Regions – Page 3570 – Prologue Journal

Indonesia hosts great-power rivals China, US in rare joint naval exercises

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Komodo naval drills bring together 49 countries including sworn geopolitical rivals such as North and South Korea, and India and Pakistan. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3222952/indonesia-host-great-power-rivals-china-us-rare-joint-naval-exercises?utm_source=rss_feed

No joke: smile training booms in Japan as face masks slowly come off

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. An hourlong one-on-one ‘Smile Education’ course will set you back US$55. Mask-wearing was near-universal in Japan over the past three years and many continue to wear them on daily basis. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3222947/no-joke-smile-training-booms-japan-face-masks-slowly-come?utm_source=rss_feed

With Prince Harry to Testify in Hacking Case, Royals Prepare to Cringe

New York Times A media spectacle will unfold this week as the prince prepares to take the stand against newspapers he says invaded his privacy by hacking his cellphone. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/05/world/europe/prince-harry-mirror-trial-phone-hacking.html

Kathleen Folbigg Is Pardoned; Australian Official Cites ‘New Evidence’

New York Times An Australian jury found that Kathleen Folbigg had smothered her children. But scientists now say that they probably died from natural causes. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/04/world/australia/kathleen-folbigg-pardon.html

Singapore’s Sentosa Island: from pirates, prisoners-of-war and death to a casino, golf and Trump-Kim

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Sentosa, formerly known as ‘the island behind which lies death’, has a dark and brutal past – and very nearly became an oil refinery. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3222935/singapores-sentosa-island-pirates-prisoners-war-and-death-casino-golf-and-trump-kim?utm_source=rss_feed

Rising femicide rates in the Middle East spark calls for urgent action

Jerusalem Post The rise of femicide, particularly within Arab communities, has led to an urgent call for social, educational, and governmental interventions to tackle this tragic issue. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-745225

Can Vietnam’s plan to boost energy capacity work amid rolling outages, electricity shortages?

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Vietnam’s government has approved a much-anticipated energy plan, but experts wonder how it will be implemented given it needs billions of dollars in vital funding. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3222755/can-vietnams-plan-boost-energy-capacity-work-amid-rolling-outages-electricity-shortages?utm_source=rss_feed

As Asia grapples with declining birth rates, Catholic-majority Philippines wants fewer babies

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The Philippines hopes to achieve broad economic success by addressing demographic issues, and is making family planning one of its biggest budget priorities this year. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3222788/asia-grapples-declining-birth-rates-catholic-majority-philippines-wants-fewer-babies?utm_source=rss_feed

New Zealand’s ex-PM Jacinda Ardern given top royal honour for service during shooting and pandemic

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Ardern was made a Dame Grand Companion, the second-highest honour in New Zealand, as part of King Charles’ Birthday Honours. It means people will now call her Dame Jacinda. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3222932/new-zealands-ex-pm-jacinda-ardern-given-top-royal-honour-service-during-shooting-and-pandemic?utm_source=rss_feed

India Funds New Trains Ahead of Safety Improvements, Analysts Say

New York Times Train travel in the country has gotten much safer, Friday’s disaster notwithstanding, but the government still puts high-profile projects ahead of basic safety improvements, analysts say. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/04/world/asia/india-rail-money-safety.html