SEOUL -- South Korea's elderly population reached 21.6 percent of the total population amid rapid population aging, statistical ministry data showed Thursday.
The number of people aged 65 and older totaled 11.125 million in 2026, accounting for 21.6 percent of the country's total population, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. (South Korea-Elderly-Population)
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KATHMANDU -- Search teams recovered eight more bodies from an avalanche site at the base camp of Mount Himlung in Nepal's Manang district on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 15, an official said.
Two of the recovered bodies were airlifted to the district hospital in Chame, while six were transported to Phu village in the district. (Nepal-Avalanche-Death Toll)
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SYDNEY -- Australian house prices fell for the sixth consecutive month in September, led by downturns in Brisbane and Sydney, according to a report released on Thursday.
Property data firm Cotality said that the national median dwelling value fell by 1.1 percent in September, with capital city values down by 1.2 percent. (Australia-Housing-Price)
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TOKYO -- Japan on Thursday sharply raised the fees foreign nationals must pay to change or renew their residency status.
Previously, non-permanent residency applicants who filed in person paid 6,000 yen (around 38 U.S. dollars) to either change their residency status or extend their period of stay, while those seeking permanent residency paid 10,000 yen. (Japan-Fee-Foreigner) ■



