Tourists Overrun Australia’s Most Instagrammed Street, Driving Locals to the Brink
A wave of social‑media posts has turned Tasman Drive in Gerringong, NSW, into a viral hotspot. Coachloads of domestic and overseas tourists now flock to the seaside town, crowding the road, blocking traffic and leaving litter. Residents, including an 81‑year‑old, say the influx is disrupting daily life and threatening the town’s character. Local authorities are grappling with how to manage the unexpected tourism surge.
Can Philippines’ New Anti-Pogo Playbook Rein in Fast-Moving Scam Hubs?
The Philippines unveiled a national playbook on 22 April to standardize raids on online scam centres tied to the banned offshore gambling (Pogo) industry. The Inter‑Agency SOPs, crafted with the UNODC, assign the Presidential Anti‑Organised Crime Commission primary authority and delineate...
Brics to Push for Intra-Currency Payments as ‘Immunity’ Against Western Clout
BRICS is evaluating a digital payments framework that would settle cross‑border transactions in member currencies, aiming to reduce reliance on the US‑dollar‑centric SWIFT system and mitigate sanctions risk. The proposal, spearheaded by India’s central bank, will be discussed at a...
From Japan to India, Overtourism Cries Out for New Success Metrics
Tourism in Asia is booming, with Japan welcoming 42.7 million international visitors in 2025 and India logging 2.9 billion domestic trips in 2024. Cities like Kyoto and Goa are seeing foreign arrivals outpace resident populations, sparking congestion, infrastructure strain, and resident backlash....
Thai Influencer Sells Premium Durians for Dirt Cheap to Avoid Rotting Amid Surplus
Thai influencer Pimrypie used a four‑hour live stream to sell premium Monthong durians at as low as $3 per fruit, far below the usual $21‑$24 price, in an effort to prevent a looming surplus. The broadcast attracted 700,000 peak viewers...
Energy Security Comes First for Indonesia as It Defies EU over Russian Oil
Indonesia announced a commitment from Russia to ship 150 million barrels of crude oil, enough to meet domestic demand through the end of the year. The deal was sealed during President Prabowo Subianto’s meeting with Vladimir Putin and comes as the...
Philippine Court Order over Marcos’ Health Raises Constitutional Question
The Philippine Supreme Court gave President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a 10‑day deadline to comment on a petition demanding public disclosure of his health. The petition, filed by allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, invokes Article VII, Section 12 of the constitution, which...
Malaysia’s Najib Drops Appeal to Serve 1MDB-Linked Prison Sentence Under House Arrest
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has withdrawn his appeal to serve the remainder of his six‑year jail term under house arrest, and the Court of Appeal struck the case down, barring any refiling. The appeal stemmed from a 2024...
Indonesian Migrant Smugglers Target Malaysia Entry via Singapore, Thailand
Malaysian immigration busted an Indonesian smuggling ring that now routes migrants through Singapore and southern Thailand before bus‑hopping into Kuala Lumpur. The pre‑dawn raid at two KL transport terminals detained 11 Indonesians and seized a Mazda CX‑5 used for transfers....
Will South Korea or Japan Develop a Nuclear Deterrent of Their Own?
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that a “friendly proliferation” mindset is spreading as South Korea and Japan grapple with rising public support for nuclear weapons amid North Korea’s accelerating arsenal. Polls show more than 70% of South Koreans favor an...
India-Germany Defence Road Map ‘Good Template’ for Wider EU Cooperation
India and Germany signed a Defence Industrial Cooperation Road Map in Berlin, featuring an $8 billion submarine agreement that will transfer German submarine technology to Indian shipbuilder Mazagon Dock. The pact targets advanced propulsion, stealth and combat systems, aiming to accelerate...
Malaysia Gets New Anti-Corruption Chief as Protests Mount Against Outgoing Head
Malaysia appointed former High Court judge Abdul Halim Aman as the new chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission, effective 13 May, amid a scandal involving outgoing chief Azam Baki. Allegations link Azam to a share‑ownership controversy and a purported corporate‑mafia network, prompting...
Will China’s Deal with Australian Mining Giant BHP Boost Yuan Internationalisation?
Australian miner BHP has agreed to price its flagship Jimblebar fines using a blended formula that weights 51% of the price on yuan‑denominated indexes and 49% on traditional US‑dollar benchmarks. The move incorporates China’s own market‑trade data for the first...
Indonesia Rules Out Collecting Transit Fees From Ships in Malacca Strait
Indonesia’s foreign minister confirmed the country will not impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca, countering recent comments by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. The decision underscores Indonesia’s support for freedom of navigation and compliance with UNCLOS, the...
How Fake Military Job Ads in Philippines Led to Alleged Spy Recruitment Pipeline
In 2023, fake job ads masquerading as the defence publisher Janes appeared on Philippine military forums, offering cash payments of $66‑$660 for research reports. investigators traced the ads to China‑registered domains and local phone numbers, linking them to a broader...