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Viral stories

Viral stories
Trending events, happenings and people that have made waves on social media or online in wider Asia, and the world beyond.
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China Economy

China’s container bookings to plunge up to 60% as US tariffs wipe out trade

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US tariffs have caused demand for container shipping to plunge 30 to 60 per cent in China. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

‘Almost no orders’: Shenzhen chip traders mull closing shop as US tariffs bite

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People are seen near an electronics repair shop offering services for brands such as Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo in the Huaqiangbei area of Shenzhen. Photo: Getty Images

Science

The Chinese AI scientists dying in the pursuit of greatness

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Sun Jian, chief scientist at Beijing-based AI company Megvii Technology, is among a handful of Chinese artificial intelligence experts whose untimely deaths have rattled the industry. Photo: Handout

United States & Canada

Trump inserts himself into Japan tariff talks, hails ‘big progress’

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US President Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he arrives in Washington in January. Photo: TNS

Science

Nianli Ma, wife of cyber expert Xiaofeng Wang, speaks out over FBI raids

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Indiana University, Bloomington, told Xiaofeng Wang on March 28 it was terminating his employment “effective immediately”. Wang’s wife Nianli Ma, who was also dismissed, says the university did not abide by due process. Photo: Handout
A Taiwanese tourist was criticised for shaking trees for “cherry blossom rain” photos in Japan. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Threads
Japan

Taiwan tourist criticised for shaking trees for ‘cherry blossom rain’ in Japan

Surprisingly, her child, standing next to her, starts imitating the action by hitting other branches.

Marathons

American’s ‘craziest experience’ at North Korea marathon, completes record task

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Thailand

‘Beauty pageant’: Thai transgender women seek publicity during military lottery

Trending in China

2 Chinese women slammed by millions for photo shoot on Japan highway after crash

‘Dangerous’ pair on way to Mount Fuji drank whisky, took dog for walk on snarled-up carriageway following tour bus accident.

Two Chinese women have been slammed for lying on a Japanese highway for photos after a bus crash that injured dozens of people caused a traffic jam. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Thailand

Photographer turns Thai street cleaner into model who is scouted by make-up artist

Head-turning single mother-of-two ‘wins lottery of life’ after unlikely encounter while she was sweeping streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Badminton World Federation (BWF)

‘Stop the stalking’: Japanese badminton star asks fans in China to keep distance

Chiharu Shida, dubbed ‘most beautiful badminton player’, says obsessive fans have left her feeling scared ‘every time we compete in China’.

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Japan

Happy not happy: Japan man’s odd name brings bullying, struggles in love, work

Man finally finds satisfaction after years of ridicule, gets job in which clients think his moniker will bring them good fortune.

A man in Japan has faced ridicule for most of his life after his mother gave him the name Happy. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/ABEMA Prime
Japan

Japan student gains 32 million views as only one to dig up 8-year-old time capsule

Young man feels let down that his ex-classmates and teacher forgot their promise to return.

Thailand

Thai dad arrested for abandoning baby in forest to punish wife who denies him sex

Abusive, drug-addicted father ordered into rehabilitation pending criminal charges after sending photo of newborn in banana grove to threaten wife.

Thailand

Bizarre 2-way mirror in Thai park toilet lets men watch women for ‘enjoyment’

Outrage as theme park boss says voyeuristic looking glass was installed to give ‘fun experience for everyone’, netizens call it ‘disgusting’.

A theme park in Thailand has been slammed for installing a two-way mirror in a male toilet so that urinating men can watch women passers-by fix their appearance. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@womenofindia_official
Trending in China

Shock as Malaysia teacher tells pupil struggling with dialect to ‘go back to China’

Teacher tells complaining relative of abused student that she would call police to track him down because he had ‘invaded her privacy’.

A teacher in Malaysia is in hot water after she told a pupil struggling with the local langauge to “go back to China”. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Hangzhou becomes sea of red as China fans brace for decisive World Cup qualifier

China must beat Australia on Tuesday to have any chance of securing automatic qualification to 2026 tournament.

Trending in China

Tearful Wu Yanni’s 60m hurdles Worlds failure sparks furious social media debate

Despite setting a new national record time of 8.01 seconds, the 27-year-old missed out on qualification by 0.01 seconds.

Japan

Japanese dental clinics offer dog pals, on-site gym to boost declining business

Declining birth rates see business slump heralding introduction of nurses dressed as maids, French-style clinic cafes, brightly-decorated spaces.

Some dental clinics in Japan are offering a dog companion service, and on-site gym facilities in a bid to boost flagging business. Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com/IG@shibuyadental
Trending in China

‘Never mess with a Chinese woman’: student chases Italy phone thief, goes viral

With help of police and passers-by, China student trio snare subway phone thief, sending powerful anti-crime message to would-be lawbreakers.

A female student who chased a phone thief in Italy and retrieved her stolen property has been widely praised on mainland social media. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin
Japan

Japan love motel converts to funeral home, spurs birth, ageing population debate

Japan sees slump in number of places of ‘privacy and comfort’, some of which offer five-star facilities while others are more down-to-earth.

Trending in China

5 celebrity cats from Thai runway to Hawaiian waves that captivate fans globally

The felines show remarkable adaptability, resilience, and survival strength to entertain, inspire those who meet them.

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Trending in China

Chinese tourist critical as she leans from train for photos, strikes tunnel wall

Daredevil holidaymakers who dice with death while travelling on railways overseas are hit with travel safety warning by Chinese authorities.

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A Chinese tourist has been critically injured in Sri Lanka after she leaned out of a train to have her photograph taken. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote/Douyin
Japan

Japan grandma barber, 108, inspires with wisdom ‘hold no grudges, feel no jealousy’

Woman attributes longevity to healthy diet of light foods, routine exercises – walking, shoulder movements, leg stretches.

Japan

Japanese public servants win US$67,000 payout over order to come in early

Policy introduced by town’s draconian former mayor is overturned by country’s Fair Trade Commission which orders workers be paid overtime.

Japan

Japan ‘key-copying demon’ breaks into home, watches TV for 2 hours before caught

Serial housebreaker admits to making up to 20 copied home keys by stealing private information of women, branded a ‘pervert’.

A Japanese man dubbed the “key-copying demon” has been arrested after he broke into a woman’s home and was snared by police because he sat down to watch television for two hours. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Trending in China

Plan to put Trump on US$250 bill tickles China, number means ‘idiot’ in slang

Congressman’s proposal has garnered over 14 million views on mainland social media, with majority of users finding it amusing.

A US Republican’s plan to put Trump on $250 bill tickles China, where the number means ‘stubborn idiot’ in local slang. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
Singapore

Japan woman says ‘racist’ Singapore cabby polite after realising she was not Chinese

Rude Lion City taxi driver treats woman badly on way to airport, then starts to ‘treat her like a queen’ when it became clear she was Japanese.

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Japan

Japan maid cafe now speaks 100 languages to elevate customer experience using AI

Chain will broaden device’s deployment to additional locations if proven effective.

Japan

Japan police academy hires beauty consultant for male officers’ make-up skills

The academy reminds students that maintaining a proper appearance is crucial as both members of society and future police officers.

A Japanese police academy employs a beauty consultant to instruct officers on makeup techniques. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube
Trending in China

Chinese tourists pay to travel to Japan for free snow-clearing, spark debate

Locals are surprised this labour-intensive work, usually frowned upon, has turned into a profitable tourist venture.

Chinese tourists flock to Japan to clear snow from roads for free, igniting a debate over what constitutes a “unique” travel experience”. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/QQ.com
Japan

Japan firm offers time off for hangovers, news about favourite celebrities

Amid sluggish job market, IT company bosses choose quirky benefits ahead of pay hikes, say move boosts efficiency, staff retention rates.

South Korea

South Korean bank robber with toy gun quickly subdued by special forces veteran

Bungled bank heist by jobless man with financial problems who had not even planned his escape causes wave of hilarity on social media.

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