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SCMP

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. China built megaprojects in Ivory Coast, now it’s own role is changing
Beijing is transitioning from contractor to stakeholder in the fast-growing African economy, with US$209 million tourist complex in the mix.
2. Sun Fanglin, Chinese scientist who paved way for new cancer drugs, dies at 58

Leading Chinese scientist Sun Fanglin, whose work on how cells age and form tumours helped pave the way for the development of new cancer treatments, has died aged 58.
3. Trump’s China interference claims ‘reveal huge crisis facing American democracy’
President Donald Trump’s latest diatribe against China over alleged election meddling has laid bare a “huge crisis” within America’s democratic system, a prominent adviser to Beijing has suggested.
4. Chinese fossil find shows birds shed their dinosaur tails step by step

A fossil found in China suggests modern birds shed the long, bony tails of their dinosaur ancestors through a step-by-step process, rather than a sudden evolutionary transition as previously believed.
5. How Maggie Cheung went from commercial film eye candy to art-house legend

After being cast for her looks early in her career, Maggie Cheung proved herself in serious roles, then stepped away from the industry altogether.


China’s role in Ivory Coast, Maggie Cheung’s career evolution: 5 weekend reads you missed

Chinese scientist’s sodium battery leap; petition to boot Argentina: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Erling Haaland’s Chinese drink; surprising facts about sleep: 7 Lifestyle highlights

China’s rare earth weakness, new rocket to rival SpaceX: 7 science highlights

SCMP Highlights

An aerial view of the Cocody Bridge in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Picture: Xinhua


Sun Fanglin was being treated for an undisclosed illness. Photo: Baidu

A Jurassic-era fossil found in China has changed the long-held belief that birds shed the long, bony tails of their dinosaur ancestors through a sudden evolutionary transition. Photo: sciencenet.cn

Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung poses for a picture in 1991. Cheung was prolific between 1984 and 2010, appearing in dozens of films as a pretty “vase” character and later proving her range in more demanding roles. Photo: SCMP/TVB Weekly

A flashpoint in the controversial Argentina v Egypt match, when referee Francois Letexier shows a red card to an Egyptian staff member. Photo: dpa

Lu Yaxiang received a China Youth May Fourth Medal for her work on energy storage. Photo: Sohu


Students at Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College scored 41.4 on average, outperforming many IB schools in Hong Kong. Photo: Sun Yeung

Molly Tea’s flower design was found to have infringed Louis Vuitton’s trademarked monogram. Photo: Handout

A Shenzhen investment specialist spent nine years and 13 million yuan tracking down his fugitive ex-wife in the US after she defrauded him. Photo: Weibo

China’s state agencies are hiring retirees as the workforce rapidly ages

Chinese government departments are increasingly hiring retirees as society ages rapidly. Photo: EPA-EFE

Garrya Mu Cang Chai is nestled in a protected heritage landscape of terraced rice paddies in the northern Vietnamese mountains. As well as breathtaking scenery, the luxury resort offers wellness treatments, and food and activities intertwined with the traditions of the local Hmong people. Photo: Garrya Mu Cang Chai 

Norwegian football star Erling Haaland has recently been promoting Walovi, a popular Chinese herbal drink that is part of a nearly 200-year-old herbal tea brand.  Photo: instagram/walovi_official

Dilraba Dilmurat in a still from Kung Fu Soccer, Stephen Chow’s gender-flipped spin-off of his 2001 comedy classic Shaolin Soccer. The Hong Kong director’s first film in seven years lacks tension and has visuals that resemble AI slop.

Fans watch England’s World Cup match against Mexico inside Dot Cod in Hong Kong’s Central district on an early Monday morning in July 2026. Photo: Veronica Qi

We all sleep, but most of us aren’t aware of how it benefits us physically, mentally and emotionally. Sleep experts help us understand eight lesser-known things about shut-eye. Photo: Shutterstock

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World

From China’s changing role in the Ivory Coast to the death of scientist Sun Fanglin, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend


From China’s changing role in the Ivory Coast to the death of scientist Sun Fanglin, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.


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Africa

China

Donald Trump

China’s role in Ivory Coast, Maggie Cheung’s career evolution: 5 weekend reads you missed

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From China’s changing role in the Ivory Coast to the death of scientist Sun Fanglin, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend

1. China built megaprojects in Ivory Coast, now it’s own role is changing

From China’s changing role in the Ivory Coast to the death of scientist Sun Fanglin, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend