Buddhist monks-in-training caught with 110kg of cannabis in Sri Lanka

Papers are talking about Russia's ongoing internet crackdown. The New York Times says that "anger about internet restrictions breathes some life into Russian politics". The paper says that when Russia invaded Ukraine, Russia's security services kept a lid on public dissent. But when viral apps were censored, "many Russians found their voice". Ordinary citizens, influencers who are usually apolitical, politicians and even TV stars have criticised the restrictions. That's rare in Russia, as its political system no longer allows for "genuine opposition". Russians even tried to hold protests in some cities, but they've been blocked by the authorities. Containing them online, however, is trickier. Independent Russian paper Novaya Gazeta reports that VPN downloads have surged 14-fold amid the internet restrictions. In March, VPNs were downloaded more than 9 million times from Russia. Experts say that the restrictions have backfired as Russians are using major platforms less often, rather than abandoning their VPNs. 

In France, the Coco website linked to the Gisèle Pelicot mass rape case has resurfaced online under a new name. French daily Le Parisien reports that France has launched a probe into its reappearance. It's the website that enabled Dominique Pelicot to find dozens of strangers to rape his drugged wife. Coco was shut down by authorities in June 2024 after it was accused of facilitating sex crimes. France's commissioner for children has called its reappearance a "slap in the face to the promise of protection".

We turn next to emerging work trends. Glamour magazine writes about "promotion burnout", or the reason why so many women no longer want to climb the ladder. It cites a British study that surveyed more than 1,000 female employees about their career ambitions. It found out that 50 percent of those who responded say that their motivation is going down and they have "little to no ambition to climb the career ladder". But the magazine says that there's a widening "ambition gap" between men and women – the bottom line is that women are aiming for promotions less often than men. The magazine says that it's maybe because women have a harder time at work than their male colleagues. A study by Yale University shows that women are 14 percent less likely to be promoted than men.

Times Now talks about the "Hidden burnout crisis among Gen Z". The article explains that Gen Z members entering the workforce bring energy, adaptability and strong digital skills. But they also face the "always-on" culture: digital fatigue, high expectations and blurred boundaries. This all impacts their mental health and many Gen Z professionals experience burnout symptoms within just a few years of starting work. Experts say the inability to disconnect means that the brain never gets a true break.

Finally, 22 Buddhist monks have been arrested after police found 110 kilos of cannabis in their luggage. The Guardian writes that this is the largest ever drugs bust at Colombo airport in Sri Lanka. The junior monks-in-training were coming back from a five-day holiday in Bangkok. Each of them carried about 5kg of kush. A twenty-third monk is believed to have organised the trip. According to police, he told the others that the parcels were a "donation".

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