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Pandas An An and Ke Ke celebrate their 1st Christmas in Hong Kong HONG KONG (AP) — A pair of five-year-old pandas, named An An and Ke Ke, celebrated their first Christmas early in a Hong Kong park, munching on special treats and looking cute for the cameras. An An, the male panda, was presented with an ice slab that had “Merry Christmas” written on it with sweet potato and carrots while Ke Ke, his female companion, got a snowman garnished with slices of carrot and apple in a special press event Monday before visitors streamed to the park. China sent the pair to Hong Kong in late September in a bid to boost tourism in the city. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby: Spurs-Knicks Christmas game is also an animated one at Disney World NEW YORK (AP) — There’s a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. While Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, an alternate animated telecast will have the teams playing in the Magic Kingdom, with some Disney characters participating. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. 'Squid Game' returns looking for win with season 2 The first season of “Squid Game” was Netflix's most-watched series and went on to win a variety of accolades including the Emmy Award for lead actor in a drama series for Lee Jung-jae and a directing award for Hwang Dong-hyuk. The show returns for its second season on Dec. 26 and is already nominated for a Golden Globe for best drama. It's rare for TV shows made in Korea to have more than one season but Lee describes Hwang as “a genius.” A third and final season has already filmed. Netflix is also invested in expanding its “Squid Game” universe with a reality competition series and an English-language version in development. In the ruins of a bombed-out church in Lebanon, there's now a tiny Christmas tree DARDGHAYA, Lebanon (AP) — A Christmas tree stands among the fallen stones in the ruins of a Catholic church in southern Lebanon that was hit by an Israeli airstrike during the war with Hezbollah. It's a small and modest tree. There are no lights because the war destroyed power lines. The ground is too uneven to set up the Nativity scene. The priest says his blood pressure went up and he lost his balance when he saw the church's destruction. Now he leads Mass in an underground room that serves as a temporary worship space. He tells the community it “is more like the cave where Jesus was born.” Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90 The Crocosaurus Cove reptile aquarium in Darwin, Australia, says the huge crocodile that rose to fame with a cameo in the movie “Crocodile Dundee” has died. The aquarium says Burt died over the weekend and was at least 90 years old. A saltwater crocodile, Burt was estimated to be more than 5 meters long. The 1986 movie stars Paul Hogan as the rugged crocodile hunter Mick Dundee. In the movie, American Sue Charlton, played by actress Linda Kozlowski, goes to fill her canteen in a watering hole when she is attacked by a crocodile, before being saved by Dundee. Elaborate holiday light displays are making spirits bright in a big way CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow might be enough to brighten some homes this holiday season. But others are adorned with thousands of blinking lights synched to blasting music. In Mesa, Arizona, 14 homeowners have been going all-out on holiday lights for 30 years, and those buying homes in the neighborhood often find the attics full of décor left behind by previous owners. In Santa Clarita, California, residents began coordinating their holiday lights to bring some joy to their community after an earthquake. And in Edmond, Oklahoma, those looking to the western sky will easily spot the Miranda family’s elaborate display featuring images and music from the movie “Wicked.” Santa braves the sticky heat of the Amazon jungle to bring gifts to children in Brazilian village CATALAO, Brazil (AP) — Santa Claus has braved the sticky heat of the Amazon rainforest this weekend, taking two boats to bring gifts to the children of a small village near the Brazilian city of Manaus. The visit was arranged by Amigos do Papai Noel, a Brazilian charity that has been taking gifts to children in the Amazon rainforest for the past 26 years. More than 600 children from different villages gathered in Catalao to receive presents from Santa, who dressed in his traditional nightcap, white gloves and red suit, while enduring the stifling jungle heat. NASA's Parker Solar Probe aims to fly closer to the sun like never before NEW YORK (AP) — A NASA spacecraft is about to make the closest approach to the sun. The Parker Solar Probe was launched in 2018 to get a close-up look at the sun. On Tuesday, Parker will pass within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface. That's nearly seven times closer to the sun than previous spacecraft. Scientists won’t hear from Parker until a few days after the flyby. It’ll continue circling the sun at this distance until at least September. Scientists hope to better understand what drives the solar wind and why the corona is so much hotter than the sun's surface. 174 Colorado skiers and snowboarders rescued after a lift cracks WINTER PARK, Colo. (AP) — Officials are investigating what caused a crack in a Colorado ski lift that forced the evacuation of over 170 stranded skiers and snowboarders. The evacuation happened Saturday on a gondola lift at Winter Park Resort. A spokesperson says the lift stopped automatically when a crack was detected in a structural piece of the lift. Passengers were lowered down by ropes over the course of about five hours. No injuries were reported during the rescues, which came at the start of the busy holiday season. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office NEW YORK (AP) — In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office. The results came just ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. According to studio estimates, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” debuted with $62 million in ticket sales over the weekend. “Mufasa,” however, was humbled in its opening weekend, coming in notably shy of expectations. It returned just $35 million in domestic ticket sales.The Dolphins' improbable path to the playoffs isn't in their hands, but they must do their partlodibet 222 。

State legislators, union officials discuss priorities ahead of 2025 legislative sessionYankees slugger Aaron Judge wins his second AL MVP award after leading MLB with 58 home runs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while the Republican represented Florida's western Panhandle. Congressional investigators concluded that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, though not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee's work. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report said. Before the report came out, Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticized the committee's process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Gaetz , who was first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his selection by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department . Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress last month. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz has indicated interest in running for the open Senate seat in Florida. The committee painted a damning portrait of Gaetz's conduct, using dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages, financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments, to document a party and drug-fueled lifestyle. The committee said it compiled the evidence after issuing 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony and contacting more than two dozen witnesses. In addition to soliciting prostitution, the report said Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in connection with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts.” That same year, investigators said, Gaetz arranged for a staffer to obtain a passport for a woman with whom he was sexually involved, falsely telling the State Department that she was his constituent. In some of the text exchanges made public, he appeared to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. At one point he asked one woman if she had a “cute black dress” to wear. There were also discussions of shipping goods. One of the exhibits was a text exchange that appeared to be between two of the women concerned about their cash flow and payments. In another, a person asked Gaetz for help to pay an educational expense. Regarding the 17-year-old girl, the report said there was no evidence Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her. The woman told the committee she did not tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But Gaetz stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Florida law says it is a felony for a person 24 or older to have sex with a minor. The law does not allow a claim of ignorance or misrepresentation of a minor's age as a defense. Joel Leppard, who represents two women who told the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, said the findings “vindicate” the accounts of his clients and “demonstrate their credibility.” “We appreciate the Committee’s commitment to transparency in releasing this comprehensive report so the truth can be known,” Leppard said in a statement. At least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the committee earlier this month in voting to release the report despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. On behalf of the Republicans who voted against making the report public, the committee chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, wrote that while the members did not challenge the findings, “we take great exception that the majority deviated from the Committee’s well-established standards,” to drop any investigation when a person is not longer a member of the chamber. Guest added that releasing this report sets a precedent that “is a dangerous departure with potentially catastrophic consequences.” But Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Democratic member of the committee, said that for transparency, it was crucial for the public and Congress as an institution to read the findings. "I think that’s important for my colleagues here in the House to know how the committee reviews certain acts," he told The Associated Press. "Some of these were obviously conduct that crossed the line, but some of them weren’t.” Mounting a last-ditch effort to halt the publication of the report, Gaetz filed a lawsuit Monday asking a federal court to intervene. He cited what he called “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” Gaetz’s complaint argued that he was no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction because he had resigned from Congress. The often secretive, bipartisan committee has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. But its work became more urgent last month when Trump picked him shortly after the Nov. 5 election Day to be the nation's top law enforcement officer. Gaetz resigned from Congress that same day, putting him outside the purview of the committee's jurisdiction. But Democrats had pressed to make the report public even after Gaetz was no longer in the House and had withdrawn from consideration for Trump's Cabinet. A vote on the House floor this month to force the report’s release failed; all but one Republican voted against it. The committee detailed its start-and-stop investigation over the past several years, which was halted for a time as the Justice Department conducted its own inquiry of Gaetz. Federal prosecutors never brought a case against him. Lawmakers said they asked the Justice Department for information about its investigation, but the agency refused to hand over information, saying it does not disclose information about investigations that do not result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the department for records. After a back-and-forth between department officials and the committee, the department only handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the committee's report. The report said Gaetz was “uncooperative" throughout the committee's investigation. He provided “minimal documentation” in response to the committee’s requests, it said. “He also did not agree to a voluntary interview.” ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

On a balmy autumn evening at Inja restaurant at the Manor Hotel in Delhi, food connoisseurs, authors, chefs and experts came together for a Chef’s Table organized by the Food Future Foundation and We The Chefs. The evening saw a remarkable gathering of culinary experts from Japan and India, celebrating the rich interplay of culture, flavor, and innovation. The event featured Michelin-starred Chef Takuji Takahashi of Kyoto’s renowned Kinobu Restaurant and Food Scientist Dr. Hiroya Kawasaki. Together, they offered an enlightening exploration of Japanese cuisine, delving into the principles of umami, health, and sustainability. Joining the conversation were eminent chefs and popular names from the culinary world including Pawan Agarwal, the CEO of Food Future Foundation. The Discussion The discussion began with the role of umami, the sixth taste in Japanese cuisine and how it is a complete game changer when it comes to flavours. The discussion also brought into light, on one of the most controversial topics in the world of gastronomy- Monosodium Glutamate. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), is a flavor enhancer which is extensively used in Pan Asian cooking, but has long faced stigma as a "villain" in the food industry. This perception stems from a combination of anecdotal reports, cultural biases, and misinformation rather than conclusive scientific evidence. MSG was created as a compound from glutamic acid that naturally occurs in foods like tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese. Certain researchers pointed towards MSG causing some side effects like headaches, nausea, and "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," a term coined in the 1960s after reports of discomfort following the consumption of Chinese food. However, numerous scientific studies, including evaluations by the FDA and WHO, have consistently classified MSG as safe for consumption when used in typical culinary quantities.MSG's role in culinary traditions, its scientific foundation, and its potential to elevate global cuisines. The flavour-Umami that Monosodium Glutamate imparts, plays a significant role in Japanese Cuisine. Chef Takahashi delved into MSG’s indispensable role in Japanese cuisine, particularly in dashi, a base stock that forms the backbone of countless dishes. He explained how MSG enriches flavors without dominating them, creating harmony by amplifying the natural umami present in ingredients. “MSG is an enhancer,” Chef Takahashi noted during the discussion. “It doesn’t overpower; it helps each ingredient reach its full potential.” Shared Umami in Indian Cuisine The discussion also highlighted parallels between Indian and Japanese culinary practices. Professor Jamuna Prakash, a food consultant and former professor at the University of Mysore, emphasized how MSG could elevate the flavors of Indian curries, dals, and vegetable preparations. The event explored natural umami sources like tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese, which MSG amplifies to deepen flavors. Debunking MSG myths One of the event's key moments was the scientific classification of MSG's safety. Professor Prakash explained that MSG is derived from plant-based sources such as sugarcane, sugar beets, and cassava through a fermentation process similar to yogurt production. She addressed lingering misconceptions, stating, “MSG is synthesized from natural materials and metabolized in the body like any other nutrient. It’s completely safe, even for pregnant women.” She also noted a fascinating fact: mother’s milk is one of the richest natural sources of glutamate, underscoring its safety and nutritional value. Sodium reduction with MSG It has been found that the dishes that use MSG, use less amount of salt sodium in dishes. Containing only 12% sodium, compared to 39% in table salt, MSG allows chefs to reduce sodium by up to 40% without compromising taste. This property has even been recognized in national health strategies, such as Singapore’s campaign to promote low-sodium alternatives. MSG’s place in contemporary kitchens MSG is not ancient. Its journey began in 1908, when Japanese chemist Dr. Kikunae Ikeda discovered the taste of umami in kombu seaweed and identified glutamic acid as its source. His findings led to the creation of MSG, a seasoning that revolutionized culinary practices by enhancing natural flavors. Bridging cultures through umami The event celebrated the shared heritage of umami in Indian and Japanese cuisines. Ingredients like peas, garlic, corn, and potatoes, rich in natural glutamates, were highlighted as a common thread. “Japanese food remains one of the healthiest cuisines despite its liberal use of MSG,” remarked Chef Ajay Chopra, underscoring the seasoning’s role in global gastronomy. The event brought together prominent figures from the culinary world, including Masterchef Ajay Chopra; Dhruv Oberoi, Executive Chef at Olive Bar and Kitchen; Vaibhav Bhargava, Partner Chef at CHO; Ravitej Nath, Co-founder of Highlife and Corporate Chef & Director at Spice Lab, Tokyo; Veena Arora, Consultant Chef at The Imperial; Dr. Chef Parvinder Singh Bali, Director of the School for European Pastry and Culinary Arts; Manish Sharma, Executive Chef at The Oberoi, New Delhi; and Sourish Bhattacharyya, Senior Consultant at We The Chefs.

This Multitasking Face Gadget Is 64% Off on AmazonAmerican Consumer Awards (ACA) Unveils "Sports & Leisure" Category Winners for California, Hosted by the American Consumer Right Association (ACRA) 12-23-2024 11:34 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: US China Brand, LLC Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/0a4861b8810e36dde4807397e8c7fd49.jpg The results of the 2024 American Consumer Awards in the 'Sports & Leisure' category, organized by the American Consumer Right Association (ACRA) and managed by the American Consumer Assessment (ACA), have been announced for the California region. These awards aim to uphold consumers' fundamental rights by sharing results based on consumer evaluations, providing objective and valuable information, and promoting the qualitative enhancement of consumers' lives. Evaluations for the 2024 American Consumer Awards 'Sports & Leisure' category were conducted from July to October and were based on online reviews from real consumers. The evaluation criteria included staff friendliness, facility satisfaction, pricing satisfaction, accessibility, and service satisfaction. Several outstanding businesses were recognized for their excellence in this category. The winners are as follows: The Escape Game San Francisco (Downtown) GoJump Oceanside. Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Hansen Dam Aquatic Center Pins N Pockets Skydive Perris Total Body Experts + Studio-Cycles SC Village Indian Wells Tennis Garden K1 Speed (Ontario Mills Pkwy) Tahoe Sport Fishing REI (Copley Dr) Sharks Ice at San Jose Silicon Valley Skydiving San Diego Surf School | San Diego Surf Lessons The Escape Game San Diego QUEST ROOM - Hollywood Escape Rooms Seaforth Sportfishing K1 Speed (District Pl) Quarry Park Adventures Gold's Gym Venice In-Shape Family Fitness (Valley Center Dr) Fitness 19 (N Grand Ave) Concourse Bowling Center Canyon Bicycles USA Legion American Jiu Jitsu San Diego - HQ Road Runner Sports (Newport Blvd) Flight Adventure Park Bakersfield Sports Basement Campbell A spokesperson for the American Consumer Right Association stated, "The 2024 American Consumer Awards are grounded in evaluations from real consumers, and we hope these results will provide trustworthy information for consumers and contribute to the growth of the sports and leisure industry. We also believe that these assessments will encourage businesses to prioritize customer satisfaction and continue to offer exceptional service." Media Contact Company Name: American Consumer Right Association Contact Person: Harvey Reed Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=american-consumer-awards-aca-unveils-sports-leisure-category-winners-for-california-hosted-by-the-american-consumer-right-association-acra ] City: Los Angeles State: California Country: United States Website: https://www.acra-us.org/ This release was published on openPR.

Bonnie Chapman revealed the secret behind her 60-pound weight loss. The 25-year-old daughter of the Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman got candid about shedding weight with the help of Tirezepatide , an injectable medication, during an interview with E! News published Sunday. “I’ve been trying to lose weight since I was probably 18 years old,” she said. “And it was just very frustrating to constantly be trying, constantly be putting in the work.” Bonnie explained that she’s been on different diets, including the Mediterranean and Paleo, but nothing has worked for her. “I needed something that would show me results,” she added, sharing she was first prescribed Ozempic but it made her nauseous. The former TV personality reflected on starting Tirezepatide last December, saying she lost 10 pounds within two weeks. “At first, I didn’t really notice the changes,” Bonnie said. “I’m stepping on a scale and I’m seeing the numbers go down, but I’m looking at myself and I’m like, ‘Where do I see it?’ “And then I would be told, like, ‘You used to have a little bit more of something at the top of your stomach, and it’s flattened out.'” The Hawaii native reflected on going from 196 pounds to her goal weight of 130 pounds, saying, “I’m not going to lie, I cried a couple times because I was like, wow, this is what I wanted my entire life.” Bonnie said the weight-loss drug has helped curb her appetite and allowed her to build better eating habits. “Once I started to see that I was getting full a lot less quickly, I was able to actually eat half a portion of my meal,” she said. “Even if I go a week or two without taking it, I’m able to eat less portions.” The social media influencer — who is now 126 pounds — said she tries to limit eating sushi and sweets to only a few times a month to avoid gaining weight. She also learned how to control her emotional eating habits after her mom, Beth Chapman, passed away from throat cancer in 2019 and her Virginia rental property burned down in April 2023. Now, Bonnie enjoys homemade kale chips as a snack and usually gets full with a handful or two. “The last time I really felt good was when I was probably in high school,” she said. “And I was like, if I can get to this weight, then I’ll be happy. And I was ecstatic when I reached that goal. I just felt like I was finally me again.” Earlier this month, Bonnie took to Instagram to open up about her weight loss and her diagnosis with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a teenager, which made her weight difficult to manage. PCOS is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular menstrual periods, acne, excess hair growth, obesity and infertility, per Cleveland Clinic . In addition to using Tirezepatide, she thanked Morph Fitness for helping her achieve her goals.

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CONWAY — Luckily for Coastal Carolina , it has time to get some new players out of the transfer portal. The University of Texas at San Antonio dominated CCU in the Myrtle Beach Bowl 44-15 on Dec. 23 at Brooks Stadium. The Roadrunners cruised thanks to 254 passing yards and two touchdowns from UTSA quarterback Owen McCown, son of former NFL quarterback Josh McCown. After CCU lost its top two quarterbacks Ethan Vasko (Liberty) and Noah Kim to the portal and DJ Moore was dismissed from the team following an arrest , it turned to redshirt freshman and North Carolina transfer quarterback Tad Hudson to lead the Chants in the bowl game. The University of Texas at San Antonio dominated Coastal Carolina University in the Myrtle Beach Bowl 44-15 on Dec. 23 at Brooks Stadium. Hudson turned in a decent performance, going 15-for-22 for 165 yards and two touchdown passes. 'A part of the town': Why this Georgetown baseball tournament won't end when the paper mill closes “I thought [he played] well,” CCU coach Tim Beck said. “He protected the ball. He played hard. Like everybody, there’s good things and bad things. I think there’s things he’d probably wish he had back, but for the most part, I was proud of the way he went in there and played ... He’ll certainly be in the mix [to start next year]. There’s no question about it. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in the mix.” The University of Texas at San Antonio dominated Coastal Carolina University in the Myrtle Beach Bowl 44-15 on Dec. 23 at Brooks Stadium. The only other quarterback left on CCU’s 2024 roster is Alex Walker, but it also recently added JUCO transfer quarterback Samari Collier. Quarterback Chris Denson committed to CCU back in April but flipped to Clemson after getting an offer from Dabo Swinney. Redshirt senior running back Braydon Bennett, who rushed for 54 yards on 22 carries in the game and led CCU in rushing yards and rushing scores this season, still has a year of eligibility left should he choose to use it. Coastal Carolina quarterback Tad Hudson got his first start for the Chants in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. The University of Texas at San Antonio overpowered CCU 44-15 on Dec. 23 in the bowl game at Brooks Stadium. CCU finished the season 6-7 overall and is now 2-3 in bowl games. The Chants gave up 514 yards of total offense to the Roadrunners. However, they were missing some of their best defensive players after they hit the portal, including bandit Clev Lubin (Lousiville), defensive back Matthew McDoom (Cincinnati) and defensive lineman Will Whitson. 'We grew up as those kids': This SC group helps struggling youth find hope through skateboarding Overall, CCU has had over 30 players enter the portal since it opened in early December. The University of Texas at San Antonio dominated Coastal Carolina University in the Myrtle Beach Bowl 44-15 on Dec. 23 at Brooks Stadium. “Myself included, a lot of young guys out there got the chance to go out there and play their first college snaps or first college start,” Hudson said. “I mean, we were prepared. The coaches had us prepared all week. It just came down to me executing and getting it done.” Good news for the Chants is after the game, redshirt senior linebacker Shane Bruce, who led the team in tackles this season with 75, said he intends to stay with CCU for his last year of eligibility. SC's third-largest school district just hired a superintendent. Here's why he was picked.BEN CHAN was unsure how to move on after his breakup. Bitter, lost and angry, Chan felt like a failure. Just three days after being dumped by his girlfriend, he found himself at his brother’s fifth wedding anniversary celebration at a luxurious hotel in Kuala Lumpur. “And I had to give a rousing speech about how I admire him for his success in life and marriage,” Chan recalls. “It was ridiculous. I gave a flat, monotonous speech because any display of joyous emotion felt hollow when my own life was in pieces.” As if the night couldn’t get worse, his car broke down on the way home – vandalised, with sugar poured into the fuel tank. “It felt like I was in a bad rom-com,” he says. Now 25 and running an online banana cracker business, Chan decided to go online in search of guidance. He wasn’t looking for pity. He wanted to rediscover his confidence and reclaim his “mojo”.” “I just needed someone to show me how to be a man again,” he admits. Soon, Chan stumbled upon male influencers on X who preached the art of “being a real man.” “At first, I found influencers talking about self-improvement – hitting the gym, reading books, or travelling. That seemed fine. “But then I saw others promoting outright hate against women.” One saying particularly disturbed him: “Men age like fine wine, but women are just milk.” Chan had unknowingly entered the “manosphere,” a collection of websites, blogs and forums focused on men’s issues and interests. Emerging in the early 2000s, this subculture began as a space for men’s rights and self-improvement but has since veered into darker territory. Manly journey: The manosphere subculture began as a space for men’s rights and self-improvement but has since veered into darker territory — TNS Today, parts of the manosphere normalise misogyny, offering toxic views on gender roles under the guise of self-empowerment. Influencers like Andrew Tate have become emblematic of this shift, often promoting polarising ideas that blur the line between confidence-building and outright bigotry. The manosphere’s influence has reached Malaysia, where some local influencers mimic the sexist rhetoric and mannerisms of figures like Tate. Based on an article by life coach Julien Florkin, the manosphere trend in Malaysia is still relatively new but gaining traction – it often focuses on traditional gender roles and the perceived erosion of these roles due to modern societal changes. These messages stray far from the concept of healthy masculinity, which encourages men to express themselves freely, pursue physical health and develop life goals. Instead, misogynistic manosphere often reinforces rigid stereotypes and criticises feminism for undermining men’s rights. Another main concern over such a misogynistic manosphere is this – the line between promoting healthy masculinity and a toxic one is often blurred, leading to a potential detriment to impressionable minds of boys looking for role models. Registered counselor Raymund Jagan sees the manosphere as a reactionary response to feminism. “In its early days, the manosphere may have been a counterbalance to feminism. It is more widespread in the United States or western world.” The manosphere in the US is more established and diverse, with various subgroups such as Men’s Rights Activists (MRAs), Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), Pickup Artists (PUAs) and the Red Pill community. These groups often have a more pronounced presence and influence in the US, partly due to the larger population and more extensive use of social media platforms. The US manosphere, Jagan says, benefits from larger populations and greater social media reach, but this influence also brings risks; extreme ideologies, some of which advocate for radical societal changes, are not uncommon. A study by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) foundation highlights how some influencers use pseudo-science and decontextualised psychology to legitimise misogyny. They cherry-pick quotes from philosophers like Aristotle and psychologists like Carl Jung to validate harmful narratives. Jagan stresses that young people can protect themselves by cultivating healthier online environments. “Your experience depends on the echo chamber you create. If you don’t look for toxic content, you’re less likely to encounter it.” He also emphasises the importance of parenting, particularly for fathers. “Better fathers can serve as better role models, so boys won’t need to seek validation from toxic figures online.” For Chan, the manosphere offered an initial glimmer of hope, but its toxic undercurrents ultimately pushed him away. “I just wanted to regain my confidence. I’m still nervous around women. Unless I’m convincing them to buy banana crackers, I freeze up at the thought of asking someone out.” But Chan refuses to adopt the manosphere’s blanket negativity toward women. “A woman hurt me, but that doesn’t mean all women are the same. You know what I mean?” As he serves the writer a bowl of banana crackers, Chan smiles faintly. His journey to rebuild his confidence may be far from over, but he is determined to forge his path without falling into the manosphere’s toxic traps.

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Northwestern wins second women's field hockey national championshipMarta has lived through long, lean years. Now she has another titleAvior Wealth Management LLC Raises Position in Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL)