Asia Pacific – Page 909 – Prologue Journal

Japan’s missing hikers spotlight lacklustre efforts at locating foreigners

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Questions have been raised about the seriousness of Japanese authorities in resolving foreign disappearances amid a swathe of missing traveller cases across Japan. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3229497/japans-missing-hikers-spotlight-lacklustre-efforts-locating-foreigners?utm_source=rss_feed

‘Barbenheimer’ memes are big on social media, and Japan doesn’t like it

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. This month marks 78 years since nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, so memes combining mushrooms clouds and Margot Robbie aren’t going down so well. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3229568/barbenheimer-big-social-media-and-japan-doesnt-it?utm_source=rss_feed

France loves its frogs’ legs. But for Indonesia and Vietnam, that’s becoming a problem

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. In Southeast Asian nations that supply the delicacy, key frog species are declining rapidly to keep up with European demand. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3229561/france-loves-its-frogs-legs-indonesia-and-vietnam-thats-becoming-problem?utm_source=rss_feed

Apple supplier Foxconn plans 2 new component plants in India, spending US$500 million to build out footprint

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The plants, one of which is expected to produce Apple products including iPhones, come hot on the heels of an announced US$200 million investment in Tamil Nadu. https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3229560/apple-supplier-foxconn-plans-two-new-component-plants-india-spending-us500-million-build-out?utm_source=rss_feed

China’s Belt and Road expansion in Pakistan at risk as terrorist attacks surge

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The attacks in western Pakistan coincide with ongoing celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3229543/chinas-belt-and-road-expansion-pakistan-risk-terrorist-attacks-surge?utm_source=rss_feed

EU’s von der Leyen warns against China’s aggression in Asia during speech in the Philippines

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Ursula von der Leyen criticised mainland China’s stance on the war in Ukraine, its increasingly aggressive actions in disputed Asian waters and its provocative moves against Taiwan, during a speech in Manila. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3229538/eus-von-der-leyen-warns-against-chinas-aggression-asia-during-speech-philippines?utm_source=rss_feed

Is China in danger of Japanification? What can Beijing’s policymakers do to avoid lost decades?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Analysts have drawn parallels with China’s ongoing economic slowdown, which includes deteriorating balance sheets of real estate companies, and Japan’s so-called lost decades of stagnation. https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3229517/china-danger-japanification-what-can-beijings-policymakers-do-avoid-lost-decades?utm_source=rss_feed

ISIS Affiliate Claims Deadly Attack at Political Rally in Pakistan

New York Times The death toll from Sunday’s suicide bombing, which targeted a political rally near the border with Afghanistan, rose to at least 54 people, an official said. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/world/asia/pakistan-bombing-isis.html

Islamic State claims responsibility for Pakistan bombing; death toll rises to 45

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. ‘The attack comes in the natural context of the ongoing war waged by the Islamic State against “democracy” as a regime hostile to true Islam,’ Islamic State’s Amaq agency said on Telegram. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3229545/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-pakistan-bombing-death-toll-rises-45?utm_source=rss_feed

Mysterious Object Found on Australian Beach Is Identified as Space Debris

New York Times A cylindrical object that was found in remote Western Australia probably came from an Indian rocket, Australia’s space agency said. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/world/australia/australia-mystery-object-indian-rocket.html