Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Shakes Japan’s Noto Region, No Tsunami Danger Reported
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off Japan's Noto Peninsula late Tuesday night, shaking a region still recovering from a devastating earthquake earlier this year. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami risk. 
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off Japan's Noto Peninsula late Tuesday night, shaking a region still recovering from a devastating earthquake earlier this year. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami risk. -
Beijing Condemns U.S. P-8A Poseidon Patrol Over Taiwan Strait as 'Provocative'
Tensions between the United States and China escalated this week as Beijing condemned a U.S. Navy surveillance flight through the Taiwan Strait, accusing Washington of stirring regional instability. The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet confirmed that a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted a transit of the strait on Tuesday, flying in what the Pentagon described as international airspace. 
Tensions between the United States and China escalated this week as Beijing condemned a U.S. Navy surveillance flight through the Taiwan Strait, accusing Washington of stirring regional instability. The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet confirmed that a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted a transit of the strait on Tuesday, flying in what the Pentagon described as international airspace. -
North Korea Expands Key Missile Plant Allegedly Supplying Russia for Ukraine War, Satellite Images Reveal
North Korea is expanding a key missile production facility, raising concerns about its military collaboration with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Satellite imagery analyzed by researchers at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) has revealed significant construction at the February 11 plant, located within the Ryongsong Machine Complex in Hamhung, North Korea's second-largest city. 
North Korea is expanding a key missile production facility, raising concerns about its military collaboration with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Satellite imagery analyzed by researchers at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) has revealed significant construction at the February 11 plant, located within the Ryongsong Machine Complex in Hamhung, North Korea's second-largest city. -
Philippine President Marcos Vows to Fight Vice President Duterte’s Assassination Threat
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to confront Vice President Sara Duterte over her public claim that she had ordered an assassin to kill him, his wife, and the House Speaker if she were to be killed. The unprecedented remarks have deepened the rift between the country's top two officials, raising serious political and national security concerns. 
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to confront Vice President Sara Duterte over her public claim that she had ordered an assassin to kill him, his wife, and the House Speaker if she were to be killed. The unprecedented remarks have deepened the rift between the country's top two officials, raising serious political and national security concerns. -
Taiwan’s Former President Urges U.S. to Prioritize Ukraine Over Taiwan in Defense Aid
Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has called on the United States to prioritize military support for Ukraine, arguing that a victory against Russian aggression would serve as a powerful global deterrent against future conflicts, including a potential invasion of Taiwan by China. Tsai made the remarks during the Halifax International Security Forum, where she underscored the importance of American leadership in countering authoritarian threats. 
Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has called on the United States to prioritize military support for Ukraine, arguing that a victory against Russian aggression would serve as a powerful global deterrent against future conflicts, including a potential invasion of Taiwan by China. Tsai made the remarks during the Halifax International Security Forum, where she underscored the importance of American leadership in countering authoritarian threats. -
U.S. Deploys Task Force Ayungin to Support Philippine Maritime Operations Amid South China Sea Disputes
The United States has deployed Task Force Ayungin in the Philippines to bolster maritime operations amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. Named after the Philippine designation for Second Thomas Shoal, the task force underscores Washington's commitment to Manila under their decades-long Mutual Defense Treaty as clashes with China intensify in contested waters. 
The United States has deployed Task Force Ayungin in the Philippines to bolster maritime operations amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. Named after the Philippine designation for Second Thomas Shoal, the task force underscores Washington's commitment to Manila under their decades-long Mutual Defense Treaty as clashes with China intensify in contested waters. -
Russia Reportedly Trades Missiles for North Korean Troops and Supplies 1 Million Barrels of Oil to Kim Jong Un
North Korea and Russia have strengthened their alliance through a series of exchanges involving military support, weapons, and essential resources, according to intelligence reports and satellite imagery analyses. These developments come as both nations face escalating international sanctions while seeking to bolster their strategic positions, particularly in the ongoing war in Ukraine. 
North Korea and Russia have strengthened their alliance through a series of exchanges involving military support, weapons, and essential resources, according to intelligence reports and satellite imagery analyses. These developments come as both nations face escalating international sanctions while seeking to bolster their strategic positions, particularly in the ongoing war in Ukraine. -
China and Myanmar 'Wipe Out' Major Telecom Fraud Centers, Repatriate 763 Suspects
China reported a significant victory in its campaign against cross-border telecom fraud, announcing the "wipe-out" of all large-scale fraud operations in northern Myanmar following a coordinated law enforcement operation. Chinese state media revealed on Thursday that 763 Chinese nationals were transferred to China after their arrest in Myanmar's Tangyan region. Among those apprehended were 69 fugitives from China's most-wanted list. 
China reported a significant victory in its campaign against cross-border telecom fraud, announcing the "wipe-out" of all large-scale fraud operations in northern Myanmar following a coordinated law enforcement operation. Chinese state media revealed on Thursday that 763 Chinese nationals were transferred to China after their arrest in Myanmar's Tangyan region. Among those apprehended were 69 fugitives from China's most-wanted list. -
Putin Confirms Use of Experimental Ballistic Missile in Ukraine, Warns Western Nations
In a stark escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the use of an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, during a strike on the city of Dnipro. Speaking during an unannounced televised address, Putin declared the missile strike as a response to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory carried out with Western-supplied long-range weaponry. The Russian leader asserted that Moscow "reserves the right" to target Western countries that provide such military support to Kyiv. 
In a stark escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the use of an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, during a strike on the city of Dnipro. Speaking during an unannounced televised address, Putin declared the missile strike as a response to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory carried out with Western-supplied long-range weaponry. The Russian leader asserted that Moscow "reserves the right" to target Western countries that provide such military support to Kyiv. -
PDD Misses Revenue Targets Amid Fierce Price Wars and Consumer Struggles
PDD Holdings, the Chinese parent company of e-commerce platforms Pinduoduo and Temu, failed to meet third-quarter revenue and profit expectations, as consumer spending in China remains under pressure. Promotional discounts and low-cost offerings, while attracting some attention, fell short of driving the sales growth analysts had anticipated. The company's U.S.-listed shares dropped 8% in pre-market trading following the announcement. 
PDD Holdings, the Chinese parent company of e-commerce platforms Pinduoduo and Temu, failed to meet third-quarter revenue and profit expectations, as consumer spending in China remains under pressure. Promotional discounts and low-cost offerings, while attracting some attention, fell short of driving the sales growth analysts had anticipated. The company's U.S.-listed shares dropped 8% in pre-market trading following the announcement.
