World’s largest inflatable dome

In Jinan, China, authorities have installed the world’s largest inflatable dome — spanning 20,000 square metres and standing 50 metres tall — to reduce dust and noise pollution at construction sites. The transparent dome uses negative pressure and advanced air filtration to contain dust and provide clean air for workers, while allowing sunlight to reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Built without beams or support columns, the dome is easy to assemble, dismantle and move to new locations. It also serves as a sound barrier, making nearby urban areas quieter during construction. It is part of China’s broader push for greener, more sustainable urban development. If successful, similar domes may be rolled out nationwide.

British chefs set record with 17-pound scotch egg

British chefs Phoenix Ross and Oli Paterson broke a nearly 20-year-old Guinness World Record by cooking the world’s largest scotch egg, weighing 17 pounds and 3.48 ounces. Attempted in Enfield, England, their creation featured an ostrich egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and fried.

Their first try failed when the massive egg fell apart, but the second attempt succeeded, measuring 31.3 inches in circumference. After sampling it, the chefs turned the giant scotch egg into frozen breakfast burritos.

Pokémon fan with 1,200 Gengar collectibles

Tsang Cheuk Tip, from Hong Kong, has earned a Guinness World Record for the largest collection of Gengar memorabilia, amassing 1,200 items over 22 years. His fascination began at age eight, with a translucent purple Gengar figure bought by his mother.

Over the years, Tip collected a wide range of officially licensed Gengar items, including cards, plush toys, clothing, tableware and stationery. Cataloguing the collection for Guinness was a challenge, as many items looked similar and required detailed descriptions.

“I didn’t aim for fame,” Tip said. “I just want people to think of me when they see Gengar. Where I am, Gengar’s there too.”

Toy guns that can fire real bullets recalled

Japanese authorities have urgently recalled up to 16,000 plastic toy guns distributed as claw machine prizes, after discovering they could potentially fire live ammunition. The National Police Agency (NPA) identified the ‘Real Gimmick Mini Revolver’, imported from China, as capable of being modified to shoot real bullets.

Although marketed as harmless toys with plastic pellets, the NPA found the revolvers had metal or hard plastic hammers and barrels wide enough for small-calibre bullets. A list of 16 similar Chinese-made toy guns has been released, all considered dangerous under Japan’s Sword and Firearms Control Law.

Authorities are urging the public to report any such items to local police immediately.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 23th, 2025