Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on BRICS Nations Over U.S. Dollar Replacement Efforts
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the BRICS nations-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-threatening 100% tariffs if they pursue efforts to create a new currency or undermine the U.S. dollar. The warning extends to newer members of the bloc, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other nations expressing interest in joining the alliance. 
President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the BRICS nations-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-threatening 100% tariffs if they pursue efforts to create a new currency or undermine the U.S. dollar. The warning extends to newer members of the bloc, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other nations expressing interest in joining the alliance. -
Vietnam Approves $67 Billion High-Speed Railway Project
Vietnam has officially approved a $67 billion high-speed railway project connecting the northern capital, Hanoi, to the southern business hub, Ho Chi Minh City. The ambitious plan is expected to revolutionize the country's infrastructure and economy, drastically reducing travel time along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) route from 30 hours to just five hours. 
Vietnam has officially approved a $67 billion high-speed railway project connecting the northern capital, Hanoi, to the southern business hub, Ho Chi Minh City. The ambitious plan is expected to revolutionize the country's infrastructure and economy, drastically reducing travel time along the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) route from 30 hours to just five hours. -
Kim Jong Un Pledges Unwavering Support for Russia’s War, Slams U.S. Intervention
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his nation's unwavering support for Russia's war in Ukraine during a high-level meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Pyongyang. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday that Kim and Belousov discussed bolstering their countries' strategic partnership amid what they describe as "imperialists' moves for hegemony." 
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his nation's unwavering support for Russia's war in Ukraine during a high-level meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Pyongyang. The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday that Kim and Belousov discussed bolstering their countries' strategic partnership amid what they describe as "imperialists' moves for hegemony." -
Chinese Journalist Dong Yuyu Sentenced to 7 Years on Espionage Charges in Secret Trial
A Beijing court has sentenced Dong Yuyu, a senior journalist at the state-run Guangming Daily, to seven years in prison on espionage charges, sparking outcry from press freedom advocates and raising concerns about China's treatment of journalists engaging with foreign entities. Dong, 62, was detained in February 2022 after dining with a Japanese diplomat at a Beijing hotel. The diplomat was released hours later, but Dong remained in custody, facing accusations of sharing sensitive information. 
A Beijing court has sentenced Dong Yuyu, a senior journalist at the state-run Guangming Daily, to seven years in prison on espionage charges, sparking outcry from press freedom advocates and raising concerns about China's treatment of journalists engaging with foreign entities. Dong, 62, was detained in February 2022 after dining with a Japanese diplomat at a Beijing hotel. The diplomat was released hours later, but Dong remained in custody, facing accusations of sharing sensitive information. -
Russia-North Korea Alliance 'Expanding in All Areas' as Thousands of Troops Reportedly Join Ukraine War Effort
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday, signaling a deepening military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang as both nations face heightened international scrutiny. The visit, described as a pivotal moment in their collaboration, underscores their shared interests amid the prolonged war in Ukraine. 
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday, signaling a deepening military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang as both nations face heightened international scrutiny. The visit, described as a pivotal moment in their collaboration, underscores their shared interests amid the prolonged war in Ukraine. -
Xi Jinping Expands Anti-Corruption Purge as Top Admiral Miao Hua Faces Investigation
China's ongoing military corruption crackdown has claimed another high-ranking official. Admiral Miao Hua, a member of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), is under investigation for "serious violations of discipline," a term commonly used as a euphemism for corruption, according to a statement by the Defense Ministry on Thursday. 
China's ongoing military corruption crackdown has claimed another high-ranking official. Admiral Miao Hua, a member of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), is under investigation for "serious violations of discipline," a term commonly used as a euphemism for corruption, according to a statement by the Defense Ministry on Thursday. -
Donald Trump Eyes Direct Talks with Kim Jong Un
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering a return to direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, aiming to ease escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Sources familiar with the matter suggest Trump's team is exploring the possibility of rekindling a diplomatic relationship established during his first term, despite the absence of any substantial denuclearization agreements from past summits. 
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering a return to direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, aiming to ease escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Sources familiar with the matter suggest Trump's team is exploring the possibility of rekindling a diplomatic relationship established during his first term, despite the absence of any substantial denuclearization agreements from past summits. -
Hybrid Warfare Fears as Chinese Ship Suspected of Sabotaging Critical Undersea Cables
A Chinese bulk carrier, the Yi Peng 3, is under scrutiny after being linked to the severing of two vital undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea. Western officials suspect the incident may have been orchestrated by Russian intelligence. The cables, crucial for communication between European nations, were damaged on November 17 and 18, raising alarm over escalating hybrid warfare in the region. 
A Chinese bulk carrier, the Yi Peng 3, is under scrutiny after being linked to the severing of two vital undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea. Western officials suspect the incident may have been orchestrated by Russian intelligence. The cables, crucial for communication between European nations, were damaged on November 17 and 18, raising alarm over escalating hybrid warfare in the region. -
Malaysia Court Drops Charges Against Ex-PM Najib Over 1MDB Scandal, Raising Transparency Concerns
A Malaysian court has discharged former Prime Minister Najib Razak and ex-Treasury Secretary-General Irwan Serigar Abdullah from corruption charges related to the infamous 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. 
A Malaysian court has discharged former Prime Minister Najib Razak and ex-Treasury Secretary-General Irwan Serigar Abdullah from corruption charges related to the infamous 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. -
U.S. Secures Release of Three Americans in High-Stakes Prisoner Swap with China
The United States has successfully secured the release of three Americans detained in China for years through a prisoner swap, marking a significant diplomatic achievement in the waning days of the Biden administration. The exchange, which involved unidentified Chinese nationals held in U.S. custody, follows years of painstaking negotiations and underscores the complexities of U.S.-China relations. 
The United States has successfully secured the release of three Americans detained in China for years through a prisoner swap, marking a significant diplomatic achievement in the waning days of the Biden administration. The exchange, which involved unidentified Chinese nationals held in U.S. custody, follows years of painstaking negotiations and underscores the complexities of U.S.-China relations.
