ASIA

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.

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.

SOUTH KOREAN COURT REINSTATES HAN DUCK-SOO AS ACTING PRESIDENT AFTER IMPEACHMENT OVERTURNED

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In a significant development that marks the latest twist in South Korea's ongoing political crisis, the Constitutional Court has reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting president. The court ruled 7-1 to strike down Han's impeachment, which had suspended him from office for nearly three months.

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.

IRAQ PLANS ON BOOSTING OIL PRODUCTION TO 6 MILLION BPD BY 2029

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Iraq has unveiled ambitious plans to increase its oil production capacity to more than 6 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2029, according to the Iraqi oil ministry. This strategic initiative represents a significant expansion from the country's current output of approximately 4 million bpd.

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.

X SUES INDIA OVER EXPANDED CENSORSHIP POWERS

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X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, alleging that the country's IT ministry has unlawfully expanded censorship powers, enabling the easier removal of online content and empowering "countless" government officials to execute such orders. The lawsuit marks an escalation in the ongoing legal dispute between X and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government over content takedown orders.