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Offbeat

Offbeat
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Offbeat. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
“Brain rot” – word of the year at Oxford University Press, publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary – refers to the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material, particularly online content, considered trivial or unchallenging. Photo: Shutterstock
Social media

Language Matters | Word of the Year 2024 choices around the world focus on the negative

From Merriam-Webster’s ‘polarization’ and Oxford University Press’ ‘brain rot’ to Lianhe Zaobao’s ‘disaster’, prevailing moods are revealed.

Architecture and design

‘Gelatinous eggs wearing armour’? Welcome to Kosovo’s National Library

Art

He built a life-size tram out of Lego. And that’s not all

Asia travel

Drunk surfing – yes, it’s a thing – to be outlawed in Korea in 2025

Under the coming Korean law, offenders can be fined up to US$676 for using water craft while drunk or refusing a blood-alcohol test.

Drunk surfing and kayaking will be a criminal offence in South Korea from June 2025. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

New Zealand

Aggressive Japanese shrimp that packs a punch shocks New Zealand

The discovery of Japanese mantis shrimp – nicknamed ‘thumb splitters’ – in the Bay of Plenty ‘is not something to celebrate’, officials say.

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Japan

Too cheeky? Japan tavern chain ends its slap-you-sober service after complaint

For just 500 yen, Yotteba izakaya customers could request a post-meal slap around the face from a waitress. Then someone was injured.

A Yotteba customer receives a slap to the face at one of its izakaya outlets in Japan. Photo: TikTok/Salty_Gourmets
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.

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.

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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.

The airline said disciplinary action against the crew members was being considered. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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Yu Yuen after its clean-up and facelift. Photo: Sasha Yasumoto
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.

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.

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.

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Cathay Pacific has removed a Family Guy episode that contains a scene of Tiananmen Square’s “Tank Man” from its in-flight content. Photo: Fuzzy Door Productions
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.

A Thai temple abbot was discovered concealing 73 corpses, asserting that they were intended for training monks in meditation. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
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.

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.

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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.

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Fukuoka chef Kazutaka Hagiwara prepares longtooth grouper. Photo: Llewellyn Cheung
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.

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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.

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.

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The abandoned city of Pripyat near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine. File photo: Reuters
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.

This bear costume was allegedly worn by suspects with the aim of committing insurance fraud. Photo: California Department of Insurance via AP
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.

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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.

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.

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A new survey to gather data on women and pregnancies in China is getting a rough reception from people who resent past family planning policies. Photo: Reuters
Trending in China

Profile | From ‘little fat kid’ to China muscle goddess, Bian Ruiying recalls transformation

She wants everyone to realise the world is not only for men.

Bian Ruiying, once teased as a “little fat kid”, has become a champion bodybuilder. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Trending in China

Profile | 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.

Trending in China

Profile | 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.

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