Prologue Journal – Page 189 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Uber abandons bid to acquire rival Foodpanda in Taiwan

Taipei, March 12 (CNA) Delivery platform Uber Eats has ended its proposed acquisition of rival service Foodpanda in Taiwan following opposition from local regulators, Foodpanda’s parent company Delivery Hero SE has confirmed. https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202503120009

Russian drone debris fell in Kyiv Oblast: house and furniture shop on fire – photos

Pravda Ukraine Fires have broken out due to the falling debris of downed Russian drones in Kyiv Oblast, affecting a house and a furniture shop. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Quote: “A furniture shop caught fire in the Fastiv district due to the falling debris of an enemy drone on the night of 11-12…

National security hearings excluded from Hong Kong top court’s 2-year livestream pilot programme

Hong Kong Free Press Hong Kong’s top court is set to start livestreaming appeal hearings in April, but national security and high-profile political cases will not be included in the two-year pilot programme. The Court of Final Appeal. File photo: GovHK. From April 1, the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) will begin webcasting substantive appellate…

Indigenous jet trainer delivery delay due to sourced parts: MND

Taipei, March 12 (CNA) The delay in the delivery of a batch of domestically made trainer jets to the Air Force is due to problems with “external procurement components and systems,” Taiwan’s military said in a report sent to lawmakers for review on Wednesday. https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202503120008

Wednesday Briefing

New York Times U.S. aid to Ukraine is back on. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/briefing/ukraine-russia-canada-duterte.html

Russia won’t work in Russophobic international agencies, to destroy them — senior lawmaker

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy pointed out that Russia participates and works in international organizations, including interparliamentary associations, but no longer participates in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe https://tass.com/politics/1926311

Coast Guard member detained in Changhua cigarette smuggling probe

Taipei, March 12 (CNA) The Changhua District Court has ordered one Coast Guard member to be detained incommunicado and granted bail to another amid an investigation of 20 people suspected of involvement in a cigarette smuggling ring. https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202503120007

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific posts 1% rise in net profit to HK$9.88 billion

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Company will propose its second interim dividend payment at 49 HK cents a share, taking full year payout to 69 HK cents in 2024. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3302038/hong-kongs-cathay-pacific-posts-1-rise-net-profit-hk988-billion?utm_source=rss_feed

Anger and relief in Philippines over Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest: ‘my prayers answered’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Experts say the ex-president’s chances of avoiding ICC prosecution are slim as supporters take to the streets to protest his arrest. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3302035/anger-and-relief-philippines-over-rodrigo-dutertes-arrest-my-prayers-answered?utm_source=rss_feed

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2025: everything you need to know

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. From plans to spend more to boost growth to a missing top official, here are some highlights from our coverage of China’s biggest annual political event. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3302017/chinas-two-sessions-2025-everything-you-need-know?utm_source=rss_feed