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last updated:
9 September, 2024
United States
‘This was shocking’: the secret, brutal world of carnivorous squirrels
Research reveals these California squirrels are ruthless predators, beating and devouring tiny prey in a display of nature’s hidden savagery.
24 Dec 2024 - 10:33AM
New Zealand
Aggressive Japanese shrimp that packs a punch shocks New Zealand
18 Dec 2024 - 10:47AM
Japan
Too cheeky? Japan tavern chain ends its slap-you-sober service after complaint
17 Dec 2024 - 9:30AM
Sustainability
Why engineer’s 120 days living under sea is about more than world record
German Rudiger Koch’s 120 days in a pod at sea aims show the ocean as a new frontier of human living. He shares what he misses about dry land.
10 Dec 2024 - 11:15AM
Donald Trump
Trump and Macron can’t let go of their handshake duel
The US president-elect and the French leader have a history of white-knuckled greetings dating back to Trump’s first term.
8 Dec 2024 - 6:28AM
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Thailand
Swiss Air crew investigated for filming passengers’ ‘intimate acts’ on flight
A flight crew member recorded a video of the incident involving two passengers from a screen in the cockpit.
7 Dec 2024 - 11:38AM
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Food and Drinks
Hong Kong ‘haunted house’ hosts US$700-a-head Dangerous Dinner
Yu Yuen sat abandoned until designer Sacha Yasumoto chose it to hold an exclusive dinner. If it’s haunted the ghosts are harmless, she says.
10 Dec 2024 - 12:40PM
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Wrestling
Sumo makes historic return to London’s Royal Albert Hall after 34 years
The five-day event, or ‘basho’, has been held only once before outside Japan – back in 1991 and also at the venerable concert hall.
6 Dec 2024 - 1:06AM
Mental health
Puppy love as Czech prison inmates train assistance dogs
The training is part of a project to help inmates at the Jirice prison northeast of Prague be better prepared for life outside jail.
6 Dec 2024 - 1:06AM
Consumer protection in Hong Kong
Cathay says sorry, removes Family Guy episode with Tiananmen ‘Tank Man’ scene
Carrier apologises after internet user complains over content potentially breaching national security law.
4 Dec 2024 - 11:35PM
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Viral stories
Thai temple abbot found hiding 73 corpses for training monks to meditate
Abbot claims corpses were used for ‘death awareness’ training to help monks confront fear of death, deepen spiritual practice.
4 Dec 2024 - 9:31AM
Beauty
Beauty filters also make us look more intelligent, study finds
Software-modified faces were viewed more favourably than untouched ones in a Spanish study. This may not be a good thing, psychologist says.
3 Dec 2024 - 4:59AM
Malaysia
Nighttime underwear thefts trigger warnings in Malaysia’s Johor
Residents have been urged to safeguard their laundry after surveillance footage caught the underwear thieves in action.
2 Dec 2024 - 10:04AM
Food and Drinks
‘Mysterious’ fish famous in Fukuoka is sumo wrestlers’ favourite
When sumo wrestlers go to Fukuoka to fight, they eat longtooth grouper stew. A chef explains why the fish’s flesh is prized – and pricey.
2 Dec 2024 - 11:53AM
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Art
Chinese-born buyer of US$6.2 million banana art eats it in Hong Kong
Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun praises artist for creating Comedian artwork, before downing it on live stream at The Peninsula hotel.
30 Nov 2024 - 8:47AM
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Pets
The Frenchman who sleeps with alligator in his bed
Philippe Gillet, a former hunting guide in Africa, keeps 400 exotic pets at his house in France and shares his experiences on social media.
26 Nov 2024 - 4:15AM
Ukraine war
Ukraine urges gamers not to enter Chernobyl exclusion zone as Stalker 2 released
Popular first-person shooter is set in a fictitious version of the restricted surroundings of Chernobyl’s nuclear plant.
22 Nov 2024 - 4:15PM
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Crime
‘Bear’ attacking luxury cars in US$142,000 insurance case was human in suit
Four LA residents were arrested in ‘Operation Bear Claw’ for making fraudulent claims involving two damaged Mercedes and a Rolls-Royce.
15 Nov 2024 - 1:46AM
Crime
Woman tried to sell unborn baby on Facebook for ‘minimum of US$150’, police say
Mother was arrested and charged with sale or purchase of a child, Houston Police Department records show. Her bond was set at US$30,000.
5 Nov 2024 - 7:53AM
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Trending in China
China driver in ox-tow protest as used US$14,000 Tesla he bought fails to charge
Despite unusual public protest, car showroom involved insist car was listed in a buyer beware category when it was bought.
30 Oct 2024 - 6:03AM
China’s Communist Party
Chinese government workers urge women to get pregnant in latest birth rate push
The national grass-roots campaign to gauge sentiment and create pregnancy incentives is running into lingering resentment and worry, officials say.
29 Oct 2024 - 6:21AM
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Trending in China
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From ‘little fat kid’ to China muscle goddess, Bian Ruiying recalls transformation
She wants everyone to realise the world is not only for men.
29 Oct 2024 - 6:20AM
Trending in China
Profile
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China gadget maker ‘Useless Edison’ to keep creating despite retirement rumours
Inspired by science fiction and Hong Kong comedy, rural inventor vows to continue making laugh-making creations of little use.
29 Oct 2024 - 6:21AM
Trending in China
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Who is China’s ‘beautiful robot’ hotpot eatery boss, gifted in automated dance?
Robotic dance expert stuns passers-by with incredible moves while handing out flyers for restaurant in street.
29 Oct 2024 - 6:23AM
Food and Drinks
Hello Kitty Cafe Vancouver an instant hit with fans of the cute cat
Former Hong Kong executive can’t restock the merch shelves fast enough at Hello Kitty Cafe Vancouver. Expansion across Canada beckons.
29 Oct 2024 - 6:22AM
Food and Drinks
British chef Jamie Oliver urges followers to help solve the ‘grate cheese robbery’
Nearly 1,000 wheels of cloth-wrapped artisanal cheddar stolen by a con artist posing as a wholesale distributor.
28 Oct 2024 - 11:28AM
Viral stories
Overeating ‘Russian Leonardo DiCaprio’ forced to join army, fight in Ukraine
Moscow-based Hollywood star lookalike piles on pounds as work dries up, enlists in Russian army to make ends meet.
23 Oct 2024 - 6:27AM
Japan
Blade-proof umbrellas to be deployed on Japanese trains to fend off knife attacks
The umbrellas were developed to protect passengers after a spate of violent incidents that have taken place aboard the country’s trains.
22 Oct 2024 - 5:56AM
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