Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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Japan and Philippines Open Defense Pact Negotiations Amid China Tensions and U.S. Tariff Fallout
Japan and the Philippines agreed Tuesday to begin formal negotiations on two defense pacts as both nations deepen security ties in response to China's growing assertiveness in contested Asian waters. The announcement came during Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's first official visit to Manila, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 
Japan and the Philippines agreed Tuesday to begin formal negotiations on two defense pacts as both nations deepen security ties in response to China's growing assertiveness in contested Asian waters. The announcement came during Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's first official visit to Manila, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. -
At Least 22 Dead, 3 Injured After Restaurant Fire in Northeast China as Xi Jinping Orders Swift Investigation
At least 22 people were killed and three others injured after a devastating fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at a restaurant in Liaoyang, a city in northeast China's Liaoning province, according to state media reports. 
At least 22 people were killed and three others injured after a devastating fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at a restaurant in Liaoyang, a city in northeast China's Liaoning province, according to state media reports. -
First Hong Kong Democrats Freed After Four Years in Prison as National Security Crackdown Continues
Four former Hong Kong lawmakers were released early Tuesday after serving more than four years in prison for conspiracy to commit subversion, marking a rare moment of relief in the city's sweeping crackdown on political dissent under Beijing's national security law. 
Four former Hong Kong lawmakers were released early Tuesday after serving more than four years in prison for conspiracy to commit subversion, marking a rare moment of relief in the city's sweeping crackdown on political dissent under Beijing's national security law. -
China and Philippines Clash Over South China Sea Sandbars Amid Rising U.S. Military Drills
Tensions between China and the Philippines escalated this week after both countries unfurled their national flags on the disputed Sandy Cay sandbars in the South China Sea, intensifying a long-running territorial dispute in one of the world's most strategic waterways. The rival moves come as U.S. and Philippine forces conduct their largest-ever joint military exercises nearby. 
Tensions between China and the Philippines escalated this week after both countries unfurled their national flags on the disputed Sandy Cay sandbars in the South China Sea, intensifying a long-running territorial dispute in one of the world's most strategic waterways. The rival moves come as U.S. and Philippine forces conduct their largest-ever joint military exercises nearby. -
Lee Jae-myung Wins South Korea Opposition Primary, Emerges as Frontrunner for June 3 Presidential Election
Lee Jae-myung secured the nomination of South Korea's Democratic Party of Korea on Sunday, positioning himself as the frontrunner in the June 3 snap presidential election following President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment. 
Lee Jae-myung secured the nomination of South Korea's Democratic Party of Korea on Sunday, positioning himself as the frontrunner in the June 3 snap presidential election following President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment. -
North Korea Confirms Deployment of Thousands of Troops to Support Russia in Ukraine War
North Korea confirmed Monday that it has dispatched combat troops to Russia to aid in its war against Ukraine, marking the first official acknowledgment of its military involvement under a mutual defense treaty with Moscow. 
North Korea confirmed Monday that it has dispatched combat troops to Russia to aid in its war against Ukraine, marking the first official acknowledgment of its military involvement under a mutual defense treaty with Moscow. -
Kim Jong-un Showcases New 5,000-Ton 'Nuclear-Capable' Warship
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un unveiled a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer Friday at a ceremony in the port city of Nampo, describing the vessel as a significant advancement in the country's nuclear strike capabilities and vowing decisive responses to what he called escalating threats from the United States and its allies. 
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un unveiled a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer Friday at a ceremony in the port city of Nampo, describing the vessel as a significant advancement in the country's nuclear strike capabilities and vowing decisive responses to what he called escalating threats from the United States and its allies. -
Russia Confirms North Korean Troops in Ukraine as Putin Claims Kursk Victory
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Saturday that North Korean troops are actively fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, crediting their assistance in what he claimed was the successful recapture of the Kursk region. The announcement, delivered during a televised meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, marked the Kremlin's first public acknowledgment of North Korea's military involvement in the conflict. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Saturday that North Korean troops are actively fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, crediting their assistance in what he claimed was the successful recapture of the Kursk region. The announcement, delivered during a televised meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, marked the Kremlin's first public acknowledgment of North Korea's military involvement in the conflict. -
China Loans Moon Rocks to NASA-Linked U.S. Schools, Expands Lunar Mission With 10-Nation Payload
China's space agency is lending lunar samples to two U.S. universities that receive NASA funding, even as it accelerates its lunar diplomacy with the selection of 10 international projects for its upcoming Chang'e-8 south pole mission. The dual announcements mark a widening of China's efforts to expand international participation in its lunar exploration program amid geopolitical tensions with the United States. 
China's space agency is lending lunar samples to two U.S. universities that receive NASA funding, even as it accelerates its lunar diplomacy with the selection of 10 international projects for its upcoming Chang'e-8 south pole mission. The dual announcements mark a widening of China's efforts to expand international participation in its lunar exploration program amid geopolitical tensions with the United States. -
Beijing Grants Tariff Exemptions on $45 Billion U.S. Imports to Ease Economic Pain
China has quietly rolled back its steep 125% retaliatory tariffs on select U.S.-manufactured semiconductors, aviation equipment, and pharmaceuticals, signaling growing concern in Beijing about the economic fallout from its prolonged trade war with Washington. 
China has quietly rolled back its steep 125% retaliatory tariffs on select U.S.-manufactured semiconductors, aviation equipment, and pharmaceuticals, signaling growing concern in Beijing about the economic fallout from its prolonged trade war with Washington.
