TOPIC

Offbeat

Offbeat
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Offbeat. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Massive tsunami waves triggered by a major earthquake in northeastern Japan engulf houses in Natori, Miyagi prefecture, on March 11, 2011. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Explainer | What is Japan’s viral manga quake prophecy and how likely is it to come true?

Ryo Tatsuki’s manga novel predicts that a ‘megaquake’ will hit Japan on Saturday, creating tsunamis three times as tall as those from 2011.

videocam
Trending in China

Chinese football team fined for channelling evil spirits to help beat rivals

Space

Meet the meteorite hunters chasing space rocks that can fetch US$400 a gram

videocam
Nordic nations

47,000 ‘winning’ lotto tickets in Norway turn out to be costly conversion error

The state-owned gambling group apologised for mistakenly multiplying Eurojackpot winnings by 100 instead of dividing by 100 in the euro to Norwegian kroner conversion.

A Norwegian lottery firm apologised to 47,000 gamblers for a currency error that mistakenly inflated their winnings. Photo: Getty Images
Japan

Afraid of no ghosts? Japan warms to ‘haunted’ homes with dark histories

Once shunned, ‘misfortunate properties’ – the sites of murders or suicides – are becoming hot commodities in Japan’s surging property market.

videocam
Stories behind top Asian brands

Why a Sanrio popularity contest has Gen Z divided

Each year millions vote in the popularity contest, with this year’s showdown – between two long-time rivals – fiercer than most.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Indonesia

Asian Angle | Not-so-rich kid: meet Bobby Saputra, a viral parody of privilege

More than just a viral sensation, Bobby Saputra exposes deep-seated frustrations among Southeast Asian youth with corruption and inequality.

videocam
Ben Sumadiwiria as uber-rich playboy Bobby Saputra. Photo: Ben Sumadiwiria
Japan

A policeman in Japan accidentally shot a patrol car near the Osaka Expo

The riot squad officer discharged his pistol when re-holstering it, leaving a bullet embedded in the vehicle’s floor.

Singapore

Stray bullet hits Singapore cyclist near military live-firing zone

The man was cycling with friends in a restricted forested area when he was struck by a bullet that lodged in his lower back.

Britain

Londoners make fast mates at weekly chess club, an offline meeting place

Volunteer-run Knight Club is a space to connect, drawing over 100 players each Tuesday who bond over chess games as DJs play dance music.

Young adults play chess at Knight Club, a diverse chess club that has grown to almost 1,000 members within a year, in London, Britain. Photo: Reuters
Religion

‘8,000km became nothing’ for Spanish Muslims on historic horseback haj

Trio brave elements and enjoy hospitality of fellow Muslims on 8,000km pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for haj, a route not taken in 500 years.

Spanish Muslim pilgrims on horseback in Syria en route to Mecca. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

Is it or isn’t it a rare pink aurora above Kai Tak? Hongkongers have their say

Many people spotted a pink glow in the sky above Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday morning – but what caused it?

Thailand

‘Unacceptable’: Thai teachers’ group slams deal on beer discounts

Teachers’ network calls for partnership between state agency and brewery to be withdrawn as it promotes harmful behaviour.

The Philippines

Why Duterte’s diehard fans are carrying cardboard cut-outs around The Hague

The life-size standees have been seen around the Philippines and The Hague, where the former president is in ICC detention.

videocam
Philippine Senator Robin Padilla carries a life-size full-colour cardboard cutout of Rodrigo Duterte on a bus in The Hague. Photo: Handout
Uefa Champions League

TikTokkers watch Champions League final for free after 27 hours in stadium toilet

Belgian duo told local news station they brought a home-made ‘out of order’ sign as they waited in silence for fans to arrive.

Paris Saint Germain celebrate winning their first-ever Champions League final in Munich as captain Marquinhos holds aloft the trophy. Photo: Reuters
History

Indian ‘history hunter’ shows children how to use 20th-century tech

Typewriters, rotary telephones, lanterns and tube radios are among the collection of artefacts Aditya Vij demonstrates at his New Delhi home.

American cinema

Plea to find Marty McFly’s guitar from 1985’s Back to the Future

Cherry Red Gibson guitar Michael J. Fox’s character plays in Back to the Future vanished after filming. Movie’s stars join appeal to find it.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Sex and relationships

200-year-old condom made from sheep’s appendix goes on display

Prophylactic on show in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum bears the phrase ‘This is my choice’ and an erotic image of a nun and three clergymen.

A condom made around 1830 and emblazoned with erotic art on display at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. Photo: Rijksmuseum via AP
Thailand

Thai elephant raids convenience store, eats snacks and leaves without paying

The large male pachyderm, known as Plai Biang Lek, has become a well-known figure in the area due to his forays into human settlements.

Malaysia

Soiled underwear for sale: outcry in Malaysia over ‘worrisome’ e-commerce trend

Online vendors of the soiled items reportedly claimed the sales helped to fund their education and daily needs.

videocam
Brazil

They cry, pee and suck dummies. Lifelike baby dolls cause a stir

Eerily lifelike babies called reborn dolls recently went viral in Brazil, leading some to question their collectors’ mental health.

Brazilian shopkeeper Alana Generoso bottle-feeds a reborn baby doll at her store Alana Babys Maternity in Campinas, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Photo: AFP
Tourism

Is the Bible true? US attractions like huge Noah’s Ark replica say yes

The body behind Kentucky’s Ark Encounter and Creation Museum promotes creationism over evolution to the masses – and expansion is next.

The 155-metre-long replica of Noah’s Ark is seen at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, in the US state of Kentucky, on March 21, 2025. The attraction is run by Answers in Genesis, an organisation founded by Ken Ham that is also behind the nearby Creation Museum. Photo: AP
Wellness

Doll’s house collectors think small with big mental health benefits

Adult collectors spend big on mini homes, furniture and decor in a pastime that eases stress and anxiety, and is booming in wake of Covid-19.

Music

Strauss’ Blue Danube heading to space for composer’s birthday

European Space Agency will beam the waltz into deep space to mark 200 years since composer’s birth, after it was passed over by Nasa in 1977.

videocam
Japan

Plague of flying pests adds to Osaka World Expo’s woes in Japan

Though the ‘chironomids’ do not bite or suck blood, they may cause asthma or allergic reactions, experts warn.

A close-up of one of the insects swarming the Osaka World Expo. Photo: X/@TomoPlanz
Vietnam

Shirtless man detained in Vietnam for vandalising historic throne

The man broke an arm off the 200-year-old royal seat. He was ‘screaming, talking nonsense’ and showed signs of psychosis, officials said.

A still image from a video circulated on social media shows a shirtless man confronting security guards within Hue city’s Thai Hoa Palace. Photo: Facebook
Pakistan

Are you bored of horse racing? In Pakistan, they race bulls

In wild sport in eastern Punjab, racers stand on a small wooden platform behind two charging bulls, hanging onto ropes.

Volkswagen

200km/h VW Beetle restorations can put a sports car to shame

Old VW Beetles are rebuilt almost from scratch, and made much more powerful, in a German workshop, where they sell for some US$190,000.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement