Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

Offbeat

Offbeat
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Offbeat. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
South Park character cut-outs are seen at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025. Photo: TNS
Donald Trump

South Park creators ‘rename’ show to ‘South America’ in jab at Trump

The US president has a penchant for renaming things, including a recent suggestion to call New Mexico ‘New America’ instead.

Hungary

Competitors dig deep at Hungarian gravedigging contest

Malaysia

Snow in Malaysia? Viral highway fun washed away by soapy truth

videocam
Science

Scientists studying cockroach milk and nose-blowing win Ig Nobel prizes

The event was moved to Europe after 35 years in the US, with organisers fearing it has become ‘unsafe’ for their guests to visit the country.

Swiss science journalist Atlant Bieri (centre) reacts with 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics winner Michel Mayor (right) next to Swiss biotechnologist Pia Viviani during the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Canadian Associate Professor Changhong Cao poses with a fake mosquito. Cao and his team were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in technology for pioneering the use of mosquito proboscises as high-resolution 3D printing nozzles, a process called Necroprinting. Photo: AFP
Brazilian biologist Joao Miguel Alves-Nunes poses with a fake snake. He and his team were awarded the Ig Nobel in biology for gently stepping on various parts of various venomous snakes repeatedly at various temperatures at various times of day to try to learn what does and what does not induce a venomous snake to bite a human. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Makati’s ‘on-site’ Filipino workers: a humorous take on ‘crazy’ life in Manila

Young workers, drawn by the financial district’s expatriate-style amenities, satirise the high costs while navigating its hustle culture.

Mainland China

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

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan

Japan to probe popular animal cafes amid hygiene, welfare concerns

A WWF Japan survey has found that some shops keep endangered species while others have inadequate hygiene management.

A Japanese woman plays with an inhabitant of a cat cafe in Tokyo in February 2012. Japan plans to probe popular animal cafes following concerns about hygiene and animal welfare. Photo: AFP
A woman gives treats to a cat at a cafe in Tokyo on February 23, 2012. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Islamic university sacks professor who claimed Malays could fly

Solehah Yaacob went viral with her pseudo-history claims. She is fighting against her dismissal.

videocam
9
United States

US Army unit offers soldiers 4 days off to play GTA 6 if they re-enlist

The release of the hit video-game series’ latest instalment is expected to be one of the year’s biggest entertainment events.

Music

Christian metal band Demon Hunter sues Netflix over KPop Demon Hunters

The group claims trademark infringement, citing a case where someone wanted a refund after mistakenly buying US$500 tickets to their concert.

videocam
Left to right: Zoey (voiced by Ji-young Yoo), Rumi (Arden Cho) and Mira (May Hong), the titular KPop Demon Hunters. Image: Netflix
US-China relations

Daughter of ‘Chinese Schindler’ protests use of his legacy to sell homes

Manli Ho condemns real estate site for invoking her father’s rescue of Jews to promote US$40,000 houses in his Chinese hometown.

Ho Feng-shan served in China’s diplomatic corps for nearly four decades. Photo: Handout

Kosovo PM egged in parliament, as political crisis spirals

The live feed was cut and the session suspended, as security rushed to protect the prime minister.

United States

How the humble burrito triggered a Maga ‘civil war’ in Trump’s party

The price of the Mexican dish is at the centre of an inflation row, with one lawmaker telling US youths to stop whining and ‘eat ramen’.

US-China relations

Seasoned seeds as bio-weapons? Chinese netizens mock US targeting of food brands

The latest batch of Washington’s import restrictions – targeting snack firms – is creating quite a stir among China’s social media users.

6
An internet user views the Synear Food webpage on his computer in the background with the company logo displayed on his phone. The company has been blacklisted by Washington for allegedly using forced labour. Photo: Getty Images
Italy

Lost US$1.15 million lottery ticket dug out of trash by Italian binmen

The winner had discarded the stub, not realising that she had won the big jackpot.

A rubbish collection worker gets in his truck in Rome in January 2018. Photo illustration: AFP
Hong Kong

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

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

Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

7
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Britain

Farage vs Binface: how UK hard-right leader’s poll gambit could backfire

Nigel Farage triggers a by-election for his own parliamentary seat – but his only rival may be ⁠man who wears trash can on his head.

Count Binface: a self-described 'intergalactic space warrior'. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong

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

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

United States

Russian daredevils scale Empire State Building for proposal stunt, then get arrested

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus unfurled a banner about the ‘power of love’ from the antenna spire of the landmark New York skyscraper.

videocam
Donald Trump

Trump unveils new US passport with his own face inside

With the commemorative ‘Patriot Passport’, he becomes the first sitting US president to feature on travel documents.

6
A rendering of a new limited-edition US passport featuring Donald Trump’s likeness. Photo: TruthSocial/realDonaldTrump
Crime in Hong Kong

Porn star Erena So arrested in Hong Kong for promoting overseas gambling website

Police discover illegal betting website hiring local personalities as brand ambassadors to attract gamblers.

videocam
A screenshot of Erena So from a video promoting an overseas gambling website. Photo: Handout
Donald Trump

American flag blue? Algae turns Trump’s reflecting pool swamp green instead

Mother Nature is interfering with one of the US president’s pet projects just days after it was repainted.

Science

Scientists find woolly mammoth DNA while digging through squirrel poo

A treasure trove of ancient genetic material was stashed away by the rodents before being ‘frozen in time’ by permafrost.

Trending in China

Chinese homeowner buys 34th-floor flat in 32-storey building, gets no compensation

Buyer purchases new-build unit with limited property rights despite risks, ends up propertyless, mired in messy legal tussle.

videocam
5
A man in China bought a new-build 34th-floor flat in a building that turned out to have just 32 floors. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

What does Singapore lose when the wrecking ball swings?

Relentless reinvention, long inevitable in the land-scare city state, puts pressure on beloved ‘third spaces’.

Murals adorn a wall at 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace in Singapore. Photo: Kolette Lim
Donald Trump

Trump says may leave UFC arena on White House lawn permanently

The US president compared the structure to France’s Eiffel Tower, which was supposed to have been dismantled 20 years after it was built.

Mainland China

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

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement