ASIA
THAILAND
Eugenie Budnik, Reporter
Politics: 12 young Thai boys and their football coach who have been trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system have been found alive . Medics were finally able to reach the boys four days ago and assisted with minor injuries. It is feared that the fast approaching monsoon season could seriously hinder rescue operations.
Economics: Indonesian Foreign Minister Rento L.P. Marsudi and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met in Yogyakarta at the ninth Joint Commission Meeting to give a joint press with emphasis on strengthening Indonesian-Thai economic cooperation. The two ministers promised enhance the preexisting trading relationship between the two nations. Thailand and Indonesia are the two largest economies in the ASEAN.
Culture: Thai and international artist gathered at last week’s opening of the PhotoBangkok festival. This festival runs until the beginning of September at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. The festival has 48 exhibitions to offer, with pieces ranging from photojournalism, fine art photography, and even smartphone photography. This festival hopes to prop Asian artists into the spotlight, as well as shine some of that light onto important social issues.
CHINA
Valerie Gregorio, Reporter
Politics: Chinese President Xi remarked that China is committed to peace but could not give up a piece of its territory. The president’s remark stresses the tension in Sino-US ties, especially how the Pentagon views the South China Sea’s militarization.
Economics: In order to help its economy, China’s central bank is planning to release around 700 billion yuan into their financial system. This would reduce the amount of deposits of banks are required to hold and help encourage them to give additional money to businesses.
Culture: Zhenjiang College, a college in southern China, offers classes teach female students on how to be perfect women. More so, it teaches women how to be housewives and mothers, which is the norm.
SOUTH KOREA
Tyra Gravesande, Senior Reporter
Politics: With the controversy of the American Flag constantly circling in conversations and protests, South Korea has shown mixed signs and actions on how they feel about the utilization of the first amendment; especially when it comes to burning the flag.
Economics: Let’s call a truce; as South Korea has recently agreed with India on reducing duties on 11 tariff lines in a bilateral bid. They revised the CEPA and South Korea agreed to sign it on Tuesday in the presence of President Moon Jae-in.
Culture: Whether it comes to the best restaurants or the most picturesque murals, it is no doubt that Busan, South Korea is one of the tops Lonely Planet in Asia of 2018.