Asia Pacific – Page 72 – Prologue Journal

Tuesday Briefing: A Tariff Deal With Mexico

New York Times Plus, the best and worst moments at the Grammys. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/briefing/mexico-tariff-delay-iran-weapon-moscow-bomb.html

How Costs for Online Sales After Trump’s Trade Move

New York Times President Trump’s tariff measures included a significant change to trade rules that could increase costs for many products bought online, including on Amazon, Shein and Temu. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/us/politics/trump-tariffs-shein-temu-loophole.html

Woman arrested in Thailand over record US$186 million romance scam

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Orathai’s case is linked to an investigation into a senior executive who has allegedly defrauded her company Essilor Manufacturing (Thailand). https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3297216/woman-arrested-thailand-over-record-us186-million-romance-scam?utm_source=rss_feed

Unesco recognises kebaya blouse in largest-ever group nomination from Southeast Asia

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. As the kebaya gets Unesco’s recognition, what does its global cultural status mean for the future of the garment? https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3297208/unesco-recognises-kebaya-blouse-largest-ever-group-nomination-southeast-asia?utm_source=rss_feed

In Singapore, calls for more background checks on political parties to ensure transparency

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Such checks will be critical to ensure candidates fielded are fit and proper, and show the party has done its due diligence, industry insiders say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297177/singapore-calls-more-background-checks-political-parties-ensure-transparency?utm_source=rss_feed

Nepali family hopes for hostage’s return from Gaza to end ‘excruciating’ wait

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Bipin Joshi was among the foreigners and Israelis kidnapped by Hamas amid the Palestinian militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297194/nepali-family-hopes-hostages-return-gaza-end-excruciating-wait?utm_source=rss_feed

For China, Trump’s Moves Bring Pain, but Also Potential Gains

New York Times President Trump’s tariffs hurt China, but his other actions have alienated U.S. allies, giving Beijing an opening to strengthen its global standing. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/world/asia/china-trump-foreign-aid.html

South Asia’s geopolitical landscape is shifting, creating new alliances

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. From Bangladesh and Pakistan growing closer to Afghanistan’s courting of India, the region’s political calculus looks more complex than ever. https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3297068/south-asias-geopolitical-landscape-shifting-creating-new-alliances?utm_source=rss_feed

North Korea ‘Kim Jong-il’ birthday tours to open: tour agency

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Rason, a city on the border with China, will open to foreign tourists, five years after Pyongyang sealed its frontiers over Covid-19. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3297166/north-korea-kim-jong-il-birthday-tours-open-tour-agency?utm_source=rss_feed

SoftBank, OpenAI tie up to develop AI for Japan as DeepSeek rises

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. SoftBank Group companies will spend US$3 billion a year on OpenAI’s tools, despite the arrival of cheaper products from China’s DeepSeek. https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3297162/softbank-openai-tie-develop-ai-japan-deepseek-rises?utm_source=rss_feed