https://www.scmp.com/rss/519643/feed Kriti joined the Post as an associate producer in 2024 after graduating from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Marketing. She has a passion for covering sustainability, politics, and human-interest stories. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com K-pop’s newest idol group, 1Verse, is set to make history as the first to feature two North Korean defectors, Hyuk and Seok. The performers have endured a long journey from North Korea to their music debut in South Korea’s global K-pop industry. The five-member group also includes a Chinese-American, a Lao-Thai-American and a Japanese performer. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3303596/north-korean-defectors-set-historic-k-pop-music-debut-1verse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3303596/north-korean-defectors-set-historic-k-pop-music-debut-1verse?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Mar 2025 06:49:48 +0000 Love and Deepspace, a popular mobile game, has captured the hearts of many young women in China and beyond, with its lifelike 3D characters, engaging storylines and futuristic romance scenarios. In one example of such devotion, players gathered at a Beijing shopping centre on March 1 to celebrate the birthday of their virtual “boyfriend” – the game character Rafayel. Many fans say such virtual relationships provide a sense of emotional fulfilment and companionship. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3303288/young-women-china-find-virtual-romance-hit-game-love-and-deepspace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3303288/young-women-china-find-virtual-romance-hit-game-love-and-deepspace?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Mar 2025 05:23:25 +0000 The northern Indian town of Barsana kicked off its Holi celebrations on Saturday with a lively tradition involving dozens of men being playfully beaten with sticks by women. Known as Lathmar Holi, the Hindu festival tradition re-enacts the legend of the Hindu god Krishna, who is said to have visited Barsana to shower goddess Radha in vibrant colours, only to be playfully chased away by Radha. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3301740/hindu-women-india-playfully-beat-men-sticks-during-traditional-holi-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3301740/hindu-women-india-playfully-beat-men-sticks-during-traditional-holi-celebrations?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Mar 2025 05:00:23 +0000 Weight-loss camps promising rapid transformations are booming in China as the country grapples with a growing obesity crisis. The slimming boot camps enforce strict diet plans and rigorous workout regimens to help participants achieve quick weight loss. However, the death of an online influencer in May 2024 has sparked debate about the lengths some camps will go to push their trainees. Health experts are warning that the industry needs more regulation, as Beijing launches a campaign addressing... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3288523/dangerous-weight-loss-camps-rise-china-country-grapples-obesity-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3288523/dangerous-weight-loss-camps-rise-china-country-grapples-obesity-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Dec 2024 06:35:46 +0000 Members of the Hong Kong Golf Club flocked this autumn to the putting green for two sports events held in support of local causes. The Link Hong Kong Open, hosted by the club, has collaborated with annual fundraising campaign Operation Santa Claus (OSC) to infuse a charitable element and foster community engagement at the international mega-event. Club captain Andy Kwok emphasised that collaborating with OSC was a great way to promote the sport and raise awareness about worthy causes. “Operation... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3288909/operation-santa-claus-hong-kong-golf-club-holds-2-sports-events-support-local-causes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3288909/operation-santa-claus-hong-kong-golf-club-holds-2-sports-events-support-local-causes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Dec 2024 02:02:29 +0000 More than 260 people, including children and corporate executives, joined a football competition earlier this month to showcase community spirit and charitable commitment. Co-organised by the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) and annual fundraising drive, Operation Santa Claus (OSC), and title-sponsored by Vita Green Charitable Foundation, the 5-A Side Football Tournament was held for the 26th consecutive year at the Happy Valley Recreation Ground on November 17. The annual event is part of a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3288119/260-people-go-head-head-football-event-raise-money-operation-santa-claus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3288119/260-people-go-head-head-football-event-raise-money-operation-santa-claus?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:13:11 +0000 India’s government ordered half of its employees in New Delhi to work from home on Wednesday as the capital continued to grapple with hazardous air pollution. Toxic smog has shrouded the city for several days. The Swiss air quality technology company IQAir said its monitoring listing now ranks New Delhi as the world’s most polluted city. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3287495/indias-government-orders-new-delhi-staff-work-home-toxic-smog-covers-capital?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3287495/indias-government-orders-new-delhi-staff-work-home-toxic-smog-covers-capital?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:20:01 +0000 Satellite images from Monday, showed a thick smog covering several South Asian cities, including the Indian capital New Delhi and the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Karachi. The region’s blanket of smog is an annual crisis blamed on farmland stubble burning, factories and car exhaust. Authorities have imposed restrictions to curb pollution, but many residents still face severe health risks. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3287208/satellite-images-show-toxic-smog-over-south-asia-visible-space?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3287208/satellite-images-show-toxic-smog-over-south-asia-visible-space?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:15:50 +0000 Hindu priests around India have prayed for their preferred candidate’s success ahead of the US presidential election. Some priests in the capital New Delhi prayed for Republican candidate Donald Trump. Meanwhile, in the southern state of Telangana, priests performed an 11-day ritual in support of the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. The ritual, which ended on October 30, was organised by the Shyamala Gopalan Education Foundation, a philanthropic organisation founded in honour of Harris’ mother. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3285074/trump-or-harris-hindu-priests-pray-different-outcomes-us-presidential-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3285074/trump-or-harris-hindu-priests-pray-different-outcomes-us-presidential-election?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Nov 2024 06:13:55 +0000 Residents in several Indian cities, including the nation’s capital New Delhi, are struggling with deteriorating air quality. The National Air Quality Index was listed as “very poor” to “severe”. Smog poses serious health risks, making breathing difficult for many residents. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3284102/india-suffocating-haze-and-pollution-grip-new-delhi-and-other-cities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3284102/india-suffocating-haze-and-pollution-grip-new-delhi-and-other-cities?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 03:50:28 +0000 At just 18-years-old, Nima Rinji Sherpa has already scaled 13 of the world’s highest peaks. Now, he’s just one summit away from becoming the youngest person to conquer all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres (26,247 ft). https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3277519/nepali-teen-staring-down-worlds-tallest-peaks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3277519/nepali-teen-staring-down-worlds-tallest-peaks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:15:15 +0000 Bananas usually grow in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and South Korea lies in a temperate zone with four distinct seasons. Since 2012, however, South Korea’s average annual temperature has gone through a continuous warming trend, creating near-perfect conditions for growing bananas. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3276233/south-koreas-rising-temperatures-allow-farmers-harvest-bananas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3276233/south-koreas-rising-temperatures-allow-farmers-harvest-bananas?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Aug 2024 08:59:20 +0000