Tokyo Surges,⁤ Yen⁢ Plummets Following Takaichi Victory Amidst Uneven Asian Market Performance

TOKYO – Tokyo’s Nikkei ⁢225 index ​soared 4.5 percent to 47,835.36 on Monday,​ while⁢ the Japanese yen weakened significantly, trading up at 149.84 yen against the dollar, from 147.45 yen. The market reaction follows the weekend victory of Sanae Takaichi in the Liberal Democratic ⁤Party’s leadership race, signaling a potential shift in economic policy.

The‌ gains in Tokyo contrasted with a mixed performance across other Asian markets. Singapore and Manila also saw increases, but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.5 percent to 26,995.12, and ‌both⁢ Sydney and Seoul‌ closed in negative territory.​ Shanghai remained⁣ closed for a holiday. The broader market sentiment was buoyed⁣ by Bitcoin reaching a new peak of $125,689 on Sunday.

The yen’s decline reflects ⁣expectations that Takaichi’s policies, which favor fiscal stimulus and a weaker yen to boost exports, will ⁣be implemented. This comes as global markets⁣ continue‍ to navigate uncertainty surrounding the ongoing⁤ US goverment shutdown, now entering its second week after senators rejected a ‍fourth funding fix proposed by President Donald Trump’s Republicans. Federal agencies have been​ without funding since Wednesday, disrupting public services and delaying ‍the release of ⁣key jobs data.

Despite‍ the shutdown, economists at‌ Bank of America believe the federal reserve is likely to cut rates at its next meeting at ​the end of the month, ⁤citing⁢ recent reports‍ indicating⁣ a slowing labor market. “It’s still likely that the shutdown will ‍end in relatively short order, allowing for the release of the September jobs report before the ​October‌ (policy) meeting,” they⁤ stated. Even a strong September payrolls report wouldn’t necessarily⁤ deter the Fed, ⁣with analysts anticipating “doves​ on the committee” will⁣ point ⁢to downward revisions in previous data. Fed chief ⁣Jerome Powell’s recent “dovish pivot” further supports this expectation.

Elsewhere, ​gold prices continued ⁣their‍ ascent, pushing past $3,924 and nearing $4,000 an ounce, ‍driven by ‍the US shutdown and⁣ anticipated rate cuts. Oil prices also rose, jumping⁣ more than one percent after OPEC+ agreed to a smaller-than-expected supply boost of 137,000 barrels⁢ a day.

Key figures​ at around 0230⁤ GMT:

* Tokyo -⁤ Nikkei 225: UP 4.5 percent at 47,835.36
* Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at‍ 26,995.12
* Shanghai – Composite: Closed for a holiday
* Dollar/yen: UP at 149.84 yen from 147.45 yen
* Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3455 ​from $1.3482
*⁣ Euro/pound: UP at ‍87.17 pence from 87.09 pence
*​ ‍⁤ Euro/dollar:‌ DOWN at $1.1728 from $1.1742 on Friday
* West ⁣Texas Intermediate: UP 1.5 percent at $61.78 per barrel
* ⁢ Brent North Sea​ Crude: UP 1.4 ​percent at $64.45 per⁤ barrel
* New York – Dow:⁣ UP 0.5 percent at 46,758.28 points (close)
* London -​ FTSE ⁤100: UP ​0.7 percent at 9,491.25 ⁣(close)

Mbappé Scores as Real Madrid Extend La Liga lead⁣ with Win Over Espanyol

Madrid, Spain – Kylian Mbappé found the net as Real Madrid defeated Espanyol‍ 2-1‌ at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, extending⁤ their lead at the top⁣ of ⁢La liga to five points over defending ⁣champions Barcelona.

Brazilian defender Éder Militão broke the deadlock‌ with a long-range drive into the top left corner. Mbappé then doubled Madrid’s advantage, finishing a move set up by Vinícius Júnior. Espanyol ​managed to pull one back, but Madrid ‌comfortably controlled ⁣the match.

Mbappé, ⁤who also scored twice⁢ from the penalty spot in Madrid’s Champions ⁢League victory ⁢over Marseille midweek,⁤ helped Alonso’s team maintain a 100 percent record across all competitions.

Jude Bellingham made a late appearance as a substitute, marking his first appearance ⁣as undergoing shoulder surgery in the​ summer. ⁢

“We can’t be doing any better,” ⁢Madrid defender Dani Carvajal told Real Madrid TV.‍ “The ⁤good thing is we’re getting better at playing in the way the coach wants, understanding the concepts and the ⁢results are coming with that.”

carvajal highlighted the team’s improved defensive solidity compared to last season, stating,​ “I think the performance was complete and we suffered very‍ little in a defensive sense.”

Espanyol have not beaten⁤ Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu since 1996 and arrived in the capital third in the league, but were outplayed by Los Blancos.

Elsewhere ​in La Liga,⁤ Levante secured a 4-0 win at Girona, who finished with nine ⁤men.Girona, who finished ​third ⁢in the 2023/24 campaign to reach the Champions ⁢League, are⁤ currently bottom of the league ​without a⁢ win. Coach Michel Sanchez acknowledged their ⁢struggles, saying, “After five weeks we​ are the worst ​team in the league and all ⁣we can do is work hard.”

New ‍Delhi Dialog Focuses on Sustainable Food Systems‌ for ‍South Asia

DHAKA, Sept 17, 2025 (BSS) – A high-level regional policy dialogue convened⁣ in‌ New Delhi, India, on ⁣Tuesday underscored the critical need to‍ strengthen food systems for⁤ sustainable progress across South ​Asia, where​ a notable portion of the ⁣population relies ​on agriculture ​and related ‍industries.

The dialogue, titled “Food Policy ‌for a Changing World: Lessons and Priorities for South Asia,” was‌ organized‍ by the International Food Policy Research Institute ‌(IFPRI) in‍ partnership with ⁤the Indian Council ⁢of Agricultural Research ‍(ICAR). It brought together senior policymakers, researchers, and development partners to address⁤ challenges posed by climate change, malnutrition, and demographic‌ shifts.

Professor S. Mahendra Dev, ⁣Chairman of the Economic Advisory ⁤council ⁢to the ⁣Prime⁤ Minister of India⁤ (EAC-PM), serving as the chief guest, emphasized​ the importance⁤ of maintaining focus ⁢on foundational agricultural⁢ priorities. “While we are focusing ‌on newer challenges like food⁣ systems, habitat, and nutrition, we should not⁤ forget that earlier priorities like agriculture growth linkages and rural investments remain critical. Governments‍ and the⁤ private sector must work together to reshape food systems⁣ that deliver ​affordable, healthy, and diversified diets,” he stated.

Dr. vinod K. ⁣Paul,⁣ Member ​of NITI Aayog, highlighted the importance ⁢of preconception health and nutrition for women in combating intergenerational malnutrition.‍ “If we truly want to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, we must act before pregnancy. Preconception health and nutrition for women can reduce growth restriction ​by up to 25%, and when coupled with later interventions, can cut childhood stunting ⁤by nearly half,” ⁢Dr.⁤ Paul explained.

Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director of IFPRI-South Asia, noted the significance of this year’s Global Food Policy Report, coinciding with IFPRI’s 50th anniversary. He identified climate change, persistent undernutrition, and the need for more diverse diets as three key challenges ⁤demanding urgent​ attention in the ⁣region.