Tensions between South Korea and China are escalating over a maritime structure China recently installed in the Korea-China Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) of the Yellow Sea. Jung Ho-sub, a visiting professor at Ulsan University, has expressed concerns about the situation. The PMZ is jointly managed by South Korea and China, but China's actions have raised suspicions that it may be attempting to assert its dominance in the region.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-03/opinion/columns/Chinas-Yellow-Sea-tactics-test-Koreas-national-resolve/2321176Thirty Chinese vessels without documentation or registry were detected near Taiwan's Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait on May 19, prompting a Taiwanese security official to describe China's actions as "deliberately sent to harass." This incident is part of a pattern of increased Chinese activity in the region, with 75 Chinese aircraft involved in three combat readiness patrols near Taiwan during May. The situation escalated when Tokyo and Beijing exchanged diplomatic protests over disputed islands, with a Chinese helicopter and coast guard vessels facing off against a Japanese aircraft.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/03/world/asia-oceania/taiwan-china-deployed-70-warships-last-month/2125682China is shifting away from a resource-intensive growth model towards an innovation-driven and efficiency-oriented approach, driven by its desire to upgrade its economic development model. Professor Li Changan attributes this shift to the need for higher environmental standards, including stricter emission reduction targets, making decarbonization a strategic necessity. China has built a competitive edge in green sectors, providing a solid foundation for its low-carbon transition and optimizing energy mix are crucial for enhancing national energy security and preserving strategic autonomy.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-why-china-as-a-developing-nation-still-committed-to-carbon-reductions-302470813.htmlThe European Union is preparing its 18th round of sanctions against Russia, targeting defunct Baltic Sea gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2, shadow fleet vessels, oil prices, and the financial sector. EU leaders aim to limit Russia's ability to transport oil by limiting its access to these resources. The new measures are part of a joint effort with US sanctions, as stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in an attempt to "dry up the Kremlin's resources" for the war.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40365884/eu-chief-holds-talks-with-us-republican-leading-russia-sanctions-pushEU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas made a joint announcement with Philippine Defense Secretary Manalo during her visit to Manila, outlining plans for enhanced defense cooperation between the Philippines and the EU. The dialogue aims to address emerging security threats such as cyber-attacks and foreign interference, while promoting peace and upholding a rules-based order in regions like the South China Sea. Kallas emphasized the EU's commitment to addressing common concerns with Russia's war against Ukraine and rejecting unilateral changes to the status quo, particularly regarding China's activities in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/03/news/national/ph-eu-set-dialogue-on-security-defense/2125839At least three people were reported killed and dozens wounded in Gaza near an aid distribution site operated by the US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to local health authorities. The Israeli military said it was aware of reports of casualties and is investigating, but denies firing at people gathering to collect aid. The GHF says its deliveries have raised the number of meals distributed since operations began to nearly six million, but its aid plan has come under criticism from the UN and humanitarian organisations for not following humanitarian principles.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/gaza-conflict-israeli-fire-near-aid-site-kills-3?utm_source=most-popular-worldU.S. foreign policy hawk Graham is calling for decisive action against Russia's aggression, urging China and others to hold Russia accountable for buying cheap oil that supports Putin's war machine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also urged U.S. President Trump to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if peace talks stall. Graham and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen discussed further pressure on Russia over its abduction of over 20,000 Ukrainian children, while agreeing that a negotiated solution to the U.S.-EU tariff dispute would be ideal.
https://www.politico.eu/article/ursula-von-der-leyen-lindsey-graham-russia-vladimir-putin-ukraine-eu-donald-trump-sanctions-pressure/The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has raised concerns over Iran's production of nuclear material, making it the only non-nuclear-weapon state to do so. Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed serious concern about this development during a seminar in Vienna, Austria.
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/06/02/un-iran-egypt-nuclear-program-talks/India is poised to become a green superpower with its focus on renewable energy, storage, and hydrogen production. The country aims to reduce its carbon footprint and transition to cleaner sources of energy. Several companies, including Adani Green Energy and Suzlon Energy, are leading the charge in this effort. India's goal is to increase its share of renewable energy in the power mix to 50% by 2030. The government has set ambitious targets for hydrogen production, with a focus on using it as a clean fuel source. This shift towards sustainability is expected to create new opportunities for businesses and industries, making India a major player in the global green economy.
https://www.livemint.com/focus/forging-a-21st-century-green-superpower-india-s-renewables-storage-and-hydrogen-revolution-11748860258953.html