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A federal court has overturned U.S. President Donald Trump's policy requiring employers to pay a $100,000 fee when applying for H-1B work visas. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled today that the federal government exceeded its authority by imposing the fee without congressional approval.

According to ABC News, Judge Sorokin issued a 42-page opinion invalidating the policy, stating: "The President has no power to tax unless authorized by an act of Congress."

The ruling is widely regarded as a significant turning point in U.S. immigration policy for highly skilled workers and is expected to have major implications for industries such as technology, healthcare, and education, which rely heavily on foreign professional talent.

In September 2025, the Trump administration introduced the $100,000 H-1B visa surcharge through a presidential proclamation. The fee was imposed in addition to the existing application costs, which were only a few thousand dollars. The White House argued that the measure would raise the cost of hiring foreign workers, protect employment opportunities for American workers, and encourage employers to prioritize U.S. citizens.

However, the policy immediately sparked controversy. A coalition of 20 states, including California, filed a lawsuit arguing that the surcharge exceeded executive authority. Critics contended that the fee imposed a substantial burden on businesses and undermined the ability of hospitals, schools, and research institutions to recruit highly qualified professionals. Technology companies and business organizations also warned that the policy could weaken the United States' competitiveness in attracting top global talent.

In his ruling, Judge Leo Sorokin of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts stated that the $100,000 surcharge was effectively a form of taxation. Under the U.S. Constitution, the authority to levy taxes rests with Congress, not the executive branch. The judge further found that the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act and therefore lacked legal validity.

As a result of the court's decision, the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will no longer be permitted to collect the fee from new applicants. Analysts say the ruling will reduce hiring costs for employers seeking foreign professionals and help restore recruitment efforts and international competitiveness, particularly in the technology, healthcare, and higher education sectors.

Supporters of Trump criticized the decision, arguing that the President should have broad authority to protect the American labor market. They also maintained that some companies have long abused the H-1B visa program. The White House indicated that it expects to appeal the ruling, meaning the case could eventually be reviewed by a federal appellate court.

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in southern Philippines on the morning of June 8, killing at least 37 people and injuring more than 200 others. The quake also triggered regional tsunami warnings, prompting coastal alerts in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. A tsunami of approximately one meter was observed in some areas. However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later announced that the tsunami threat had largely passed about five hours after the earthquake.

The epicenter was located roughly 20 kilometers offshore from Sarangani Province. Strong shaking was felt across Mindanao, and as of the morning of June 9, authorities had recorded 138 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7. The earthquake caused building collapses, landslides, widespread power outages, and water supply disruptions, with General Santos City suffering the most severe damage. The Philippine government has deployed military units and rescue teams to conduct search-and-rescue operations, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged full support for affected communities.

The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school term, catching many students off guard while participating in school activities and causing widespread panic. The international community has also offered assistance, with the United States and Japan expressing their willingness to help. At present, there have been no reports of Taiwanese casualties. Experts noted that earthquakes are frequent in the Philippines, and this disaster occurred only about eight months after the country's previous major earthquake, underscoring the region’s continuing vulnerability to seismic hazards.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on June 7 nominated Han Sung-sook, the 59-year-old Minister of SMEs and Startups, to serve as the country’s next Prime Minister. If approved by the National Assembly, Han will become only the second woman in South Korean history to hold the post.

South Korea’s first female prime minister was Han Myeong-sook, who served from 2006 to 2007. Nearly two decades later, the country may once again see a woman appointed to one of the highest positions in government.

According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the nomination during a press briefing. He said Han’s background in the information technology sector, including her experience as the head of a major IT company and her current role overseeing the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, makes her well qualified to lead South Korea’s transition into the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and support the nation’s future development.

Kang added that Han possesses the ability to integrate industrial and public policy, helping ensure that economic gains driven by the semiconductor industry and export growth are shared more broadly with small and medium-sized enterprises and ordinary citizens, promoting more balanced and inclusive growth.

Under South Korea’s presidential system, the prime minister is the second-highest-ranking government official. However, the position is primarily responsible for administrative coordination and assisting the president, with its political symbolism often outweighing its direct policymaking authority.

A ballot shortage disrupted South Korea’s 9th local elections, prompting protests outside a vote-counting center and renewed scrutiny of the country’s election administration.

Voting for South Korea’s ninth local government and local council elections was held nationwide on June 3. According to the National Election Commission (NEC), 67 polling stations across the country required emergency ballot deliveries after running short of ballots, while 22 polling stations temporarily suspended voting due to the shortage.

One of the most serious incidents occurred at Polling Station No. 2 in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa District, Seoul, where voting was interrupted because of insufficient ballots. The polling station ultimately extended voting hours until 10 p.m. However, after voting concluded, demonstrators questioning the fairness of the election blocked the transportation of ballot boxes.

As election officials prepared to move the ballot boxes to a counting center, protesters argued that ballots from the affected polling station should not be counted, insisting that a re-election should be held to ensure fairness after voting had been suspended due to the shortage. The standoff continued until the morning of June 5, when police deployed approximately 1,000 officers to forcibly remove protesters and transport the ballot boxes to the counting center. Opposition parties later criticized the process after reports emerged that no official election observers accompanied the ballot boxes during transit.

Television footage showed protesters gathering outside Seoul’s SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium, chanting slogans such as “Hold the election again.” The presidential office issued a statement on June 4 saying that the Election Commission should take responsibility for the ballot shortage. Shortly afterward, NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak publicly apologized and announced his resignation.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also condemned the incident, describing the ballot shortage as “unacceptable” and arguing that it had infringed upon citizens’ voting rights. He called for the dissolution of the Election Commission and urged the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the matter.

South Korea employs multiple voting methods, including mail-in and early voting systems. As a result, election authorities typically print ballots based on projected turnout rates. The Korea JoongAng Daily reported that in Seoul’s Gangnam District, official ballots were printed for only about 55 percent of registered voters. Because voter turnout exceeded expectations, several polling stations ran out of ballots.

Further controversy emerged after investigations revealed that the Election Commission had budgeted for printing ballots equal to 110 percent of the total number of registered voters, yet the actual number of ballots printed was reportedly only about half of that figure.

With senior election officials resigning, police launching investigations, and both ruling and opposition parties demanding a full inquiry, the controversy is expected to remain a major political issue. Many observers believe the incident could become a turning point for electoral reform in South Korea.

Some members of the public argue that while alternative voting methods offer greater convenience, concerns remain regarding secrecy, efficiency, and electoral integrity. How to balance accessibility with public confidence in the voting process is likely to remain a subject of debate.

A Middle East ceasefire agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump has effectively collapsed. Although Israel and Lebanon had reached a ceasefire arrangement, Hezbollah formally rejected the U.S.-mediated proposal on June 4. Meanwhile, Israel stated that it would not withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, placing the Washington-backed peace initiative under significant strain.

The agreement was reached after four rounds of negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese authorities. Its provisions required Hezbollah to cease attacks against Israel, withdraw from areas south of the Litani River, and allow the establishment of a pilot security zone within Lebanon under the control of the Lebanese Armed Forces, from which Hezbollah fighters would be excluded. The agreement was to take effect within 24 hours of approval by all parties, with a follow-up meeting between Israel and Lebanon scheduled for June 22.

Hezbollah stated that it had not participated in the negotiations and strongly rejected the terms of the agreement. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem criticized the deal as both absurd and humiliating, pledging to continue resisting Israeli military operations. At the same time, Israel has continued carrying out airstrikes in southern Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that military operations in Lebanon would not cease. The latest airstrikes reportedly killed at least eight people and injured fifteen others.

Both sides continue to exchange fire, with explosions frequently reported across southern Lebanon as ambulances and firefighting crews conduct ongoing rescue operations. Air raid sirens have also sounded in northern Israel, and casualties have been reported on both sides. Since the conflict escalated in March, more than 3,500 people have been killed in Lebanon. According to United Nations statistics, over one million people have been displaced.

South Korea held local elections on June 3, widely regarded as a “midterm evaluation” of the Lee Jae-myung administration after one year in office. The final results were announced on June 4. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) secured 12 of the country’s 16 top-level local government positions, achieving a landslide victory nationwide. However, in the highly symbolic Seoul mayoral race, the party suffered a setback as Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) emerged victorious. Although the ruling party dominated the nationwide elections, losing Seoul cast a shadow over its otherwise overwhelming success.

According to the vote count, the DPK swept 12 regions, including Busan, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangwon Province. In the concurrent by-elections for the National Assembly, the ruling party won 9 of the 14 contested seats. Election administration problems were also reported. In Seoul, as many as 14 polling stations experienced ballot shortages, with some districts preparing only enough ballots for half of their registered voters. This left many voters waiting in line unable to cast their ballots, prompting allegations of electoral misconduct and triggering protests.

Before the election, multiple opinion polls and exit polls predicted a victory for DPK candidate Jeong Won-oh, who at one point held a lead of 5.4 percentage points. However, PPP candidate Oh Se-hoon ultimately edged out Jeong with 49.15% of the vote compared with Jeong’s 48.13%, a margin of just over one percentage point. As a result, Oh became the first politician in South Korean history to win a fifth consecutive term as Mayor of Seoul, further strengthening his position as a leading contender in the next presidential election. The polling error also highlighted the influence of the so-called “Shy Conservative” phenomenon. Experts noted that amid controversies surrounding martial law and court rulings related to the president’s impeachment, many conservative voters concealed their political preferences in opinion surveys but ultimately mobilized on election day, helping drive opposition victories in key constituencies such as Seoul.

The ruling party’s overwhelming nationwide victory suggests strong public approval of the government’s performance, particularly in areas such as growth in AI semiconductor exports and stock market stability. The results are expected to provide momentum for the administration’s six major structural reform initiatives, including housing market stabilization and financial sector reform. At the same time, policymakers are likely to reassess housing-related concerns reflected in the Seoul vote and adjust policies accordingly to accelerate the implementation of broader national objectives.

Late on June 2, Russia launched a large-scale air assault against Ukraine, using missiles and drones to strike several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. According to Ukrainian government figures, at least 23 people were killed nationwide, including two children, while more than 130 others were injured.

According to international media reports, the Russian military carried out deadly attacks across Ukraine, with the capital city of Kyiv and the central city of Dnipro coming under heavy bombardment. The assault is described as one of the deadliest since the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv was the primary target of the attack and warned that Russian forces could launch another wave of offensives on the evening of June 3.

In recent days, the Russian military has once again conducted large-scale airstrikes on Kyiv and several other key Ukrainian cities, deploying missiles and drones to target military facilities, energy infrastructure, and transportation hubs. The intense bombardment damaged numerous buildings, caused fires and power outages in some areas, and resulted in civilian casualties, heightening international concerns over a further escalation of the conflict.

According to Ukrainian officials, Kyiv was subjected to multiple air-raid alerts throughout the night, prompting air-defense systems to intercept incoming threats. Although some missiles and drones were successfully shot down, several penetrated the defenses and struck residential neighborhoods and public facilities, damaging multiple buildings. Emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to extinguish fires, conduct search-and-rescue operations, and assist residents in evacuating dangerous areas.

In addition to Kyiv, several regions in eastern, southern, and central Ukraine also reported attacks. Some energy facilities were damaged, disrupting local power supplies and essential public services. Local authorities said emergency response measures had been activated and repair work on damaged infrastructure was underway to minimize the impact on residents' daily lives.

Russia, meanwhile, stated that the military operation was primarily aimed at Ukrainian military targets and infrastructure supporting frontline operations. Moscow emphasized that the strikes were part of its planned military strategy and said it would continue targeting sites deemed to have strategic value in order to weaken Ukraine’s logistics and command capabilities.

In response to the latest offensive, the Ukrainian president called on the international community to increase assistance to Ukraine, particularly in the areas of air-defense systems, military equipment, and humanitarian aid. He stated that Russia’s continued attacks on cities not only threaten national security but also inflict significant harm on civilian lives and property.

Following the unsuccessful negotiations at the Islamabad Summit, the United States continued to insist that Iran must commit to abandoning the development of nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintained that it has the right to pursue civilian nuclear energy and uranium enrichment. Coupled with Israel’s large-scale military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran officially announced on June 1 that it was suspending peace talks with the United States. The move was followed by military clashes between the two countries, including missile and drone strikes, plunging the Middle East into renewed instability.

On June 3, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Kuwait International Airport (Terminal 1), causing severe damage and injuries and disrupting air traffic. At the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for an attack on the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, describing it as retaliation for earlier U.S. strikes on Iranian communications facilities.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also carried out what it described as “defensive strikes” against targets inside Iran and in nearby areas. These included radar installations, drone command centers, and air-defense facilities in southern Iran, particularly in Goruk and on Qeshm Island. In addition, U.S. forces reportedly intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at American military bases in Kuwait and at targets in Bahrain.

Brent crude oil prices surged again, approaching USD 100 per barrel. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively paralyzed due to blockades by both sides, disrupting the flow of roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Iran further stated that it would instruct Yemen’s Houthi forces to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. If carried out, such a move could severely disrupt one of the world's most critical maritime shipping routes.

Iranian defense officials issued a stern warning, declaring that if Iranian ports are unable to operate, ports throughout the region would also face threats. Such a scorched-earth approach could have severe global consequences. Countries across the region have issued air-raid alerts, while the international community is closely watching to see whether the current standoff could escalate into a full-scale regional war.

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused the United States of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement, further escalating tensions after a recent U.S. strike on a port in southern Iran briefly heightened regional instability. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran would "take all necessary measures" to safeguard its national security, underscoring the fragile state of the truce.

According to AFP, Kuwait, a key U.S. ally in the Gulf, said the same day that its air defense systems had successfully intercepted missiles and drones, blaming Iran for the attacks. The Middle East has remained volatile since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28. Although a ceasefire was reached in early April, sporadic clashes have continued, and negotiations over a lasting truce remain unresolved.

Baghaei also stressed that Iran is not currently engaged in any negotiations with the United States regarding its nuclear program, saying that ending the war remains Tehran's top priority.

Meanwhile, as the conflict spills across the region, Lebanon's Hezbollah has launched attacks against Israel in response to rising tensions. Iran said that securing a ceasefire in Lebanon is also a key component of any comprehensive agreement to end the broader conflict, and reiterated its support for Lebanon and for what it described as resistance against the "illegal aggression of the Zionist regime."

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that the U.S. military possesses overwhelming military strength and is prepared to resume strikes against Iran at any time if necessary. He emphasized that the United States has sufficient ammunition stocks and military resources in the Middle East and around the world to address the current situation. Quoting former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous doctrine of “speak softly and carry a big stick,” Hegseth stressed that strength remains the key to maintaining order and enforcing rules.

As Washington signaled its tough stance, tensions in the Middle East continued to rise. Omani authorities reportedly discovered suspected floating naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. military confirmed that it had carried out what it described as a “defensive strike” against an Iranian minelaying vessel and warned that similar operations would continue if necessary. At the same time, reports from Iran’s parliament indicated that lawmakers are considering legislation to strengthen Tehran’s control over the strategic waterway, once again placing the world’s most critical energy transit route at the center of regional tensions and raising the risk of maritime confrontation.

The key question now is whether Washington and Tehran will extend their temporary ceasefire agreement. Former President Donald Trump has reportedly held urgent consultations with his national security team but has not yet made a final decision. Although reports suggest that Iran has sought war reparations or expanded energy cooperation, and the United States has floated alternative investment proposals, Trump has firmly stated that he will not engage in any form of financial deal with Tehran. U.S. officials maintain that despite signs of greater flexibility from Iran, Washington’s ultimate objective remains ensuring that Iran is unable to develop nuclear weapons. As a result, the situation in the Middle East remains highly uncertain.