North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter recently visited troops to mark the 75th founding anniversary of the country’s army, where Kim praised the military's "invincible spirit" and "unprecedentedly powerful combat capabilities". This was followed by a massive military parade in Pyongyang, where Kim is expected to showcase the latest hardware of his fast-growing nuclear weapons program, causing concern among North Korea's neighbors and the United States.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has traveled to the U.K. in a bid for more advanced weapons to help in Kyiv's fight against the Russian forces. Upon his arrival, he was invited to sit in an armchair used by Winston Churchill, remarking that he felt the "feeling of how bravery takes you through the most unimaginable hardships to finally reward you with victory". He is now holding talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Downing Street, with the outcome of the talks yet to be seen.
New Zealand police have made a record-breaking drug bust, seizing over 3 tons of cocaine from an international drug-smuggling syndicate. The drugs were found floating in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean after being dropped off at a floating transit point. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the bust was a "significant" success in the fight against drug smuggling, and a major financial blow to those involved in the drug trade. The investigation is ongoing and the seized drugs will be destroyed.
A funeral was held in Syria on Tuesday for the family of a baby who was born under the rubble of her home after it was destroyed by a massive earthquake and aftershocks. The baby was the only survivor of her family, and was discovered crying while still tied to her mother by the umbilical cord. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and the death toll is expected to rise.
Kim Jong Un visited troops with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju. He praised the troops for their strength and described seeing his daughter as a dream come true. The visit has sparked speculation that Kim Ju Ae may be groomed to be her father's eventual successor, and comes at a time of heightened tension between North Korea and the United States.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has responded to U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, saying that China does not fear competition with the U.S. but is opposed to defining the entire relationship in terms of competition. She has called for the two countries to work together to promote a sound and stable development, as the U.S. has accused China of unfair trade practices and human rights violations.
Rescue teams in Turkey and Syria are facing a daunting task in freezing conditions as they work to recover bodies from the rubble of thousands of buildings destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake and aftershocks. The death toll has risen to 9,504, with 2,600 people injured, and thousands of search and rescue personnel have been deployed to assist in the effort. The international community has pledged to provide aid to both countries, and the United Nations has launched an appeal for $50 million to help those affected.
US intelligence officials have uncovered evidence of a Chinese military surveillance program, which includes a fleet of balloons and has conducted at least two dozen missions over five continents. Half a dozen of these flights have been within US airspace, and the US has requested a secure call between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart to manage tensions and open dialogue. The US has expressed concern about the Chinese surveillance program and called for greater transparency from the Chinese government.