Asia Pacific – Page 1016 – Prologue Journal

Biden Officials Announce Indo-Pacific Trade Deal, Clashing With Industry Groups

New York Times The United States announced a deal to coordinate supply chains with allies, but prominent business groups said the deal fell short on reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/27/business/economy/biden-indo-pacific-trade-deal.html

China should tread carefully in Afghanistan or risk becoming the latest addition to ‘graveyard of empires’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is beset by many issues that make investment or improved relations problematic. The Taliban’s refusal to respect human rights, form an inclusive government and fight extremist groups could doom China to the…

Japan PM Kishida willing to meet North Korea’s Kim Jong-un over kidnappings

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Seeking the return of Japanese nationals abducted by the North in the 1970s and 1980s, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he is committed to talks ‘at the earliest opportunity’. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3222059/japan-pm-kishida-willing-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-over-kidnappings?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore court rules Credit Suisse owes millions to a billionaire ex-prime minister

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire businessman who amassed a fortune in Russia before serving as Georgia’s leader, put more than US$1.1 billion into a trust overseen by the bank’s Singapore subsidiary, and an employee ‘misappropriated…

Indonesia’s antitrust body fines cooking oil firms for restricting supply

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The anti-monopoly agency found 7 out of 27 companies guilty of limiting distribution of their branded cooking oils while a retail price cap was in place in early 2022. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3222046/indonesias-antitrust-body-fines-cooking-oil-firms-restricting-supply?utm_source=rss_feed

Christians caught with Bible in North Korea face death, prison – including children

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. As many as 70,000 Christians have been imprisoned in camps along with believers from other religions, according to a new report. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3222040/christians-caught-bible-north-korea-face-death-prison-including-children?utm_source=rss_feed

Official in India Drains Part of Reservoir to Retrieve Phone

New York Times Rajesh Vishwas, a food inspector, used a diesel pump to empty part of a reservoir where he had lost his smartphone. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/27/world/asia/indian-official-drains-dam-lost-phone.html

As Covid Infections Rise, China Rejects a Return to Lockdowns

New York Times The authorities say that cases are up, and one doctor estimates that there could soon be 65 million cases a week. But China appears determined to move on. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/27/world/asia/china-covid-lockdowns-economy.html

China says South Korea agrees to boost semiconductor cooperation, while Seoul stays quiet on talks

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Chinese and South Korean trade chiefs meet on sidelines of Apec meeting in Detroit – their first interaction in about a year. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3222038/china-says-south-korea-agrees-boost-semiconductor-cooperation-while-seoul-stays-quiet-talks?utm_source=rss_feed

Kuwait suspends new visas for Philippines workers in rights row

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The suspension comes after the Philippines stopped the first-time deployment of domestic workers to Kuwait after the body of a Filipino domestic worker was found in the Kuwaiti desert. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3222037/kuwait-suspends-new-visas-philippines-workers-rights-row?utm_source=rss_feed