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Frenchman Philippe Gillet, 72, strokes Alli, one of the two alligators who live in his house, in Coueron, western France. Photo: AFP
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

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Crime

‘Bear’ attacking luxury cars in US$142,000 insurance case was human in suit

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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A Texas woman asked a couple for a “minimum” of US$150 in exchange for her unborn baby, according to police. Photo: Dreamstime / TNS
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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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.

Food and Drinks

Hello Kitty Cafe Vancouver an instant hit with fans of the cute cat

Former Hong Kong executive can’t restock the merch shelves fast enough at Hello Kitty Cafe Vancouver. Expansion across Canada beckons.

Hello Kitty poses at the food and drinks counter in the Hello Kitty Cafe Vancouver. Its owner, Ken Lam Cheuk-hang, talks about the cafe’s unexpected success, and bringing joy to fans from Canada and beyond. Photo: Hello Kitty Cafe Vancouver
Food and Drinks

British chef Jamie Oliver urges followers to help solve the ‘grate cheese robbery’

Nearly 1,000 wheels of cloth-wrapped artisanal cheddar stolen by a con artist posing as a wholesale distributor.

British chef Jamie Oliver. File photo: AFP
Viral stories

Overeating ‘Russian Leonardo DiCaprio’ forced to join army, fight in Ukraine

Moscow-based Hollywood star lookalike piles on pounds as work dries up, enlists in Russian army to make ends meet.

Japan

Blade-proof umbrellas to be deployed on Japanese trains to fend off knife attacks

The umbrellas were developed to protect passengers after a spate of violent incidents that have taken place aboard the country’s trains.

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Malaysia

Malaysians mock all-male British circus act for conservative north

The Great British Circus Malaysia announced a male-only act for Kelantan state in an apparent bid to abide by strict Islamist guidelines.

A contortionist puts his head between his legs in a promotional video for the Great British Circus. Photo: Facebook/GreatBritishCircusMalaysia
Japan

Japan yakuza member arrested on suspicion of fraud after cutting off own finger

Masahiro Nouchi claimed he had lost his finger in an industrial accident, with his medical costs covered by national health insurance.

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A former yakuza gangster shows off his silicone-made finger for a chopped off finger. “Yubitsume” is a ritual in Japan’s underworld whereby a yakuza amputates a part of their little finger to express a sincere apology for a transgression. Photo: AFP
Viral stories

Japan passengers pay extra for taxi bodyguards, ninjas with dramatic drop-offs

There are also rides featuring a rear window projection screen displaying a popular horror movie character.

Viral stories

Japan keeper probed over theft of monkey rations which leaves zoo short of food

Officials at popular, century-old facility call in police after noticing that their animal food bank was running short on supplies.

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Animals

US woman flees after home is invaded by up to 100 raccoons

The woman says she started feeding a family of the animals decades ago, but their numbers suddenly ballooned and they became aggressive.

Footage provided by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office shows a large group of raccoons on a woman’s property in Poulsbo, Washington. Photo: Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office via AP
Animals

What did the biggest bug on Earth look like? Scientists recreate its head

Arthropleura fossils tell the story of an ancient, many-legged creature that could grow up to 2.7 metres (nine feet) long.

Crime in Hong Kong

Elderly Hong Kong man arrested for allegedly exercising nude in public park

Suspect, 68, would jog around soccer pitch at housing estate exposing his buttocks and then remove shorts completely in public park, residents say.

Trending in China

Meet China ‘Spider-Woman’ who scaled 108-metre cliff without safety gear

Practitioner of ancient Miao tradition who can climb 30-storey building with bare hands.

Luo Dengpin, from Ziyun Miao and Buyei autonomous county in Guizhou, is the world’s only female practitioner of the Miao tradition of bare-handed rock climbing. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/IMDb
Wellness

These shoe vibrators are made for walking, directing the visually impaired

A shoe-mounted device developed by a Honda-backed start-up sends direction prompts by vibration, and app sounds alerts for potential hazards.

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A model demonstrates the Ashirase shoe vibrator navigation system for the visually impaired. Photo: Instagram/@playworks_inclusivdesign
Japan

Japan admits editing ‘embarrassing’ cabinet photo amid social media mockery

The untidy patches of white shirt and sagging trousers captured by local media had mysteriously vanished from the official cabinet photo.

South Korea

South Korean Mercedes owner insults driver, refuses to pay over body odour

A bystander who witnessed the incident, which has stirred anger, transferred US$18 fee to the driver instead.

Malaysia

Wasp menace claims life of university student in Malaysia

Despite previous complaints, the wasps have continued to threaten residents’ safety, leading to further hospitalisations.

Cutting down a nearby tree believed to be home to the wasps did not help matters. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Cults

A short history of Asia’s fascination with cults and their dark secrets

Delve into chilling tales of followers lured by false promises of salvation – and the cult leaders who preyed on their vulnerabilities.

Televisions in Japan show news of Shoko Asahara’s execution in 2018. His Aum Shinrikyo cult could have produced enough sarin gas to kill millions, investigators said. Photo: Kyodo
Science

Chinese scientists find world’s oldest cheese buried with Xinjiang mummies

DNA tests suggest Bronze Age people who lived in far west China 3,500 years ago made kefir cheese, challenging beliefs about ancient diets.

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Malaysia

Malaysian resort stops using shotguns to kill crows after backlash

As tourists dined nearby, a local outcry forced officials to reconsider their crow control tactics in the bustling Penang resort area.

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Offbeat
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Offbeat. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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