Asia

Thailand’s cabinet has halved the visa-free stay to 30 days for 59 countries, citing security concerns. The policy grants new privileges to six nations, including India, replacing previous visa-on-arrival requirements.

China has detained American seismologist Youlin Chen for nearly two years on espionage charges. The US government designated him wrongfully detained, citing his research on North Korean nuclear tests as the cause.

Malaysia’s apex court has acquitted former minister Syed Saddiq of corruption charges, clearing his path for a personal wedding and a potential political comeback. However, analysts remain skeptical about his ability to revive his struggling party, MUDA, amid a challenging political landscape.

Bangkok bar fire victims died from cyanide and carbon monoxide poisoning. Police suspect an overloaded electrical system and a bolted emergency exit caused the tragedy, with charges pending against the owner.

Powerful Typhoon Bavi is approaching Japan’s southwestern islands, triggering high alerts for violent winds and heavy rain. Taiwan has also initiated emergency preparations, including evacuations and flight cancellations, as the storm moves toward the region, with landfall expected in eastern China.

Taiwan’s premium chocolate industry has gained global acclaim for its artisanal quality. However, the sector now faces significant growth challenges as climate change, including rising temperatures and extreme weather, threatens the stability of local cacao harvests and production.

China warned that recent cooperation between India and Japan regarding critical minerals should not target Beijing. The Chinese foreign ministry stated that such partnerships must not harm third-party interests or serve as a pretext for stoking regional confrontation or forming exclusive cliques.

Lufthansa anticipates a challenging second half of 2026 due to geopolitical tensions, rising costs, and sustainability pressures. Despite these headwinds, the airline group remains optimistic about growth opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, where demand for air travel continues to stay strong.

Johor caretaker chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi has urged the federal government to expedite the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone master plan. Economy Minister Akmal Nasir defended the timeline, asserting that investor confidence remains strong despite the delay in the project's official launch.

Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee, who fled to Taiwan after being detained by Chinese authorities in 2015, has died at age 70. Lam was a prominent symbol of resistance against Beijing’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s freedoms and had been battling advanced lung cancer.

A fake Singapore-based think-tank used AI-generated profiles to target security analysts and intelligence personnel, attempting to gather sensitive information through deceptive recruitment and professional outreach.

A Malaysian man, Yip Chee Ming, was jailed for joining a scam syndicate in Cambodia. He pleaded guilty after being fired within three days due to poor performance while impersonating officials to defraud Singaporeans. The court sentenced him for his role in the organized crime group.