Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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South Korea’s Birth Rate Rises for First Time in a Decade Amid Marriage Surge
South Korea's fertility rate has increased for the first time in nearly a decade, offering a rare moment of optimism amid the country's ongoing demographic crisis. The number of births in 2024 rose to 238,300, marking a 3.6% increase from the previous year, according to preliminary data from Statistics Korea. It is the first time since 2015 that the country has recorded a rise in births, reversing a continuous downward trend. 
South Korea's fertility rate has increased for the first time in nearly a decade, offering a rare moment of optimism amid the country's ongoing demographic crisis. The number of births in 2024 rose to 238,300, marking a 3.6% increase from the previous year, according to preliminary data from Statistics Korea. It is the first time since 2015 that the country has recorded a rise in births, reversing a continuous downward trend. -
Taiwan Detains Chinese Crew After Undersea Cable Cut in ‘Gray Zone’ Incident
Taiwan's coast guard detained the Chinese crew of a Togolese-flagged vessel on Tuesday after an undersea communications cable linking Taiwan and its offshore Penghu islands was severed. The incident has heightened concerns over potential "gray zone" activity by China, a term used to describe hostile actions that fall short of direct military conflict. 
Taiwan's coast guard detained the Chinese crew of a Togolese-flagged vessel on Tuesday after an undersea communications cable linking Taiwan and its offshore Penghu islands was severed. The incident has heightened concerns over potential "gray zone" activity by China, a term used to describe hostile actions that fall short of direct military conflict. -
Putin and Xi Reinforce Russia-China Alliance as Trump Reshapes U.S. Foreign Policy
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke in a phone call on Monday, emphasizing their countries' deepening strategic partnership amid a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy. The conversation marked their first direct communication since President Donald Trump initiated high-level talks with Moscow over a potential peace deal in Ukraine, a move that has raised concerns in Kyiv and among European allies. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke in a phone call on Monday, emphasizing their countries' deepening strategic partnership amid a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy. The conversation marked their first direct communication since President Donald Trump initiated high-level talks with Moscow over a potential peace deal in Ukraine, a move that has raised concerns in Kyiv and among European allies. -
Alibaba to Invest $52 Billion in AI and Cloud as China Ramps Up Tech Ambitions
Alibaba Group announced plans to invest 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure over the next three years, signaling the company's aggressive push into emerging technologies amid China's broader efforts to position itself as a global leader in AI. 
Alibaba Group announced plans to invest 380 billion yuan ($52 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure over the next three years, signaling the company's aggressive push into emerging technologies amid China's broader efforts to position itself as a global leader in AI. -
Russia Launches Largest Drone Attack on Ukraine on Eve of War Anniversary
Russia carried out its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, launching 267 Iranian-made attack drones in a widespread offensive that killed at least three people and destroyed critical infrastructure. The attack came just a day before the third anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion, further intensifying the ongoing conflict. 
Russia carried out its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, launching 267 Iranian-made attack drones in a widespread offensive that killed at least three people and destroyed critical infrastructure. The attack came just a day before the third anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion, further intensifying the ongoing conflict. -
China’s Live-Fire Naval Exercise Near Australia Disrupts Flights, Raises Security Concerns
The Chinese navy conducted a live-fire exercise in international waters between Australia and New Zealand on Friday, prompting concerns from Australian officials over the short notice given and causing airlines to divert flights. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles confirmed that while China adhered to international law in providing notice, the limited time frame created operational challenges. 
The Chinese navy conducted a live-fire exercise in international waters between Australia and New Zealand on Friday, prompting concerns from Australian officials over the short notice given and causing airlines to divert flights. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles confirmed that while China adhered to international law in providing notice, the limited time frame created operational challenges. -
U.S. Sends B-1B Bombers to Korean Peninsula in Show of Force Against North Korea
The United States deployed two B-1B bombers to the Korean Peninsula on Thursday for a joint military exercise with South Korea, marking the first aerial drill between the two allies since President Donald Trump's return to the White House. The move, which comes amid heightened tensions with North Korea, underscores Washington's commitment to deterring Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. 
The United States deployed two B-1B bombers to the Korean Peninsula on Thursday for a joint military exercise with South Korea, marking the first aerial drill between the two allies since President Donald Trump's return to the White House. The move, which comes amid heightened tensions with North Korea, underscores Washington's commitment to deterring Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. -
North Korea Condemns US Sanctions and Military Drills, Pledges Nuclear Expansion
North Korea on Tuesday denounced U.S.-led efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, calling them an "absurd" pursuit and vowing to expand its nuclear arsenal. The statement from Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry came after a high-level security meeting in Munich, where the U.S., South Korea, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to countering North Korea's weapons program through sanctions and enhanced military cooperation. 
North Korea on Tuesday denounced U.S.-led efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, calling them an "absurd" pursuit and vowing to expand its nuclear arsenal. The statement from Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry came after a high-level security meeting in Munich, where the U.S., South Korea, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to countering North Korea's weapons program through sanctions and enhanced military cooperation. -
China Condemns U.S. Over Taiwan Policy Shift, Demands Reversal
China has condemned the United States for revising its official stance on Taiwan, demanding that Washington "correct its mistakes" after the U.S. State Department removed a statement from its website that explicitly said it does not support Taiwan's independence. 
China has condemned the United States for revising its official stance on Taiwan, demanding that Washington "correct its mistakes" after the U.S. State Department removed a statement from its website that explicitly said it does not support Taiwan's independence. -
Alibaba’s Jack Ma Returns to Spotlight as Xi Seeks Private Sector Revival
Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a high-profile meeting with leading private-sector executives, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, in Beijing on Monday, in a move widely seen as an effort to reassure the business community following years of regulatory crackdowns. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping convened a high-profile meeting with leading private-sector executives, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, in Beijing on Monday, in a move widely seen as an effort to reassure the business community following years of regulatory crackdowns.
