Latest news with #Pikachu
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
5 gaming-console bestsellers
On its website, Sony says it sold more than 160 million units of the PlayStation 2 around the world. PHOTO: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT PARIS – From the first video game consoles of the 1970s to the Nintendo Switch 2 due out on June 5, hundreds of millions have been sold to players eager to immerse themselves in their favourite franchises from Assassin's Creed to Zelda. The five most popular consoles have sold around 700 million units. PlayStation 2: 160 million Japanese tech and entertainment giant Sony sparked a global frenzy with the release of PlayStation 2 in 2000. A midnight launch in the United States stoked excitement and in some areas people stormed shops to make sure they got a unit. Its initial success was built on compatibility – players could still enjoy original PlayStation games – and its ability to play DVDs. Critics were unimpressed with the initial slate of games for the console. But a string of hits from franchises including Grand Theft Auto, Grand Turismo, Final Fantasy, Tekken and Metal Gear Solid helped kick the console into stratospheric popularity. On its website, Sony says it has sold more than 160 million units of the PlayStation 2 around the world. Nintendo DS: 154 million The Nintendo DS revolutionised the world of gaming when it hit shelves in 2004 and 2005. Its foldable two-screen design, complete with built-in mic and internet connection, improved on the already incredible 1990s success of the Game Boy. Its success was built on a solid stable of hit adaptations – Super Mario, Zelda and Pokemon among them. It also became famous for breakout cultural phenomena like Animal Crossing and Nintendogs – a real-time pet simulation game where players groomed and virtually walked their dogs. The Japanese firm said it had sold more than 154 million units. Nintendo Switch: 152 million Released in 2017, it had a tablet format allowing users to play on a large screen at home or on public transport. It burnished its success with stellar sales of the latest chapters of the Zelda franchise. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – a game about social interaction – became a mega-hit after launching in 2020, when much of the world faced some kind of confinement as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Switch, still the Japanese giant's current premium product, had notched up 152.1 million sales by end March 2025, the firm said. Game Boy: 118 million The Game Boy and its 1998 Color spin-off were a cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The tiny handheld consoles helped launch some of the world's most recognisable characters. Pokemon's Pikachu first appeared on the Game Boy in 1996, spawning a globe-conquering franchise of films, series, games and toys. With hits like Tetris and Super Mario Land, it helped crown Nintendo as a market leader in the 1990s, and eventually recorded more than 118 million sales, according to the company. PlayStation 4: 113 million While the PlayStation 2 helped kill Sega's Dreamcast at the turn of the millennium, the PlayStation 4 did battle with Microsoft's Xbox series – and won. Released in 2013, it sold 113.5 million units by 2020, according to the Japanese firm's data, far outstripping its Microsoft rival. Success was secured with well-received additions to popular franchises like Grand Theft Auto and The Last Of Us. Film spin-offs like Marvel's Spider-Man and Star Wars Battlefront did solid business. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Anger as hotel manager reportedly opens new Laos resort after methanol poisoning killed six tourists
The former manager of the notorious hostel at the centre of the deadly methanol poisonings in Laos is said to be opening up a new luxury resort just down the road. Australians Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, both 19, were among six tourists staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng last November who tragically died after drinking contaminated alcohol from the hostel bar. No charges have been laid against anyone in the six months since the incident. Just a day after the Herald Sun reported the former hostel manager known as 'Pikachu' had fled to Vietnam and claimed to have not gone back to Laos, Nine News reports Pikachu confirmed to the outlet he is involved in the new Sunrise Mountain View Resort, located just 450 metres away from the closed Nana Backpackers. The parents of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones told the broadcaster in a joint statement that they were 'angered at the recent news from Laos'. Pikachu has been proudly sharing photos and videos on Facebook of the new resort under construction for almost a year, which is promoted as having 'breathtaking views' and a rooftop bar to watch the sunset. In a post on May 24, Pikachu said there would be a month of finishes and 'then we will celebrate welcoming guests', according to an English translation. Sunrise Mountain View Resort has since denied any connection with Pikachu. 'I want to confirm with you that there is no 'Pikachu' in my resort!' an unnamed spokesperson told in an email on Sunday. 'I'm the owner. Telling me there's a 'Pikachu' in my place is not so respectful for me, please don't bother me or cause me any problems!' The Herald Sun had contacted Pikachu via WhatsApp on a number he gave when being interviewed after news broke of the poisonings in November. When asked about what happened to hostel staff who were initially detained, Pikachu said, 'I have not gone back to Laos, I don't want to talk. Maybe one day I go back to Laos but not for a long time. The hostel closed. I have no idea.' Melbourne best friends Ms Bowles and Ms Jones died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with methanol at the Nana Backpackers Hostel. In May, the Australian Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) informed the families of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones, who are still desperately seeking answers, that charges have reportedly been recommended by local police against 13 people from Nana Backpackers and the Laos 'Tiger' distillery. The proposed charges include elimination of evidence, violation of food and health security and unlawful business operations. Mrs Bowles described the charges as 'appalling' and 'insulting', while Mrs Jones said she was 'furious'. 'We know that there's no murder or manslaughter charges, which we feel there should be,' Mrs Jones told 60 Minutes. The other tourists who died include British lawyer Simone White, 28, Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, and American James Louis Hutson, 57. Final moments before horror death in Laos Simone White's travel partner Bethany Clarke recalled the horrific experience of falling ill and witnessing her friend die to last month. Ms Clarke said they got to the hostel's bar just after 8pm on November 19 and consumed between five and six vodka shots served by the hostel, which they mixed with a bottle of Sprite and some ice cubes they also purchased from the bar. At the time, Ms Clarke and Ms White thought nothing of the drinks, but as the night moved on, and by the next morning — the pair started to feel an illness that to this day, Ms Clarke cannot quite explain. The pair woke the next morning to take part in a pre-booked kayaking tour and visit the famous Blue Lagoons which they'd both been looking forward to. 'We woke up and felt slightly off … one of our friends described it as feeling drunk,' she said. 'But … I feel like when you're drunk, you are happy. And this was a bit more … I don't know, just a sense that there wasn't something quite right and you couldn't put your finger on what it was. You would never feel as fatigued as we felt that day.' The pair pushed through, but within hours their condition got progressively worse — particularly for Ms White with a loss of appetite and an inability to swim. By the time the kayaking portion of the tour commenced, Ms Clarke knew this was more than a hangover or food poisoning. 'Simone and I were having to just lay down in the backs of the kayaks … we weren't able to actually use our arms,' she said. Venturing back to Vang Vieng, the pair collected their belongings before boarding a mini bus bound for their next stop, Vientiane. Ms Clarke said she fell asleep straight away at the back of the vehicle, only to be woken to shouts that Ms White was vomiting outside the bus. 'I fainted which I've never done before, so that should have been an alarm bell, but for some reason it wasn't … because of this cognitive decline,' Ms Clarke explained. 'Our [other] friend decided that we'd be taken to a hospital. So we ended up in a public hospital. They didn't have a clue what was wrong with us … they were coming up with food poisoning, but that was not the case.' Ms Clarke claims the hospital did not do the correct blood tests, instead insisting on a full blood count and electrolyte panels, which failed to show methanol poisoning. About 24 hours in, Ms White started to go into respiratory distress, and from there she entered a rapid decline. 'She started gasping for air,' Ms Clarke recalled. 'She then wasn't able to talk to me. She wasn't able to really look at me properly. She had her eyes open, but they were just glazed. 'She wasn't able to concentrate on me, and they [the hospital] were saying to me, she's really anxious. They just had absolutely no idea what to do with her … they gave her oxygen, but again, it was just not the right treatment. She needed to have dialysis at that point.' Ms Clarke made the decision to get Ms White out of the public hospital and into a private facility. As soon as they arrived — around 28 hours after consuming the drinks — Ms White was taken for immediate dialysis. Ms Clarke was forced to make decisions about the life of her best friend while not having full cognitive awareness herself. 'They [hospital] handed a load of forms to fill in … I was just having to wake up from being asleep and they'd say, 'Can you sign this and can you pay for this?'' she recalled. 'It was just horrendous … brain damage had occurred … she actually had five seizures during the process.' Ms Clarke was forced to make the call to Ms White's mother Sue to inform her they were in hospital with suspected methanol poisoning — a conversation she will never escape. Ms White's mother arrived from the UK to Laos just before her daughter went in for brain surgery. 'Sue literally got there as Simone was being wheeled in … obviously all her hair was shaved off. Then a few hours later we found out that although the brain surgery was sort of successful, she'd developed a bleed on that side of the brain as a result of the surgery,' Ms Clarke said. 'The other side of her brain was swollen as well. So at that point, they said that she's just going to end up in a coma regardless of what we do.' Ms Clarke and Mrs White were left with the excruciating wait of letting Ms White 'die naturally'. But because her heartbeat was still so strong, Mrs White had to speak with the British Embassy and plead to allow the turning off of her daughter's life support machine. 'They [the hospital] weren't happy initially with that idea because they're Buddhist and they want prolonged life, not to end it,' Ms Clarke said. 'But it was just a necessary thing that had to happen. Sue had to end Simone's life … And she had, I think, three attempts at trying to turn the machine off, but because she had no member of staff in there, it was just agonising and took a very long time.'
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Single Pokemon Cards: Smart Picks for EU Investors
The European Union has become a significant player in the global Pokemon trading card scene, particularly in the single card sector. As more collectors and investors look beyond booster packs, Single Pokemon Cards have emerged as a favored asset, especially in markets like Finland. With the increasing popularity of online platforms and rising collector interest, the Pokemon TCG (Trading Card Game) is no longer just a hobby—it's an investment frontier. Europe's centralized regulations and rising e-commerce infrastructure have made it easier for EU investors to purchase, grade, and resell cards across borders. Moreover, the language barrier is lower due to English being the default for most trading platforms—making access easier for Finnish collectors and sellers aiming for the broader EU market. Booster packs are fun and unpredictable, but that randomness is exactly what investors try to avoid. Single Pokemon Cards provide the assurance of value—what you see is what you get. Transparency : You know the condition, rarity, and value upfront. : You know the condition, rarity, and value upfront. Higher ROI : Rare singles often appreciate faster than sealed products. : Rare singles often appreciate faster than sealed products. Liquidity: Easier to sell individual cards than unopened packs. Single cards allow for targeted investments. Instead of gambling on sealed products, investors can focus on proven high-demand cards—like Charizard, Umbreon, or Pikachu promos. Europe's demand for Single Pokemon Cards has grown due to: Increased international exposure via YouTube and TikTok. Limited EU distribution for certain English-exclusive sets. Rising nostalgia from 90s kids now in their 30s with disposable income. Finland offers a unique starting point for card sales. With a growing online market and proximity to EU neighbors like Sweden, Estonia, and Germany, Finnish sellers are well-positioned to serve a wide audience. Before you start stacking cards, it's essential to understand what separates a valuable card from a common one. Some cards are printed in limited quantities, often as part of special events or older sets like: Base Set (1999) Neo Genesis Evolving Skies (Modern Era) Graded cards (especially PSA 10 or BGS 9.5+) can double or triple in value. Iconic Pokemon like Charizard, Pikachu, and Mewtwo consistently perform better in the secondary market. Base Set Charizard (1st Edition) Umbreon Gold Star Pikachu Illustrator (if accessible via auction) Lugia Neo Genesis (1st Edition) Rayquaza EX Deoxys Sylveon GX Hidden Fates (Full Art) Charizard VMAX Champion's Path Mewtwo GX Shining Legends Alt-Art Giratina V Lost Origin Japanese Promo Eevee Heroes Set Cards These cards have a proven track record of value appreciation, with high demand in both local Finnish and wider EU markets. Pros: Wide selection, international reach Cons: Counterfeit risk, shipping delays Look for certified sellers that offer graded and sealed single cards with verifiable authenticity. Local sites in Finland often carry underpriced gems due to less exposure—great for EU investors seeking undervalued cards. Counterfeits are a major concern. Always check: Holographic pattern consistency Card thickness and weight Font accuracy and print clarity Invest in a magnifying glass or UV light to inspect printing flaws. When in doubt, buy only graded cards. A PSA or BGS grade instantly increases a card's credibility and value. EU buyers prefer graded cards because: It minimizes condition disputes. It ensures long-term value retention. It adds liquidity to your investments. Popular strategy among younger investors. Focus on cards from recent sets with playable meta relevance. Older cards have shown consistent year-over-year value increases. Great for retirement portfolio diversification. Just like stocks, a healthy portfolio includes: Vintage cards (1999–2005) Modern chase cards (Sword & Shield, Scarlet & Violet) Japanese exclusives Promos and event-only cards Diversification protects against market fluctuations. Different EU countries have different taxation policies on collectible investments. For Finland and most EU states: Declare profits from card sales. Keep receipts and grading invoices. Consult a tax professional annually. Overpaying due to hype cycles. Buying raw (ungraded) cards from unknown sellers. Ignoring grading costs in your profit calculations. Not insuring high-value cards. Tools like TCGplayer, Cardmarket Trends, and eBay Price Tracker help you: Monitor price changes Analyze sale histories Get notified on drops or auctions Using these platforms ensures you're making data-driven decisions. A Finnish investor bought a PSA 9 Base Set Charizard in 2020 for €3,500; sold in 2024 for €9,800. in 2020 for €3,500; sold in 2024 for €9,800. A German reseller flipped 10 Eevee Heroes Japanese promos at 220% profit within 18 months. These stories prove the potential of informed investments. Yes, because you know exactly what you're buying. Singles allow for precise value targeting. Cardmarket, eBay (verified sellers), and PSA/BGS-certified sellers in Finland and Germany. Look at rarity, condition, demand, and grading history. Use price tracking tools. Yes. Many Japanese cards are exclusive and highly sought after, especially promos and alt-arts. Shipping and customs can increase costs, but local grading services are emerging in the EU. Yes, but rules vary. Consult an accountant about capital gains and business income declarations. The EU Pokemon card market is growing rapidly, and savvy investors are capitalizing on the opportunity. Whether you're based in Finland or expanding into EU markets, Single Pokemon Cards offer a strategic and promising investment path. With the right knowledge, grading, and market insight, you can build a portfolio that delivers both nostalgic joy and impressive financial returns. As demand continues to rise, now is the time to sharpen your picks and join the expanding community of European Pokemon card investors. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Residents of this country are forbidden from using these baby names: ‘It can have a negative impact on a child's future'
They've put the glitter in the gutter. Japan has officially cracked down on 'kirakira' — meaning 'shiny' or 'glittery' — baby names, with a new law aimed at dimming the dazzle of outlandish monikers like Pikachu, Prince and, yes, Devil. Among the newly discouraged names? Jewel, Lovely, Kitty, Elsa, Prince, Naruto, Pikachu, Naiki (as in 'Nike'), Pū (like Winnie-the-Pooh), Purin (like pudding), Daiya (meaning diamond), and Ōjisama (meaning prince), per the South China Morning Post. The crackdown, effective May 26, is part of a revision to the Family Register Act, giving local authorities power to reject any name they deem too outrageous or tricky to pronounce, originally reported on by Why? To ensure names don't have 'a negative impact on a child's future.' Blame it on one devilish dad. In 1994, Shigeru and Ayako Sato sparked national outrage when they named their newborn son Akuma — which translates to 'Devil.' According to the South China Morning Post, the decades-long effort to ban kirakira names began with that headline-making hellraiser. Sato defended the diabolical decision at the time, telling the Los Angeles Times, 'There will only be one Japanese (person) with this name. If you hear it once, you'll never forget the name … It is the best possible name.' Spoiler: It wasn't. After officials initially approved the name, public backlash and a court battle forced the couple to swap it for something less infernal. Still, Sato wasn't done dreaming big. He reportedly wanted to name a future son Teio — meaning 'Emperor' — though he conceded he'd give a daughter 'an ordinary, cute name.' Now, the Japanese government is making sure no one follows in his fire-stamped footsteps. And Japan isn't the only nation reigning in rogue registrations. As the New York Post previously reported, New Zealand also has a list of forbidden names — and it's royally strict. King topped its recent list of banned baby names, followed by Prince, Princess, Queen, Majesty, Duke, Emperor and Crown, as per CNN. 'It's a name fit for a king — unless you're a Kiwi,' The Post noted, after all 11 parents who tried to name their baby King were shut down. 'We continue to urge parents to think carefully about names,' John Crawford-Smith, Principal Advisor at New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs, told CNN. 'Names are a gift.' Under the country's naming law, monikers can't be 'offensive,' unreasonably long, include numbers or symbols, or resemble official titles 'without adequate justification.' Even cannabis-inspired names like Sativa and Indica got the axe — as did the formerly beloved, now banned Fanny.
Tokyo Weekender
3 days ago
- Politics
- Tokyo Weekender
Japan Attempts To Ban Outlandish Kirakira Baby Names
In this week's news roundup we report on the revised Family Registry Act, which is cracking down on kirakira names. Japanese universities consider accepting foreign students from Harvard. An ANA flight is forced to make an emergency landing after a man tries to open the exit doors midair. Onosato is promoted to the highest rank of yokozuna. And Shohei Ohtani inches closer to a pitching return. List of Contents: Japanese Government Revises Law on Kirakira Names Japanese Universities Consider Accepting Foreign Students From Harvard ANA Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Man Tries To Open Exit Doors Midair Onosato Promoted to the Highest Rank of Yokozuna Ohtani Hits 20th Homer, Return to the Mound Expected After All-Star Break Related Posts Japanese Government Revises Law on Kirakira Names On Monday, the Family Register Act was revised in Japan in an attempt to crackdown on so-called kirakira (sparkly) names, such as Pikachu. It means parents in Japan will no longer be free to choose whatever name they like for their child. Now, if the pronunciation of their baby's name clearly deviates from convention, they'll be asked to spell it out in katakana during the registration process. Local officials then have the power to reject that name if the phonetic sound doesn't match how its characters are typically pronounced. Around 3,000 or so kanji characters are permitted by the revised law, but they must be pronounced clearly and in accordance with tradition. Names considered too disconnected from the characters used will be banned. The reason, according to the government, is that they can cause confusion in schools, hospitals and other public institutions. It's also believed that children with kirkira names could face harassment. The rise in kirkira names towards the end of the 20th century was seen as part of a larger shift towards individualism in Japanese society. Japanese Universities Consider Accepting Foreign Students From Harvard On Tuesday, Japan's education ministry called on universities nationwide to consider accepting or supporting students who may no longer be able to study in the United States. The move comes after the US government announced that it planned to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign students. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a restraining order last Friday, temporarily blocking the measure after Harvard filed a lawsuit. Yesterday, a federal judge extended that order. While these rulings have been welcomed by international students, they remain in limbo. On Monday, the University of Tokyo said it would consider temporarily accepting international students from Harvard University if they were forced to leave. Kyoto University said likewise the following day. Other universities, such as the University of Osaka, Tohoku University, Waseda University and Hokkaido University are believed to be considering the possibility of receiving those students. According to education minister Toshiko Abe, the Japan Student Services Organization will soon release details of the support measures provided by each participating university to assist Harvard students if they are displaced. ANA Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Man Tries To Open Exit Doors Midair An All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight headed to Texas from Tokyo was forced to make an emergency landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Saturday after a male passenger attempted to open two exit doors during the flight. According to the police, the man, who has not been identified , was 'having a medical crisis.' He was restrained by the crew and passengers before being taken to hospital for medical evaluation after the plane landed. It's currently unclear whether he'll face any charges. The plane — a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — departed Tokyo at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time on May 24, bound for George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Following the disturbance, it landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at approximately 4 a.m. The plane reached its destination in Houston, Texas, at 12:40 p.m., four hours after its scheduled arrival time. 'The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and we applaud the efforts of local law enforcement for their support,' ANA said in a statement. Onosato Promoted to the Highest Rank of Yokozuna Onosato was promoted to the highest rank of yokozuna on Wednesday following his Summer Grand Sumo Tournament triumph. The 24-year-old Ishikawa Prefecture native achieved the feat after just 13 professional tournaments, making him the fastest to attain the exalted rank in the modern era. The previous record was held by fellow Ishikawa Prefecture native Wajima, who secured promotion after his 21st meet in 1973. Onosato , whose birth name is Daiki Nakamura, is the first Japanese-born sumo wrestler to become grand champion since 2017. The only other Japanese-born competitor promoted to the top rank of the sport this century was his stablemaster Nishonoseki , who wrestled as Kisenosato . He retired in 2019. Since Asashoryu's ascent to the highest rank 22 years ago, sumo has been dominated by Mongolian wrestlers, with six of the last eight yokozuna hailing from the world's second-largest landlocked country. The rise of Onosato, though, could mark a new era in the sport. A remarkable talent, he is the first wrestler to turn yokozuna without a single losing record. Ohtani Hits 20th Homer, Return to the Mound Expected After All-Star Break On Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani became only the third Los Angeles Dodgers player in history to hit 20 homers within the team's first 55 games. The fastest he had reached that number before was in 70 matches. What's even more exciting for fans of the franchise is that the two-way superstar may soon be ready for a return to the mound. In a simulated game before the Dodgers' matchup with the New York Mets on Sunday, Ohtani threw 22 pitches to five batters. 'He looks good,' said pitching coach Mark Prior. 'He looked healthy. That's always the main thing with facing hitters. That he feels confident, his endurance is good, he maintained his stuff.' According to coach Dave Roberts, Ohtani is unlikely to return to the mound until after the All-Star break. 'He's doing his first simulated game for two innings, and, in theory, you got to build a starter up to five, six innings,' said Roberts. 'And so just the natural progression, I just don't see it being before that.' 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