Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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North Korea Deploys Troops to Support Russia in Ukraine, South Korea Warns of Escalating Threat
South Korea has raised alarms about North Korea's deepening involvement in the Ukraine conflict, with its intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), confirming that Pyongyang has dispatched troops to Russia. Zelenskiy claimed that intelligence reports suggested Pyongyang was preparing to send an additional 10,000 soldiers to aid Russia in its offensive against Ukraine. 
South Korea has raised alarms about North Korea's deepening involvement in the Ukraine conflict, with its intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), confirming that Pyongyang has dispatched troops to Russia. Zelenskiy claimed that intelligence reports suggested Pyongyang was preparing to send an additional 10,000 soldiers to aid Russia in its offensive against Ukraine. -
China’s Property Stocks Drop Sharply Despite Expanded Support Measures, Asia-Pacific Markets React
China's property sector faced a sharp decline on Thursday as new measures unveiled by the country's housing ministry failed to reassure investors, leading to a nearly 8% drop in the CSI 300 real estate index. The broader CSI 300 benchmark also declined by 1.13% to close at 3,788.22. This setback comes as Beijing intensifies efforts to stabilize the property market, which has been under pressure since 2021, impacting the wider economy of the world's second-largest nation. 
China's property sector faced a sharp decline on Thursday as new measures unveiled by the country's housing ministry failed to reassure investors, leading to a nearly 8% drop in the CSI 300 real estate index. The broader CSI 300 benchmark also declined by 1.13% to close at 3,788.22. This setback comes as Beijing intensifies efforts to stabilize the property market, which has been under pressure since 2021, impacting the wider economy of the world's second-largest nation. -
North Korea Warns of War as 1.4 Million Volunteer to Fight Over Drone Incursion Dispute
North Korea claimed on Wednesday that 1.4 million young people had volunteered to join or re-enlist in the Korean People's Army (KPA) following what it described as a "provocative" drone incursion by South Korea. The North's state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) accused Seoul of violating its sovereignty, bringing tensions on the Korean Peninsula "to the brink of war." This massive mobilization marks one of the most significant escalations in the region in recent years. 
North Korea claimed on Wednesday that 1.4 million young people had volunteered to join or re-enlist in the Korean People's Army (KPA) following what it described as a "provocative" drone incursion by South Korea. The North's state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) accused Seoul of violating its sovereignty, bringing tensions on the Korean Peninsula "to the brink of war." This massive mobilization marks one of the most significant escalations in the region in recent years. -
TSMC Begins Chip Production for Apple in Arizona, Marking a Key Milestone for U.S. Chipmaking
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has commenced the production of Apple's A16 chips at its new fabrication plant in Phoenix, Arizona. This move marks a significant milestone for both TSMC and the U.S. government's efforts to localize semiconductor production and reduce reliance on overseas chip manufacturing. The decision to produce Apple's chips domestically aligns with Apple's commitment to reshoring production and the Biden administration's initiatives under the CHIPS Act. 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has commenced the production of Apple's A16 chips at its new fabrication plant in Phoenix, Arizona. This move marks a significant milestone for both TSMC and the U.S. government's efforts to localize semiconductor production and reduce reliance on overseas chip manufacturing. The decision to produce Apple's chips domestically aligns with Apple's commitment to reshoring production and the Biden administration's initiatives under the CHIPS Act. -
Xi Visits Taiwan-Adjacent Province as China Refuses to Rule Out Forceful Reunification
China's increasing military activity around Taiwan and its refusal to renounce the use of force were underscored this week as President Xi Jinping visited a province directly across from the island nation. The visit followed large-scale military exercises by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), escalating the already tense situation in the Taiwan Strait. 
China's increasing military activity around Taiwan and its refusal to renounce the use of force were underscored this week as President Xi Jinping visited a province directly across from the island nation. The visit followed large-scale military exercises by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), escalating the already tense situation in the Taiwan Strait. -
China Eyes $850 Billion Debt Plan to Boost Economic Growth, But Investors Remain Cautious
China is preparing to issue a significant amount of new debt in an effort to boost its sagging economy and address the mounting financial burdens faced by local governments. According to a report by Caixin Global, the country may raise as much as 6 trillion yuan ($850 billion) over the next three years through special treasury bonds. This figure, while substantial, has failed to generate much excitement among investors, who are increasingly concerned about the effectiveness of China's stimulus measures. 
China is preparing to issue a significant amount of new debt in an effort to boost its sagging economy and address the mounting financial burdens faced by local governments. According to a report by Caixin Global, the country may raise as much as 6 trillion yuan ($850 billion) over the next three years through special treasury bonds. This figure, while substantial, has failed to generate much excitement among investors, who are increasingly concerned about the effectiveness of China's stimulus measures. -
China Sends Record 153 Warplanes Near Taiwan in Escalating Military Drills
China's military conducted a record number of aircraft operations around Taiwan during large-scale drills on Monday, marking a new level of tension between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that 153 Chinese warplanes, including fighter jets, drones, and other aircraft, were detected within a 25-hour period, with 111 of those crossing the sensitive Median Line in the Taiwan Strait. 
China's military conducted a record number of aircraft operations around Taiwan during large-scale drills on Monday, marking a new level of tension between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that 153 Chinese warplanes, including fighter jets, drones, and other aircraft, were detected within a 25-hour period, with 111 of those crossing the sensitive Median Line in the Taiwan Strait. -
North Korea Destroys Inter-Korean Roads, Severs Ties with South as Tensions Escalate
North Korea escalated tensions on the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday by demolishing key inter-Korean roads and rail links along its heavily fortified border with South Korea. 
North Korea escalated tensions on the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday by demolishing key inter-Korean roads and rail links along its heavily fortified border with South Korea. -
North Korea to Blow Up Key Border Roads, Escalating Threat of Military Conflict with South Korea
Pyongyang accused Seoul of drone provocations and is ready to sever cross-border links, heightening fears of renewed hostilities along the Demilitarized Zone. 
Pyongyang accused Seoul of drone provocations and is ready to sever cross-border links, heightening fears of renewed hostilities along the Demilitarized Zone. -
China's Export Growth Slows Sharply as Global Demand Weakens, Raising Concerns for Economy
China's export growth slowed sharply in September, raising new concerns about the outlook for the world's second-largest economy. According to data released by the Chinese customs office on Monday, exports rose just 2.4% year-on-year in U.S. dollar terms, a significant decline from the 8.7% increase reported in August. Imports grew by a mere 0.3%, reflecting weak domestic demand and adding to fears of a broader economic slowdown. 
China's export growth slowed sharply in September, raising new concerns about the outlook for the world's second-largest economy. According to data released by the Chinese customs office on Monday, exports rose just 2.4% year-on-year in U.S. dollar terms, a significant decline from the 8.7% increase reported in August. Imports grew by a mere 0.3%, reflecting weak domestic demand and adding to fears of a broader economic slowdown.
