Chinese foodies pose as mourners to sample funeral home’s noodle dish

Foodies are reportedly posing as mourners just so they can taste a funeral home’s food, after their dishes went viral.

The home in southwestern China’s Guizhou province has unexpectedly become a hotspot after its canteen’s noodle dish was popularised on social media.

Erlong Funeral Home’s canteen is meant for grieving families, serving inexpensive but apparently delicious noodles.

People who want to sample the food, particularly a popular dish that comes topped with minced pork and peanuts, are resorting to deception as the venue is not open to the general public.

The craze started after a local blogger shared in February that his mother had taken him there for a meal, according to the South China Morning Post.

“At first, I was hesitant because it is quite far from downtown, but my mother was adamant,” one diner said. “After trying the rice noodles, I found them absolutely delicious.”

“Many people rave about our rice noodles because our chefs are exceptionally skilled,” a funeral home worker told the Post. “We use only fresh ingredients, our broth is simmered with pig bones for hours, and our chilli sauces come from a secret recipe.”

An employee at the canteen initially said despite the popularity they had no plans to open to the public. However, the BBC has since reported the funeral home would offer 50 bowls of the noodles to some members of the public at its premises, provided they did not disturb genuine mourners.

Videos showing the sought-after rice noodles and the long queues at the funeral home have amassed over five million views on a major Chinese social media platform.

“Their chefs could start a restaurant on their own, calling it Funeral Home Rice Noodles,” one user wrote on Xiaohongshu.

“My friend says the food at this funeral home is so good. The queue for food is longer than the queue to lay flowers for the deceased,” another said.

“I didn’t get to eat the noodles, because my friend’s mum didn’t know anyone who was holding a funeral service.”

The unexpected dining craze has sparked a flood of humorous reactions, with users joking about the irony of lining up for food at a place meant for mourning and reflecting on the fleeting nature of life over a bowl of noodles.

On Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, a user posted a photo of the dining hall’s tickets alongside an image of a crowd waiting in line for food. “I heard the noodles here were very good,” they wrote, according to the BBC. “I thought about how short life was and got another bowl.”

Punk band ‘forced by police’ to apologise for anti-corruption song

Indonesian police have been accused of ‘intimidating’ a punk rock bank after they took down an anti-corruption song from streaming platforms.

Sukatani, a punk rock duo from Central Java, issued an apology on social media last week for the song “Bayar, Bayar, Bayar” – ‘Pay, Pay, Pay’ – which called out alleged corruption in the Indonesian police.

Released in 2023, the song accused the police of taking bribes for issuing driving licences, freeing detainees from jail and conducting evictions. “Bayar, Bayar, Bayar” went viral this month and became an anthem of the student protesters who took to the streets against president Prabowo Subianto’s budget cuts and policies.

“We sincerely apologise to the chief of police and the police institution,” Muhammad Syifa Al Lufti, the band’s guitarist, said. “Actually, I created the song for police officers who violate the rules.”

He urged social media users to delete their recordings of the song and remove all videos featuring the lyrics.

Novi Citra Indriyati, the vocalist, said “if there is a risk in the future, it is no longer the responsibility of the Sukatani band”.

The song from the album Gelap Gempita was then removed from all streaming platforms, local media noted.

The apology and withdrawal of the song prompted a debate about freedom of expression in the country, with human rights groups and musicians condemning the alleged intimidation of the band.

Protesters in Bandung installed a large banner declaring “We are with Sukatani” and blasted the song in front of the city’s police headquarters, The South China Morning Post reported.

“Stay strong,” Soleh Solihun, a radio announcer and public figure said in the comment section under the video posted on the rock duo’s Instagram page.”

“Censorship in the midst of a band speaking out against police corruption,” music critic Anthony Fantano wrote, “NOT GOOD.”

The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association said: “It is strongly suspected that there are members of the Indonesian National Police who intimidated and forced them to apologise for the song ‘pay the police’.”

Usman Hamid, the Indonesia director for Amnesty International, said it would have been “impossible for the Sukatani group to make an apology video addressed to the chief of police and his staff” without pressure.

In the wake of the outrage, the Central Java Police launched an internal investigation against six officers for allegedly intimidating Sukatani to force them to retract their viral song.

“The officers are currently being questioned by investigators from the Internal Affairs Division. We will share the results of the investigation with the public once it is complete,” a police spokesperson said, according to The Jakarta Post.

Why is an Australian zoo asking public to donate deadly spiders?

An Australian zoo is urging the public to catch and donate the world’s deadliest spiders to support its lifesaving antivenom programme.

The Australian Reptile Park in Sydney says this has been a “very slow” funnel-web season so far but a spike in the numbers of the highly venomous spiders is expected in the coming months.

Due to the slow season, the park needs more male funnel-web spiders whose venom is essential for antivenom production.

Spider keeper Emma Teni said the zoo needs the public’s help “now more than ever”.

“We haven’t seen as many out and about and we’ve had fewer handed in for our lifesaving antivenom programme here at the Australian Reptile Park,” she was quoted as saying by local media.

“This autumn is predicted to have high humidity and higher rainfall, which is the perfect condition to have our funnel-web spiders wandering about.”

The male Sydney funnel-web spider is the world’s most venomous, but no deaths have occurred since the Australian Reptile Park’s antivenom programme began in 1981. The programme houses over 2,000 spiders, but only males are milked for their deadly yet lifesaving venom.

“They have this special toxin, which is absolutely deadly and vital for our life saving programme,” Ms Teni said.

The park provides safe collection guidelines and accepts spider egg sacs as well.

“Naturally, these spiders, once they reach maturity, only have a lifespan of about one year,” she said. “Plus, it takes about 50 to 200 milkings of funnel-web spiders to create one vial of antivenom.”

After being milked at the reptile park, funnel-web spider venom is frozen and sent to Seqiris in Melbourne, according to the park’s website. There, rabbits are gradually exposed to increasing amounts of venom over six months until they can tolerate six times the lethal dose. Their blood is then drawn and spun in a centrifuge to extract antibodies, which are used to produce the antivenom.

Funnel-web spiders are found across southeastern Australia, including Tasmania, but only certain species in eastern New South Wales and southeast Queensland are dangerous to humans.

The Sydney funnel-web spider, primarily found in the Sydney region, extending north to Newcastle and south to the Illawarra, is the only confirmed deadly species.

“Grab a smooth jar and a long-handled spoon, gently place a jar in front of the spider and encourage it to walk into the jar using the spoon,” Ms Teni said about collecting funnel web spiders.

“Place a little bit of moisture, either soil or a wet cotton bud, in the jar and safely secure the lid. “You can then drop that spider to us here at the Australian Reptile Park or one of our drop-off locations, which you can find on our website.”

Sydney nurse who threatened to ‘kill Israeli patients’ charged

A New South Wales nurse, suspended over a social media video in which she allegedly said she would refuse to treat and kill Israeli patients, has been charged by the police.

Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with the federal offences of threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill and using a carriage service to menace and harass, police said in a statement. The charges carried a potential maximum penalty of 22 years in prison.

Ms Lebdeh, who worked at the Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital in Sydney’s southwest, was arrested on Tuesday night.

Earlier, a video had surfaced in which she and colleague Ahmed Rashid Nadir allegedly made inflammatory remarks.

The nurses, wearing their uniforms, engaged in a conversation on video chat platform Chatruletka with Jewish content creator Max Veifer. In the footage, seemingly filmed inside the hospital and shared by Mr Veifer, Ms Lebdeh and Mr Nadir allegedly boasted about denying treatment to Israeli patients, killing them, and “condemning them to hell”. Both Ms Lebdeh and Mr Nadir were suspended pending an investigation.

Mr Nadir, who is undergoing medical treatment, has not been charged but remains under investigation, according to NSW Police.

Ms Lebdeh, a Condell Park resident, was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 19 March.

Authorities have found no evidence that patients were harmed, but NSW Health is continuing its investigation.

Earlier, it was reported that Mr Veifer had provided police with the video showing the two Sydney nurses allegedly boasting about killing Israeli patients. Officers from Strike Force Pearl were in contact with Mr Veifer, who was cooperating with the investigation, local media said.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the case was “not straight forward” while health minister Ryan Park stated there was no indication patients were adversely affected.

“Given the nature of this offending, where we had two people here in NSW and the recording made overseas. It’s been a complex investigation given the nature of, we’re talking across borders,” Ms Webb said.

“[There] has been a lot of work by investigators and support from overseas jurisdictions to get the statement from the influencer and have it converted to English and have it admissible in court.”

“She is on very, very strict bail conditions, namely prohibiting her from going to a point of departure from Australia, but more importantly, banned from using social media,” Commissioner Webb said.

The footage had earlier sparked public outcry and condemnation from officials, including prime minister Anthony Albanese who called it “vile” and “disgusting”.

Mr Nadir previously told reporters the incident was a “big mistake”, calling the remarks a joke that went too far and apologising for any offence caused.

Australia has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents, including an alleged bomb plot and arson attacks on synagogues. Advocacy groups report an increase in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, triggering the war in Gaza.

Radio host fired for saying women footballers have ‘friendship issues’

An Australian radio station has parted ways with a presenter after comments he made about the Matildas and women’s football were condemned as “disgusting” and misogynistic.

Marty Sheargold, a broadcaster and comedian, was met with outrage after he compared the Australian side to schoolgirls with “infighting” and “friendship issues”.

Sheargold went on to ask his co-hosts if they had any “men’s sport” to talk about after a discussion about Australia’s defeat to the United States in the SheBelieves Cup on Monday.

“There’s something wrong with the Matildas. They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters,” Sheargold said, referring to the 2023 World Cup where Australia reached the semi-finals on home soil.

Rosie Malone, who played field hockey for Australia, posted an edited version of Sheargold’s comments on social media, describing them as “disgusting” and “horrendous”.

“It’s 2025 and something like this is being aired on prime-time radio,” she posted. “I heard this on the radio yesterday – on the way to training and all I could think about was the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, maybe on the way to or from their own training sessions hearing this.

“I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused. I was in disbelief.”

Matildas players Alex Chidiac and Clare Wheeler responded to Malone’s Instagram post, with Chidiac saying she was “so sick”” of such commentary and Wheeler saying, “Sport is for everyone and these views are for no one.”

Southern Cross Austereo, the parent company of Triple M, announced on Wednesday that they had mutually parted ways with Sheargold.

“Triple M and Marty Sheargold have mutually agreed to part ways,” a statement said. “Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience.

“Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff.

“A new Drive show will be announced in due course. Triple M acknowledges Marty’s contribution over the past four years, and we wish him well for the future.”

Beau Busch, the chief executive of Professional Footballers Australia, said that Sheargold’s remarks were “disgusting, pathetic and deeply misogynistic”.

He added: “The Matildas have inspired countless Australians as players and fans. To diminish their achievements – or women’s sport more broadly – is not just insulting but shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the importance of our sport in this country.”

The 53-year-old Sheargold has apologised. “Having mutually agreed to part ways with the Triple M Network, I fully understand the gravity of my comments.

“I’d like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in.”

Additional reporting by AP

At least 18 killed after tour bus falls into ditch in Thailand

At least 18 people died and 23 were injured after a tour bus overturned and fell into a ditch in eastern Thailand on Wednesday.

The accident happened at 4am in the morning when the double-decker bus was descending at the Khao San Pu Tone mountain in Prachinburi province and the brakes failed, the police said.

The bus was carrying 49 passengers, including the driver, on an educational field trip.

“It was a downhill road and the brakes failed, and the driver lost control of the vehicle before it overturned,” said Colonel Sophon Phramaneehe, adding that those who died were adults on a study trip.

Visuals of the accident showed a bus lying on its side in a ditch on the roadside as rescue and medical workers arrived at the scene and helped victims near the bus with its undercarriage exposed.

Those injured were rushed to a nearby hospital to receive treatment.

Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences to the victims’ families and said an investigation was taking place.

“If it is found that there is a violation of the use of vehicles that do not meet the standards or are involved in reckless use of vehicles, legal action will be taken,” she said in a post on X.

“Inspection of vehicles must be safe and pass the specified standards before they are put into use to prevent accidents and reduce losses like this again,” she said.

A passenger reportedly said that some of them were sleeping and woke up due to the impact of the accident, causing many people to be thrown into different directions.

Na Di district chief Somjai Phutthasena said some of those hospitalised with serious injuries might not survive.

Road accidents and fatalities are common in Thailand due to weak enforcement of vehicle safety standards and poorly maintained roads. The Southeast Asian nation ranked ninth out of 175 World Health Organisation member countries for road traffic deaths, according to its 2023 report.

Last year, a school bus caught fire due to a gas cylinder leak, killing 23 people, including 16 students.

Briton arrested in Thailand after overstaying 30-day visa by 25 years

A Briton has been arrested in Thailand after overstaying his 30-day visa by more than 25 years.

The man, who is now 60 years old, arrived in Thailand on a short-term tourist visa on 9 January 2000, before evading Thai authorities for the following 25 years. Thai police said it was a “record” visa overstay, smashing the previous record of a Pakistani man who overstayed his visa by 10 years, according to AFP news agency.

On Monday, the unidentified man was arrested by the immigration division in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand’s largest city, where he had lived for the past 12 years, a Facebook post from the city’s immigration authorities read.

During his first 13 years in Bangkok, the man built a life with a Thai woman with whom he has a child, police said. They moved to Chiang Mai 12 years ago for economic reasons, but the man does not have a job and lives off money from his family in Britain, police said.

He avoided arrest by Thai authorities for 9,135 days before his arrest – but will now be deported back to the United Kingdom as part of a crackdown by immigration police. His name is being withheld as police look into how he was able to stay for so long in the country.

The man confessed that he did not apply for an extension of his visa after his first permit arrived, the post said. But he successfully applied for a renewed passport in 2018, police said.

“The individual was taken to the investigation officer at Chiang Mai City Police Station for legal proceedings and awaiting deportation back to the country of origin,” a post on the Chiang Mai Immigration Facebook page said.

He has been charged with “being a foreigner who entered and stayed in the Kingdom after the permit expired”.

Police in Chiang Mai found the man while inspecting locations in the city at risk of hosting foreigners without legal permits in the country.

The northern city where he was caught is the second largest city in Thailand, with a population of around 1.2 million people.

50 schools across Asian country to shut down amid birth rate crisis

South Korea’s rapidly worsening birth rate crisis continues as nearly 50 schools across the country are set to close in 2025 because there are not enough students.

According to data from the education ministry, 49 elementary, middle and high schools in 17 cities and provinces will shut down in 2025. Of the 49, 38 are elementary schools, while eight middle schools and three high schools are shutting down, reported The Korea Herald.

The data has also shown that 88 per cent of the schools that are shutting down are in rural areas, which has led to major concerns about the education gap between the capital Seoul and other provinces across South Korea.

The number of schools closing down due to student shortages has been steadily increasing, going from 22 in 2023 to 33 in 2024.

South Korea has been grappling with declining birth rate, among the lowest in the world, for a few years, with data from December 2024 showing that people aged 65 and above made up about 20 per cent of the East Asian nation’s total population of 51.22 million.

The government has called the demographic crisis a “national emergency” and taken steps to address it, ranging from offering financial incentives and childcare support to devising broader policies aimed at improving work-life balance, though none have made a significant difference.

South Korea’s total fertility rate – the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime – has been steadily declining since 2015. It fell below one child per woman for the first time in 2018, hitting 0.98, and dropped further to a historic low of 0.72 in 2023.

Experts have repeatedly warned that without sustained progress, South Korea’s population could shrink by half by 2100, exacerbating existing social and economic challenges.

The crisis is particularly evident in educational institutions, as schools and universities have resorted to merging existing majors or introducing new departments in an effort to entice more enrolments.

The data showed that 42 schools across North Gyeongsang Province, located in eastern South Korea, will have no first grade students enrolling come March. In similar situations are the provinces of South Jeolla, North Jeolla, and Gangwon, which will see 32, 25, and 21 schools with no new students.

Even though Seoul is seeing no school closures, the low number of incoming students is still a cause for concern. Marking a 9.3 per cent decrease from last year, only 53,956 children are set to enrol in elementary schools in Seoul this year, according to data from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

A report in Korea JoongAng Daily states that the Jungang Elementary School in Gwangju, which saw anywhere between 800-900 new students annually between 1975-1980, only has 23 students this year.

With schools shutting down, the buildings are being turned into offices for trade unions, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and even senior welfare housing.

“With the decline in the school-age population, more schools will inevitably close. Instead of leaving them abandoned, we need to maximise their use as community assets based on residents’ needs,” said Lee Hyo-won, a Seoul city councillor from the People Power Party.

Students and professors from the sociology department at Daegu University organised a funeral-themed memorial in November 2024 after it was announced that the department would not be accepting new students from 2025, according to The Korea Times. Funeral wreaths, a common practice in Korea, were sent from other major universities to mark the closure of the 45-year-old department.

Only 14 students enrolled for the sociology degree, falling way below the capacity of 31 students.

“The decline in the number of first-graders is something that doesn’t happen in a day. It was an apparent problem that could be predicted in 2017 when the number of newborns plummeted,” Professor Cho Young-tae, head of the Population Policy Research Centre at Seoul National University, told The Korea Herald.

“This is not just a single ‘birth rate’ issue. The system of education will implode with the current rate of decline in birth rate and the number of children being born every year.

“There will be a domino effect, everything is connected.”