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Switch 2 Demo Kiosks Now Advertising September Price Hike
Nintendo Switch 2 demo kiosks in the United States are now displaying a notice that the console’s suggested retail price will rise from $449.99 to $499.99 on 1 September 2026. The in-store messaging signals that the previously announced increase is imminent for North American buyers, following price changes already introduced in Japan. The rise amounts…
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Taiwan says it was hit by ‘abnormal’ AI-assisted cyber-attack
Taiwan says it detected an “abnormal” overseas cyber-attack against government agencies in July that combined human activity with AI-assisted tools. The case matters because officials describe it as a new form of threat, amid longstanding concerns about cyber operations and other pressure directed at the self-governed island. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs said the attack…
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Japan protests Putin visit to disputed islands
Japan has strongly protested President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup, one of the disputed Kuril islands claimed by both Russia and Japan. The visit matters because the long-running territorial dispute has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from signing a formal peace treaty since the end of the Second World War. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said…
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4 ABBA Songs That Still Make Me Want To Dance Today
The article highlights four ABBA songs that the writer considers enduring dancefloor favourites: “Dancing Queen”, “Mamma Mia”, “Summer Night City” and “Does Your Mother Know”. It reflects ABBA’s continuing cultural appeal decades after the group’s 1973 debut, focusing on tracks known for their upbeat melodies and lasting popularity. “Dancing Queen”, released in 1976, is described…
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India fuels worldwide jump in planned coal production
India drove an 11% rise in proposed global coal-mining capacity in 2025, despite evidence that worldwide coal demand is levelling off and renewable power is expanding. The planned expansion highlights the tension between India’s electricity needs for economic growth and worsening heatwaves, and efforts to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Proposed projects could add 2.5bn…
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Indian Freedom Fighter Bhagat Singh Series in Development at Collective Studios’ Historyverse (EXCLUSIVE)
Collective Studios’ Historyverse is developing an original drama series about Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. The project aims to explore his childhood, intellectual formation and the political and social influences behind his revolutionary beliefs, rather than retelling only the most familiar moments of his life; it matters because it seeks a fresh portrayal of one…
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Why Japanese firms are being so slow to use AI
Japanese firms are adopting artificial intelligence more slowly than counterparts in the US, UK and Singapore, despite labour shortages, an ageing population and weak productivity that could make automation especially valuable. The article attributes this caution largely to conservative corporate cultures, consensus-based decision-making and a low tolerance for errors or reputational risk, particularly in customer-facing…
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Sheffield by-election fears, Cambridge plagiarism probe and Spotify’s AI labels
Sheffield was preparing for a by-election in Walkley after Green Party councillor Andy Davies resigned, three months after narrowly defeating the then council leader, Labour’s Tom Hunt, in May. Davies said his decision was due to mental-health and personal reasons and that he would step back from political activity. The contest, scheduled for 17 September,…
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Why are ‘human fridges’ being sold in Japan?
Japan is rolling out “human fridges”, enclosed cooling units intended to help people cool down during increasingly severe summer heat. The devices reflect concern over heatstroke as extreme temperatures create a growing public-health risk. More than 53,000 people in Japan have received heatstroke treatment in the past two months, with 79 deaths reported. The Do…
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‘Shōgun’ Fans Officially Have a Very Different Japan-Set Series Coming to Hulu
Hulu is developing Gaijin, a contemporary Japan-set drama starring and executive produced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Inspired by the life of chef Ivan Orkin, it follows an American widower who moves to Japan with his young son and tries to open a restaurant, making it markedly different from the historical drama Shōgun. The series centres on…