A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle and three China-U.S. joint communiqués, and stop "arming Taiwan."Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the comments in response to a media query

A Chinese New Year banquet was held Monday evening at the China Institute Culinary Center in Lower Manhattan, New York City, featuring an exquisite eight-course dinner prepared by five master chefs from Beijing.The event began with a cocktail reception and a lion dance celebrating the Year of the

Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova has appointed Andrey Gurov as caretaker prime minister-designate, Iotova's press office said in a statement on Wednesday.Iotova will task Gurov with proposing a caretaker government at a special ceremony on Thursday, according to the statement.The country's

Indonesia's Mount Semeru in East Java province erupted five times on Wednesday, sending volcanic ash up to 1,000 meters above its summit, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).Liswanto, an officer at the Semeru Volcano Monitoring Post, said the first

The Royal Thai Army on Wednesday clarified an incident in which a soldier stepped on a landmine while conducting a security mission in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, with verification efforts currently underway.The incident occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. local time on Wednesday, the

South Africa recorded a 16 percent decline in rhino poaching in 2025 compared with the previous year, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said on Tuesday, pointing to the continued impact of anti-poaching and anti-trafficking measures.According to a statement issued by the

The European Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly backed a key financial aid package for Ukraine. A total of 90 billion euros (107 billion U.S. dollars) in loans will fund Ukraine's budget.The loan is aimed at covering two-thirds of Ukraine's financial needs for 2026 and 2027, according to media

Police detained 1,109 suspects in one of the largest operations targeting criminals and wanted suspects in Istanbul, local authorities announced on Wednesday.The Istanbul Police Department said nearly 2,500 officers joined the overnight operation on Tuesday, along with a police helicopter and five

The building of a new strategic partnership between China and Canada is not directed against any third party, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

One person was injured after a gunman opened fire and took a number of students and teachers hostage at a school in southern Thailand on Wednesday, local media reported.The incident began at around 4:45 p.m. local time in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla province, when the assailant breached the

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled an action plan to counter drone threats, calling for stronger defense readiness.Under the plan, the Commission will set up a new EU Counter-Drone Centre of Excellence and develop a certification scheme for counter-drone systems. It will also launch a

Japan's main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance (CRA) said Wednesday it will choose new leadership this Friday following the recent defeat in the House of Representatives election.The CRA held a general meeting on the day of its lawmakers following its crushing defeat in Sunday's lower house

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on late Tuesday halted all flights to and from El Paso International Airport in the state of Texas for 10 days, citing unspecified "special security reasons."The FAA notices said the restriction will be in effect through Feb. 20, covering the airspace

Iran's missile capability is a red line and a non-negotiable issue, Ali Shamkhani, senior advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said Wednesday.According to a report by Iran's Nour News, Shamkhani said any military attack, even limited, will be considered the start of a war.

A gunman broke into a school in Songkhla Province of Thailand on Wednesday afternoon, causing injuries, Thai media reports said.

Laos is advancing the quality development of its coffee and tea sector by promoting climate-resilient, community-based agroecological systems to strengthen export capacity, generate national revenue, and improve livelihoods.The Green CUP Project, which promotes a green economy through quality,