https://www.scmp.com/rss/36067/feed Social media refers to the means of interaction among people in which they create, share, and exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. Social media depends on mobile and web-based technologies to create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content. It introduces substantial and pervasive changes to communication between organisations, communities and individuals. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ronny Tong Ronny Tong The death of Ted Turner, who founded CNN in 1980 as the world’s first 24-hour television news channel, is a poignant reminder of the glory days of the fourth estate. CNN made day-and-night news coverage, including at the front line of battlefields, an everyday experience for many people. The rise of the internet and ever more channels of news delivery has enabled a global audience of news consumers, attuned to reports delivered from all around the world. This has turned the most successful news... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353284/jimmy-lai-case-shows-press-freedom-not-get-out-jail-free-ticket?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3353284/jimmy-lai-case-shows-press-freedom-not-get-out-jail-free-ticket?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 01:30:06 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok Food influencers, once derided for loving everything and hating nothing, are apparently now trying to stand out by doing the opposite. In particular, a content creator by the name of Cian Abion – whose account Life of Cian has more than 3 million followers on TikTok and more than 600,000 on Instagram – has gone viral in the last week for his uncouth take on foods sampled on a trip to Japan. In a since-deleted clip, he complained that a creme caramel served at a long-standing Japanese cafe was... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3353376/influencer-who-spat-out-food-japan-trip-leaves-bad-taste-mouth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3353376/influencer-who-spat-out-food-japan-trip-leaves-bad-taste-mouth?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 00:15:05 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen In the hours before Donald Trump’s arrival in Beijing to begin his state visit, an unexpected detail caught the internet’s attention: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s choice of travel attire. Instead of the tailored formalwear typically expected of a top diplomat, Rubio appeared in a grey Nike tracksuit on the Beijing-bound Air Force One – an ensemble social media users quickly recognised as the “Maduro arrest look”. White House communications director Steven Cheung posted a photo of the top... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3353447/marco-rubio-dons-maduro-look-he-heads-china-sparking-internet-frenzy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3353447/marco-rubio-dons-maduro-look-he-heads-china-sparking-internet-frenzy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 10:45:36 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia, already leading Southeast Asia’s push to keep children off risky digital platforms with an under-16 social media ban, now wants to extend those protections to e-commerce after officials said young people had become victims of online scams and unsupervised digital spending. The plan has drawn support from child psychologists, who warn of impulsive consumption among young users. However, it also presents e-commerce companies with a difficult compliance test: building age-verification... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3353440/why-indonesia-expanding-under-16-social-media-ban-e-commerce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3353440/why-indonesia-expanding-under-16-social-media-ban-e-commerce?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:33 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang An actor in China nicknamed the “ageless man” because of a childhood condition which halted his growth has silenced detractors with his nuanced performances. According to Beiqing.com, Hou Xiang, 40, from Beijing, was born prematurely after his mother suffered from malnutrition during pregnancy. His growth and voice development stopped around the age of nine, leaving him less than 1.6 metres tall. Even in adulthood, strangers often mistake Hou for a boy, asking his age or where he studies. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3353256/china-actor-who-has-stopped-growing-9-known-playing-child-roles-build-acting-career?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3353256/china-actor-who-has-stopped-growing-9-known-playing-child-roles-build-acting-career?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2026 01:00:11 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa This year’s Met Gala, sponsored by honorary co-chairs Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos, has been dubbed the “tech gala” for the number of Silicon Valley titans that walked the red carpet – from Google co-founder Sergey Brin and OpenAI’s Charles Porch to Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, who celebrated fashion’s big night out with his wife, Monica Mosseri. He sported a hand-embroidered suit from the Delhi-based label Kartik Research, which has also dressed figures such as... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3353234/meet-monica-mosseri-instagram-ceo-adam-mosseris-wife-who-attended-met-gala-him?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3353234/meet-monica-mosseri-instagram-ceo-adam-mosseris-wife-who-attended-met-gala-him?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:07 +0000 Kyodo Kyodo Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s ambassador to Britain, is becoming a social media sensation as followers embrace his unbridled enthusiasm for everything the country has to offer. Videos of him singing the Welsh national anthem, for example, and his valiant attempts to copy local dialects and expressions have generated an outpouring of love for him online. Many comments say Suzuki is reminding often pessimistic Britons of the nation’s achievements and rich heritage. His entertaining efforts have garnered... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3353212/meet-hiroshi-suzuki-japanese-envoy-showing-britons-how-love-britain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3353212/meet-hiroshi-suzuki-japanese-envoy-showing-britons-how-love-britain?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 02:33:37 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim Chinese-language videos suspected to be AI deepfakes with different narrators berating Singapore for its treatment of China and sidling up to the United States have caused a stir online and sparked discussion on their source. The clips, each featuring an individual in a different setting and circulating on Chinese platforms such as Douyin and WeChat, were most likely generated by artificial intelligence, according to digital experts, pointing to clues such as identical scripts. A check by This... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3353210/ai-disinformation-singapore-accused-pro-china-videos-being-ungrateful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3353210/ai-disinformation-singapore-accused-pro-china-videos-being-ungrateful?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 02:06:40 +0000 Reuters Reuters Netflix was sued on Monday by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who accused the streaming company of spying on children and other consumers by collecting their data ‌without consent and designing its platform to be addictive. The lawsuit says that for years, Netflix has falsely represented to consumers that it did not collect or share user data, when it actually tracked and sold viewers’ habits and preferences to commercial data brokers and advertising technology companies, making billions of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3353202/netflix-sued-texas-allegedly-spying-children-addicting-users?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3353202/netflix-sued-texas-allegedly-spying-children-addicting-users?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 23:08:13 +0000 Carolina Malis Carolina Malis It’s easy to think of perfume as something that happens mid-air. The bottle comes out, the spray is sprayed, and suddenly you’re wrapped in a cloud of smoky wood, fresh citrus or powdery, herbal green forest after the rain. But the once spritz-centric category is being nudged sideways by a format that’s been in the background all along: solid perfume. In the past year, solids have multiplied into refillable compacts and twist-up sticks, quietly taking over #PerfumeTok and fragrance counters as... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3353087/why-solid-fragrance-discreet-luxury-beauty-habit-taking-over-perfumetok?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3353087/why-solid-fragrance-discreet-luxury-beauty-habit-taking-over-perfumetok?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Ushar Daniele Ushar Daniele A call from the former CEO of Proton for Malays to abandon a “mentality of waiting for aid” has been met with ridicule online, with social media users pointing to the national carmaker’s own long history of government support. Speaking on Sunday at the inaugural Musyawarah Nasional (National Discourse) dialogue platform founded by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir said Malays needed to replace this perceived reliance on handouts with initiative. “Go for... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3353135/malaysia-ex-proton-ceos-self-reliance-sermon-spurs-backlash-spare-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3353135/malaysia-ex-proton-ceos-self-reliance-sermon-spurs-backlash-spare-us?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 08:25:20 +0000 CNA CNA A teenager was charged on Monday with assaulting controversial blogger Amos Yee over the weekend at an anime convention in Singapore. Bosco Chun Ho Wang, an 18-year-old Chinese national and Singapore permanent resident, was given one charge each of public nuisance and voluntarily causing hurt. The incident occurred at about 2.10pm on Saturday at level 4 of Suntec City Convention Centre. Chun is accused of punching and kicking the 27-year-old Singaporean. These acts, along with shouting,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3353084/teenager-charged-after-assault-singaporean-blogger-amos-yee-anime-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3353084/teenager-charged-after-assault-singaporean-blogger-amos-yee-anime-event?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2026 03:12:20 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Elon Musk has launched a tirade against French judicial authorities currently investigating possible abuses on his X social network. France opened an inquiry in January 2025 into allegations that X, formerly known as Twitter, was used to interfere in French politics. The investigation has since widened to cover allegations of Holocaust denial, distribution of sexual deepfakes and most recently possible complicity in the distribution of images of child sexual abuse. Responding to a post on the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352982/musk-uses-slurs-mock-french-prosecutors-investigating-x?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352982/musk-uses-slurs-mock-french-prosecutors-investigating-x?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2026 07:20:00 +0000 Reuters Reuters US President ⁠Donald Trump’s administration is nearing a US$400 million settlement with TikTok to resolve an ongoing lawsuit over alleged child-privacy violations, ABC News has reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The White House declined to comment, referring questions to the Justice Department, ‌which did not immediately comment. TikTok did not respond to a request for comment. The settlement monies would be used to fund Trump’s “beautification” projects in Washington, sources... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352963/us-nears-us400-million-settlement-tiktok-child-privacy-violations-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352963/us-nears-us400-million-settlement-tiktok-child-privacy-violations-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 20:38:00 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A performer at a scenic spot in central China went viral for offering visitors “lollipop kisses”, raising controversy about the boundaries of interactive tourism. Ge’s Fairy Village, a resort in Jiangxi province, combines Taoist culture with forested landscapes and features martial arts-themed hotels. Adult tickets usually cost 130 yuan (US$20). One of its most popular entertainers, known online as “Little Yellow Fish”, has drawn nearly 400,000 followers on mainland social media. Dressed in... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3352581/china-scenic-spot-entertainer-sparks-debate-giving-lollipop-kiss-female-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3352581/china-scenic-spot-entertainer-sparks-debate-giving-lollipop-kiss-female-visitors?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters The White House called Star Wars ⁠star Mark Hamill “one ⁠sick individual” on Thursday after ⁠an AI-generated image of US President Donald Trump in a shallow grave was posted on one of the actor’s social media accounts. “If Only” was inscribed on the image of ‌Trump lying with his eyes closed next to a gravestone, surrounded by daisies, with the inscription “Donald J Trump 1946-2024”. The image was posted on Hamill’s verified Bluesky account. Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the classic Star... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352818/white-house-calls-mark-hamill-sick-after-star-wars-actor-posts-trump-gravesite-image?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352818/white-house-calls-mark-hamill-sick-after-star-wars-actor-posts-trump-gravesite-image?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 20:04:50 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim Beijing’s study of the wars in Iran and Ukraine could sharpen its ability to wage information warfare against Americans during a Taiwan Strait conflict, exposing vulnerabilities in US preparedness, experts said on Wednesday. S. Clinton Hinote, a retired US Lieutenant General, said he was “impressed” with the propaganda coming out of Iran since the outbreak of the war in February, warning that Beijing would deploy similar tactics if conflict erupts over Taiwan. “That’s coming,” he told a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352811/chinas-use-propaganda-may-outwit-us-if-taiwan-conflict-arises-experts-warn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352811/chinas-use-propaganda-may-outwit-us-if-taiwan-conflict-arises-experts-warn?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 17:00:29 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Former world champion gymnast Wu Liufang said she has “regained her dignity” after paying off her family’s debt through her cultural heritage dance videos on social media. The 31-year-old said in a video interview published by a mainland news outlet on Wednesday that the medical costs to treat her parents’ illnesses totalled about 400,000 yuan (US$55,000), which made life difficult for her family in her hometown of Liuzhou, Guangxi. Wu won multiple World Cup titles on the balance beam and uneven... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3352717/ex-china-gymnast-regains-dignity-after-paying-familys-debt-through-cultural-videos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3352717/ex-china-gymnast-regains-dignity-after-paying-familys-debt-through-cultural-videos?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:09 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Congratulations are in order for Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, who are expecting their third child together. The 36-year-old British royal announced her pregnancy on Instagram with an adorable photo of her two sons, five-year-old August and two-year-old Ernest, holding an ultrasound picture of the baby, who is due this summer. Buckingham Palace further revealed that the tots are “very excited to have another sibling join the family” and that King Charles is “delighted with... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3352724/meet-princess-eugenies-husband-jack-brooksbank-whom-shes-expecting-third-child?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3352724/meet-princess-eugenies-husband-jack-brooksbank-whom-shes-expecting-third-child?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones The queues start to form before the lunchtime rush at Phed Mark, a Bangkok kitchen with a pop-up feel that dishes up steaming plateloads of pad kaphrao – a runny fried egg with fiery minced meat over rice – to a clientele of mainly Chinese tourists. Founded by YouTuber Mark Weins, Phed Mark has turned a Thai staple into a must-eat for Chinese visitors, who defy the heat to patiently wait each day on plastic stools for their turn outside the Ekkamai bus terminal. A lot has to do with its... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3352704/thailand-targets-6-million-chinese-visitors-authentic-content-rednote-wechat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3352704/thailand-targets-6-million-chinese-visitors-authentic-content-rednote-wechat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 05:04:53 +0000 Reuters Reuters It was billed as an Atlantic odyssey to some of the most remote islands in the world. Instead, the cruise on the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius was left stranded off Cabo Verde, formerly known as Cape Verde, with passengers in their cabins, medical workers in protective suits tending to the sick and the ship’s operator seeking a safe port. The outbreak has left three dead and eight confirmed or suspected cases linked to the ‌Dutch-flagged expedition ship. Passengers, some of whom have been... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3352673/passengers-hantavirus-stricken-ship-sway-between-fear-and-boredom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3352673/passengers-hantavirus-stricken-ship-sway-between-fear-and-boredom?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 21:00:29 +0000 Reuters Reuters Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ⁠said on ⁠Tuesday that fake images ⁠of her generated by artificial intelligence were circulating online, warning that such false photos could deceive the public and target people unable to defend themselves. Meloni said ‌in a statement that several fake photos of her had been created with AI and passed off as real by political opponents. She posted one such image appearing to show her sitting on a bed wearing underwear. ⁠The original post included outraged... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352540/italy-pm-meloni-warns-over-ai-deepfakes-after-false-photos-her-circulate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352540/italy-pm-meloni-warns-over-ai-deepfakes-after-false-photos-her-circulate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 18:25:58 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. China has taken some of the most far-reaching steps globally to regulate children’s digital lives. From regulations limiting how long children can play video games to the Cyberspace Administration of China’s “minor mode” rolled out on mobile devices last year, policymakers have... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3352315/rules-arent-enough-keep-children-safe-online-we-need-start-talking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3352315/rules-arent-enough-keep-children-safe-online-we-need-start-talking?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 03:30:06 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A weekend shooting at a lakeside park in Oklahoma that left nearly two dozen people injured erupted when a group began arguing at an unsanctioned party packed with young adults, a witness said on Monday. Authorities were continuing to search for suspects on Monday in the shooting that critically injured at least three of those hurt. No arrests have been made. It was not clear how many of the injured had been shot, police said on Monday in a statement. It provided few answers about what had... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352381/shooting-us-party-sends-least-12-hospital?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352381/shooting-us-party-sends-least-12-hospital?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 10:50:14 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Global efforts to protect children from online harm are being stepped up, from the bans on social media use to the measures making platforms safer. But the scourge of child pornography and the threat to the young of being groomed for sexual abuse remain prevalent. Law enforcement agencies have a responsibility to ensure their efforts to investigate, track down and arrest the culprits are successful. This requires close collaboration among police forces in different countries. The latest... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352133/recognise-need-protect-our-children-online-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3352133/recognise-need-protect-our-children-online-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 22:45:12 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Rihanna’s recent visit to India has been making headlines across the country. The “Umbrella” singer landed in Mumbai for Fenty Beauty Ki Haveli, a pop-up event for her cosmetics brand held at the Phoenix Palladium, which opened on April 25 and continues until May 4. “Still daydreaming about one of the most unforgettable and heartwarming experiences!” RiRi wrote on her Instagram, celebrating the trip. Fenty Beauty Ki Haveli attracted A-listers and influencers alike, who interacted with the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3352043/meet-diya-joukani-instagram-star-seen-rihanna-fenty-beauty-event-mumbai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3352043/meet-diya-joukani-instagram-star-seen-rihanna-fenty-beauty-event-mumbai?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Rising youth suicides in Manila, fuelled by emotional distress and digital triggers, have spurred calls to expand support for vulnerable Filipinos, as the deeply religious country begins to confront mental health more openly. In 2018, Macy Castaneda Lee, a 16-year-old Manila high school student, thought about ending it all after grappling with past trauma, including childhood molestation. Now a journalist and founder of the mental health advocacy group Talang Dalisay, Lee has turned that ordeal... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3352252/philippines-youth-suicide-crisis-exposes-struggle-mental-health-support?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3352252/philippines-youth-suicide-crisis-exposes-struggle-mental-health-support?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 05:30:08 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones In India, cuddly and colourful animals are paraded across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube channels, where free advice is shared on how to raise a lemur – or what to feed an iguana – in congested megacities far from forest habitats. Cuteness has become a commodity in Asia’s social media world, with Thailand’s main airport emerging as a reluctant hub for wild animal smuggling. On Wednesday, a 19-year-old passenger bound for Taipei tried to evade security at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport with... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3352169/how-thailand-transit-hub-feeds-indias-exotic-pet-craze-its-organised-crime?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3352169/how-thailand-transit-hub-feeds-indias-exotic-pet-craze-its-organised-crime?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters A trial beginning ⁠in New Mexico on Monday could prompt a judge to order sweeping changes ⁠to how Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp operate – a move Meta Platforms has warned could force it to withdraw from the state. The case, which will be tried before a judge in Santa Fe, stems from a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, a Democrat, accusing the social media giant of designing its products to addict young users and failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352224/new-mexico-trial-citing-public-nuisance-laws-against-meta-social-platforms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352224/new-mexico-trial-citing-public-nuisance-laws-against-meta-social-platforms?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 10:31:24 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso It’s not just human influencers who regularly rock social media – the popularity of animal influencers is only growing by the day too. Our fashionable furry friends are taking over the internet, one elegantly styled portrait at a time. Here are three dog influencers you should follow right now for style inspo, as well as to keep abreast of the season’s hottest trends. Kala the Italian Greyhound (@tikatheiggy) Italian Greyhounds, nicknamed “Iggy” for short, are also among the most... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3351715/3-fashionable-dog-influencers-follow-tikatheiggy-mensweardog?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/leisure/article/3351715/3-fashionable-dog-influencers-follow-tikatheiggy-mensweardog?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 04:00:10 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Thousands of visitors have flocked to Hong Kong’s East Dam to view its rare volcanic rock columns at the start of the five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, prompting a lawmaker to suggest charging an entrance fee to maintain the Unesco global geopark. Drawn by the city’s natural scenery and well-established hiking trails, which are being heavily promoted on mainland Chinese social media, many tourists are increasingly trading traditional shopping sprees for ecotourism at the East Dam of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352145/hong-kongs-east-dam-draws-thousands-golden-week-lawmaker-floats-entry-fee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3352145/hong-kongs-east-dam-draws-thousands-golden-week-lawmaker-floats-entry-fee?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 08:56:04 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Matt Friend is making waves. The 27-year-old stand-up comedian, who is known for his impersonations of politicians and celebrities, just wrapped up America Laughs With Matt Friend. The CNN comedy special aired on April 24 and was timed to coincide with the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner in Washington DC – which, of course, made headlines when gunshots were fired near the main security screening area. There were no casualties among the dinner guests, and a suspect has... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351856/meet-matt-friend-whose-comedy-has-impressed-celebrities-politicians-and-king-charles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351856/meet-matt-friend-whose-comedy-has-impressed-celebrities-politicians-and-king-charles?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:00:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Roblox, a gaming platform popular with kids, announced Thursday that children under 16 in Indonesia will be required to undergo facial scans to verify their age to comply with new restrictions on minors’ use of social media and digital platforms in the country. Nicky Jackson Colaco, Roblox’s vice-president and global head of public policy, announced the changes in a press conference in Jakarta, describing them among the strictest that the company has implemented anywhere in the world. She said... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3352066/gaming-platform-roblox-require-facial-scans-users-under-16-indonesia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3352066/gaming-platform-roblox-require-facial-scans-users-under-16-indonesia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:28 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth Chinese social media reacted with amusement and disbelief as Britain’s King Charles gave US President Donald Trump a World War II-era British submarine bell as a gift, highlighting differing cultural interpretations of the unusual gesture. “Gifting a bell isn’t a big deal in Western culture – but it’s quite amusing, as far as we’re concerned!” a user on Chinese social media wrote. On Tuesday, during his state visit to the United States, King Charles presented Trump with the original brass bell... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352000/why-king-charles-trump-bell-gift-amuses-chinese-internet-users?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3352000/why-king-charles-trump-bell-gift-amuses-chinese-internet-users?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:23:53 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran A viral appearance in the swimsuit round by a male beauty pageant contestant in the Philippines has sparked a wider debate about male beauty standards and whether pageantry is ready to make room for people who do not fit its traditional ideals. RJ Perkins, 21, drew widespread attention after a video showed him strutting across an outdoor stage during the swimwear segment of Mister Pampanga, held in the province of Pampanga, north of Manila. Unlike the chiselled bodies typically associated with... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3351987/male-pageant-contestants-viral-swimsuit-walk-sparks-body-image-debate-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3351987/male-pageant-contestants-viral-swimsuit-walk-sparks-body-image-debate-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:46:29 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Viral posts of an Australian street dubbed the country’s “most beautiful” have enticed coachloads of visitors to a picturesque seaside town – and locals have had enough of it. Just a two-hour drive south of Sydney, Gerringong is much like many other photogenic hamlets along Australia’s east coast, with multimillion-dollar properties set against stunning views of the azure blue sea. But recent posts on Instagram, TikTok and as far afield as China’s RedNote showing the town’s Tasman Drive have... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3351946/tourists-overrun-australias-most-instagrammed-street-driving-locals-brink?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3351946/tourists-overrun-australias-most-instagrammed-street-driving-locals-brink?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:36:07 +0000 Carolina Malis Carolina Malis French souvenir shops are certainly cute. But if you’re even mildly skincare obsessed, you already know the real French flex isn’t a beret: it’s a pharmacy bag heavy enough to count as hand luggage. TikTok has helped turn French pharmacy shopping into a travel ritual, with #frenchpharmacy reaching more than 130 million views. In Paris, the best known is Citypharma – the kind of place you can get lost in, even if you swear you’re just grabbing sunscreen. This multilevel pharmacy is known for deep... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3351570/8-pharmacy-products-worth-buying-france-la-roche-posay-bioderma?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3351570/8-pharmacy-products-worth-buying-france-la-roche-posay-bioderma?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Sweden’s government said on Wednesday it planned to introduce legislation requiring social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to take down criminal gangs’ ‘murder adverts’ within an hour or face hefty fines. Criminal gangs active in Sweden increasingly use social media to recruit people to commit murders and other violent acts amid a surge in “crime as a service”. The recruits are often children under the age of 15, Sweden’s age of criminal responsibility, meaning the youngsters cannot be... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3351902/sweden-targets-social-media-giants-over-murder-adverts-recruiting-children?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3351902/sweden-targets-social-media-giants-over-murder-adverts-recruiting-children?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:42:19 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa The Boys star Erin Moriarty recently spoke up about struggling to film the Prime Video show’s fifth and final season – which just premiered earlier this month – due to her autoimmune disorder. On the show, the 31-year-old actress plays Annie January, a superhero who goes by the name Starlight. Moriarty suffers from Graves’ disease and opened up to the public about her diagnosis in June 2025. She recently told the Hollywood Reporter that she wasn’t going to watch herself in the latest season... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351579/meet-erin-moriarty-who-plays-annie-january-aka-starlight-boys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351579/meet-erin-moriarty-who-plays-annie-january-aka-starlight-boys?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A social media account in China with more than 11 million followers which targets juveniles has been banned for forcing young female live-streamers to stay in a tank with a crocodile. The permanent ban also came after the account was exposed of also having made the women hold their breath under water. The account with the handle @Yebali, which means Night Paris in English, had been in operation on the social media platform for five years before it bowed to pressure to close, Jiupai News... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3351667/china-social-media-account-banned-forcing-women-stay-tank-crocodile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3351667/china-social-media-account-banned-forcing-women-stay-tank-crocodile?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:08 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso Everyone wants to be a “Gong girl” these days. Parsons-trained, Shanghai-based designer Mark Gong’s pieces have been everywhere lately, spotted on the likes of Margot Robbie during the Wuthering Heights press tour, Jennie and Lisa on Blackpink’s Deadline world tour, and Jenna Ortega promoting season two of Wednesday. One celebrity, however, stands above the rest in Gong’s memory. “Rihanna is a goddess for me, no matter what,” he says with a laugh outside his Shanghai Fashion Week showroom,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3351696/mark-gong-loved-rihanna-lisa-and-jenna-ortega-designing-modern-woman?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3351696/mark-gong-loved-rihanna-lisa-and-jenna-ortega-designing-modern-woman?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:13 +0000 Sasha Gonzales Sasha Gonzales At 60, Vicsland Poh is not just ageing – she is polishing a second act that challenges every cliché of the silver years. Known to her TikTok followers as the “Corridor Runway Aunty”, Poh has transformed the communal space outside her Singapore flat into a high-fashion stage. The depth of her story, however, lies beyond the camera lens. By taking up diverse physical challenges and pursuing new knowledge, she proves that a person’s seventh decade can be one of expansion. The posts on her Instagram... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351655/60-pole-dancing-singaporean-influencer-showing-how-age-well?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351655/60-pole-dancing-singaporean-influencer-showing-how-age-well?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau Social media posts of Singapore politicians taking public transport amid the global energy crisis have divided public opinion online, with some users hailing the move as leading by example while others call it showmanship. Cabinet ministers, members of parliament and even a retired defence minister have followed with their own public transport posts after Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong urged Singaporeans in an April 7 ministerial statement in parliament to take public transport as part of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3351744/leading-example-or-showmanship-singapore-politicians-train-rides-split-opinion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3351744/leading-example-or-showmanship-singapore-politicians-train-rides-split-opinion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:57:18 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Director Antoine Fuqua’s new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, starring the late King of Pop’s nephew and Jermaine Jackson’s son Jaafar Jackson in the titular role, is taking the box office by storm. The film has already grossed US$218.8 million worldwide as of April 27, according to Deadline, with a reported budget of around US$200 million. Despite the film receiving mixed reviews from critics, it is undeniable that the 29-year-old Jaafar shines in his debut role. Meanwhile, child actor... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351697/meet-juliano-valdi-who-plays-young-michael-jackson-michael?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351697/meet-juliano-valdi-who-plays-young-michael-jackson-michael?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:21 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The growing use of social media and artificial intelligence chatbots across generations has made privacy protection a priority. This is especially important for children who are often insensitive to the risks when navigating the vast online world. The onus is therefore on parents and teachers to provide proper guidance. The guidelines issued by the Privacy Commissioner to safeguard the privacy of youngsters are a timely step. The practical tips suggest parents and teachers take an interest in... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351557/online-privacy-guidelines-underscore-key-role-parents-and-teachers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3351557/online-privacy-guidelines-underscore-key-role-parents-and-teachers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has defended its decision to appoint singer Hins Cheung as a mentor in a “rehabilitation project” for youngsters arrested during the 2019 protests, saying it welcomes individuals from all backgrounds to share positive life experiences following criticism from internet users in mainland China. The project, which has been running for two years, aims to support the rehabilitation of about 7,000 people arrested during the social unrest but not prosecuted. “[Activities]... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351603/bureau-defends-hins-cheung-mentor-role-after-mainland-china-online-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3351603/bureau-defends-hins-cheung-mentor-role-after-mainland-china-online-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:40:26 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A French teenager has been charged with mischief and public nuisance in Singapore for licking a straw and putting it back in an orange juice vending machine, court documents showed on Monday. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, allegedly filmed himself “licking a straw and placing it back at the vending machine”, uploaded the video on Instagram knowing that it “would or would probably cause annoyance to the public”, according to the documents. The teenager is studying in Singapore, according to... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3351585/french-teen-singapore-faces-jail-licking-and-returning-vending-machine-straw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3351585/french-teen-singapore-faces-jail-licking-and-returning-vending-machine-straw?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:37:58 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Noah Kahan released his latest album, The Great Divide, on April 24. The Grammy-nominated singer rose to fame after his 2022 track “Stick Season” took over TikTok and, two years later, peaked at No 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Olivia Rodrigo also covered the song during an appearance on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge. Since then, Kahan has released his live album Live From Fenway Park (2024), as well as collaborative tracks with artists such as Post Malone, Hozier, Gracie Abrams and others. Kahan is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351553/meet-grammy-nominated-musician-noah-kahans-wife-brenna-nolan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351553/meet-grammy-nominated-musician-noah-kahans-wife-brenna-nolan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:16 +0000 dpa dpa Forget complicated wellness routines and expensive supplements: the latest health trend taking over social media looks a lot like an Italian grandmother’s daily life – and experts say it might actually work. “Nonnamaxxing”, a viral movement circulating widely on TikTok, encourages people to adopt the simple, intentional habits of an Italian grandmother, or “nonna”. The concept has captured Gen Z’s attention, but its appeal stretches across generations. At its core, the trend champions the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351279/what-nonnamaxxing-viral-health-trend-embraces-italian-grandmothers-lifestyle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3351279/what-nonnamaxxing-viral-health-trend-embraces-italian-grandmothers-lifestyle?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:15:09 +0000 Faye Bradley,Sumnima Kandangwa Faye Bradley,Sumnima Kandangwa Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson is proving to be the perfect person to play his great uncle, as images and clips of him starring in director Antoine Fuqua’s highly anticipated biopic, Michael, came out ahead of the movie’s US premiere on April 24. The 29-year-old, whose starring role in the biopic was announced in January 2023, bears an uncanny resemblance to his late uncle – and the internet has taken note. Several comments under Jaafar’s Instagram posts comment on his likeness to the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351293/meet-jaafar-jackson-who-plays-his-uncle-michael-jackson-late-stars-biopic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3351293/meet-jaafar-jackson-who-plays-his-uncle-michael-jackson-late-stars-biopic?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:00:17 +0000