Asia Pacific – Page 19 – Prologue Journal

Bungling Australia arsonist sets trousers on fire, has to leave scene without them

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. CCTV video shows a person in Melbourne engulfed in flames, who removes their burning clothes before running off. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3294299/bungling-australia-arsonist-sets-trousers-fire-has-leave-scene-without-them?utm_source=rss_feed

Ishiba’s snub by Trump pushes Japan towards Beijing, sparking concerns about US influence

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Analysts think Ishiba aims to leverage China’s influence for Japan’s gain, but some fear this could weaken the Washington-Tokyo alliance. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3294294/ishibas-snub-trump-pushes-japan-towards-beijing-sparking-concerns-about-us-influence?utm_source=rss_feed

Japanese police eye mandatory ID checks for scrap metal trading to stop surge in thefts

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. National Police Agency proposes registration scheme for those dealing in scrap metal as thieves target businesses and disrupt operations. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3294293/japanese-police-eye-mandatory-id-checks-scrap-metal-trading-stop-surge-thefts?utm_source=rss_feed

Shui Ka-chun, Hong Kong Activist, Dies

New York Times A social worker and teacher imprisoned for his activism, he later wrote about the toll of incarceration and worked to help others behind bars. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/world/asia/shiu-ka-chun-hong-kong-activist-dead.html

Female hammer attacker in Japan wounds at least 8 at university

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Media said the assailant appeared to be a student, who had been stopped by staff at Tokyo’s Hosei University. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3294284/female-hammer-attacker-japan-wounds-least-8-university?utm_source=rss_feed

New York’s Chinese Dissidents Thought He Was an Ally. He Was a Spy.

New York Times Shujun Wang seemed to be a Chinese democracy activist, but an F.B.I. investigation showed just how far China will go to repress citizens abroad. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/magazine/china-spy-dissidents-new-york.html

China’s Central Bank Stops Buying Bonds as Deflation Fears Grip Economy

New York Times The unexpected action is intended to tamp down a potential bubble in the bond market fueled by investors shunning riskier assets like stocks and real estate. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/business/china-central-bank-bonds.html

Malaysia says it has no record of documents granting ex-PM Najib home detention

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The former leader, whose 12-year sentence was halved last year by the then king, says an accompanying order on house arrest is being ignored. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3294272/malaysia-says-it-has-no-record-documents-granting-ex-pm-najib-home-detention?utm_source=rss_feed

Philippine politicians worry about ‘warmonger’ Trump’s aggressive foreign policy

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Several groups say Donald Trump poses a grave danger to the region and worry the US president-elect may involve the Philippines in a war. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3294240/philippine-politicians-worry-about-warmonger-trumps-aggressive-foreign-policy?utm_source=rss_feed

‘Victory for democracy’: Indonesian activists hail removal of limits on presidential bids

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The ruling removes the 20 per cent seat and 25 per cent vote threshold, paving the way for more diverse candidates and a more competitive political landscape. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3294220/victory-democracy-indonesian-activists-hail-removal-limits-presidential-bids?utm_source=rss_feed