Author: Onu Akter

Indonesia has updated its consumer stimulus package for June and July, announcing the cancellation of a planned electricity discount and doubling the wage subsidies for low-income workers. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati revealed that wage subsidies will increase from IDR150,000 (about USD 9) to IDR300,000 per individual each month. This subsidy will support roughly 17.3 million workers earning up to IDR3.5 million monthly and around 565,000 contract-based honorary teachers. The government will temporarily allocate IDR10.72 trillion from the state budget to fund these subsidies. Eventually, the costs will be covered by BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, Indonesia’s social security agency. The wage subsidy…

Erin Patterson, a 50-year-old woman from Victoria, Australia, has given her version of events in a trial over the deaths of three relatives of her estranged husband. The case involves the poisoning of her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and the mother-in-law’s sister in July 2023. Patterson is also charged with the attempted murder of the sister’s husband, who survived after eating the same meal. Prosecutors say Patterson served a Beef Wellington containing deadly death cap mushrooms at her home in Leongatha, about 135 kilometers from Melbourne. The victims became seriously ill and three later died in hospital. The surviving victim required weeks…

Thailand celebrated the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Suthida on June 3, 2025, with a special steam train journey launched by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The train ran between Bangkok and Chachoengsao and returned to the capital the same day. The journey began at Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok. Thakoon Intarachom, Deputy Governor of the SRT, led the departure ceremony. The event brought together railway staff, tourists, and members of the public to take part in this unique tribute. The steam train ride was more than a simple trip. It was designed to show love and respect for…

London is the second highest-paying city for teachers in the UK in 2025, according to new data. The study reveals growing pay differences between cities, which may influence where teachers decide to work and affect education quality nationwide. Leeds tops the list with an average teacher salary of £64,700 per year. London follows closely with £64,550, and Glasgow comes next at £63,600. Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh also offer salaries above £60,000. The national average teacher salary is £54,694, while some regions pay as low as £45,600, showing a notable gap. This pay gap could cause more teachers to move…

A new Covid variant from China called NB.1.8.1 is spreading rapidly in California, health officials have warned. This strain is highly contagious and has been detected in several US states, causing concern among medical experts. The California Department of Public Health confirmed the presence of NB.1.8.1 this week, marking California as the sixth state in the US where the variant has been found. Since March, the variant has appeared in travelers arriving in Washington, Virginia, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and New York City. Data shows that NB.1.8.1 was first detected in March and has been increasing steadily, especially since May 1.…

Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha celebrated her 38th birthday on June 2 in Mumbai. Known for choosing her projects carefully, she has still built a fortune estimated at ₹100 crore. From luxury cars to brand deals and a stylish home, Sonakshi lives a life of comfort and class. Sonakshi made her film debut in 2010 with Salman Khan’s hit film Dabangg. The movie was a major success and marked the beginning of her career in the Hindi film industry. Over the years, she appeared in several successful movies like Rowdy Rathore, Son of Sardaar, Lootera, and Holiday. Though her film count…

Japan’s special interest tourism market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The market value is projected to increase from $225.3 million in 2025 to $428 million by 2035. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 percent. The rise is driven by travelers seeking more than traditional sightseeing. They want deeper cultural, wellness, and nature-based experiences that Japan offers in abundance. Special interest tourism focuses on travel motivated by specific passions or interests. In Japan, these include culinary tours, spiritual retreats in Kyoto, visits to anime and pop culture hotspots, and eco-tourism in rural regions…

Green farmland now stretches across parts of Egypt’s Western Desert, a region once covered by sand and rocks. This change is the result of deep water wells drilled by China’s Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group (ZPEC). These wells now support the growth of wheat, alfalfa, and potatoes under the desert sun. The project is part of Egypt’s national effort to reclaim desert land for agriculture. It also reflects international cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which supports sustainable development and food security in arid countries like Egypt. Egypt faces the challenge of feeding over 100 million people,…

India is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, with active infections reaching 3,395, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In the past 24 hours, four deaths were reported, causing concern in several states. Kerala remains the hardest hit, reporting 189 new infections and bringing its active cases to 1,336, which is almost half of the total active cases in the country. Delhi recorded 81 new cases, increasing its active infections to 375, while West Bengal added 89 cases, raising its total to 205 active cases. Maharashtra, a state that has seen several COVID…

Azerbaijan’s parliament has ratified a new agreement with China that allows visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders. The decision was made on Friday during a session of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan’s parliament. Citizens of both countries can now visit each other without a visa for up to 30 days per trip. The total stay must not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. The visa exemption only applies to short visits. Travelers who want to stay longer than 30 days must obtain a visa in advance. This also applies to those seeking residence, employment, education, or jobs in regulated fields…