President Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month, amid rising concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program and Chinese actions in the South China Sea. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Monday, March 18, the first-ever U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit on April 11, underscoring the…

The Supreme Court steps in to extend a block on Texas’ immigration law. And, the biggest single prize in TV history will be up for grabs thanks to Amazon and a YouTube star. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Supreme Court extends hold on Texas’ immigration law Senate…

Early Monday, March 18, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Seoul attending a democracy conference, North Korea resumed its missile testing after two months by launching several short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern seas. This move follows closely on the heels of a joint 11-day military drill between South Korea and the U.S., which Pyongyang…

With a landslide victory in an election without real competition, Russian President Vladimir Putin secures another term in power. And, following a downturn during the pandemic, marriage rates in the U.S. are on the rise. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, March 18, 2024. Vladimir Putin wins Russian election, remains in…

More Iranian-made fast attack craft are in the Western Hemisphere as Venezuela takes possession of a new batch of Peykaap III Class missile boats. Maritime analysts like H. I. Sutton said Iran sent a batch of four Peykaaps to Venezuela last year. Now, video of the boats being operated by Venezuelan sailors are showing up…

Six miles. A handful of U.S. Special Operations soldiers will be stationed on an island controlled by Taiwan, just six miles from mainland China. The United Daily News in Taiwan reported U.S. Army Green Berets will deploy in three-man teams to a couple of amphibious camps, acting as consultants to further train Taiwan’s own special…

As China, North Korea and Russia adopt increasingly aggressive positions globally, some East Asian nations are gaining greater strategic significance for the United States. Confronting these security challenges, the U.S. has actively urged Japan to address historical disputes with its neighbor, South Korea. At the same time, the U.S. is working to improve cooperation among…

A hidden camera allegedly captured South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee accepting a lavish bag as a gift from Korean American Pastor Choi Jae-young. The incident, dubbed the “Dior Bag Scandal,” has become a flashpoint in South Korea’s political culture as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s conservative People’s Power Party (PPP) seeks to recapture the majority…

Satellite images from the U.K. appear to back allegations by the U.S. that Russia is using artillery from North Korea to attack Ukraine, in violation of U.N. sanctions. Russian forces have ramped up missile attacks against Ukraine, per officials. A barrage of artillery hit multiple targets earlier in January, killing five people and injuring 130…

North Korea claims to have tested a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone in response to a joint naval exercise by the United States, South Korea and Japan. North Korea continues to throw blame at its adversaries as tensions rise in the region. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, announced North Korea allegedly tested the new weapon…