Japan's new emperor Naruhito to ascend Chrysanthemum Throne

14 Sept 01:27 Key points summarised by AI

Emperor Naruhito formally ascends Japan's Chrysanthemum Throne, succeeding his father Akihito after a historic abdication, marking the dawn of a new imperial era.
The 59-year-old participates in a solemn 10-minute ritual at the Imperial Palace, receiving sacred imperial treasures and seals, followed by his first address to the nation.
Future ceremonies include a public appearance on Saturday, a grand parade on October 22 with world leaders, and his first state visitor will be US President Donald Trump in May.
Naruhito is tasked with balancing centuries-old traditions with modernizing the monarchy, continuing his father's legacy of connecting with the people, and protecting Empress Masako amidst her health struggles.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Today 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.