Asia Pacific – Page 44 – Prologue Journal

New Zealand lights up for the new year as Pacific region is first to welcome 2025

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Auckland, New Zealand celebrated the arrival of 2025 with a spectacular firework and light show, featuring a synchronised soundtrack and 500kg of pyrotechnics. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3292943/new-zealand-lights-new-years-pacific-region-first-welcome-2025?utm_source=rss_feed

Kung fu nuns showcase martial arts at Nepal monastery reopening after Covid-19 closure

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. These nuns, trained in self-defence, are part of the Drukpa lineage, which promotes gender equality and empowers women through physical and spiritual development. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3292931/kung-fu-nuns-showcase-martial-arts-nepal-monastery-reopening-after-covid-19-closure?utm_source=rss_feed

He Didn’t Know His Father Was on Doomed South Korean Flight Until it Crashed

New York Times Oh Jaejin’s father, 64, had not told Mr. Oh he was flying, because he didn’t want his son to worry. They had been looking forward to his becoming a grandfather. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/world/asia/south-korea-plane-crash-victims.html

South Korea’s Jeju Air crash: calls for removal of runway wall, as scrutiny intensifies

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Experts say use of ‘frangible’ materials for guidance facilities to reduce impact of crashes would have made the accident ‘far less deadly’. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292934/south-koreas-jeju-air-crash-calls-removal-runway-wall-scrutiny-intensifies?utm_source=rss_feed

Chinese Companies Have Sidestepped Trump’s Tariffs. They Could Do It Again.

New York Times The companies have found plenty of new channels to the U.S. market — demonstrating the potential limits of the tariffs Donald Trump has promised to impose. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/business/economy/trump-tariffs-china.html

One Indelible Scene: Yearning and Loss in ‘All We Imagine as Light’

New York Times A mysterious rice cooker and a rainstorm combine to convey what a woman doesn’t speak of. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/movies/all-we-imagine-as-light-payal-kapadia.html

Honey collector from Thailand with huge following laments Chiang Mai’s deforestation

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Pran Tee has attracted over 320,000 followers on Facebook thanks to his tree-climbing missions to extract honey from bee hives in Chiang Mai. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3292914/honey-collector-thailand-huge-following-laments-chiang-mais-deforestation?utm_source=rss_feed

South Korea’s acting president to fill Constitutional Court vacancies amid political turmoil

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The move by acting President Choi Sang-mok aims to restore stability and prevent a credit rating downgrade, following the impeachment of two predecessors. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3292911/south-koreas-acting-president-fill-constitutional-court-vacancies-amid-political-turmoil?utm_source=rss_feed

Indonesia reviews France’s request to transfer death-row convict

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Frenchman Serge Atlaoui has spent the past 20 years in prison in Indonesia after being arrested on drug charges. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292904/indonesia-reviews-frances-request-transfer-death-row-convict?utm_source=rss_feed

South Korea’s Jeju Air crash: Muan airport had only 1 worker to fend off birds during mishap

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Staffing levels spark concerns about the adequacy of bird control operations at the airport. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3292876/south-koreas-jeju-air-crash-muan-airport-had-only-1-worker-fend-birds-during-mishap?utm_source=rss_feed