France

There’s a new stamp in France that might just make your mouth water. La Poste has issued about 600,000 of these stamps that are designed to smell like butter croissants, celebrating this iconic aspect of French cuisine. These flavorful stamps are priced at 2.10 euros, which is actually one euro more than the average cost of a croissant in France.

India

Mumbai has opened its second airport after nearly two decades of delays. The Navi Mumbai International Airport will help alleviate some pressure from the city’s existing airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which caters to over 54 million travelers each year. By 2032, this new airport is expected to have four terminals and a capacity to serve 90 million passengers annually. This significant development required substantial alterations to the landscape, including leveling hills and redirecting rivers.

Japan

In Japan, teachers are putting in long hours, quite possibly more than you might expect. A 2024 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development revealed that Japanese educators, particularly those in elementary and junior high schools, work some of the longest hours compared to their peers in other countries. Elementary teachers clock in at about 52.1 hours weekly, while junior high teachers work around 55.1 hours, the longest of any surveyed nation. It’s interesting, really; even though they’re achieving educational goals, the workload seems unrelenting.

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a remarkable milestone by becoming the first soccer player to be a billionaire. His net worth stands at an impressive $1.4 billion. The 40-year-old star, who grew up in a humble household on Madeira Island, struck a lucrative two-year deal with Saudi Arabian club Al Nasr earlier this year, estimated at around $700 million. This contract secures him an annual salary close to $200 million in 2023, solidifying his status as the highest-paid player in soccer history.

Australia

In a bit of good news for conservation efforts, seven baby quolls have been found in wildlife reserves in New South Wales. These endangered marsupials were once widespread across Australia but saw dramatic population declines by the 1970s due to predators and habitat loss. The discovery provides a glimmer of hope for the recovery of their population.