Asia Pacific – Page 1062 – Prologue Journal

SCMP’s highlights: 7 of this week’s most read stories

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. From a crocodile chase in Hong Kong to Beijing’s hotpot venture in the South China Sea, here are a few highlights from the Post’s recent reporting. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3219338/scmps-highlights-7-weeks-most-read-stories?utm_source=rss_feed

Thailand needs to hash out proper cannabis policy to avoid ‘drug problems’, PM candidates say

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Parliament last June voted to strike cannabis from the banned narcotics list but was dissolved for the May 14 election before it could codify a Cannabis Act. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3219412/thailand-needs-hash-out-proper-cannabis-policy-avoid-drug-problems-pm-candidates-say?utm_source=rss_feed

Marcos says US cannot use Philippines military bases for China offensive

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Philippine president also said Washington had not asked his government to provide troops in case of war between China and the US over Taiwan. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3219442/marcos-says-us-cannot-use-philippines-military-bases-china-offensive?utm_source=rss_feed

Your Friday Briefing: A Coronation Preview

New York Times Also, foreign business fears grow in China. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/briefing/charles-coronation-china-business-asia.html

8 Killed in Pakistan Shootings, Including 6 Teachers

New York Times No group claimed responsibility for the attacks, near the Afghan border. The authorities said they believed there was a sectarian dimension to the violence. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/world/asia/pakistan-school-shootings.html

India, Russia suspend negotiations to settle trade in rupees

Reuters Reuters exclusively reported that India and Russia have suspended efforts to settle bilateral trade in rupees, after months of negotiations failed to convince Moscow to keep rupees in its coffers. This would be a major setback for Indian importers of cheap oil and coal from Russia who were awaiting a permanent rupee payment mechanism…

Australia’s Indigenous leaders demand King Charles apologise for colonialism

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Representatives from 12 Commonwealth nations also called for financial reparations and the return of stolen cultural treasures. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3219426/australias-indigenous-leaders-demand-king-charles-apologise-colonialism?utm_source=rss_feed

Seoul’s LGBTQ festival blocked by Christian concert outside city hall, organisers say

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Clashes over the Seoul Queer Culture Festival and conservative religious groups are a yearly battle as same-sex marriage is not recognised and anti-discrimination laws face strong resistance in the country. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3219421/seouls-lgbt-festival-blocked-christian-concert-outside-city-hall-organisers-say?utm_source=rss_feed

Fear of Covid-19 patients straining Southeast Asia hospitals returns as cases soar

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Government hospital bed occupancy rate has gone up in Malaysia, while the Philippines reopened its Covid wards to tackle rise in infections. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3219369/fear-covid-19-patients-straining-southeast-asia-hospitals-returns-cases-soar?utm_source=rss_feed

Nato’s Asia office adds ‘layer of cooperation’ for Japan but won’t result in its membership

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The new liaison office is an ‘important and positive development’ for Japan but is unlikely to result in the country eventually joining Nato, analysts say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3219388/natos-asia-office-adds-layer-cooperation-japan-wont-result-its-membership?utm_source=rss_feed