Latest news with #CoverNews
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Chinese design firm converts swimming pool into office, triggers safety probe
A Chinese decoration company has sparked online controversy and amusement after it converted a drained swimming pool into a temporary office. Staff get down to business in the 'deep end' before exiting the office using the original poolside ladders. The quirky set-up came to light after an employee from Luban Decoration Group, based in Chengdu, Sichuan province, southwestern China, posted a video online entitled 'Swimming Pool Transformed into Office Space'. The clip quickly went viral. According to Cover News, the company's gym, swimming pool and office area are all on the same floor. A glass door next to the gym takes staff into the so-called pool office. The creation has largely retained its original structure, with signs reading 'swimming area' and 'deep water area 1.55m' still visible. Employees access their desks using the pool's original handrails. One member of staff said the pool was converted because of renovations and that they had been working there for two months. Photos and videos trending online show five rows of desks, each with eight fully equipped workstations. Electricity is supplied via sockets on the floor and extension cables. A male employee quipped that when he looks down from his desk, he sees the pool's lane markings, making each workstation feel like a small diving tank. 'I feel like I am in a science fiction film; it is so outlandish, yet cool. I could brag about this office environment for a year!' he said. Despite the initial amusement, the unusual office quickly drew criticism from online observers who raised concerns about fire safety. Wang Ming, partner of Beijing Yingli Law Firm, said issues included blocked evacuation routes and the lack of essential fire safety features. The office arrangement also sparked lively discussion online. 'This sunken office set-up is truly unique. If you try to slack off, the boss just needs to take a few steps and the entire office is in view. It is even more effective than surveillance cameras!' one person said. Another added: 'There could be fire safety concerns. Swimming pools and office spaces are subject to different building codes.' 'An underwater office might look trendy, but the humidity could cause rheumatism. Sitting for long hours in the deep end? My joints would not survive,' quipped a third. The local fire department later confirmed to Red Star News that they had investigated and that the company had vacated the temporary office.
AsiaOne
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Care for some pig-intestine coffee? China cafe's unusual brew goes viral, Lifestyle News
Would you try coffee flavoured with... pig's intestines? A cup of java by the name of "pig's intestines coffee" might turn the stomachs of most people, but it has recently gone viral on the internet, becoming the signature crowd-puller at one cafe in China. According to Chinese publication Cover News, the outrageous-sounding drink is from a coffee shop named Scent of Li Bai, located in Jiangyou, Sichuan. For some context, the city happens to be the birthplace of famed Tang dynasty poet Li Bai. The region is also well known for its braised pork intestines, which is said to be delicate yet rich in flavour. So we guess what went through the cafe owner's mind was — why not meld the two flavours? "Red-braised pork intestine is a popular cuisine in Jiangyou," shop owner Zhang Yu Chi was quoted as saying, reported South China Morning Post (SCMP). He added: "I thought of combining it with coffee to promote both my shop as well as this delicious food of our city." Yu Chi told Cover News that he'd first introduced the drink last year, but the response was tepid as many found the combination of flavours too bizarre and were afraid to try. However, things soon changed after a video posted by a Chinese netizen introducing the unusual brew went viral earlier this month. Yu Chi shared that he hopes the quirky concoction, which has since gone through three iterations, will serve to educate tourists of Jiangyou's food and culture. Photos of the drink show a tall glass half filled with milk and topped with a layer of coffee. A cocktail skewer of the offal placed across the rim adds the finishing touch. According to Cover News, a key component of the drink comprises 6g of liquid from the braised pig's intestines, mixed in with the coffee. Yu Chi shared that the overall flavour is salty-sweet, likening it to "salty cheese". The drink is priced at 32 yuan (S$5.70) and customers have a choice between beginner-level, mid and high. The higher the level, the stronger the taste of the intestines, reported SCMP. Yu Chi also told Cover News that since the drink went viral, shop sales have quadrupled, with 80 per cent of customers ordering it. [[nid:712376]] candicecai@
South China Morning Post
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Spark Study Buddy (Explorer): Husky boosts China homestay's revenue with luggage service
Content provided by British Council [1] A husky has gained fame on the internet by assisting guests with their luggage at a hotel. This unique service has drawn numerous tourists. It also helped the hotel earn 200,000 yuan (HK$214,350) over just three days. [2] The four-legged worker, named Hakimi, was raised by Xu. Xu is the owner of a homestay in the famous tourist city of Lijiang. Lijiang is in the Yunnan province in the southwest of China. The dog has gained a lot of attention on social media. It has also become a living advertisement for the homestay, attracting many tourists. [3] Xu told Cover News that the homestay had nine rooms and that he began raising the dog after it opened. 'When Hakimi came to our home, it was very energetic. Last April, when I took it out to play and had the idea of having it try pulling a trolley. To my surprise, it learned right away,' he said. [4] 'We never trained it. At first, it would occasionally turn over or bump into people, but it improved through practice. Its skills have improved. Also, it rarely destroys things at home, probably because it uses up its energy outside,' he added. Xu said Hakimi really enjoyed his job and was passionate about it. Every time it pulls the trolley, it gets excited, as if it is going out to play. [5] Hakimi's regular working route covers about 200 metres, from the South Gate of the Lijiang Old Town to the homestay. 'We only take it out to transport luggage when guests request it. Many guests ask for it, and the dog usually does this about three to six times a day,' Xu said. He also said that around 80 per cent of the guests at his hotel came specifically for Hakimi's service. [6] The dog's rise to fame on social media was unexpected. Initially, Xu posted videos of Hakimi transporting luggage online just for fun. To his surprise, they quickly gained popularity. 'Each video gets between one and 10 million views. Hakimi has become a little fortune-bringer for the homestay,' Xu said. [7] Internet commentators have shown their love for the husky, highlighting its intelligence, playful personality, and friendly nature. 'When it turns a corner, it even looks back at the luggage, using inertia to position itself. This way, it can smoothly go downhill without crashing. It is so smart!' one person wrote. Source: South China Morning Post, February 16 Questions 1. Who does the 'four-legged worker' in paragraph 2 refer to? 2. According to paragraph 2, what is Xu's job? 3. According to paragraph 4, Xu thinks Hakimi is well-behaved at home because … A. it is very energetic. B. it uses up its energy outside. C. it is very smart. D. all of the above 4. How often does Hakimi move suitcases for guests every day, according to paragraph 5? A. only once B. at most three times C. no more than six times D. as many as nine times 5. Every day, Hakimi walks 200 metres … the South Gate and the homestay. A. through B. near C. between D. from 6. Complete the following summary using 'it', 'it's' or 'itself'. (4 marks) Hakimi became famous online by helping people with their bags at a hotel. (i) _______ learned to pull a small trolley by (ii) _______. Many people come to the hotel because of (iii) _______. Videos of Hakimi became very popular online and people say (iv) _______ smart and friendly. Hakimi's playful personality and impressive skills have attracted tourists and boosted the homestay's revenue. Photo: Weibo/chinapress Answers 1. Hakimi 2. He is the owner of a homestay. 3. B 4. A 5. C 6. (i) It; (ii) itself; (iii) it; (iv) it's
