Asia Pacific – Page 26 – Prologue Journal

Smugglers caught with juvenile Komodo dragon in underwear at South Korea airport

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The suspects smuggled more than 1,800 exotic animals worth US$1.5 million from Thailand and Indonesia. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3286533/smugglers-caught-juvenile-komodo-dragon-underwear-south-korea-airport?utm_source=rss_feed

Typhoon Usagi Threatens Floods and Landslides in the Philippines

New York Times The storm had winds equivalent to those of a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday. Forecasters warned of torrential rain in the north of the country. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/14/world/asia/typhoon-usagi-philippines.html

American tourist arrested for defacing Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu shrine in prank

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Steve Hayes reportedly used his fingernails to scratch letters in a traditional wooden gate at the temple complex. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3286509/american-tourist-arrested-defacing-tokyos-meiji-jingu-shrine-prank?utm_source=rss_feed

Palau says China ICBM test a ‘direct threat’, seeks US Patriot missile system

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. President Whipps said he and incoming US leader Trump are ‘very much in agreement’ regarding the Pacific island nation’s security. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3286490/palau-says-china-icbm-test-direct-threat-seeks-us-patriot-missile-system?utm_source=rss_feed

Can Indonesia’s Prabowo build rapport with Trump and stave off US protectionism?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Concerns about Indonesia’s economy have emerged given Donald Trump’s distrust of multilateralism and climate change policies. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3286426/can-indonesias-prabowo-build-rapport-trump-and-stave-us-protectionism?utm_source=rss_feed

Indonesia’s Prabowo on managing South China Sea row: ‘partnerships better than conflicts’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The president said Jakarta will safeguard its sovereignty in the contested waterway days after signing a maritime deal with Beijing. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3286486/indonesias-prabowo-managing-south-china-sea-row-partnerships-better-conflicts?utm_source=rss_feed

Thailand’s Lopburi tames monkey chaos, savours freedom after 4-year battle

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Hundreds of macaques that wreaked havoc and scared residents have been sterilised and put in cages, restoring peace and improving business. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3286477/thailands-lopburi-tames-monkey-chaos-savours-freedom-after-4-year-battle?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan’s PM Ishiba to push ahead with political funds reforms in bid to restore public trust

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Analysts are optimistic Ishiba will be able to tackle corruption in Japanese politics as he has a ‘clear majority’ for carrying out reforms. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3286428/japans-pm-ishiba-push-ahead-political-funds-reforms-bid-restore-public-trust?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan cracks down on over-the-counter medicines to combat social media ‘overdose’ trend

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The government is enacting age verification and purchase limits to curb hospitalisations and shortages, amid social media influence. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3286474/japan-cracks-down-over-counter-medicines-combat-social-media-overdose-trend?utm_source=rss_feed

New Zealand’s Aukus decision hinges on Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy: analysts

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Analysts believe Wellington will adopt a “wait and see” approach, potentially shifting towards a hedging strategy if Trump abandons the region. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3286388/new-zealands-aukus-decision-hinges-trumps-indo-pacific-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed