Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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TikTok Seeks Supreme Court Intervention to Block Potential U.S. Ban Ahead of January Deadline
TikTok, the video-sharing platform with over 170 million American users, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a law that could ban the app nationwide if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to divest by January 19. The request, filed on Monday, marks the latest development in a high-stakes legal battle that pits national security concerns against free speech protections under the First Amendment. 
TikTok, the video-sharing platform with over 170 million American users, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a law that could ban the app nationwide if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to divest by January 19. The request, filed on Monday, marks the latest development in a high-stakes legal battle that pits national security concerns against free speech protections under the First Amendment. -
China Grapples with Weak Retail Sales as Trade Tensions Escalate
China's economy is under increasing pressure as weak domestic consumption and persistent real estate struggles weigh on recovery efforts. Meanwhile, the looming return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency raises the prospect of escalated trade tensions, including higher tariffs on Chinese goods. These challenges are testing Beijing's capacity to implement effective stimulus measures to stabilize growth. 
China's economy is under increasing pressure as weak domestic consumption and persistent real estate struggles weigh on recovery efforts. Meanwhile, the looming return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency raises the prospect of escalated trade tensions, including higher tariffs on Chinese goods. These challenges are testing Beijing's capacity to implement effective stimulus measures to stabilize growth. -
North Korean Troops Join Russian Assaults in Kursk, Zelenskyy Claims
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of deploying a significant number of North Korean troops to bolster its military efforts in the Kursk region. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of deploying a significant number of North Korean troops to bolster its military efforts in the Kursk region. -
South Korea’s Parliament Impeaches President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Martial Law Debacle
In a historic and dramatic decision, South Korea's National Assembly voted Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial martial law declaration earlier this month. The vote, passed with 204 lawmakers in favor and 85 opposed, immediately suspends Yoon's presidential powers. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo now serves as acting president under South Korean law. 
In a historic and dramatic decision, South Korea's National Assembly voted Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial martial law declaration earlier this month. The vote, passed with 204 lawmakers in favor and 85 opposed, immediately suspends Yoon's presidential powers. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo now serves as acting president under South Korean law. -
South Korean President Yoon Faces Second Impeachment Bid After Martial Law Backlash
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing his second impeachment vote in a week, following widespread public and political backlash over his controversial martial law declaration earlier this month. The National Assembly is set to vote on Saturday to decide whether Yoon's actions warrant his removal, a decision that could significantly reshape South Korea's political landscape. 
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing his second impeachment vote in a week, following widespread public and political backlash over his controversial martial law declaration earlier this month. The National Assembly is set to vote on Saturday to decide whether Yoon's actions warrant his removal, a decision that could significantly reshape South Korea's political landscape. -
China and Egypt Push for Stability in Middle East as 'Uyghur Rebels’ Role in Syria Fuels Concerns
China and Egypt have called for peace and a political resolution in Syria following the stunning collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government and the rise of a new Islamist-led coalition in Damascus. The developments have intensified geopolitical tensions, with China balancing its calls for stability against new threats from Uyghur rebel groups involved in Syria's transformation. 
China and Egypt have called for peace and a political resolution in Syria following the stunning collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government and the rise of a new Islamist-led coalition in Damascus. The developments have intensified geopolitical tensions, with China balancing its calls for stability against new threats from Uyghur rebel groups involved in Syria's transformation. -
Xi Jinping Reportedly Declines Trump’s Inauguration Invitation
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined an invitation to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, sources familiar with the matter told multiple outlets. The decision underscores the strained relations between the U.S. and China, as Trump prepares to reenter the White House amid ongoing trade disputes and tariff threats. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined an invitation to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, sources familiar with the matter told multiple outlets. The decision underscores the strained relations between the U.S. and China, as Trump prepares to reenter the White House amid ongoing trade disputes and tariff threats. -
China Pushes Back as U.S. Senator Rick Scott Condemns 'Sewage Garlic' Imports
The debate over garlic imports from China has taken a sharp turn, with U.S. Senator Rick Scott calling for an investigation into the safety and labor practices involved in Chinese garlic production, labeling it a "major threat to security and food safety." China's foreign ministry dismissed the allegations, urging American politicians to exercise "common sense and rationality." 
The debate over garlic imports from China has taken a sharp turn, with U.S. Senator Rick Scott calling for an investigation into the safety and labor practices involved in Chinese garlic production, labeling it a "major threat to security and food safety." China's foreign ministry dismissed the allegations, urging American politicians to exercise "common sense and rationality." -
Top Putin Missile Developer Shot Dead Near Moscow, Reports Point to Ukrainian Involvement
Mikhail Shatsky, a leading figure in Russia's missile development sector, was found shot dead in a forest park near Moscow, according to multiple reports on Thursday. Shatsky, who held the position of deputy general designer and head of the software department at the Mars Design Bureau, was instrumental in modernizing cruise missiles such as the Kh-59 and Kh-69-key weapons in Russia's military operations in Ukraine. 
Mikhail Shatsky, a leading figure in Russia's missile development sector, was found shot dead in a forest park near Moscow, according to multiple reports on Thursday. Shatsky, who held the position of deputy general designer and head of the software department at the Mars Design Bureau, was instrumental in modernizing cruise missiles such as the Kh-59 and Kh-69-key weapons in Russia's military operations in Ukraine. -
South Korea’s Ruling Party Backs Impeachment as Presiden Yoon Vows to 'Fight to the End'
South Korea's political landscape plunged into turmoil this week as President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his controversial decision to declare martial law, a move that has provoked widespread protests, calls for impeachment, and investigations into possible insurrection. Yoon's defiance has deepened political divisions and placed his presidency in peril as his own ruling party now supports his removal from office. South Korea's political landscape plunged into turmoil this week as President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his controversial decision to declare martial law, a move that has provoked widespread protests, calls for impeachment, and investigations into possible insurrection. Yoon's defiance has deepened political divisions and placed his presidency in peril as his own ruling party now supports his removal from office.
