Asia Pacific – Page 28 – Prologue Journal

Monday Briefing: A Gaza Cease-Fire Begins

New York Times Plus, how Oscar contenders are rethinking sex scenes. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/briefing/gaza-cease-fire-tik-tok-ban-trump-inauguration.html

Fearing Deportation, Uyghurs Held in Thailand Go on Hunger Strike

New York Times Dozens of men from the ethnic minority sought escape from repression in China a decade ago, but have been detained in Thailand ever since. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/world/asia/uyghurs-thailand-hunger-strike.html

A century on from rise of fascism, civilisation hangs by a thread

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. As ethno-nationalist populism and propaganda threaten human society, we need leaders who can offer an alternative to confrontation and war. https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3294885/century-rise-fascism-civilisation-hangs-thread?utm_source=rss_feed

Thai sugar farmers, squeezed by climate change and health concerns, face bitter outlook

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Farmers say they feel besieged as global price collapse, Chinese ban on syrup imports and government’s fight against air pollution add to dilemmas. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3295242/thai-sugar-farmers-squeezed-climate-change-and-health-concerns-face-bitter-outlook?utm_source=rss_feed

Masahiro Nakai sex scandal puts Japan’s entertainment industry in crosshairs

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Observers say the former boy band member’s fall from grace echoes music mogul Johnny Kitagawa’s decades of sexual abuse. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3295305/masahiro-nakai-sex-scandal-puts-japans-entertainment-industry-crosshairs?utm_source=rss_feed

These Rooms Give Young Indian Lovers Rare Privacy. Cue the Complaints.

New York Times A policy change by a popular hotel platform shows the tension between traditional values and modern ideals in India. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/world/asia/india-oyo.html

What the Philippines’ bid for a UN Security Council seat means for China

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Manila would be able to raise South China Sea-related issues that could ‘embarrass’ Beijing and nudge it into a compromise, analysts say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3295256/what-philippines-bid-un-security-council-seat-means-china?utm_source=rss_feed

Malaysia takes on Asean mantle but tempers expectations on Myanmar, South China Sea

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. While committed to regional issues, Malaysia is tempering expectations for immediate solutions, acknowledging the complexity of both crises. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3295359/malaysia-takes-asean-mantle-tempers-expectations-myanmar-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed

Manila must put brakes on its car-centric policies, and seek viable transport solutions

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Manila is the world’s most congested city, and car-centric government policies, combined with insufficient investment in public transport, are making things worse. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3295247/manila-must-put-brakes-its-car-centric-policies-and-seek-viable-transport-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed

In joining Brics, Indonesia is not suddenly anti-US or pro-China

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. What Indonesia has gained is strategic autonomy, clout with the US and within Asean, and a bigger voice on the global stage. https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3294760/joining-brics-indonesia-not-suddenly-anti-us-or-pro-china?utm_source=rss_feed