A: Hey there! Heard any fun news recently? 😃
B: Not much, just scrolling through feeds... Why? 🤨
A: So, Trump just greenlit the production of these tiny cars in the US! 🚗🇮🇱
B: Tiny cars? Like those we see in Japan or something? 🤔
A: Exactly! He said manufacturers can make them gasoline, electric or hybrid. It's like they've been waiting for this! 🎉
B: Hmm... I wonder if the Japanese cars we know so well will be included too. 💭
A: Well, he didn't specify, but he did mention those cute tiny cars you see in Japan and other places. 🤷♀️
B: That sounds interesting! Maybe it's good for US consumers who are feeling the pinch of prolonged inflation. 💸
A: Definitely! It seems like the Trump administration is trying to lower automobile costs with more affordable options before next year's midterm elections. 📅🗳️
1. President Donald Trump has given approval for the manufacture of "tiny cars" in the United States, which can be powered by gasoline, electric, or hybrid technology.
2. This decision aims to provide more affordable vehicles in the US market, a move that could lower overall automobile costs amid rising inflation and ahead of next year's midterm elections.
3. The specific types of small vehicles covered under this new policy are yet to be defined, but Trump has shown interest in very small cars commonly seen in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.
US President Donald Trump has announced that he has approved the manufacture of what he calls "tiny cars" in the United States.
Trump made the statement in a social media post on Friday.
He wrote: "I have just approved TINY CARS to be built in America. Manufacturers have long wanted to do this, just like they are so successfully built in other countries."
He added that the cars "can be propelled by gasoline, electric, or hybrid," and urged manufacturers to "START BUILDING THEM NOW!"
Trump did not specify which types of very small vehicles would fall under the new policy. It is also unclear whether minicars and compact vehicles, which Japanese automakers excel at making, would be included.
On Wednesday, Trump referred to the very small cars commonly seen in Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, calling them "really cute," and indicated his intention to approve their domestic production.
The move comes as US consumers have become increasingly price-sensitive amid prolonged inflation.
The Trump administration is apparently seeking to lower overall automobile costs by increasing the availability of more affordable vehicles in the US market ahead of next year's midterm elections.
Quiz 1:
What type of cars did Donald Trump approve for manufacture in the United States?
A. Large Sedans
B. Tiny Cars (Correct Answer)
C. Luxury Cars
D. SUVs
Quiz 2:
Which types of vehicles are Japanese automakers known for excelling at making?
A. Tiny Cars
B. Large Sedans
C. Luxury Cars (Correct Answer)
D. SUVs
Quiz 3:
What is the motivation behind Donald Trump's approval of tiny cars in the US market, according to the article?
A. To increase overall automobile costs
B. To cater to consumers who prefer large vehicles
C. To stimulate economic growth
D. To lower overall automobile costs (Correct Answer)
A: Hey there! Guess what I stumbled upon?
B: What's up, mate? What are you talking about?
A: So, there's this old temple in Fujisawa, right? It's called Yugyoji and it's celebrating its 7-hundoth birthday!
B: Seven hundos?! That's old, man! What's the big deal?
A: Well, they put up this amazing light show to mark the occasion. When I was there yesterday, these LED lights started shining all over the main hall and the pathway! It looked awesome!
B: Oh, wow! Sounds cool. Were there any other attractions?
A: Yeah! They even lit up a ginkgo tree that's more than 20 meters tall. The leaves were glowing golden in the dark. Can you imagine?
B: That sounds like something out of a fairy tale! I should definitely check it out before it ends.
A: It's on till December 14th, between four thirty in the afternoon and eight o'clock. You gotta see it!
B: Thanks for the tip, buddy! I'll make sure to swing by and check out this light show. Can't wait to experience that old temple magic!
1. Yugyoji Temple, built in 1325 and located south of Tokyo, has attracted visitors with a colorful light display as part of its 700-year anniversary celebration.
2. The event was organized by the temple and local chamber of commerce, featuring LED lights that cast decorative patterns on the main hall and pathway, along with illuminating a 700-year old ginkgo tree.
3. The light show runs daily from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., through December 14, providing an immersive experience for first-time visitors and potentially educating them about the temple's rich history.
A Buddhist temple south of Tokyo has enthralled visitors with a colorful display of lights to celebrate its 700-year history.
Yugyoji Temple in the city of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, was built in 1325. It teamed up with a local chamber of commerce to organize the illumination event.
When a temple bell tolled late on Saturday afternoon, LED lights came on, casting decorative patterns onto the main hall and along the pathway to it.
A ginkgo tree, towering more than 20 meters high, was also lit up, making its yellow leaves glow gold. The tree is also said to be 700 years old.
A local resident in his 30s who visited with his children said he came to the temple for the first time to see the lights and really enjoyed the experience.
Yugyoji priest Nagasawa Masayuki said he hopes the event will attract many people and help them learn more about the temple.
The light show is on between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. through December 14.
Quiz 1:
In which prefecture is the Yugyoji Temple located?
A. Hokkaido
B. Tokyo
C. Kanagawa
D. Okinawa
Quiz 2:
Which of the following was not a part of the illumination event at the Yugyoji Temple?
A. Decorative patterns on the main hall
B. A tolling temple bell
C. Music playing in the background
D. Glowing gold leaves of a ginkgo tree
Quiz 3:
How old is the ginkgo tree at Yugyoji Temple?
A. Over 700 years
B. Around 500 years
C. Approximately 200 years
D. Less than 100 years
[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: C
Quiz 2: C (There was no mention of music playing in the background)
Quiz 3: A
Russian forces have carried out attacks against infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. This comes amid a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing about peace and ending the fighting between the two sides.
The Ukrainian Air Force says the Russian military used five missiles and more than 240 drones to strike key infrastructure in Ukraine from Saturday into Sunday.
The Russian attacks have reportedly disrupted power, water and heat supplies in some areas of the city of Kremenchuk, which is located in the central Ukrainian region of Poltava.
Kremenchuk's mayor posted a social media message on Sunday. He said infrastructure facilities had come under enemy attack. He added that work was being done around the clock to restore critical systems.
Meanwhile, the governor of the southern Russian region of Rostov announced on social media that a power transmission tower had been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack. He said the assault had triggered a blackout in part of the region.
On Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London.
Quiz 1:
Which of the following best describes the current situation between Russia and Ukraine?
A. The two sides are engaging in peace talks.
B. Russia is carrying out attacks against infrastructure facilities in Ukraine.
C. Ukraine has launched an offensive against Russian forces.
D. There have been no recent conflicts reported between Russia and Ukraine.
Quiz 2:
In which city, located in the central Ukrainian region of Poltava, were infrastructure facilities targeted by Russian attacks?
A. Kiev
B. Donetsk
C. Kharkiv
D. Kremenchuk
Quiz 3:
Which world leaders are scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London on Monday?
A. Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, and Joe Biden
B. Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron, and Keir Starmer
C. Justin Trudeau, Xi Jinping, and Jair Bolsonaro
D. Narendra Modi, Imran Khan, and Moon Jae-in
A: Yo, John! What's up? 😊
B: Hey there, man! Just got home from work. How about you? 😁
A: You know what happened today in Hong Kong, right? 😮
B: Nope, didn't hear anything new... Tell me! 🤔
A: They held a Legislative Council election but the public interest was low because all candidates were pro-Beijing. Only 20 out of 90 seats were contested. And guess what? The electoral system has undergone Beijing-led reforms four years ago, so pro-democracy and anti-government individuals couldn't run!
B: Wow, that's crazy... So people didn't really want to vote, huh? 😕
A: Yeah, unfortunately. The voter turnout was only 31.9%, close to the record low figure reported after the previous contest. John Lee, Hong Kong Chief Executive, mentioned the recent fire tragedy when he cast his ballot, saying every vote will support residents affected by it and help Hong Kong move forward.
B: That's sad... But I heard they arrested four people who were urging people to boycott or spoil their ballots on social media. 😮
A: Exactly! They seem to be concerned about anti-election protests. 🤷♂️
B: Hopefully, things will get better for Hong Kong in the future. Let's hope for peace and democracy! 🤞🏼💙
A: Absolutely! Keep your spirits high, my friend. Let's catch up again soon! 😄
B: See you around, mate! Take care! 😊👋🏼
A Legislative Council election has been held in Hong Kong. But public interest was low because the candidates were all pro-Beijing.
Twenty of the 90 council seats were contested. The election takes place every four years.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee mentioned the recent fire that killed 159 people when he cast his ballot. He said every vote will support residents affected by the tragedy and help Hong Kong move forward.
The electoral system underwent Beijing-led reforms four years ago. The process was conducted under the slogan "Patriots governing Hong Kong."
Pro-democracy and anti-government individuals were effectively barred from running.
The Hong Kong government tried to encourage people to vote by keeping the polling stations open until 11:30 p.m. But preliminary data showed that voter turnout was only 31.9 percent. That is close to the record low figure reported after the previous contest.
Meanwhile, local media outlets say investigators arrested four people on Sunday. The individuals are suspected of having used social media to urge people to boycott the election or spoil their ballots. The authorities appear to be on edge about anti-election protests.
Quiz 1:
What was the public interest level in the recent Legislative Council election in Hong Kong?
A. High
B. Moderate
C. Low
D. Very high
[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: C
Quiz 2:
How many seats were contested in the recent Legislative Council election in Hong Kong?
A. 90
B. 80
C. 70
D. 50
[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 2: A
Quiz 3:
Which of the following statements about the electoral system in Hong Kong is TRUE?
A. The electoral system underwent Beijing-led reforms four years ago, with pro-democracy and anti-government individuals being allowed to run.
B. The electoral system underwent Beijing-led reforms four years ago, but pro-democracy and anti-government individuals were effectively barred from running.
C. The electoral system has not been changed in the last four years.
D. The electoral system was first implemented in 2025.
[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 3: B
A: Hey there! Guess what happened today?
B: No, what's up?
A: It's been a year since that old regime of Assad collapsed in Syria!
B: Really? How's it going now?
A: Well, the interim government is dealing with some serious issues. The country's divided, and it got worse during the long civil war.
B: I heard about that... it's pretty rough over there, huh?
A: Yeah, their former leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is trying to rebuild things now. He's been meeting with world leaders like Trump and Putin to help Syria gain recognition again.
B: That's cool... but the Syrian people are still divided, right?
A: Exactly! And there have been lots of human rights issues too. Over 100,000 people who were held by the Assad regime during the conflict are missing. It's terrible.
B: Wow... I can't imagine how tough that must be for them.
A: Plus, there have been attacks on minority groups and their relationships with neighboring countries aren't great either. Turkey controls part of northern Syria, and Israel has troops at the border.
B: That sounds like a real mess... I hope things get better soon.