Link to Article: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/12/15/korea-zinc-plans-7-4bn-us-minerals-refinery-with-washingtons-backing Korea Zinc, the world’s largest zinc smelting company, has unveiled plans to build a $7.4 billion minerals refinery in the United States with substantial backing from the U.S. government. The facility, planned for Clarksville, Tennessee, will be funded largely through a strategic partnership in which the U.S. Department of Defense takes a 40 % stake and… Read more »
Link to Article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/14/thailand-launches-new-offensive-as-cambodia-halts-all-border-crossings Thailand’s military has launched a new offensive against Cambodia, claiming it is acting to reclaim sovereign territory along their disputed border, defying recent international mediation efforts. The move comes amid ongoing violent clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours over their long-running colonial-era border demarcation dispute. Thailand’s navy said its forces struck in Trat province, and… Read more »
Link to Article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/16/trump-urges-chinas-xi-to-free-jailed-hong-kong-media-tycoon-jimmy-lai United States President Donald Trump has appealed directly to Chinese President Xi Jinping to free Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai following Lai’s conviction under Hong Kong’s national security law. Trump said he spoke with Xi about the case and asked him to “consider his release” because Lai, who is 78, is older and in poor… Read more »
12/11/2025 This article talks about a major escalation around fighting along the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia. It displaced more than half a million civilians to evacuation centres on both sides of the border. Around 20 people have been killed and nearly 200 injured, marking one of the deadliest violence since a 5 day conflict that happened in July…. Read more »
12/12/2025 This article describes South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries delivering 2 advanced HDF-3200 guided missile frigates, BRP Diego Silang, to the Philippine Navy. It marked a major upgrade for an under equipped fleet. These vessels are the first in Philippine service that feature a vertical launch system, it is capable of firing modern surface to air and anti… Read more »
12/16/2025 This article describes a public mourning event where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un honored 9 North Korean soldiers that were killed while deployed at Russia’s Kursk regions. It marked the first time that Pyongyang has openly talked about casualties that were in link to the Ukraine War. The media footage showed Kim visibly emotional, he was consoling wounded troops,… Read more »
Recently, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia reignited in December 2025, causing renewed border clashes after a fragile ceasefire collapsed. Fighting that began around December 8 has involved artillery exchanges and ground operations along parts of the 817-km frontier, displacing hundreds of thousands and resulting in dozens of deaths. Both sides accuse the other of sparking the clashes. In response, China… Read more »
Relations between the United States, China, and Taiwan have become increasingly tense as the U.S. continues to approve large arms sales to Taiwan. These sales include advanced missile systems, air-defense equipment, and military support that will strengthen Taiwan’s ability to defend itself. The U.S. omits these actions as part of its long-standing policy of helping Taiwan maintain a sufficient self-defense… Read more »
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated over ongoing disputes in the South China Sea, particularly around areas claimed by both countries. The Philippines has accused China’s coast guard and maritime militia of using aggressive tactics such as blocking, water cannons, and close-range maneuvering against Philippine supply ships traveling to contested reefs and outposts. China argues that these waters… Read more »
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dz11pykwnoThis article summarizes the recent increase in Japan’s interest rate as there has been an increase in inflation. This increase in the interest rate by 0.25% is a significant increase from 0.5% up to 0.75%. This is the highest the rate has been since 1995 because of increased inflation and the weakening of the Japanese yen when in relation to… Read more »
