A new analysis by travel insurance company Compare the Market has identified Bangkok as the world's most dangerous city for tourists in terms of pickpocketing, scams, and theft. The study reviewed traveler reviews from over 75 major tourist destinations to rank cities based on reported incidents and perceived risks. Bangkok scored 83.45, topping the list, followed by Paris (68.81) and Prague (52.16). Shanghai ranked fourth due to its high rate of scams rather than thefts, while Agra, Rome, Pattaya, Phuket, Shenzhen, and Mumbai completed the top ten. The report highlights that both Asia and Europe dominate the risk rankings, with 24 Asian and 27 European cities appearing on the list. Analysts emphasize that while these cities remain popular for their culture and attractions, tourists should remain vigilant against petty crimes and fraudulent schemes to ensure safe travel experiences.

A supercomputer operated by football analytics firm Opta has predicted that Spain has the highest probability of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a 17% chance based on team performance, history, and statistical data. France follows with a 14.1% chance, while England ranks third at 11.8%. Defending champions Argentina are fourth with an 8.7% chance, facing the challenge of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups. Germany, Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, and Colombia complete the top ten. The tournament, featuring a record 48 teams, will hold its draw in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Italy remains the most notable absentee, having failed to qualify. At the other end, Jordan, Curaçao, and Haiti are given virtually no chance of lifting the trophy according to the simulation.

The United Nations is grappling with a severe financial crisis after four major member states—United States, China, Russia, and Mexico—failed to pay their dues, leaving the organization short of $1.59 trillion. To manage the shortfall, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a 15.1% reduction in the 2026 budget to $3.24 billion and an 18.8% cut in staff positions, eliminating 2,681 posts. Despite the austerity, funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and African development initiatives will remain unchanged. The UN also plans to reduce spending on special political missions by 21.6% and cancel two office leases in New York by 2027 to save $24.5 million annually from 2029. Guterres emphasized that the liquidity crisis has already left 18% of positions vacant, warning that continued non-payment by member states threatens the UN’s operational capacity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2024, bringing the global total to 40.8 million living with the virus. Around 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes during the same period. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that global HIV prevention efforts are facing a critical moment due to declining international funding and stagnating prevention programs. The organization noted that stigma, discrimination, and legal barriers continue to prevent vulnerable groups from accessing essential services. WHO also highlighted the approval of lenacapavir, a new twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, as a major breakthrough for those unable to take daily medication. However, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition warned that funding cuts could deprive 2.5 million people of PrEP access in 2024. WHO urged governments to integrate HIV services into primary healthcare, increase local investment, and protect the rights of at-risk populations to sustain progress toward ending AIDS.

Researchers are making significant progress in developing lab-grown versions of the world’s rarest blood type, known as Rh-null or 'Golden Blood', which occurs in only one out of every six million people. This blood type lacks all 50 Rh antigens, making it compatible with nearly all Rh blood types but extremely difficult to find for transfusions. Scientists from the University of Bristol, Laval University in Canada, and institutions in Barcelona are using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to remove key antigens from stem cells, creating universal or Rh-null-like red blood cells. The research aims to produce blood that can be safely transfused to patients regardless of blood group, potentially revolutionizing transfusion medicine. However, experts caution that large-scale production and clinical application remain years away due to strict regulations and the need for extensive trials. The work, led by Professor Toye and others, also includes non-gene-edited lab-grown blood trials under the RESTORE project, marking the world’s first human testing of lab-produced red blood cells.

Severe tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides have killed more than 900 people across Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka over the past week to ten days. Indonesia’s Sumatra Island was hardest hit by Cyclone Seniyar, with at least 435 deaths and more than 400 people missing. Sri Lanka, battered by Cyclone Ditwah, reported 334 deaths and extensive damage to over 25,000 homes, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. In southern Thailand, 162 people died and 3.5 million were affected, though floodwaters have begun to recede. Malaysia reported two deaths and the evacuation of 34,000 people from coastal areas. Rescue operations continue across all four nations, with military helicopters delivering aid to isolated regions. Communication and transport networks remain severely disrupted in many affected areas, while reports of looting have emerged in some Indonesian towns due to delayed relief supplies.

Scientists worldwide are attempting to develop a laboratory-made version of the rarest blood type, Rh-null, often called 'Golden Blood'. Found in only about one in six million people, this blood lacks all 50 known Rh antigens, making it compatible with nearly all Rh blood groups. Due to its extreme rarity—only around 50 people globally have it—researchers are exploring genetic and stem cell technologies to replicate it. Teams in the UK, Canada, the US, and Spain are using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and stem cell methods to produce customized red blood cells. Although large-scale production remains challenging due to cell maturation and technical hurdles, clinical trials like the UK’s RESTORE project have begun testing lab-grown blood in humans. Experts believe that while traditional donors will still be needed, lab-produced rare blood could revolutionize transfusion medicine and save lives in the future.

Severe monsoon rains, floods, and landslides have killed more than 600 people across South and Southeast Asia, with hundreds still missing. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka are among the worst affected countries. Indonesia’s Sumatra island alone reported over 300 deaths after days of heavy rainfall, while Thailand’s southern provinces saw at least 160 fatalities in one of the worst floods in decades. Sri Lanka, battered by Cyclone Ditwahar, has declared a state of emergency after more than 130 deaths and 170 missing persons. Malaysia’s northern regions also reported casualties and mass evacuations. Meteorologists attribute the extreme weather to the combined effects of Typhoon Koto near the Philippines and the rare Cyclone Seniyar in the Malacca Strait. Millions have been displaced, infrastructure severely damaged, and rescue operations hampered by ongoing bad weather across the region.

Health experts have warned that the H5 strain of bird flu could cause a pandemic more severe than COVID-19 if it begins spreading easily among humans. Marie-Anne Rameix-Velt, a respiratory infection specialist at France’s Pasteur Institute, cautioned that humans lack immunity against H5-type avian influenza, unlike common flu strains H1 and H3. The highly contagious virus has already led to the culling of millions of birds worldwide, disrupting food supply chains and raising market prices. The United States recently reported its first human case of H5N5 infection in Washington, which proved fatal. Most infections so far have been linked to close contact with infected animals. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1,000 human infections have been recorded globally since 2003, with a fatality rate of about 48 percent. However, experts note that human-to-human transmission remains limited. Despite the risks, improved vaccines, antivirals, and faster production capabilities have strengthened global preparedness compared to previous outbreaks.

Recent analysis by Dr. Saurabh Shetty, a Harvard-trained physician, suggests that regular consumption of onion and garlic may help reduce cancer risk and strengthen the immune system. Both belong to the allium family and contain organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl sulfide, and diallyl disulfide, which may inhibit tumor growth and support liver detoxification. Dr. Shetty emphasizes that allowing crushed or chopped garlic to rest for at least 10 minutes before cooking activates allicin, enhancing its health benefits. These foods also nourish beneficial gut bacteria, improve intestinal health, and provide antioxidants that protect cells from damage. The American Institute for Cancer Research has listed garlic as a ‘food that fights cancer,’ while the British Journal of Cancer reports that onions and garlic may lower the risk of prostate, stomach, colon, esophageal, and breast cancers.

Amazon has officially launched its new satellite internet service, ‘Amazon LEO,’ positioning it as a direct competitor to Elon Musk’s Starlink. The company claims LEO is the world’s fastest commercial satellite internet service, capable of delivering download speeds up to one gigabit per second—five times faster than Starlink’s current performance. Although Amazon’s network currently includes only 150 satellites compared to Starlink’s 8,000, it plans to expand to 3,236 satellites in the coming years. The service is initially available to select business clients, including Hunt Energy Network, Vanu Incorporated, and JetBlue Airways, as part of a limited rollout to test network performance and industrial applications. Amazon aims to broaden access globally next year, while SpaceX continues to expand Starlink toward a 12,000-satellite constellation. The launch marks a major step in the growing competition for global satellite-based internet connectivity.

Severe floods and landslides have claimed more than 300 lives across Indonesia and Thailand, with both nations struggling to recover from the widespread destruction. In Indonesia’s Sumatra region, at least 174 people have died and 80 remain missing after torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides. North Sumatra alone reported 116 deaths, while Aceh and West Sumatra recorded 35 and 23 fatalities respectively. Rescue efforts continue as many areas remain cut off and power restoration is underway. In Thailand, southern provinces have been hit by record rainfall, leaving at least 145 people dead, including over 110 in Songkhla province. Thousands have been displaced, and authorities are accelerating search and recovery operations as floodwaters begin to recede. Despite some improvement in weather conditions, the Thai Meteorological Department has warned of possible thunderstorms in several southern regions, raising concerns about further hazards.

Researchers at France’s Institut Pasteur have warned that if the H5 strain of bird flu mutates to spread efficiently between humans, it could cause a pandemic more severe than COVID-19. The virus, currently widespread among wild birds, poultry, and some mammals, has disrupted food supplies and killed millions of birds, though human infections remain rare. Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti, medical director at the Pasteur Institute’s Respiratory Infection Center, said the greatest concern is the virus adapting to human-to-human transmission. Since humans lack antibodies against H5, unlike seasonal flu strains H1 and H3, the population would be highly vulnerable. From 2003 to 2025, around 1,000 human infections were recorded, mostly in Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with a 48% fatality rate. Recent detections in U.S. cattle and the first human H5N5 case in Washington have raised alarms. Experts stress that the pandemic risk remains low but emphasize vigilance and preparedness, noting that vaccine candidates and antivirals are already available.

Netflix faced a major technical disruption shortly after releasing the first volume of the final season of 'Stranger Things 5', directed by the Duffer Brothers. The platform went down within minutes of the global premiere as millions of fans attempted to stream the episode simultaneously. The unexpected surge in traffic overwhelmed Netflix’s servers, leaving viewers unable to access the show. Fans quickly took to social media to share their frustration, reporting error messages when trying to play the episode. The company has acknowledged the issue and is working to restore full service. The release of 'Stranger Things 5' marks the beginning of the end for one of Netflix’s most popular and culturally influential series, set in the nostalgic 1980s and known for its blend of science fiction, horror, and coming-of-age drama.

A 3.5 magnitude earthquake struck India’s Manipur state early Thursday morning, according to the National Center for Seismology. No casualties or damage were reported. Earlier, two minor tremors were recorded in Bhutan and the Bay of Bengal — a 3.0 magnitude quake in Bhutan late Wednesday night and a 4.0 magnitude quake in the Bay of Bengal at a depth of 10 kilometers. Meanwhile, Indonesia experienced a stronger 6.3 magnitude earthquake off the western coast of North Sumatra on Thursday, following a 5.1 magnitude quake in North Sulawesi the previous night. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported that the Sumatra quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. Despite the sequence of tremors across South and Southeast Asia, no major damage or tsunami warnings have been issued so far.