China Escalates Trade Tensions with 84% Tariffs on US Goods

A fire at a nursing home in Chengde, Hebei province, has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, according to state news agency Xinhua. The fire erupted around 9 PM on Tuesday, and the remaining residents have since been transferred to a nearby hospital for medical care. The exact number of people evacuated has not been disclosed. Authorities have dispatched experts to the site to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze. This recent tragedy follows a similar incident in January, when a fire at a food market in Zhangjiakou, also located in Hebei, resulted in eight fatalities and left 15 others injured. These events have raised concerns regarding fire safety in public facilities across the region. The government and local officials have been under pressure to ensure adequate safety measures are in place to prevent such disasters in the future, especially in facilities housing vulnerable populations.

Nurses at Jingcheng Hospital in Yunnan, China, were filmed protecting newborn babies during a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that originated in Myanmar on March 29, 2025. As tremors shook the building, two nurses can be seen desperately trying to stabilize cribs to prevent them from rolling away, demonstrating remarkable bravery in a chaotic situation. The earthquake has tragically claimed over 1,000 lives in Myanmar, with many injuries reported. Official sources indicated that Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, experienced the highest number of casualties, particularly in regions closest to the epicenter. The disaster has resulted in significant structural damage, with buildings collapsing and crucial infrastructure, including bridges, being destroyed. Social media users expressed their admiration for the nurses’ quick responses, calling them "heroes" amidst the fear and uncertainty. Rescue workers continue to search for survivors in both Myanmar and Thailand, where a 30-story skyscraper has also collapsed, causing further challenges in recovery efforts.

China's military has initiated extensive joint exercises involving its army, navy, and rocket forces around Taiwan, asserting the drills are meant as a "stern warning and powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence." This announcement accompanies a derogatory reference to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-Te, whom Beijing labeled a "parasite," according to the Eastern Theatre Command's official WeChat account. The drills, characterized by an official poster titled "Closing In," portray Chinese military assets encircling the self-governed island. This military action comes on the heels of President Lai's assertion that Beijing represents a "foreign hostile force." In a striking animation, the Chinese military depicted Lai as an insect manipulated by chopsticks, emphasizing threats towards Taiwan. Taiwan's Defence Ministry has reported tracking 19 Chinese navy vessels in nearby waters and noted the presence of the Shandong aircraft carrier group within its response area. The ministry emphasized that the increasing military provocations pose a significant challenge, describing China as the "biggest troublemaker" in the international community.