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A traveler compares overnight train travel, city accommodation, and private jet flights across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The stories highlight the costs, comfort, and challenges of different travel modes, revealing insights into travel planning and the realities of various travel environments today.
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Nepal's political crisis deepened this week as protests erupted nationwide, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The unrest was sparked by a social media ban and widespread discontent over corruption, economic hardship, and political instability, reflecting a broader regional pattern of youth-led upheaval.
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A Houthi missile struck the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden, causing significant damage and injuring two crew members. The attack, the most serious in the region since 2023, follows a pattern of Houthi assaults linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict and regional tensions. The crew was evacuated, and the ship is on fire and adrift.
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UAE travelers face higher airfares for regional and European trips amid school holidays, while Disney increases ticket prices, prompting families to adjust plans. New airline routes and premium options aim to meet demand, but affordability remains a concern for many.
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Severe weather in Sri Lanka has caused at least 31 deaths, with many missing and injured. Heavy rains led to flooding, landslides, and road closures in the central provinces of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya. Authorities continue rescue efforts amid worsening conditions.
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Recent updates to the Henley Passport Index show notable declines for the US, UK, Pakistan, and India, while China and several Asian countries have improved their rankings. The US has fallen out of the top 10 for the first time in 20 years, reflecting changing global mobility and diplomatic shifts.
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Morocco faces protests led by Gen Z activists over corruption, inequality, and government spending. Similar youth-led movements have erupted in Madagascar, Nepal, Peru, and other countries, often leaderless and driven by social media. Authorities are cracking down, including banning platforms like Discord in Jordan amid fears of unrest.
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Recent studies highlight large-scale fish kills and rising antimicrobial resistance in Kenya's aquaculture industry, driven by water quality issues. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka faces an invasion of snakehead fish, disrupting local ecosystems and prompting efforts to turn the problem into economic opportunity.
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Heavy rains and landslides in Sri Lanka have caused at least 31 deaths, displaced nearly 44,000 people, and led to widespread flooding and road closures. Authorities continue rescue efforts amid worsening weather conditions, with forecasts indicating the storm will move toward India’s south coast.
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Severe flooding caused by cyclone-fueled rains has killed over 250 people across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, displacing thousands. Authorities face challenges reaching affected areas amid landslides, power outages, and overwhelmed morgues. Rain is expected to continue, prolonging the crisis as rescue efforts continue.
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In November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah and related monsoon storms caused catastrophic flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Over 2,500 deaths have been reported, with millions displaced and widespread infrastructure damage. Scientists link the severity to climate change, with warmer Indian Ocean waters intensifying storms and rainfall.
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Severe flooding and landslides in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia have resulted in over 400 deaths, with thousands displaced. Indonesia reports over 300 fatalities, Thailand 162, and Malaysia two. Heavy rains, exacerbated by climate change, continue to impact the region amid ongoing rescue efforts.
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Severe flooding in Indonesia, caused by cyclone and heavy rains, has resulted in at least 442 deaths and displaced nearly 291,000 people. Rescue efforts are ongoing amid infrastructure damage, blocked roads, and limited communication. Aid is being delivered via helicopters, navy ships, and satellite internet, with looting reported in affected areas.
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Cyclone Ditwah caused severe flooding, landslides, and destruction across Sri Lanka, affecting over 1.2 million people, with at least 88 confirmed deaths and hundreds missing. Relief efforts are ongoing amid infrastructure damage and heavy rains, with more adverse weather expected.
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Heavy rains from a rare tropical storm in the Malacca Strait have caused devastating floods and landslides across Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, killing over 600 people and displacing millions. Rescue efforts continue as authorities struggle to access affected areas amid ongoing severe weather.
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Flooding and landslides across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia have caused over 1,160 deaths, displacing hundreds of thousands. Heavy monsoon rains, intensified by climate change and tropical cyclones, have led to widespread destruction, with aid efforts hampered by blocked roads and broken infrastructure.
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Flooding across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia has caused over 1,200 deaths and left thousands missing. Extreme weather linked to climate change has intensified storms and floods, with scientists warning that such events will likely worsen in the coming years.
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Recent floods and climate-related disasters have caused significant loss of life and infrastructure across Asia. Countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are struggling with rising water-related hazards, underfunded resilience efforts, and economic strain, highlighting urgent regional vulnerabilities amid climate change.
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Cyclone-induced floods and landslides in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have caused over 1,300 deaths and left thousands missing. Environmental damage, including deforestation linked to illegal logging and mining, has worsened the disaster, with authorities warning climate change is a key factor. Rescue efforts are ongoing amid infrastructure damage.
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A rare flowering of talipot palms in Flamengo Park highlights their long lifecycle, with trees producing millions of flowers after decades. The phenomenon, originating from India and Sri Lanka, draws public interest and raises environmental reflection. The palms in Rio are not invasive and are part of botanical collections since the 1960s.
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Severe floods and landslides across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia have caused hundreds of deaths and widespread destruction. Experts warn that climate change, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure are intensifying regional vulnerabilities, with urgent international and local action needed to prevent future disasters.
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Cyclone-induced floods and landslides in Indonesian provinces have caused at least 908 deaths, with hundreds still missing. The disaster has severely damaged infrastructure, hampered aid efforts, and raised environmental concerns linked to deforestation. Authorities are mobilizing military aid and investigating environmental causes.
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Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka's deadliest since 2004, killed 635 people, damaged infrastructure, and devastated key crops like tea and rice. The disaster has caused an estimated $6-7 billion in damages, worsening the country's economic crisis amid international aid shortages.