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Icons and Influencers

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Icons and Influencers
Who's making headlines and creating trends? Meet the social media icons and influencers who shape the world as we know it.
Andrew Tate leaves the Bucharest Tribunal in Romania in February 2024. Photo: AP
Britain

Starmer pressured to intercept Andrew Tate in Dubai over UK rape charges

The self-described misogynist will appear at a Dubai boxing match this weekend, while facing civil action in the UK from four women alleging assault and rape.

Obituaries

In memoriam: 29 beloved celebrities we lost in 2025

Fame and celebrity

Meet Trevor Ballin, fashion designer and tarot reader to the stars

Trending in China

Chinese rookie cop resembling actor Eddie Peng goes viral, attracts a million likes

Newly graduated officer with a canine partner called Fries shuns online fame, wants to focus on work, says he already has a girlfriend.

A rookie police officer in China who resembles Taiwan actor Eddie Peng has gone viral, with his video attracting more than one million likes. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/IG@yuyanpeng
Trending in China

China influencer aping Blackpink’s Rosé sparks fandom-celebrity grey area debate

Blonde-haired content creator who identifies as ‘Blink’ online appears at event dressed like star, signs postcards bearing image of iconic singer.

Jewellery

More is more: 5 jewellery maximalists making a case for stacking it on

From Chanel to Ralph Lauren, maximalism is back as fashionistas don extra necklaces, armfuls of bracelets and rings on every finger.

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Taylor Swift

Meet Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour choreographer, Mandy Moore

She’s won three Emmys, worked on films including La La Land and Silver Linings Playbook, and choreographed the music video for Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’.

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Choreographer Mandy Moore was responsible for coming up with routines for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Photo: @nopenother/Instagram; EPA
Fashion

The stars wearing upcycled fashion using everything from watch straps to spoons

Hailey Bieber and Lorde both wore a dress made from watch straps by Marine Serre, while Cate Blanchett was spotted in a Hodakova halter top made of spoons.

Internet

Video | How a block of online text led to a cafe’s viral stardom

Tai Bo Cafe in Yuen Long has gone viral online thanks to a copypasta trend on Threads recommending their meat patties, and have seen customers from as far as Macau.

Kim Kardashian

Explainer | Not so fair: the controversy behind Kim Kardashian’s elephant Hermès Birkin

The All’s Fair star recently sparked social media outrage when she appeared in a Donna Karan look accessorised with a Birkin made from elephant hide.

Kim Kardashian on the set of All’s Fair with another Hermès Birkin. Photo: @kimkardashian/Instagram
Celebrity children

Meet Guess heir Nicolai Marciano – who’s dating Amelia Gray Hamlin

The pair have known each other for years but only hard-launched their relationship in November – Marciano also worked with A$AP Rocky for his first Guess project.

Amelia Gray Hamlin and Nicolai Marciano attend the 2025 GQ Men of the Year party at Chateau Marmont, on November 13, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: FilmMagic
Thailand

Asian Angle | The Thai influencer bringing viral warfare to Cambodia’s border

Gun Jompalang is a self-styled ‘justice crusader’ with over 9 million followers but no commander. He’s not a soldier, but he is waging war.

Wellness

Could magic mushrooms help us live longer? What Bryan Johnson’s test showed

Johnson’s conclusions after taking magic mushrooms are backed by findings that psychedelics could extend life by rewiring the brain and more.

Singapore

Singapore ‘sharenting’: where does openness end and overexposure begin?

While sharing children’s exam results may serve to document life’s journey, it may also expose them to danger, counsellors say.

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A group of children playing on a tablet. A recent trend in Singapore is of parents sharing videos of their children online. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

How to make 2026 the best year of your life? YouTuber Ali Abdaal has answers

An entrepreneur with 7.6 million followers across social media, Abdaal will share tips on subjects from careers to love at a Hong Kong talk.

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Ali Abdaal, a former doctor who is now a digital creator, entrepreneur and YouTube star, sits at a cafe in Causeway Bay. Abdaal will speak at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre on December 8 to explain how to make 2026 “the best year of your life”. Photo: Nora Tam
Fashion

8 viral tote bags: Emily Ratajkowski’s Daunt Books tote and more

Trader Joe’s micro bags have brought totes into the conversation again – here are a few that have taken off and are gaining cult status.

Americas and the Caribbean

Jimmy Cliff, reggae icon and ‘cultural giant’, dies at 81

The Jamaican singer, along with Bob Marley, popularised reggae, ska and rocksteady. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

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Fashion

Legacy of Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani honoured at inaugural Franca Fund Gala

Co-hosted by Anna Wintour, the event included a fundraising auction and drew guests including Gisele Bündchen and Miuccia Prada.

Francesco Carrozzini and Anna Wintour co-hosted a gala to pay homage to the legacy of Carrozzini’s mother, the late Franca Sozzani. Carrozzini is also Wintour’s son-in-law. Photo: Getty Images
Fashion

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

The awards honoured MENA designers, drew celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, and were hosted by Queen Latifah.

Food and Drinks

Food influencer Jaeki Cho brings New York-Seoul vibes to Hong Kong pop-up

Pineapple bun sandwiches with char siu and honey butter were one star of Shop B’s event with Cho, who champions community via food and music.

Malaysia

‘Forgotten by everyone’: Namewee blasted for job hunt amid Iris Hsieh probe

Taiwanese model Sprite Fang accused Namewee of lacking sincerity in the social media star’s death.

Malaysian rapper Namewee. Photo: EPA
France

Princess Diana enters Paris waxwork museum in ‘revenge dress’

Princess Diana wore the dazzling off-the-shoulder outfit shortly after the infidelity of her then-husband, Prince Charles, was publicly revealed.

A wax effigy of Britain’s late Princess Diana “Lady Di” during its unveiling at the Grevin wax museum in Paris on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Luxury Spend It

Meet billionaire heir Sammy Nussdorf, founder of Meadow Lane

The heir to a billionaire New York family, Nussdorf studied at NYU and went to culinary school before opening his luxury grocery store.

Trending in China

Brawny man, dubbed China’s ‘hottest village cadre’, promotes local produce

28-year-old former professional kayaker attracts millions of mostly women online with his physique; teases with tank tops, fitness shirts.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Who is Meghan Markle’s astrologer, Angela Pearl?

She was at The Albies event hosted by Amal and George Clooney – and she’s been pictured with Lauren Sánchez and Meryl Streep.

Meet Angela Pearl, the celebrity astrologer who just posted a letter from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Photo: @lovebegini/Instagram
US-China relations

Hasan Piker’s China tour draws fire after viral Tiananmen police encounter

Critics say Piker’s praise for China and on-camera run-in highlight risks for Western creators in a sensitive media environment.

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American political commentator and live-streamer Hasan Piker was stopped by a police officer while waiting to watch the daily sunset flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square. Photo: Screenshot from Twitch
Trending in China

Fame for China food vendor who resembles Japan animator, offers free meals to needy

Visitors to wonton street shop say owner looks like he ‘stepped out of a fairy tale’ and often pay over the odds to thank him for his generosity.

Malaysia

‘I saw her die before my eyes’: Namewee breaks silence on Iris Hsieh’s death

Rapper, released after a probe into Iris Hsieh’s death, recounts efforts to save her, urging public to stop cyberbullying deceased influencer.

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