Author: Andrew Rogers

Hainan Province is rapidly emerging as a global commercial space hub, thanks to its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and new customs-friendly policies. On December 26, 2025, a Long March-8A carrier rocket lifted off from Hainan’s commercial spacecraft launch site, successfully deploying the 17th group of low-orbit internet satellites. This launch marked the 10th successful mission from the facility, just 13 months after its first flight, demonstrating the rapid operational growth of the island’s space program. China’s first launch site dedicated to commercial space missions, located at 20 degrees north latitude, offers significant low-latitude advantages. These include increased payload capacity and…

Dezhou City in Shandong Province has kicked off 2026 by issuing 50 million yuan (about 7.15 million U.S. dollars) in consumption vouchers for residents during the New Year holiday. The vouchers aim to encourage spending on popular products such as digital electronics, home appliances, and smart home devices, boosting the local economy and market vitality. During the three-day New Year holiday, which concludes on Saturday, shoppers crowded the digital sections of major shopping malls in Dezhou, eager to use the vouchers. The program offers up to a 15 percent discount per item, capped at 500 yuan, drawing significant attention from…

North Korea launched several ballistic missiles from Pyongyang toward the sea off its east coast on Sunday at around 7:50 a.m. local time, South Korea’s military reported. This marks the first missile launch from the North in two months. The missile tests coincide with South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung’s state visit to China, where officials said discussions on peace on the Korean Peninsula are expected. “Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. They added that intelligence is being closely shared with the United States and Japan.…

Indonesian rescuers have recovered a second body in the ongoing search for a Spanish soccer coach and two of his children who went missing after a tour boat sank during their Christmas holiday. The body was found floating near Padar Island, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the site where the boat sank, according to Fathur Rahman, chief of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office. Authorities have not yet identified the newly recovered body, but it is believed to be a member of the family on holiday in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park. The body was taken to a hospital in…

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that he ordered a daring and secret military operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. According to Trump, the mission took place early Saturday at 4:21 a.m. U.S. local time, and details were first shared on his social media platform, Truth Social. Though the raid appeared sudden, sources say it was months in planning. U.S. special forces, including Delta Force and other elite units, practiced extensively using a full-scale replica of Maduro’s safe house. A small CIA team had been stationed in Venezuela since August to gather intelligence on…

In the early hours of Saturday, a dramatic U.S. military operation unfolded over Caracas, Venezuela. At 2:01 a.m., power went out across the city, plunging the capital into darkness. Within this blackout, a fleet of 150 U.S. warplanes moved to target President Nicolás Maduro’s compound. A U.S. special forces team descended from helicopters to reach Maduro’s residence. Venezuelan soldiers quickly engaged the attackers, opening fire to defend the president. One U.S. helicopter was reportedly hit during the exchange, but it remained operational and returned safely. The raid lasted about two and a half hours and involved extensive planning by U.S.…

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will oversee Venezuela until a safe transfer of power is ensured. Trump claimed that detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife would be sent to New York. The announcement came amid escalating tensions in Venezuela, where Caracas and other regions reportedly faced explosions and attacks over the weekend. Trump’s statement confirmed U.S. involvement in controlling the country’s administration temporarily. The U.S. attacks reportedly targeted both military and civilian installations, raising alarms across the nation. In response, Venezuela declared a state of emergency. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino vowed to resist…

A 4-year-old Alabama boy was found dead on January 2 after a search that drew local attention. Authorities confirmed that his dog, named Buck, was found alive nearby. Johnathan Everett Boley, also called “John John,” was discovered about two miles from his father’s home in Walker County. The boy had been reported missing on Wednesday after being last seen around 11:30 a.m. near Highway 195 in Jasper. At the time, he was wearing a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants, and PAW Patrol shoes. Officials said Johnathan was playing outside with his brother and the family dog when he went…

President Donald Trump’s primary super PAC, MAGA Inc., enters the 2026 midterm elections with nearly $300 million in cash, giving his allies a major advantage in shaping Republican campaigns nationwide. The PAC reported raising over $102 million in the second half of 2025, following significant fundraising earlier in the year and limited spending. A filing with the Federal Election Commission shows MAGA Inc. ended the year with $294 million cash on hand, though a spokesperson later confirmed the total was $304 million. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, MAGA Inc will have the resources to help candidates who support President Trump’s…

Myanmar’s military-backed party has taken an early lead in the first phase of the country’s three-part general election, according to partial results released by the military-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC). The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) secured 38 seats in the 330-seat Pyithu Hluttaw lower house, though many results from the Dec. 28 vote are still pending. USDP leader Khin Yi, a former general and police chief aligned with military ruler Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, was confirmed as the winning representative from Naypyitaw, taking 49,006 of 68,681 votes cast. A senior USDP official told reporters that the party…