Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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ECB Delivers Fourth Rate Cut of 2024
The European Central Bank (ECB) announced its fourth interest rate cut of 2024 on Thursday, lowering its key deposit facility rate to 3% from 3.25%. This move confirms market expectations for a quarter-percentage-point reduction and underscores the central bank's commitment to supporting the eurozone economy as inflation continues to moderate. The deposit facility had stood at 4% as recently as September 2023, before the current easing cycle commenced in June 2024. 
The European Central Bank (ECB) announced its fourth interest rate cut of 2024 on Thursday, lowering its key deposit facility rate to 3% from 3.25%. This move confirms market expectations for a quarter-percentage-point reduction and underscores the central bank's commitment to supporting the eurozone economy as inflation continues to moderate. The deposit facility had stood at 4% as recently as September 2023, before the current easing cycle commenced in June 2024. -
South Korea's Former Defense Minister Attempts Suicide Amid Martial Law Probe
The political crisis in South Korea continues to deepen as fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief martial law declaration triggers protests, legal probes, and a renewed push for impeachment. In a dramatic turn of events, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a central figure in the unfolding scandal, attempted to take his own life while in detention, according to Shin Yong-hae, the head of the Korea Correctional Service. 
The political crisis in South Korea continues to deepen as fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief martial law declaration triggers protests, legal probes, and a renewed push for impeachment. In a dramatic turn of events, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a central figure in the unfolding scandal, attempted to take his own life while in detention, according to Shin Yong-hae, the head of the Korea Correctional Service. -
North Korea Slams South's President as 'Fascist,' Labels Yoon’s Martial Law Declaration a ‘Desperate Coup’
North Korea has weighed in on South Korea's political crisis, condemning President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law as an "insane" and "desperate" move reminiscent of a military dictatorship. The comments mark Pyongyang's first response to the tumultuous events that have plunged one of Asia's most stable democracies into political uncertainty. 
North Korea has weighed in on South Korea's political crisis, condemning President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law as an "insane" and "desperate" move reminiscent of a military dictatorship. The comments mark Pyongyang's first response to the tumultuous events that have plunged one of Asia's most stable democracies into political uncertainty. -
around Taiwan
Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have escalated as Taiwan's defense officials reported a significant surge in Chinese military activity around the island. Over the past 24 hours, Taiwan detected the presence of approximately 53 military aircraft and 11 naval vessels in its surrounding waters. The Chinese maneuvers, which Taiwan describes as the largest naval deployment in nearly three decades, have raised alarms and placed the island's military on high alert. 
Tensions in the Taiwan Strait have escalated as Taiwan's defense officials reported a significant surge in Chinese military activity around the island. Over the past 24 hours, Taiwan detected the presence of approximately 53 military aircraft and 11 naval vessels in its surrounding waters. The Chinese maneuvers, which Taiwan describes as the largest naval deployment in nearly three decades, have raised alarms and placed the island's military on high alert. -
Putin’s Closest Ally Lukashenko Admits Belarus Now Hosts 'Dozens of' Russian Nuclear Weapons
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Tuesday that "several dozen" Russian nuclear warheads have been deployed in Belarus, further solidifying the alliance between Moscow and Minsk while raising alarms across the region. The announcement came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenko signed a security pact strengthening their countries' mutual defense commitments. 
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Tuesday that "several dozen" Russian nuclear warheads have been deployed in Belarus, further solidifying the alliance between Moscow and Minsk while raising alarms across the region. The announcement came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenko signed a security pact strengthening their countries' mutual defense commitments. -
North Korea Deploys Thousands of Soldiers to Russia in Exchange for MiG-29 and Su-27 Aircraft, U.S. Admiral Claims
Russia is preparing to deliver MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to North Korea in exchange for thousands of soldiers Pyongyang has reportedly sent to bolster Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, according to Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The arrangement, first revealed during the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, underscores the deepening ties between the two countries as they navigate international isolation and sanctions. 
Russia is preparing to deliver MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to North Korea in exchange for thousands of soldiers Pyongyang has reportedly sent to bolster Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, according to Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The arrangement, first revealed during the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, underscores the deepening ties between the two countries as they navigate international isolation and sanctions. -
Russia Imposes Steep Tariff on Chinese Imports, Testing Economic Alliance
In an unexpected move, Russia has imposed a 55.65% tariff on specific Chinese furniture components, sparking outrage among Chinese businesses and commentators and raising questions about the sustainability of the "no-limits" partnership between Moscow and Beijing. This tariff comes at a time when bilateral trade between the two nations is at an all-time high, buoyed by Russia's reliance on Chinese goods amid Western sanctions. 
In an unexpected move, Russia has imposed a 55.65% tariff on specific Chinese furniture components, sparking outrage among Chinese businesses and commentators and raising questions about the sustainability of the "no-limits" partnership between Moscow and Beijing. This tariff comes at a time when bilateral trade between the two nations is at an all-time high, buoyed by Russia's reliance on Chinese goods amid Western sanctions. -
South Korean President Yoon Banned from Overseas Travel Amid Martial Law Investigation
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has been barred from traveling abroad amid ongoing investigations into his controversial declaration of martial law, which briefly took effect last week. The Justice Ministry confirmed the travel restriction on Monday, responding to demands from police, prosecutors, and an anti-corruption agency probing allegations of rebellion and other charges against the president. 
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has been barred from traveling abroad amid ongoing investigations into his controversial declaration of martial law, which briefly took effect last week. The Justice Ministry confirmed the travel restriction on Monday, responding to demands from police, prosecutors, and an anti-corruption agency probing allegations of rebellion and other charges against the president. -
South Korea President Yoon Survives Impeachment Vote Amid Martial Law Backlash
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly survived an impeachment vote on Saturday after his brief declaration of martial law earlier in the week plunged the nation into political turmoil. The opposition-led parliament's effort to impeach Yoon failed after members of his own People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote, resulting in only 195 ballots cast-short of the 200 required for the motion to pass. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly survived an impeachment vote on Saturday after his brief declaration of martial law earlier in the week plunged the nation into political turmoil. The opposition-led parliament's effort to impeach Yoon failed after members of his own People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote, resulting in only 195 ballots cast-short of the 200 required for the motion to pass. -
Beijing Extends Control Over Critical Minerals, Threatening U.S. Tech Ambitions: Report
China's move to ban the sale of key industrial materials to the United States, and to hold foreign firms accountable for re-exporting restricted goods to America, has jolted an already fragile relationship between the world's two largest economies. Beijing's new regulations, announced this week, impose extraterritorial reach similar to that of U.S. and European sanctions, covering Chinese products and parts no matter where they are incorporated. 
China's move to ban the sale of key industrial materials to the United States, and to hold foreign firms accountable for re-exporting restricted goods to America, has jolted an already fragile relationship between the world's two largest economies. Beijing's new regulations, announced this week, impose extraterritorial reach similar to that of U.S. and European sanctions, covering Chinese products and parts no matter where they are incorporated.
