North Korea and Russia have reaffirmed their strategic alignment against the US and its allies, following Pyongyang’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on December 18, 2023.  The test, which was personally supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, demonstrated the country’s ability to strike any target in the US mainland with a nuclear warhead. What are the motives …

Russia and Korea have a long history of bilateral relations, dating back to the late 19th century, when they established diplomatic ties and cooperated against Japanese imperialism.  In the 21st century, the two countries have maintained a strategic partnership, based on mutual interests and respect, despite the challenges posed by the changing regional and global environment. What are the reasons …

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sparked outrage and criticism for using a presidential helicopter to attend a Coldplay concert in Bulacan on Friday, January 19, 2024.  The move was seen as a blatant abuse of power and a waste of public funds, as well as a sign of his disregard for the plight of millions of Filipino commuters who suffer …

Prabowo Subianto, the former army general and son-in-law of the late dictator Suharto, is running for president of Indonesia for the third time in 2024.  He claims to be a champion of democracy, development, and national sovereignty, and has gained popularity among many Indonesians who are dissatisfied with the current government.  But behind his political ambition lies a dark and …

Japan has made history by becoming the fifth nation to land a spacecraft on the moon, and the first to do so with pinpoint accuracy. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) touched down on the lunar surface on Friday, January 19, 2024, after a four-month journey from Earth. What is SLIM and why is it important? SLIM is a …

Tibet, also known as the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), is a vast and mountainous region in western China, bordering India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Tibet has been under China’s control since 1950, when the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) invaded and occupied the former independent kingdom. Tibet has been a source of tension and conflict between China and India, as well …

The case involves 10 foreigners who were arrested in Singapore on Aug 15, 2023, for their alleged involvement in a massive, transnational money laundering scheme. The suspects are believed to be part of a syndicate that used forged documents and shell companies to launder money from various sources, such as illegal online gambling, drug trafficking, and tax evasion. The authorities …

Slot machines, also known as “jackpot” machines, are one of the most popular and addictive forms of gambling in Malaysia, especially among the non-Muslim population. Slot machines are legal in Malaysia, but only if they are licensed and regulated by the government.  However, there are also many illegal slot machine clubs and operators that operate without a license or a …

Credit card debt is a common and growing problem for many Americans, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the inflation crisis. According to the Federal Reserve, Americans owed $986 billion in credit card debt at the end of 2022, up $61 billion from the previous quarter, and the highest level since 2019. There are several factors that contribute to the …

Submarine-launched nuclear weapons are missiles that can carry nuclear warheads and can be fired from underwater by submarines. They are considered one of the most potent and survivable weapons in a nuclear arsenal, as they can evade detection and interception, and can strike targets from long distances and various directions. Why does North Korea want submarine-launched nuclear weapons? North Korea …