Asia Pacific – Page 114 – Prologue Journal

Malaysia’s vape sector pleads for ‘opportunity to breathe’ as strict smoking laws loom

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Industry seeks more time to offload inventories, saying rules aimed at kicking addiction among under 18s being rolled out without consultation. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3280023/malaysias-vape-sector-pleads-opportunity-breathe-strict-smoking-laws-loom?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan court acquits world’s longest-serving death row inmate in 1966 murder retrial

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Iwao Hakamada had been on death row for decades after being convicted of killing his boss, the man’s wife and their two children. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3280030/japan-court-acquits-worlds-longest-serving-death-row-inmate-1966-murder-retrial?utm_source=rss_feed

Thailand counts cost of climate crisis as tourists in Chiang Mai warned of flood risks

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The country is still dealing with flash floods since Super Typhoon Yagi, which has killed hundreds of people across Southeast Asia. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3280024/thailand-counts-cost-climate-crisis-tourists-chiang-mai-warned-flood-risks?utm_source=rss_feed

To Lam tells Biden Vietnam a ‘friend’ as Hanoi seeks to balance US-China ties

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The two leaders met in New York, where Lam hailed Biden’s ‘historic contribution’ to elevating bilateral relations. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3280010/lam-tells-biden-vietnam-friend-hanoi-seeks-balance-us-china-ties?utm_source=rss_feed

First It Was Lynch Mobs. Now Police Kill Pakistanis Accused of Blasphemy.

New York Times The deaths of two men have reverberated across Pakistan, where the charge of insulting Islam has long been a sensitive issue. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/26/world/asia/pakistan-blasphemy.html

Will delay in Philippine ratification of Japan defence pact affect deterrence plans?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Senate has not received signed copy of pact for approval, its president says, as he urges government to move quickly. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3279960/will-delay-philippine-ratification-japan-defence-pact-affect-deterrence-plans?utm_source=rss_feed

Seoul mayor faces pressure to scrap Filipino helper scheme after 2 carers disappear

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Trade unions want Oh Se-hoon to review the ‘irresponsible’ policy that they say could lead to rise in undocumented migrant workers. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3279983/seoul-mayor-faces-pressure-scrap-filipino-helper-scheme-after-2-carers-disappear?utm_source=rss_feed

‘Show of force’: US deploys laser-equipped warship to Japan with eye on China war threat

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. USS Preble is the only American destroyer with the advanced Helios laser weapon that can intercept aerial threats such as drones and missiles. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3279916/show-force-us-deploys-laser-equipped-warship-japan-eye-2027-china-threat?utm_source=rss_feed

Quad makes it clear to China it’s much more than ‘sea foam’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. While Beijing initially dismissed the notion of the Quad, it now sees the grouping as a formidable force to reckon with in the coming years. https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3279746/quad-makes-it-clear-china-its-much-more-sea-foam?utm_source=rss_feed

Thursday Briefing: The U.S. Pushes for a Cease-Fire in Lebanon

New York Times Plus, 3,600-year-old cheese. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/briefing/ceasefire-lebanon-election-japan.html