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Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports: 

After the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake that stroked Nepal 11 years ago, Nepal faced yet another major disaster. But this time, it is not caused by earthquake, as reported by the Associated Press early on 26 August, but by the collapse of glacier. 

According to the latest source, over 389 deaths are confirmed (in Nepal), and 910+ went missing in affected regions, including the Rasuwa District, Nuwakot District and the Dhading District in Northern Nepal. Of which missing, 644+ are foreign tourists, 127 are domestic Nepali toursits and 104 personnels or officials, unsure whether this includes foreign emergency workers. 

Missing Foreign Nationals by Country in NEPAL 

Country	Reported Missing	Specific Details / Context
India	178+	—
China	~100	Confirmed by Chinese government
United States	65	—
Ukraine	53	—
Malaysia	51	—
Australia	35	Includes at least 34 pilgrims
United Kingdom	33	—
Canada	24	—
South Korea	9	Workers at a hydropower plant construction site
Belarus	≥ 1	—
Belgium	≥ 1	—
Bulgaria	≥ 1	—
Finland	≥ 1	—
France	≥ 1	—
Germany	≥ 1	—
Hungary	≥ 1	—
Ireland	≥ 1	—
Israel	≥ 1	—
Italy	≥ 1	—
Japan	≥ 1	—
Kazakhstan	≥ 1	—
Latvia	≥ 1	—
Lithuania	≥ 1	—
Netherlands	≥ 1	—
Philippines	≥ 1	—
Portugal	≥ 1	—
Russia	≥ 1	—
Serbia	≥ 1	—
Singapore	≥ 1	—
South Africa	≥ 1	—
Spain	≥ 1	—
Sweden	≥ 1	—
Switzerland	≥ 1	—
Tibet	≥ 1	Unsure whether this overlaps China's figure

In Tibet, China's CCTV state media reported 3 fatalities and 558 are missing in Tibet, especially in Tibet's Gyirong County, which borders Nepal. Of which missing, 260+ are foreign tourists, 298 are local Tibetans or border staffs.

Missing Foreign Nationals by Country in TIBET*

Country / Region	Official Status & Missing Count in Tibet (Gyirong)	Regional / Border Context
India	~150–200+ (Estimated / Unverified)	Primary group of missing pilgrims transiting via Gyirong to Mt. Kailash.
United States	≥ 1 (Unverified / Consular Manifest)	Trekkers and pilgrims on high-altitude Tibet tour packages.
Australia	≥ 1 (Unverified / Consular Manifest)	Australian-Indian pilgrims on Kailash Yatra itineraries.
United Kingdom	≥ 1 (Unverified / Consular Manifest)	British travelers on trans-Himalayan border itineraries.
Canada	≥ 1 (Unverified / Consular Manifest)	Canadian citizens on overland Tibet border tours.
China	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Chinese visitors or offcials
Ukraine	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Trans-Himalayan expedition participants.
Malaysia	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Regional border tour clients.
South Korea	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Regional border travelers and energy plant contractors.
Belarus	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Regional tourist list.
Belgium	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Independent border trekkers.
Bulgaria	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Independent border travelers.
Finland	≥ 1 (Unverified)	High-altitude expedition members.
France	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Himalayan border expedition members.
Germany	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Trans-Himalayan trekkers.
Hungary	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Individual border travelers.
Ireland	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Border tour manifests.
Israel	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Border transit itinerary list.
Italy	≥ 2 (Unverified)	Identified upstream in the Gyirong valley area.
Japan	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Overland border travelers.
Kazakhstan	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Overland border travelers.
Latvia	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Border trekking manifests.
Lithuania	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Regional tour clients.
Netherlands	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Cross-border trekking groups.
Philippines	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Asian tour operator tracking.
Portugal	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Foreign ministry tracking list.
Russia	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Alpine Eco / regional border tour manifests.
Serbia	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Regional tour manifests.
Singapore	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Regional tour group members.
South Africa	≥ 1 (Unverified)	High-altitude expedition members.
Spain	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Regional tour clients.
Sweden	≥ 1 (Unverified)	Trans-Himalayan tour clients.
Switzerland	≥ 1 (Unverified)	High-altitude trekking lists.

*We have consulted assistive technologies and correspondents in the making of this table, but some information are unverified due to the communication outages, and remained confused since some tourists who cleared Nepal borders have not yet been processed by Chinese or Tibetans, making the counts overlapping in Tibet and Nepal, we have sourced this information from independent, smaller tour operator across Asia and Europe.

Over 200 billion rupees (£964 million, 3.5% of Nepal's GDP) worth of infrastructure, such as hydropower facilities, dams, bridges, roads, schools, businesses, government offices, residential buildings are completely damaged and no longer functional, as floodwater reached 80m above sea level. Director of the Roads Department Bijaya Jaishi said that 19 bridges and 42 km of roads are damaged, which is initiallty estimated 15 billion Nepalese rupees (£72.31 million GBP, 0.3% of Nepal's GDP) to repair these roads, but further damages are expected. Humanitarian organisations confirmed that over 30,000 families are now homeless and 1200 people from three different villages are displaced. 20 schools and 6 major hydropower and transmission facilities are also completely damaged.

In China, road access, communications and electricity supply to the Gyriong Port area were cut off by the flood. The border crossing was reported as being "completely destroyed".

Follow Tenberal News for more information on the live situation in Nepal and a deeper dive into the international reliefs and scientifc causes.

Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports:

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta reported that approximately 60,000 people crossed into the territory from neighboring Morocco within a single day, leading to chaos and leaving at least 56 people dead. The military was deployed to maintain order, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez arrived on-site to inspect the situation. The incident has triggered a diplomatic dispute, with Italy expressing concern over the influx of illegal migrants and calling for the suspension of Spain's Schengen status.

​On Thursday, large crowds filled the beach connecting Morocco to the Spanish African enclave of Ceuta. Looking toward the Moroccan side from Spain, a continuous stream of people stretched along the beach, surging toward Spanish territory. Some bypassed breakwaters, others came ashore on rocky beaches to cross the border, and large rubber dinghies were even seen carrying people to the beach, who then attempted to enter Ceuta's city center.

​The border fence proved virtually useless as people continuously arrived by sea. The Spanish Civil Guard arrived at the scene but was unable to prevent the crowd from crossing the border, with some officers even assisting people to land safely. A large number of abandoned life buoys were left on the beach, and multiple people died amid the chaos.

​Some who successfully reached the shore raised victory signs. Several stated that they swam to Spain in hopes of a better life.

​Salad said: "Because life in Morocco is not good for us. We don't have good medicine, and we don't have good teachers. Life in Morocco is terrible, which is why we swam here."

​As night fell, people continued to cross the border and land on the shore. At the request of the local government of Ceuta, authorities in Madrid deployed military forces to the area to assist. Spanish officials estimated that the surge of people toward Ceuta may have been triggered by a Supreme Court ruling in early July, which held that individuals arrested while attempting to enter Ceuta and another enclave, Melilla, by sea could not be immediately deported under specific provisions, combined with incitement by human smuggling syndicates. Today, people continued landing on the beaches via sea routes from neighboring Morocco. Tens of thousands of people have been involved in this influx into Ceuta. Moroccan police deployed additional personnel on nearby hills to prevent crowds from surging toward Ceuta, which has a population of just over 80,000. Officers carrying shields dispersed crowds on the hills, with some individuals subdued and taken away, while others chose to head back to Morocco.

​The incident has also sparked a diplomatic row. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Spain's Schengen Area status should be suspended, while the foreign minister expressed concern that uncontrolled illegal immigration could threaten national security.

​An enclave refers geographically to a territory that is not contiguous with a country's mainland. Spain has two enclaves in Africa, both bordering Morocco: Ceuta and Melilla. They are also the only territories of the European Union and the Schengen Area on the African continent.

​Prime Minister Sánchez, who arrived in Ceuta for an inspection, described the situation as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity and blamed human smuggling rings. He accused them of misinterpreting the Supreme Court's early-July ruling on immediate deportations, deceiving many young people into rushing to Ceuta, resulting in some drowning at sea and even stampedes on the beach. Sánchez stated he would look into amending the law to ensure migrants can be deported. The Supreme Court had ruled at the time that immediate summary deportation applied to those who climbed over land border fences, but not to those arriving via sea. He emphasised that illegal entrants would be deported, while authorities noted that approximately 25,000 people have already voluntarily returned to Morocco.

​Authorities in Madrid have deployed military troops to Ceuta to assist. The incident has also provoked a diplomatic crisis, with Italy threatening to suspend Schengen open-border arrangements with Spain. France also announced it will strengthen border checks along its border with Spain. The European Union reiterated that illegal entry is unacceptable and is currently in communication with Moroccan authorities.

Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports: 

 

In an interview with the Associated Press, former Democratic Party Chairman Wu Chi-wai shared details of his recent trip to the United Kingdom. Wu is a political activist from Hong Kong, previously imprisoned for over five years for the controversial national security law in Hong Kong. Wu was released last month and he was planning to visit the UK. Upon arrival, UK Border Force officials detained him, confiscated his passport, and initially issued a notice that he could be deported back to Hong Kong within seven days, this is likely because he held a criminal record in Hong Kong. Then, the Home Office made an exception, but the change means that Wu is still required to leave the UK after a week despite his original return flight to Hong Kong was initially set for November, which was later found rescheduled to Wednesday without his consent. Neither the UK Home Office nor the airline responded immediately to requests for comment on Sunday. Fortunately, thanks to human right lawyer Paul Harris and the final British governor of Hong Kong Lord Chris Patten and numerous other non-governmental organisation, the UK Home Office allowed Wu to stay as a visitor to the UK from Hong Kong, with an extended stay of up to six weeks.

 

​Wu expressed that his primary reason for traveling to London was to see his wife and son, who moved to the UK in 2022. While he ultimately hopes to live with his family in the UK over the long term, he denied that he is currently applying for asylum. He voiced deep concern over whether his current travel record might affect his ability to enter the UK and visit his family again in the future.  

 

​Upon arriving in London, Wu was able to reunite with his wife and son, a moment during which all three cried tears of joy. However, this long-awaited family reunion faces being cut short after just a few days. During their time apart, communication had been limited, with letters taking nearly a month to travel back and forth. Wu also reflected on the personal grief of losing both of his parents while separated from his family.

 

Most Hong Kongers tend to enter the UK using their British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] passports, a status established before Britain handed Hong Kong back to Chinese authority. Under the scheme, BN(O) status holders can live, work, and study in the UK, leading to permanent settlement after five years and full British citizenship after one additional year (the "5+1" pathway). This route is a legitimate and legal way to enter the UK after made into law as agreed cross-party with 100% support, in 2020, following the introduction of the national security law - described as "clear and serious breach" to international obligation. 

 

Prior to his departure, Tenberal News understands that he explicitly notified the British Consulate in Hong Kong in writing regarding his travel plans and potential entry complications due to his conviction under the National Security Law. He took this step precisely because he knew that standard border systems flag anyone with a multi-year prison record.

This is even criticise by right-wing media, GB News, for threatening to deport a Hong Kong political prisoner, miscommunication between governmental departments and when comparing to how Home Office dealt with illegal migrants, their attitude is much softer.

In a YouGov survey in 2021, almost half of Britons gave support for the BN(O) visa route that allows Hong Kongers to permanently stay in the UK and 43% believe that Hong Kongers will being a positive impact to the UK. In fact, multiple official reports and independent economic analyses demonstrate that the arrival of British National (Overseas) visa holders provides a significant net positive boost to the UK’s GDP and overall economy. The Home Office initially estimated that the BN(O) visa route would generate a net economic benefit of £2.4 billion to £2.9 billion over five years after accounting for public service usage, while broader projections from the Centre for Economics and Business Research suggested potential long-term GDP additions between £12 billion and £40 billion. Beyond direct productivity and employment, BN(O) arrivals bring substantial capital into the country—including an estimated £4 billion in released Hong Kong pension savings alongside personal wealth transfers and real estate investments—while their high levels of education and skill directly enrich the UK's labor market and local tax bases.

 

In just two years of time, 73% Britons show supports for BN(O) scheme and 50% even willing to participate and support the Hong Kong disappora in local functions and activities. 

Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports:

Former Hong Kong lawmaker and lawyer Andrew Cheng Kar-foo was made a Catholic deacon at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham. At 66 years old, he is starting a new life of service. He will work at St Mary’s Church in Harborne and help the growing Hong Kong Catholic community across the local diocese. 

​Cheng’s path to becoming a deacon began with a personal turning point. He was baptised as a student in Hong Kong, but he left his faith behind while focusing on his career as a politician and lawyer. As previous district councillor and lawmaker, he put his focus in work and was forced to put his relationship and religion aside. Years later, a hard time in his marriage led him and his wife back to church. This experience helped heal his family and brought him back to God.

​After moving to the UK in 2021, Cheng felt a call to serve the Church and went back to school to study religion. He completed a Master's degree in Theological Research at KU Leuven in Belgium. In April 2023, he announced his acceptance into the Ph.D. in Theology program at Durham University, aiming to continue serving society through scholarly and pastoral work.

​Now serving as a deacon, Cheng has taken on several roles. Along with his daily duties at St Mary’s Church, he helps Cantonese-speaking Catholics by leading services in their language, teaching faith classes, and visiting people in hospitals and prisons.

​Cheng hopes his story inspires others, especially people who are retired or getting older. He believes retirement is a great time to start serving the community, reminding people that being a deacon is not about fame or high status, but about helping others with a humble heart.

​"Do not be afraid to listen to God's call. The permanent diaconate is not about status or achievement, but about humble service. If God is calling you, He will grant you the necessary grace."

Tenberal News' extended coverage on 721 attack, see previous report for detailed recount of the incident. 

Reported by Hong Kong Labour Rights Monitor: 

Yesterday marked seven years since the Yuen Long attack on July 21. Better known as the 721 incident, where hundreds of white-shirted, armed men—suspected to have triad connections—stormed the Yuen Long MTR station in Hong Kong, violently attacking anti-extradition bill protesters, commuters, and journalists. Armed with wooden poles and steel rods, the assailants indiscriminately beat individuals in the station concourse and inside train carriages, leaving at least 45 people injured. The delayed police response, which took nearly 40 minutes despite thousands of emergency calls, sparked massive public outrage and deep allegations of police-triad collusion, making the incident a critical turning point in the 2019 protests.

Hong Kong non-governmental organisation Hong Kong Labour Rights Watch reported that around 4:00 PM  yesterday in 2026, near the exits of MTR Yuen Long Station, at least 10 suspected plainclothes police officers were seen at one point. Multiple suspected plainclothes officers were also stationed along the ground-level walkway leading to the Light Rail station.

​In the evening, dentist Lee Ying-chi—who was previously arrested under Article 23—arrived at the scene with a friend carrying a mini watermelon. (Lee also held a photo of Chan Chi-heung, the owner of Little Calf Farm known as the "Watermelon Guy," who was involved in beating people at the scene on July 21). She stated they were "bringing a mini watermelon to find the Watermelon Guy." Shortly after, she and her friend were taken by police officers to the footbridge leading toward the Tung Tau Tsuen exit to be searched. While Lee's friend was surrounded by at least five officers, they joked, "It's just a watermelon, not a bomb." Officers searched Lee Ying-chi's backpack and found a folder printed with the words "What the f*** are you searching." Lee remarked, "It would've been great if there were this many police seven years ago. Seven years ago, these officers [conducting the search] were still very young—I wonder if they even know what happened?" As a Yuen Long resident, Lee sighed, "Only if there is that many police on the 721 attack as well." 

​Another elderly woman held a photograph from the day of the incident showing two uniformed police officers turning around and walking away. She said, "I'll say it even if they arrest me," adding, "If it weren't for 721, I wouldn't be standing here today."

​Earlier, a Mr. Chan—walking with a cane and wearing a black shirt printed with the words "Hong Kong" and "To Be Continued"—was escorted by plainclothes police officers from Exit F to Exit G2 (Tung Tau Tsuen) for a body search and inspection of his personal belongings.

​Thank you to those who continue to uphold the truth under pressure; in today's Hong Kong, it is by no means easy. What happened seven years ago remains vivid in our minds. As long as someone still remembers, the truth will not disappear.

On the night of July 21, 2019, an escalation of political unrest in Hong Kong culminated in a severe outbreak of violence at the MTR Yuen Long Station. Amid months of widespread demonstrations surrounding the anti-extradition bill, a large assemblage of individuals wearing white shirts gathered in the area and entered the station, confronting and physically assaulting commuters, protesters, and journalists. The incident remains one of the most contentious and heavily scrutinized events of the 2019 social unrest. Tenberal News has reviewed available archival footage and public records to examine the timeline and broader context of the events that transpired inside and outside the station.

The local tensions had been building for weeks following the government's June 2019 proposal to amend the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, which sparked large-scale protests across Hong Kong. While primary demonstrations on July 21 were concentrated on Hong Kong Island—including clashes near the Liaison Office and in Sheung Wan—unusual activity developed concurrently in the New Territories. By the evening, a significant gathering of men in white shirts carrying wooden sticks and rattan canes was documented around Fung Yau North Street in Yuen Long. At approximately 10:51 PM, these individuals entered the Yuen Long MTR station concourse and began pursuing and attacking occupants.

Documentation from news media and online recordings indicates that near 11:00 PM, two uniformed police officers arrived at the station but subsequently withdrew to await reinforcements. During this interval, individuals inside the paid area and the arriving crowd engaged in hostile exchanges, throwing objects across the ticket barriers. Journalists attempting to cover the scene faced physical obstruction and assault, while individuals within the station utilized fire hoses and objects from the platforms in attempts to deter the advancing crowd.

The confrontation intensified as attackers breached the turnstiles, entering the platforms and train carriages to target passengers. Emergency dispatch centers reported a surge of calls from citizens seeking assistance over several hours; however, when police reinforcements eventually arrived, many of the primary instigators had departed.

The prolonged police response time became a central point of public criticism. While emergency services experienced heavy demands due to simultaneous citywide demonstrations, public perception was deeply fractured by accusations of institutional inaction and alleged collusion between authorities and local elements—claims firmly rejected by the police force, which cited severe operational strain and logistical challenges. In 2021, the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) published a thematic review report characterizing the event as a multi-stage conflict, noting initial officer withdrawals due to safety assessments and subsequent reciprocal missile-throwing between white-shirted individuals and persons in black clothing during later phases of the disturbance.

In the ensuing years, judicial proceedings resulted in the prosecution and conviction of numerous white-shirted assailants. Simultaneously, authorities pursued legal actions against several pro-democracy figures and individuals present at the station who attempted to intervene or counter the attacks. Among them was former opposition lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, who had traveled to the station to document the events and assist trapped passengers. The court subsequently convicted him of rioting, concluding that his verbal engagement with the crowd exacerbated the confrontation, leading to a multi-year prison sentence. Several other participants recorded throwing objects or utilizing defensive measures were likewise prosecuted and sentenced on rioting charges after self-defense arguments were rejected by the judiciary, leaving the events of July 21 as a deeply polarizing milestone in the territory's recent history.

Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports: 

Andy Burnham has become the UK's seventh prime minister in just over a decade. This is the scene when he was speaking in Downing Street for the first time, he says he knows 'people at home are fed up with politics,' after appointed by King Charles III as Prime Minister on July 20, 2026. He has won the nomination of 349 Labour MPs as the only candidate. 

He has appointed most of his cabinet yesterday and here is what we already know: 

• Louise Haigh – First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office: Serving as Burnham's most senior minister, Haigh heads up the newly created Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, overseeing operations in both London and the new Manchester base (No 10 North).

• John Healey – Chancellor of the Exchequer: In a surprise appointment, Healey—who previously resigned as defence secretary over funding rows—takes over the Treasury.

• Ed Miliband – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Secretary: Moved from the energy brief to take charge of British foreign policy.

• Shabana Mahmood – Home Secretary: Retained in her position to continue driving forward stringent policing and immigration strategies.

• Angela Rayner – Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government: Returned to the Cabinet to helm housing policy and regional devolution.

• Yvette Cooper – Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

• Wes Streeting – Secretary of State for Defence

• Jonathan Reynolds – Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (following a department restructuring)

• Pat McFadden – Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Retained)

• Lucy Powell – Secretary of State for Education

• Lisa Nandy – Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

• Alex Norris – Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice

• Angela Eagle – Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Andy Burnham has gathered his cabinet at No.10 for his first official cabinet meeting. In the meeting, they have discussed about governing with a one-team approach, where the team must operate in "absolute unity." Under this mode, Burnham relabelled the government as a "Cost-of-Living" one and highlighting that their primary goals would be targetting the cost-of-living crisis and the extreme financial pressure on housing in the UK to "bring back hope" for the public, and upon the announcement, he has scrapped VAT on domestic electricity bills starting October 1, brought by Conservatives' John Major's government back in 1993. The scrap is expected to save regular household about £45 a year, funded by cutting the digital ID cards, initiated by Sir Keir Starmer's government. But, ironically, Sky News has already published three reports that are showing the real statistics behind Burnham's cut. First off, the energy price cap is at £1,663 now, but by January, 2027, the number goes up to £1838, so the energy cap rising is actually way higher than the cut, not that we don't welcome it, because every little helps (sorry, Tesco). Second, the identification card project by Starmer expects to cost 1.8 billion over a span of three years, which is 600 million for each year, but the cut costs 850 million for just one fiscal year and we don't know what happens after that. Third, Sky's Shamaan Freeman-Powell interviewed people in Sheffield and ooo, a poke in teh chest to Burnham, "£50 doesn't even buy a meal." 

Another big change that we expect to see very soon under Burnham's government is that part of No.10 in London would be moving to Manchester, under his "No.10 North" scheme to Manchester Digital Campus in Great Ancoats Street in Ancoats (New Islington) and the construction is expected to  finish by 2028. During this period, the service will be operating in very modern Heron House (located at 47 Lloyd Street) at the heart of Manchester City, which is also a government building (not No.10, obviously). Departments, including Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and local service of the HM Treasury, have already been transferred to the No.10 North. This is, apparently, to Increasing public ownership and oversight of essential utilities (like water, energy, and housing), driving re-tooling and re-industrialisation of Manchester and prioritise the rejuvenation of the "left-behind" part of Manchester city centre. Tenberal News understands that the Northern headquarters supervised day-to-day by Deputy Chief of Staff Caroline Simpson with Burnham himself spending at least one day a week operating out of the Manchester headquarters. Ah, Andy is so good that even after he resigned as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, his heart is still connected with the England's second largest city. But, undoubtedly, Burnham has many positive attribution to Manchester as "the King of the North" with a high approval rating of 65%, much higher than Starmer's -41% (2026), Sunak's -59% (2024) and Johnson's -53%.

It is undeniable that Burnham has left a great Manchester behind, with a skytop of 65% as the Mayor of Greater Manchester in his nation-renowned "Manchesterism" but this is also the case for our previous Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, who has 58% of Londoners' approval as Mayor of London but fall into -53% after resigning as Prime Minister in 2022. Nevertheless, we are excited to see what Andy Burnham can bring the UK into. 

Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports: 

The Chinese national football team has not played in a FIFA World Cup since 2002, only as South Korea and Japan - the strongest local rivalries - is hosting the World Cup. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Chinese is did not even get through Group Stage and fallen into world's 56th from 50th, and over the years, we have seen even higher dips. In the world 2nd largest country with 1.4 billion people, China ranked 91st globally.

As expected, the Chinese did not play in the FIFA World Cup 2026, in Mexico, United States and Canada. But, ironically, its pro-communist China state media claimed that China has "participated" in the World Cup in a slightly different way, as the Chinese are "everywhere except for on the field" (as well as spies). 

Undoubtedly, China is one of the world largest manufacturer and in fact, many of the World Cup merchandise, souvenirs, and even match balls featuring smart chips are predominantly manufactured in Chinese hubs like Yiwu. On the side of the pitch, we see commercial advertisment with a clear Chinese domination: Hisense, Lenovo, and Mengniu, from electronics to energy drinks, all by the Chinese. The Chinese referee like Ma Ning and Fu Ming are here as well and all they don't have are players that can play at the elite level, certainly not. 

The rising team of this World Cup, Cabo Verde (or Cape Verde) is also partly sponsored by the Chinese state as part of their wider African "Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)", widely knwon by its previosu name "One Belt, One Road). Back in 2014, the Chinese has funded the construction of a 15,000 seater football stadium Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Paria, with local Chinese staff on-site as well, even their star goalkeeper was wearing Chinese-made gloves for the game. Obviously, the Cabo Verde team reached the world stage not only because of the Chinese sponsor, but most importantly, their efforts as a team that gained them entry to Round of 32. Afterwards, the team has also invited the Chinese for a friendly but this has been rejected or officially "postponed" as it is widely believed that China is afraid of losing to a country that they first funded of, embarassingly, as they feared that history reappeared for their historic defeat of 2-1 against Hong Kong football team in January 1, 2024, furthermore, the Chinese gets even more scared and it was a closed-door friendly against the world's 156th.

As we have seen, China is really everywhere, from football to being next to your house (well, you will never know that you are being spied on). But, why, in a country with 1.4 billion people, no one can play good football and bring their nation to the World Cup. The answer is simple, asian parenting. Chinese parents often considered success in academic educational path as the only way to be successful and gain enough money for a stable future, and football careers are often viewed as a high-risk career with a short window of opportunity and uncertain rewards, since only few can reach the top level. Conversely, European families tended to be highly supportive of a sporting career and sports is often treated as a recreational activities, allowing children to show their talents and for a transition to a competitive level, but there are almost no clubs for Chinese children at a beginner and amateur level, it relies on sporting academies and rich families to apply for it in the first place, in regular schooling, there are less than 1 hour of PE per week and focused merely on athletics and calisthenics, despite a recent increase under the "Health First" objective. In esscence, European families promote a sports-for-all directive but sports in China are very competitive.

Also, children are faced in an "either-or" option, where they cannot be dedicated fully to a sport career and obliged to a full-time study as well, espeiclaly under the Chinese' rigourous education system. Even worse, China Communist Party, from a local to the national level, has suffered from a serious corruption and fiananical insecurities, which had undermined public trust and parents would more likely to discourage them to persue their sporting dream. 

Therefore, the lives of children and even the international reputation of China is rooted on the every day decision of the parents, in China, parents have strongly discouraged their children from persuing their dreams, and promote the dual path of following the academic career for a more successful life, but that might not be the case, successful does not necessarily mean being rich and getting a family, it is about happiness: the freedom of doing what you want, representing your country is an honour, it is the real happiness for many, and that is the only purpose of life. So parents, next time, give yourself the courage to enjoy, to let them flourish freely and do what they should do because this is nothing other than life; life that we all need.

Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports:

Over the last few months, these are the scene across towns in Birmingham, when the UK's third-largest city is turning into what is described as a "slum" with poor hygiene condition, frequent diseases due to spread of bacteria and inconsistent bin collection service. After Labour's devastation following its tragic loss in the 2026 Local Election, especially in Birmingham - a stronghold for Labour previously is now in no overall control, politicians in ongoing coalition talks have actively shown how they are better than Labour's Birmingham. The first notable change is that Birmingham City Council is bringing back a new bin collection service under the Environmental Act 2021 for a simpler recycling. 

 

The changes will occur to the following regions, according to the latest information: 

• Aston
• Birchfield
• Castle Vale
• Erdington
• Gravelly Hill
• Handsworth
• Handsworth Wood
• Holyhead
• Kingstanding
• Lozells
• Oscott
• Perry Barr
• Perry Common
• Pype Hayes
• Stockland Green
• Sutton Coldfield (Four Oaks, Mere Green, Reddicap, Roughley and Sutton Trinity)

Tenberal News understand that the change will cover most of Birmingham by 2027 as the only pilot currently is at Perry Barr depot and the new changes is currently at a test phase. 

These changes only apply the region listed below, and if you are affected by this, you should receive an official leaflet and a letter from Birmingham City Council.

The new bin collection service have, in total, four different bins: 

Food waste: cooked and uncooked food, teabags and eggshells, this should fit in a normal household kitchen but bins must be present by the time of collection date. Collected every week. There are two caddy bins: indoor and outdoor and both will be delivered to your house for free. 

Paper and Cardboard: boxes, roll tubes, newspaper, magazines, and other recyclable items fitted in the category. Collected every 2 weeks. You will received a new wheelie bin for this.

Glass, Plastic and Metals: glass bottlees, can, foil, pots and other recyclable items fitted in the category. Collected every two weeks on the same week as paper and cardboard. You will use your recycling wheelie bin for this.

Non-recyclable waste: any item not listed with a recycling label on their package. Collected every other week, not on the same week as the recyclables. Use your household waste with this.

The official start date is on July 6, 2026, but the latest is for Tuesday August 4, 2026, in Sutton Mere Green.

There is no confirmation on when the bin will be delivered and concerns regarding garden waste bins as we hit the summer season. 

Check out for more information on Birmingham City Council's official website: Waste and recycling | Birmingham City Council

The following part of the article may be regarded as Tenberal Opinion: Oh yes yes yes, we finally get a hopefully, more consistent bin collection service but here comes another scandal, who is surprised at this point?

ITV News revealed a document drafted by senior Birmingham City Council (BCC) officers in March 2026. The document has recommended to sack the workers, depsite they have offered other resolution but they described sacking the workers as "the only resolution that meets all of the objectives" and it was set to implement before the political leadership of the Council is formed. Unite the Union, which represents the striking workers, has strongly condemned the document, with General Secretary Sharon Graham calling the proposed strategy an "absolute abhorrence" and an act of "sabotage" against the negotiation process. Frankly, like Ravi Subramaranian have said in his ITV interview: "they are tyring to do something that they know the politician wouldn't like."

The bin strikes has started since January 2025, and almost 250 workers, across rains and storms and heat, has strike relentlessly and it has gained public favour despite of the inconvenience caused. 

Threatening labour workers is not the first time under the Labour rule, in March 2026, Sir Keir Starmer did not threaten to sack NHS workers; instead, he issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the British Medical Association’s (BMA) resident doctors' committee. He warned that if the union did not call off their planned strike and put a government-negotiated pay and training deal to a member vote, the government would withdraw an offer of 1,000 additional specialty NHS training places that were due to open for applications that month. Even more, Unite has suspended the membership of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner as they claimed that Rayner is backing the "rogue council."