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In November 2025, UK battery electric vehicle (EV) registrations rose 3.6% year-on-year to 39,965, marking the weakest growth in nearly two years amid a 1.6% overall new car market decline. The government announced a £1.3bn extension of EV purchase grants and £200m for charging infrastructure, while planning a 3p-per-mile EV tax from 2028 to offset lost fuel duty revenue, sparking industry concerns about demand sustainability.
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The Enhanced Games, a controversial event allowing performance-enhancing drugs, has signed high-profile athletes like Fred Kerley and Ben Proud. Kerley's participation follows his suspension for doping-related issues, raising ethical and legal questions about the event's legitimacy and impact on sport integrity. The event is scheduled for May 2026 in Las Vegas.
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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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Tanzanian Alphonce Simbu won the men's marathon at the world championships in Tokyo, edging Eritrea-born Petros in a photo finish. Both finished in 2:09:48, marking Tanzania's first global marathon gold. The race was highly competitive, with extreme heat affecting many runners. Simbu's victory follows a close, dramatic finish after a grueling 42km race.
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Arab athletes won four medals at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, including a historic second-place finish for Salwa Eid Naser. Meanwhile, Egypt's Pyramids FC upset Saudi champions Al-Ahli in football, and the Saudi Pro League heats up with a key match between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad. The US topped the medal table, but Great Britain struggled, finishing without a gold medal.
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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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Since September 29, 2025, Asahi Group Holdings has faced a ransomware cyberattack disrupting its Japanese operations. The attack halted production at most of its 30 factories, suspended orders, shipments, and call center functions. Hacker group Qilin claims to have stolen 27GB of data. Asahi has no timeline for full recovery and postponed its earnings release scheduled for November 12.
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Multiple Asian films are gaining recognition at international festivals. Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand showcase diverse storytelling, from Japanese cinema's regional presence to Hong Kong's dark crime worlds and Thailand's genre-defying works. The festivals highlight regional talent and cinematic innovation today.
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Two stories from Japan highlight individuals with significant wealth from property and investments, yet leading modest lives. Koichi Matsubara, a Tokyo janitor, earns over 30 million yen annually from rentals but works a part-time job for health and purpose. Suzuki, a retiree, accumulated 35 million yen through extreme frugality, living simply and avoiding luxury. Both exemplify a lifestyle prioritizing independence and health over display, challenging stereotypes of wealth and success in Japan. Today's date & time: Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:48:30 +0100.
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Danilo Yavhushyshyn, a 21-year-old Ukrainian sumo wrestler known as Aonishiki Arata, defeated top Japanese wrestler Hoshoryu three months ago. He focuses on his sporting journey, training, and hopes to inspire Ukrainians amid ongoing conflict. He has gained recognition in Japan's sumo scene and aims to increase his weight and possibly obtain Japanese citizenship.
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The yen has fallen to an eight-month low of 153.27 against the dollar, driven by receding speculation of a near-term BOJ rate hike. Treasury Secretary Bessent declined to comment on the currency level but praised BOJ Governor Ueda's capabilities. The move reflects market expectations and policy signals as of October 16, 2025.
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Waymo, the US autonomous vehicle company, announced it will bring its fully driverless robotaxi service to London in 2026. The rollout will start with safety drivers and expand to full autonomy, working with UK regulators. This marks the first European deployment following its US success and UK investments.
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Remote work has accelerated post-pandemic, leading to increased 'workcations' and travel flexibility. Stories from travelers in Japan and China highlight how work-life balance is reshaping tourism, with hotels and co-working spaces adapting to this shift. The trend is expected to grow, impacting travel patterns worldwide.
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Austin, Texas, has emerged as the most affordable U.S. city for renters, with rents declining 7% year-over-year and only 16.5% of income spent on rent. This shift follows increased housing supply and policy reforms after pandemic-driven migration, contrasting with other major metros where rent-to-income ratios remain high.
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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs for Malaysia to attend ASEAN and APEC summits, plans to meet US President Trump, and emphasizes promoting the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' policy amid regional tensions and diplomatic sensitivities. She also refrains from visiting Yasukuni Shrine during the autumn festival to avoid diplomatic fallout.
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Yoshihide Suga's successor, Takaichi, 64, is Japan’s first female leader, promising a rightward shift with a focus on security, economic growth, and conservative social policies. Her election follows a turbulent political landscape, including a weakened LDP and regional security concerns, with her leadership likely to influence Japan’s domestic and foreign policies.
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Recent data shows UK inflation steady at 3.8% for September, below expectations, with food prices falling. Japan's inflation stayed at 2.8%, while euro area growth slowed to 0.9%. Central banks face pressure to adjust policies amid persistent price pressures.
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U.S. officials, including Hegseth, visited Japan to discuss increasing Japan's defense spending and military capabilities amid regional threats. Japan plans to raise its defense budget to 2% of GDP earlier than scheduled, with the U.S. supporting this shift. The talks also covered military cooperation and regional security concerns.
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Japan's new prime minister, Takaichi, and South Korea's Lee met at the Apec summit, emphasizing future cooperation despite historical tensions. Both leaders avoided contentious issues, focusing on economic and security ties amid regional challenges and US involvement. The relationship remains pragmatic but cautious.
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As of November 27, 2025, diplomatic tensions between Japan and China have intensified following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's statement that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan's survival and justify a military response. China condemned the remarks, accusing Japan of militarism and colonial aggression, while Japan advances missile deployments near Taiwan. Taiwan supports Japan's security measures amid ongoing Chinese military pressure.
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Shohei Ohtani secured his fourth career MVP award, leading the Dodgers to a second straight World Series title. The Japanese star hit 55 homers, returned to pitching after injury, and celebrated with his family and social media star dog. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge won his third consecutive AL MVP in a close race, highlighting his historic season.
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Japan has announced a ¥17.7 trillion stimulus package to boost its economy amid concerns over rising spending, a weakening yen, and market volatility. The package aims to increase GDP and support consumers, but critics warn it may strain Japan’s fiscal health and push debt levels higher.
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Recent remarks by Japan's new leader have heightened diplomatic tensions, prompting Chinese cruise ships and tourists to avoid Japanese ports and favor South Korea. This shift benefits South Korea's tourism industry but raises concerns about long-term regional stability.
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A UN report shows Jakarta has become the world's most populous city with 42 million residents, surpassing Tokyo. The shift results from new methodology and rapid urban growth in Asia, with Dhaka projected to become the largest city by 2050. Climate and migration are key drivers.
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In 2025, top athletes Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone dominated their events, setting multiple world records and winning major titles. Meanwhile, Australian sprinter Edward Osei-Nketia, now representing Australia, aims for Olympic medals in 2028, marking a significant shift in his career.
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A Japanese gardener who became a citizen shares insights on Japan's cultural significance, while Japan's political leadership emphasizes economic growth and international cooperation at key conferences, highlighting a focus on tradition and strategic global engagement.
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Takaya Tagawa, known for roles in 'The Last Emperor' and 'Memoirs of a Geisha,' died in Santa Barbara from stroke complications. His career spanned decades, with notable appearances in major films. He was also involved in martial arts development and faced legal issues in 2008.