Regions – Page 343 – Prologue Journal

Japan’s investments in US set to go on despite Nippon Steel’s takeover setback

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The assessment by analysts comes after US President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel Corp’s US$14.9 billion bid for US Steel Corp. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3293890/japans-investments-us-set-go-despite-nippon-steels-takeover-setback?utm_source=rss_feed

How Bodyguards Are Keeping South Korea’s President Yoon From Detention

New York Times President Yoon Suk Yeol’s security service stopped an effort to detain him on insurrection charges and has vowed to do so again. Its roots are in the era of military dictatorships. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/asia/south-korea-yoon-bodyguards.html

Vietnam dangles big cash rewards for reporting traffic offenders

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. In a country where the average monthly income is around 7.7 million dong, running a red light can now cost more than 6 million dong. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3293887/vietnam-dangles-cash-rewards-reporting-traffic-offenders?utm_source=rss_feed

Why isn’t there a tunnel connecting New Zealand’s main islands?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A Cook Strait tunnel would dramatically reduce travel times. But unlike in Britain and Japan, New Zealand has not seriously considered it. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3293879/why-isnt-there-tunnel-connecting-new-zealands-main-islands?utm_source=rss_feed

Turkey threatens ‘military operation’ against Syrian Kurds, blasts US presence in Syria

Disclaimer: PressTV is affiliated with the state broadcasting agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not a reliable news source. Turkey has threatened to launch an offensive against the YPG in Syria if it fails to agree to Ankara’s demands. https://presstv.ir/Detail/2025/01/08/740517/Turkey-threatens-military-operation-Syria-YPG-Assad-fall-HTS-Hakan-Fidan

With eyes on China and India, Sri Lanka lifts ban on foreign research vessels

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The decision reflects Colombo’s efforts to stay non-aligned as it juggles India’s security concerns with China’s growing influence. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293877/eyes-china-and-india-sri-lanka-lifts-ban-foreign-research-vessels?utm_source=rss_feed

In Tibet, Earthquake Survivors Face Freezing Weather Conditions

New York Times Rescuers rushed to distribute blankets and tents to those displaced by the magnitude-7.1 quake that struck Tibetan villages near Nepal, toppling over 3,000 homes. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/asia/tibet-quake-survivors-cold.html

Malaysia-Singapore economic zone to offer tax rates as low as 5%

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is nearly twice the size of Shenzhen, whose success it is hoping to emulate. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3293859/malaysia-singapore-economic-zone-offer-tax-rates-low-5?utm_source=rss_feed

Wednesday Briefing

New York Times Here’s what you need to know. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/briefing/meta-fact-checking-trump.html

Indonesia in Brics: a ‘strategic hedge’ or challenge to US interests?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The move, championed by Prabowo, reflects a bid to elevate Indonesia’s global standing – but could complicate ties with the US under Trump. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3293828/indonesia-brics-strategic-hedge-or-challenge-us-interests?utm_source=rss_feed