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Durian Consumption Banned in Some Public Spaces in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia

Durian Consumption Banned in Some Public Spaces in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia

May 16, 2025, 2:38 pm EDT
Surprising Thai Law: Public Indecency Includes Lack of Underwear

Surprising Thai Law: Public Indecency Includes Lack of Underwear

May 16, 2025, 2:21 pm EDT
In Indonesia, Respecting the Sanctity of a Child’s Head

In Indonesia, Respecting the Sanctity of a Child’s Head

May 16, 2025, 3:10 pm EDT
Japan's “Rice Shortage”: Multiple Dilemmas Behind the Crisis and the Way Forward

Japan's “Rice Shortage”: Multiple Dilemmas Behind the Crisis and the Way Forward

September 11, 2024, 10:29 am EDT
Unusual Law in Churchill, Canada: Unlocked Car Doors for Polar Bear Safety

Unusual Law in Churchill, Canada: Unlocked Car Doors for Polar Bear Safety

May 16, 2025, 2:23 pm EDT
More in The State of Society
Indiana Dog - Bite Fatal Incident Sparks Public Concern

Indiana Dog - Bite Fatal Incident Sparks Public Concern

Indiana Dog - Bite Fatal Incident Sparks Public Concern

UK Arrests Six Iranian Men on National Security Threat Charges

UK Arrests Six Iranian Men on National Security Threat Charges

On May 5th, British counterterrorism police made significant arrests as part of what the government described as one of the largest "counter - state threat and counterterrorism" operations in recent years. Seven men, aged between 29 and 46, were detained across England under the Terrorism Act.

Asian Finance Chiefs Warn of Global Economic Rifts from Trade Barriers

Asian Finance Chiefs Warn of Global Economic Rifts from Trade Barriers

The finance ministers and central bank governors of Asian countries have sounded the alarm over the potential for trade barriers to fracture the global economy in a joint statement following the 28th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting. The meeting, held in Milan, Italy, addressed global and regional macroeconomic situations and financial cooperation within the region.

Title: Palestine Condemns Israel's Closure of UNRWA Schools in East Jerusalem

Title: Palestine Condemns Israel's Closure of UNRWA Schools in East Jerusalem

On May 8, Sadiq Qadur, spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of Education, stated that the department condemned Israel's closure of schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem, deeming it "a violation of children's right to education." Qadur called on international agencies, especially UNESCO and UNICEF, to take action to defend the right of local children to education and to force Israel to reverse this decision.

ICAO Rules Russia Responsible for MH17 Crash

ICAO Rules Russia Responsible for MH17 Crash

According to a report by AFP, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ruled on May 12 that Russia is responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. The air disaster claimed the lives of 298 people, including 196 Dutch citizens and 38 Australian citizens or residents.

Poland to Shut Down Russian Consulate in Krakow over Alleged Arson Link

Poland to Shut Down Russian Consulate in Krakow over Alleged Arson Link

On May 12, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that Poland will close the Russian consulate in Krakow. The reason behind this decision is Poland's claim that Russia is linked to an arson incident in May 2024. Sikorski posted on social media that Polish authorities have found evidence of "deliberate sabotage" by Russian intelligence agents at the Marywilska Street shopping center in Warsaw. He wrote, "I have decided to withdraw consent for the operation of the Russian consulate in Krakow."

José Mujica, Uruguay’s “Poorest President,” Passes Away at 89

José Mujica, Uruguay’s “Poorest President,” Passes Away at 89

José Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, passed away on May 13th at the age of 89. He was renowned as the “world’s poorest president” due to his simple lifestyle. Despite his high - level position, Mujica lived in a small cottage on a farm and drove an old Volkswagen Beetle. He also donated 90% of his salary.

US - China Tariff Cut Agreement Expected to Drive Up Freight Rates

US - China Tariff Cut Agreement Expected to Drive Up Freight Rates

The recent agreement between the US and China to cut trade tariffs is anticipated to lead to a rise in freight rates. This is because businesses from both countries are competing to take advantage of the 90 - day grace period to ship goods across the Pacific. In recent weeks, the rapid escalation of tariffs has caused a significant decline in freight volume. Last month, China's exports to the US decreased by 21%, and imports fell by nearly 14%. Maersk, the container giant, estimated last week that the bilateral trade volume between China and the US in April dropped by 30% to 40%.

Carney Leads New Canadian Cabinet in Inauguration

Carney Leads New Canadian Cabinet in Inauguration

Local time on May 13th, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney led his new cabinet to be sworn in at the Government House in Ottawa. The new cabinet consists of 28 ministers, reducing the number of ministers from 39 in the Trudeau era to 28, aiming for a more efficient operation.

South Korea’s Boryeong Mud Festival: Relive Childhood Mud Play

South Korea’s Boryeong Mud Festival: Relive Childhood Mud Play

If you want to relive the pure joy of playing in mud as a child, don’t miss South Korea’s Boryeong Mud Festival. Launched in 1998, it takes place every July at Daecheon Beach, drawing over 1 million participants to the nearby city of Boryeong, where tons of mud are prepared for various activities.

Potato Chip Can Inventor’s Ashes Stored in His Own Creation

Potato Chip Can Inventor’s Ashes Stored in His Own Creation

Frederick Baur invented the potato chip can in 1966, a design that allowed chips to be neatly stacked. Proud of his creation, he requested before his death that his ashes be placed in one of his own cans.

Cotton Candy: Invented by a Dentist

Cotton Candy: Invented by a Dentist

In 1897, dentist William Morrison teamed up with confectioner John C. Wharton to create a cotton candy machine. The treat was first sold publicly in 1904 under the name "Fairy Floss," captivating fairgoers with its light, sugary strands.

Shakespeare’s Epitaph Carries a Curse to Ward Off Grave Robbers

Shakespeare’s Epitaph Carries a Curse to Ward Off Grave Robbers

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. His epitaph, inscribed on his tombstone, serves as a stern warning to potential grave robbers:

Giant Tortoise Thought Extinct for Over a Century Rediscovered in Galapagos

Giant Tortoise Thought Extinct for Over a Century Rediscovered in Galapagos

A giant tortoise species that was believed to have been extinct for more than a century has been rediscovered in the Galapagos. In 2019, scientists found an adult female tortoise on Fernandina Island. Traces of tortoise - bitten cacti on the island suggest that there may be other members of the same species

Miami University Isn’t in Miami—It’s in Ohio

Miami University Isn’t in Miami—It’s in Ohio

Miami University may sound like it’s in Florida’s sun-soaked Miami, but it’s actually located in Oxford, Ohio, near Cincinnati—thousands of miles from the coastal city. Founded in 1809, it ranks among America’s 30 oldest universities.

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