French President Emmanuel Macron visited Hanoi, advocating for stronger cooperation between Vietnam and France amidst global instability. He emphasized upholding international law, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting France's commitment to maritime law. Agreements were signed in defense, nuclear power, and trade, including a significant aircraft purchase by VietJet from Airbus.
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The US Coast Guard released a video from the Titan's support ship, the Polar Prince, capturing the moment of its implosion in June 2023. The video shows Stockton Rush's wife and an OceanGate employee monitoring the descent when a faint bang was heard, believed to be the implosion. Shortly after, tracking was lost.
European Commission plans to boost EU's influence in Black Sea. This counters Russia's actions through collaboration with Ukraine, Moldova, and others. A maritime security hub will enhance monitoring and information sharing. The EU aims to improve regional transport infrastructure. Discussions with member states and Black Sea countries will follow. China's growing presence adds complexity to the region.
Harvard University is seeking a summary judgment to unfreeze $2.5 billion in federal research funding, arguing the Trump administration's freeze is unlawful and politically motivated. The university claims the suspension jeopardizes critical research projects, including those related to national security and public health.
A photo went viral claiming to show Xi Mingze, daughter of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The image was from a 2018 UN event. An X user discovered the woman was not Xi Mingze. She was identified as Fi (Catherine) Chen. The older woman was Noelle Kwok. Media outlets used the photo without verifying. This incident highlights the risk of misinformation.
An Australian man, Lamar Aaron Ahchee, faces potential death penalty in Bali after being arrested for allegedly smuggling 1.7 kilograms of cocaine. Indonesian authorities stated that Ahchee was apprehended following an investigation into suspicious packages mailed from England. Police reports suggest he used online motorcycle taxi services to receive the drugs, allegedly intended for distribution.
Thousands in Bulgaria protested against adopting the euro, demanding a referendum on abandoning the lev. Organized by civic groups and nationalist parties, demonstrators voiced concerns over economic impacts and national sovereignty. President Radev, citing public anxieties about inflation, supports the referendum, but parliament rejected it, accusing him of pro-Russian sentiments.
Germany, France, and Poland leaders criticised the Georgian government's actions. They said these actions undermined democratic institutions. The leaders supported the Georgian people's European aspirations. They condemned attacks against civil society and media. The leaders urged Georgia to restart reforms and dialogue. They highlighted the need to uphold freedom of expression. They also called for investigation into violence reports.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Indo-Pacific allies of unwavering support against China's military and economic pressures, highlighting Beijing's aggressive stance on Taiwan and military advancements. He urged regional nations to increase defence spending, cautioning against the risks of balancing relations between the U.S. and China. Hegseth emphasized the U.S. commitment to bolstering its presence in the region.
Israel's foreign minister thanked the US for its support. This happened during a visit by US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The visit followed a deadly attack in Washington. The attack targeted Israeli embassy staffers. Noem reaffirmed US commitment to Israel. She also honored the victims. The visit occurred as Israel intensified its operations in Gaza.
Ukraine's security agency (SBU) claimed responsibility for a massive drone attack on June 1, dubbed "Spider Web," which targeted four key Russian airbases. The operation reportedly inflicted $7 billion in damages, disabling over a third of Russia's cruise missile bombers and hitting more than 40 aircraft, including the A-50 surveillance plane and Tu-95 bombers.