Author: Akshara Das

London: Online ‘manosphere’ communities should be treated as a public health concern, similar to the tobacco and ultra-processed food industries, according to a new report published in The Lancet. Researchers warn that digital platforms and content creators are profiting from young men’s insecurities while promoting harmful attitudes towards women and masculinity. The report examines online communities built around claims that men are facing a masculinity crisis and that feminism has systematically disadvantaged men. According to the authors, such content can contribute to violence against women and girls, mental health problems and discourage boys and men from seeking professional support. Professor…

Kathmandu: A glacial lake outburst triggered a flash flood in northern Bhutan, washing away infrastructure near the popular Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs. No injuries or loss of life have been reported, according to media reports on October 30. The flood occurred after the Shintaphu glacial lake burst its banks, sending water through the Gasa Tshachu area in the Himalayan kingdom. The extent of the damage from the late-night flooding remained unclear due to darkness and the strong flow of water. According to Bhutan’s national broadcaster, two Bailey bridges, which are constructed using portable, prefabricated sections, may have been washed…

Seoul: South Korea is considering several options for a possible deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, including a maritime patrol aircraft, as Seoul continues discussions with Washington on supporting security in the strategic waterway. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac confirmed the ongoing review during a parliamentary audit on October 29. Wi stated that consultations with the United States were continuing, but a combat deployment had been ruled out in line with President Lee Jae Myung’s earlier announcement. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital international shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf with global markets. Disruptions in the waterway can affect…

Washington: Major US and international airline groups have urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reconsider new Ebola-related travel declaration rules, warning that the November 3 deadline leaves insufficient time to implement the requirements. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for America submitted separate letters challenging the plan, which requires passengers and crew members on international flights to the United States to declare that no visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) occurred during the previous 21 days. IATA, representing more than 370 airlines across over 130 countries, described the implementation timetable as unreasonable.…

London: Unilever, the consumer goods company behind Dove soap and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter underlying sales growth on October 28, supported by resilient demand and higher prices across key markets. The company recorded underlying sales growth of 5.2 percent for the three months to September, exceeding analysts’ expectations of 4.8 percent, according to a company-compiled consensus. The results indicate continued momentum despite rising commodity costs and pressure on consumer spending. Emerging markets remained a major growth driver, with broad-based gains led by India and continued strength in Latin America and Southeast Asia, Chief Executive Officer Fernando Fernandez said in…

Sihanoukville: Passengers aboard the luxury residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey have been left stranded in Cambodia after the operator suspended the vessel’s around-the-world voyage, citing soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran. Florida-based Villa Vie Residences announced the suspension on October 27, saying the company would spend the next 60 days exploring restructuring and recapitalisation options. Around 200 passengers were ordered to disembark in Cambodia, according to Bloomberg, citing the company’s founder. Monthly fuel costs per cabin, which previously averaged around $1,800, have climbed to as much as $8,000 in parts of Asia, according to the operator.…

Palangka: An oxygen-equipped bus is providing emergency respiratory support to residents in Palangka Raya on Indonesia’s Borneo island as forest fires intensify and hazardous haze spreads across parts of Southeast Asia. Indonesia regularly experiences seasonal forest fires, particularly on Sumatra and Borneo. However, the current blazes are the most intense in more than a decade, according to the report. An intense El Niño weather pattern has raised temperatures and left forests and peatlands more vulnerable to fires, turning skies orange across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The Central Kalimantan provincial government deployed the specially equipped bus as respiratory illnesses increased in…

New York: Dictionary.com has named ‘maxxing’ the 2026 Word of the Year, recognizing the internet slang term that reflects a growing cultural focus on self-improvement, optimization and the pursuit of personal goals. Derived from ‘maximizing,’ the term describes doing something to the fullest or optimizing a particular aspect of life. Dictionary.com announced the selection on October 25, noting that digital media usage of ‘maxxing’ increased nearly 19 times in August 2026 compared with the monthly average in 2025. The word has become popular among Generation Z and younger internet users, appearing in expressions linked to fitness, wellness and personal development.…

Sofia: Bulgaria will hold a presidential runoff on November 1, 2026, after the first round failed to produce an outright winner. Incumbent President Iliana Iotova leads former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov in a closely contested race marked by low voter participation and growing Black Sea security concerns. With 95 percent of votes counted, Iotova secured 34.6 percent, compared with 32 percent for Gyurov, according to official results. Neither candidate reached the 50 percent threshold required to win the largely ceremonial presidency in the first round of a contest involving 27 candidates. Voter participation stood at around 22 percent of…

Brasilia: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth presidential term, defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in runoff election. However, the narrow victory leaves the country deeply divided and Lula facing a conservative Congress that could complicate his legislative agenda. Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court announced that Lula received 51.79 percent of valid votes, compared with Bolsonaro’s 48.21 percent. Bolsonaro refused to accept the result and called for the election to be annulled, questioning the extension of voting hours despite both campaigns having requested additional time at polling stations. The victory marks a significant comeback for Lula, who…