Asia Pacific – Page 79 – Prologue Journal

Takeaways From a Times Correspondent’s Return to Afghanistan

New York Times Here’s what he found. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/28/world/asia/takeaways-from-correspondent-return-to-afghanistan-investigate-war.html

LGBTQ rights, deepfake threats, falling fertility: Asia’s gender equality landscape in 2024

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. In 2024, Asia’s gender equality landscape saw advancements in LGBTQ rights amid alarming rates of violence against women, highlighting ongoing challenges. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292530/lgbtq-rights-deepfake-threats-falling-fertility-asias-gender-equality-landscape-2024?utm_source=rss_feed

China’s growing appetite for durian spurs market innovations

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A Shenzhen restaurant has gone viral online after launching a 199-yuan-a-head buffet featuring more than 200 durian dishes. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3292483/chinas-growing-appetite-durian-spurs-market-innovations?utm_source=rss_feed

The economic legacy of India’s Manmohan Singh: transformative reforms, but hurdles remain

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Experts argue that India should strengthen the late former PM’s legacy by focusing on privatisation and improving education and healthcare. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292526/economic-legacy-indias-manmohan-singh-transformative-reforms-hurdles-remain?utm_source=rss_feed

With South Korea in crisis, what black swans lurk for East Asia in 2025?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Signs of upheaval and uncertainty in Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines will be compounded as the US recalibrates its East Asia policy. https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3292041/south-korea-crisis-what-black-swans-lurk-east-asia-2025?utm_source=rss_feed

China launches investigation into beef imports as local price of the meat trends downwards

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Imports have surged, with China representing a hugely important market for countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Australia. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3292547/china-launches-investigation-beef-imports-price-local-produce-trends-downwards?utm_source=rss_feed

North Korean troops experience mass casualties on Ukraine front lines, White House says

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. White House spokesman said Russia and North Korea are treating troops as expendable, ordering them on ‘hopeless assaults’ against Ukraine. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3292546/north-korean-troops-experience-mass-casualties-ukraine-front-lines-white-house-says?utm_source=rss_feed

Philippines forges ahead with Typhon purchase plan: ‘China should not intervene’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Experts say the move is a declaration of self-reliance and a calculated gamble amid mounting tensions in the South China Sea. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292518/philippines-forges-ahead-typhon-purchase-plan-china-should-not-intervene?utm_source=rss_feed

Oil giant Shell shuts Singapore processing unit to probe leak

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Shell estimates that a few tonnes of refined oil products, along with cooling water discharge used in the refining process, have leaked. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3292517/oil-giant-shell-shuts-singapore-processing-unit-probe-leak?utm_source=rss_feed

Public whipping in Malaysia sparks outrage, raising questions about sharia courts

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The construction worker was caned for being in “close proximity” to a woman who was not his wife, igniting outrage from human rights organisations. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3292509/public-whipping-malaysia-sparks-outrage-raising-questions-about-sharia-courts?utm_source=rss_feed