Volume 1, Issue 3

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October - December 1999 · Published: Jan 2000

Daily Digest

The Straits Times: Malaysia faces revenue crunch as spending mounts on coronavirus woes

Malaysia will enter 2021 with its biggest spending plan yet to spur its virus-hit economy, but concerns are focusing on how to foot the bill after a sovereign-rating downgrade earlier this month.

The Japan Times: Japan COVID-19 cases top 200,000 as governors brace for year-end spike

It took more than nine months, and two waves of the novel coronavirus, for Japan’s number of infections reported to reach 100,000. But it took less than two months for that figure to double, in a sign that the outbreak is gaining momentum.

Asia Times: China caught between a moon rock and a hard place

After China became the third country to land on the moon and bring back specimens, the fuss about the lunar rocks has come down to earth.

South China Morning Post: Hong Kong activist Nathan Law applies for political asylum in Britain

The former opposition lawmaker applied for political asylum six months after he went into self-imposed exile in London.

NK News: Trump was too stingy during North Korea negotiations, former Seoul official says

US President Donald Trump failed to strike progress with North Korea because he was too stingy when it came to easing sanctions, South Korea’s former unification minister said.

Asia Times: India building defenses against Huawei 5G

India plans to enforce a new national security directive possibly aimed at blocking Chinese equipment suppliers from its 5G rollout.

South China Morning Post: Can China recover from diplomacy missteps made during the pandemic?

The country handled coronavirus outbreaks within its borders decisively but unfavorable opinion from other countries still suffering has soared.

Nikkei Asia: Ex-US trade chiefs pin high TPP hopes on Katherine Tai

Former trade representatives expressed hopes that Biden’s choice will steer a swift return to the pact as Washington loses ground to China in setting trade rules.

Straits Times: Philippines seeing start of holiday Covid-19 surge

The Philippines is seeing the start of a surge in coronavirus infections, with cases in about a dozen cities in the capital region rising.

Asia Times: Trade wars to become currency wars in 2021

Trump’s trade brawl with Asia is fast mutating into a Covid-driven East versus West race-to-the-bottom currency conflict.