Japan quintuples visa fees in first price hike since 1978
Authorities say they do not expect the hikes to have an “immediate impact on inbound tourism”. Source link
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China’s import of custard apples sparks fears in Taiwan
In its statement, Taiwan’s agriculture ministry said authorities would focus on “sustainable agricultural development and stable income for farmers”, and “continue to guide the atemoya industry toward diversified processing”, including by producing frozen fruit products, puree and wines. Source link
Largest ever cocaine bust in Australia after police raid underground bunker
Police seized 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated A$816m after searching a property in western Sydney. Source link
BTS fans desperate to catch comeback tour lose more than $100,000 to scammers
Elated to see BTS on the road again, but frustrated by competitive ticket wars, they have become easy targets. Source link
Currency crash, visa crackdowns force Indian students to rethink foreign education
“Countries such as Germany, Ireland, Italy and several other European destinations are attracting increasing interest from Indian students because of lower tuition costs, favourable post-study work pathways, strong employment prospects and a more attractive overall value proposition,” said Mayank Maheshwari, co-founder and COO of University Living, a student accommodation platform. Source link
Australia confirms first case of bird flu as virus reaches every continent
A study released this week estimated that around 13,000 baby seals from a group of 17,000 on Heard Island were killed by the H5N1 strain of bird flu since last August, more than 75% of the entire group. They also found higher than expected deaths in penguin populations. Source link
India’s cash transfer boom gives relief to the poor but strains budgets
The transfers range from 1,000 rupees ($10.5; £7.7) to 2,500 rupees per month, depending on the state. But a median cash transfer of 1,500 rupees per month could be covering 74% of monthly expenditure in rural areas and 51% in urban areas for the bottom 20% of households, making them a “new buffer for India’s…
Do it at home too, women tell Japanese fans who cleaned World Cup stadium
Some see a double standard: Japanese men who clean in public while their wives do all the housework. Source link
Men jailed over work for Chinese intelligence in UK
They were found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service, an offence under the National Security Act. Source link
Japan ramping up defence is ‘critical’ to prevent war, Defence Minister Koizumi tells BBC
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who came to power in October 2025, has also pushed for revising Article 9 of Japan’s constitution, which renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. It also states that land, sea, and air forces, as well…