Asia Pacific – Page 88 – Prologue Journal

Unruly tourists could be jailed for life as Indonesia’s Bali rolls out tougher penalties

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Increase in length of jail terms, more surveillance efforts part of law-enforcement drive to keep rule-breakers at bay, officials say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3281567/unruly-tourists-could-be-jailed-life-indonesias-bali-rolls-out-tougher-penalties?utm_source=rss_feed

Japan Says It Doctored Photo of Cabinet Ministers

New York Times The episode provided political fodder for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s critics and highlighted the country’s generally high standard of dress. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/08/world/asia/japan-doctored-cabinet-photo.html

Thailand aims to surpass pre-Covid tourist levels, even as Chinese travellers slow to return

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The government is collaborating with travel companies and launching a campaign to promote Thai culture and lesser-known destinations. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3281552/thailand-aims-surpass-pre-covid-tourist-levels-even-chinese-travellers-slow-return?utm_source=rss_feed

India’s ‘strategic patience’ with Maldives appears to pay off – are they allies again?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. During President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi, both sides announced partnerships in areas such as currency swap and port development. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3281551/indias-strategic-patience-maldives-appears-pay-are-they-allies-again?utm_source=rss_feed

Koala leads Australia police on merry, slow-speed chase through railway station

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Video showed the koala ambling through Sydney’s Casula station in the early morning, at times coming dangerously close to the platform edge. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3281505/koala-leads-australia-police-merry-slow-speed-chase-through-railway-station?utm_source=rss_feed

Philippines attempts to woo arms manufacturers with ‘self-reliant defence’ push

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The new law comes as the Philippine navy began joint drills near Taiwan with counterparts from Australia, Canada, France, Japan and the US. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3281500/philippines-attempts-woo-arms-manufacturers-self-reliant-defence-push?utm_source=rss_feed

Indonesia bans Temu over fears Chinese shopping giant will ‘destroy’ local SMEs

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Indonesian authorities say allowing Temu to operate will result in cheap goods flooding the country and squeezing out small traders. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3281503/indonesia-bans-temu-over-fears-chinese-shopping-giant-will-destroy-local-smes?utm_source=rss_feed

Malaysia eyes strengthened South China Sea defence with new naval base in Borneo

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Set to be operational by 2030, the facility at Bintulu is positioned less than 150km from the disputed Luconia Shoals, also claimed by China. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3281496/malaysia-eyes-strengthened-south-china-sea-defence-new-naval-base-borneo?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore, South Korea to deepen AI, start-up cooperation as strategic partners

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The two nations also agreed to cooperate on liquefied natural gas supplies during a visit to the city state by South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3281493/singapore-south-korean-deepen-ai-start-cooperation-strategic-partners?utm_source=rss_feed

North Korea ‘becoming a military superpower’, Kim Jong-un claims

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Despite escalating tensions, supreme leader Kim insisted he had no intention of attacking South Korea – unless provoked. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3281477/north-korea-becoming-military-superpower-kim-claims-amid-nuclear-threats?utm_source=rss_feed