Iran fired ballistic missiles at a joint US-UK military facility on Diego Garcia island in the Chagos Islands on Friday morning, according to US media reports. Two medium-range missiles were launched but failed to hit the base. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to the facility.
Climate scientists warn that glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating at twice the rate since 2000, threatening water supplies for over 2 billion people in the region. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region's smaller glaciers, particularly those under 0.5 square kilometers, are melting faster than larger ones. Two landmark reports released Saturday highlight glacial loss as a critical climate change challenge affecting the region's water security.
Three weeks into the Iran conflict, tit-for-tat escalations across multiple fronts have pushed the Middle East toward the region-wide conflict that governments have repeatedly warned about since October 2023. Israel launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon following Hezbollah's entry into the conflict in response to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's assassination. Iraq has become a conflict zone as tensions continue to escalate across the region.
A 31-year-old Georgia woman, Alexia Moore, was arrested and charged with murder after taking abortion medication on December 30, resulting in a premature infant's death within hours. She was jailed in Camden County near the Florida border. Georgia prohibits nearly all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, following the US Supreme Court's overturn of Roe vs Wade.
The US Treasury Department on Friday temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian crude oil already loaded onto vessels. The authorization permits delivery and sale of Iranian petroleum products loaded before March 20, effective through April 19. This measure aims to address the global crude oil supply crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict.
Iran fired ballistic missiles at a joint US-UK military facility on Diego Garcia island in the Chagos Islands on Friday morning, according to US media reports. Two medium-range missiles were launched but failed to hit the base. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to the facility.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen held his first call with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on March 13, marking the initial high-level contact between the two nations since their dispute over Nexperia, a Chinese-owned chipmaker based in the Netherlands. The conversation represents both ministers' first exchange and signals efforts to pursue a pragmatic relationship reset despite ongoing tensions over the semiconductor company's control.
Iran executed a 19-year-old wrestler and two other young men this week, prompting human rights organizations to warn of a potential wave of executions. The three are the first to be executed among tens of thousands arrested during January crackdowns on nationwide protests. Rights groups caution that over 100 others could face death sentences.
Climate scientists warn that glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating at twice the rate since 2000, threatening water supplies for over 2 billion people in the region. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region's smaller glaciers, particularly those under 0.5 square kilometers, are melting faster than larger ones. Two landmark reports released Saturday highlight glacial loss as a critical climate change challenge affecting the region's water security.
Three weeks into the Iran conflict, tit-for-tat escalations across multiple fronts have pushed the Middle East toward the region-wide conflict that governments have repeatedly warned about since October 2023. Israel launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon following Hezbollah's entry into the conflict in response to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's assassination. Iraq has become a conflict zone as tensions continue to escalate across the region.
A 31-year-old Georgia woman, Alexia Moore, was arrested and charged with murder after taking abortion medication on December 30, resulting in a premature infant's death within hours. She was jailed in Camden County near the Florida border. Georgia prohibits nearly all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, following the US Supreme Court's overturn of Roe vs Wade.
Due to escalating diplomatic friction between China and Japan, no Japanese business executives will attend the China Development Forum in Beijing this week, according to an internal list. Nearly 80 top executives from major multinational corporations, with the largest contingent from the US, are expected to participate in the forum scheduled for Sunday to Monday.
South Korea's medium-range surface-to-air missile system, the Cheongung-II (KM-SAM Block II), achieved a reported 96 percent interception rate against Iranian missiles fired at the United Arab Emirates. Originally developed to counter North Korean threats, the system's successful combat performance has elevated South Korea's status as a sought-after global defence supplier, rivalling and in some cases exceeding US interceptor capabilities.
The House Select Committee on China released a 34-page report Friday, alleging that China manipulates its UN position through budget contributions, strategic appointments to key executive positions, and troop deployments to advance international ambitions and undermine US interests. The report did not specify how these activities differ from standard practices by other nations at the United Nations.
A US federal judge ruled Friday that the Pentagon's media access policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments of the US Constitution. The policy had revoked press credentials from numerous prominent media organizations, including The New York Times, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Fox News. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by The New York Times.
China is undergoing a significant economic transition that requires traditional industrial regions to adapt or risk decline. As conventional industries lose momentum as growth drivers, emerging sectors gain prominence. This series examines three representative areas navigating rapid economic change, including Dongguan's toy manufacturing sector facing transformation pressures.
Diesel prices in the Philippines have reached historic highs due to Middle East tensions, forcing transport workers to make difficult choices between fuel costs and basic living expenses. Driver Mario Orain reports significantly fewer bookings and soaring fuel expenses. Rising transportation costs threaten to fuel food inflation concerns across the nation.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing unveiled its largest set of listing reforms since 2018 in a consultation paper. The proposals aim to enhance the competitiveness of Asia's third-largest stock exchange, which ranked first globally for IPOs last year. Key measures include broadening special listing regimes for innovative companies and expanding listing eligibility criteria.
The US Treasury Department on Friday temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian crude oil already loaded onto vessels. The authorization permits delivery and sale of Iranian petroleum products loaded before March 20, effective through April 19. This measure aims to address the global crude oil supply crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict.
Illegal fuel stations in Hong Kong are profiting from smuggling untaxed petrol. Operators use vehicles with enlarged tanks to import duty-free fuel and sell it to car club members via coded messages, earning approximately HK$10,000 daily. Cases have increased since late February when petrol prices surged. Law enforcement conducts regular raids to combat the illicit operations.
A California federal jury ruled that Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders while pursuing a US$44 billion acquisition to drive down the company's share price. The class action securities lawsuit verdict could result in damages of up to US$2.6 billion against Musk. The suit was filed by Giuseppe Pampena on behalf of shareholders who sold Twitter shares between mid-May 2022 and the relevant period.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated during a podcast that the US robotics industry will depend on China's supply chain despite America pioneering the market. He highlighted China's advantages in microelectronics, motors, rare earth elements, and magnets—foundational materials for robotics. Nvidia is betting on physical AI and seeking to re-enter the Chinese market.
Hong Kong's transport authorities have received more than 100 applications for innovative drone usage to develop the city's low-altitude economy. Transport and Logistics Secretary Mable Chan announced that some pilot projects will launch within three months, and pledged to advance transport technologies from trials to everyday use by 2026.
A research team led by Pan Jianwei at the University of Science and Technology of China has developed a strontium optical clock with stability and uncertainty parameters surpassing 10 to the power of negative 18. The clock would lose or gain less than one second over approximately 30 billion years, more than twice the age of the universe, positioning China among the world's leading timekeeping nations.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Supermicro Computer executives in a case involving approximately 2.5 billion dollars. The defendants allegedly used multiple layers of concealment and complex procedures to circumvent U.S. export restrictions on AI chips to China. The case has drawn significant attention from the global technology sector, highlighting tensions between corporate compliance challenges and government enforcement efforts.
CBS reported that the Trump administration is developing strategies to potentially control or remove approximately 440 kilograms of enriched uranium from Iran, possibly deploying US special operations forces. No final decision has been made as of the report date. IAEA Secretary-General Rafael Grossi warned that such a mission would be extremely difficult and carry significant risks.
According to U.S. officials, Iran fired two medium-range ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, where U.S. and British military bases are located. The missiles did not strike their intended targets. The incident marks an escalation of tensions in the Middle East region.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Iran fired two medium-range ballistic missiles at the Diego Garcia joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. One missile malfunctioned during flight, while the other was intercepted by a US Navy SM-3 missile, with unclear results. The action indicates Iran's attempt to expand military operations beyond the Middle East region.
US President Trump stated he is considering a gradual end to military operations against Iran three weeks after their commencement. Trump warned that security of the Strait of Hormuz should be the responsibility of other nations, suggesting a potential reduction in US military commitment in the region. The remarks reflect a shift in American Middle East policy direction.
Supermicro's stock price dropped 33 percent following allegations that three individuals associated with the company illegally transferred AI servers to China. The company's market value declined by over one-third. Co-founder Liao Yixian has resigned from his board position. The case is under investigation by U.S. prosecutors in New York.
According to U.S. media reports, the Trump administration is developing action plans regarding Iranian nuclear materials. Multiple sources told CBS that the Pentagon has detailed plans for seizing or removing Iranian nuclear materials and is considering deploying the Joint Special Operations Command for such operations.
Co-founder Liao Yixian and two others from Super Micro Computer face U.S. indictment for allegedly illegally transferring AI technology to China. The company clarified it is not the target of prosecution. The co-founder has resigned from his position, and the company has suspended involved employees and terminated contractor relationships while pledging full cooperation with the investigation.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Supermicro co-founder Liao Yixian and two others for allegedly conspiring to circumvent U.S. export controls by illegally transferring AI servers containing controlled-grade GPUs to China. Liao has been arrested, while another Taiwan-based executive remains at large. The case involves enforcement of U.S. technology export restrictions to China.
According to multiple sources briefed on discussions, the Trump administration is reportedly planning potential military operations to secure Iran's enriched uranium, possibly involving special forces. This development comes as US-Israel military actions against Iran enter a new uncertain phase. The specific details and timeline of any potential operation remain under evaluation.
CBS reported that the Trump administration is considering controlling or removing Iran's enriched uranium, planning to deploy US military special operations forces for the mission with expected Israeli special forces participation. A former Pentagon official with 20 years of nuclear material recovery experience warns the operation carries extremely high risks, with broad consensus on the mission's difficulty.
On March 13, a French naval officer aboard the Charles de Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier deployed in the Mediterranean recorded a 7-kilometer run lasting 35 minutes using a fitness tracking application. The app's location-sharing feature inadvertently revealed the carrier's exact position during a period when the United States and Israel were conducting military operations against Iran. The incident highlights security risks when military personnel use civilian applications in sensitive operational areas.
Iran carried out executions of three men convicted of killing police officers, including a 19-year-old former national team member. This marks the first death sentences carried out following anti-government protests. Human rights organizations condemned the trial procedures and allegations of torture. Analysts suggest Iran's government intended to deter domestic dissent and send a warning to the international community.
A hearing into the Hongfu Garden fire revealed multiple safety failures. The builder and management used non-flame-retardant foam sealants and other flammable materials; fire suppression systems remained non-operational for over six months; consultant firms allegedly concealed the builder's poor track record; government departments including the Fire Services Department failed adequate oversight. Multiple human errors significantly increased fire risks.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have caused Dubai crude oil prices to surge significantly. Taiwan's Chinese Petroleum Corporation announced fuel price increases effective March 23, raising gasoline by NT$1.8 per liter and diesel by NT$1.4 per liter. Post-adjustment prices are NT$30.7 for 92-octane, NT$32.2 for 95-octane, NT$34.2 for 98-octane gasoline, and NT$29.5 for super diesel per liter. The Executive Yuan simultaneously launched three support measures including project financing and capital increases to stabilize the state-owned enterprise's finances.