Normal view

Meet the magical creatures inspired by shamanism, folklore … and an old Ikea bag

1 September 2026 at 17:16

From ceramic goblin feet to furry disembodied legs, Korean-Chinese artist Woo Jin Joo is using London junk to inject the art world with a spirit of playfulness

Woo Jin Joo’s studio is full of magic. Ceramic green goblin feet line the windowsill, disembodied furry legs jut out of one white wall and, on the table behind where the Korean-Chinese artist sits drinking tea, a headless being dressed in a black coat squats, arms aloft in warning.

There are also neat racks of colourful thread next to a freehand embroidery machine, the source of this supernatural hoard. This is where Joo creates much of her art – surface embroideries and sculptural 3D creatures inspired by Korean myth, philosophy and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Robert Chadwick/Woo Jin Joo

© Photograph: Robert Chadwick/Woo Jin Joo

© Photograph: Robert Chadwick/Woo Jin Joo

Nepal-Tibet flood deaths pass 1,000 as police ask relatives for DNA to identify victims

Relatives of missing tourists asked for blood samples and photos, as efforts continue to rescue trapped hydropower workers

Nepali rescuers have built temporary bridges to reach remote areas and dug through the ruins of hydropower projects in the Himalayas to rescue hundreds of trapped workers, as the death toll passed 1,000 nearly ⁠a week after devastating ​floods left a trail of destruction across the country’s towns and valleys.

About 600 people remain stuck in several devastated hydropower stations that have become the focus of rescue efforts. The prime ⁠minister, Balendra Shah, said more than 11,000 people had been rescued across the affected region, and power and communication lines had been restored in some areas.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Angad Dhakal/Reuters

© Photograph: Angad Dhakal/Reuters

© Photograph: Angad Dhakal/Reuters

Shein shares slide on fast-fashion retailer’s stock market debut

1 September 2026 at 10:11

Hong Kong flotation at $26bn by firm once valued at $100bn follows failure to list in US and UK

Shares in the fast-fashion brand Shein slumped by as much as 10% as the China-founded company made its long-anticipated trading debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The Singapore-headquartered company, once valued at almost $100bn (£74bn), went public on Tuesday pricing shares at HK$48.56, valuing the business at just over $26bn.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: May James/EPA

© Photograph: May James/EPA

© Photograph: May James/EPA

Nepal-Tibet floods: millions at risk from glacial floods in Himalayas in years to come, UN warns, as death toll passes 1,000 – latest updates

‘Technology cannot move fast enough to prevent loss’, official says, as rescue efforts for the 4,500 still missing continue

Nepal last week turned down foreign ​involvement in general search and rescue but said it needed specialised services and advanced technological support in areas such as life-detecting machines, large refrigerators and pre-fabricated bridges.

Aid worth more than $42m has poured into the country and Nepal is now working with experts from other countries to help with rescue operations.

Continue reading...

© Composite: ©ESA

© Composite: ©ESA

© Composite: ©ESA

China warns of ‘consequences’ over Taiwan presence at Pacific Islands Forum

1 September 2026 at 08:34

Beijing-Taipei tensions a feature at meeting in Palau, with Australia and New Zealand saying the forum – not another country – will determine who attends

China ⁠said it had serious concerns ⁠about Taiwan’s presence at ​the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, warning of “consequences” after the democratically ruled island attended the group’s opening ceremony on Monday.

China views Taiwan as its own territory, and China-Taiwan tensions have ⁠featured prominently at the meeting, which is intended to demonstrate regional unity.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

China warns of ‘consequences’ over Taiwan presence at Pacific Islands Forum

1 September 2026 at 08:34

Beijing-Taipei tensions a feature at meeting in Palau, with Australia and New Zealand saying the forum – not another country – will determine who attends

China ⁠said it had serious concerns ⁠about Taiwan’s presence at ​the annual Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, warning of “consequences” after the democratically ruled island attended the group’s opening ceremony on Monday.

China views Taiwan as its own territory, and China-Taiwan tensions have ⁠featured prominently at the meeting, which is intended to demonstrate regional unity.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

© Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

Shein’s Lackluster Debut Shows a Fast-Fashion Model Left Behind

1 September 2026 at 11:30
Squeezed by new trade rules, shrinking market share and labor concerns, Shein’s share decline in Hong Kong on Tuesday is a sign investors have moved on.

© Loic Venance/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A Shein display in a department store in Angers in western France in February.
❌