Welfare U-turn means we are in 'better position', says Streeting

Meet Kevin Zhang, a former nail salon owner in Gloucester who’s now at the heart of a quiet but booming trend: small UK homes doubling as makeshift warehouses for Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu. His living room is piled high with parcels shipped from China, each destined for British shoppers who clicked "buy" on ultra-cheap apps. Zhang’s pivot from manicures to parcel forwarding highlights how these platforms rely on decentralized, family-run logistics to fuel their lightning-fast expansion—and why your next online bargain might start its journey in someone’s house.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky story about a guy with a living room full of packages. It’s a glimpse into the hidden machinery powering the breakneck growth of budget shopping apps. By tapping into informal networks of immigrant families (often with ties to China), these platforms cut costs and bypass traditional supply chains. But it also raises questions about labor conditions, tax oversight, and how sustainable this model really is—especially as regulators start paying attention. For shoppers, it explains why that £3 shirt showed up so fast; for workers like Zhang, it’s a risky but potentially lucrative side hustle in a tough economy.

China’s Shandong aircraft carrier strike group is making a rare visit to Hong Kong from July 3 to 7, celebrating the 28th anniversary of the city’s handover to Chinese rule. This is the first time in eight years that a PLA Navy carrier group has docked in Hong Kong, and the public will get a chance to tour not only the Shandong but also several accompanying warships, including the Zhanjiang destroyer and Yuncheng frigate. The Post breaks down how locals can snag tickets for this unique opportunity.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a routine port call—it’s a symbolic show of national pride and military advancement, timed to reinforce Hong Kong’s ties to mainland China. For locals, it’s a rare peek into China’s growing naval prowess, especially with the Shandong being a domestically built carrier. Whether you’re a military buff or just curious, it’s a big deal—and tickets will likely go fast.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged that the government’s decision to reverse planned cuts to disability benefits came after significant pushback from MPs, who flagged serious concerns about the impact. He now claims the policy shift puts the government in a "better position," suggesting a more sustainable approach to welfare reform.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic back-and-forth—real people’s livelihoods were at stake. The U-turn signals that public and political pressure can still sway policy, especially on hot-button issues like disability support. It’s a reminder that even small shifts in welfare rules can have big consequences for vulnerable groups.

Glastonbury Festival organizers are under scrutiny after rap acts Kneecap and Bob Vylan allegedly led chants calling for violence against Israel’s military during their sets. Police are now reviewing the comments to determine if any laws were broken. The festival claims the chants "crossed a line," sparking debates over free speech, artistic expression, and the boundaries of political messaging at major events.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a controversial moment at a gig—it taps into bigger tensions around how far performers can go with political statements, especially in highly charged conflicts like Israel-Palestine. With police involved, it could set a precedent for how festivals handle inflammatory rhetoric in the future, balancing artistic freedom against potential incitement. For fans, it’s a reminder that even music stages aren’t immune to real-world fallout.

Picture this: a group of humanoid robots awkwardly shuffling around a soccer field, tripping over themselves, and sometimes even face-planting mid-game. That’s exactly what happened at a 3v3 robot soccer tournament in Beijing—a chaotic but oddly charming spectacle that looked more like a kids’ soccer practice than a pro match. But don’t let the clumsiness fool you; this was actually a big step forward for AI-powered robots learning to move and interact in the real world.

Editor’s Note: Sure, it’s funny to watch robots flail around, but the real story here is progress. Getting robots to play soccer (even badly) means they’re learning coordination, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving—skills that could eventually help in everything from disaster response to household chores. It’s a reminder that even the messiest experiments can push technology forward.