Australia recorded its deadliest overdose year on record in 2024, with 2,596 deaths, averaging seven per day. Unintentional drug-induced fatalities accounted for 80% of the total. Deaths involving stimulants, particularly methamphetamine, saw a significant increase.
A framework agreement between the US and Iran to end the Middle East war has triggered global market euphoria. Spain's Ibex 35 index reached an all-time high, and the Strait of Hormuz reopened, causing oil prices to drop and boosting sectors like tourism and banking.
Foreign investors sold a record $31.83 billion in Korean stocks in May, continuing a selling trend from April. They also bought $5.68 billion in bonds, resulting in a net sale of $26.15 billion in local securities.
Foreign tourists spent a record 251.1 billion won (US$165.2 million) on medical services in South Korea in May, driven by demand for health, beauty, and pharmaceutical products. Dermatology and plastic surgery were the most popular services.
South Korea's ICT exports reached a record $47.79 billion in May, a 128.9% increase year-on-year. Driven by strong demand for semiconductors and AI-related products, this marks the third consecutive month exports have surpassed $40 billion.
US consumer sentiment rose in June due to easing gas prices, but remains historically low. Despite economic resilience and a strong stock market, many Americans feel financially strained. The sentiment shift, seen across demographics, is expected to influence the upcoming midterm elections.
Chow Tai Fook's shares rose 15% after reporting a record $1.15 billion profit, up 50% YoY, driven by higher gold prices and strong demand for design-led jewelry, with upbeat 2027 guidance.
The UK's asylum appeal backlog has reached a record 87,500 cases, a 70% increase year-on-year, despite government efforts to speed up initial decisions. Experts note a shift of cases from one backlog to another, with lower initial grant rates leading to more appeals.
A UN report indicates a global decrease in people displaced by conflict, with record numbers of refugees returning home. However, some returns are not voluntary.
South Korea saw a record number of online defamation cases in 2023, with insult cases also averaging over 60 per day. The article details the legal distinctions between defamation and insult, the requirements for prosecution (publicity, specificity, intent), and penalties, including for offenses like spreading obscene material and causing fear or anxiety.
Global spending on nuclear weapons reached a record $119 billion in 2025, with the US accounting for $69.2 billion, a 22% increase. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) report highlights modernization efforts amid rising tensions, while the US considers deploying more nuclear weapons in Europe.
Bill Gates warns AI industry against raising household power bills with data centers. He notes 48 projects worth $156B were blocked in 2025, and public opposition is rising, forcing companies to seek community "permission" beyond permits.
Several German states are observing Fronleichnam/Corpus Christi, a major Catholic holiday. Meanwhile, a new study reveals a record 25.3 million millionaires globally in 2025, with Germany ranking third.
JCB card usage by Taiwanese tourists in Japan increased by 15% year-on-year, reaching a record high. To enhance communication and awareness of benefits, JCB Taiwan launched a new travel app, "MyJapan+", and a Taiwanese Instagram account.
Phison (8299) announced a record-high consolidated revenue of NT$22.828 billion in May, a 13% increase month-on-month and a 300% surge year-on-year. The company attributes this growth to the booming AI industry, driving strong demand for high-capacity, high-performance enterprise SSDs and edge AI devices.
Personal leverage investment in South Korea has reached a record high, primarily driven by the semiconductor sector. The Bank of Korea expressed concern about the 'FOMO' (fear of missing out) sentiment fueling this trend, though it assessed the risk of systemic crisis as low.
Incheon's voter turnout for the 6/3 local elections reached a record high of 58.2%, but still ranked 15th out of 17 regions nationally. Experts suggest lower regional identity and a higher proportion of non-native residents contribute to the consistently low turnout.
A record 86% of Hong Kong pupils secured their top three primary school choices, yet popular schools like Yaumati Catholic Primary School still saw high demand post-allocation. An early SMS notification error by the Education Bureau had minimal impact.
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has fallen to its lowest point since early April, indicating "extreme fear" in the market. Analysts suggest this "max fear" sentiment, accompanying Bitcoin's drop towards $65,000, could precede a "relief bounce" and a potential "catch-up" phase for BTC as it targets stock market records.
On May 3rd, the Tokyo stock market saw widespread buying, particularly in semiconductor-related stocks. The Nikkei Average surged over 2,000 yen intraday and closed above 68,000 yen for the first time, setting a new record high. The TOPIX also rose.
The Nikkei 225 index reached a new all-time closing high, driven by gains in AI and semiconductor stocks. Kioxia temporarily surpassed Toyota in market capitalization, while the yen weakened against the dollar.
Major markets like the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq hit record highs, fueled by AI optimism and a wave of IPOs. Despite bullish sentiment, warnings about greed and the speed of the rally echo past crashes. Bitcoin sees a dip as investors favor private markets.
Bitcoin dropped to its lowest point since February, trading below $65,400, as investors shifted capital to outperforming equity markets and anticipated IPOs from companies like SpaceX and OpenAI. Experts are closely watching the $65,000 support level.
South Korea's local elections saw a record 46% turnout by 1 PM on Wednesday, with 20.51 million voters casting ballots. This figure includes a record early voting turnout and marks the highest participation rate at this hour since 1998.
