Asia Pacific – Page 25 – Prologue Journal

Malaysia-Singapore economic zone to offer tax rates as low as 5%

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is nearly twice the size of Shenzhen, whose success it is hoping to emulate. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3293859/malaysia-singapore-economic-zone-offer-tax-rates-low-5?utm_source=rss_feed

Indonesia in Brics: a ‘strategic hedge’ or challenge to US interests?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The move, championed by Prabowo, reflects a bid to elevate Indonesia’s global standing – but could complicate ties with the US under Trump. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293828/indonesia-brics-strategic-hedge-or-challenge-us-interests?utm_source=rss_feed

Paul Chan says Hong Kong is ‘advantageous’ for IPOs in overture to Indonesian companies

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Companies in Southeast Asia’s most populous nation should find Hong Kong’s capital market an ‘attractive and advantageous’ place for raising funds, Paul Chan said. https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3293853/paul-chan-says-hong-kong-advantageous-ipos-overture-indonesian-companies?utm_source=rss_feed

Assassination suspected as ex-Cambodian opposition MP shot dead in Bangkok

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Multiple Thai media outlets reported that a gunman on a motorcycle opened fire on Lim Kimya as he arrived in Thailand’s capital. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3293840/assassination-suspected-ex-cambodian-opposition-mp-shot-dead-bangkok?utm_source=rss_feed

Indonesia’s US$4 billion free meal scheme: feeding dreams or fuelling debt?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. With plans to feed nearly 83 million people by 2029, critics warn the programme may push Indonesia’s budget deficit beyond its legal limits. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293794/indonesias-us4-billion-free-meal-scheme-feeding-dreams-or-fuelling-debt?utm_source=rss_feed

Scientists in Australia breed mosquitoes with ‘toxic’ semen to curb diseases

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The ‘toxic male technique’ aims to breed male mosquitoes that kill disease-spreading females through the act of mating. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3293829/scientists-australia-breed-mosquitoes-toxic-semen-curb-diseases?utm_source=rss_feed

Japanese actor Ryo Yoshizawa fired from Asahi low-alcohol beer ads after drunken incident

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Ryo Yoshizawa, who broke into his neighbour’s home while drunk on December 30, has had his contract with Asahi Breweries terminated. https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3293824/japanese-actor-ryo-yoshizawa-fired-asahi-low-alcohol-beer-ad-after-drunken-incident?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan’s hottest year since records began threatens rice supply, ecosystems

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. With scorching summers, sweltering autumns and a steady rise in sea temperatures, Japan’s climate crisis deepened in 2024. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3293771/japans-hottest-year-records-began-threatens-rice-supply-ecosystems?utm_source=rss_feed

In Japan, death from overwork is an occupational hazard – but that could be changing

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Younger Japanese are turning their backs on grind culture. The result? Shorter workweeks, higher wages, and hope for an end to karoshi. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3293755/japan-death-overwork-occupational-hazard-could-be-changing?utm_source=rss_feed

Wednesday Briefing: Meta Set to End Fact-Checking

New York Times Plus, 52 places to go this year https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/briefing/trump-tibet-meta-sudan.html