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Ryder Cup MC steps down over foul-mouthed chant aimed at golfer Rory McIlroy

A Ryder Cup emcee has stepped down after heckling and cursing were aimed at golf players during the championship game over the weekend, the PGA of America said on Sunday.

Actress and comedian Heather McMahan, who hosted the first tee at Bethpage Black Golf Course on Long Island, N.Y., was heard on videos posted to social media chanting expletives against golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.

“F*** you, Rory,” McMahan could be heard saying into the microphone, before some in the crowd recited the jeer.

McMahan has apologized to Mcllroy and the Ryder Cup Europe team, according to PGA of America. NPR reached out to representatives for McMahan for comment on Sunday.

Some of the golf at this year’s Ryder Cup has been overshadowed by interventions from passionate and unruly fans, as Americans tee off against Europeans in one of the sport’s biggest events.

McIlroy has faced the brunt of the insults from spectators, who also jeered and yelled at his wife throughout the weekend. At one point, McIlroy was seen pushing back against jeering by telling unruly spectators to “shut the f*** up” in videos posted on social media and live television. He later also refused to putt until the jeering stopped.

“I don’t mind them having a go at us, that’s to be expected, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” McIlroy said on Saturday, according to BBC Sport. “Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing. You know, look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine. But just give us the respect to let us hit shots. Give us the same chance that the Americans have.”

Two spectators were ejected from the Ryder Cup on Saturday after a verbal altercation, according to Beau Duffy, a spokesperson for New York State Police, in a statement to NPR on Sunday.

“Yesterday, additional State Troopers were placed along the course for player and public safety. Additional adjustments will be made today as needed,” Duffy also said.

A Westbury, N.Y., man was also charged with two misdemeanors for stealing a golf cart used for the event — unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property, according to Duffy.

Luke Donald, captain of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, said behavior by some fans had “crossed the line,” during a press conference on Saturday.

“It was loud. It was raucous, you know. What I consider crossing line is personal insults and you know making sounds, you know, when they’re trying to hit on their back swings or you know, very close to when they’re trying to go into their routines,” Donald said. “That did happen a little bit. It’s happened to other Ryder Cups, too … something we prepared for and I can see, you know, I think how well they’ve dealt with it.”

Keegan Bradley, captain of Team USA, defended fans during the press conference.

“I thought the fans were passionate. I mean, their home team is getting beat bad,” Bradley said. “The fans of New York have — all I’ve seen, have been pretty good. You’re always going to have a few people that cross the line and that’s unfortunate. I really was happy to see our players trying to quiet down some people that were like that. But, you know, part of it is our fault. You know, we’re not playing up to the standards that they want to see, and they’re angry, and they should be.”

On Sunday, jeers and screaming continued to be hurled against McIlroy, even as he putted the ball in a match against Scottie Scheffler.

Europe defeated the U.S. in the Ryder Cup 15-13 Sunday evening. (NPR)

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Musk’s X to appeal Indian court ruling on Secretive Content removal system

Social media platform X said on Monday it plans to appeal an Indian court order that would allow over two million police officers nationwide to issue arbitrary takedown requests via a secretive online portal called the Sahyog.

“We will appeal this order to defend free expression,” X said in a post on the platform, in its first statement since the High Court of Karnataka ruled last week that there was no legal merit to the company’s legal challenge to quash India’s content removal mechanisms, according to Reuters.

“The Sahyog enables officers to order content removal based solely on allegations of “illegality,” without judicial review or due process for the speakers, and threatens platforms with criminal liability for non-compliance,” X said on Monday.

X has locked horns with New Delhi in the past, equating the government’s mechanisms with censorship. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the new system tackles a proliferation of unlawful content and ensures accountability online.

X owner Elon Musk has clashed with authorities in several countries over compliance and content takedown demands.

However, the company’s Indian lawsuit targeted the entire basis for tightened internet regulation in the world’s most populous nation.

Modi’s government has ramped up efforts to police the internet since 2023 by allowing many more officials to file takedown orders and submit them directly to tech firms through a website launched in October. (Channels)

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‘KPop Demon Hunters’ completes another chart double in Australia

It’s another chart week, another chart double for KPop Demon Hunters (Republic/Universal) in Australia.

The soundtrack to the hit animated Netflix film is flying at the top of the ARIA leaderboard for a ninth non-consecutive week. Among soundtracks, ARIA reports, that effort equals the nine week run by the 1997 soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet.

Since the ARIA Charts were first published in 1983, only four soundtracks have logged more weeks at the top, according to the charts compiler: the Australian cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar (10 weeks in 1992); plus Titanic (1998), Moulin Rouge (2001) and A Star Is Born (2018), which each led for 11 weeks.

Meanwhile, the top track from KPop Demon Hunters, “Golden,” reigns over the ARIA Singles Chart for a ninth consecutive week. That’s closing in on the all-time mark for a hit from an animated film, currently set at 12 weeks by Pharrell Williams’ 2014 single “Happy” from Despicable Me 2.

Back with the ARIA Albums Chart, Ocean Alley’s Love Balloon (via Community Music) lifts off for a No. 3 debut, the highest start for any new release on the current frame, published Friday, Sept. 26.

Recorded in three stints over about three months, Love Balloon is Ocean Alley’s fifth studio album, and first recorded with legendary American rock producer Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against The Machine).

With that bright start, Love Balloon is the Sydney indie-rock outfit’s third consecutive collection to hit No. 3, following 2020’s Lonely Diamond and 2022’s Low Altitude Living. Their breakthrough second album from 2018, Chiaroscuro, which housed the triple j Hottest 100 leader “Confidence,” reached No. 11 on the national survey.

Ocean Alley scores silverware as Love Balloon is crowned on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums chart, a feat they celebrated Saturday at London’s Alexandra Palace, with a headline show for more than 8,000 fans.

Also debuting in the top tier is Cardi B‘s sophomore studio album, Am I The Drama? (Atlantic/Warner), new at No. 8. Drama is the followup to the Bronx rapper’s 2018, Invasion Of Privacy, which peaked at No. 5.

Trent Reznor’s Nine Inch Nails bags a top 10 with the soundtrack to TRON: Ares (Interscope/Universal). It’s new at No. 10 for the American industrial rock act’s sixth top tier effort in Australia, a tally that includes a best of No. 2 for 1999’s The Fragile. Daft Punk’s soundtrack to TRON: Legacy reached No. 17 in 2011.

Lola Young just misses out on a top 10 berth with I’m Only F—ing Myself (Island/Universal), her third album. It’s new at No. 12, for the British singer’s first ARIA Albums Chart appearance.

Further down the list, published late Friday, September 26th, Brisbane band Platonic Sex crack the top 40 with their debut album Face To The Flywire (Orchard). It’s new at No. 31. (Billboard)

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Obi mourns Zamfara mining site victims, urges stricter regulation

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has mourned victims of the mining pit collapse in Kadauri, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, describing the incident as a national tragedy that highlights Nigeria’s weak regulatory framework in the solid minerals sector.

In a statement released on Sunday on X, Obi said he was deeply saddened by the collapse, which trapped several miners underground.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident at the Kadauri mining site in Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State, where about 100 people are feared dead, with 15 miners already rescued and 13 people sadly confirmed dead,” he said.

The former Anambra governor extended condolences to the families of the victims while praising local rescue efforts.

“My heartfelt prayers and condolences go to the bereaved families and to the good people of Zamfara at this difficult time.

“I commend the Governor and the State rescue teams for the efforts made so far,” Obi added.

He urged urgent reforms in the solid minerals industry, and said the disaster should serve as a wake-up call for the government to urgently secure the industry, enforce global safety standards by prioritising the protection of lives.

“This unfortunate disaster is yet another reminder of the urgent need to secure and properly regulate our solid minerals industry with strict licensing, adherence to global safety standards, and well-equipped rapid response systems.

“The safety and transparency of operations of our mining sites must be prioritised so that tragedies like this are prevented in the future. I pray that many more are rescued alive and may the souls of those departed rest in perfect peace,” Obi added.

PUNCH Online had reported that Zamfara State Government confirmed that only 10 people lost their lives in the incident.

Speaking to our correspondent, the Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, said only one person was rescued alive while 10 bodies were evacuated.

Kaura described illegal mining as a major threat, warning that unchecked activities could worsen insecurity and trigger further disasters.

“It is disheartening to note that there are over 20,000 illegal miners currently in the state looking for gold, which is worrisome,” he said. (Punch)

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Shettima heads to Germany after UNGA 80

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany where he is scheduled to hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank to explore areas of intervention and partnership in Nigeria’s developmental initiatives.

Nkwocha said that during his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.

He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.

The Vice President delivered President Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, even as he demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.

He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.

The statement noted that Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.

He will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany, it added. (Channels)

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4 dead, 8 wounded in shooting and fire at Michigan church

A gunman opened fire inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service and set the building ablaze, killing at least four people and injuring eight others. Police shot and killed the suspect, authorities said.

Hundreds of people were inside the church in Grand Blanc Township when a man rammed a four-door pickup with two American flags in the truck bed through the front door, then got out of the vehicle and started shooting, Police Chief William Renye told reporters. Investigators believe he deliberately set the building on fire, Renye said.

Officers responded to a 911 call and were at the church within 30 seconds and killed the shooter about eight minutes later, Renye said. After the suspect left the church, two officers pursued him and “engaged in gunfire,” the chief said.

Flames and smoke could be seen pouring from the church for hours before the blaze was put out.

Renye identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from neighboring Burton. Reyne did not specify a motive at a news conference on Sunday evening. Police cordoned off the street leading to the suspect’s home.

Renye said one of the wounded people was in critical condition Sunday evening and seven others were stable.

The bodies of two of the victims were found as authorities searched the debris in the church, Renye said, emphasizing the search was continuing and that more victims could be found.

Investigators were searching the suspect’s residence in nearby Burton. Authorities did not provide any additional details about the suspect, including whether he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.

It was the latest of many shooting attacks on houses of worship in the U.S. over the past 20 years, including one in August that killed two children during Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis.

President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he was briefed on the shooting and applauded the FBI for its response. Local authorities said the FBI was sending 100 agents to Grand Blanc Township, a community of roughly 40,000 people outside Flint.

“PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote.

The church building, circled by a parking lot and a large lawn, is near residential areas and a Jehovah’s Witness church.

Brad Schneemann, whose home is about 365 meters from the church, told The Associated Press that he and his daughter heard “two rounds of four to five shots” around 10:30 a.m. “Then, we really didn’t hear anything for a while” before they left their home to see what was going on.

Timothy Jones, 48, said his family is part of another Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation, or ward, about 15 minutes away, but that his children were at the Grand Blanc Township ward Saturday night for a youth fall festival. He and his family moved to Flint two years ago in large part because of how strong the faith’s community is in the area, he said.

As people in his congregation got word of the shooting from texts and phone calls during their Sunday service, his ward went into lockdown and police came as a precaution, he said. His children were “frantically, just trying to get word that people were OK.”

Sundays are “supposed to be a time of peace and a time of reflection and worship,” Jones said. Yet in the wake of violence at other houses of worship, a shooting “feels inevitable, and all the more tragic because of that,” he added.

The shooting occurred the morning after Russell M Nelson, the oldest-ever president of the Utah-based faith, died at 101. The next president is expected to be Dallin H Oaks, per church protocol.

“The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected,” spokesperson Doug Anderson said. “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”

When striking nurses at nearby Henry Ford Genesys Hospital heard about the shooting, some left the picket line and ran the short distance to the church to help first responders, Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass said.

“Human lives matter more than our labor dispute,” Glass said.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that her heart was breaking for the community. “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said.

The impact spread quickly to neighboring communities, including the small city that shares a name with the township.

“Although we are two separate governmental units, we are a very cohesive community,” said city of Grand Blanc Mayor John Creasey. “This sort of thing is painful for our entire community.” (JapanToday)

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China’s new K visa beckons foreign tech talent as U.S. hikes H-1B fee


China’s new visa program aimed at attracting foreign tech talent kicks off this week, a move seen boosting Beijing’s fortunes in its geopolitical rivalry with Washington as a new U.S. visa policy prompts would-be applicants to scramble for alternatives.

While China has no shortage of skilled local engineers, the programme is part of an effort by Beijing to portray itself as a country welcoming foreign investment and talent, as rising trade tensions due to U.S. tariffs cloud the country’s economic outlook.

China has taken a series of measures to boost foreign investment and travel, opening more sectors to overseas investors and offering visa waivers for citizens from most European countries, Japan and South Korea among others.

“The symbolism is powerful: while the U.S. raises barriers, China is lowering them,” said Iowa-based immigration attorney Matt Mauntel-Medici, referring to China’s new visa category, called the K visa, which launches on Wednesday.

The K visa, announced in August, targets young foreign science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates and promises to allow entry, residence and employment without a job offer, which could appeal to foreign workers looking for alternatives to U.S. job opportunities.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it would ask companies to pay $100,000 per year for H-1B worker visas, widely used by tech companies to hire skilled foreign workers.

“The U.S. has definitely shot itself in the foot on H-1Bs, and the timing is exquisite for China’s K visa,” said Michael Feller, chief strategist at Geopolitical Strategy.

Other countries including South Korea, Germany and New Zealand are also loosening visa rules to attract skilled migrants.

Immigration experts say the main attraction of the K visa is no requirement of a sponsoring employer, which has been regarded as one of the biggest hurdles for those seeking H-1B visas.

The H-1B visa requires employer sponsorship and is subject to a lottery system, with only 85,000 slots available annually. The new $100,000 fee could further deter first-time applicants.

“It’s an appealing alternative for Indian STEM professionals seeking flexible, streamlined visa options,” said Bikash Kali Das, an Indian student at Sichuan University.

India was by far the largest beneficiary of H-1B visas last year, accounting for 71% of approved beneficiaries.

Despite its promise, the K visa faces hurdles. Chinese government guidelines mention vague “age, educational background and work experience” requirements.

There are also no details on financial incentives, employment facilitation, permanent residency, or family sponsorship. Unlike the U.S., China does not offer citizenship to foreigners except in rare cases.

China’s State Council did not respond to a request for comment asking for more details on the logistics and underlying strategy of the K visa.

Language is another barrier: most Chinese tech firms operate in Mandarin, limiting opportunities for non-Chinese speakers.

Political tensions between Delhi and Beijing could also become a factor that could limit the number of Indian K visa applicants China is willing to accept, experts said.

“China will need to ensure Indian citizens feel welcome and can do meaningful work without Mandarin,” said Feller.

China’s talent recruitment has traditionally focused on China-born scientists abroad and overseas Chinese.

Recent efforts include home-purchase subsidies and signing bonuses of up to 5 million yuan ($702,200). These have drawn back U.S.-based Chinese STEM talent, especially amid Washington’s growing scrutiny on ties to China.

“The recruitment effort targeting Indian tech talent in China is growing but remains moderate compared to the more intensive, well-established, and well-funded initiatives aimed at repatriating Chinese STEM talent,” said Sichuan University’s Das.

A Chinese STEM graduate who recently got a job offer from a Silicon Valley-based tech company was also sceptical about the K visa’s prospects.

“Asian countries like China don’t rely on immigration and local Chinese governments have many ways to attract domestic talent,” he said, declining to be named for privacy reasons.

The U.S. has over 51 million immigrants — 15% of its population — compared to just 1 million foreigners in China, less than 1% of its population.

While China is unlikely to significantly alter its immigration policy to allow in millions of foreign workers, analysts say the K visa could still boost Beijing’s fortunes in its geopolitical rivalry with Washington.

“If China can attract even a sliver of global tech talent, it will be more competitive in cutting-edge technology,” Feller said. (JapanToday)

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Trump invites global fans to World Cup and Olympics as U.S. tightens visa policies

U.S. President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that he hopes “countless people from all over the globe” will attend the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics hosted by the U.S., making no mention of his migration crackdown that has deterred some visitors.

Overseas travel to the U.S. fell 2.9% year-on-year in August to about 3.5 million visitors, according to preliminary U.S. government data. It was the sixth month this year that travel declined from a year ago, bucking the global tourism trend and defying expectations that in 2025 annual inbound visitors would finally surpass the pre-pandemic level of 79.4 million.

In a wide-ranging speech, Trump said next year the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence. “We will also be proudly hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and shortly thereafter, the 2028 Olympics,” he said.

“It’s going to be very exciting. I hope you all come. I hope that countless people from all over the globe will take part.”

More than 1.5 million ticket applications from fans in 210 countries were received by FIFA for the World Cup within 24 hours of the presale draw, the governing body of world soccer said earlier this month. The 48-team tournament will be hosted by Mexico, Canada and the U.S. and will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities.

But a U.S. trip may be expensive and complicated for many. Visitors from non-visa waiver countries face a $250 “visa integrity fee,” on top of the existing fee, with travelers already navigating long average visa wait times. Such visitors face an average 169 days for a B-1/B-2 tourism or business visa interview, according to data from the U.S. State Department.

That will hit fans from countries that traditionally send a large contingent to the World Cup, including Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.

Global ticket demand for the tournament came primarily from the three host countries, followed by Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil, according to FIFA.

Tourists from visa-waiver countries – mostly in Europe – will not need to pay the new fee, but industry experts say some are being put off U.S. vacations by fears of being stopped at the border after a number of widely publicized cases.

The White House is also looking to tighten the duration of visas for students, cultural exchange visitors and members of the media, according to a proposed government regulation issued in August.

The 2028 Summer Olympics is set to be held in Los Angeles, California, in July 2028. (JapanToday)

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Fani-Kayode, Tinubu’s aide refute Bill Maher’s Christian genocide claims

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, have dismissed as claims by American television host Bill Maher that Nigeria is experiencing systemic killings of Christians.

The two Nigerian political leaders said the allegations misrepresent the country’s security situation, risk inflaming religious tensions, and undermine the progress of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

In a viral video clip, Maher alleged that Islamist groups in Nigeria were behind widespread killings and church burnings over the past decade.

“They are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009, they’ve burned 18,000 churches.

“This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza.

“They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country,” Maher said.

Reacting on X on Sunday, Fani-Kayode described the claims as “disinformation” and part of an orchestrated campaign to malign Nigeria internationally.

He alleged that foreign media were exploiting religious narratives to punish Nigeria for its diplomatic positions, particularly on the conflict in Gaza.

“The allegation by top American television host Bill Maher and American Radio Genoa that 500,000 Christians were murdered by Muslims in Nigeria in the last one year is false.

“It is disinformation that has been pushed out by the Jewish controlled media in America as payback for our position against the genocide in Gaza,” Fani-Kayode wrote.

The former minister warned that such claims could justify external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

“We should expect more of this sort of disinformation from the American media because they want to divide us on religious lines, malign us as Christian-haters before the world and give Trump a reason to call us out and not only sanction but also destabilise and terrorise our country,” he said.

Fani-Kayode also stressed that terrorism in Nigeria is indiscriminate and should not be mischaracterised as a religious war.

“These terrorists make no distinction when it comes to religious faith when they kill our people.

“They are attempting to kill us ALL, whether Christian or Muslim, and we are also fighting back and resisting them as one and in one accord,” he wrote.

He added that Nigeria would not bow to external attempts to sow division, saying,”Nigeria is not Palestine and neither are we cowards.

“We cannot be divided, intimidated, bullied, destroyed or subjected to the same treatment as Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq or Gaza.”

Separately, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, criticised Maher for misrepresenting Nigeria’s security challenges and spreading falsehoods.

“Dear @billmaher, I’m a big fan of your show. However, I was shocked to come across a video clip where you made false claims of systemic killings of Christians or genocide against Christians in Nigeria,” he wrote.

Olusegun said the conflict in Nigeria cannot be reduced to religion, pointing out that the attacks have targeted both Christians and Muslims.

“The simple truth and the verifiable reality is that there is NO SYSTEMATIC KILLING of Christians in any part of Nigeria and certainly there is no attempt to wipe out Christians in Nigeria either.

“These claims are very dangerous falsehoods, even though they are not entirely new narratives always pushed by western forces,” Olusegun stated.

He added that the Nigerian constitution guarantees religious freedom and highlighted President Tinubu’s interfaith household as a model of tolerance.

“Nigeria practices and preaches religious tolerance,” Olusegun wrote, noting that the President, a Muslim, is married to a Christian pastor.

The aide insisted that framing Nigeria’s security crisis as a religious war is misleading and dangerous.

“The victims of insurgents and extremists in Nigeria include both Christians and Muslims.

“Boko Haram and its splinter groups do not represent Islam and have consistently been opposed by Islamic leaders in the country,” Olusegun said. (Punch)

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Emotional Marquez in tears after winning seventh MotoGP title

An emotional Marc Marquez clinched his seventh MotoGP world championship and his first since 2019 on Sunday after finishing second at the Japan grand prix, with Francesco Bagnaia winning the race.

The Spanish Ducati rider has been in brilliant form all year and he underlined his dominance by wrapping up the title with five events of the season remaining.

He knew that placing first or second would clinch the title regardless of where his brother and closest championship rival Alex finished.

After crossing the line, Marquez raised both arms aloft before sobbing and yelling as his achievement began to sink in.

It marked a triumphant return from an injury nightmare that began when he broke his right arm in 2020, almost convincing him to hang up his helmet.

“It’s impossible even to speak,” said the 32-year-old as he choked back tears. “I just want to enjoy the moment. It’s true that it was difficult, super difficult. Now I’m impressed with myself how it’s part of me.”

Marquez clinched the world championship in Japan for the fourth time in his career, following 2014, 2016 and 2018 and now draws level with Italian motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi on seven titles.

Marquez’s fellow Ducati rider Bagnaia claimed only his second grand prix win of what has been a frustrating season for the two-time world champion.

The Italian also won the Saturday sprint and looked back to his best all weekend.

“I don’t want to take the spotlight from Marc, he deserves the spotlight today,” said Bagnaia.

“It’s just a little shame that it arrived now, but in any case, happy for the weekend, happy for the performance and from now on I hope I will continue in this way because like this I can fight.”

Bagnaia kept his lead from pole going into the first turn, with Marquez maintaining his position in third.

He overtook Pedro Acosta to move into second just before the halfway mark and from there it was a procession to the title.

Bagnaia had a scare when smoke started coming out of his Ducati with around nine laps remaining but he held on to win the Japanese grand prix for the second year running.

Honda’s Joan Mir finished third, followed by Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi. Alex Marquez was sixth.

Outgoing world champion Jorge Martin was ruled out of the grand prix after fracturing his collarbone in a crash with team-mate Bezzecchi in Saturday’s sprint.

Trackhouse’s Japanese rider Ai Ogura was denied a first MotoGP appearance at his home grand prix after withdrawing from the race with a hand injury. (JapanToday)