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The United States has changed its foreign policy to focus more on short-term deals and less on long-term strategies. This shift has made Taiwan a more uncertain factor in the competition between the U.S. and China, putting longstanding U.S. efforts to deter conflict in Asia at risk.
Key Facts
The U.S. foreign policy has moved toward "transactional" actions, meaning decisions based more on immediate gains than long-term plans.
This change has weakened the overall strategic framework the U.S. uses in Asia.
Taiwan’s role in U.S.-China relations has become less stable because of this shift.
The traditional American approach to deterring conflict in Asia is now threatened.
The article suggests that this new policy could unintentionally change Taiwan’s timing or strategies in dealing with China.
The focus on short-term deals may reduce the U.S.’s ability to maintain steady alliances and commitments in the region.
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A large explosion at a building storing explosives in northeastern Myanmar killed more than 45 people and injured about 70 others. The blast happened in a village controlled by an ethnic armed group near the Chinese border, and rescue teams are helping survivors and investigating the cause.
Key Facts
The explosion took place around noon in Kaungtup village, Namhkam township, northeastern Myanmar.
More than 45 people died, including six children, and about 70 were injured.
The building stored explosives used for mining, including gelignite, which can become unstable over time.
The area is controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group involved in ongoing conflict with Myanmar’s government.
The TNLA said the explosives belonged to its economic department for mining and is investigating the blast.
About 100 houses near the blast site were damaged.
Myanmar has faced violence and unrest since the military took power in 2021, leading to conflicts with multiple ethnic armed groups.
Local authorities are providing medical help and support to those affected by the explosion.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is kidnapping Ukrainian children and training them to fight. This accusation is new and serious, and it may be considered a war crime by international law.
Key Facts
Zelenskyy claims Russia is taking Ukrainian children and training them to be soldiers.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) considers such acts possible war crimes.
Previously, Russia was known to move Ukrainian children for “reeducation” or “Russification.”
The ICC has issued a warrant for President Vladimir Putin’s arrest for forcibly deporting children.
Russia says it is caring for war orphans and shows videos of Putin with children.
Zelenskyy states children should not be exchanged in prisoner swaps because they are civilians.
A Yale report links Russian state companies Gazprom and Rosneft to funding child reeducation camps.
The U.S. temporarily lifted some sanctions on Russian oil, which may indirectly support Russian companies involved.
Ukraine has recorded at least 20,000 children taken by Russia and seeks help to find more.
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Ethiopia is holding a general election to choose members of parliament, who will then select the next prime minister. Over 47 political parties and more than 10,900 candidates are competing for seats at the federal and regional levels, with more than 50 million registered voters, including many young people.
Key Facts
The election is for Ethiopia’s federal parliament and regional councils.
There are 47 political parties and over 10,900 candidates in the race.
More than 50 million voters are registered, with about half being women.
Young people have a large role, as the median age in Ethiopia is around 19 years.
The ruling party is the Prosperity Party, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, focusing on unity and economic reform.
The National Movement of Amhara operates mainly in the Amhara region, focusing on regional rights and security.
Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice is a national party promoting liberal democracy and rule of law.
The Peace for Ethiopia coalition includes smaller regional parties aiming to represent diverse regional interests.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies to spend 3.5% of their GDP on defense to strengthen regional security and receive closer U.S. cooperation. He said countries that meet this goal would get faster arms sales and more intelligence sharing, while those that do not would receive fewer benefits. This marks a more conditional U.S. approach to defense commitments in the Indo-Pacific, amid rising tensions with China.
Key Facts
Hegseth called for Asian allies to spend 3.5% of their GDP on defense.
Allies meeting the spending goal would get priority in arms sales and intelligence cooperation.
Countries that don’t meet the target risk reduced U.S. support.
None of the major Asian U.S. partners currently meet the 3.5% GDP defense spending target.
Singapore and South Korea spend about 2.8%, Japan and Australia about 2%.
The Philippines increased defense spending by 12% last year but is still below the target.
Economic challenges make this spending target difficult for countries like the Philippines and Malaysia.
The call follows President Trump’s push for NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2027.
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Iran has restarted gas production at three offshore platforms in the South Pars gasfield after attacks by Israel in March. The platforms were not damaged, and gas production is being sent to other processing plants while repairs continue on other parts of the facility.
Key Facts
Iran’s Pars Oil and Gas Company confirmed gas production resumed at three offshore platforms in South Pars.
The South Pars gasfield is part of the world’s largest natural gasfield, shared between Iran and Qatar.
Israel attacked the South Pars facility in March and also targeted a petrochemical complex in April.
Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure in the region.
The restarted platforms’ production is currently routed to other processing plants during repairs.
The South Pars gasfield is a critical energy source for Iran, which often faces electricity shortages.
US President Donald Trump’s administration continues a blockade of Iranian ports as part of a pressure campaign.
Talks between the US and Iran are ongoing, but Iran demands full recognition of its rights before agreeing to any deal.
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Around 780 people were arrested in France after violent clashes broke out in Paris and other cities following Paris Saint-Germain’s win in the Champions League final. Police reported injuries to 57 officers and damage caused by fires, vandalism, and crowd disturbances mainly near the Champs Elysees and Parc des Princes stadium.
Key Facts
Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League by beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest.
Clashes happened mainly in Paris, especially near Champs Elysees and Parc des Princes.
Police detained 780 people nationwide, with 480 in the Paris area alone.
277 people are in formal police custody, including 82 minors, for offenses like assault, theft, and vandalism.
57 police officers were injured, mostly minor injuries.
A car accident during the unrest injured two people, one seriously.
Smaller violent incidents occurred in about 15 other French cities.
A large celebration event with up to 100,000 supporters was planned for Sunday at Champ de Mars under heavy security.
PSG players will be honored by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee palace.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more pressure is needed to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to peace talks. He spoke about this in an interview on the show "Face the Nation" on May 29.
Key Facts
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wants more pressure on Russia to start peace talks.
He believes this pressure is necessary to end the war.
The message was delivered in an interview on the CBS News show "Face the Nation."
The interview was recorded on May 29.
President Vladimir Putin leads Russia and is involved in the current conflict with Ukraine.
Peace talks have not yet started between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy is urging the international community to increase efforts for negotiation.
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Senator Chris Murphy said that his main goal during upcoming questions to Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be to focus on ending the conflict involving Iran. He wants to address efforts to stop the war with Iran when Rubio appears before a Senate committee.
Key Facts
Senator Chris Murphy is from Connecticut and is a member of the Democratic Party.
Murphy plans to question Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week.
The questioning will take place during a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting.
Murphy’s main focus is to end the war involving Iran.
Senator Murphy spoke about this priority on the show "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
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An explosion killed at least 55 people and injured many more in a village controlled by rebels in Myanmar's Shan State near the Chinese border. The blast happened in Kaung Tat village, and it was caused by explosives used in mining, according to the local rebel group TNLA.
Key Facts
The explosion occurred in Kaung Tat, a village in Namkham Township, Shan State, Myanmar.
At least 55 people were killed, including 25 women and 30 men; children were among the dead.
Dozens more people were wounded, and rescue teams were searching for survivors under the rubble.
The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which controls the area, said mining explosives accidentally exploded.
Many homes were damaged, destroying almost an entire neighborhood.
Residents were shocked and some first thought the blast was caused by an air strike.
A local resident described panic, grief, and questioned why explosives were stored near homes.
Myanmar’s military is involved in ongoing conflict in the region, with air strikes and territorial fights.
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Senator Chris Murphy said President Trump and many Republicans oppose increased support for Ukraine against Russian attacks. Murphy criticized delays in releasing aid to Ukraine and emphasized the need to end the war in Iran because it harms the U.S. and strengthens Russia.
Key Facts
Senator Chris Murphy is a Democrat from Connecticut.
Murphy said President Trump does not want to support Ukraine fully.
A bipartisan bill to increase sanctions on Russia has been blocked for over a year.
Congress allocated $400 million to help Ukraine, but it has not been spent yet.
Murphy is concerned that sanctions relief on Russian and Iranian oil helps fund Russia’s war.
He called the war in Iran a failure that raises gas prices and benefits Russia.
Murphy prioritizes ending the war in Iran even if the peace deal is imperfect.
The White House disagrees with Murphy on how much money Russia gains from current policies.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used President Donald Trump’s slogan "Make America Great Again" during a speech to highlight that a stronger Canadian economy benefits both Canada and the United States. He emphasized cooperation between the two countries despite past disagreements, especially in light of shared trade and energy ties.
Key Facts
Mark Carney said "Make America Great Again" to stress the importance of Canada's strong economy for the U.S.
He was not supporting President Trump or the MAGA movement.
Carney’s "Canada Strong" phrase means building a stronger Canada that helps America too.
The speech came before a review of the USMCA trade agreement between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
Canada is a major trade partner and energy supplier to the United States.
Canada provides nearly 99% of U.S. natural gas imports and 85% of U.S. electricity.
More than half of U.S. crude oil comes from Canada.
Carney called the economic relationship "mutual strength" despite past tensions.
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Colombians are voting in the first round of a presidential election to choose the successor of President Gustavo Petro. The main candidates include Senator Ivan Cepeda, businessman Abelardo de la Espriella, and Senator Paloma Valencia, with Cepeda currently leading in polls.
Key Facts
The election could end on Sunday if a candidate gets more than 50% of the vote; otherwise, a runoff will be held on June 21.
Ivan Cepeda, a left-wing senator allied with President Petro, aims to continue social reforms and is currently leading.
Abelardo de la Espriella, an independent businessman, promises tougher security measures against crime and armed groups.
Paloma Valencia, supported by former President Álvaro Uribe, is the main right-wing candidate and could become Colombia’s first female president.
A total of 14 candidates are running in the election.
Security concerns are high due to past violence, including the assassination of a presidential candidate in 2023.
Colombia faces ongoing conflict involving criminal groups, paramilitaries, rebels, and government forces.
Cepeda supports a peace plan prioritizing dialogue with armed groups, while rivals favor a stronger military approach to restore security.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) urges communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to work together to stop the ongoing Ebola outbreak. The outbreak has caused many cases and deaths, and fighting between armed groups makes relief work more difficult.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak is centered in Ituri province, eastern DRC, where people have protested medical rules on handling bodies.
WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said everyone needs to be involved to stop Ebola and that early medical help can save lives.
The current Ebola strain, Bundibugyo virus, has no vaccine, but infected patients can recover with treatment.
There have been 906 suspected Ebola cases and 223 suspected deaths in the DRC, with confirmed cases and one death in Uganda.
Armed conflicts in Ituri region are hindering efforts to control the disease; WHO called for a ceasefire to protect civilians.
Brazil is monitoring two patients with symptoms similar to Ebola in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Ebola was first seen in the DRC in 1976 and has caused 17 outbreaks, with an average death rate of about 50%.
International aid has been sent, including medical supplies from the EU and $112 million from the US, but shortages of masks and supplies remain.
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A police officer in Downpatrick, County Down, was seriously injured after being hit by a stolen police car during a police chase. The officer fired his gun at the suspect driving the stolen car, who was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Key Facts
The incident happened around 4:45 a.m. on a Sunday in Downpatrick, County Down.
Police were initially chasing a vehicle that did not stop for officers on Fountain Street.
After the police returned to their car, a man was found driving the stolen police vehicle erratically towards the officer.
The officer fired one shot but was struck by the stolen police car and seriously injured.
A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The injured officer received urgent medical help at the scene and was taken to the hospital; his injuries are serious but not life-threatening.
The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is investigating, as standard when a firearm is fired by police.
Police asked the public for information or footage about the incident.
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Ukrainian drones attacked several Russian energy facilities, causing fires and damage, according to both Ukrainian and Russian officials. Ukraine denied Russian claims that it targeted the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, although a drone strike at the plant was confirmed by the UN nuclear agency.
Key Facts
Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery, a fuel depot, and a pumping station in different Russian regions overnight.
The Saratov oil refinery suffered a large fire; it is owned by Rosneft and supplies fuel to Russia.
A fuel depot in the Rostov region near Russian-occupied Ukraine also caught fire after a drone strike.
The Lazarevo pumping station in the Kirov region, which transports Siberian oil to Belarus, was hit by drones.
Russia accused Ukraine of a kamikaze drone attack on the turbine hall of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
Ukraine denied striking the nuclear plant, calling Russia’s claim propaganda and emphasizing adherence to international law.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed a drone strike at the plant but said radiation levels remain normal.
Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 212 of 299 Russian drones launched overnight.
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Israeli troops captured Beaufort Castle, a strategic site in southern Lebanon, after heavy fighting with Hezbollah militants. This is the deepest Israeli incursion into Lebanon in over 25 years and comes amid ongoing conflict that began in early March.
Key Facts
Israeli forces took control of Beaufort Castle near Nabatiyeh, Lebanon.
The seizure followed days of airstrikes and battles with Hezbollah fighters.
The conflict began when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Israel has captured many villages near the Lebanon border during this ground invasion.
Hezbollah has responded with thousands of missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets.
A ceasefire has been nominally in place since April 17, but fighting continues.
French officials called for a UN Security Council meeting to discuss Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.
Beaufort Castle is an old fortress with historical military importance, recently protected by UNESCO during the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah war.
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Rescuers in Laos are working to find two people trapped in a flooded cave after five others were rescued. Heavy rains and a broken pump have made the search harder, and teams from several countries are helping with the operation.
Key Facts
Seven people entered a cave in central Laos to look for minerals and got trapped by a flash flood.
One person escaped to alert authorities, and five were rescued after being trapped for over a week.
Heavy rain filled parts of the cave with water, stopping divers from going in until the water is pumped out.
A pump used to remove water broke, complicating rescue efforts.
Rescue teams include workers from Laos, Thailand, Finland, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, France, and Australia.
The five rescued men gave information about the cave’s deeper parts to help find the two missing people.
Rescuers reached five chambers inside the cave, finding the survivors in the fifth chamber.
Some rescued men had to be guided through flooded parts, while others could leave on their own when water levels dropped.
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Iran has partially restored internet access after nearly three months of a near-total shutdown during conflict with the U.S. and Israel. However, most Iranians still face heavy restrictions, with many popular global websites and services blocked, slow connections, and limited data access controlled by the government.
Key Facts
Iran shut down almost all internet access for more than 2,000 hours, the longest nationwide blackout in the world.
The internet was initially restricted following deadly protests in January and then more severely at the start of the war with the U.S. and Israel.
After restoring some internet, many websites like YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook remain blocked.
Internet connections in Iran are slow, unstable, and often fail to work properly.
Many Iranians rely on VPNs or other methods to access the global internet, creating a black market for these services.
Government restrictions include blocking some internet protocols and limiting data traffic, resulting in poor connectivity.
Authorities allow limited access mostly to people or sites approved by the state, maintaining strong control over internet use.
The partial restoration has caused criticism from both reformist officials seeking more openness and hardliners who want to keep restrictions.
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A new drug called daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival time for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, according to a recent study. The medication, taken as a daily pill, showed better results and fewer side effects than standard chemotherapy.
Key Facts
Daraxonrasib targets a mutated protein that helps pancreatic tumors grow in over 90% of cases.
The study involved 500 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer whose cancer stopped responding to prior treatment.
Patients on daraxonrasib lived a median of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those on chemotherapy.
The drug reduced the risk of death by 60% compared to standard chemotherapy.
Patients taking daraxonrasib reported fewer severe side effects and better quality of life.
The FDA plans to speed up the review process and allows some patients to access the drug early through an expanded access program.
The drug’s maker funded the study, and researchers suggest it could become the new standard treatment for this type of cancer.
Public figures like former Senator Ben Sasse have spoken about receiving relief from the drug.
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