Asia Pacific – Page 5 – Prologue Journal

Australia says watching ‘every move’ of Chinese warships off Sydney’s coast

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the vessels did not pose any threats but their presence was an ‘unusual event’. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3299371/australia-says-watching-every-move-chinese-warships-sydneys-coast?utm_source=rss_feed

‘Beyond maliciousness’: Japanese man who raped 10 girls given life sentence

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The presiding judge said Tomoya Yanagimoto, 28, meticulously planned his ‘despicable’ crimes, waiting until his victims were home alone. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3299354/beyond-maliciousness-japanese-man-who-raped-10-girls-given-life-sentence?utm_source=rss_feed

North Korean POW captured in Ukraine seeks asylum in South, sparking potential ‘domino effect’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A North Korean soldier’s plea for asylum in South Korea could force Pyongyang to reconsider its involvement in the Ukraine war and complicate Seoul-Moscow ties. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3299334/north-korean-pow-captured-ukraine-seeks-asylum-south-sparking-potential-domino-effect?utm_source=rss_feed

Thursday Briefing: Trump and Zelensky Feud Over Peace Talks

New York Times Plus, Cambodia’s returned treasures. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/briefing/trump-zelensky-gaza-plan-trump-bolsonaro.html

‘Most deadly 100 days’: Indonesia’s Prabowo faces major student protests against costly policies

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Student protests across the country underline Prabowo’s ‘blunder and mediocre cabinet’ but are unlikely to ‘rock’ national politics, analysts note. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3299353/most-deadly-100-days-indonesias-prabowo-faces-major-student-protests-against-costly-policies?utm_source=rss_feed

South Korean Officials Convicted Over Forcibly Sending North Koreans Home

New York Times The case of two North Korean fishermen, who murdered 16 compatriots before they sought asylum, has become a political minefield in the South. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/world/asia/north-korea-fishermen-court.html

Malaysia’s Johor-Singapore SEZ gets US$150 million boost from Hong Kong battery maker

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Gold Peak Technology Group will be the first to use a new initiative aimed at fast-tracking investors’ entry into the special economic zone. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3299328/malaysias-johor-singapore-sez-gets-us150-million-boost-hong-kong-battery-maker?utm_source=rss_feed

Pakistan Hosts Top Cricket Championship, but India Skips the Party

New York Times India has refused to play its Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, which is hosting its first major global tournament in almost 30 years. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/sports/cricket-champions-trophy-india-pakistan.html

Cambodia’s Stolen Statues Are Coming Home to an Overflowing Museum

New York Times Foreign institutions and collectors are returning artifacts with deep spiritual meaning for Cambodians. Where and how to display them remain open questions. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/world/asia/cambodia-national-museum-statues.html

Indonesia aims to create its version of DeepSeek in bid to become AI hub

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A senior aide to President Prabowo Subianto says the Indonesian version of the popular Chinese chatbot will be presented soon. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3299304/indonesia-aims-create-its-version-deepseek-bid-become-ai-hub?utm_source=rss_feed