rice

The European Commission is urging member states to reduce energy demand ahead of winter, as gas prices face a squeeze on supply. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said the EU is not facing an immediate gas-security crisis, but a price-and-supply squeeze that could worsen, prompting calls for national measures to lower consumption and prepare for a tighter winter season.

SpaceX's initial public offering is reportedly priced at $135 a share, which would make it the largest IPO in history. According to the reported S-1 financials, the pricing sets the stage for a landmark debut on public markets, with investors focused on what the filings actually reveal about the company's revenue, costs and valuation ahead of trading.

Japan's sake rice, the key ingredient in traditional rice wine brewing, is under strain as temperatures rise. Growers and brewers report the rice is becoming harder to cultivate at quality, with heat affecting grain characteristics prized for brewing. The story highlights how climate change is reaching even Japan's most protected culinary traditions, prompting concern across the sake industry.

In US pre-market trading, SpaceX shares reversed early losses and turned positive after dipping below their IPO debut price, moving against a broad market decline. Chip stocks fell collectively, dragging Nasdaq futures down 2.7%. Traders are watching whether the space company's recovery can hold once regular trading begins amid the semiconductor-led selloff.

Anthropic's expected public listing is reportedly at risk, while Meta's Muse model makes a notable debut and falling token prices squeeze AI firms' margins. Open source models are gaining market share, and commentators argue AI alignment efforts are failing. The discussion, led by the All-In Podcast panel, frames a turning point for the AI industry's economics and safety ambitions.

Discounts on the iPhone 17 are drying up as Apple's price increases spread across markets, Forbes reports. Retailers and carriers that had been offering promotions are pulling them back, meaning buyers are increasingly paying closer to full price. The report suggests the trend reflects broader price rises on Apple's lineup rather than isolated deals ending, drawing attention from consumers weighing whether to buy now or wait.

Housing prices are climbing even as government regulations aim to cool the real estate market, prompting widespread debate about why policy measures are failing to curb costs. Commentators are weighing supply shortages, low interest rates and investor demand as possible drivers, with buyers expressing growing frustration over affordability and uncertainty about what policy steps might come next.

Bitcoin is holding around $84,000 after recording its strongest weekly gain since January. Crypto market trackers report traders weighing whether the rally can continue, with attention on whether Bitcoin can keep the $84,000 level or give back some of last week's gains. Other major cryptocurrencies are said to be moving in step with the market leader.

UBS's latest housing bubble index names Zurich and Tokyo as the developed markets at greatest risk of a housing bubble, while overall price growth across the cities it tracks continues to slow. Investors are watching the findings for signals on where valuations may be most stretched, with real estate ETFs such as Vanguard Real Estate (VNQ) also in focus as sentiment on global property cools.

Realtor.com has updated its 2026 housing forecast, projecting that home price growth will cool further and fall behind the pace of inflation. The revised outlook suggests sellers may see weaker price gains while buyers could face somewhat improved affordability, though elevated mortgage rates continue to weigh on the market heading into next year.

NTT Docomo will raise the monthly fee for its ahamo low-cost mobile plan from December, adding 165 yen per month. Older OCN Mobile ONE plans are also affected by the change. The modest size of the increase is being read as a cautious move, with Docomo apparently mindful of competition from rival carriers' discount plans and reluctant to push prices higher.

Seoul's housing market is diverging sharply, with redevelopment prices in the upscale Gangnam district falling while apartments on the city's outskirts hit record highs. The split suggests buyers are shifting away from premium reconstruction projects toward more affordable outer districts, reversing the usual pattern in which Gangnam leads the market.

Maryland lawmakers are considering expanding the tax authority of local governments, a proposal that would give counties and cities more room to raise revenue. Housing advocacy groups are pushing back, arguing that broader local tax powers would drive up housing costs and price prospective buyers out of the market. Supporters see it as a way to fund local services; critics warn it could worsen the state's affordability crisis.