UN Warns of Gaza Famine; Russia Attacks Kharkiv
Key Takeaways
- UN warns Gaza faces widespread famine, calling it the "hungriest place on Earth."
- Russian attacks in Kharkiv injured eight, targeting Kharkiv, Odesa, and Donetsk with drones.
- Ukraine defaults on over $500 million due to holders of its GDP warrants.
- Trump raises tariffs on steel imports from China from 25% to 50%.
- Liverpool car incident injured 79 people; the accused appeared in court.
Top Stories
UN warns Gaza is 'hungriest place,' famine risk high.
On 2025-05-31, the UN warned Gaza faces widespread famine, calling it the "hungriest place on Earth" and urging Israel to halt actions causing starvation. Aid delivery is severely obstructed, with fewer than 600 of 900 approved trucks offloaded, and northern Gaza has received no aid in days.
Russia attacks Kharkiv: Injuries, drone strikes, depot damage.
On 2025-05-31, Russian attacks in Ukraine's Kharkiv region injured eight, including two teenagers, in Vasyliv Khutir. Russia launched 90 drones and two ballistic missiles targeting Kharkiv, Odesa, and Donetsk, damaging a trolleybus depot and injuring two in Kharkiv.
Ukraine defaults on $500M GDP warrant payment.
On 2025-05-31, Ukraine's finance ministry announced it would default on over $500 million due to holders of its GDP warrants, marking its first payment default since 2015. Ukraine owes $665 million on June 2 based on 2023 economic performance.
Trump accuses China of trade violations, raises steel tariffs.
On 2025-05-30 and 2025-05-31, President Trump and his administration accused China of violating trade agreements, particularly regarding rare earth minerals, and raised tariffs on steel imports from 25% to 50%. The US Department of Commerce is reviewing exports to China, and global auto executives are concerned about a potential shortage of rare-earth magnets.
Liverpool car incident: 79 injured, court appearance.
On 2025-05-30, Paul Doyle appeared in court, accused of driving into a crowd celebrating Liverpool FC's title win, injuring 79 people. Seven people remained in hospital, and prosecutors are reviewing evidence.
Global Watch
Pakistan to designate ambassador to Afghanistan after Taliban takeover.
On 2025-05-30, Pakistan announced it will designate an ambassador to Afghanistan, the first since the Taliban's return in 2021, aiming to improve relations and strengthen economic cooperation. This follows a trilateral meeting in Beijing with Afghan and Chinese counterparts.
South Korea's Lee Jae-myung plans to make Sejong capital.
On 2025-05-31, South Korea’s presidential favourite, Lee Jae-myung, plans to make Sejong the country’s “de facto” capital. Sejong is a planned city located about 100km south of Seoul.
Ukraine resists peace talks; Russia confirms delegation.
On 2025-05-31, Ukraine resisted pressure to commit to peace talks in Istanbul, demanding review of Russian ceasefire proposals. Russia confirmed Vladimir Medinsky will lead its delegation with ceasefire proposals, while suggesting Western states stop arming Ukraine for a ceasefire.
Indonesia mine collapses: Fatalities, safety concerns raised.
On 2025-05-30, a stone quarry collapsed in Cirebon, Indonesia, killing at least 10 people, with rescue teams searching for missing individuals. In May 2025, the West Java governor stated the Gunung Kuda mine was "very dangerous" and closed it and four others, while a landslide in West Papua killed at least six.
US warns of China threat at Shangri-La Dialogue.
On 2025-05-31, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of a potential military threat from China at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, while reassuring Asian allies of Washington's commitment to Asia Pacific security.
ISIS claims attacks on Syrian army, US-backed fighters.
On 2025-05-30, ISIL (ISIS) claimed responsibility for two bomb attacks: one targeting fighters from the US-backed Kurdish-led Free Syrian Army, killing one and injuring three, and another on the Syrian army in southern Syria.
Boxer Imane Khelif faces sex screening amid gender debate.
On 2025-05-31, World Boxing announced that Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif must undergo genetic sex screening to participate in events, following a new policy mandating sex testing for all boxers. Khelif, who identifies as a girl, is targeting a second gold medal at the 2028 Games, amid a broader gender eligibility debate.
Political Pulse
US Senate to advance Russia sanctions bill next week.
On 2025-05-30, Senator Lindsey Graham announced during a visit to Kyiv that the Republican-led US Senate is expected to move forward with a bill on sanctions against Russia next week.
Trump proposes $163B in federal spending cuts.
On 2025-05-30, the Trump administration unveiled a proposal to cut $163 billion in federal spending next fiscal year, affecting education, health, housing, and labor programs, aiming to reduce government size and reach.
Supreme Court allows Trump to revoke immigrant parole.
On 2025-05-30, the Supreme Court allowed Trump to revoke humanitarian parole for 530,000 immigrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua and end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 350,000 Venezuelans living in the US.
Trump praises Musk after budget cut attempt fails.
On 2025-05-30, President Trump formally acknowledged Elon Musk's unsuccessful attempt to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget, praising Musk and stating he would continue to advise the administration on cost-cutting.
Trump includes Cuba hardliners in cabinet, tensions rise.
On 2025-05-31, it was reported that Donald Trump included officials with a hardline stance towards Cuba in his presidential cabinet, including Marco Rubio, who supports continuing the trade embargo. The Cuban Foreign Ministry accused Michael Hammer of "public and insulting manipulation," and the US State Department determined Cuba didn't fully cooperate with counterterrorism efforts in 2024.
China criticizes US visa restrictions on students.
On 2025-05-30, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the Trump administration's decision to "aggressively revoke" visas of Chinese students and increase scrutiny of new visa applicants from China and Hong Kong.
Business Today
Trump hails Nippon Steel's $14B commitment to US Steel.
On 2025-05-30, President Trump praised a "blockbuster agreement" between Japan's Nippon Steel and US Steel, highlighting Nippon's $14 billion commitment to the future of US Steel.
Rising defaults concern Senate; oversight of pay-later lenders.
On 2025-05-30, economists warned of an affordability crunch for consumers, and Senate Banking Committee Democrats plan to intervene with more oversight of pay-later lenders due to rising defaults. Klarna reported a 17% year-on-year rise in credit losses this month, while the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has warned about the vulnerability of pay-later customers.
Videogame Union Reaches Industry-First Contract at Microsoft.
Sports Central
PSG vs Inter Milan in Champions League final.
On 2025-05-30, it was reported that the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan is coming up on Saturday.
Pakistan wins T20I series against Bangladesh 2-0.
On 2025-05-30, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 57 runs in the second T20I cricket match, winning the series 2-0. Abrar took the bowling award, and Nawaz was rewarded for his batting display; the third and final match will be played on Sunday.
Mumbai Indians reach IPL eliminator, beat Gujarat Titans.
On 2025-05-30, Mumbai Indians reached Saturday’s eliminator at the Indian Premier League by beating Gujarat Titans by 20 runs.