China’s newly enacted “Law on the Promotion of Ethnic Unity and Progress” has sparked international concern over its potential to facilitate transnational repression. Effective as of July 2026, Article 63 of the legislation asserts Beijing’s authority to prosecute individuals and organizations outside of mainland China deemed to have undermined ethnic unity. Rights groups, including Amnesty … Read more
WhatsApp is transitioning to a username-based identification system, allowing users to connect without sharing personal phone numbers. The Meta-owned platform, which serves over three billion users globally, announced that the feature will roll out gradually over the coming months to enhance privacy and reduce the necessity of exchanging digits with new acquaintances. How the WhatsApp … Read more
China’s LineShine supercomputer has claimed the top spot on the biannual TOP500 list, reaching a performance of 2.198 exaflops. Located at the National Supercomputing Centre in Shenzhen, the system overtook the US-based El Capitan, signaling a shift in the global high-performance computing landscape. This development, confirmed in Hamburg, Germany, marks the first time a Chinese … Read more
Two students, aged 14 and 15, killed three classmates and wounded seven others in a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Philippines, on Monday, according to regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy. The suspects, who were armed with a 9 mm pistol and a .38 caliber revolver, were taken into custody … Read more
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies are pushing for increased regional connectivity and trade openness to counter a global rise in protectionist policies. During a high-level forum in Beijing, trade representatives emphasized that sustaining the multilateral trading system—anchored by the World Trade Organization (WTO)—is essential for maintaining the region’s 60% share of global gross domestic … Read more
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is urging a broad societal shift toward artificial intelligence, arguing that widespread adoption will drive economic growth and scientific innovation. While speaking in Sherman, Texas, Huang addressed growing public concerns regarding job displacement and national security, asserting that the U.S. must remain competitive globally to secure its future in the AI … Read more
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have exposed critical structural risks in Southeast Asia’s energy sector, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The region faces a rising energy import bill that could reach $400 billion by mid-century as energy demand grows, requiring rapid diversification and stronger regional cooperation to maintain affordability and security. Why … Read more
The G7 excludes China because the organization is limited to democratic nations dedicated to individual liberty. Despite China’s massive economic influence and a projected $1.2 trillion trade surplus for 2025, its authoritarian government prevents it from meeting the G7’s fundamental requirement of being an open, democratic society. Why is China excluded from the G7 despite … Read more
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court for his role in authorizing military drone incursions into North Korea. Prosecutors successfully argued that the operation was a calculated effort to manufacture a pretext for martial law, deepening the political crisis that led … Read more
A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, June 8, 2026, resulting in at least 37 deaths and 400 injuries. Centered 20km (12 miles) off the coast of Sarangani province, the tremor triggered tsunami warnings and caused widespread structural damage across Mindanao, with the coastal city of General Santos bearing the brunt … Read more