I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! I’m just wrapping up my quick trip to Japan, as it has been a fun but exhausting week (between jet lag and staying at four different hotels). I know I haven’t written about my individual hotel experiences yet, but that’s because I plan to publish
One Mile at a Time•Ben Schlappig19 Sept
Not even Japan is immune to scalpers ruining the fun for everyone
A massive crater on Mars’ moon Phobos may hide a dense region of compressed material that could reveal whether the moon is a captured asteroid or debris from an ancient impact on Mars. Japan’s upcoming MMX sample return mission could provide the measurements and physical evidence needed to solve the mystery.
ScienceDaily19 Sept
It’s the world's biggest sporting event, held every four years – the 20th edition of Asian games is starting in Japan. Organisers came under pressure even before competition began… as thousands more athletes and officials registered to take part than initially expected. Story by Charlotte Lam.
NAGOYA, Japan: The 20th Asian Games open in Nagoya on Saturday, with organisers on the defensive after a string of operational gaffes and logistical problems in the buildup to the massive, multi-sport event. Five years after the Tokyo Olympics played out at empty venues due to COVID-19 restrictions, Japan will welcome fans to a glittering opening ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium from 6 p.m. (0900 GMT). The local organising committee will hope the ceremony comes off without a hitch and can deliver some positive momentum for the Games following a slew of complaints from athletes and officials involving accommodation and transport. Japan's reputation for precision and efficiency has been under scrutiny as the nation welcomes more than 11,000 athletes from 45 nations and regions competing for 369 gold medals in a whopping 43-sport programme. Instead of building a dedicated Games village, organisers have the athletes and officials staying in a mix of hotel rooms, temporary wooden containers and a cruise ship docked in the bay as a cost-cutting measure. Several national team delegations, including hosts Japan, have found the arrangements below par, complaining of mix-ups and double-bookings, while South Korea said the containers at Garden Pier were too cramped for their basketballers. General view inside the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya, Japan ahead of the opening ceremony. (Reuters) India's powerful cricket board took matters into their own hands, arranging for the men's star-studded cricket team to stay in a separate hotel due to a tight allocation of beds from organisers. Delegations have also lamented long waits for the athletes registering on arrival and have found buses turning up late or sending their athletes to the wrong venues. The Olympic Council of Asia, which runs the quadrennial Games, acknowledged the problems on Saturday but played them down as teething difficulties. "From what I've seen, the local authorities here have been solving any issues that are happening, and I think now that everyone is settled, everything is hopefully being on track," OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani told reporters. Organisers may hope the opening ceremony directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi can draw a line under the troubled buildup. Its theme, "Harmonic Heart Beat", is intended to communicate Asian solidarity at an event often riven by geopolitical tension and historic grudges. Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Blue Impulse aerobatic team performs during a demonstration flight to commemorate the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. (Reuters) However, hopes for a peaceful Games have already been undermined by several incidents even before the event opens. Taiwan's delegation temporarily refused to participate in their welcoming ceremony on Friday after sports minister and former Olympic champion Lee Yang was blocked from attending it. The South Korean men's hockey team were upset when North Korea's national anthem was played at the stadium before a match instead of their own. While competitions for basketball, soccer and other sports have already started, the first gold medal will be won on Sunday, likely in the triathlon. A high-class swimming competition kicks off in Tokyo on Sunday, with the programme featuring China's 100 metres freestyle world record holder Pan Zhanle and 13-year-old sensation Yu Zidi. Apart from traditional Olympic sports, the Games will stage regional favourites kabaddi and sepak takraw along with quirky, modern events. Esports will award medals again after making its debut at Hangzhou, while teqball, a mix of table tennis and soccer, and "virtual taekwondo" will make their first appearance at the Games.
Fewer births and worsening labour shortages are placing mounting pressure on Japan’s social care system.
Al Jazeera19 SeptOpening with a two-night run at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, this large-scale tour spans East Asia, making stops in Seoul, Hong Kong, Fukuoka, and Taipei.
SixTONES' "Dance Forever" is at No. 2.
Koror, Palau: The United Arab Emirates has joined the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as a Strategic Partner, marking a new chapter in the UAE’s longstanding relationship with Pacific Island nations and building on years of close cooperation. The decision was confirmed at the PIF Leaders’ Retreat, held as part of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Koror, Palau. The UAE joins 12 other Strategic Partners of the Forum: China, the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, India, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea and the European Union. The announcement follows the participation of Noura bint Mohamed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, on behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, held from 30 August to 4 September 2026 in Koror. The UAE’s recognition as a Strategic Partner reflects its longstanding ties across the Pacific, including cooperation with Small Island Developing States in renewable energy, climate resilience, education, and sustainable development. Strategic Partner status will provide a platform for closer engagement with PIF member states, opening new opportunities for trade, investment, and business partnerships, while expanding knowledge exchange in areas such as the energy transition, digital transformation, connectivity, and climate resilience. Reflecting on this milestone, Al Kaabi said: "This recognition builds on years of close cooperation with the nations of the Pacific, grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to sustainable development. This new chapter in our partnership holds particular significance for the UAE and reflects the strength of the relationships we have developed across the region. We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum and its members in the years ahead, advancing our shared priorities for sustainable development and prosperity across the Pacific.” Omar Shehadeh, Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Caribbean and Pacific States, added: "Our engagement with the Pacific has always been guided by the vision and directives of our wise leadership. Strategic Partner status creates new avenues for collaboration with Pacific nations, strengthening connectivity and working towards our shared goals for a more resilient and prosperous future.”
Douglas Seiler painstakingly sourced papyrus and reed pens from Egypt and traditional lampblack ink from Japan, then paid some high school students to inscribe the papyrus with lines from Star Wars and the Bible and a quote from the '60s sci-fi TV show The Outer Limits.
Using data from the Japan-led XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) observatory, astronomers have directly observed a giant star’s outflow, called a stellar wind, being captured by its compact companion and providing the power source for strong X-ray flares. The research is part of NASA’s exploration of the extreme universe to better understand how the […]
The bulky, googly-eyed devices have become a hit among tourists, many of whom stopped to take photos.
Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, highlighted the UAE’s growing record of achievement at the Asian Games as the country prepares for its 13th appearance at the continental sporting event. The 20th Asian Games, which open tomorrow in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, run until 4 October. More than 11,000 athletes and 6,000 coaches and officials from 45 countries will take part in 16 days of competition. His Highness Sheikh Mansoor said the achievements of Emirati athletes over the years have become part of the UAE’s sporting history and continue to inspire new generations. “Our sporting achievements are a source of pride and reflect the dedication of our athletes and the support they receive from a leadership that has provided every opportunity for them to succeed and excel,” His Highness said. The UAE made its Asian Games debut in Bangkok in 1978 and has since built a medal tally of 60 across 11 sports, comprising 12 gold, 21 silver and 27 bronze medals. The UAE delegation comprises 165 athletes – 117 men and 48 women. Picture credit: GDMO The country won its first Asian Games medal at Hiroshima 1994, when Mohammed Al Qubaisi took silver in the individual bowling competition. At Doha 2006, Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the first Emirati woman to win an Asian Games medal, securing silver in karate. His Highness Sheikh Mansoor said these milestones helped establish the UAE as a consistent presence on Asian Games podiums and encouraged subsequent generations of athletes. More than half of the UAE’s 60 medals have been won at the last two editions of the Games, reflecting the improvement in the country’s competitive performance. He also highlighted the growth in women’s participation, with 48 female athletes competing at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, compared with 38 at Hangzhou 2022. The UAE delegation comprises 165 athletes – 117 men and 48 women – competing in athletics, swimming, taekwondo, padel, football, esports, equestrian, cycling, archery, rowing, sailing, fencing, golf, shooting, judo, modern pentathlon, triathlon, jiu-jitsu, rugby and weightlifting. The equestrian team will compete in show jumping and dressage. The UAE made its Asian Games debut in Bangkok in 1978 and has since built a medal tally of 60 across 11 sports, comprising 12 gold, 21 silver and 27 bronze medals. Picture credit: GDMO The UAE will make its Asian Games debut in modern pentathlon and padel. The rugby sevens team has been drawn alongside Sri Lanka, Singapore and the Philippines. The UAE football team has already begun its campaign, losing 3-1 to Iran in Group B, which also includes China and North Korea. Aichi-Nagoya 2026 features 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with 1,407 medals to be awarded across 469 events. It is the world’s second-largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympic Games. The opening ceremony will be held at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium under the slogan ‘Imagine One Asia’. This is the third time Japan has hosted the Asian Games, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
The pilot could revolutionize cross-border finance by reducing costs and time, paving the way for efficient digital-asset transactions globally.
CryptoBriefing•Vivian Nguyen18 Sept
During routine beach litter surveys on the subtropical island of Okinawa, Japan, researchers came across small, brightly colored specks in the pale coral rubble. Back at the lab, spectroscopic and microscopic analyses revealed that these specks are, in fact, melted polymers from common household plastics that have seeped inseparably into the skeletal pores of the dead coral pieces.
Organisers have apologised for playing the North Korean national anthem for the South Korean men's hockey team at the Asian Games in Japan.
BBC18 Sept
North Korea linked hacking group WaterPlum has compromised more than 30,000 devices across over 100 countries and regions, stealing information from more than 7,000 cryptocurrency wallets while targeting developers through fake recruitment campaigns. Japan’s National Police Agency said on Sept.…
Japan's busiest railway station is testing mobile robotic rubbish bins in Tokyo, with the aim of easing the workload of sanitation workers.
Euronews18 Sept
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared one of the first iPhone 18 Pro teardown videos , offering a look inside the new device. iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max feature a smaller Dynamic Island, which Apple achieved by moving Face ID's infrared camera under the display in the top-left corner. The pixels above the infrared camera have a special pattern that lets infrared light pass through, yet the screen looks completely normal at typical viewing angles. The teardown shows the repositioned infrared camera, plus other changes like the larger 48-megapixel main camera with variable aperture. The model in the video has a physical SIM card tray, meaning it has a slightly smaller battery compared to eSIM-only models sold in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and select other countries. As expected , this model has a 4,056 mAh battery capacity. We are still waiting for a teardown of the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which is expected to have a Qualcomm cellular modem , such as the Snapdragon X80 or the Snapdragon X85. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro uses Apple's C2 modem worldwide, as does the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all other countries beyond the U.S., according to Apple. Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro Tags: Dynamic Island , Teardown Buyer's Guide: iPhone 18 Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPhone This article, " iPhone 18 Pro Teardown Reveals How Apple Shrunk the Dynamic Island " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
SBI Digital Practice and Kyobo Life completed a cross-border pilot that directly converted yen-linked test tokens into won-linked tokens. The trial examined whether stablecoin infrastructure could reduce delays, conversion steps, and costs in institutional transfers. SBI and Kyobo Test Direct Yen-Won Settlement Cross-border institutions could eventually move funds between Japan and South Korea without routing […]
Bitcoin.com News•Kevin Helms18 Sept