Jiang Mingdian, a 77-year-old from Quanzhou, China, has written over 100,000 letters for families to relatives overseas in a career spanning 59 years. This tradition stems from Fujian's history of emigration, where letter writers bridged the communication gap for illiterate relatives.
11street has launched an online store in China featuring around 350 Korean brands, primarily in beauty, food, fashion, and health. The platform will manage logistics and marketing, aiming to boost e-commerce between Korea and China. This move capitalizes on the significant share Chinese consumers hold in South Korea's cross-border e-commerce market.
State Bank of India, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Power Finance Corporation plan to raise over $2 billion in overseas bonds next week. This move is driven by the Reserve Bank of India's 1.5% fixed-rate swap incentive for external commercial borrowings, designed to strengthen the rupee.
Pauline Hanson advocates for Australia to be monocultural, not multicultural. Experts question the feasibility and definition of 'monoculturalism', noting that truly homogenous nations don't exist and that such attempts often involve suppression of differences.
Pauline Hanson advocates for Australia to be 'monocultural' despite being multiracial, sparking debate on assimilation. Experts suggest true monoculturalism is a fiction, citing examples like Japan and South Korea, which have diversity despite appearances. Europe's debates and historical attempts at homogeneity are also discussed, with concerns about the costs of enforcing such a system.
The Princess of Wales has written an essay expressing concern about an "increasingly digitalised world" and the growing need for "genuine human connection." The essay, published by the Royal Foundation, reflects on her recent visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, focusing on early years education and the "everyday magic of life."
Taiwan is significantly boosting domestic military drone production, allocating $6.6 billion over six years to acquire over 208,000 coastal attack drones and other unmanned systems. This initiative aims to deter potential Chinese invasion and bolster Taiwanese manufacturers, who are forming international partnerships to export drones to the US and other markets, despite competition from China's DJI.
Pauline Hanson addresses her new MP's comments on immigration and Indigenous flags. The Albanese government offers concessions on capital gains tax changes. Iran plans maritime fees in the Strait of Hormuz, Ukraine drones strike Moscow, and Lionel Messi's family requests "humanity" amid health reports.
Australians like Ray Merlehan are considering retiring overseas to countries like Malaysia, Spain, or Greece due to high living costs and modest superannuation balances. While offering financial benefits and 'golden visa' programs, challenges include family separation, healthcare access, and visa complexities.
JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs have restricted employees outside the US from using advanced AI tools like Anthropic's Claude, citing concerns over governance and national security risks. This move reflects growing global fragmentation in AI access and regulation.
Australia's net overseas migration fell to 301,000 people last year, the lowest since mid-2022 but still exceeding pre-pandemic rates. The figures emerge amid a heated political debate on immigration, with the government highlighting the downward trend while the opposition deems the numbers "far too high" given housing and infrastructure pressures.
Donald Trump announced Apple will partner with Intel to design and manufacture chips in the US, aiming to rebuild the nation's semiconductor industry. The deal, revealed on Truth Social, is presented as a move to bring manufacturing back from overseas and diversify supply chains.
Net overseas migration in Australia remained above 300,000 in 2025, with 301,000 arrivals, fueling opposition claims of an unsustainable system. While numbers have fallen from the post-pandemic peak, they exceed government expectations and long-term forecasts.
Rep. Kim Ki-hyun of the People Power Party criticized the National Election Commission (NEC) for allowing Democratic Party members to accompany overseas trips, citing the recent ballot shortage issue. Two NEC employees and two Democratic Party members reportedly traveled to Japan and Cambodia in 2023, costing approximately 22.7 million KRW.
Young Chinese tourists are increasingly visiting South Korea for short-term, affordable beauty services like color analysis, makeup, and hairstyling, shifting away from traditional cosmetic surgery. These one-day services offer immediate results and a personalized aesthetic update.
Macau Government Tourism Office chief Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes stated that Hong Kong and Macau can complement each other in tourism, rather than compete. She emphasized leveraging their distinct experiences and the improved connectivity from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to attract overseas visitors and promote the Greater Bay Area.
AO World is outsourcing up to 200 UK call centre roles to South Africa, citing rising labour costs, while reporting a 145% jump in pre-tax profits to £50.5m. The company expects to save £4m annually from the move, with about 150 roles already shifted.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, 38, has been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting recruitment without minimum qualifications and misusing state funds for overseas training. He is already an accused in two money-laundering cases and was previously out on bail.
AO World is outsourcing up to 200 UK call centre roles to South Africa, citing rising labour costs and inflationary pressures. The online electrical goods seller reported a 145% jump in pre-tax profits to £50.5m and is giving £20m to shareholders.
New UK government policy requiring minimum GCSE grades for student loans could cost universities over £200m annually. This move disproportionately affects institutions reliant on students without formal qualifications, potentially narrowing access to higher education for disadvantaged learners.
A personal account of a family's struggle with a loved one's dangerous alternative health treatments, leading to her death. The author explores systemic issues like medical misogyny and misinformation, advocating for empathy and open communication to protect others.
Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver, known for their short, sharp songs with ferocity and black humour, are set to play their biggest UK gig supporting Foo Fighters at Anfield stadium. Vocalist Accorinrin credits Dave Grohl's support for their growing popularity.
Ram Charan's sports drama 'Peddi' has crossed the ₹300 crore mark worldwide in its second week. The film has garnered ₹220.10 crore net in India and ₹51.85 crore gross overseas, with a total worldwide gross collection of ₹312.81 crore.
China's Norinco showcased a model of its drone manufacturing process at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris. The display included a miniature assembly line for drones like the BZK-005E, which is reportedly used in Mauritania and Sudan.
