• Richard Branson and Ray Dalio Have No Tolerance for Office Gossip: Why Some Billionaires Are Willing to Fire Employees Over It

  Men who gossip about their colleagues behind their backs could be putting their careers at risk. A new study by the University of Iowa and the University of New Mexico has found that men who gossip are perceived as less competent and are less likely to be seen as leadership material than women who engage in exactly the same behavior....

• Threw a Plate of Spaghetti in Her Face: Bride Explodes After Bridesmaid Refuses to Gain 120 Pounds

  A bride sparked an outrageous row after demanding that her best friend gain more than 120 pounds (54kg) so she could look like the slimmest woman at her own wedding. The bizarre story has gone viral, with thousands of social media users rallying behind the woman who shared her experience, the New York Post reports...

• Groom's X-Rated Antics at the Altar Turn Wedding Kiss into Scandal, Leaving Guests Stunned

  A video showing a groom's outrageous behavior at his own wedding has taken social media by storm. In a rather unconventional way of celebrating his big “I do,” the man skipped the traditional altar kiss, buried his face in his bride's cleavage and began shaking his head. His provocative stunt made the newlywed burst into laughter but left etiquette experts outraged...

• Three Hours for Makeup and Household Chores: Japanese Prime Minister’s Admission Sparks Public Debate

  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said her daily schedule is significantly more demanding than those of her male predecessors. In addition to her official duties, she spends several hours a day on makeup, bathing, cooking and other household tasks. Her remarks have sparked a heated debate about gender stereotypes and the expectations placed on Japanese women, The New York Times reports...

• “Grandparents Now Need Permission to Hug”: Controversial Ad Pulled After Backlash

  A controversy has erupted in Ireland over a public awareness campaign urging grandparents to ask their grandchildren for permission before hugging them. The video, created by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and funded by the Department of Justice, sparked accusations of absurd political correctness, disrespect toward older people and the misuse of public funds. The justice minister eventually demanded that the video be taken down...

• The Pharaohs Forgot to Sign the Paperwork: Scottish Museum Removes Mummies Over Lack of Consent

  A scandal worthy of a museum exhibit of its own has erupted in Scotland: ancient Egyptian remains have been removed from a Glasgow museum because people who died thousands of years ago never gave permission for their bodies to be displayed in public. Visitors are now greeted by explanatory signs instead of mummies — apparently the safest exhibit in an era when even pharaohs have suddenly been found to have personal-boundary issues...

• Hermès Steps Up Boutique Security After Riots in France

  French luxury house Hermès has tightened security at its stores following widespread protests in France, during which one of the brand’s boutiques in Marseille was looted. The company is also facing a new challenge: demand for its products is slowing, and sales of clothing and accessories have declined for the first time in several years, Reuters reports...

• Outrage Over Inaccessible Luxury: Why Dior and Hermès Boutiques Were Looted in France

  Riots in France have led to the looting of boutiques belonging to Dior, Celine, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent. Images of ransacked stores have become some of the most widely discussed scenes from the protests sweeping the country. But, as The New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman observes, the attacks on luxury brands may reflect not only street violence but also growing resentment over social inequality...

Deep in the tropical jungles of northern Bali, Indonesia, an exclusive resort called the Bali Time Chamber has opened its doors—with a strict ban on women. The organizers of this all-male retreat claim that women supposedly "hinder male growth," while the complex itself is designed strictly for those looking to "level up," according to NYP.

The news about the resort's strict gender barrier has sparked heated debates online, splitting users into two camps: some called the concept a "dream," while others labeled it a total "nightmare."

"Not a single woman will set foot in here. The place is closed off from everything that slows down progress," a promotional video for the retreat states. "This secret location accepts only men who are working on their fitness, their business, and looking for like-minded individuals."

No Alcohol, No Social Media, and No Women: What Happens Behind Closed Doors

In addition to women, alcohol, processed foods, social media, and traditional entertainment are strictly banned on the resort grounds. Meanwhile, the cost of such an "alpha vacation" reaches up to $3,000.

Videos showing shirtless men feasting and training in the jungle triggered a wave of irony and criticism on Reddit:

• "It's just a suffocating echo chamber soaked in sweat, testosterone, and misogyny," one user wrote.

• "I can't imagine how insecure you have to be to pay someone for an 'alpha male' label," another agreed.

• "So... is this a gay vacation?" a third chimed in tongue-in-cheek.

However, the private club also found plenty of defenders. Advocates point out that women-only retreats have long been the norm and never spark public outrage. "What's the issue if men want to relax and work on themselves without unnecessary distractions? The presence of the opposite sex often creates competition and envy. If you're criticizing this, you're displaying actual toxic masculinity," argue supporters of the project.

Researchers also back the psychological benefits of male getaways: off-grid programs free of women and digital gadgets help participants become more authentic, foster forgiveness, and boost self-confidence.

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