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JP

Title: Sumo Wrestlers to Compete in London Tournament

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor October 16, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

LONDON, July 26 – A diverse roster of elite wrestlers will descend upon London next week for a five-day tournament showcasing‌ the sport’s global talent, beginning July 31st.The competition, held at the Copper box Arena, ⁤features athletes vying for coveted⁤ rankings ‌and olympic qualification⁤ points ahead of the Paris 2024 Games.

This tournament marks a crucial ⁤juncture for wrestlers aiming to secure their place on the international stage. With Olympic spots on the line and the world championships⁢ looming, the London event offers a high-stakes platform for athletes to demonstrate their prowess and climb the rankings. The competition will encompass freestyle‌ and Greco-Roman disciplines, ⁤attracting competitors from over 30 ⁢nations. Notable contenders include reigning world champions and Olympic medalists, alongside ⁤emerging stars hoping to make their mark.

Among the expected participants are American wrestlers ‌like Yianni Diakomihalis,a 2023 World Champion,and Tamyra ⁤Mensah-Stock,a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold⁤ medalist. ‍ European powerhouses ⁤such as France and Russia (competing‌ under a neutral flag) will ⁢also field strong teams.The event provides a key‍ opportunity for British wrestlers to compete on home soil and build momentum towards the Olympics.

“this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the vrey best of wrestling to a UK audience,” said British Wrestling‌ Association CEO Craig Simmons. “We’re thrilled to host such⁤ a prestigious event and provide our⁤ athletes with a platform to compete against the world’s elite.”

The tournament schedule ‍includes daily preliminary rounds ‍and finals, culminating in championship matches on August 4th. ⁢ Tickets are available through the British Wrestling Association website, and live streaming will be offered via United World Wrestling’s ⁢platforms.The ⁣event ⁢is sanctioned by united World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for the sport.

October 16, 2025 0 comments

Business

Exclusive: Japan’s Rakuten weighing US IPO of credit card business, sources say

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 15, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Rakuten Group Corp is considering an initial public offering⁢ (IPO) of ⁤its credit card business in the United States, potentially valuing the unit at more than $8.6 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The Japanese ‌e-commerce and fintech conglomerate is working with‍ advisors to explore a listing that could occur as early as next year, the sources said. ⁣An IPO would allow Rakuten to ‌unlock value ⁢from the fast-growing credit card division and fund further expansion in a competitive market. Rakuten’s credit card business, known for its rewards program and partnerships, has seen significant growth in ⁢recent years, fueled by ⁤increasing consumer ⁤spending and a shift towards digital ‌payments.The move comes as Rakuten⁣ seeks to streamline its operations and focus⁣ on core‌ businesses, following ⁢a period of investment in areas like mobile ⁤communications and fintech.

rakuten ‌is weighing a U.S. ⁣IPO to‌ capitalize on investor ‌appetite for high-growth fintech companies and potentially achieve a higher valuation than ‌it could in Japan,the sources added. The company aims‌ to leverage the U.S. market’s deeper pool of capital and broader⁤ investor base. The potential IPO could be one of the largest fintech listings in recent years, attracting significant attention from Wall Street.

The ‌credit ⁤card‌ unit’s revenue rose 18% to⁣ 256.8 billion yen ($1.7 billion)⁣ in the first half of 2024, according to Rakuten’s earnings report. It boasts over 21 million cardholders. Rakuten has not finalized the details of the IPO, including the size of the offering and the ‌exchange where it will be listed, and the plans could change, the sources cautioned. Representatives for⁢ Rakuten declined⁢ to comment.

October 15, 2025 0 comments

Business

Nikkei Stock Average rebounds for the first time in 3 days, makes an autonomous comeback; rises further due to Dutch ASML results | Reuters

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 15, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Nikkei Surges in ⁤Autonomous rebound,Erasing Recent Losses

Tokyo – The Nikkei Stock Average rebounded sharply Thursday,posting it’s first gain in⁣ three ⁣trading days and accelerating upward following strong earnings results from Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML. The benchmark index closed higher,driven by an autonomous ‌recovery despite earlier modest declines.

The rally signals renewed investor confidence in the Japanese ‍market following a period of uncertainty, impacting a broad range of sectors and possibly setting the stage for continued gains. The TSE’s positive performance comes amid global ⁣economic concerns ⁤and fluctuating market conditions, making the domestic upswing‌ particularly noteworthy.

Of the 33 industries tracked on the Tokyo Stock exchange (TSE), a considerable 30 experienced price increases,⁢ including prominent sectors like machinery,⁢ securities, nonferrous metals, and electrical equipment. Conversely, only three industries saw declines: rubber products, services, and shipping.

The TSE Growth Market 250 Index further bolstered the overall positive trend, rebounding to rise 2.62% to 741.5 points.‌

In the TSE prime market, a critically important majority of stocks participated in the rally, with 1,409 stocks advancing (87%), while 179 stocks declined (11%) and⁢ 27 remained unchanged (1%).Notably, ⁣the index had briefly been down 2-3% earlier in the session before reversing course.

October 15, 2025 0 comments

World

Yen Set for Steep Drop: Intervention Possible if it Reaches 160

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor October 10, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

Tokyo – Japan could intervene in foreign ⁢exchange markets if the yen approaches 160 against the U.S. dollar, a former Bank of Japan (BOJ) official warned, signaling growing concern over the currency‘s recent sharp decline. The yen⁤ has weakened⁣ significantly this year, hitting a 34-year ⁣low, fueled by the widening interest rate differential between Japan and the united States.

The potential for ‌intervention ⁣comes as a weaker yen increases import ⁤costs for Japanese businesses and consumers, impacting the world’s third-largest economy. While the BOJ has maintained its ultra-loose monetary policy, the Federal Reserve is ⁤expected to delay interest rate cuts, ‌further exacerbating the yen’s depreciation. Any⁣ intervention would likely aim to stabilize ⁣the currency and prevent further economic strain,though the effectiveness of such measures remains a subject of debate among economists.

Naoki‌ shirakawa, who served as BOJ governor from 2011 to 2013, stated in a speech on Thursday that intervention would be considered if the yen were to fall to around 160 per dollar. Shirakawa emphasized that intervention should be a temporary measure and coordinated with other countries to ‌maximize its impact.

The yen was trading at 155.73 per dollar as of 10:18 a.m.in Tokyo. Japanese authorities have previously intervened in the currency market, ‍most recently in 2022 to counter a sharp yen decline.Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has⁢ repeatedly stated that Japan will take “appropriate measures” against excessive currency volatility, without explicitly mentioning intervention.

October 10, 2025 0 comments

World

Takaichi’s jab at BOJ independence may face political reality check

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor October 9, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

Takaichi‘s Criticism of BOJ Independence ⁢Draws Scrutiny Amid Political ⁢Realities

TOKYO,October 26,2023 – A recent pointed critique of the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) independence by economic security minister Sanae Takaichi is facing a potential reality check as political headwinds ‍mount,raising questions about the feasibility of considerably altering the ⁢central bank’s policy framework. Takaichi’s remarks, suggesting the BOJ should prioritize government ⁤economic goals, have sparked debate and concern among economists ⁢and market participants who value the BOJ’s ‍operational autonomy.

the ⁣comments come at a sensitive time, as the BOJ maintains its ultra-lose monetary policy despite rising global‌ interest rates and increasing inflationary pressures in Japan.⁤ While Takaichi’s stance aligns ‍with a faction⁣ within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) advocating ‌for closer coordination between fiscal and monetary policy,‌ analysts suggest a‌ direct challenge to the BOJ’s independence coudl face resistance from within the party and broader political establishment, potentially hindering any substantial policy shift. the stakes are high, impacting not only Japan’s economic⁤ trajectory ‍but‌ also global⁢ financial markets sensitive to any alteration in the BOJ’s long-held‍ monetary stance.

Takaichi stated on tuesday that the BOJ should be “more mindful” of ⁣the government’s economic policies, a sentiment echoing concerns that the current monetary easing is hindering wage growth and exacerbating the impact of rising import ⁣costs. She argued that the BOJ’s primary focus should be supporting the government’s efforts to stimulate the economy and achieve sustainable‌ growth.

However, several LDP lawmakers have publicly defended ‌the BOJ’s independence, emphasizing the⁣ importance of insulating monetary policy from short-term political pressures. ⁤Former BOJ Governor Masaaki⁣ Shirakawa cautioned against any attempts to undermine the central bank’s ‍autonomy,warning that it could erode market‍ confidence and destabilize the ‍financial system. “The⁣ BOJ’s‍ independence is crucial for maintaining price stability and ensuring the credibility of monetary policy,” Shirakawa said in a recent interview.

The debate underscores a growing tension within the LDP regarding the appropriate level of coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities. while Prime Minister Fumio ‌Kishida has generally supported the BOJ’s current policy,⁤ he also faces ⁤pressure from within his party to address the economic challenges facing the country. The ⁢coming months will likely see increased scrutiny of the BOJ’s policies and a continued discussion about the optimal balance between independence ‍and coordination.

October 9, 2025 0 comments

World

Russian strikes on Ukraine’s gas will reverberate across Europe

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor October 8, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

Russian Strikes on Ukraine ⁢Gas Infrastructure Threaten European Supply, Price Volatility

KYIV, Ukraine, March ⁤22 ‌ – Russia launched a wave of missile and⁣ drone strikes targeting ⁣Ukraine’s gas infrastructure Friday, inflicting significant damage and raising concerns about potential disruptions to ⁣gas supplies ⁢flowing to Europe, even as the continent attempts‍ to wean itself off Russian energy. Ukraine’s gas transmission operator, GTS operator, reported damage to underground gas storage facilities and warned of potential ⁣risks to ⁤the stability⁢ of the⁣ gas transit system.

The attacks represent a renewed effort⁣ by⁢ Moscow to weaponize energy supplies as Ukraine’s‍ counteroffensive continues and Western ‍nations bolster military aid. While Europe has‍ drastically reduced ⁣its reliance on Russian gas since the invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine remains ‌a crucial transit route for gas to several countries, including Austria, Slovakia, and Moldova.The strikes⁢ also threaten Ukraine’s⁣ ability to store gas for‌ its own‌ needs⁢ during the upcoming winter, perhaps creating a ripple effect across the continent.

A ‍Vulnerable System, A Continent on Edge

Europe’s energy security has been ⁢fundamentally reshaped since Russia’s full-scale ⁤invasion ‌of Ukraine.⁤ Prior to the war,‍ Russia ⁢supplied roughly 40% of the European⁢ Union’s natural gas.Following the invasion,⁣ and spurred by sanctions and deliberate supply⁣ cuts ‍by Russia, ⁤the EU rapidly diversified its sources, increasing imports of ⁤liquefied natural gas ⁤(LNG) from the United ⁣States, qatar, and other ⁢nations. However, the reliance on‌ alternative sources has come at a cost, with LNG prices often higher and infrastructure limitations‌ creating bottlenecks.

Ukraine’s ⁤gas transmission system, despite being targeted repeatedly throughout the ⁢conflict, has continued to function, delivering ⁣gas to European customers. GTS Operator manages ‌approximately 72.6 billion cubic meters of gas transit capacity annually. ⁢the latest attacks focused on underground storage facilities, vital for ⁤holding‍ gas during periods of low demand for use during peak winter months. Damage to these facilities could limit Ukraine’s ability to replenish reserves, impacting both its own energy security and potentially reducing available supply for Europe.

“The deliberate targeting of critical ‌energy infrastructure‌ is a clear escalation and a tactic designed‌ to‌ inflict economic pain on Ukraine and create uncertainty in European energy markets,” said Ron Bousso, Reuters Energy⁣ Columnist. “While Europe is less⁣ vulnerable than it was in 2022, these strikes serve ‌as‌ a stark reminder⁣ of the geopolitical risks inherent in energy supply.”

Impact and Response

The immediate impact of ⁤the strikes has‍ been a surge in European gas prices. The benchmark⁢ Dutch⁣ TTF gas price rose as ⁢much as 13% on Friday morning, reflecting market concerns about potential ‌supply disruptions. While prices ⁢remain considerably ‍lower than the peaks ⁣seen in 2022, the ‌volatility underscores the sensitivity of the⁣ market to geopolitical‍ events.

European officials have condemned⁤ the attacks and pledged ⁣to support ⁤Ukraine in repairing the damaged infrastructure. The European Commission is monitoring the situation closely⁤ and coordinating with member states to assess the potential impact on supply.

“We are in close⁣ contact with Ukraine and our member⁣ states to ensure energy security,” a Commission spokesperson said. “We are prepared to respond to any further escalation and will‍ continue‍ to ‍support Ukraine‍ in defending its critical infrastructure.”

The long-term consequences of the attacks remain‍ uncertain. Further strikes could ⁣lead to more significant disruptions, potentially forcing European countries to implement emergency ‌measures to conserve gas and secure alternative supplies.The incident also highlights the⁢ need for continued investment in energy infrastructure and diversification of supply sources to enhance Europe’s‌ resilience to future shocks.

October 8, 2025 0 comments

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