A Trump administration policy banning "noise infusion" may end crucial Census Bureau data, including statistics for redistricting and policymaking. Experts warn this could make data unusable, particularly for small communities, leaving agencies with fewer details or no data at all.
North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul wants attacks on healthcare personnel to be recorded separately in crime statistics to better understand the scale of the problem. Medical associations have long called for measures against violence in healthcare, citing risks to patient safety and the need for legal reform.
Female candidates taking China's gaokao exam are facing increasing attention online regarding the challenge of having their periods overlap with the test dates. An estimated 30% of female candidates may experience this, leading some to seek contraceptives or folk remedies to postpone their periods.
South Korea and Finland have signed an MOU to boost AI-driven statistics exchanges. The agreement aims to enhance data governance and statistical production systems in response to AI's growth and demand for data-driven policies.
South Korea's National Data Office signed an MOU with Statistics Finland in Helsinki to cooperate on data and statistics. Both agencies agreed on the need for data governance and statistical system innovation amid AI growth and increasing demand for data-driven policies.
Australian house prices continue to outpace income growth, with a 10.3% annual increase. Budget changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing aim to improve affordability after 26 years of escalating prices, though a 10% price drop would only reverse a small fraction of the damage.
US consumer inflation reached a three-year high in May, rising 4.2% year-on-year, driven largely by a more than 60% increase in energy prices. President Trump expressed satisfaction with the report, linking inflation to energy costs and the ongoing conflict with Iran.
An Australian woman is pleading for her father's deportation to Nauru to be halted. Meanwhile, Donald Trump confirmed a testy call with Israel's PM, Iran attacked Kuwait airport, and Australia faces trade tariffs.
An Australian woman pleads for her father's deportation to Nauru to be halted. Overseas, Donald Trump confirms a call with Israel's PM, while Iran attacks Kuwait airport. Australia faces trade tariffs, and NDIS reforms face criticism.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals a 40% rise in nicotine consumption from 2017-2025, driven by a surge in illegal tobacco to 80% of the market. This has led to a drop in household spending on cigarettes, creating a $6.9bn budget hole.
An estimated 80% of cigarettes and vapes consumed in Australia last year were illegal, according to the Bureau of Statistics. Nicotine consumption rose 40% while legal spending fell, with high excise taxes blamed for fueling a black market that costs the government billions.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data reveals a 40% surge in nicotine consumption between 2017-2025, driven by a rise to 80% of illicit tobacco products. This has led to a drop in household spending on cigarettes, creating a $6.9bn budget hole.
US job openings reached 7.6 million in April, the highest in nearly two years, while hiring fell sharply to 5.12 million. Layoffs and quits also declined, indicating a persistent low-hire, low-fire labor market.
Bitcoin's price is heavily influenced by upcoming US jobs reports, particularly the JOLTS survey and payrolls data. These figures will signal the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction, affecting interest rates, dollar strength, and overall market liquidity.
Hong Kong's retail sales increased by 8.6% year-on-year in April, reaching HK$31.4 billion. This marks the 12th consecutive month of recovery, driven by visitor arrivals and holiday spending. Sales for the first four months of 2026 are up 11.3%.
The National Data Agency (데이터처) has identified establishing government-wide data governance, enhancing data value, and developing national statistics to support state affairs as key achievements in the first year of the Lee Jae-myung administration. The agency is preparing the 'National Data Basic Law' for parliamentary passage and developing AI-friendly statistical metadata and new integrated data sets.
Ireland's datacentres used 22% of the country's electricity in 2023, increasing household bills by an average of €360 (2015-2023). A report warns this pattern could replicate across Europe, urging stricter renewable energy requirements for datacentres.
Hong Kong's exports jumped 42.9% year-on-year in April to HK$620.9 billion, driven by strong demand for AI-related electronics, though the government warns of potential clouding from the Middle East war.
Over 673,000 Hongkongers returning from mainland China faced unprecedented crowds at land checkpoints on Monday night, with wait times exceeding three hours.
Analysis of the 2025-26 Premier League season highlights standout performances. Matheus Nunes excelled at full-back for Man City, Gabriel and Saliba formed a formidable defensive partnership for Arsenal, while Bruno Fernandes set a new assist record.
UK public sector net borrowing hit £24.3bn in April, £4.9bn higher than last year and £3.4bn above forecasts. High inflation increased pension and benefit costs, while political uncertainty and global market jitters raised debt interest payments to a record £10.3bn for April.
UK retail sales volume fell 1.3% in April, the steepest monthly decline in a year, as motorists cut fuel purchases by over 10% after stocking up in March due to the Iran war. Excluding fuel, sales dropped 0.4%.
UK public sector net borrowing hit £24.3bn in April, £4.9bn higher than last year and £3.4bn above forecasts, driven by inflation-linked benefits and pensions. Rising debt interest payments and market jitters over the Iran war and political uncertainty are increasing borrowing costs.
New Afghan laws enacted by the Taliban appear to legally recognize child marriage and make divorce nearly impossible for women, sparking condemnation from activists and the UN.
