Asia Pacific – Page 1036 – Prologue Journal

UN expert says Myanmar military imported US$1 billion in weapons from China, Russia and others since coup

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar said Russian and Chinese jets were frequently used to hit civilian sites. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3220940/un-expert-says-myanmar-military-imported-us1-billion-weapons-china-russia-and-others-coup?utm_source=rss_feed

Kim Jong-un’s miscalculations leave his regime in North Korea hanging by a thread

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Three events have precipitated the crisis: UN sanctions, Kim’s harsh Covid-19 controls and his failed bid to court Russia and China in a defiant nuclear push. The only remaining means of preserving state integrity…

Singapore jails man for blackmailing ex-girlfriend with sex video taken without consent

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Nicholas Koh Wei Xuan was sentenced to two months and three weeks’ jail for blackmailing his ex-girlfriend with a sex video that he took without her consent. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3220921/singapore-jails-man-blackmailing-ex-girlfriend-sex-video-taken-without-consent?utm_source=rss_feed

Your Thursday Briefing: The G7 Begins

New York Times Also, hot years ahead as global temperatures rise. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/briefing/g7-biden-pacific-japan-asia.html

S.P. Hinduja, billionaire head of Britain’s richest family, dies at 87

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Indian-born businessman and his brother Gopichand had been embroiled in a feud over the future of their business empire, which employs 200,000 people across over 30 countries. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3220931/sp-hinduja-billionaire-head-britains-richest-family-dies-87?utm_source=rss_feed

Bali police suspect Chinese tourist tortured, killed girlfriend before taking own life

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Investigations at three hotels where Cheng Jianan, 22, stayed with her boyfriend Lhi Chiming, 25, suggest she was tortured then drowned in a bathtub after a series of fights. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3220920/bali-police-suspect-chinese-tourist-tortured-killed-girlfriend-taking-own-life?utm_source=rss_feed

This Spider Is Imperfect, and That May Be Its Secret Trick

New York Times A colorful jumping spider mimics multiple species of ants, and its repertoire of impressions seems to help it scare off one of its fiercest predators. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/science/jumping-spider-mimic-ant.html

Biden’s shorter Asia trip sparks concerns about US commitment to region, efforts to counter China

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. US president’s truncated visit is an ‘unwelcome reminder’ that Washington’s pledges to the region are at the mercy of ‘increasingly fickle politics on the US home front’. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3220914/bidens-shorter-asia-trip-sparks-concerns-about-us-commitment-region-efforts-counter-china?utm_source=rss_feed

China Fines Comedy Company $2 Million For ‘Insulting’ the Military

New York Times The penalty came after a popular comedian joked about a military slogan often used by China’s leader, Xi Jinping, who has strictly curbed expression. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/world/asia/china-comedy-2-million-fine.html

Singapore’s No 2 leader Lawrence Wong cements ties with China’s emerging leaders in ‘timely’ visit

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Lawrence Wong’s meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang indicates a mutual desire to push forward cooperation ‘driven at the senior levels’, one analyst notes https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3220889/singapores-no-2-leader-lawrence-wong-cements-ties-chinas-emerging-leaders-timely-visit?utm_source=rss_feed