ASIA

NORTH KOREAN MARATHON RETURNS AFTER 6 YEARS

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North Korea has held its first Pyongyang International Marathon in six years, welcoming about 200 foreign runners. The marathon, which began in 1981, traditionally celebrated the April birthday of founding leader Kim Il Sung.

JAPAN WARNS MEGAQUAKE COULD CLAIM 300,000 LIVES IF IT STRIKES

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A new government report warns that a massive earthquake off Japan's Pacific coast could claim nearly 300,000 lives and cause economic damage equivalent to half the country's GDP. Released Monday by Japan's Cabinet Office, the updated assessment projects a staggering ¥270 trillion ($1.81 trillion) in damages—significantly higher than previous estimates.

TIKTOK DEAL WITH US INVESTORS PUT ON HOLD DUE TO TARRIF TENSIONS

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Months of delicate negotiations aimed at securing a deal to transfer TikTok's U.S. operations to American investors hit a roadblock this week, emblematic of the escalating trade war tensions between the United States and China. The deal, which had gathered momentum with the support of major U.S. investors like Oracle, Blackstone, and Andreeson Horowitz, was nearing finalization under terms approved by both ByteDance and the Trump administration.

MYANMAR QUAKE DEATH TOLL RISES TO 1,644

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A unilateral partial ceasefire to facilitate earthquake relief efforts was announced on Saturday by Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, which coordinates the popular struggle against the ruling military. The country’s death toll from the disaster soared to 1,644.

SOUTH KOREA'S YOON REMOVED FROM OFFICE AS COURT UPHOLDS IMPEACHMENT OVER MARTIAL LAW

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In a historic ruling Friday, South Korea's Constitutional Court unanimously ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, upholding parliament's impeachment motion over his controversial imposition of martial law last year. The decision marks the culmination of months of political turmoil that has gripped the nation.

ADANI RESTORES FULL POWER SUPPLY TO BANGLADESH

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Adani has restored full electricity supply to Bangladesh, four months after reducing the feed by half over unpaid dues. The Indian conglomerate's Adani Power supplies 1,600 MW to Bangladesh from its coal-powered plant in Jharkhand, India.

CHINA LAUNCHES MILITARY DRILLS AROUND TAIWAN, ESCALATES RHETORIC AGAINST PRESIDENT LAI

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China's military initiated extensive joint exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, deploying army, navy, and rocket forces in what Beijing described as a "stern warning and powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence." The dramatic escalation follows Taiwan President Lai Ching-Te's characterization of Beijing as a "foreign hostile force" last month.

CHINA FREES MINTZ GROUP EMPLOYEES AFTER TWO-YEAR DETENTION

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In a surprising diplomatic maneuver, China has released all five local employees of the Mintz Group who were detained in March 2023, marking a significant turning point in the country's approach to foreign business operations. The release comes amid mounting international pressure and a sharp decline in foreign direct investment in the world's second-largest economy.