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History

History
The latest news, analysis and opinion on History. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Pedestrians now walk through Jalan Sang Guna to access Chinatown. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Malaysia

A forgotten theatre lane in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown gets a new lease on life

The restored lane, once home to an early theatre scene, is part of Kuala Lumpur’s broader effort to revive its historic Chinatown.

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From our archives

In pictures: horse play in Hong Kong, from the 1970s to the 2000s

United States

US activists, politicians rally on anniversary of civil rights march

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Modern Singapore knows that vigilance is key. So did an ancient Chinese minister

Wei Jiang of the state of Jin epitomises the Chinese idiom ‘in times of peace, think of danger’ – something Singapore follows closely today.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan attends the 57th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on July 27, 2024. Balakrishnan said in a recent interview that Singapore’s response to ongoing geopolitical tensions would be to engage all major powers constructively, widen networks among middle powers and deepen ties with immediate neighbours, among other measures. Photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

Meet Narciso Rodriguez, the designer of Carolyn Bessette’s wedding gown

FX’s Love Story is bringing back the nostalgia of JFK Jr. and Bessette’s romance – but what has her friend Narciso Rodriguez said about her?

Art

Rembrandt painting rejected as not by him in 1960 now confirmed his

After years of scrutiny, ‘Vision of Zacharias in the Temple’ has been confirmed to be a Rembrandt by the Netherlands’ Rijksmuseum.

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Germany

Berlin jails man for 13 years over stabbing at Holocaust memorial

The man, 20, said he had been motivated by his radicalisation and belief he was acting with a religious mission.

Police apprehend a suspect at the scene where a person was stabbed near Berlin’s Holocaust memorial in Berlin on February 21, 2025. Photo: AFP
Religion

What are Buddhist relics? The bones and teeth with great power for followers

Buddhist relics are seen as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities, but authenticity can be an issue.

China society

Opinion | Why a TV hit in China about waging peace resonates so deeply

Swords into Ploughshares can tell us a lot about Beijing’s approach to the crisis in Iran, cross-strait relations and this year’s ‘two sessions’.

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Fame and celebrity

Who was Ethel Kennedy – and was she really mean to Carolyn Bessette?

The Kennedy family matriarch and RFK’s widow, who raised 11 children, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for her public service.

Ethel Kennedy never remarried after Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968. Photos: Getty Images, @ @kerrykennedyrfk/Instagram
Tourism

Gripping samurai exhibition explores Japan’s warrior class, cuts through myths

From armour to art, ‘Samurai’ at the British Museum traces the Japanese elite class’ evolution and cultural impact, from anime to Star Wars.

A samurai suit of armour and helmet are seen at “Samurai”, a new exhibition at London’s British Museum running until May 4.
United States

Triceratops skeleton ‘Trey’ to hit the auction block as dinosaur market soars

The 66-million-year-old fossil, for sale on musician Pharrell Williams’ auction platform Joopiter, is expected to fetch up to US$5.5 million.

Science

Sex between Neanderthal men and Homo sapiens women drove our make-up: study

New research is providing insight into the prehistoric pairings that led to the presence of Neanderthal DNA in most present-day people.

Chinese culture

Language Matters | Gen Z loves ‘Chinamaxxing’, but where does ‘maxxing’ come from?

Chinamaxxing, lookmaxxing, moneymaxxing and gymmaxxing might be new terms, but the practice of ‘maxxing’ has been around for a while.

“Chinamaxxing”, in which the norms and traditions associated with Chinese culture are embraced, is trending, but “maxxing” has roots older than you would think. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/RedNote
Chinese culture

How AI is helping bring Hong Kong history to life on Instagram and beyond

Cultural preservationists use generative AI to breathe life into photos from the past, but does this practice promote or distort history?

A photo of Hong Kong during the mid-20th century, colourised by OldHKinColour. The team behind the popular Instagram account uses artificial intelligence to bring such photos to life, but some say this “distorts” history. Photo: OldHKinColour
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | After Andrew’s arrest, how high-born criminals were treated in ancient China

The long-spoken Chinese maxim that nobles were punished like commoners when breaking the law is not upheld by history.

Pokemon

How Pokemon took over the world as the beloved franchise turns 30

On Pokemon Day 2026, we look at the history of the global multimedia phenomenon and how it captured the hearts of children and adults alike.

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South Korea

Why Yoon’s life sentence and ‘sympathetic’ ruling divide South Korea

As the ex-president appeals his life sentence for a martial law plot, judicial reform is back on the agenda for a deeply divided nation.

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A supporter of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol reacts following a guilty verdict during the sentencing trial in his insurrection case on February 19. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong culture

What’s behind Hong Kong’s retro display craze sweeping shops and stations?

The transformation of a Wellcome supermarket branch into a viral photo hotspot highlights a growing nostalgia trend engulfing the city.

Style Edit

Style Edit: L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific’s new engagement ring course

Today, the engagement ring takes pride of place in Hong Kong alongside Chinese ceremonial gifts – L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts’ new course will offer a closer look.

Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal
Austria

Policing the past: Hitler’s childhood home becomes a police station

Holocaust campaigners say putting police in the dictator’s former home is a ‘problematic’ way of dealing with the town’s dark history.

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Scaffolding covers the back side of the birth house of former German dictator Adolf Hitler in Braunau am Inn, Austria. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

What you need to know about Daryl Hannah and JFK Jr’s romance

The Blade Runner actress, now married to Neil Young, had a romance with the late JFK Jr before he eventually wed Carolyn Bessette.

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From our archives

In pictures: Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year obsession with good fortune

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, we take a look back at how Hong Kong invited good luck through traditional customs from the 1970s to the 2000s.

Fashion

JFK Jr: his story and style remembered in FX bio Love Story

Series explores the lawyer’s life and marriage, and his impeccable, understated elegance that quietly defied 90s fashion norms.

John F. Kennedy Jr always looked good – even when negotiating Manhattan’s rush hour traffic on a bike. Photo: Sygma via Getty Images
Science

How did a prized red gemstone reach the ancient, mysterious Shu kingdom?

The presence of the warm, reddish-orange mineral in the Bronze Age archaeological site of Sanxingdui has long puzzled archaeologists.

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A visitor views the “Ancient Shu Civilisation of the Sanxingdui and Jinsha Sites” exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing on January 18. A Chinese team says it has solved some mysteries related to crimson beads found in Sanxingdui. Photo: Xinhua
Japan

Video | Pop culture fuels revival of Japan’s traditional swords

Swordsmiths warn that without new ideas, modern swordsmithing may disappear.

Style Edit

Style Edit: 5 things you didn’t know about Louis Vuitton’s Monogram

Over 100 years on, the LV Monogram has become one of the world’s most durable and recognisable motifs – but how was it created?

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