Dear ST reader, 

Air turbulence, and its tragic consequences, dominated the headlines this week after it forced a Singapore Airlines flight to make an emergency landing in Bangkok. Watch this timeline and follow our continuing coverage of the incident.

Over in Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te created ripples at his inauguration when he urged China to cease its military and political intimidation against the self-governing island. His speech drew cheers from the audience but a stern response from Beijing. Our correspondents Yip Wai Yee and Lim Min Zhang examine the upshot of what was said, and not said. 

Tensions with China were also the mainstay of a Senate investigation in Manila, which kicked off on May 22. At the first day of the hearing, a senior Philippine Navy command...