Latest news with #SCMP
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Love-seeking Thai women visit breast-shaped island, offering bras as thanks if wishes granted
BEIJING (SCMP): People are flocking to an island in Thailand that is shaped like a woman's chest to pray for romantic luck. The unusual ritual takes place on Koh Nom Sao, or Breast Milk Island, in Prachuap Khiri Khan province in the west of the country. The island is just a 10-minute boat ride from the mainland and so-called worshippers often arrive bearing bras as symbolic offerings of gratitude. The origins of the ritual stem from a tragic legend involving a beautiful young woman called Yomdoy. Her father wanted to secure Yomdoy's marriage to a Chinese ruler, while her mother preferred she marry a prince from Phetchaburi province in central Thailand. In a violent outburst, the father killed Yomdoy and cast her body into the sea. According to the tale, one of her breasts became the sacred Koh Nom Sao, while the other formed a twin island in Chanthaburi province in eastern Thailand. The breast-shaped islands are just a 10-minute boat ride from mainland Thailand. Photo: handout About 80 years ago, a fisherman seeking refuge from a storm reported seeing a mysterious glowing light above the island. This was believed to be the spirit of the goddess Yomdoy. A shrine was built in her honour, and over time, the practice of offering bras to symbolise intimate hopes, particularly in love and relationships, has taken root. Sumate Charoensuk, head of the Corporate Social Responsibility committee for Sam Roi Yot Sub-district, told that miracles attributed to the goddess have long been widely recognised in the local community. Each year, Koh Nom Sao attracts a steady stream of devotees, particularly those seeking blessings for love and romance. Sumate said the tradition also serves a practical purpose as the donated bras are carefully sorted and distributed to local women's groups and communities in need. He encouraged domestic and international tourists to visit the island. 'Travellers cannot only immerse themselves in the island's unique cultural and spiritual practices but also enjoy its breathtaking natural scenery and renowned diving spots,' Sumate said. The unusual tradition has attracted much attention online. 'I need to make a pilgrimage and pay my respects, please give me the address! I would love to go sightseeing while I am there,' said one person. 'True love and happiness are created by ourselves, not just by praying to a goddess. It is more important to seize the present than to chase after something illusory,' wrote another. - South China Morning Post
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
United States of Israel's war on Iran endangers the whole world
SCMP managing editor Yonden Lhatoo warns that the US and Israel are risking Armageddon with their latest war in the Middle East.
Asia Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Asia Times
China's J-35A courting buyers barred from US F-35s
China's stealthy new J-35 fighter isn't just a plane. It is a signal to US allies and others that China is prepared to arm those frustrated by US delays and conditions attached to its military aircraft deliveries. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China unveiled a scale model of its latest fifth-generation fighter, the J-35A, at the 55th Paris Air Show. The exhibition, organized by China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), marked the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation-developed fighter's first overseas appearance and comes amid a strategic Chinese push for more overseas arms sales. First flown in September 2023 and initially designed for carrier operations, the J-35A is positioned as China's second fifth-generation jet after the export-restricted J-20. CATIC has reportedly offered 40 units to Pakistan, which, if concluded, would potentially be the platform's first foreign sale. Alongside the J-35A, CATIC promoted the 4.5-generation J-10CE, which is already operational in Pakistan and was reportedly employed in May during India's Operation Sindoor, where it downed at least two Indian-flown Rafale fighters. China's JF-17, jointly developed with Pakistan and used by Azerbaijan, Myanmar and Nigeria, was also on display at the Paris Air Show. The air power showcase highlights China's intention to capitalize on geopolitical rifts and defense partnerships to expand its fighter exports, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East, amid growing demand for advanced, cost-competitive combat platforms outside NATO-aligned spheres. Saudi Arabia is a case in point. Unable to acquire the US-made F-35 and wary of American conditions attached to aircraft sales, Riyadh may view China's J-35 as an appealing hedge amid growing doubts about the US's long-term commitment to Gulf security. The US has refused to sell its top-of-the-line F-35 fighter to Saudi Arabia, given Washington's legal obligation to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge (QME) in the region. Guy McCardle reports in a December 2024 SOFREP article that the US refuses to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia due to deep concerns over technology security and geopolitical alignment. At stake, he writes, is the F-35's proprietary software, which includes the source code that remains US-controlled, leaving Saudi Arabia dependent on the US for upgrades and operational sovereignty. He also warns that integrating the F-35 with Chinese-made Saudi air defenses could compromise the jet's stealth and intelligence-sharing capabilities. While Saudi Arabia has sought participation in the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), slated to enter service in 2035, development delays in the program could raise questions of why Saudi Arabia should wait that long when the J-35 already exists. Saudi Arabia may thus consider the J-35 as part of a broader hedge between the US and China. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Saudi Arabia was the largest buyer of US weapons, accounting for 12% of US arms sales in 2024. Ghulam Ali, writing in China-US Focus, observes that 70–80% of Saudi Arabia's arms come from the US, a dependency that aligns with both countries' interests, albeit at a cost. He explains that US weapons are expensive, technology-sharing is limited and terms are subject to political shifts every four years. Crucially, he notes that these arms often come with political strings attached, which restrict their use in certain theaters. Elizabeth Dent and Grant Rumley, writing in a September 2024 article for Defense One, recount how the US suspended offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in 2021 with the condition that their resumption would be contingent upon the latter's compliance with international humanitarian norms and progress in ending the war in Yemen. They note that Saudi Arabia responded by halting its air campaign, participating in UN-led peace negotiations and committing to training aimed at reducing civilian harm. Dent and Rumley argue that the US leveraged Saudi Arabia's dependence on F-15s and Patriot missile systems to exert political pressure, demonstrating that US arms sales are not unconditional but tools of policy influence. That US move may have impressed upon Saudi military planners the need for alternative suppliers whose arms come without political conditions. Fuad Shahbazov writes in the Gulf International Forum that China quickly moved to capitalize on Saudi Arabia's dissatisfaction with the US, offering advanced drones and ballistic missile systems — weapons that the US is either unable or unwilling to provide, while also partnering with Saudi Arabia's emerging arms industry. Still, he cautions, China cannot replace the US as Saudi Arabia's primary security guarantor. He notes that although Saudi Arabia has looked to China to influence Iran to stop Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, China is reluctant to get entangled in a larger Middle East conflict and is careful not to damage its close relations with Iran. However, US arms exports to Saudi Arabia may not assuage Riyadh's fear of abandonment when faced with internal unrest or an Iran determined to retaliate with proxies, drones, missiles or even potential nuclear weapons, should its regime survive the ongoing conflict with Israel. Oliver John, writing in a June 2025 report for the Gulf International Forum, argues that the memory of the US abandoning Egypt's Hosni Mubarak during the 2011 Arab Spring protests gives a sense of insecurity to the Saudi regime. He observes that Gulf leaders increasingly interpret the US 'Pivot to Asia' as a strategic retreat from the Middle East, a view reinforced by the US drive for energy independence. John adds that although the Trump administration courted Saudi Arabia in 2019, its failure to respond to Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure that same year deepened doubts across the Gulf about the credibility of US security guarantees. Ultimately, the importance of Saudi Arabia's defense choices lies not in whether it purchases from the US or China but in how it utilizes those tools to influence its regional diplomacy with Iran, Israel and other regional players.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Video: Chinese student walks home with bags on bamboo pole after crucial exam, impresses internet
A heartwarming video of a Chinese secondary schoolgirl walking home after completing her exam, carrying her belongings on a bamboo pole, has gone viral on Chinese social media—earning widespread admiration and support across the country. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the video was filmed outside Guanyang County No. 2 Senior High School in Guilin, Guangxi province, southern China, shortly after the girl, surnamed Liu, finished the Gaokao—China's highly competitive college entrance examination. (Also read: Chinese woman stabbed 22 times in violent ambush, breast implants deflect fatal blows) The footage shows Liu dressed in modest clothing, balancing two large, overstuffed bags on either end of a bamboo pole as she quietly makes her way home. Watch the clip here: Clarifying the viral moment, Liu said the bags were filled with quilts. 'I get cold easily, so I brought three thick quilts to school,' she explained. She added that her mother was indeed with her, although not in the frame: 'I was walking ahead with the pole carrying quilts and daily necessities, while my mum followed behind with a suitcase; that's why she wasn't caught on camera.' Her head teacher, surnamed Chen, described Liu as a diligent student from a rural background. 'She has a strong work ethic and always takes the initiative. Whatever she commits to doing, she sees it through. She's very capable,' he said. The video has struck a chord with viewers nationwide. A teahouse owner in Chengdu, Zhang, told SCMP he was moved by her perseverance and would be 'delighted to offer her a summer job' helping with cleaning or preparing tea. Luo, a retired professor from Wuhan University, expressed a desire to sponsor her future education. 'I see my younger self in her. Now that I have the means, I want to support her, but I haven't been able to reach her,' he said, adding that he had left comments across platforms in hopes of contacting her. Despite the generous offers, Liu has gracefully declined all financial help. 'With my father and brother working away from home, it's just my mum and me. She's getting older, so I don't want to go too far. I plan to find a summer job nearby.' She added, 'Some families may favour sons over daughters, but in my family, everything is fair – sometimes my parents even spoil me more, which makes my brother a little jealous. We may not have flowers, but being together is our bouquet.' According to SCMP, Liu plans to run a small stall selling liangfen (cold jelly noodles) over the summer. She hopes to study education and become a teacher one day.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Why Japan's most celebrated airport is slowly sinking into the sea
Japan's Kansai International Airport (KIX), celebrated for its architecture, efficiency and precision baggage handling, is now fighting a far less glamorous battle—against nature itself. Built on a sprawling man-made island in Osaka Bay, the engineering marvel is slowly but steadily sinking into the clay bed it stands on, raising urgent questions about its long-term future and the viability of such ambitious offshore infrastructure. Inaugurated in 1994, KIX was once touted as a triumph of Japanese engineering. It was envisioned as a solution to congestion at Osaka's older airport and has since become a bustling international hub, linking over 30 million passengers to 91 cities across 25 countries. But three decades later, gravity and geology are proving to be formidable foes. The airport's original island has sunk 12.5 feet since opening. The second island, added during expansion, has fared worse, descending a staggering 57 feet since landfill work began. Last year alone, 21 cm of subsidence was recorded at 54 points on this newer island, South China Morning Post reported. The operator, Kansai Airports, insists that a degree of settlement was always expected and that recent measurements show the rate of sinking is slowing. 'It is sinking by less than 10cm (4 inches) a year now, but that is slowing and manageable,' said Hiroo Ichikawa, professor emeritus of urban planning and policy at Meiji University, SCMP reported. He acknowledged that while some missteps were made—like building critical infrastructure underground, which proved disastrous during a typhoon—engineers are now better prepared. The vulnerability of the site was dramatically exposed in 2018 when Typhoon Jebi, the strongest storm to hit Japan in 25 years, forced the complete shutdown of KIX. A storm surge swamped the airport, cutting power, flooding the basement-level disaster response centre and electric substation, and leaving 5,000 people stranded without power for over 24 hours. The project, constructed atop 20 metres of soft alluvial clay, was always a gamble. Despite using 2.2 million vertical pipe drains and massive landfill (including 200 million cubic metres of debris and 48,000 tetrapods) to stabilise the ground, the clay has compressed more than predicted. Over $150 million has since been spent raising sea walls around the islands to counter the threat of encroaching water. But not all experts are raising the alarm. Ichikawa called the project a 'valuable learning experience' and said similar airports, like Chubu Centrair near Nagoya, have benefited from the lessons learned at KIX. Opened in 2005 and smaller in scale, Centrair has experienced significantly less subsidence and was named the world's best regional airport for the 11th consecutive year in 2025 by Skytrax. 'The effect of sinking was taken into consideration in the design,' Ichikawa noted, SCMP reported. 'Engineers are constantly monitoring conditions at KIX and are working to limit the subsidence, but nothing is impossible and it really is just a question of cost.'
