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At a summit in Montenegro, EU leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, pledged to accelerate the integration of six Western Balkan countries into the bloc, proposing 'gradual integration' and discussing new safeguards for future members. The move comes amid renewed geopolitical urgency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia hopes for a rapid resolution to the global energy crisis, which he says is negatively affecting the oil market. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, he cited shortages, rising freight costs, and a 12 million barrel daily supply shortfall. Novak also noted the UK is buying petroleum products refined from Russian oil via Asia-Pacific countries.
The Australian National University's interim vice-chancellor, Rebekah Brown, testified that a string of governance problems has cost the university about $100 million in reputational damage, impacting donor pipelines and international student recruitment. The revelation comes amid a scathing audit of the Renew ANU cost-cutting program and the resignation of former chancellor Julie Bishop, who accused the regulator of overreach.
The Quad’s foreign ministers announced plans to develop port infrastructure in Fiji, framing it as a counter to China’s influence in the Pacific. While lauded as the bloc’s first joint infrastructure project, analysts question whether the group’s divergent priorities and US disengagement will derail it. Reactions from China and regional dynamics add layers of complexity.
Hong Kong recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures soaring past 34°C as an anticyclone aloft drives a prolonged heatwave. The city has also seen six consecutive hot nights, tying a May record, while concerns grow over domestic workers' access to air conditioning.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump both made conciliatory statements about India on Friday, with Putin affirming that India's cooperation with the US will not harm its relations with Russia, and Trump expressing confidence in a trade deal with India while calling PM Modi a 'good friend'.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on June 8-9, his first trip in nearly seven years, as Beijing seeks to reassert its influence over Pyongyang amid deepening North Korea-Russia relations. The visit follows Xi's recent summits with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Donald Trump personally appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping to use Beijing's influence over Moscow to end the Ukraine war, according to multiple sources. The appeal came during last month's summit in Beijing, as negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have stalled. Trump has been pressuring Kyiv to reach a deal, while Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine last month.
Australian golfers Karis Davidson and Minjee Lee lead the contingent at 2-under after the first round of the 81st US Women's Open, with Jennifer Kupcho taking the outright lead at 5-under. The tournament, held at Riviera Country Club, features a $12 million prize purse.
Households and businesses in regional Queensland will see electricity bills fall by around 6.9% and 8.1% respectively from July, following a decision by the Queensland Competition Authority. The cuts mirror broader reductions in benchmark power prices across several states, driven by lower supply chain costs and increased renewable energy generation.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and his family, alongside broader measures against Cuba's oil and gas company and military-linked entities, as Washington intensifies its pressure campaign on Havana.
During a visit to Mongolia, South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young proposed a four-way dialogue involving the two Koreas, the US, and China, and met with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh to seek support for Seoul's peaceful coexistence policy. He also called for an EU-led initiative to facilitate inter-Korean dialogue.
President Trump's proposed White House ballroom has expanded to include a rooftop drone port, underground hospital, and military facilities, with costs doubling to $400m. Reports indicate federal funds designated for the Secret Service may have been redirected to the project, raising concerns among watchdogs.
China has accused the United States of using fabricated allegations to justify its terrorism designation of Cuba, as Washington tightens sanctions and indicts former Cuban President Raul Castro. Beijing vows continued support for Havana, including a 60,000-ton rice donation, while President Trump muses about taking over the island.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to deliver a keynote address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum's plenary session on June 5, with a focus on economic and political issues. The forum, themed 'Pragmatic Dialogue: The Path to a Stable Future,' has attracted around 20,000 participants from over 100 countries, including a rare US official delegation. Kremlin officials have also addressed Russia's military response to Ukrainian attacks and highlighted diplomatic engagements with leaders from Tanzania, Uzbekistan, and China.
China has alerted Australia that its beef imports are nearing the annual quota of 205,000 tonnes, which could trigger an additional 55% tariff within days. The measure is part of a new three-year scheme aimed at protecting Chinese domestic farmers. Australian exporters and officials have expressed concern, with the government lobbying for quota expansion.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, announced that an engineering agreement for the proposed Bering Strait tunnel will be signed on June 5. The project, dubbed the 'Putin-Trump Tunnel,' aims to complete design by end of 2026, with potential Chinese participation. Experts highlight significant logistical and economic challenges.
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Ozon CIS CEO Natalya Boer said Russian marketplaces are becoming integrated platforms for vendors from the EAEU and CIS, citing infrastructure growth and rising cross-border turnover. Deputy Industry Minister Roman Chekushov added that Russian logistics centers are present in nearly all CIS countries and expanding beyond, including China and Ethiopia.
Chinese carmakers BYD and Chery recorded roughly 80 percent year-on-year increases in overseas sales in May, according to company figures reported by The Guardian and the South China Morning Post. BYD also set ambitious targets to become the world’s largest automaker and outlined major infrastructure spending in Europe. Growth has been linked to higher electric-vehicle demand in markets including the UK and Germany.
The US and India have signed a framework agreement to cooperate on critical minerals and rare earths, part of a broader Quad initiative with up to $20 billion in funding. While India holds significant rare earth reserves, analysts question whether these efforts can meaningfully reduce China's overwhelming control of global processing capacity.