17 h. ago What’s behind the calls for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines?

Calls for Mindanao’s secession from the Philippines have erupted anew after a sitting lawmaker released a viral video echoing rhetoric once championed by former president Rodrigo Duterte, in a move analysts warn risks inflaming tensions and destabilising an already volatile political landscape. Observers say the renewed push, amplified by the ex-president’s allies and a network of online influencers, appears aimed at deflecting attention from corruption scandals and an ongoing International...

Politics

3 d. ago Viral Video Shows Fire Erupt In Air China's Flight; Leading To Emergency Landing

Viral Video Shows Fire Erupt In Air China's Flight; Leading To Emergency Landing  NDTV

Events

6 d. ago China couple who look like ‘twins’ gain fame from ‘Who’s husband, who’s wife’ video

A couple running a traditional herbal medicine shop in southern China have both amused and stunned countless netizens after viral videos revealed their uncanny resemblance, prompting speculation that they might be long-lost twins. Liang Caiyu, the wife, and He Xiansheng, both in their twenties and from Dongguan, Guangdong province, catapulted to fame on social media with short videos showcasing their striking likeness. One viral video on their Douyin account, which has 21,000 followers, titled...

Culture

8 d. ago ‘Dirtiest town in Asia’, Singapore’s wages stall: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘Dirtiest town in Asia’: Malaysian MP told to clean up act after viral backlash A lawmaker representing a Malaysian tourist town on the island of Borneo has come under fire after a viral video labelled it “Asia’s dirtiest town”, prompting condemnation from the public...

Politics

8 d. ago Viral video of tourists harassing rare turtle triggers outcry in Malaysia

A viral video showing tourists in Malaysia manhandling a rare sea turtle has triggered widespread outrage amid growing concern that irresponsible tourism is endangering the country’s marine life. The 20-second clip, which was widely circulated on social media, shows a man repeatedly grabbing the turtle by its shell and neck while snorkelling off Redang Island, part of a popular marine park in Terengganu state. Several people can be seen surrounding the animal, preventing it from surfacing. At...

Events

8 d. ago ‘Viral video of divers harassing rare turtle triggers outcry in Malaysia

A viral video showing tourists in Malaysia manhandling a rare sea turtle has triggered widespread outrage amid growing concern that irresponsible tourism is endangering the country’s marine life. The 20-second clip, which was widely circulated on social media, shows a man repeatedly grabbing the turtle by its shell and neck while snorkelling off Redang Island, part of a popular marine park in Terengganu state. Several people can be seen surrounding the animal, preventing it from surfacing. At...

Events

1 week ago China AI professor goes viral over good looks, academic says she is ‘ordinary’

A young associate professor at a prestigious Chinese university has gone viral on social media after a video of her teaching generative artificial intelligence (AI) captivated viewers. She has also sparked an online discussion about her youthful appearance and academic credentials. He Jing, who is in her mid-30s, is a teacher at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences at Beihang University. Beihang University (BUAA) was established in 1952 and is one of China’s top...

Politics

1 week ago ‘Dirtiest town in Asia’: Malaysian MP told to clean up act after viral backlash

A lawmaker representing a Malaysian tourist town on the island of Borneo has come under fire after a viral video labelled it “Asia’s dirtiest town”, prompting condemnation from the public and fellow politicians. The one-minute clip shows British travel vlogger Ben Frier, who goes by the handle Backpacker Ben, strolling around Semporna, a coastal town in Sabah that serves as a gateway to popular tourist islands like Sipadan and Mabul. Panning around, he shows rubbish clogging the waters...

Politics

1 week ago Outrage over restrained China bridesmaids forced to kiss strangers as wedding prank

Shocking footage of two bridesmaids in China being taped to an electric bike and forced to kiss strangers has ignited widespread outrage over vulgar marriage traditions. In September, a viral video from Shaanxi province in northwestern China showed several men taping two women to an electric bike by the roadside, with one man holding their heads down while another kissed them. The bridesmaids, dressed in formal gowns, appeared visibly distressed and were screaming, with one of them blushing in...

Politics

3 w. ago Viral video captures Malaysia biker mob in road rage attack, 9 suspects arrested

Nine young men have been arrested in Malaysia after a viral video showed a mob of motorcyclists surrounding a car, punching its windows and kicking its doors in a predawn road rage incident near Kuala Lumpur. Serdang district police chief Muhamad Farid Ahmad said the men, aged 17 to 21, were detained early on Tuesday in raids across Puchong and Shah Alam. Police also seized three motorcycles believed to have been used in the incident. All nine suspects have been remanded for four days while...

Events

3 w. ago Hong Kong restaurant says sorry after video of diners sneaking food goes viral

An all-you-can-eat hotpot restaurant in Hong Kong has apologised after a video showing two diners trying to sneak fresh seafood and beef into bags was leaked online, stressing that the footage was never intended for public release. The Aquatic Market restaurant in Tsuen Wan Plaza said on Sunday that the company had always placed high importance on protecting customers’ privacy rights, noting the video was recorded solely for internal staff training purposes. “The video involved was only recorded...

Society

3 w. ago Pokémon slams ICE video using its ‘Gotta Catch ‘Em All’ slogan

Japan’s wildly popular Pokémon franchise distanced itself on Friday from a recent viral US government video that linked the brand’s “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” slogan to Washington’s immigration crackdown. The US Department of Homeland Security posted a clip on social media this week that showed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid. The clip showed armed police and border patrol officers handcuffing what it portrayed as illegal immigrants, with Pokémon’s famous English-language theme...

Politics

3 w. ago Japan’s Pokémon slams ICE video using its slogan: ‘Gotta Catch ‘Em All’

Japan’s wildly popular Pokémon franchise distanced itself on Friday from a recent viral US government video that linked the brand’s “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” slogan to Washington’s immigration crackdown. The US Department of Homeland Security posted a clip on social media this week that showed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid. The clip showed armed police and border patrol officers handcuffing what it portrayed as illegal immigrants, with Pokémon’s famous English-language theme...

Politics

3 w. ago ICE video using Pokémon’s ‘Gotta Catch ‘Em All’ slogan sparks controversy

Japan’s wildly popular Pokémon franchise distanced itself on Friday from a recent viral US government video that linked the brand’s “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” slogan to Washington’s immigration crackdown. The US Department of Homeland Security posted a clip on social media this week that showed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid. The clip showed armed police and border patrol officers handcuffing what it portrayed as illegal immigrants, with Pokémon’s famous English-language theme...

Politics

4 w. ago China woman shocked as elderly man she helps across busy road slaps her in the face

A Good Samaritan in China who got out of her car to help an old man crossing a busy road was shocked when her kind deed was greeted with a literal slap in the face. The incident, captured on a viral video, has trended on mainland social media after the clip, filmed by a car driver who was in the vehicle behind the woman, was widely circulated online, Elephant News reported. The old man, who was about 70 to 80 years old, was carrying two heavy bags and stumbling while walking across the road in...

Events

4 w. ago China woman shocked as elderly man she helps cross busy road slaps her in the face

A Good Samaritan in China who got out of her car to help an old man crossing a busy road was shocked when her kind deed was greeted with a literal slap in the face. The incident, captured on a viral video, has trended on mainland social media after the clip, filmed by a car driver who was in the vehicle behind the woman, was widely circulated online, Elephant News reported. The old man, who was about 70 to 80 years old, was carrying two heavy bags and stumbling while walking across the road in...

Events