Koh Ewe

The low-budget Chinese animated film Niu Lai became an unexpected box-office hit after social media users mocked its poor animation and confusing plot. After earning only 7,705 yuan in its first 10 days, it surpassed 11.4 million yuan, prompting cinemas to add screenings. Supporters praise its apparently handmade production as an antidote to AI-generated online content, while some also connect its title to hopes for a rising Chinese stock market. State-owned Beijing News criticized cinemas for lowering standards and risking viewers’ trust by giving the film more screenings.

Torrential rain in South Korea’s Gyeongsang Province triggered a landslide that buried the first floor of an apartment building in Geoje, killing one person and injuring two others. Geoje recorded a record 124.5mm of rain in one hour and more than 400mm overnight, causing severe flooding, submerged vehicles and disruptions to tourism, transport and waste collection. The rainfall is part of a wider pattern of storms and flooding across East and Southeast Asia, with forecasters warning that a strong El Niño may contribute to a more intense typhoon season.

Torrential rain in South Korea’s Gyeongsang province triggered a landslide that buried the first floor of an apartment building in Geoje, killing one person and injuring two others. Geoje recorded 124.5mm of rain in one hour, the highest since records began in 1972, and more than 400mm overnight. Flooding disrupted transport, waste collection and tourism, while authorities urged residents to avoid driving and evacuate dangerous areas. The rainfall is part of a wider series of storms affecting East and Southeast Asia, with deadly flooding and infrastructure damage also reported in Japan, China and the Philippines.

BTS member V has revealed that he has experienced hearing loss in his right ear for about two and a half years, with hearing reportedly reduced to roughly 30% compared with his left ear. He said the condition worsened during his military service in South Korea and that he is now taking medication and attending regular hospital appointments. The disclosure came during BTS’s first world tour since all seven members completed their mandatory military service. Bandmate Jungkook also discussed a shin injury that could develop into a stress fracture, while the tour continues to cities including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Sydney and Hong Kong.

South Korean police raided Starbucks Korea's headquarters as part of a defamation investigation into its 'Tank Day' tumbler promotion, launched on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Critics viewed the tank reference and accompanying 'tak on the table!' slogan as insensitive allusions to military repression and the death of a student activist. Starbucks withdrew the promotion, apologised and closed stores for staff history lessons, while its operator Shinsegae Group said the connection had been accidental and dismissed the chief executive after sales declined. The controversy prompted a boycott, government and civic criticism, and intensified political conflict, with Starbucks cups later adopted by right-wing groups as symbols of opposition to President Lee Jae Myung's government.

Nirmal Purja, the British-Nepali mountaineer also known as Nims Dai, was among 10 climbers killed in an avalanche on Pakistan-administered Broad Peak. A former Gurkha and UK Special Forces soldier, he became famous for climbing all 14 of the world's eight-thousanders in six months and six days in 2019, a record later surpassed by Kristin Harila. His achievements were documented in 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, while his viral photograph of overcrowding on Everest prompted debate about summit traffic. Purja later founded a guiding and mountaineering apparel business and advocated for greater recognition of Nepali mountain guides. He also faced sexual misconduct allegations reported in 2024, which he denied.

Nirmal Purja, the British-Nepali mountaineer known as Nims Dai, died in an avalanche on Pakistan-administered Broad Peak after becoming one of the world's most recognized climbers. A former Gurkha and UK Special Forces soldier, he set a 2019 record by climbing all 14 eight-thousanders in six months and six days. His achievements earned him an MBE and inspired the documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible, while his viral photograph of overcrowding on Everest sparked debate about summit safety. Purja later founded a guiding company and mountaineering apparel brand and advocated for greater recognition of Nepali mountain guides. His career was also marked by sexual-assault allegations, which he denied.

The death toll from a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture has risen to 34 as rescuers continue searching collapsed buildings amid extreme heat and more than 100 aftershocks. About 9,000 displaced people are sheltering in evacuation centres, while more than 30,000 households remain without power. Temperatures may reach 39°C, raising serious heatstroke risks, particularly for elderly evacuees; authorities have arranged 300 air conditioners. Search teams are working at a damaged Aeon shopping centre, where an explosion likely caused by gas remains under investigation, and at a partially collapsed Nippon Paper factory where five people died and seven of 11 trapped workers were rescued.

Indonesia has banned two Dutch nationals from returning after they organised an unpermitted running event in Bali through the expatriate-focused group Entourage Bali. The group faced online accusations that Indonesian applicants were rejected while foreigners were accepted, allegations it attributed to errors in its automated approval system. Entourage Bali said Indonesians made up nearly a quarter of participants, paused its events and promised changes. The case has intensified concerns about foreign entitlement, exclusive expatriate communities and illegal commercial activity in Bali.

Chinese food delivery worker and poet Wang Jibing won the Lu Xun Literary Prize for Voo Rasante, a collection inspired by his experiences and interviews with around 200 delivery workers. Wang, who left school as a teenager and held various manual and temporary jobs, became known online after publishing poems and essays, including the viral poem Um Homem com Pressa. Despite the award and media attention, he plans to continue working as a delivery driver until age 60, saying the job keeps him grounded and fit. His recognition reflects a broader trend of Chinese workers and migrants gaining literary attention while documenting the pressures of the country’s expanding temporary and outsourced labor market.

Wang Jibing, a 56‑year‑old food delivery worker, won the Lu Xun Literary Prize for Low Flight, a poetry collection inspired by the experiences of delivery riders. His rise follows years of sharing poems and essays online and reflects a broader literary movement among China’s blue‑collar workers. Despite the recognition, he plans to continue his delivery job. The award highlights growing interest in worker‑authored literature, alongside other notable works by migrant and gig‑economy writers. Lu Xun’s legacy remains influential among younger Chinese readers.

Record European heatwaves have driven a surge in demand for air-conditioners, particularly the Chinese-made Midea PortaSplit, which has sold out across multiple countries due to its design that complies with strict European building regulations. Consumers describe the product as high‑quality and transformative in managing extreme temperatures, contributing to shifting perceptions of Chinese technology. Other Chinese manufacturers have also seen sharp sales increases, though the rise in air‑conditioning use raises environmental concerns. Authorities and health organizations stress a balanced approach to cooling as heatwaves intensify.

Europe’s record heatwaves have driven surging demand for the Chinese-made Midea PortaSplit air‑conditioner, which has sold out across several countries due to its compatibility with strict building regulations and ease of installation. Consumers in Germany, Austria and France describe it as highly effective, contributing to a broader shift in perceptions of Chinese technology. Other Chinese brands, including TCL and Gree, also report sharply rising sales. While environmental concerns about air‑conditioning persist, authorities such as the WHO note its necessity for vulnerable populations during extreme heat. Midea sees long‑term growth potential in Europe as the region adapts to increasingly severe summer temperatures.

A K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo plane with five crew members vanished off the coast of Karachi after reporting navigation issues and rapidly descending. Pakistani aviation authorities say navy and air force units have joined the search effort. Preliminary Flightradar24 data shows sharp altitude fluctuations before the plane disappeared. K2 Airways is cooperating with investigators, marking the most serious aviation incident in Pakistan since a fatal 2020 passenger‑flight crash.

Xie Na’s planned Beijing concert was cancelled after widespread online criticism of her singing ability, intensifying when state media suggested she was profit-seeking rather than pursuing artistic goals. The backlash reflects broader public resentment toward celebrities perceived as benefiting from unearned popularity amid rising economic pressures on Chinese youth. Analysts note that criticism of entertainers has become a safe outlet for frustrations about social inequality, while some argue that personal taste should not justify public humiliation or administrative intervention.

Officials attributed the Beijing skyscraper crash to the pilot’s personal struggles, citing chronic insomnia, anxiety, and diary entries about ending his life. The incident killed the pilot and injured 13 people, with one later discharged from hospital. Authorities described how the pilot deviated from his designated flight area before colliding with the CITIC Tower, prompting a temporary suspension of light aircraft operations. The aircraft was identified as a Sunward Aircraft Aurora SA60L, and the pilot had held sport and private pilot licences obtained in 2021 and 2024.