Asia Pacific – Page 1022 – Prologue Journal

Comedy, Music and Uncle Roger Are China’s Latest Crackdown Targets

New York Times Performances across the country were canceled last week after Beijing began investigating a stand-up comedian. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/24/world/asia/china-comedy-music-crackdown.html

Japan to provide 100 military vehicles to Ukraine

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The donation, which also includes 30,000 food rations, comes as Japan’s government is seeking to ease its military equipment transfer policy. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3221710/japan-provide-100-military-vehicles-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed

They Cuddled a Kiwi. New Zealand Said, ‘Stop That.’

New York Times Video of the national bird being handled by Miami zoo visitors caused an outcry in New Zealand. Even the prime minister weighed in. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/24/world/asia/new-zealand-kiwi-miami-zoo.html

Indonesia’s Megawati questions plan for regional military commands: ‘are we going to war?’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri questioned the rationale behind the army’s plan to establish one regional command in each province. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3221674/indonesias-megawati-questions-plan-regional-military-commands-are-we-going-war?utm_source=rss_feed

Pakistan mulls banning Imran Khan’s party, it cannot be ‘tolerated’, minister says

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the former cricket star’s PTI party had attacked the ‘very basis of state’, which could not be tolerated. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3221696/pakistan-mulls-banning-imran-khans-party-it-cannot-be-tolerated-minister-says?utm_source=rss_feed

Modern slavery numbers rise sharply, most widespread in North Korea, Eritrea, report reveals

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. About 50 million people worldwide are trapped in modern slavery – 10 million more than 5 years ago. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3221681/modern-slavery-numbers-rise-sharply-most-widespread-north-korea-eritrea-report-reveals?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore jails South Korean tourist who stole US$21,500 from friend and blew it on gambling

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Song Hayan was sentenced to six months’ jail after pleading guilty to one charge of theft. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3221664/singapore-jails-south-korean-tourist-who-stole-us21500-friend-and-blew-it-gambling?utm_source=rss_feed

Arab leaders assert ‘strategic sovereignty’ over Middle East conflict in pointed message to West

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Assad’s return to Arab League and Zelensky’s appearance mark efforts by Arab states to remain diplomatically neutral in the West’s tensions with Russia and China. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3221652/arab-leaders-assert-strategic-sovereignty-over-middle-east-conflict-pointed-message-west?utm_source=rss_feed

As a key US ally, Australia has the right to ask Biden to free Julian Assange

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. From the Quad to Aukus, Australia has supported America’s China-containment policy and made itself a surrogate target. This gives it leverage – if it wants to use it. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3221454/key-us-ally-australia-has-right-ask-biden-free-julian-assange?utm_source=rss_feed

Sri Lanka navy finds 14 bodies in capsized Chinese fishing boat Lupeng Yuanyu 028

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The discovery came a day after a preliminary Chinese government probe concluded there were no survivors. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3221656/sri-lanka-navy-finds-14-bodies-capsized-chinese-fishing-boat-lupeng-yuanyu-028?utm_source=rss_feed