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The Star
7 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
Malaysiakini
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
MCMC's phone data grab is not harmless
COMMENT | In 2018 and again in 2022, Malaysians voted for reform, demanding greater transparency, democratic rights, and a government that listens. That is why the public backlash to recent revelations about the MCMC mobile data request has been swift and entirely justified. According to local and international media reports, such as The Edge and South China Morning Post, MCMC issued directives to five major telcos requesting mobile phone metadata for the first quarter of 2025. The fields listed include anonymised user IDs (MSISDN), precise date and time stamps, base station identifiers, GPS coordinates, data type (calls or internet), service type (2G - 5G) and mobile country code. On paper, names or identity card (IC) numbers were excluded, but in practice, metadata is never truly anonymous.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alibaba's (BABA) New Qwen3 AI Models Now Compatible With Apple Devices
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the . On June 17, South China Morning Post reported that the company updated its Qwen3 family of artificial intelligence (AI) models that could signal the potential roll-out in China of machine-learning technology on a range of Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. Alibaba announced the launch of new Qwen3 artificial intelligence models for Apple's MLX architecture, announcing in a post on Wechat that the models will be able to run on a range of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Mac. A busy sidewalk filled with people using Apple devices like iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches. The MLX framework is designed to be user-friendly and efficient in training and deploying AI models on Apple's silicon hardware. Through this development, Apple is aiming to expand the availability of its Apple Intelligence suite to China. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is an internet giant that offers e-commerce services in China and internationally. While we acknowledge the potential of BABA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Mint
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Greta Thunberg, once mocked in China as ‘naive white leftist', suddenly becomes popular on social media; here's why
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, once mocked in China, is now getting unexpected support from Chinese social media users. This change came after she had tried to sail to Gaza with 11 others to break Israel's blockade and deliver aid. Israeli forces stopped the boat and deported her back to Europe. Her move was followed closely in China. Greta Thunberg, 22, was once criticised on Chinese social media as a 'naive white leftist'. She is now being praised for her Gaza support. Many praised her courage and support for Palestine, saying she risked her life for her beliefs. One user on Weibo has said they used to laugh at her earlier activism but now respect her for standing firm on the Gaza issue. 'Although we oppose this 'young girl' on many issues, we support what she is doing now on the Gaza issue,' the South China Morning Post quoted one user as posting on Weibo. 'She truly practices what she preaches. She even risked her life to go to Gaza. Respect. I hope she stays safe,' a user said. Weibo's AI tracker confirms this change, saying she's seen as someone who truly acts on her beliefs. Other platforms like Douyin and Bilibili also show more support for her. Earlier, Thunberg faced backlash in China for criticising its environmental and human rights policies. State-run media had called her a 'tool of Western politics' and told her to focus only on climate issues. Experts say this shift is not just about Thunberg but reflects growing support for Palestine and rising anti-Israel feelings in China. According to a Hong Kong professor, many Chinese people now support Thunberg because she shares Beijing's view on Gaza. So, it's politics, not climate, which seems to be shaping opinions about her in China right now. 'It is simply because anti-American sentiment has been on the rise among Chinese netizens in recent years, leading to a significant decline in their evaluation of Israel,' SCMP quoted Yan Zhihua as saying.
Asia Times
17 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.
