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Offbeat
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Offbeat. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Oscars statuettes are on display during a preview for the Governors Ball in Hollywood, California, in March 2018. Photo: AFP
Academy Awards

Oscar statue goes missing after director forced to check it on flight

Pavel Talankin’s prize was misplaced for two days until it was relocated by Lufthansa after an international outcry.

Mainland China

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

Britain

New Banksy statue of man blinded by flag draws crowds in London

Vietnam

Survival of the sweetest: Choco Pies save Vietnamese hiker lost for 37 hours

The student’s 37-hour agony on Tam Dao Mountain – sustained by Choco Pies – has boosted the snack’s survival kit status.

Last week, Orion Vietnam uploaded a promotional post on social media celebrating the hiker’s safe return. Photo: Facebook/OrionVietnam
United States

How a bear costume cost these luxury car insurance scamsters their freedom

A bear-suit scam in California landed three people in jail for faking luxury car damage and seeking US$142,000 in fraudulent insurance claims.

Middle East

‘First of its kind’ flying taxi station completed in Dubai

Commercial operations, with flights by California-based Joby Aviation, are expected to begin by the end of the year.

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Hong Kong

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

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

Illustration: Harry Harrison
What to do in Hong Kong

Where are Hong Kong’s best swings? This man who has tested over 200 sets knows

Mr Swing travels across Hong Kong to explore the city’s many swing sets, from government parks to ‘home-made’ creations off the beaten path.

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Nepal

Untouchable no more: Nepal to apologise to Dalits for first time

Nepal has banned caste discrimination, yet many Dalits still live in poverty. Can a formal state apology inspire change?

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Crime

400,000 KitKat bars stolen, as thieves ‘make a break’ with 12 tonne shipment

The heist could cause a shortage of the chocolate snacks in Europe right before Easter, Nestlé warns.

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The stolen truck of KitKats had left central Italy and was making its way to Poland, with a plan to distribute the bars in countries along the way. Photo illustration: AFP
Singapore

‘Super-aged’ Singapore’s secret to growing old well? Stay busy

Forget doing nothing. At the city state’s active hubs, the soundtrack to ageing is sewing machines, exercise bikes and guitar lessons.

Elderly citizens use sewing machines at the Yong-en Active Hub in Singapore. Photo: Kolette Lim
US-China relations

How American Jesse Appell learned to land the punchline in Chinese

US comedian spent 8 years mastering Chinese comedy, navigating culture, language and fame before Covid forced a return home.

Thailand

Thai police thought she was drunk. She was already dying

A 21-year-old died because an assumption was made. The same assumption later left a stroke victim in a coma with 50-50 odds of survival.

Trending in China

China ‘city of humour’ is only place with road signs warning drivers against joking

Cartoon overhead sign depicts driver and passenger cracking gags in car; hazard warning amuses tourists and locals alike.

Tianjin is the only city in China with road signs advising drivers against joking for safety reasons. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu
Thailand

She married 2 men at once in Thailand – and her mother is fine with it

The two Austrian grooms each paid a 1 million baht dowry, then celebrated by leaping into a pond.

Dujduan Ketsaro with her two grooms, Roman and Macky. Photo: Facebook

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

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

Crime

New York police arrest man after officers pelted in massive snowball fight

A 27-year-old influencer known as ‘Diaper Man’ faces charges as his lawyer calls his arrest ‘politicised’.

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Japan

Video | Get muddy at Japan’s naked festival

The festival is celebrated in some areas with traditional battles in frigid mud fought by participants wearing nothing but loincloths.

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Japan

Future of Japan’s ‘naked festival’ in doubt after 3 men left unconscious

Organisers said they would review safety rules after six men collapsed during the annual scramble for good-luck talismans.

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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

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

The Harry’s View cartoon for January 20. Illustration: Harry Harrison
Social media

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

For those who begin their week on a Sunday, February 2026 is a ‘perfect’ or ‘rectangular’ month. Discover what that means.

February 2026 is a “perfect month”, with four full weeks fitting into four exact rows - if you calendar starts weeks on Sundays. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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.

The aerobics session, live streamed on Saturday morning, quickly triggered a social media pile-on. Photo: Facebook
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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