Shares in chipmakers underpinning AI boom rocket in first half of 2026

Value of some chip manufacturers have tripled, or more, driving Asia Pacific stock markets sharply higher

The Guardian
The family of a 17-year-old Thai girl whose ⁠body was found in a suitcase in Thailand said they were devastated by her death, for which an Australian man has been arrested and charged with murder. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/29/asia-pacific/crime-legal/thai-family-teen-suitcase-australian/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #crimelegal #thailand #australia #murder
Thai family mourns teen girl found dead in suitcase as Australian arrested

Thai police said ⁠they reviewed CCTV footage that showed the Australian man entering a condominium with the 17-year-old girl, then leaving alone hours later ​carrying a suitcase.

The Japan Times
Chinese bull-wrestling dates back over 600 years but remains a little-known sport domestically, let alone internationally. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/28/asia-pacific/china-bull-wrestlers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #china #animals
China’s bull wrestlers fight to keep tradition alive

Bull-wrestling was brought to Jiaxing by Hui Muslim migrants and evolved from a herding skill into a folk competition.

The Japan Times
Historically regarded as a summer stamina booster — particularly among older and rural people — dog meat has steadily fallen out of favor as younger Koreans embrace dogs as pets and public attitudes shift. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/28/asia-pacific/society/dogs-disappear-south-korea-meat-ban/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #society #southkorea #animals #dogs
Where are they? Dogs disappear before South Korea meat ban

For activists, the change in law will not only end the consumption of dogs, but also a “long-standing loophole” around their treatment.

The Japan Times

Australian man charged with murder in Thailand after teenage girl’s body found in suitcase
By Natasha May and Pirada Anuwech in Bangkok

Simon Peter Carman, 46, has denied the charges against him

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/28/australian-man-charged-thailand-teenage-girl-body-found-in-suitcase-pattaya-city-ntwnfb

#Australianews #Thailand #AsiaPacific #NatashaMay #PiradaAnuwechinBangkok

Australian man charged with murder in Thailand after teenage girl’s body found in suitcase

Simon Peter Carman, 46, has denied the charges against him

The Guardian
New Caledonia polls open in first local vote in the French territory since 2019

Election will determine balance of power in New Caledonia before fresh negotiations with France on the territory’s status

The Guardian

🟢 MilitaryExercise | 6/10
🇨🇳 🇷🇺 🇰🇷

China and Russia conducted joint strategic air patrol over Asia-Pacific
China's Defense Ministry says the PLA Air Force and Russia's Air Force conducted a joint strategic air patrol over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean, demonstrating their ability to jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

#OSINT #NewsGroup #China #Russia #MilitaryExercise #AsiaPacific

Australian man arrested in Thailand after 17-year-old’s body found in suitcase
By Natasha May and Ben Doherty

The 46-year-old was stopped at about 9.30pm on Friday while preparing to board a Jetstar flight to Perth, according to the Nation Thailand

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/27/australian-man-arrested-in-thailand-after-17-year-olds-body-found-in-suitcase

#Thailand #Australianews #AsiaPacific #NatashaMay #BenDoherty

Australian man arrested in Thailand after 17-year-old’s body found in suitcase

The 46-year-old was stopped at about 9.30pm on Friday while preparing to board a Jetstar flight to Perth, according to police and local media

The Guardian
A small plane appeared to have crashed into Beijing's tallest building on Friday, with witnesses reporting plane debris at the skyscraper's base and journalists seeing a hole in the building's upper floors. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/27/asia-pacific/plane-crash-beijing-tallest-building/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #china #beijing #airaccidents
Plane appears to crash into Beijing’s tallest building

Video footage taken by witnesses showed what appeared to be part of a small plane on the ground beside the building.

The Japan Times
A Queer Guide to Taiwan Pride 2026
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/a-queer-guide-to-taipei-where-to-eat-stay-and-play-for-pride-2026
The Taiwanese capital hosts the largest LGBTQIA+ celebration in East Asia every October — here's how to eat, stay and play.
#taipei #lgbtqtravel #asiapacific