Asia Pacific – Page 905 – Prologue Journal

Japan’s rote learning blamed for 15-year-olds failing English tests: ‘not effective’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Over 1 million students failed a series of spoken questions in English, despite the government making changes to try to improve children’s verbal skills. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3229773/japans-rote-learning-blamed-15-year-olds-failing-english-tests-not-effective?utm_source=rss_feed

South Korean Ferry Disaster Figure Yoo Hyuk-kee Is Extradited

New York Times Yoo Hyuk-kee’s family company ran the Sewol ferry, whose sinking off the South Korean coast left hundreds dead. Prosecutors have charged Mr. Yoo, a U.S. resident, with embezzlement. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/world/asia/yoo-hyuk-kee-south-korea-ferry.html

Elon Musk’s Tesla gains speed in India EV race as China’s BYD gets throttled

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Tesla has fast-tracked talks with Indian officials on plans to build a low-cost US$24,000 electric car, while its Chinese rival faces deeper scrutiny from New Delhi. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3229808/elon-musks-tesla-gains-speed-india-ev-race-chinas-byd-gets-throttled?utm_source=rss_feed

Australia mulls banning WeChat from government devices amid ‘national security risks’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. WeChat has rejected the findings it is a ‘high-risk’ app, but said it would continue working with the Australian government to iron out security concerns. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3229772/australia-mulls-banning-wechat-government-devices-amid-national-security-risks?utm_source=rss_feed

Indonesian K-pop fans accuse Ganjar Pranowo of using them as ‘political tool’ ahead of 2024 election

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Ganjar had mulled inviting K-pop stars to Jakarta and sought suggestions from fans on social media, prompting some netizens to slam his ‘political agenda’. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3229779/indonesian-k-pop-fans-accuse-ganjar-pranowo-using-them-political-tool-ahead-2024-election?utm_source=rss_feed

In India, using a public toilet is a ‘traumatic experience’ for trans people

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. India’s Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that trans people should be recognised as the ‘third gender’ but prejudice and social marginalisation persists. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3229774/india-using-public-toilet-traumatic-experience-trans-people?utm_source=rss_feed

Mongolia, US to sign ‘Open Skies’ deal ahead of talks

Reuters Reuters exclusively reported that The United States and Mongolia will sign an “Open Skies” civil aviation agreement. The post Mongolia, US to sign ‘Open Skies’ deal ahead of talks appeared first on Reuters News Agency. https://www.reutersagency.com/en/reutersbest/article/mongolia-us-to-sign-open-skies-deal-ahead-of-talks/

Leprosy May Be Endemic in Central Florida, Scientists Report

New York Times Still, there are fewer than 200 cases nationally each year, and the numbers have fallen significantly from the peak decades ago. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/health/leprosy-florida.html

Exiled Thai renewables tycoon Nopporn Suppipat ‘wins’ US$800 million in UK ruling

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Judge says Nopporn Suppipat, founder of Wind Energy Holding, can recover damages from those who betrayed him in exchange for bribes which forced him to sell his shares at a huge discount. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3229781/exiled-thai-renewables-tycoon-nopporn-suppipat-wins-us800-million-uk-ruling?utm_source=rss_feed

Singapore’s PAP, opposition trade barbs over ‘less than upfront’ handling of political scandals

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Opposition chief Pritam Singh claims the government was slow to release information on events that put the ruling party in a bad light. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3229776/singapores-pap-opposition-trade-barbs-over-less-upfront-handling-political-scandals?utm_source=rss_feed