The latest news of the day, continuously updated 24h. From official news sources such as CNN, BBC, VOA, Inside Science,...

Hong Kong singer Steven Cheung and his wife Au Yin Man are facing serious financial struggles, including being unable to pay their HK$15,000 (US$1,911) monthly rent. The couple recently received a lease termination notice, and Au expressed her emotional exhaustion on social media, describing their situation as "exhausted, powerless to resolve."

Cheung, 40, revealed their family's monthly expenses exceed HK$30,000 and has taken on various odd jobs in recent years—such as food delivery, construction, and distributing fliers—to support his family of six. Last month, he made a public plea for urgent financial help on Instagram.

Cheung gained fame in 2003 as part of the boy band Boy'z (later Sun Boy'z), but after the group's disbandment in 2008, his acting career failed to gain traction. His public image suffered further in 2019 after a cheating scandal involving four women, which has since limited his performance opportunities. The couple married that same year and have been struggling financially ever since.

From July 31 to August 3, Sunway Big Box Retail Park in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, will host an all-you-can-eat durian buffet for RM98 (US$23) per person. The event features unlimited access to top-tier durian varieties like Musang King, Black Thorn, and Red Prawn, sourced from one of Johor's largest orchards.

The buffet runs daily from noon to 10 p.m., with no need for pre-registration or tickets—guests can simply pay on-site. Known as the “king of fruits,” durian is a beloved part of Malaysian culture, especially during its peak season from June to September.

Russian MMA fighter Anastasia Luchkina is facing backlash after a video showed her giving a vape to an endangered orangutan named Dana at Taigan Safari Park in Crimea. In the clip, Luchkina is seen puffing from her e-cigarette and then handing it to the orangutan, who vapes and exhales smoke. The incident, widely shared on social media, has sparked accusations of animal abuse.

Animal rights groups, including PETA UK, strongly condemned Luchkina's actions, with Vice President Mimi Bekhechi criticizing her insensitivity. Following the incident, Dana became ill—reportedly refusing food, showing no interest in interaction, and lying motionless. There are concerns the orangutan may have ingested part of the vape's nicotine core.

Veterinarians are closely monitoring Dana's condition. As an endangered species listed on the IUCN Red List, Dana's wellbeing has become a major concern. Luchkina may face penalties and a possible ban from the safari park, with growing public calls for further disciplinary action, including suspension from MMA competitions.

Vietnam is projected to face increasingly extreme heat due to climate change, with experts warning of up to 50 days each year exceeding 40°C by 2050. At a July 2 climate workshop, the U.K. Met Office stated that the country's maximum temperatures may rise by 3°C, with summer months (June–August) seeing increases of up to 3.5°C. Southern regions could experience around 80 days annually above 30°C.

In addition to heat, Vietnam is expected to face more intense rainfall events—about 15 per year with over 100 mm falling within three days. However, overall rainy days are likely to decrease, leading to prolonged droughts, especially in southern areas.

Vu Van Thang from Vietnam's Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change noted that average annual temperatures could rise by 1.2–3.1°C by century's end, depending on global emissions. Annual rainfall might drop by 15–24% under different scenarios.

Between 1984 and 2023, Vietnam's temperature rose by 0.028°C per year, with a sharper 0.4°C increase in the past decade. Hot days are becoming more common, cold days rarer, and rainfall has surged 9% in the last 10 years alone. The record high was 44.2°C in Nghe An Province in May 2023.

Vietnam updates its climate projections every five years, with the next report (2025–2030) due in early 2026 to inform future climate policies and planning.

Coney Island's annual July 4th festivities, centered around the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, draw tens of thousands of visitors and provide a major boost to local businesses. This year, anticipation is especially high with 16-time champion Joey Chestnut returning after a ban in 2024. The contest has historically attracted over 40,000 spectators and millions of TV viewers.

The event marks the start of Coney Island's peak summer season, especially significant for an area still recovering from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the pandemic. Businesses like Ruby's Bar & Grill and Vicky's Food & Treats expect big crowds, though some worry about the impact of ongoing heatwaves on foot traffic.

Steve Cohen of the Brooklyn Cyclones and Alliance for Coney Island predicts a record turnout this year, especially with favorable weather and a baseball game scheduled for the evening. The area has shown signs of recovery, with restored landmarks like Childs Restaurant and the full reopening of the New York Aquarium. While hospitality jobs remain below pre-pandemic levels, small business growth has surged.

Events like this not only support local economies but also elevate the profile of destinations like Coney Island, much like Groundhog Day does for Punxsutawney. With good weather forecasted, locals anticipate a “huge, massive turnout” for what is reliably Coney Island's busiest day of the year.