Author: Andrew Rogers

Jingmai Mountain in southwest China’s Yunnan Province is drawing tourists with its winter cherry blossoms and dramatic seas of clouds. Located in Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, the mountain is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. At sunrise, the mountains are bathed in soft light, transforming drifting clouds into a cascading spectacle over the hillsides. As the clouds lift, cherry blossoms in delicate pink shades emerge, spreading across tea gardens and lining winding mountain roads. The flowers add vibrant color to the scenic landscape. “It is incredibly beautiful, far beyond what I expected. This has been the biggest highlight of my…

Lijiang authorities in Yunnan province have urged lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu to strengthen monitoring of negative reviews targeting local wedding photography businesses. The request has sparked widespread debate online. In a public letter released Tuesday, the cultural and tourism bureau of Lijiang’s Gucheng district asked Xiaohongshu to improve oversight of consumer complaint posts. The bureau said some users post false complaints to pressure businesses into issuing refunds, even when companies are not at fault. This, the bureau added, makes it difficult for affected businesses to appeal disputed posts, resulting in reputational damage and canceled orders. An investigation by the Gucheng district…

Kazakhstan and China are expanding their industrial and investment cooperation in Hangzhou. Senior Kazakh official Roman Sklyar met with Wang Hao, Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, and executives from leading Chinese industrial firms. The discussions focused on key areas of the Kazakhstan–China strategic partnership and explored opportunities to deepen industrial and investment collaboration. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation between Kazakhstan and Zhejiang Province in mechanical engineering, automotive manufacturing, high-tech, and innovation sectors. Increased interregional engagement will also support these efforts. During the talks, officials highlighted the steady growth of Kazakh-Chinese industrial cooperation and…

Tina Peters, the former Colorado elections clerk, is asking the state appeals court to recognize President Donald Trump’s pardon and release her from prison. Peters’ lawyers filed a motion Tuesday claiming the pardon issued Dec. 5 removes the court’s jurisdiction over her case. Peters was convicted of state crimes in Mesa County for orchestrating a data breach scheme tied to false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Trump’s presidential pardon power applies only to federal offenses, not state convictions. In their court filing, Peters’ attorneys cited historical precedent, noting that President George Washington issued pardons for…

The gold market surge is making 2025 a record-setting year for the yellow metal. Gold futures in New York have climbed nearly 71% so far, putting the precious metal on track for its best annual performance in 46 years. The last time gold had such gains was during Jimmy Carter’s presidency, amid high inflation, a Middle East crisis, and an energy shortage. Today, global uncertainty is driving investors toward gold. Tariffs affecting trade, Russia’s war in Ukraine, tensions between Israel and Iran, and U.S. oil seizures off Venezuela have heightened market risk. Gold is seen as a haven in times…

A Virginia family is suing Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging bed bugs bit them during a transatlantic flight in March. The family claims the infestation caused injuries, humiliation, and financial losses during their planned vacation to Serbia. The Albuquerque family from Roanoke, Virginia, filed the complaint last week. It says the cabin was infested with bed bugs, which repeatedly bit the family during the flight. The bites caused welts, lesions, and rashes across their bodies, prompting both physical discomfort and emotional distress. The family—Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their two children, Benicio and Lorenzo—began…

Los Angeles flooding storm has soaked Southern California, causing widespread flash floods and prompting urgent evacuation warnings. Torrential rain hit the region on Wednesday, with some areas receiving more than an inch of rain per hour. Officials warned residents to avoid roads and for those near wildfire-scarred foothills to evacuate immediately. The heavy rainfall came from an atmospheric river, a massive current of moist air flowing from the Pacific Ocean. This storm swept inland over the greater Los Angeles area, drenching communities during what is normally a busy holiday travel period. The U.S. National Weather Service described the storm conditions…

Yemen’s political tensions have escalated as the Southern Transitional Council (STC) takes full control of Hadramawt, the country’s largest and oil-rich province. The armed group’s move directly defied warnings from Saudi Arabia, which had declared Hadramawt a red line. Three weeks ago, STC forces unexpectedly seized key positions in Hadramawt near the Saudi border. Since then, the group has strengthened its hold on oil fields and main checkpoints, establishing a permanent administrative and military presence. According to a report on December 22, STC claims it has restored stability in the region and has not harassed civilians. In a video statement,…

Russia has captured another city in eastern Ukraine, intensifying the four-year conflict. The latest offensive has left civilians trapped under rubble and turned towns into war zones. The situation escalated just before the Christmas season, a time when peace was hoped for worldwide. Civilians, including children, have been severely affected by the attacks. According to Ukrainian military sources, their forces withdrew from the city of Siversk in the Donetsk region. In a statement shared on Telegram on December 23, Ukraine’s General Staff said Russian forces had a significant advantage in both manpower and weaponry. Continuous attacks, combined with harsh weather,…

The Guiyang-Pingtang Expressway in southwest China’s Guizhou Province is set to open after passing its final inspection on December 23, 2025. The new expressway marks an important step in improving regional travel, connecting cities, and boosting economic development across the province. The expressway starts from Yangchang Town in Wudang District of Guiyang City and ends at Yunyang Pass in Pingtang County of Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. It spans a total of 174.018 kilometers and is designed for speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, allowing vehicles to travel more safely and efficiently across the mountainous terrain of…