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Politically extreme people, whether on the far right or far left, have surprisingly similar brain responses, according to a study conducted by a team led by Oriel FeldmanHall from Brown University in Rhode Island, United States.

The study, published in the journal Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, involved 44 participants who were first surveyed about their political views and placed on a scale ranging from 0 (extremely liberal) to 100 (extremely conservative).

The participants then twice watched an 18-minute video featuring a heated debate on migration and police reform between US Democrat Tim Kaine and US Republican Mike Pence during the 2016 vice-presidential debate.

While the subjects watched the video – partly in an MRI scanner – researchers measured brain activity.

The results showed that individuals with more extreme political views exhibited similar neural patterns.

The video content triggered stronger neural responses in brain regions associated with processing emotions, particularly fear and threat.

These responses were especially pronounced during moments of sharp verbal exchanges between the debaters.

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Hong Kong actors Terrance Lau Chun-him and Cecilia Choi Sze-wan have officially tied the knot after years of dating.

The couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony in Karuizawa, Japan, witnessed only by close friends and family.

They shared the joyful news in a joint Instagram post on Tuesday (Oct 14), writing, “Thank you God for loving us. We are married!”

The post included five photos from their special day – including a shot of the pair standing before a church and another showing them hand in hand, smiling as they held a bouquet of white roses together.

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I was quite alarmed at the recent spate of suicides in Malaysia and the possible incitement of them by bullying. Is bullying a psychological issue?

Yes, it is, but first, let us define bullying.

Bullying is a mean-spirited and harmful behaviour that has a distinctive pattern.

The pattern is of repeatedly and deliberately harming and humiliating others, especially people who are smaller, weaker, of “lesser status”, younger or in any way more at risk than the bully.

A bully usually has more “power” and “status” than the bullied person, and specifically targets the person(s) of lesser power.

Is bullying usually physical?

Bullying can come in all shapes and forms.

It can be verbal, such as calling people names, making fun of them, harassing them, intimidating them and being rude to them.

It can be physical, such as pushing, kicking, shoving or hitting people, or putting objects in their path to hurt them.

It can also involve excluding someone from a group, spreading rumours about them either verbally or online.

Sexual harassment is also a form of bullying.

Is it girls who are more likely to be bullied?

Both boys and girls have equal chance of being bullied.

Most bullying happens to children in school or the playground.

In the United States, about one in five children have reported being bullied at one point or another.

Older teens and adults can be bullied too.

You can be bullied at any age and anywhere, e.g. at work, the grocery store, college or a senior home.

Does a bully have psychological issues?

Yes, bullies lack prosocial behaviour.

They are not generally anxious and they lack empathy.

They possess a sort of paranoia that leads them to misread the intentions of other people.

Bullies tend to imagine threats and hostility even when there are no threats and hostility in a situation.

For example, when a new person joins a team, the seasoned employee who has been there for many years and who happens to be a bully may try to intimidate this new ­colleague.

This could take the form of excluding the new colleague from group lunches, gossiping about the new colleague, and trying to undermine the new colleague in front of the boss.

This is because the bully sees the new ­colleague as a threat.

The anonymity provided by the Internet has allowed bullies who would otherwise not face their victims in person the opportunity to behave badly. — Freepik

Are bullies born then?

Bullies are not born; they are made at an early age.

Two-year-olds have a normal sort of aggression.

They go around destroying things, and sometimes hitting other younger, weaker children, including a new baby in the house.

If you do not parent them well and put restraints on such behaviour, they will continue that behaviour as they get older.

Bullies tend to model and copy bullying behaviour if they see others doing it.

Family members tend to be a big influence.

If a child grows up with parents who have a lot of quarrels and who like to implement ­physical punishments, the child thinks this is normal and acceptable behaviour.

Streaming, music, gaming and media tend to glamourise violence too.

So a child who watches and hears all this will think that this sort of behaviour is “cool”.

If a child befriends a group of bullies, he/she is likely to be a bully too because it is considered “cool” to be in that group.

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Every other Friday, exactly at 3pm, a highly coveted product goes on sale and sells out within minutes.

The limited release isn’t for the drop of a new sneaker or the latest Labubu. It’s for butter.

Saxelby Cheesemongers sells up to 60 pounds (27kg) of cult favourite Animal Farm Creamery butter at an eye-popping US$60 (RM252) per pound during its online-only flash sales.

The average cost of butter is about US$9.62 (RM40.60) per kg. Made in Vermont, Animal Farm’s super-creamy cultured butter isn’t available almost anywhere else.

Americans are increasingly willing to splurge on fancier, fattier butter – prized for richer flavour and velvety-smooth mouthfeel.

A bumpy economy and high inflation have pushed grocery prices up roughly 25% in the last five years, but people with money to spend are still shelling out on little luxuries.

High-end butter for cooking, baking and slathering straight from the package is the latest indulgence.

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Singaporean actress-host Candyce Toh has spoken out following the news of her husband Hong Junyang’s bankruptcy following a series of failed F&B ventures.

Toh, 45, took to her social media accounts and penned a heartfelt post on Oct 14 about how she was deeply touched by the outpouring of concern from everyone. 

“Thank you for your support and encouragement. I’m truly grateful and will cherish every thought,” she wrote. The post was accompanied by a photograph of a pair of clasped hands.

She added that Hong’s bankruptcy has shown her “a man’s commitment and responsibility”. 

“He bravely faced and took responsibility for the consequences. He is both strong and courageous,” Toh said of the 44-year-old local singer-musician, who is her husband of 16 years. 

Hong’s financial woes arose from debts from his Thai street food restaurant chain The Original Boat Noodle.

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Chrissy Teigen is opening up about why she turned to Ozempic after losing her on Jack to miscarriage.

“I had two babies and then I lost a baby a little over 20 weeks,” Teigen explained on her Self-Conscious podcast. “My body was just completely stuck. It was like in shock, almost.”

Teigen admits the miscarriage, which took place in 2020, led her into a “deep depression of seeing this pregnant belly with no baby in it.”

“I really let myself indulge when I was pregnant. So, when I had lost that baby at 20 weeks, I had probably gained an extra 40 pounds that I wasn’t comfortable with.”

The 39-year-old revealed that following the pregnancy, the weight gain served as a reminder of the miscarriage.

“And then all of a sudden, was finally able to lose the weight that was so reminding me of the baby that I had lost.”

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Many cats long to sneak through the grass, bathe in the sun and climb trees. But letting them roam freely can be risky.

“The greatest danger to outdoor cats comes from cars,” says Judith Forster, a pet welfare specialist. Wild animals, parasites, toxins and even animal cruelty from humans can also pose threats.

If a cat is happy indoors, there is no need to let it out, Förster says. But indoor cats must be kept stimulated with scratching posts, climbing spaces, and play.

1. If you can climb the fence, so can your cat

Your private garden can be a safe middle ground between keeping your cat indoors and letting it roam freely – provided it is well secured, as dangers can lurk between flower beds, ponds and fences.

It is particularly important that your cat stays in the garden, which means you need a fence that is high enough for your cat not to climb over.

According to the expert, the minimum height is two metres, or even more for athletic animals. In other words, to truly keep the cat from running away, the fence should also be difficult for humans to climb over.

A fence that slopes inwards at the top is ideal to make it more difficult for cats to climb.

If you want to be on the safe side, you can also secure the garden from above with a net, similar to ones used on balconies.

For many cats, having access to the outdoors is a great enrichment.

2. Include natural features and space to run

In addition to safety, design also plays an important role in making a cat feel comfortable in the garden. Variety is key here.

Pet owners can make the most of whatever natural features the garden has to offer, such as bushes, trees and shrubs. However, these should not be right next to the fence, as cats could use them to escape.

It’s also a good idea to provide some space for running and playing. “There are no limits to your DIY imagination here,” says Forster.

You may also want to consider limiting your cat’s access to trees or areas frequented by birds. Conservation experts believe cats are responsible for billions of bird deaths every year.

3. Are your garden’s plants non-toxic?

But caution is needed – many common garden plants are toxic to cats.

You’ll need to research which common local plants are most harmful.

According to animal welfare specialist Nadia Wattad cat owners in Europe should be wary of ivy, yew, monkshood, angel’s trumpet, broom and, in spring, crocuses, snowdrops and tulips.

Safer choices include lavender, valerian, lemon balm, catnip and cat grass – all harmless and much loved by cats.

Symptoms of poisoning can include excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. In severe cases, cats will have trouble breathing, kidney failure or convulsions.

“It depends on how much of the plant has been ingested and what type of plant it is,” says Wattad. The surest protection, she adds, is to avoid toxic plants altogether and stick to safe varieties.

You’ll need to research which common local plants are most harmful to cats. — Photos: Freepik

4. Watch out for water features

Garden water features can also pose risks. “Cats usually avoid water, but they can swim if they fall in,” says Wattad.

To make ponds safer, create a shallow edge so a cat can climb out easily. Swimming pools should also have some kind of cat-friendly exit.

Rain barrels, meanwhile, should always be securely covered with a solid lid. Nets are not enough, as they can collapse under the cat’s weight.

5. Avoid nets, wire and other sources of danger

Many owners overlook everyday dangers in the garden.

Tools, nets and wires can injure cats and should always be stored safely.

Barbed wire is especially hazardous and has no place in a cat-friendly garden. Large-mesh nets and loose cords are also risky.

“Cats could get tangled up and, in the worst case, be unable to free themselves and strangle themselves,” says Wattad.

Invisible risks are just as serious: chemical fertilisers, weed killers, insect repellents and poisoned bait for rodents.

“Organic fertilisers or bio-fertilisers are more suitable for pet owners,” says Wattad. If a cat eats a poisoned mouse or rat, it can be fatal.

With the right precautions, however, cats can safely enjoy outdoor time. “The dangers in the garden are manageable,” says Wattad.

“For many cats, having access to the outdoors is a great enrichment. They benefit from plenty of exercise and variety, and they can also better live out their natural instincts such as hunting and exploring.”

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Angel Reesetook her game from the court to the runway and made history along the way.

The Chicago Sky forward became the first professional athlete to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on Wednesday (Oct 15), joining the brand’s high-profile “Wings Reveal” lineup in New York.

“It was destined for me,” Reese said during an interview before the show began.

“This is already for me. I’m so happy to be sitting in this room with so many amazing models and women. The team that put this all together has been amazing. I’m so excited.”

Reese said she hired a modeling coach to “perfect my walk”.

“I walk, sleep, hoop,” she said. “And I hoop, sleep, walk.”

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Prince William choked back tears as he discussed the devastating impact of suicide with a woman whose husband took his own life in a short film released by the British royal’s office on Oct 10 to mark World Mental Health Day.

In the film, the heir to the throne speaks with Rhian Mannings, whose husband Paul took his life five days after the sudden death of their young son George from illness in 2012, at her home in Cardiff. They discuss the need for better support for those who are bereaved or affected by suicide.

He becomes clearly emotional after asking Mannings, who founded bereavement charity 2wish to help those who experienced the unexpected death of a child or a young adult, what she would have said to her husband.

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Britney Spears is being accused of having cheated on Kevin Federline with a female dancer, according to the latter’s upcoming memoir.

In You Thought You Knew, out Tuesday, 47-year-old Federline — who met and married the pop star, 43, in 2004 — writes that he found Spears “going at it” with one of her female dancers during a European tour amid their “whirlwind” romance.

“As I passed one of the rooms, I glanced inside — and froze. There she was. Theresa was sitting on the edge of the bed … Full-on making out,” reads an excerpt published by USA Today.

The former backup dancer says the alleged encounter left him with “a sudden clarity.”

”This wasn’t what I signed up for. So I got the hell out of there,” he writes. “At that point, I cared about nothing else — I just wanted out.”

Federline claims he tried to get “the first flight back to the States” when the singer returned to their room to find him packing and “started apologising, explaining, promising it would never happen again.”

“She told me she didn’t realise how serious I was about us, that she was overwhelmed, and it had been a mistake,” he writes. “That moment was a turning point for both of us. It was our first fight. … I think it was the moment she realised I wasn’t there for the fame or the perks. I was only there for her. … The fact that I was ready to walk away … proved it was real.”

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