China tests first civilian drone that can fly 24 hours non-stop, fully loaded

The first tonne-class long-distance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) suitable for multiple civil purposes to be built to airworthiness standards in China – Yitong UAV System’s TP200 – completed its maiden flight on Sunday.

According to a Science and Technology Daily report on Monday, the TP200 – designed to handle maritime patrols, island supply and land surveying – can stay in the air for 24 hours at its maximum payload, giving it a range of 3,000km (


Indonesia’s Singapore rival, India’s one-shot win over SpaceX: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s orbital rocket launch to Japanese voters souring on Takaichi, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting

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The sun sets over Kuningan business district in Jakarta. Indonesia wants to build a financial centre to rival Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai. Photo: Shutterstock

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 .

Indonesia wants to build a financial centre


LVMH’s fashion and leather division reports 1% organic growth in second quarter

Luxury brand LVMH has reported a 1 per cent organic increase in the second quarter of 2026 in its fashion and leather division. Photo: Reuters

Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy ( LVMH) reported a 1 per cent organic growth in the second quarter at its core fashion and leather goods division on Monday, ending seven straight quarters of decline, opening a busy week of French luxury results on a positive note.

Over the first half, organic sales at the fashion and leather goods division fell 1 per cent, an improvement on the 3 per cent decline in the second half of 2


China’s robotics industry is quietly cornering a new niche – and shipyards stand to gain

RobotPlusPlus, a Zhejiang-based supplier of robots for high-altitude operations, has developed an autonomous climbing robot designed to clean and descale ships. Photo: Handout

After conquering the sky and land, China’s robotics industry is quietly building momentum in a niche segment: high-altitude operation solutions.

RobotPlusPlus, a Zhejiang-based robotics supplier, has made headway into the market with its flagship global offering – an autonomous climbing robot designed for ship hull cleaning and descaling. The robot was considered safer than manual labour, the company said – and could extend a vessel’s service life.

According


Newlywed Malaysian killed in South Korea: thousands raised to bring him home

Ahmad Shah Ahmad Ros, 26, died in the early hours of Sunday in Daeso-eup, Eumseong county, South Korea. Photo: Threads

A Malaysian factory worker who had spent nearly seven years building a life in South Korea was killed after going to help a friend caught up in a late-night confrontation, his family said – prompting an online fundraiser that collected about 80,000 ringgit (US$19,600) within a day to bring his body home.

Ahmad Shah Ahmad Ros, 26, died in the early hours of


Australia weighs first refinery in 60 years as Middle East war strains fuel supply

With only two operating plants left nationwide, Canberra orders a study on a major new Western Australia facility

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The Viva Energy Geelong refinery in Victoria, one of Australia’s only two remaining operating oil refineries. Photo: EPA

Australia will consider building its first new oil refinery in more than 60 years, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, as war in the Middle East ‌squeezes supplies from overseas and underscores the urgency to improve energy security.

Albanese said the project will help build Australia’s resilience and sovereign capability

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In 1976, earthquake in China’s Tangshan kills over 240,000 people – SCMP archive

This article was first published on July 29, 1976.

Quake rocks Northern China

by Staff Reporters

Heavy casualties and severe damage to industrial plants and property were feared when the strongest earthquake for 12 years struck the industrial belt of northern Hopei Province early yesterday (July 28, 1976) morning.

The tremor was followed by a series of aftershocks and 16 hours after the first quake, an aftershock of almost the same intensity struck the same area, causing further damage and casualties.


China turns to public for help in deadly dam collapse probe after Typhoon Maysak

Flooded villages in Hengzhou, southern China after the Liulan Reservoir dam collapse on July 6. Photo: AP

The Chinese government has appealed to the public for clues as part of its investigation into a reservoir dam that collapsed in southern China earlier this month, causing heavy casualties.
State media reported on Monday that the public was invited to submit information related to the collapse of the Liulan Reservoir in Hengzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on July 6 via a dedicated telephone hotline

CATL-backed smart driving tech firm to kick off Hong Kong IPO this week: sources

NASN Intelligent Tech, a mainland Chinese smart driving motion control technologies company, is seeking to kick off its initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong as soon as Thursday, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company, backed by battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Lt d (CATL), recently passed its listing hearing , signalling it could kick off its book building anytime. Debuts are scheduled for August 7, the sources said, requesting not to be identified as the information is not public.

Founded in 2


How a displaced F1 race could be Malaysia’s ‘blessing in disguise’

This Week in Asia Economics

The one-off race in Sepang could deliver an economic boost and position Malaysia as a stable regional base for global events, analysts say

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen drives during the Formula One Malaysia Grand Prix in Sepang on October 1, 2017. Sepang will host this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix in October. Photo: AFP

Malaysia once decided Formula One was too expensive to keep, but Bahrain ’s displaced Grand Prix has given it an unexpected route back to the calendar, as well as a chance to test whether the sport can still deliver value without the full
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