If you're planning a road trip through central Hokkaido, this piece is your cheat sheet for the best bakeries along the way—think buttery croissants enjoyed amid stunning lavender fields in Kamikawa. It’s less about the destination and more about the delicious pit stops.

Editor’s Note: Road trips are as much about the journey as the scenery, and this story taps into the growing trend of culinary tourism. For travelers looking to blend adventure with local flavors, these bakery highlights offer a tasty way to experience Hokkaido’s charm beyond the usual tourist spots. Who wouldn’t want a flaky pastry with a side of lavender-scented views?

Police in Kanagawa have arrested a 28-year-old man, Hideyuki Shirai, for allegedly stalking and killing a 20-year-old woman, Asahi Okazaki, last December. The case suggests a grim escalation from harassment to violence, with authorities piecing together a timeline of the suspect's actions leading up to the crime.

Osaka police have busted a large crime ring accused of exploiting around 130 underage girls for prostitution. The group, with about 70 members, allegedly used social media to recruit vulnerable minors. Authorities are now working to dismantle the operation and support the victims.

After a brutal 18-game losing streak, Wales finally turned things around with a hard-fought win over Japan in Kobe. They had to weather another second-half surge from Eddie Jones' squad, but this time, they held on—marking their first victory since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. It’s a glimmer of hope for a team desperate to rebuild.

Local governments are seizing the opportunity of the Osaka Expo to showcase their regions, and it’s paying off—events featuring local food and culture are drawing crowds. Officials are optimistic their efforts will boost tourism beyond the expo itself.

Think anime and music fandom merch is just a niche hobby? Think again. The second Oshikatsu—Merch Expo just showcased over 100 booths packed with everything from acrylic stands to glow sticks, proving this is a booming industry. Fans aren’t just collecting—they’re fueling a serious economic wave.

AI systems are picking up hidden biases from their mostly homogenous teams of creators, which could make these powerful tools unreliable or even harmful in real-world applications. It’s like baking a cake with missing ingredients—you might not notice at first, but the flaws become obvious when you take a bite.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a tech problem—it affects everyone. If AI tools used in hiring, healthcare, or law enforcement reflect narrow perspectives, they could reinforce inequality instead of solving it. The story matters because it forces us to ask: Who’s really shaping the future of AI, and who’s being left out?

Chelsea is gearing up to face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup final, with PSG aiming to cap off an already historic season by winning every possible trophy. It’s a high-stakes showdown—PSG could achieve something truly rare, while Chelsea has the chance to play spoiler and claim the title for themselves.

This piece follows two young Ukrainian brothers growing up in a war zone, showing how constant shelling and displacement have become their grim version of normal childhood. While physical scars heal, the story digs into the deeper emotional toll—nightmares, hypervigilance, and stolen innocence—that might linger long after the fighting stops.