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Offbeat

Offbeat
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Offbeat. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
American comedian Jesse Appell performed on China’s version of “Last Comic Standing” in 2020 before leaving the country amid the pandemic. Photo: Handout
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

Trending in China

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

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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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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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.

A couple in Jiangsu province said their daughter has blonde hair and blue eyes because her paternal great-grandfather was Russian. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
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.

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.

A woman angrily gestures at her laptop, highlighting the negativity of social media, where “rage bait” has become widespread. Photo: Shutterstock
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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