Rising Rents in Tokyo Drive More Young People Back Home

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According to a 2024 household survey conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, monthly living expenses excluding rent for single households under 35 were estimated at 136,542 yen. Breaking down these expenses, food costs averaged 40,305 yen, utilities 9,005 yen, medical expenses 8,252 yen, and communication fees 5,730 yen.

When rent is added on top of these expenses, many young people say that living alone has become increasingly difficult. Compared with ten years ago, the survey revealed that the average monthly rent for single households under 35 has risen by about 6,600 yen, while other living expenses have increased by approximately 3,800 yen. Together, these changes have added roughly 10,000 yen to the monthly financial burden.

Real estate appraiser Masanori Taito highlighted that the surge in condominium prices has pushed up rental costs as well, with rents expected to continue rising gradually.

A separate survey by the real estate information service LIFULL HOMES, which polled 1,693 men and women in their 20s from the Tokyo metropolitan area, found that 37.7% live with their parents, 27.7% live alone, and 17.0% live with a partner or children. Smaller shares live with relatives (7.3%), with a partner (7.4%), or with friends (1.1%).

Street interviews suggest that many people in their twenties identify with the nearly 40% who remain living at home. For example, a 23-year-old from Gunma who recently started living alone said most of his peers still live with their parents. Likewise, a 22-year-old woman in Saitama who continues to live at home shared that while she plans to buy a car this year, she has yet to contribute financially to the household but intends to do so in the future. She also acknowledged that sharing a room with her younger brother may reduce her privacy, which could become a disadvantage.

The same LIFULL HOMES survey uncovered the top reasons why young adults choose to stay with their parents. These include the desire to save money, inability to pay rent or living expenses, proximity to the workplace, wanting to spend on hobbies or oshi-katsu (fan activities), the burden of household chores, and parental requests not to move out.

One 24-year-old respondent, Ranmaru Kishitani, said nearly all these reasons applied to him except for parental requests. He spends most weekdays at a shared office but returns home about twice a week for meals and family comfort. He estimates that about 80% of his peers also live with their parents.

The benefits of staying at home include help with chores, reliable meals, lower living costs, and a sense of security. However, drawbacks range from family rules and interference in daily life to difficulties inviting friends or partners over, as well as inconvenient commuting arrangements.

Kishitani added that more young people now view living with their parents not as a failure of independence but rather as a form of cooperation—especially if there is no pressing need to move out.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146992.php

First Gen to fork out $80M for Indonesian geothermal foray

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MANILA, Philippines – Lopez-led First Gen Corp. is set to invest up to $80 million in initial funding to jumpstart its new venture in the Indonesian market.

Francis Giles Puno, president and chief operating officer of First Gen, stated that aside from leveraging the company’s expertise in the geothermal sector, the group will also allocate funds to expand its operations.
https://business.inquirer.net/548647/first-gen-to-fork-out-80m-for-indonesian-geothermal-foray

Many Texas retailers can no longer sell THC to customers under 21

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The new age limit is expected to go into effect this Tuesday, following approval by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

However, enforcement of the rule will not begin until October 1. This allows time for businesses and individuals to prepare for the upcoming change.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/texas/2025/09/23/531725/many-texas-retailers-can-no-longer-sell-thc-to-customers-under-21/?utm_source=rss-texas-article&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=hpm-rss-link

If Only We’d Fight as Hard to Save Our Democracy as Ukrainians Are to Save Theirs

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Ukrainians have come to realize that they can no longer count on American democracy to save them.

This shift in perspective reflects a growing sense of uncertainty and the changing dynamics of international support. As the situation evolves, it is clear that relying solely on external democratic powers may no longer be a viable strategy for Ukraine’s future.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/opinion/ukraine-israel-russia-gaza-trump-america.html

FIVB Men’s World: Iran rallies past Serbia to reach quarterfinals

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MANILA, Philippines — Iran continued to emerge as the comeback kings of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship after pulling off another thrilling victory.

In the round of 16 match held Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena, Iran overcame Serbia in a hard-fought battle, winning 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9.

Key players Ali Hajipour and Morteza Sharifi powered Team Melli to secure the impressive comeback win and advance further in the tournament.
https://sports.inquirer.net/641428/fivb-mens-world-iran-rallies-past-serbia-to-reach-quarterfinals

Judge fines Galway farmer over €9,300 for destruction of ‘rare’ limestone pavement

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A farmer has been ordered to pay over €9,300 in penalties for the destruction of 10 acres of an “extremely rare and unique” limestone pavement habitat within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) on the periphery of the Burren in Co Clare.

At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Judge Adrian Harris recorded a conviction against Galway farmer Martin Feeney, stating that 10 acres of limestone habitat were destroyed as a result of his actions.

Mr. Feeney, of Mincloon, Rahoon, Galway, pleaded guilty to two offences related to the adverse impact on the limestone pavement. Judge Harris imposed fines totaling €3,000 and costs of €6,307.

Helen Carty, Regional Manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), told the court that 4.3 hectares (10.6 acres) of limestone pavement had been impacted by reclamation works for agriculture carried out by Mr. Feeney between March and August 2022.

Ms. Carty emphasized that limestone pavement is an “extremely rare and unique habitat,” listed as a priority habitat under the Habitats Directive due to its risk of disappearance. She noted that any loss of priority habitat is significant.

The affected lands are located within the Moyree River system SAC, one of five SACs in the Burren, situated on its periphery.

According to Ms. Carty, Mr. Feeney undertook reclamation works by removing limestone pavement blocks and infilling the area with material sourced from a nearby drumlin on the lands. The area was then re-seeded for approved agricultural grassland.

The works involved leveling infill material over the limestone pavement habitat. Additionally, Ms. Carty stated that a wall was constructed from very large limestone boulders, likely sourced from the SAC in the vicinity.

To assess the damage, Ms. Carty conducted a helicopter survey of the area, providing before-and-after satellite images as evidence in court.

She also detailed a January 2024 site visit to Mr. Feeney’s farmyard, which required assistance from two gardai due to Mr. Feeney’s uncooperative behavior.

Counsel for Mr. Feeney, Evan O’Donnell BL, acknowledged the State’s evidence and confirmed that his client accepts responsibility for his actions. Mr. O’Donnell requested that no conviction be imposed, highlighting that Mr. Feeney has farmed the lands since the late 1980s.

He also noted that Mr. Feeney was previously subject to a prosecution by the NPWS in 2008, which was later withdrawn. Mr. Feeney believed that the reclamation works he carried out were lawful and that they were not impacting limestone pavement.

Mr. O’Donnell mentioned that substantial areas of limestone pavement on Mr. Feeney’s landholding remain untouched.

Furthermore, he revealed that Mr. Feeney was recently hospitalized, including a period in intensive care, after being struck by a cow.

Mr. O’Donnell added that Mr. Feeney is retiring from farming, with his daughter set to take over the farming activities. He expressed that Mr. Feeney is eager to resolve the matter and is willing to make a charitable contribution in lieu of a conviction.

Representing the State, Thomas Wallace O’Donnell BL, instructed by the State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey, emphasized the importance of a conviction being recorded in this case.

Mr. Feeney pleaded guilty to carrying out works on the lands between March 26th, 2022, and August 10th, 2022, within a SAC without the consent of the Minister. He also pleaded guilty to bringing plant machinery onto a SAC, adversely impacting its integrity.

—

*This case highlights the serious consequences of damaging protected habitats and serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations.*
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/judge-fines-galway-farmer-over-e9300-for-destruction-of-rare-limestone-pavement-1810114.html

You can now buy prepaid passes for your Uber rides

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**You Can Now Buy Prepaid Passes for Your Uber Rides**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 23, 2025, 08:02 PM*

Uber has introduced a new feature designed to help customers save money on their frequently traveled routes: prepaid passes. These passes are available in bundles of five, 10, 15, or 20 rides, offered at discounted prices. Depending on the number of rides purchased in advance, discounts range from 5% to as much as 20%.

**Marketing Approach and Savings**

Uber plans to promote these prepaid passes by comparing the cost of a single ride to that of a bulk purchase. For instance, a ride from Lower Manhattan to Midtown in New York may typically cost around $19 but surge pricing can push it up to $30. Customers who buy prepaid passes in bulk can avoid paying these higher surge prices, making it a more cost-effective option.

**How Do Prepaid Passes Work?**

When purchasing prepaid passes, customers select a one-hour request window—typically the time during which they frequently book their rides. Uber then displays a countdown indicating how many passes remain, helping users keep track of their prepaid rides. This feature has been launched in 75 cities across the US, including Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, and Los Angeles, among others.

**Expansion of the Price-Lock Feature**

In addition to prepaid passes, Uber is expanding its price-lock feature to all major US cities and Brazil. For a monthly fee of $2.99, customers can lock in prices for up to 10 specific routes. If the actual fare at the time of booking is lower than the locked price, customers will pay the lower fare. Originally offered only in select cities, the price-lock feature is now widely available, providing riders with more predictable and affordable fares.

Uber’s prepaid passes and expanded price-lock options offer customers greater convenience and savings, making daily commutes and regular travel more budget-friendly than ever before.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/uber-introduces-prepaid-passes-for-rides-at-discounted-prices/story

Trump tells UN General Assembly climate change ‘greatest con job’ on world

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President Trump on Tuesday claimed climate change was “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” as he used his speech to the United Nations to criticize efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward clean energy.

“It’s the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world in my opinion. Climate change, no matter what happens you’re involved in that,” Trump said at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City.

“All of these predictions made by the United Nations and many others, often for bad reasons, were wrong,” Trump continued. “They were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes and given those same countries no chance for success.”

Trump called the idea of a carbon footprint “nonsense” and a “hoax made up by people with evil intentions.” He urged nations to move away from efforts to shift their economies toward investments in clean energy.

“If you don’t get away from this green scam your country is going to fail,” Trump said. “And I’m really good at predicting things.”

For years, the president has cast doubt on the effects of climate change, which experts warn could have catastrophic environmental impacts if nations do not take significant steps to mitigate it.

In the early months of his second term, his administration moved quickly to slash environmental regulations. In July, the administration announced it would exempt dozens of chemical manufacturers, oil refineries, coal plants, medical device sterilizers, and other polluters from Clean Air Act rules.

Additionally, earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed eliminating requirements under a 2009 rule that forced major emitters to report their greenhouse gas emissions.

Trump also signed into law a massive tax and spending bill in July that slashed incentives for wind and solar energy projects. Moreover, his administration has erected other barriers, making it more difficult for these clean energy projects to receive approval.
https://wgntv.com/hill-politics/trump-tells-un-general-assembly-climate-change-greatest-con-job-on-world/

I Tried Using a Linux VM as My Desktop Computer, Here’s What Went Wrong

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Before buying a Mac and switching full-time to Apple’s platform, I had already deserted Windows for Linux. To this day, I’ve always got at least one Linux distro ready to go on my Mac in a virtual machine, both for work and to satisfy my curiosity. So, what happens if you try to use a VM as your primary work machine? I gave it a shot.

### My Linux VM Setup

I pay for a Parallels Desktop subscription so that I can run Windows on my Mac with all the bells and whistles. Naturally, I also use this for my Linux virtualization needs. While there are lots of free options I could have chosen, Parallels is a pleasure to use in general.

Ubuntu is sometimes derided for being a bloated Linux distro, but the flipside is that you get an operating system that’s ready to rock right out of the box. I have Firefox and the LibreOffice suite ready to go, along with convenient tools like Shotwell for light image editing and Transmission for torrenting, should I need them.

### Dude, Where’s My Ecosystem?

Not having access to the ecosystem I depend on within my VM is perhaps the biggest issue I encountered. This isn’t a problem specific to any single operating system, but it highlights how important it is to pair your desktop and mobile devices in a manner that promotes synergy.

I’m fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem at this point, which clearly limits my options when using non-Apple operating systems. Making a conscious decision to move chats to WhatsApp and Signal, store my media in Google Photos, and use a note-taking app like Obsidian would lessen this problem considerably. But for the last decade plus, I’ve mostly taken the path of least resistance.

Perhaps the most limiting issue is that Apple Passwords is entirely inaccessible on Linux. There’s no web app equivalent (which is probably good from a security perspective), and Apple only supports Windows outside of its own platforms. Were I not using a VM, this would be a dealbreaker — I’d have to move to Dashlane or a similar third-party solution.

Thankfully, Apple’s passable iCloud website provides access to most of the core services I need, with Notes, Reminders, Photos, and Drive being the main ones. It’s a drag having to depend on a browser for this stuff, but it’s not unworkable.

The only other feature I really missed was AirDrop, since I use it frequently to transfer screenshots between devices for work. Though I tried installing my favorite third-party alternative LocalSend, I couldn’t get my iPhone and Linux VM to see one another.

### Usability Woes I Couldn’t Solve

macOS is an operating system that, in my opinion, works better with a trackpad than a mouse. This is down to Apple’s handy gestures, which make tasks like switching desktops, organizing your workspace, and finding open windows a breeze.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get anything like this working within Ubuntu. Despite fiddling with the VM’s configuration, I couldn’t find a way to pass gestures directly to the virtual machine.

I use multiple desktops to arrange browser instances, communication tools like Slack, project management software like Asana, productivity tools like Notes or Reminders, my email, and more — all pinned in place. Not having access to this sucked.

This was especially annoying considering there’s a Touchpad Gesture Customization extension for GNOME that adds two, three, and four finger gestures that I was eager to experiment with. Within Ubuntu, I couldn’t even use pinch-to-zoom. Instead, I had to rely on keyboard shortcuts to add some of this functionality back, but it’s not the same.

The other feature I missed was the ability to quickly log in and authenticate requests. On macOS, I can use my Apple Watch or built-in fingerprint reader to automatically unlock my Mac or manually approve admin-level changes. Typing my full login password every time reminded me just how tedious things used to be.

### The Missing Apps

One issue that many Linux switchers encounter is not being able to use their favorite apps. A lack of native Linux apps for many services is still a problem, and I’m not even just talking about Apple apps here.

Streaming Apple Music in my browser really wasn’t that much of an inconvenience. Unfortunately, not having access to Asana as a dedicated app slowed down my workflow considerably. The app isn’t anything special on Mac or Windows; it’s just not the sort of thing I want tethered to a browser.

Other apps, like image editor Affinity Photo and Markdown editor Ulysses, could be replaced with free alternatives — GIMP and Apostrophe, in this case. But my use of an ARM64 Ubuntu installation further complicated things. Some apps, like Slack, are available on Linux but only work on the AMD64 architecture. This is why I couldn’t get the ghostwriter Markdown editor working either, which was my first choice.

Time and time again, I ran into this roadblock. Switching operating systems of any kind always presents challenges, and given enough time you can find alternatives that work for you. These problems usually become dealbreakers only when you rely on something proprietary or can’t get the same level of professionalism out of a free alternative.

An example here would be an industry-standard video editing app like Adobe Premiere, where even a close free alternative like DaVinci Resolve depends on a third-party container like davincibox to run.

### Learning and Configuring

Ubuntu has more in common with macOS than it does Windows, so for me, switching between the two platforms never presented a huge issue. I even threw together an Ubuntu theme for macOS 26 for a laugh.

That said, there’s always an adjustment period. This can be as simple as looking for the close window button on the wrong side of a window, or accidentally triggering keyboard shortcuts you’re not used to.

I had to make sure to consciously hit Control + L to switch to the Firefox tab bar, as my usual Command + L shortcut would lock Ubuntu and put the VM to sleep. I could probably change this in Parallels settings, but I adopted the change organically eventually.

I made a few adjustments to Ubuntu’s keyboard shortcuts too. With no four-finger swipe gesture, I had to set up shortcuts for moving left and right between desktops. I also created an equivalent macOS Spotlight shortcut (Option + Spacebar) so I could quickly launch apps using only the keyboard.

### The Silver Lining

Despite these drawbacks and the obvious limitations of ditching such a user-friendly and commercially supported platform like macOS, running Ubuntu in a VM wasn’t terrible.

For example, I could simply copy and paste login credentials from Apple Passwords directly into Ubuntu. Believe it or not, this is something you can’t do if you’re running macOS in a VM, as I found out while test-running the public beta of macOS 26.

Since everything routes its way through my Mac with this setup, using my AirPods Pro while watching videos and listening to music just worked, since Ubuntu’s audio was routed to macOS, which takes care of everything.

In the end, I used my Ubuntu virtual machine to complete a number of work tasks like writing a review and this article, editing incoming articles, and workshopping ideas with writers. I relied on a browser far more than I wanted, and I had to admit defeat at times and switch back to macOS in order to access passwords and retrieve 2FA codes — but I did it.

My Ubuntu VM still isn’t going anywhere, but I won’t deny that macOS is where I belong.
https://www.howtogeek.com/i-tried-using-a-linux-vm-as-my-desktop-computer-heres-what-went-wrong/

Rubio calls Western recognition of Palestine ‘irrelevant,’ blames it for derrailing hostage talks

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Rubio Calls Western Recognition of Palestine ‘Irrelevant,’ Blames It for Derailing Hostage Talks

Senator Marco Rubio has criticized Western recognition of Palestine, describing it as “irrelevant” and blaming it for complicating and derailing ongoing hostage negotiations. According to Rubio, this political move has negatively impacted efforts to secure the release of hostages.

Rubio also commented on former President Donald Trump’s stance regarding the hostage situation. He said that Trump would be uninterested in a partial hostage deal, emphasizing that the former US president “wants all 48 hostages out, including the 20 who are alive and the 28 who are deceased.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the importance of achieving a complete resolution rather than settling for partial agreements in this sensitive matter.

(Photo credit: REUTERS/BING GUAN/POOL)

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868427