Regions – Page 3517 – Prologue Journal

Nearly 100 die in India amid intense heat as temperatures top 44 degrees Celsius: ‘people fear venturing out’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. At least 96 people have died in recent days across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states as soaring temperatures neared 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3224540/nearly-100-die-india-amid-intense-heat-temperatures-top-44-degrees-celsius-people-fear-venturing-out?utm_source=rss_feed

In China, Blinken Holds Talks to Restart High-Level Diplomacy

New York Times The talks between Antony J. Blinken, the secretary of state, and Wang Yi, Beijing’s top foreign policy official, were a prelude to a likely meeting with China’s leader, Xi Jinping. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/18/world/asia/blinken-china-xi-diplomacy.html

He executed 26 of his fellow prisoners. Now Bangladesh has set him free: ‘I had a good time’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Shahjahan Bhuiyan, 74, has hanged Islamist terrorists, coup plotters and serial killers. His sentence was reduced for the executions he carried out, officials said. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3224536/he-executed-26-his-fellow-prisoners-now-bangladesh-has-set-him-free-i-had-good-time?utm_source=rss_feed

Calls grow for Nepal to ditch secularism as India’s ruling BJP pushes its Hindu-nationalist agenda

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Civil society activists say Hindu-nationalist outfits with links to Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party are funding the growing demand for Nepal to become a Hindu nation once again, according to a US religious freedom…

As China steps up its economic stimulus, currencies of South Korea, Australia soar

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The South Korean won and Australian dollar’s performance is closely linked to China due to strong export ties, but analysts say other factors such as interest rates and AI optimism are also at play.…

Asean’s hopes for easing US-China tensions through defence diplomacy depend on getting its house in order

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Asean nations have showcased their diplomatic muscle recently, aiming to bring the US and China together for talks and joint activities. However, their hopes of ensuring Asean centrality are hampered by a need for…

Your Monday Briefing: Blinken in Beijing

New York Times Also, Times graphics show how Russia likely blew up Ukraine’s dam. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/18/briefing/blinken-beijing-qin-ukraine-asia.html

Northern India Endures Heat Wave, and a Wave of Deaths

New York Times Some doctors believe the high number of fatalities is tied to the temperatures. But the authorities are still trying to determine how many people died and what exactly killed them. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/18/world/asia/india-heat-death.html

Israel to construct 4,500 new illegal settler units in West Bank

Disclaimer: PressTV is affiliated with the state broadcasting agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not a reliable news source. The constructions would be added to the thousands-strong similar structures that are located inside the more than 250 illegal settlements. https://presstv.ir/Detail/2023/06/18/705517/Israel-Benjamin-Netanyahu-West-Bank-Bezalel-Smotrich-Hamas–

Israel Eases West Bank Settlement Rules, Clearing Way for New Homes

New York Times The change could accelerate the construction of thousands of new houses in the occupied territory and puts a far-right minister in charge of giving approvals. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/18/world/middleeast/israel-west-bank-settlements-rules.html