Asia Pacific – Page 65 – Prologue Journal

Friday Briefing: Trump Digs in on Gaza Takeover

New York Times Plus, the complex patterns in whale songs. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/briefing/trump-gaza-sweden-shooting-global-heat.html

Trump, the Panama Canal and China’s Role: What We Know

New York Times The canal’s two biggest ports are operated by a Hong Kong company with global reach. The Trump administration sees a Chinese threat to U.S. security. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/business/panama-canal-ck-hutchison.html

4 killed in US military-contracted plane crash in the Philippines

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. US forces have been deployed in a Philippine military camp in the country’s south for decades to advise and train Filipino forces. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3297677/4-killed-us-military-contracted-plane-crash-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed

India’s ruling BJP poised for comeback in Delhi state election, exit polls show

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Incumbent Aam Aadmi Party on the back foot because of voter fatigue, but analysts predict a ‘much tougher fight’ between the parties. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297675/indias-ruling-bjp-poised-comeback-delhi-state-election-exit-polls-show?utm_source=rss_feed

Philippines assured by Hegseth of US’ ‘ironclad’ pledge to mutual defence treaty

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Both countries discussed “the importance of re-establishing deterrence in the South China Sea”. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297661/philippines-assured-hegseth-us-ironclad-pledge-mutual-defence-treaty?utm_source=rss_feed

Xi Jinping praises Thailand’s crackdown on Myanmar scam hubs

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn met with Xi in Beijing after the kingdom cut power and internet to scam hubs around its border. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297659/xi-jinping-praises-thailands-crackdown-myanmar-scam-hubs?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan’s Prime Minister Will Seek to Preserve Status Quo at Summit With Trump

New York Times Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to cite his country’s increased investment in the U.S. and its regional security role when he meets President Trump on Friday. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/world/asia/japan-ishiba-trump-summit.html

Antisemitic attacks roil Australia amid claims of foreign influence

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The government has approved measures in the House of Representatives for new hate crime offences protecting race, religion and gender. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3297651/antisemitic-attacks-roil-australia-amid-claims-foreign-influence?utm_source=rss_feed

Malaysians decry rule seeking permission before inviting Muslims to temples, churches

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. New guidelines create ‘unnecessary barriers’ and will erode the goodwill Malaysians have built up over the years, critics say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297640/malaysians-decry-rule-seeking-permission-inviting-muslims-temples-churches?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore jails helper who bit, pinched baby who would not sleep

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Myanmar national, 24, said she was assigned to sleep with the baby, and was only able to go to bed after midnight every day. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3297639/singapore-jails-helper-who-bit-pinched-baby-who-would-not-sleep?utm_source=rss_feed