Asia Pacific – Page 873 – Prologue Journal

Taliban Members Are Accused of Targeting Afghan Ex-Officials

New York Times A U.N. mission in Afghanistan reported summary killings, arbitrary detentions and torture of hundreds of onetime soldiers, police officers and others in the old government. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/world/asia/taliban-revenge-united-nations.html

Singapore ‘fortunate’ to have Tharman Shanmugaratnam and me running for president but I have independent edge: Ng Kok Song

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The former chief investment officer of sovereign wealth fund GIC explains why he thinks has an edge over front runner Tharman Shanmugaratnam in an exclusive interview with the Post. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3231880/singapore-fortunate-have-tharman-and-me-running-president-i-have-independent-edge-ng-kok-song?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore presidential election: Tan Kin Lian’s ‘pretty girls’ controversy clouds nomination day as campaigning kicks off

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Tuesday’s typically sedate nomination-day proceedings became clouded by controversy amid an outcry over presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian’s past social media posts regarding women. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3231879/singapore-kick-starts-presidential-campaigning-amid-tan-kin-lian-pretty-girls-controversy?utm_source=rss_feed

Thai Ex-Prime Minister Returns From Exile, Adding to Political Chaos

New York Times Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, has come back to Thailand at a time when the country is struggling to elect a new leader. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/world/asia/thailand-thaksin-prime-minister.html

Thaksin Shinawatra returns to Thailand after 15-year exile

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. There has been speculation that his return is the result of a ‘super deal’ with former foes and that he will seek a royal pardon from King Maja Vajiralongkorn. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3231857/thaksin-shinawatra-returns-thailand-after-15-year-exile?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan Will Start Releasing Treated Water From Fukushima This Week

New York Times The country plans to proceed with a discharge that will eventually reach more than a million tons of water despite regional and domestic objections. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/world/asia/japan-fukushima-water-release.html

Japan to release Fukushima waste water into the ocean starting on Thursday

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The plan has drawn strong criticism from China and sparked protests in South Korea, as critics expressed scepticism over the safety of releasing over 1 million tonnes of treated radioactive water into the Pacific.…

Cambodia Leader, Hun Sen, Appoints Hun Manet as New Prime Minister

New York Times Hun Manet is expected to guide a generational shift in Cambodian politics, taking over for his father Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-ruling prime ministers. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/world/asia/cambodia-hun-manet-prime-minister.html

In Japan, ‘desperate’ shrinking towns eye radioactive nuclear waste storage to make a fast buck: ‘it’s all about money’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Tiny Kaminoseki town and idyllic Tsushima island could soon play host to radioactive spent fuel from atomic energy plants elsewhere in Japan that are running out of the storage space. Residents oppose the plans,…

Hong Kong’s birth rate is low because raising a child in extreme competition is exhausting

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Incentives to encourage couples to have children don’t work unless they substantially reduce the costs – and stress – of raising a child. But how could they, when our competitive modern society continually fosters…