Asia Pacific – Page 35 – Prologue Journal

Thursday Briefing: An Israel-Hamas Hostage Exchange

New York Times Plus, the female gaze behind the camera. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/briefing/israel-hamas-ukraine-minerals-sudan-plane-crash.html

Drake Postpones 4 Australia and New Zealand Tour Dates

New York Times Dates for Brisbane, Sydney and Auckland were postponed for a “scheduling conflict,” representatives for the rapper said. The tour coincided with the release of his latest album. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/arts/music/drake-postpone-australia-new-zealand.html

Philippine police rescue Chinese student whose finger was cut off by kidnappers

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The kidnappers, who included former Filipino police officers and soldiers,. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3300265/philippine-police-rescue-chinese-student-whose-finger-was-cut-kidnappers?utm_source=rss_feed

South Korea’s annual military drill with US to go on, AI models to be deployed

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The announcement comes weeks after the two allies held joint air drills, prompting North Korea to slam them for the ‘provocative’ moves. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3300261/south-koreas-annual-military-drill-us-go-ai-models-be-deployed?utm_source=rss_feed

‘Zombie cigarettes’: Thai authorities warn of deadly drug-laced vapes

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The e-cigarettes contain the narcotic etomidate, an anaesthetic agent that is potentially fatal. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3300258/zombie-cigarettes-thai-authorities-warn-deadly-drug-laced-vapes?utm_source=rss_feed

As India, Bangladesh envoys engage in war of words, are ties reaching ‘point of no return’?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Growing instability in Bangladesh and its engagement with Pakistan while having limited outreach to Delhi have raised concerns, analysts say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3300230/india-bangladesh-envoys-engage-war-words-are-ties-reaching-point-no-return?utm_source=rss_feed

Common ground or go it alone? Asean flummoxed by Trump tariff threat

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Asean to hold talks on ways to approach tariff threat but some members are already making their own moves to negotiate with Trump’s administration. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3300248/common-ground-or-go-it-alone-asean-flummoxed-trump-tariff-threat?utm_source=rss_feed

Australia jails 14 sect members over ‘slow and painful’ death of girl, 8

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The girl’s mother and father, the leader and other members of the home-based church were jailed for manslaughter. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3300243/australia-jails-14-sect-members-over-slow-and-painful-death-girl-8?utm_source=rss_feed

South Koreans Are Having More Babies After Years of Decline

New York Times South Korea reported a rare increase in births last year as the country grapples with a dwindling population. Its fertility rate remains the world’s lowest. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/world/asia/south-korea-babies-birthrate.html

Trump Takes Aim at Chinese Shipping Amid Widening Trade War

New York Times A new proposal would impose steep levies on Chinese-made ships arriving at U.S. ports, threatening to increase costs for imports. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/business/trump-china-shipping.html