Bangkok

Fátima Bosch of Mexico won the Miss Universe 2025 crown in a dramatic finale, defeating other standout competitors amid a backdrop of controversy and resilience. The 25-year-old’s victory—her country’s fourth—came just weeks after a heated confrontation with a pageant executive, which triggered a walkout by fellow contestants. The top five included Praveenar Singh of Thailand (1st runner-up), Stephany Abasali of Venezuela, Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines, and Olivia Yacé of Côte d’Ivoire. India’s Manika Vishwakarma reached the Top 30 but failed to make it into the decisive Top 12.

A massive sinkhole has unexpectedly opened near Vajira Hospital in Bangkok, prompting immediate safety concerns and disrupting local traffic and hospital operations. Authorities report the collapse spans several meters in diameter, threatening nearby infrastructure and prompting evacuation measures in the surrounding area. Engineers and city officials are assessing the damage and implementing containment protocols to prevent further collapse.

Customs authorities at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport apprehended a 34-year-old man attempting to smuggle 16 live exotic snakes into India from Bangkok. The consignment included rare species such as Kenyan sand boas, rhinoceros rat snakes, and albino variants, highlighting a sophisticated wildlife trafficking operation. The accused, Goodman Linford Leo of Chennai, faces charges under the Customs Act, with preliminary investigations linking him to a larger smuggling network.