China conducted long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea, targeting simulated ports and energy facilities, amid heightened tensions with Taiwan. The exercises, part of the Strait Thunder-2025A, follow increased rhetoric against Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, whom China labels a “separatist.” Taiwan, rejecting China’s sovereignty claims, reported over 10 Chinese warships and 76 aircraft near its “response zone.” The drills coincide with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Asia visit, where he criticized Beijing. Taiwan condemned the exercises, which China did not formally name. Noah Prescott 02/04/2025 5:00 am
A devastating earthquake struck central Myanmar during Ramadan, collapsing three mosques in Sagaing, including the largest, Myoma, and killing nearly everyone inside. Former imam Soe Nay Oo, now in Thailand, mourns the loss of around 170 relatives, friends, and congregation members. Over 2,700 people have died, with the toll expected to rise. The quake severely impacted the Muslim community, with an estimated 500 Muslims dying while praying. Myoma Street, where the mosques were located, was the worst hit. Ava Sinclair 02/04/2025 5:00 am
First Lady Melania Trump honored eight women at the State Department’s International Women of Courage Awards, praising their efforts to fight injustice and advocate for women and girls. She highlighted their courage and the power of love as a catalyst for change. Among the honorees was Romanian Georgiana Pascu, recognized for her work with institutionalized individuals with disabilities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the U.S. commitment to protecting women and girls, also honoring Israeli Amit Soussana, a survivor of Hamas captivity. Noah Prescott 02/04/2025 1:30 am
French far-right leader Jordan Bardella urged a rally in Paris to protest Marine Le Pen’s five-year ban from public office due to embezzlement charges. Le Pen, barred from the 2027 presidential race, can appeal, but the ban is immediate. Bardella, National Rally president, called for peaceful protests, condemning the ruling as a “nuclear bomb” against their party. Le Pen claimed the “system” used a “powerful weapon” to prevent their electoral success. Both leaders criticized threats against judges, emphasizing democratic mobilization. Penelope Kingsley 02/04/2025 1:30 am
A fourth American soldier was found dead after their vehicle submerged in a bog during training in Lithuania, the White House announced. The soldiers, from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, went missing on March 25. Their M88 Hercules vehicle was found in a peat bog. Three soldiers were initially recovered after a week-long rescue effort involving U.S. and allied forces. The identities are withheld pending family notifications, and an investigation is underway. The White House expressed condolences and gratitude for Lithuanian support. Ava Sinclair 02/04/2025 1:30 am
France currently does not require explicit consent in its rape laws, unlike many other countries. Two lawmakers are pushing to change this by introducing a bill to include nonconsensual penetration in the definition of rape. This initiative gained momentum after a trial where multiple men were convicted of raping a drugged woman. The bill, which emphasizes that consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn, is being debated in the French Parliament’s lower house, with a vote expected soon. If passed, it will proceed to the Senate. Noah Prescott 02/04/2025 1:30 am
South Korea’s Constitutional Court will announce its decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on April 4. Yoon was impeached for declaring martial law without justifiable grounds. The court needs six of its eight justices to agree to remove him. The decision has intensified political and public divisions, with rallies and potential violence anticipated. The ruling party is prepared to accept the decision, while the opposition expects a unanimous ruling against Yoon. Public support for Yoon’s removal has decreased since the martial law declaration. Noah Prescott 02/04/2025 1:30 am
Eyewitnesses report that some of the bodies of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, were found with hands or legs tied and gunshot wounds to the head and chest, suggesting potential war crimes. The incident occurred on March 23 in Rafah, following an airstrike. International teams accessed the site recently, recovering bodies for autopsies. Dr. Ahmed al-Farra confirmed seeing bodies with execution-style wounds, and photographs support these claims. An anonymous aid worker also witnessed evidence of detainees being shot. Ava Sinclair 01/04/2025 10:00 pm
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized an investigation into alleged links between his aides and Qatar as a “witch hunt.” His adviser, Yonatan Urich, and former spokesman, Eli Feldstein, were arrested over alleged payments from Qatar, dubbed “Qatar-gate.” Both deny wrongdoing. Netanyahu, not a suspect, accused police of using them as “hostages.” A Qatari official called the probe a “smear campaign.” The investigation involves allegations of contact with a foreign agent, money laundering, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. A judge extended their detention, citing “reasonable suspicions.” Penelope Kingsley 01/04/2025 10:00 pm
During a family outing at Tel Azekah in southern Israel, 3-year-old Ziv Nitzan discovered a scarab amulet dating back 3,800 years, linked to Canaanite communities. The Israel Antiquities Authority confirmed the find, which occurred in early March. The amulet, identified by curator Daphna Ben-Tor, originates from the Middle Bronze Age (2100-1600 BCE), a period of flourishing Canaanite culture. Scarab amulets, resembling dung beetles, were used as seals and symbols of new life in ancient Egypt. Ava Sinclair 01/04/2025 10:00 pm
