Asia Pacific – Page 20 – Prologue Journal

Pentagon says North Korean missiles that can hit US may soon be in production

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A senior commander believes Kim Jong-un is ‘eager to transition his weapons programme from development to serial production and fielding’. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3298617/pentagon-says-north-korean-missiles-can-hit-us-may-soon-be-production?utm_source=rss_feed

Indian Migrant Says Deportation Flight Was ‘Torture’

New York Times As India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, meets with President Trump, issues around immigration are likely to be a source of tension, including a U.S. military flight that returned shackled migrants to India. https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000009982183/modi-trump-immigration-deportation.html

South Korean woman punished for biting off tongue of would-be rapist gets retrial

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Review of 78-year-old Choi Mal-ja’s case more than 60 years ago marks the country’s evolution in women’s rights. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3298614/south-korean-woman-punished-biting-tongue-would-be-rapist-gets-retrial?utm_source=rss_feed

Why the South China Sea row is now an election hot-button issue for the Philippines

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. China issue ‘will play well’ among voters as more candidates adopt maritime row as part of their platforms. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3298594/why-south-china-sea-row-now-election-hot-button-issue-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed

Ahead of Indian PM Modi’s meeting with Trump, New Delhi frets over possible US-China deal

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. While some analysts note ‘trepidation’, others say US seeks deeper trade and defence ties with India as leverage in talks with China. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3298598/ahead-indian-pm-modis-meeting-trump-new-delhi-frets-over-possible-us-china-deal?utm_source=rss_feed

Who are Philippines’ ‘Pogo personalities’? Figures tied to banned sector linger, critics warn

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Despite a ban on Pogos, high-profile figures linked to the industry remain, raising concerns about a growing network of criminal syndicates in the Philippines. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3298590/who-are-philippines-pogo-personalities-figures-tied-banned-sector-linger-critics-warn?utm_source=rss_feed

At Least 4 Killed in Suspected Gas Explosion at Taiwan Shopping Mall

New York Times The deadly blast occurred in a food court. The island’s president ordered an investigation into the cause. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/world/asia/taiwan-gas-explosion-mall.html

Chinese apps return to India, including Shein and Taobao, 5 years after border clash

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Apps including Alibaba’s Youku streaming platform and Tencent’s hit PUBG Mobile have returned under new names amid a thaw in China-India relations. https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3298582/chinese-apps-return-india-including-shein-and-taobao-5-years-after-border-clash?utm_source=rss_feed

Philippine troll takedowns? Facebook of 4 pro-Duterte influencers go dark

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Disabling of influencers’ Facebook accounts is ‘characteristic of an authoritarian rule’, lawyer says, as Philippines steps up fight against disinformation. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3298580/philippine-troll-takedowns-facebook-4-pro-duterte-influencers-go-dark?utm_source=rss_feed

Philippines to bolster defence with subs and BrahMos missiles. Can it sustain this arsenal?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Manila’s plan to acquire submarines and BrahMos missiles aims to counter Beijing’s South China Sea activities, but faces challenges in funding and readiness. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3298573/philippines-bolster-defence-subs-and-brahmos-missiles-can-it-sustain-arsenal?utm_source=rss_feed