Eels, those slippery and ancient creatures, are in big trouble. They are not just creepy-crawly things that make some people squirm. They are also a big deal in the world of sushi and seafood. But their numbers are dropping fast. Since the 1980s, some eel species have seen their populations shrink by over 90%. Why? Blame it on dams, pollution, climate change, and ove...
Japan is making big financial moves. The country is planning to sell more short-term bonds. This is to support a huge spending plan led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. It's the largest spending plan since Japan eased its pandemic rules. The government has approved extra funds. The total is 18. 3 trillion yen. Out of this, 11. 7 trillion yen will come from new debt...
ChatGPT recently celebrated its third birthday, and it's clear that this AI tool has become a significant part of daily life for many, especially Gen Z. It's not just a chatbot anymore; it's evolving into a go-to assistant for various tasks, including travel planning. This shift is making waves in the travel industry, where AI is moving from being a behind-the-scenes...
Japan's top bond dealers are pushing for a change in the government's bond sales strategy. They want more short-term notes, like two-, five-, and ten-year bonds. At the same time, they're asking for fewer super-long bonds to be issued. This shift comes as Japan's longer-term bonds have been under pressure. There's talk of more bond issuance under Prime Minister Sana...
Jazz enthusiasts in San Diego have a lot to look forward to this holiday season. The Jacobs Music Center is hosting a special event celebrating John Coltrane's iconic 1958 album "Blue Train. " This concert features Brian Levy on tenor sax and includes Gilbert Castellanos on trumpet. The show starts at 6:30 p. m. , with the Young Jazz Conservatory opening the performa...
In a recent phone call, former U. S. President Donald Trump advised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to ease tensions with China. This conversation came after a heated exchange between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Xi emphasized China's stance on Taiwan. Takaichi had previously stirred the pot by suggesting that Japan might intervene militarily ...
South Korea is making big moves in the world of digital money. Two of its largest tech companies, KakaoBank and Naver, are racing to create their own type of digital currency called stablecoins. These stablecoins would be tied to the Korean won, the country's official currency. This isn't just a competition between companies; it's a big step for South Korea to reduce...
Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital, has taken the top spot as the world's most populous city, according to a recent United Nations report. This change comes not just from a sudden population explosion, but from a new way of counting urban populations. The report, released on November 18, estimates Jakarta's population at around 42 million people. That's a lot! To...
Taiwan is making a major investment in its defense. The country's president, Lai Ching-te, has announced a special budget of $40 billion. This money will be used to buy weapons and build a strong air defense system called the Taiwan Dome. The plan is to spend this amount over the next eight years, from 2026 to 2033. This big spending plan comes as Taiwan faces growi...
In a recent phone call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the topic of Taiwan resurfaced, marking a shift from their earlier discussions. This time, Xi Jinping brought up Taiwan's status, linking it to historical alliances and post-World War II agreements. He emphasized China's claim over Taiwan, framing it as a crucial part of the international order established a...