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‘Obvious abuse’: backlash grows against Japan festival after horse euthanised
‘Obvious abuse’: backlash grows against Japan festival after horse euthanised
  • Rights activists have hit out at the annual ‘Rising Horse’ festival in Mie prefecture after a former racehorse broke its leg and was put down
  • The two-day event sees the animals forced to run up a steep hill and clear a two-metre high ‘wall’ while being yelled at and thrashed by spectators
4 Jul 2023 - 9:37AM
“Ageuma Shinji” (or Rising Horse) festival in the city of Kuwana. Photo: Twitter/@kuwana_City
Japan

‘Obvious abuse’: backlash grows against Japan festival after horse euthanised

4 Jul 2023 - 9:37AM
  • Rights activists have hit out at the annual ‘Rising Horse’ festival in Mie prefecture after a former racehorse broke its leg and was put down
  • The two-day event sees the animals forced to run up a steep hill and clear a two-metre high ‘wall’ while being yelled at and thrashed by spectators
Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) and Law Minister K Shanmugam are seen in this composite picture. Photo: dpa, SCMP

Singapore PM Lee says ministers retain his ‘full confidence’ after rental probe

PM Lee says he is fully satisfied with the findings showing ministers Vivian Balakrishnan and K. Shanmugam had done nothing wrong in leasing the two state-owned bungalows.

3 Jul 2023 - 9:38PM
A truck carries iron ore at a mine in Western Australia. Iron ore is a key Australian export to China. File photo: Reuters

Australia’s resource exports to decline amid weaker Chinese demand: report

Australia’s resources exports and mining sector are heavily reliant on Chinese demand, with record export earnings set to fall to US$230 billion in 2024-25.

3 Jul 2023 - 5:30PM
Nato has said it will upgrade ties and deepen collaboration with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Photo: AFP

Eyes on China? Why some Asian nations ‘privately welcome’ Nato’s regional move

As Nato upgrades its ties with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, the wider region is ‘generally happy’ to have Western powers’ support to help balance China’s influence, observers say – despite lingering concerns about security initiatives.

3 Jul 2023 - 9:30AM
Taylor Swift performs during her Eras Tour in Chicago on June 2. The US singer-songwriter has made Singapore her only Southeast Asian stop for the tour in 2024. Photo: Chicago Tribune/TNS

Singapore basks in concert hub status after scoring Coldplay, Taylor Swift gigs

The city state’s stability, location and world-class infrastructure help draw top stars to its shores. But tickets can be hard to find, and overnight stays aren’t cheap.

3 Jul 2023 - 7:57AM
OPINION
Tom Hussain
1 Jul 2023 - 10:30AM
Josh Ball
1 Jul 2023 - 10:30AM
Biman Mukherji
30 Jun 2023 - 10:30AM
Alessandro Arduino
27 Jun 2023 - 2:58PM

Malaysia

‘Crossing the line’: Jocelyn Chia saga shows limits of Asia’s sense of humour
‘Crossing the line’: Jocelyn Chia saga shows limits of Asia’s sense of humour
  • The US-born comic is capitalising on a wave of infamy with an upcoming TV show, after angering Malaysia over a gag about missing flight MH370
  • From India to Singapore, some comics say the humour business is increasingly risky, as the line separating ‘offensive’ and ‘illegal’ becomes blurred
29 Jun 2023 - 12:37PM

Malaysia

Singapore-raised Jocelyn Chia’s gag aimed a dart into the hypersensitivities of politics, nationalism and identity between Singapore and neighbouring Malaysia. Photo: Kelly Ng

‘Crossing the line’: Jocelyn Chia saga shows limits of Asia’s sense of humour

From India to Singapore, some comics say the business of humour is an increasingly risky one, as the line separating ‘offensive’ and ‘illegal’ becomes blurred.

29 Jun 2023 - 12:37PM

Blind singer who wowed Simon Cowell gives hope to Indonesians with music dreams

She won Indonesia’s Got Talent at age 8. Now, Putri Ariani is seeking to dominate the US version of the show, having already wowed Simon Cowell.

24 Jun 2023 - 12:00PM

‘I come here to be myself’: fetish parties never a drag at Tokyo’s Department H

Department H is a monthly fetish event at the Tokyo Kinema Club, with themes ranging from April Fool’s Day and sumo wrestling to ‘June brides’.

18 Jun 2023 - 12:00PM
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