News

Japan's Lower House passed the initial budget for fiscal 2025, marking a significant victory for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's minority government despite revisions to secure opposition support. The budget includes measures for free high school education and an increase in the minimum annual taxable income.

Intuitive Machines' Athena lander successfully touched down on the moon, but encountered difficulties during its final approach, raising concerns about its orientation and the potential impact on scientific objectives. This landing marks the second lunar touchdown this week under NASA's commercial lunar delivery program, highlighting the growing capabilities of private companies in lunar exploration.

Japan has deported at least 17 foreigners who applied for refugee status since stricter provisions took effect in June 2024. The revised law allows for deportations of individuals whose refugee applications have been rejected twice, sparking concerns about asylum seekers being forced back to potentially dangerous situations.

Asian shares mostly rose on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as investors were encouraged by another rally on Wall Street and news of Warren Buffett's increased investment in Japanese trading companies. Meanwhile, concerns over President Trump's policies and their impact on the U.S. economy continued to weigh on markets.

NASA's Osiris-Rex mission has returned samples from the asteroid Bennu, revealing the presence of water and organic molecules, suggesting that asteroids may have played a crucial role in bringing the ingredients for life to Earth. These findings provide the strongest evidence yet that life on Earth may have originated from extraterrestrial sources.