Nepal’s bird flu outbreak spreads, breeding pandemic mutation fears

Nepal has culled more than 600,000 birds and destroyed around 1 million eggs as an H5N1 bird flu outbreak spreads across the Kathmandu Valley, shutting the capital’s only zoo and raising fears among scientists over the virus’ potential to mutate into a form transmissible between humans.
The outbreak began in eastern Nepal in March before reaching the densely populated valley around mid-June – a development that health experts say raises the risk of human exposure. More than 60 poultry farms...



https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3358835/nepals-bird-flu-outbreak-spreads-breeding-pandemic-mutation-fears?utm_source=rss_feed

Ex-opposition lawmaker Wu Chi-wai released after serving time for subversion

A former Hong Kong lawmaker who previously headed the city’s largest, now-defunct opposition party has been released from prison after completing his sentence in a landmark subversion case.
Wu Chi-wai, former chairman of the Democratic Party, which dissolved last year, was released from Stanley Prison on Tuesday morning.
He boarded a seven-seater car which took him to Fung Tak Estate in Diamond Hill. Dressed in a white shirt, he alighted with two bags of belongings and did not take questions...



https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3358849/ex-opposition-lawmaker-wu-chi-wai-released-after-serving-time-subversion?utm_source=rss_feed

Chinese tourists high on Malaysia, why Europe is praising Lee Kuan Yew: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Malaysia has never had so many Chinese tourists. It wants more
As Thailand loses its allure, Malaysia turns to viral algorithms to entice millions of independent Chinese travellers.
2. Pakistan rattles India with new Chinese-built stealth submarine
The last time...



https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3358848/chinese-tourists-high-malaysia-why-europe-praising-lee-kuan-yew-7-asia-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed

Passenger jet reports striking drone approaching JFK airport to land

A passenger jet reported striking a drone while approaching JFK International Airport on Monday, and just hours later, a helicopter pilot alerted a close call with a remote-control plane near the same airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the first incident that happened as a JetBlue plane passed through 3,000 feet (914 metres) Monday morning while it was crossing the coastline. The plane landed safely in New York without any additional help, and no damage was found when...



https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3358846/passenger-jet-reports-striking-drone-approaching-jfk-airport-land?utm_source=rss_feed

No plans on handover day? SCMP breaks down Hong Kong’s biggest July 1 deals

Hong Kong is rolling out a series of discounts, shopping perks, giveaways and countless deals to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty on July 1.
To get you in the public holiday spirit, the South China Morning Post unpacks what is on offer, from deals on food and drinks to retail goods and public transport.
1. Someone mentioned food?
Restaurants are taking the latest anniversary to heart with a 29 per cent discount or special deals on selected menu items...



https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3358838/no-plans-handover-day-scmp-breaks-down-hong-kongs-biggest-july-1-deals?utm_source=rss_feed

How Chinese forensics team ruled out murder in mystery of a dismembered woman

When a villager in the southern province of Guangdong was walking near his home on a mild day shortly after Christmas in 2019, he noticed a yellow suitcase beneath an expressway embankment.
Inside was the headless body of a woman. When police arrived and searched the area, they found the head inside a red travel bag alongside the highway, about 1km south of the villager’s discovery.
Nearly seven years later, details of the forensic investigation have been revealed in a peer-reviewed paper that...



https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3358704/how-chinese-forensics-team-ruled-out-murder-mystery-dismembered-woman?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan’s family firms turn to M&A when heirs are not so apparent

Diners at a sleek teppanyaki restaurant in Tokyo’s Asakusa district wait happily as chefs sear marbled Kobe beef over open grills. Expectations are high at Kisshokichi, one of the world’s largest Kobe beef chains. But behind the brand’s success lies a dilemma shared by businesses across Japan.
Founder Kiyomi Akagi, now in his mid-sixties, faced a question confronting a growing number of ageing owners: who would take over?
With no successor prepared to manage the company’s 50 restaurants, Akagi...



https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3358837/japans-family-firms-turn-ma-when-heirs-are-not-so-apparent?utm_source=rss_feed

Hong Kong’s first batch of free PLA ship tour tickets gone within 4 minutes

Hongkongers have snapped up the first batch of free tickets to visit two PLA naval ships within minutes of their release for a weekend port call in the city.
A South China Morning Post reporter observed that the initial batch was gone within four minutes after being released at 10am on Tuesday.
On Monday, China’s Ministry of National Defence said a People’s Liberation Army naval task group would visit Hong Kong waters from Thursday to next Monday to mark the 29th anniversary of the city’s return...



https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3358836/hong-kongs-first-batch-free-pla-ship-tour-tickets-gone-within-4-minutes?utm_source=rss_feed

Chinachem Group steers first-of-its-kind blueprint for Hong Kong’s green and silver future

Like other advanced cities, Hong Kong faces a range of clearly defined challenges that must be directly addressed in the next few years.
Two that stand out are the effects of climate change and the consequences of an ageing population, which, one way or another, will impact every section of society. This means concerted action and practical solutions are required from each branch of industry – and every government department.
The route to real and rapid progress is through constant and...



https://www.scmp.com/native/news/hong-kong/topics/future-proofing-hong-kong-all/article/3358746/chinachem-group-steers-first-its-kind-blueprint-hong-kongs-green-and-silver-future?utm_source=rss_feed

Funding option: royalties giant opens Hong Kong base as mainland China biotech deals surge

The world’s largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties has set up its first Asia-Pacific base in Hong Kong, joining a string of multinational corporations in the pharmaceutical sector establishing offices in the city as out-licensing deals by mainland Chinese biotechnology firms hit record highs.
Royalty financing gives drug developers an alternative way to raise capital even as US investment restrictions loom, according to an expert.
“Chinese biotech firms would need royalty financing as an...



https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3358830/funding-option-royalties-giant-opens-hong-kong-base-mainland-china-biotech-deals-surge?utm_source=rss_feed

How Philippine ube farming can cash in on ‘purple gold rush’

Esmeraldo Maligsa, a farmer and president of the Bohol Ube Growers Association, harvests 2,000kg (4,400lbs) of ube, the purple tuber native to the Philippines, every seven months.
He and the other farmers in his group manage a collective yield of between 5 tonnes and 8 tonnes, fetching prices of 90 to 100 pesos (US$1.50 to US$1.70) per kg.
Such is the price the ubi kinampay, dubbed the “Queen of Philippine yams”, fetches. It is grown in Bohol province and nearby areas in central Philippines, and...



https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3358827/how-philippine-ube-farming-can-cash-purple-gold-rush?utm_source=rss_feed

Hong Kong positioned to link Asean, Greater Bay Area amid geopolitical shifts: John Lee

Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to connect Asean with the Greater Bay Area and build a “powerful and complementary partnership” amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, the city’s leader has said.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made his remarks at the South China Morning Post’s GBA-Asean Summit 2026 on Tuesday, which also saw the launch of a new chamber of commerce for the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the city.
The summit brought together government officials, business...



https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3358826/hong-kong-positioned-link-asean-greater-bay-area-amid-geopolitical-shifts-john-lee?utm_source=rss_feed