US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
The tension in the Korean peninsula flared up this month when North Korea carried out another weapons test. Pyongyang carried out its 16th weapons test this year as it reported a confirmed COVID-19 case for the first time.
South Korean military said North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast. The firing of ballistic missiles took place hours after Pyongyang announced its first-ever cases of COVID-19, more than two years since the pandemic began.
The suspected launch came from the Sunan area of Pyongyang. The weapons test also came two days after South Korea inaugurated its new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, who is expected to take a more hawkish stance on North Korea. Yoon’s office said it held an emergency national security council meeting.
The office of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also confirmed the launch. Japanese media outlet NHK reported that the suspected missile fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
South Korea and Japan also previously said that North Korea conducted two separate ballistic missile tests the week prior to Yoon’s inauguration. Pyongyang did not confirm the launches.
North Korea has pressed forward with its weapons tests despite breaching international sanctions over its programs. Earlier on the day of the 16th launch, Pyongyang reported its first COVID-19 infection, declaring a “serious emergency.”
North Korean state media said leader Kim Jong-un “called on all the cities and counties of the whole country to thoroughly lock down their areas,” which would close down businesses, factories, and homes to reorganize in order “to flawlessly and perfectly block the spread vacuum of the malicious virus.”
Following the recent weapons tests, the US this week requested to hold an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The request comes as Washington has sought to strengthen the sanctions imposed on North Korea. The US is the president of the UNSC for May, and diplomats said Monday that Washington has been considering holding a meeting on the matter since last week.
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the US would like the council to vote on further sanctioning North Korea. However, China and Russia – which hold veto power – have already signaled they intend to oppose such action.
