Asia Pacific – Page 845 – Prologue Journal

Thailand Highlights Its Rich History in Jewelry

New York Times The country plans to use a trade show in Bangkok this week to remind the world of its expertise in processing and perfecting natural stones. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/fashion/thailand-colored-gems.html

Fiji cracks down on South Korean ‘cult’ accused of violent rituals, to deport top members

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Top members of the “Grace Road Cult” from South Korea will be deported from Fiji following years of allegations of the movement’s involvement in bizarre and violent rituals. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3233715/fiji-cracks-down-south-korean-cult-accused-violent-rituals-deport-top-members?utm_source=rss_feed

Australia rescues 3 sailors after sharks attacked their inflatable boat in Coral Sea

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Three sailors who were trying to travel from Vanuatu to Australia were rescued in the Coral Sea after sharks attacked their inflatable boat https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3233699/australia-rescues-3-sailors-after-sharks-attacked-their-inflatable-boat-coral-sea?utm_source=rss_feed

Ex-Malaysian PM’s wife Rosmah applies to have US$1.5 million money laundering, tax evasion charges dropped

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Rosmah Mansor, the wife of ex-Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, has applied to a court to drop her 12 money laundering charges and five tax evasion charges. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3233694/ex-malaysian-pms-wife-rosmah-applies-have-us15-million-money-laundering-tax-evasion-charges-dropped?utm_source=rss_feed

Bali Elevator Plunges Into Ravine, Killing 5

New York Times The crash in Bali, an Indonesian island where tourism drives the economy, is under investigation. The victims were part of the resort’s housekeeping staff. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/world/asia/bali-elevator-crash-ubud-ravine.html

International cooperation is Asia’s best shot at achieving its net-zero carbon emissions goal, as shown by the Energy Asia conference

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The inaugural conference set the stage for strategic discussions about reducing carbon emissions, notes Datuk Sazali Hamzah, executive vice-president and CEO of the downstream business for Petronas. https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/asia/topics/charting-pathways-sustainable-asia/article/3233461/international-cooperation?utm_source=rss_feed

China Is Flooding the World With Car Exports

New York Times Even as China’s other exports falter, its carmakers are seeing big increases in overseas sales, mainly for gasoline-powered models. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/business/china-car-exports.html

China’s Exports Fall for Fourth Straight Month

New York Times New data on trade showed continuing declines in both overseas sales and imports, signs of China’s economic struggles. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/business/china-exports-august.html

In Japan, AI can spot sleepy students. Will it ‘improve education’ or ‘control’ children?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The use of such technology in classrooms has to be regulated, or it could harm students’ development, says an academic. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3233661/japan-ai-can-spot-sleepy-students-will-it-improve-education-or-control-children?utm_source=rss_feed

Australia says Qatar Airways flight curbs due in part to strip-searches of women at Doha airport, denies Qantas link

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Australia says a strip-search of women at the Hamad International Airport in Doha was a reason for stopping Qatar Airways from selling more flights to Australia. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3233675/australia-says-qatar-airways-flight-curbs-due-part-strip-searches-women-doha-airport-denies-qantas?utm_source=rss_feed