"Mandala state" describes a model of political system in medieval Southeast Asia, where authority radiated from a core centre rather than being defined by fixed territorial boundaries. While superficially analogous to European feudalism, mandala states lacked formal contracts and hereditary land tenure. The overlord-tributary relationship was not necessarily exclusive as a state in border areas might pay tribute to two or three stronger powers.

Men in China face structural challenges when trying to find partners, including the fact that the one child policy has resulted in roughly 22.5 million more marriage-age men than women, the expectation that men in China have to pay a a "bride price" (averaging around 127,300 yuan / $18,780 USD, roughly six years of savings for a migrant/ rural worker), and the expectation that men should own a property before marriage.

Despite these structural issues, there are still ‘substantially more’ unmarried women in major cities (ie, Shanghai, Beijing) than unmarried men in their 20s and 30s, and the average age of marriage is increasing.

China is also facing a severe oncoming demographic crisis due to declining birth rates.

Legal constitutionalism suggests that the primary method to hold the government to account is through the courts. In instances of government overstep the primary source of redress would be achieved through the actions of the government being shot down in court, giving the judiciary the final say on the limits of government power.

Political constitutionalism believes that the government should be held accountable primarily through political processes like elections and parliamentary debate. Political constitutionalism supports the notion of Parliamentary sovereignty, suggesting that parliament itself should have the final say on the powers of the government, with the people holding the government to account through democratic processes.

AIN (Individual Neutral Athletes) refers to approved individual Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics, as their national Olympic committees were banned due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On 29 January 2026, the Latvian public broadcaster announced it would halt live broadcasts of events during AIN athletes' performances. Results and rankings would be displayed without these athletes. Instead, coverage would switch to different sports, interviews, or ad breaks.

Under South Korea's Employment Permit System, the government sets an annual ceiling on E-9 "non-professional" work visas, which admit foreign workers into manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction and some services. For 2026, the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee set the E-9 ceiling at 80,000, down from 130,000 in 2025

In Moby-Dick, Captain Ahab has lost his leg to a whale. He is devestated. He holds that there are two ways the world might be. Either it is ‘hostile’ and something lies behind appearances, acting with intent to harm him. Or it is ‘empty’, and there was no reason behind his suffering at all.

Recent surveys suggest that Gen Z is going on nights out about half as frequently as their parents did.