solar radiation affecting flight controls. Most aircraft are back in service, with fewer than 100 still pending updates.
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An Indian woman, Pem Wang Thongdok, was detained in Shanghai during a layover en route to Japan, after Chinese authorities claimed her Indian passport was invalid due to her birthplace, Arunachal Pradesh, which China considers Chinese territory. She was held for 18 hours before being allowed to leave, escalating tensions amid ongoing border disputes.