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Offbeat

Offbeat
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Offbeat. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Sara Jane Ho shows how to slice an orange elegantly on her Netflix show, Mind Your Manners. In a Chinese home, the act of peeling and cutting fruit for your loved ones is a sign of deep respect. Those wanting to become a true “Chinese baddie” would do well to take heed. Photo: Instagram/sarajaneho
Food and Drinks

On the Menu | How to become a real ‘Chinese baddie’? It’s more than just drinking hot water

TikTokkers claim they’re ‘becoming Chinese’ because they drink hot water, but achieving true ‘Chinese baddie’ status is much harder.

Opinion | Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in January

Social media

Does your calendar show a ‘perfect’ February? Here’s what that means

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Duel in Davos: Macron’s ‘Top Gun’ shades charm internet, get mocked by Trump

The French leader’s US$770 sunglasses, which he wore as he criticised the US president, have sparked a flood of social media memes.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron wears sunglasses as he attends the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Wellness

‘Going analogue in 2026’: how letter writing is making a comeback

Letter writing and writing instruments are seeing a surge in interest as people look for space to reflect and build meaningful connections.

Malaysia

‘Indecent’ aerobics: viral Zumba video triggers police probe in Malaysia

Headscarf-wearing instructors ignited a social media firestorm and religious backlash after being filmed performing in clothing considered skimpy.

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Thailand

Feathered fortunes, sky-high stakes: inside Asia’s richest pigeon race

In eastern Thailand, 5,000 pigeons brave predators and exhaustion in a gruelling sprint for a US$2 million purse.

Pigeons are let fly in Mukdahan, Thailand, at the start of a Pattaya International Pigeon Race. Photo: Rathapon Nanthapreecha
Japan

Meow arriving: Japan railway’s newest cat stationmaster clocks in

Yontama is the third cat to become stationmaster on the Kishigawa Line in Wakayama prefecture after the death of her predecessor last year.

Animals

Rare genius dogs learn vocabulary by eavesdropping, study shows

Some gifted canines pick up words simply by overhearing people speak to each other without needing to be taught.

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Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in December

Discover SCMP’s Harry’s View as our veteran cartoonist casts his satirical eye over the political, social and economic landscape.

The Harry’s View cartoon from December 7. Illustration: Harry Harrison
United States

‘Unusual activity detected’: US woman gives birth in Waymo self-driving taxi

The mother and child arrived safely at a San Francisco hospital, and the vehicle was taken out of service for cleaning.

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A Waymo robotaxi drives by the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Monday. Photo: AFP
Britain

4 arrested after protesters throw dessert at Britain’s Crown Jewels

Take Back Power, which describes itself as a new non-violent civil-resistance group, claims it was behind the act at the Tower of London.

Trending in China

Chinese girl born with blonde hair, blue eyes due to Russian great-grandfather

Parents were initially perplexed by daughter’s unusual appearance, even questioned whether hospital had given them the wrong baby at birth.

Fame and celebrity

US actress Tara Reid seen downing wine in footage from night of alleged drugging

The ‘American Pie’ star accused a YouTuber of spiking her drink, but he denies it and authorities say the video is clear.

Tara Reid attends a benefit gala in Los Angeles in 2023. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Australia

Australian TikTokker gives widowed US cashier, 88, gift of retirement

Ed Bambas took a cashier job at 82 to cope with grief and bills after his wife’s death, but a stranger’s kindness has changed everything.

Australian influencer Sam Weidenhofer (right) with 88-year-old US supermarket worker Ed Bambas from Michigan. Photo: Instagram/itssozer
Hong Kong

Opinion | Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in November

Discover SCMP’s Harry’s View as our veteran cartoonist casts his satirical eye over the political, social and economic landscape.

Britain

Why social media’s favourite fuel is Oxford University Press’ word of 2025

‘Rage bait’ – online content engineered to provoke – beat out ‘aura farming’ and ‘biohack’ to win the prize, underscoring 2025’s digital division.

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Japan

Human washing machine goes on sale in Japan

Users lie down in the US$385,000 pod, close the lid and get cleaned like clothes – but without the spin – while music plays.

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The Mirai Human Washing Machine, which attracted attention at the Osaka Expo, is seen in April. Photo: JIJI Press via AFP
Science

How Cleopatra’s bath loofah may help PLA jets to vanish from space radars

From ancient royal baths to future stealth warfare – a humble kitchen vegetable may hold the key to defeating space-based radar hunters.

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Thailand

‘Everyone was startled’: Thai woman ‘wakes up’ in coffin before cremation

Woman wakes in coffin before cremation; organ donation attempt by her brother halted by missing death certificate.

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Italy

‘Carbonara sauce’ at EU parliament causes stir with Italy

Italy’s agriculture minister has demanded an investigation after he found jars containing pancetta at a supermarket in Brussels.

Pasta carbonara is sometimes made with pancetta, but the traditional ingredient is guanciale. Photo: Shutterstock
Australia

Murderer slathers Australian state with lawsuit over Vegemite ban in prison

Andre McKechnie argued that he had a right to eat the spread because it was ‘his culture as an Australian’.

An Australian inmate said a Vegemite ban inside Victoria’s prisons violated his human rights. Photo: AP
Japan

Japan’s ‘monster parents’ heap misery on teachers with absurd demands

Things have got so bad that Tokyo is creating guidelines recommending police and lawyers be called to handle difficult parental encounters.

Thailand

Flooded Thai restaurant lets customers dine with live fish

The riverside restaurant draws throngs of customers seeking a unique fish-feeding dining experience.

Japan

‘Worried’ lawmakers urge Japan’s new PM to get some rest after 3am start

Before taking office, Sanae Takaichi vowed to ‘work like a horse’ and discard the idea of having a work-life balance. She wasn’t joking.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a budget committee session in parliament on Friday. Photo: Kyodo
Viral stories

Japan bullying victim becomes ‘world’s most beautiful’ after US$650,000 plastic surgery

Wealthy ‘patrons’ shell out thousands of dollars to pay for man’s procedures; get ‘company, meals out, parties, shopping’ in return.

A Japanese man has spent US$651,000 on plastic surgery to become “the most beautiful person in the world” after enduring years of bullying because of his appearance. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
Japan

How to survive a bear attack in Japan: 5 tips from the country’s leading expert

A record 13 people have been killed by bears in the country since April. Find out why you must never turn your back on one.

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Thailand

Fishy food: glow-in-dark sushi in Thailand sparks alarm – ‘don’t eat it’

A Thai woman bought the egg sushi from a well-known brand recently when she spotted the ‘blue light’.

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