This blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.Xia Baolong, Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs, and other leading officials kicked off National Security Education Day on Monday by addressing the opening ceremony of an event marking the 10th anniversary of a holistic approach to protecting the country’s safety.
Xia urged the city to focus on development and strengthen its unique advantages, while Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, who was among those addressing the ceremony, said Hong Kong must stay vigilant over national security risks. Read More...
Actress Avantika Vandanapu found herself as the subject of racist attacks from internet users. After unfounded rumors spread on the internet about Disney’s plans to make a live-action telling of the famous Rapunzel, and Avantika was said to be taking over the lead role. This unfurled a series of messages against the rumored casting, most of them fueled with racism against the Indian-origin actress.
What started the rumors? Fan accounts on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) sparked discussions over who they would like to see as Rapunzel in the live-action film. Read More...
And before the virus, a year of protests, arrests and tear gas. If there were ever a right time to visit a comedy club, this was it. I was determined, whatever the viral fates had in store, that they would not intervene before I had thoroughly embarrassed myself in public.Don’t take it too seriously. Don’t overthink itAndy Curtain, comedianI emerged from the restroom, uttered a few expletives and bounded on stage to drop my comedic gauntlet: “I was going to start by telling you all a joke about coronavirus. Read More...
