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Due to former President Donald Trump’s hardline crackdown on illegal immigration, intense protests erupted in Los Angeles over several consecutive days. The demonstrations escalated into violence—including car fires and rock-throwing—when police attempted to detain undocumented immigrants. In response, Trump ordered the deployment of the California National Guard and imposed a curfew, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom. This move sparked additional protests across the country, including in St. Louis, Missouri; Raleigh, North Carolina; Manhattan, New York; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Denver, Colorado. In retaliation, the California state government filed a lawsuit against the White House over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard.

Polls show that 45% of respondents disapproved of Trump’s unauthorized activation of California’s National Guard, with an even higher 47% opposing the deployment of Marine forces. To block the troop deployment, Governor Newsom filed for an injunction in a federal court in San Francisco. A hearing was held on the afternoon of the 12th, presided over by Judge Charles Breyer—appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1997.

In his 36-page ruling, Judge Breyer determined that Trump had exceeded his legal authority in commanding the California National Guard and violated the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. The ruling ordered the return of command authority over the Guard to the California governor. However, the judge denied Newsom’s request to block the deployment of Marines, ruling that actions under the Posse Comitatus Act should not restrict the executive branch’s orders in such cases. He noted that there were past federal precedents of Marines being deployed to help contain protests and maintain order.

June 14 marked Trump’s birthday and also the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. To celebrate, Trump held a military parade on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. Nationwide “No Kings” protests were expected in response.

A wave of violent incidents has erupted across Colombia, allegedly linked to the upcoming presidential election. On June 10, the city of Cali—Colombia's third-largest—and nearby towns came under attack. A total of 24 coordinated assaults targeted police outposts, municipal buildings, and civilian areas, leaving at least seven dead and 28 injured. The attacks, believed to have been carried out by local guerrilla forces, involved car bombs, motorcycle bombs, rifle fire, and drones.

Just days before the string of assaults, a presidential candidate survived an assassination attempt while campaigning in the capital city, Bogotá.

Security expert Elizabeth Dickinson from the International Crisis Group speculated that the attacks were likely orchestrated by the Central General Staff (Estado Mayor Central, EMC), the largest faction of the former rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In an interview with AFP, Dickinson stated, "These attacks demonstrate the EMC’s capability to coordinate operations," adding, "and their ability to act in major urban areas like Cali." While the EMC had previously warned civilians to avoid military and police installations, the group has neither claimed responsibility for nor commented on the recent attacks.

Efforts by Colombian President Gustavo Petro to broker peace with the EMC and other armed groups have repeatedly faltered. Citizens are increasingly fearful of a return to the violent chaos of the 1980s and 1990s, a period marked by drug cartel dominance, guerrilla warfare, and political assassinations.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced the dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a decision that has sparked strong backlash within the medical community.

Kennedy, a long-time critic of vaccine policies, is seen as using this sweeping personnel change to signal a clear shift in policy direction.

In an op-ed published in *The Wall Street Journal*, Kennedy claimed that ACIP has long been plagued by "conflicts of interest," which he believes have undermined public trust in vaccine safety. He argued that in order to rebuild that trust and ensure the safety of immunizations, it is necessary to completely replace the committee's members.

The 17 dismissed members include many current clinical physicians and academic experts. Eight of them were appointed in January 2025 by former President Biden. Traditionally, their terms would have lasted until 2028, making this an especially significant shake-up.

In response, Dr. Bruce Scott, President of the American Medical Association, issued a stern protest, stating that the move "dismantles a decision-making body that has been built over years, operating transparently and effectively to save lives." He emphasized that, amid a growing measles outbreak and declining childhood vaccination rates, this action could further weaken the nation’s public health defenses.

As of now, no replacements have been announced. Republican Senator from Louisiana and physician Bill Cassidy also publicly opposed the decision, warning that appointing individuals without proper expertise could pose even greater risks. He added that he will continue to engage with Kennedy in hopes of preventing further deterioration of the situation.

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The Israeli military announced on June 8 that the body of Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar was discovered inside a tunnel beneath a hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza. His identity was confirmed through DNA testing. The 49-year-old Sinwar was killed in an airstrike on May 13. The body of Rafah Brigade commander Sabah Subhi Sabaaneh was also found at the scene, along with belongings of the two and other intelligence materials, which have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

On June 8, the Israeli military led foreign journalists into a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis. The entrance showed signs of recent excavation, and the tunnel system inside was described as intricate and maze-like, resembling an ant nest, with branches leading to various rooms. Some of these rooms were filled with clothing and plastic chairs. Video footage showed a body being pulled out of the tunnel using a rope.

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that they found the deceased Mohammed Sinwar in one of the rooms. He was the brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The Israeli military emphasized that this operation confirms Hamas’s use of civilian infrastructure and hospitals for cover, using civilians as human shields. However, Hamas has not confirmed Sinwar’s death and continues to deny similar past accusations.

As a series of raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked growing protests, the California National Guard began deploying in downtown Los Angeles early on the 8th. The deployment, personally ordered by President Trump without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, marks a rare instance of federal intervention in local security matters in recent decades.

Trump's decision to send federally controlled National Guard troops into the nation's second-largest city triggered fierce backlash at the local level. Governor Newsom sharply criticized the move as “deliberate incitement,” accusing the president of disregarding states' rights and local autonomy, and of intentionally deepening social divisions.

According to the Associated Press, National Guard personnel have been stationed at the federal government complex in downtown Los Angeles, near several recent protest hotspots, including the Metropolitan Detention Center. In the past two days, protests and clashes involving hundreds have erupted throughout the city, with tensions running high in some areas.

Agence France-Presse reported that more protests are expected in Los Angeles. Organizers have called for a “mass mobilization” in front of City Hall at 2 p.m. on the 8th. Earlier that morning, in the Compton area, soldiers clad in combat gear and carrying automatic weapons were seen on the streets, with camouflaged military vehicles patrolling the area — a scene that many found shocking.

Trump had earlier announced plans to deploy around 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, citing what he called the failure of Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass to respond effectively to recent unrest. He emphasized that the federal government has a responsibility to "maintain order," though critics argue that this military intervention may further inflame social tensions and deepen public distrust.

On the evening of June 5, U.S. President Donald John Trump held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This marked their first direct conversation since Trump’s return to the White House. The discussion covered details of the U.S.-China trade agreement and rare earth exports, and both leaders extended invitations for state visits.

The call lasted approximately 90 minutes. Trump stated that the outcome of the discussion had a very positive impact on both countries, with the conversation focusing primarily on trade policy. Topics such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran were not discussed. He also noted that U.S. and Chinese trade representatives would meet again, aiming to break the stalemate over tariffs and global rare earth supply issues, though the meeting location has yet to be determined.

Chinese state media reported that after the call, the U.S. should acknowledge progress in trade negotiations and welcome Chinese students to study in the U.S. while lifting negative measures against China. During the call, President Xi emphasized that the U.S. should handle the Taiwan issue with caution to avoid a small number of individuals pushing the two countries into a dangerous confrontation. In response, Trump reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the One-China policy, suggesting that a preliminary consensus was reached on sensitive topics.

Although Trump claimed that the trade talks with China were progressing smoothly, the statements issued by both sides after the call seemed like they came from parallel worlds, highlighting the lack of substantial progress in the negotiations. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a U.S. think tank, commented that the call merely paused the escalation of the trade war without addressing the core tensions in the bilateral relationship. Analysts pointed out that U.S.-China negotiations have gradually shifted from tariff issues to technology exports and rare earth supply. The ongoing global concern over rare earth shortages could, if it worsens, lead to production halts in the automotive and related industries, increasing risks to the global supply chain.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has released the latest data showing that the number of newborns in the country in 2024 was only 686,061—a sharp decrease of 41,227 compared to 2023. This is the first time the number has fallen below 700,000 since records began in 1899, marking the lowest figure ever recorded. The decline in births was observed across all prefectures in Japan.

As for the total fertility rate, it stood at 1.15 in 2024, down by 0.05 points from 2023, also setting a new record low since statistics began in 1947. Tokyo recorded the lowest fertility rate at 0.96, remaining below 1 for the second consecutive year, followed by Miyagi Prefecture (1.00) and Hokkaido (1.01). Okinawa had the highest fertility rate at 1.54, followed by Fukui (1.46), and Tottori, Shimane, and Miyazaki Prefectures, all at 1.43.

The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research had projected in 2022 that Japan’s annual births would not fall to the 680,000 range until 2039. The reality has arrived approximately 15 years ahead of that forecast. The continued decline in the birth rate has once again raised serious concerns about the future of Japan’s social security system. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare attributes the drop in newborns primarily to the decreasing young population, as well as trends of later marriage and childbirth.

South Korea welcomed its new president, Lee Jae-myung, on June 4. He pledged to lead the country out of political turmoil and emergency rule, and to revitalize the economy, which has been hurt by slowing growth and rising global protectionism. Experts say South Korea’s foreign policy may undergo significant changes under his leadership.

The presidential by-election was officially held in the early hours of June 3, marking the end of a 171-day political vacuum since former President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached in December last year. The election, held nearly two years ahead of schedule, featured five candidates. Of the approximately 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 35% had already cast their ballots through early absentee voting.

According to foreign media reports, the final tally announced by South Korea’s National Election Commission showed that opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung won with 49.42% of the nearly 35 million votes, defeating ruling People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 41.15%. Voter turnout reached 79.4%, the highest in a presidential election since 1997.

Under South Korea’s Public Official Election Act, if a presidential election is held due to a vacancy in office, the elected candidate assumes office immediately upon confirmation. Accordingly, Lee's five-year term officially began in the early morning of June 4.

The results of Poland’s presidential runoff were announced on June 2nd, with conservative nationalist candidate **Nawrocki** narrowly winning the election with **50.89% of the vote**. His victory signals a possible strengthening of Poland’s ties with the Trump administration and a shift toward nationalist policies, posing a challenge to pro-EU forces.

At 42 years old, Nawrocki had trailed Civic Coalition candidate **Zosaszkowski** in the first round of voting on May 18th, but managed a comeback in the runoff. Zosaszkowski ultimately lost with **49.11% of the vote**.

Nawrocki’s campaign focused on themes of patriotism, traditional Catholic values, and a strong defense of Polish sovereignty against the influence of major EU member states. His win is expected to energize right-wing populist movements across Europe and could impact Poland’s military cooperation with the United States. Some members of parliament have accused the Trump administration of interfering in the election.

While Nawrocki has pledged continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, he has also criticized the government’s welfare policies for Ukrainian refugees, insisting that social benefits should primarily support Polish citizens.

Nawrocki is expected to continue the conservative policies of outgoing President Andrzej Duda, including opposition to abortion legalization and controversial judicial reforms. He will take office on **August 6**, and his presidency may strain Poland’s relationship with the European Union while further aligning the country with the Trump administration.

European Commission President **Ursula von der Leyen** and Ukrainian President **Volodymyr Zelensky** expressed hope for continued cooperation with Poland, while nationalist leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister **Viktor Orbán** congratulated Nawrocki on his victory.

The UK-based authoritative research institute **Oxford Economics** recently released its **2025 Global Cities Report**, ranking 1,000 major cities worldwide. New York, London, and Paris once again claimed the top three positions. Among Asian cities, seven made it into the top 100, with **Taipei ranked 60th**, climbing five spots from last year—an indication of its steadily improving urban competitiveness.

According to the report, the top ten cities are: **New York**, **London**, **Paris**, **San Jose**, **Seattle**, **Melbourne**, **Sydney**, **Boston**, **Tokyo**, and **San Francisco**. The rankings are based on five key dimensions: **Economy**, **Human Capital**, **Quality of Life**, **Environment**, and **Governance**, with each category scored out of 100 points.

Taipei received the following scores:

* Economy: **50.0**
* Human Capital: **67.7**
* Quality of Life: **90.4**
* Environment: **72.2**
* Governance: **88.1**
Taipei’s **overall average score was 75.0**, securing the **60th position**, a notable improvement from **65th place last year**. Notably, Taipei's scores in **Quality of Life** and **Governance** even surpassed those of **New York**, the top-ranked city.

A total of **seven Asian cities (excluding the Middle East)** entered the top 100, namely:

* **Tokyo (9th)**
* **Seoul (15th)**
* **Singapore (21st)**
* **Taipei (60th)**
* **Hong Kong (72nd)**
* **Kuala Lumpur (79th)**
* **Osaka–Kyoto (100th)**

However, due to the high weighting of economic scale and high-tech talent in the evaluation, **cities in North America and Western Europe continue to dominate** the top 100.

New York maintains its top spot with **a perfect score in the Economy category**, thanks to its leading roles in global finance, technology, advertising, and media, backed by its massive economic scale and robust performance. London and Paris ranked 8th and 11th respectively in the Economy category. **London** stands out in **Human Capital**, with numerous world-class universities, multinational headquarters, and a diverse workforce. **Paris**, on the other hand, relies on its **service and tourism industries** to sustain stable economic growth.