18 dead, 23 missing as tourist boat capsizes during Vietnam thunderstorm

South Africa is scrambling to boost trade with China after the US slapped a steep 30% tariff on its exports starting August 1. A top-level team led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile just wrapped up a week in Beijing, pitching Chinese investors on everything from electric vehicles to medicine. The goal? To shift away from relying so much on raw material exports and close the gap in what China buys from them versus what South Africa imports.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about dodging US tariffs—it’s a long-term play. South Africa’s economy has been stuck in a cycle of shipping out minerals and buying back finished goods, which keeps profits thin. By pushing into higher-value exports like pharmaceuticals and green tech, they’re trying to future-proof their trade relationships. But China’s no easy market to crack, especially when everyone’s eyeing it as an alternative to shaky Western demand.

A 15-year-old girl in China, nicknamed Qiqi, became an overnight sensation after an influencer’s video of her went viral—mostly because she bears a striking resemblance to Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung. But the spotlight quickly turned sour when netizens started questioning her family’s alleged preference for sons over daughters, sparking a heated debate about gender bias in Chinese households.

Editor’s Note: While Qiqi’s fame initially seemed like a feel-good story, it unearthed deeper societal tensions. The backlash against her family highlights how ingrained gender expectations still are in some parts of China, even as the country grapples with shifting attitudes. It’s a reminder that viral moments can sometimes reveal uncomfortable truths.

Heavy rains in South Korea have triggered devastating floods and landslides, killing at least 14 people so far. The destruction is widespread—roads are wiped out, buildings are underwater, and farmland has been ruined. Authorities warn the death toll could climb as rescue efforts continue.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another weather report—it’s a humanitarian crisis unfolding in real time. Floods and landslides don’t just damage infrastructure; they upend lives, destroy livelihoods, and strain emergency response systems. With climate change intensifying extreme weather, stories like this are becoming tragically common, underscoring the urgent need for better disaster preparedness and resilience. South Korea’s situation is a stark reminder of how vulnerable communities are to nature’s fury.

Torrential rains in South Korea’s Sancheong county have led to devastating landslides and floods, claiming at least 14 lives. The region has seen unusually heavy rainfall over the past five days, overwhelming the area and causing catastrophic damage. Rescue efforts are underway, but the toll is expected to rise as authorities assess the full impact.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another weather report—it’s a tragic reminder of how extreme rainfall can quickly turn deadly, especially in vulnerable regions. Landslides are particularly destructive, wiping out homes and roads in seconds. With climate change fueling more erratic weather, stories like this underscore the urgent need for better disaster preparedness, not just in South Korea but globally. The human cost here is heartbreaking, and recovery will be a long, hard road.

A cluster of strong earthquakes—including a major 7.4 magnitude one—hit Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula, shaking the region and sparking a tsunami alert. Authorities warned of dangerous waves within 300 km of the epicenter near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, putting coastal communities on edge.

Editor’s Note: Earthquakes in this seismically active region aren’t uncommon, but a 7.4 magnitude quake is serious business—especially when it comes with tsunami risks. While Kamchatka is sparsely populated, the alert underscores how quickly these events can threaten lives and infrastructure. It’s also a reminder of how vulnerable coastal areas are, even in remote corners of the world.