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Daily Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Japan to launch first permanent outdoor Pokémon park
Japan to launch first permanent outdoor Pokémon park TOKYO: A new Pokémon-themed outdoor facility, PokéPark Kanto, will open in spring 2026 within the Yomiuriland amusement park, the Asia News Network reported. It will be the first permanent outdoor attraction dedicated to Pokémon, developed through a collaboration between The Pokémon Company, Yomiuri Land Co, and The Yomiuri Shimbun. Advertisement Spanning approximately 2.6 hectares across Inagi, Tokyo, and Kawasaki, the park will be accessible via Yomiuriland and set amid the greenery of the Tama Hills. Two key zones - Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town - will offer nature-inspired experiences and interactive events, including meet-and-greets with Pokémon and parades. SPONSORED CONTENT Visitors to Pokémon Forest can stroll along 500 metres of trails to observe Pokémon in a woodland setting, while Sedge Town will feature two attractions and social gathering spaces. The Yomiuri Group and The Pokémon Company have a longstanding relationship, including educational columns and gaming events dating back to 2009. Advertisement Tickets for PokéPark Kanto are expected to go on sale in autumn 2025, with further updates to be shared in due course.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
South Korean star Lee Min-ho mourns death of pet dog Choco
'After 16 years with my beloved Choco, he returned to the arms of nature,' Lee Min-ho wrote on Instagram. Photos: Lee Min-ho/Instagram South Korean superstar Lee Min-ho is grieving the death of his beloved pet dog, Choco, with whom he spent 16 years. Lee shared the sad news on Instagram, posting old photos of himself and Choco. The post also included an image of the dog being laid to rest while wrapped in a blanket and a snap of his remains in an urn beside a framed picture. 'After 16 years with my beloved Choco, he returned to the arms of nature,' the actor wrote. 'I hope you had a happy time, and I am always grateful for your love, Choco.' In 2023, during his Manila visit for a real estate endorsement, Lee mentioned that Choco is now 'very old yet still a very cute dog'. 'We cannot ignore the fact that he's already very old, but he's still cute when I look at him, you know,' he told the Filipino audience at the time. Choco's death comes at a time when Lee is gearing up for the release of his upcoming movie Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint , set to premiere this July. The film is based on a popular web novel, in which Lee is set to star alongside Blackpink's Jisoo, Ahn Hyo-seop, and Chae Soo-bin. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Thai Ministers and economic experts come together in fine-tuning response to Trump tariff threat
Image: The Nation Thailand/Asia News Network BANGKOK (Bloomberg): Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of Thailand's ruling party, is taking a more proactive role in shaping the country's response to deal with the fallout of President Donald Trump's threat to impose a steep 36% tariff on its exports to the US. Thaksin, father of suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, participated in a high-level meeting in Bangkok on Friday that included senior economic advisers and the ministers of finance and commerce. The agenda included finalizing additional concessions to offer Washington in a bid to reduce the proposed tariff and formulating measures to shield domestic industries and farmers from the potential economic impact, according to local media reports. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who heads the task force negotiating with the US, said after the meeting the government plans to make slight adjustments to its proposal framework in hopes of securing a more "competitive' tariff rate compared to neighbouring nations. Pichai said he's ready to travel to the US for talks if needed. Thai officials remain optimistic about reaching a deal before the Aug. 31 deadline set by Trump. Their current offer includes eliminating import taxes on 90% of US goods and removing various non-tariff barriers. Thailand has also pledged to increase bilateral trade and slash its $46 billion trade surplus with the US by 70% within five years. Thaksin's direct involvement underscores the seriousness with which the Pheu Thai Party-led government is approaching the tariff challenge, particularly its potential effects on small businesses and farmers. Following Paetongtarn's suspension last month over an alleged ethics violation, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has taken over the leadership of the administration. Since returning to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years in self-imposed exile, Thaksin as remained a dominant figure in Thai politics. He has frequently voiced his views on economic strategy and has promoted policies that have since been adopted by the government. In an interview with Nation TV on Wednesday, Thaksin said Thailand could still secure a better deal from the Trump administration if it negotiates wisely. He warned that the country must also have an "exit strategy' and be cautious of any US demands involving China in exchange for tariff relief. "If we rush and give-in to everything - essentially stripping ourselves naked - we'd just get exploited,' the billionaire politician said. "If granting them everything brings war to our soil, then no - we won't do it.' The Bank of Thailand held a meeting with representatives from the country's largest private sector group to assess the specific impact of looming tariffs on various industries and the manufacturing sector. The two sides will continue discussions to develop measures aimed at mitigating short-term effects and enhancing the long-term competitiveness of local businesses, the BOT said in a statement. The US was Thailand's largest export market in 2024, accounting for about 18% of total shipments. Thai exports have risen approximately 15% in the first five months of this year, fueled by accelerated ordering in anticipation of the proposed tariff. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
The Star
10-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Group of volunteer-professionals helps solarise Mindanao one solar panel at a time
MANILA: Mindanao, the Philippines' second biggest island group, is blessed with natural beauty. Think lush forests and pristine beaches, verdant mountains and dramatic waterfalls. It's also a melting pot of cultures—an intersection of artistic and culinary heritage. No wonder it has earned the nickname 'Land of Promise.' It is also a hub for renewable energy development, with potential in hydropower, geothermal energy, and solar projects. However, Mindanao still faces challenges in balancing its energy transition with social and environmental considerations, according to the Global Energy Monitor. With the promise of a Mindanao that is reliant on greener energy still far from being realised, groups are working to achieve this goal. One of which is Mindanao Goes Solar, the advocacy arm of Professional Organisers Unlimited Inc., a Cagayan de Oro-based events and creative agency. Kickstarting Mindanao's clean energy transition In an interview with Asia News Network, Philline Donggay, project lead of the Mindanao Goes Solar movement, shared that the roots of the advocacy can be traced to research engagements with stakeholders working on clean energy transition in Mindanao. The group had earlier support from the European Climate Foundation, which enabled them to conduct the all-important stakeholder analysis and ecosystem mapping of the solar energy landscape in Mindanao. The region has the lowest electrification rate among the country's three major island groups, Donggay lamented, adding that there is also a need to decarbonise electricity production in the Mindanao grid to contribute to the Philippines' national climate goals and the global sustainable development goals (SDGs). 'Solar, which is abundant in the country and is now the cheapest source of energy in the region and elsewhere, is the optimum solution to kickstart Mindanao's clean energy transition,' she added. Donggay explained that the energy needs of Mindanao's most geographically isolated and off-grid communities can be better serviced by solar photovoltaic (PV) due to the technology's distributed and decentralised nature. 'This could help the regions finally achieve 100% electrification,' she emphasised. Moreover, rooftop solar PV has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in Mindanao's urban centres and surrounding municipalities by reducing demand for electricity from the grid, which is mostly produced by fossil fuels like coal. Mindanao Goes Solar supports Mindanao Development Authority's short-term goal of '50% renewable energy by 2030.¨ In the long term, meanwhile, their goal is to achieve a clean, just and equitable energy transition, switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy and optimising solar photovoltaic technology to meet the energy needs of every Mindanaoan household, business, and community. The challenge, Donggay explained, is to heighten awareness and understanding of the benefits of solar to power consumers, policymakers and other stakeholders in Mindanao. Promoting solar energy To this end, Donggay is proud of how, for the past three years, Mindanao Goes Solar has been successfully aiding the promotion of the region's local solar industry, both on the consumer and supplier side. Since its inception in 2022, the movement has spearheaded educational, creative, and engaging initiatives in the local language of Bisaya, such as the Solar Week broadcast, the Solar Talks series and campaigns like 'Solar Suroy' and 'SolAroundYou.' 'These projects help heighten awareness of solar to Mindanao power consumers while experiential promotions such as public solar charging stops and solar sheds, and solar outreach to remote communities like Siargao and the off-grid island in the Moro Gulf bring solar directly to the user,' Donggay shared. Furthermore, the success of solar expos and exhibits in Mindanao's key cities, such as Davao and Cagayan de Oro, connects solar service providers to potential clients while providing new knowledge about technology, policy and financing relevant to the public. All these help the young solar industry prosper in Mindanao. Asia News Network had the chance to attend the Mindanao Goes Solar's Davao Expo at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City last month, which featured over ten solar service providers, including AC Tech Solutions, CGAM Commercial, Flaretech, Gintong Tubig, Gizmo Etc., Greenergy, Lightbeam Solar, Pylon Energy, Solarhub, Sungrid Energy, and Sunstruct Solutions. The expo also included talks featuring solar energy experts in the region. Overcoming roadblocks Still, there are challenges, and Donggay identifies three of the biggest. These, however, don't deter Mindanao Goes Solar from working towards their goals, with the team having actionable measures in place for each of these roadblocks. For one, the local solar industry is still fledgling, meaning many service providers initially engaged have had difficulties staying in business for various reasons, Donggay shared. With this, the Mindanao Goes Solar secretariat conducts regular needs analyses to help solar suppliers with their specific needs while promoting the professionalisation of their businesses, such as in the acquisition of business permits and referrals to training when available. Another difficulty, Donggay added, is the implementation of solar policy like Net Metering, to which Mindanao Goes Solar offers 'knowledge sessions' from which relevant stakeholders could learn. Finally, solar financing is difficult. To address this, Mindanao Goes Solar regularly engages with financial institutions and promotes any clean energy financing they may have, which makes solar PV affordable to Mindanao consumers. What's in the pipeline On top of the aforementioned initiatives, Mindanao Goes Solar has a few more projects in the pipeline. 'We are launching a list of verified solar service providers operating in Mindanao,' Donggay said. 'This helps ensure that only credible and trustworthy solar services are offered to Mindanaoans. The effort supports the professionalisation of the industry with proper in-region maintenance services.' This group of volunteer-professionals helps solarise Philippines' Mindanao one solar panel at a time She also mentioned that they are increasing the reach of their educational awareness and experiential campaigns to more Mindanao cities and off-grid communities in the coming months. 'The theory of change is that Mindanao Goes Solar becomes the primary communicator and knowledge sharing innovator of information related to solar in Mindanao,' Donggay said. 'Thus, enriching the local solar ecosystem, fostering partnerships and helping the industry achieve solar adoption at scale.' - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Japanese flights cancelled after 90's manga predicting July 5 disaster fuels travel fears
Flights across Japan were cancelled after a manga prediction sparked widespread fear among travellers. The manga, The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki, was first published in 1999 and has gained attention for reportedly predicting events such as Japan's 2011 earthquakes and the death of Freddie Mercury. A 2021 reprint of the manga included a reference to a disaster on July 5 2025. The date caused concern among travellers, with many choosing not to fly out of superstition. As a result, Japanese airlines were forced to cancel flights due to low passenger numbers, and travel agencies issued statements urging people not to believe the rumours, assuring that travel was safe. Tatsuki describes the manga as her 'dream journal', stating that the prophecies within it came to her during sleep, which she then recorded and developed into stories. Reports from Asia News Network noted that the prediction created travel anxieties months in advance, with travellers arriving early in May to avoid the predicted disaster. The concerns were further heightened by seismologists who have warned about a potential 'mega quake' along the Nankai Trough fault line; despite experts having confirmed that predicting the exact timing of earthquakes is not possible. 'Prophecies about earthquake timing have no scientific basis. If a quake happens in July, it would be pure coincidence,' said a University of Tokyo disaster research professor. 'Believing rumours is unwise, but it is crucial to prepare on the assumption that an earthquake can strike anywhere at any time.' With July 5 having passed without incident, the specific manga prediction has not come to pass. However, some travellers remain cautious about visiting Japan, with officials noting that baseless social media rumours continue to affect tourism.
