Asia Pacific – Page 68 – Prologue Journal

Tensions Escalate After Pakistan Pounds Afghanistan With Airstrikes

New York Times Pakistani leaders were once friends of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now, cross-border violence has become alarmingly frequent. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/world/asia/pakistan-afghanistan-taliban.html

Is This the Year Laos Breaks Through?

New York Times The Southeast Asian country has lagged behind Vietnam and Thailand when it comes to tourism. The government hopes new hotels, roads and a train system will put Laos on visitors’ lists. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/travel/laos-vientiane-luang-prabang-train.html

Google, Musk’s X miss Malaysia’s social media licence deadline; China’s WeChat, TikTok comply

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Malaysian government implemented the licensing requirement to combat cybercrime, but Google and X have raised concerns about the regulations. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293048/google-musks-x-miss-malaysias-social-media-licence-deadline-chinas-wechat-tiktok-comply?utm_source=rss_feed

Is US naval activity in Philippine waters to counter China’s Typhon objection?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. USNS Victorious’ presence near Luzon is to signal Washington’s commitment to the Philippines amid the Typhon row with China, analysts say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293024/us-naval-activity-philippine-waters-counter-chinas-typhon-objection?utm_source=rss_feed

In a Trump 2.0 trade war against China, Vietnam stands to benefit again

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. With its growing hi-tech manufacturing and US partnership in trade and security, Vietnam will be a critical beneficiary of the economic fallout. https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3292900/trump-20-trade-war-against-china-vietnam-stands-benefit-again?utm_source=rss_feed

Russia’s uncovered secret war plans target 160 sites in Japan and South Korea

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Leaked Russian military documents reveal plans to target civilian infrastructure like nuclear power plants and tunnels, raising concerns about potential war crimes. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293037/russias-uncovered-secret-war-plans-target-160-sites-japan-and-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed

South Korea’s Jeju Air crash: initial data extracted from black box to hear pilots’ last words

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A fuller account of what went wrong in the flight’s final moments is expected once authorities have analysed the black boxes. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3293008/south-koreas-jeju-air-crash-initial-data-extracted-black-box-hear-pilots-last-words?utm_source=rss_feed

Man charged after New Zealand police officer killed in car-ramming attack

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Two other officers were also injured in the incident in Nelson that a minister called ‘a very cowardly attack’. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3293000/man-charged-after-new-zealand-police-officer-killed-car-ramming-attack?utm_source=rss_feed

Malaysian police say body found in river may be missing teenage girl

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Selangor police have opened a murder probe and arrested three suspects including the victim’s boyfriend. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/article/3292995/malaysian-police-say-body-found-river-may-be-missing-teenage-girl?utm_source=rss_feed

Xi Jinping, China’s Leader, Nods to Economic Challenges

New York Times In a New Year’s address, Xi Jinping made a rare acknowledgment of the flagging economy while reiterating the government’s growth targets. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/31/business/xi-jinping-china-economy.html