The United Kingdom is expanding its wind and solar power capacity as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imported gas and increase energy security. Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) indicates that just under half of Britain's electricity supply was powered by foreign energy imports in 2024, down from 65% in 2014. Wind and solar now account for a significant share of generation, with wind contributing 42.3% of Great Britain's electricity on certain days, and wind making up 61% of all renewable generation.

Read more

President Donald Trump is preparing to announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals, with a particular focus on imports from Ireland, a global hub for the pharmaceutical industry. The administration's investigation under Section 232 into pharmaceutical imports highlights that about 85% of brand-name drug ingredients are produced abroad, raising concerns about potential impacts on drug prices and investment. Ireland is bracing for possible investment losses as the tariffs loom, while drugmakers are also apprehensive about the consequences. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is imposing further restrictions on universities, adding to the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector.

The offshore wind industry is facing major setbacks both in Ireland and the United States. Ireland's multi-billion-euro offshore wind sector is described as being in crisis, struggling to advance projects. In the U.S., the Department of the Interior under the Trump administration has ordered a halt to offshore wind projects, including the Empire Wind 1 project, citing concerns over environmental risks and national security. This action follows criticism of the previous Biden administration's approval process, which was found to rely on rushed and flawed scientific studies. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has expressed support for treating offshore wind projects with the same scrutiny as offshore oil, emphasizing the need for thorough analysis and consultation. Republican Representative Andy Harris highlighted risks offshore wind poses to the environment, marine life, and national security, advocating for the cessation of all offshore wind construction in his district. Legal experts note that the stop-work order on Empire Wind 1 raises questions about the impact on other industries. Overall, industry leaders stress that ambition alone is insufficient to advance offshore wind turbines into operational status, underscoring the need for rigorous evaluation and regulatory compliance.

Bohemians secured a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Shamrock Rovers in the Dublin Derby at Tallaght Stadium on April 21, 2025. The match saw Bohemians overturn a 2-0 halftime deficit to win, with 18-year-old Rhys Brennan scoring a dramatic 95th-minute winner. Ross Tierney, named SSE Airtricity Player of the Match, played a key role in the turnaround, scoring to level the game at 2-2 before Brennan's late goal. Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds praised the team's bravery and resilience, dedicating the win to the late Billy Young, a respected figure in the club. Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley expressed disappointment at losing a two-goal lead, while commentators Conan Byrne and Roddy Collins highlighted the players' responsibility for the defeat rather than tactics or coaching. The victory was celebrated by Bohemians fans, who had previously expressed frustration during the first half. The win adds to Shamrock Rovers' recent challenges despite their unbeaten run prior to the derby.

A teenager has died following a collision between a scrambler bike and a car in a housing estate on Citywest Avenue in southwest Dublin. The incident occurred at approximately 8pm on Sunday night. The rider, a male in his late teens, was taken to Tallaght Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Gardaí have stated that there were no reports of other injuries. Forensic collision investigators have examined the scene, and the road has since reopened. Authorities are appealing for witnesses and are seeking any camera footage, including dash-cam, from road users who were in the area between 7:45pm and 8:15pm.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station at (01) 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The 2025 Irish Poker Open Main Event has set a new record with 4,562 entries, generating a prize pool of €4,447,950. Dutch player Michel Molenaar, the Day 3 Chip Leader, leads the remaining 218 players into Day 3 with a stack of 3,815,000 chips. The event, which is the largest in its 45-year history, is set to play down to the final table on Day 3, with the winner to be crowned on Monday at the Royal Dublin Society.

The top prize for the winner is €600,000, with the top six finishers guaranteed six-figure payouts. The minimum cash for the top 671 players is €1,600, with €4,140 locked up for those reaching Day 3 and €6,270 for those making it to the final stages. Notable players still in contention include former champion Steven O'Dwyer and local favorite David Pollock, who bagged 2,440,000 chips for Day 3.

PokerStars is streaming the action with cards-up coverage, allowing fans to follow the tournament's progress. The event, with a €1,150 buy-in, continues to draw significant attention, showcasing the growing popularity of poker in Ireland and beyond.

The Irish Freemasons were unaware until the last minute that an interview between UFC champion Conor McGregor and Tucker Carlson was to be held on their premises. Following the interview, the Freemasons of Ireland announced they would donate the payment received for hosting the event to charity. McGregor has issued strong statements warning Irish politicians that they will not evade accountability for harming his home country. He also expressed that threats and attacks from what he refers to as Ireland's 'Deep State' do not intimidate him, stating he moves forward under God. Additionally, McGregor has controversially called for the deportation of criminals from Ireland, a stance that has sparked further discussion.

A search and rescue operation is underway off the southeast coast of Ireland following reports of a man falling overboard from a yacht near Waterford. The Coastguard has been actively involved in the search, which has expanded to include helicopter assistance. The incident occurred overnight, prompting urgent response efforts to locate the missing individual. The search continues as authorities coordinate their efforts in the area.

Authorities in County Cork, Ireland, are investigating after partial human remains, including a suspected skull, were discovered during gardening work at a house in West Cork. The skull was reportedly found wrapped in plastic inside a shopping bag. Gardaí have confirmed an ongoing inquiry into the discovery, which has prompted a police operation in the area.

Conor McGregor, a prominent figure in mixed martial arts, has expressed his intention to run for the presidency of Ireland. In an interview with US commentator Tucker Carlson, McGregor criticized the Irish government's handling of immigration, claiming that mass migration is leading to the 'erasure of Irish culture' and describing it as a 'genocide of our people'. He stated that Ireland is 'very close to losing its Irishness' and vowed to address these issues if elected.

Read more

The UK Met Office has imposed a yellow weather warning for rain covering parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland from Good Friday, signalling a damp start to the Easter bank‑holiday weekend. Forecasts point to prolonged downpours accompanied by near‑gale‑force winds, raising the likelihood of localised flooding and disruption to road and rail travel through the holiday period.

In Ireland, national forecaster Met Éireann has extended Status Orange and Status Yellow rain alerts to 12 counties for the same period, citing the potential for hazardous driving conditions and surface flooding. While some brighter intervals may emerge on Easter Sunday, officials in both countries are urging residents to monitor updates and adjust travel plans accordingly.

Shannon Shorr was crowned the 2025 U.S. Poker Open champion after winning the final event of the series, securing a first-place prize of $529,250 and the Golden Eagle trophy. This victory allowed the 39-year-old poker professional to clinch the overall series title by narrowly surpassing Matthew Wantman in the points race. Shorr's performance included winning two events for a combined $750,000 in prize money, marking a career highlight. The final event featured a notable set-over-set clash between Shorr and Ignacio Barbero, with Shorr ultimately prevailing after Barbero's ace-high hero call was beaten by Shorr's two pair. The U.S. Poker Open is presented by Global Poker (official_glp). Meanwhile, the Irish Poker Open, the largest in its 45-year history, is underway with a record-breaking prize pool of €4,447,950 and over 4,500 entries. The €1,150 Main Event has 815 players remaining, with €600,000 guaranteed for first place. Prominent players such as David Erquiaga, Michael Khan, Atanas Pavlov, Jon Kyte, David Chen, and Victoria Livschitz are active in various high roller events and the main event, with many offering staking opportunities. The Irish Open continues to draw significant attention with cards-up coverage and a strong field of international competitors.

Rieko Ioane, the New Zealand All Blacks centre and Auckland Blues player, has signed a seven-month contract with Leinster for the 2025/26 season. The move, confirmed by both Ioane and Leinster, will begin after the November 2025 Test window and is structured as a sabbatical, with Ioane set to return to New Zealand in June 2026 under a clause in his contract.

The deal, reportedly worth around €250,000, has been sanctioned by the IRFU and follows a similar arrangement made by Jordie Barrett. Ioane, who debuted for the Blues at age 17 and for the All Blacks at 19, has earned 81 caps and scored 37 tries for New Zealand. He is expected to bring experience and versatility to Leinster's backline, with potential to play at centre or wing.

Read more

Ireland has taken initial steps to secure international recognition for its astronomical observatories by adding them to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This initiative includes three observatories across the island, with one located in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Heritage announced the inclusion of the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland on the tentative list as part of a bid to achieve UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The move highlights efforts to preserve and promote Ireland's cultural and scientific heritage on a global platform.

The 'Grace' case, involving allegations of foster abuse, has drawn significant attention in Ireland, particularly regarding the treatment of whistleblowers and the costs associated with the investigation. One of the two social workers who raised concerns in the case described the experience as taking a "big toll" and warned that the State attempts to suppress whistleblowers. Another whistleblower criticized the inquiry process, calling it a "complete waste of time." The Farrelly Commission, which investigated the case, has been noted for its lengthy duration and high expenses. Ireland has spent nearly €600 million on 29 tribunals and commissions of inquiry since the late 1990s, with the Grace inquiry costing €13.6 million in total. Of this, €2.5 million has been awarded in legal costs to witnesses. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is now investigating whistleblower claims related to Vision Ireland, deepening the crisis surrounding the case. The State's response to whistleblowers in the Grace case has been described as a deterrent to others who might speak out.

Meta Platforms is under scrutiny for using databases containing millions of pirated books, including 7.5 million from the LibGen database, to train its artificial intelligence models such as Llama 3. Court documents and a class-action lawsuit in the United States, involving authors like Richard Kadrey and Sarah Silverman, allege that Meta downloaded these works without licenses to evaluate if it could develop AI models without licensing content. Meta argues its practices are consistent with existing law and claims individual books have minimal economic value as training data.

Read more

TG4 has secured exclusive free-to-air broadcasting rights for the United Rugby Championship (URC) matches in Ireland through a four-year agreement with the tournament organisers. This deal ends RTÉ's ability to broadcast URC games free-to-air, marking a setback for the national broadcaster. In the United Kingdom, Premier Sports will hold the rights to broadcast all 151 URC games next season, with 131 matches shown exclusively on their platform. S4C will provide free-to-air coverage of 20 Welsh games, while BBC Wales and BBC Northern Ireland will no longer broadcast any URC matches. The loss of rights by BBC Wales represents a notable change in the coverage landscape for the URC. This shift may also lead to increased airtime for Super Rugby Cymru.

Johnny Sexton, aged 39 and former Ireland captain, has been appointed as an assistant coach for the British and Irish Lions' upcoming tour of Australia. Sexton, who retired from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup, will join head coach Andy Farrell's team, leveraging his experience from 14 appearances across the 2013 and 2017 tours, where he earned 6 Test caps.

Following the Lions tour, Sexton will transition into a full-time coaching role with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) starting August 1. His new position will involve working with various men's and women's national age-grade teams up to the senior level, reflecting his commitment to nurturing future talent in Irish rugby. Sexton, Ireland's record points scorer with 1,108 points in 118 caps, was also named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018.

Sexton's role with the Lions will be as a kicking coach, utilizing his expertise in this area from his time with Ireland. His appointment to the Lions coaching staff is seen as a boost due to his previous relationship with Farrell, having played under him during the successful 2013 Lions tour to Australia.

Governments in Europe are introducing new regulations targeting short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. Portugal's new Civil Code project allows for the prohibition of Airbnb-style rentals, which Airbnb argues could harm families relying on local accommodation. Ireland is implementing a law to create a register of short-term lets by May 2026 and is targeting undeclared Airbnb rentals worth 8.9 million euros, with 593 property owners under scrutiny. Under these new rules, platforms like Airbnb could face fines amounting to millions of euros. The regulations aim to free up properties for long-term housing needs.

A series of major fires have occurred at recycling and waste management facilities across several countries, frequently linked to improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. In Japan, a fire broke out on April 14, 2025, at a waste processing facility in Oguchi, Aichi Prefecture, attributed to the ignition of a lithium-ion battery during compression of waste. The incident resulted in the indefinite suspension of operations, with no injuries reported. Nagoya reported that annual fires at one facility dropped from over 40 to 2 following the introduction of dedicated battery collection.

Read more

The United Kingdom is expanding its wind and solar power capacity as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imported gas and increase energy security. Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) indicates that just under half of Britain's electricity supply was powered by foreign energy imports in 2024, down from 65% in 2014. Wind and solar now account for a significant share of generation, with wind contributing 42.3% of Great Britain's electricity on certain days, and wind making up 61% of all renewable generation.

Read more

President Donald Trump is preparing to announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals, with a particular focus on imports from Ireland, a global hub for the pharmaceutical industry. The administration's investigation under Section 232 into pharmaceutical imports highlights that about 85% of brand-name drug ingredients are produced abroad, raising concerns about potential impacts on drug prices and investment. Ireland is bracing for possible investment losses as the tariffs loom, while drugmakers are also apprehensive about the consequences. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is imposing further restrictions on universities, adding to the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector.

The offshore wind industry is facing major setbacks both in Ireland and the United States. Ireland's multi-billion-euro offshore wind sector is described as being in crisis, struggling to advance projects. In the U.S., the Department of the Interior under the Trump administration has ordered a halt to offshore wind projects, including the Empire Wind 1 project, citing concerns over environmental risks and national security. This action follows criticism of the previous Biden administration's approval process, which was found to rely on rushed and flawed scientific studies. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has expressed support for treating offshore wind projects with the same scrutiny as offshore oil, emphasizing the need for thorough analysis and consultation. Republican Representative Andy Harris highlighted risks offshore wind poses to the environment, marine life, and national security, advocating for the cessation of all offshore wind construction in his district. Legal experts note that the stop-work order on Empire Wind 1 raises questions about the impact on other industries. Overall, industry leaders stress that ambition alone is insufficient to advance offshore wind turbines into operational status, underscoring the need for rigorous evaluation and regulatory compliance.

Bohemians secured a remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Shamrock Rovers in the Dublin Derby at Tallaght Stadium on April 21, 2025. The match saw Bohemians overturn a 2-0 halftime deficit to win, with 18-year-old Rhys Brennan scoring a dramatic 95th-minute winner. Ross Tierney, named SSE Airtricity Player of the Match, played a key role in the turnaround, scoring to level the game at 2-2 before Brennan's late goal. Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds praised the team's bravery and resilience, dedicating the win to the late Billy Young, a respected figure in the club. Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley expressed disappointment at losing a two-goal lead, while commentators Conan Byrne and Roddy Collins highlighted the players' responsibility for the defeat rather than tactics or coaching. The victory was celebrated by Bohemians fans, who had previously expressed frustration during the first half. The win adds to Shamrock Rovers' recent challenges despite their unbeaten run prior to the derby.

A teenager has died following a collision between a scrambler bike and a car in a housing estate on Citywest Avenue in southwest Dublin. The incident occurred at approximately 8pm on Sunday night. The rider, a male in his late teens, was taken to Tallaght Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Gardaí have stated that there were no reports of other injuries. Forensic collision investigators have examined the scene, and the road has since reopened. Authorities are appealing for witnesses and are seeking any camera footage, including dash-cam, from road users who were in the area between 7:45pm and 8:15pm.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station at (01) 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The 2025 Irish Poker Open Main Event has set a new record with 4,562 entries, generating a prize pool of €4,447,950. Dutch player Michel Molenaar, the Day 3 Chip Leader, leads the remaining 218 players into Day 3 with a stack of 3,815,000 chips. The event, which is the largest in its 45-year history, is set to play down to the final table on Day 3, with the winner to be crowned on Monday at the Royal Dublin Society.

The top prize for the winner is €600,000, with the top six finishers guaranteed six-figure payouts. The minimum cash for the top 671 players is €1,600, with €4,140 locked up for those reaching Day 3 and €6,270 for those making it to the final stages. Notable players still in contention include former champion Steven O'Dwyer and local favorite David Pollock, who bagged 2,440,000 chips for Day 3.

PokerStars is streaming the action with cards-up coverage, allowing fans to follow the tournament's progress. The event, with a €1,150 buy-in, continues to draw significant attention, showcasing the growing popularity of poker in Ireland and beyond.

The Irish Freemasons were unaware until the last minute that an interview between UFC champion Conor McGregor and Tucker Carlson was to be held on their premises. Following the interview, the Freemasons of Ireland announced they would donate the payment received for hosting the event to charity. McGregor has issued strong statements warning Irish politicians that they will not evade accountability for harming his home country. He also expressed that threats and attacks from what he refers to as Ireland's 'Deep State' do not intimidate him, stating he moves forward under God. Additionally, McGregor has controversially called for the deportation of criminals from Ireland, a stance that has sparked further discussion.

A search and rescue operation is underway off the southeast coast of Ireland following reports of a man falling overboard from a yacht near Waterford. The Coastguard has been actively involved in the search, which has expanded to include helicopter assistance. The incident occurred overnight, prompting urgent response efforts to locate the missing individual. The search continues as authorities coordinate their efforts in the area.

Authorities in County Cork, Ireland, are investigating after partial human remains, including a suspected skull, were discovered during gardening work at a house in West Cork. The skull was reportedly found wrapped in plastic inside a shopping bag. Gardaí have confirmed an ongoing inquiry into the discovery, which has prompted a police operation in the area.

Conor McGregor, a prominent figure in mixed martial arts, has expressed his intention to run for the presidency of Ireland. In an interview with US commentator Tucker Carlson, McGregor criticized the Irish government's handling of immigration, claiming that mass migration is leading to the 'erasure of Irish culture' and describing it as a 'genocide of our people'. He stated that Ireland is 'very close to losing its Irishness' and vowed to address these issues if elected.

Read more

The UK Met Office has imposed a yellow weather warning for rain covering parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland from Good Friday, signalling a damp start to the Easter bank‑holiday weekend. Forecasts point to prolonged downpours accompanied by near‑gale‑force winds, raising the likelihood of localised flooding and disruption to road and rail travel through the holiday period.

In Ireland, national forecaster Met Éireann has extended Status Orange and Status Yellow rain alerts to 12 counties for the same period, citing the potential for hazardous driving conditions and surface flooding. While some brighter intervals may emerge on Easter Sunday, officials in both countries are urging residents to monitor updates and adjust travel plans accordingly.

Shannon Shorr was crowned the 2025 U.S. Poker Open champion after winning the final event of the series, securing a first-place prize of $529,250 and the Golden Eagle trophy. This victory allowed the 39-year-old poker professional to clinch the overall series title by narrowly surpassing Matthew Wantman in the points race. Shorr's performance included winning two events for a combined $750,000 in prize money, marking a career highlight. The final event featured a notable set-over-set clash between Shorr and Ignacio Barbero, with Shorr ultimately prevailing after Barbero's ace-high hero call was beaten by Shorr's two pair. The U.S. Poker Open is presented by Global Poker (official_glp). Meanwhile, the Irish Poker Open, the largest in its 45-year history, is underway with a record-breaking prize pool of €4,447,950 and over 4,500 entries. The €1,150 Main Event has 815 players remaining, with €600,000 guaranteed for first place. Prominent players such as David Erquiaga, Michael Khan, Atanas Pavlov, Jon Kyte, David Chen, and Victoria Livschitz are active in various high roller events and the main event, with many offering staking opportunities. The Irish Open continues to draw significant attention with cards-up coverage and a strong field of international competitors.

Rieko Ioane, the New Zealand All Blacks centre and Auckland Blues player, has signed a seven-month contract with Leinster for the 2025/26 season. The move, confirmed by both Ioane and Leinster, will begin after the November 2025 Test window and is structured as a sabbatical, with Ioane set to return to New Zealand in June 2026 under a clause in his contract.

The deal, reportedly worth around €250,000, has been sanctioned by the IRFU and follows a similar arrangement made by Jordie Barrett. Ioane, who debuted for the Blues at age 17 and for the All Blacks at 19, has earned 81 caps and scored 37 tries for New Zealand. He is expected to bring experience and versatility to Leinster's backline, with potential to play at centre or wing.

Read more

Ireland has taken initial steps to secure international recognition for its astronomical observatories by adding them to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This initiative includes three observatories across the island, with one located in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Heritage announced the inclusion of the Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland on the tentative list as part of a bid to achieve UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The move highlights efforts to preserve and promote Ireland's cultural and scientific heritage on a global platform.

The 'Grace' case, involving allegations of foster abuse, has drawn significant attention in Ireland, particularly regarding the treatment of whistleblowers and the costs associated with the investigation. One of the two social workers who raised concerns in the case described the experience as taking a "big toll" and warned that the State attempts to suppress whistleblowers. Another whistleblower criticized the inquiry process, calling it a "complete waste of time." The Farrelly Commission, which investigated the case, has been noted for its lengthy duration and high expenses. Ireland has spent nearly €600 million on 29 tribunals and commissions of inquiry since the late 1990s, with the Grace inquiry costing €13.6 million in total. Of this, €2.5 million has been awarded in legal costs to witnesses. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is now investigating whistleblower claims related to Vision Ireland, deepening the crisis surrounding the case. The State's response to whistleblowers in the Grace case has been described as a deterrent to others who might speak out.

Meta Platforms is under scrutiny for using databases containing millions of pirated books, including 7.5 million from the LibGen database, to train its artificial intelligence models such as Llama 3. Court documents and a class-action lawsuit in the United States, involving authors like Richard Kadrey and Sarah Silverman, allege that Meta downloaded these works without licenses to evaluate if it could develop AI models without licensing content. Meta argues its practices are consistent with existing law and claims individual books have minimal economic value as training data.

Read more

TG4 has secured exclusive free-to-air broadcasting rights for the United Rugby Championship (URC) matches in Ireland through a four-year agreement with the tournament organisers. This deal ends RTÉ's ability to broadcast URC games free-to-air, marking a setback for the national broadcaster. In the United Kingdom, Premier Sports will hold the rights to broadcast all 151 URC games next season, with 131 matches shown exclusively on their platform. S4C will provide free-to-air coverage of 20 Welsh games, while BBC Wales and BBC Northern Ireland will no longer broadcast any URC matches. The loss of rights by BBC Wales represents a notable change in the coverage landscape for the URC. This shift may also lead to increased airtime for Super Rugby Cymru.

Johnny Sexton, aged 39 and former Ireland captain, has been appointed as an assistant coach for the British and Irish Lions' upcoming tour of Australia. Sexton, who retired from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup, will join head coach Andy Farrell's team, leveraging his experience from 14 appearances across the 2013 and 2017 tours, where he earned 6 Test caps.

Following the Lions tour, Sexton will transition into a full-time coaching role with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) starting August 1. His new position will involve working with various men's and women's national age-grade teams up to the senior level, reflecting his commitment to nurturing future talent in Irish rugby. Sexton, Ireland's record points scorer with 1,108 points in 118 caps, was also named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018.

Sexton's role with the Lions will be as a kicking coach, utilizing his expertise in this area from his time with Ireland. His appointment to the Lions coaching staff is seen as a boost due to his previous relationship with Farrell, having played under him during the successful 2013 Lions tour to Australia.

Governments in Europe are introducing new regulations targeting short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. Portugal's new Civil Code project allows for the prohibition of Airbnb-style rentals, which Airbnb argues could harm families relying on local accommodation. Ireland is implementing a law to create a register of short-term lets by May 2026 and is targeting undeclared Airbnb rentals worth 8.9 million euros, with 593 property owners under scrutiny. Under these new rules, platforms like Airbnb could face fines amounting to millions of euros. The regulations aim to free up properties for long-term housing needs.

A series of major fires have occurred at recycling and waste management facilities across several countries, frequently linked to improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. In Japan, a fire broke out on April 14, 2025, at a waste processing facility in Oguchi, Aichi Prefecture, attributed to the ignition of a lithium-ion battery during compression of waste. The incident resulted in the indefinite suspension of operations, with no injuries reported. Nagoya reported that annual fires at one facility dropped from over 40 to 2 following the introduction of dedicated battery collection.

Read more