Stuck in a creativity slump at work? Here are some surprising ways to get your spark back 
U.S. Eases Iran Team Travel Restrictions Ahead of Seattle World Cup Match 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
The Beauty Beneath the Expressway: A Journey from Self to Service 
U.S. Reviewing Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey Amid S-400 Dispute 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Marco Rubio Seeks Gulf Support for U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Amid Regional Concerns 
US Supreme Court Strikes Down Hawaii Gun Carry Law on Private Property 
Debate over H-1B visas shines spotlight on US tech worker shortages 
Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they’re probably right 
The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated 
Office design isn’t keeping up with post-COVID work styles - here’s what workers really want 
What’s the difference between baking powder and baking soda? It’s subtle, but significant 
Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
The pandemic is still disrupting young people’s careers 
US Senate Approves War Powers Resolution Urging Trump to End Iran Military Action 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
The much-contested South China Sea has had a number of minor conflicts from several countries against China over recent months, and should it escalate further, could lead to a possible world war 3. As Beijing tries to exert its claim over the waters, Australia plans to upgrade its defense spending as a way to respond to China’s provocation.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison had previously announced that spending on the military would be upgraded as a response to China’s increasing attempts to lay complete claim in the South China Sea through the building of bases on many uninhabited islands. Senator Eric Abetz also expressed concern about Beijing’s rhetoric.
“Australia allowed its defense expenditure as a percentage of its GDP to slip to historically low levels, something which the Liberal Government, has been rectifying since its election in 2013,” said Abetz, who represents Tasmania in the Senate and is part of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Legislation Committee. “Further, there is unease at the aggressive build-up by a major player in our region. The extra outlays are to modernize defense material and preparedness in all spheres of our defenses -- from submarines through to land warfare.”
Abetz also blasted Chinese President Xi Jinping and said that China’s land grab was not only illegal but also expansionist and manipulative.
Beijing has since responded to Abetz’s comments and threatened economic reprisals on exports. Nevertheless, Abetz reiterated that the rhetoric coming from Beijing is seen as a concern in Australia.
Meanwhile, the possibility of a world war 3 would become an increasing concern especially after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that an alliance between Russia and China could be made. However, the alliance has not been made yet due to the lack of necessity, and Putin shared that the two countries already have some degree of trust and interaction especially in military cooperation.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian responded following Putin’s comments. Zhao said that there is “no limit” to the friendship formed between the two countries and that mutual political trust and strategic coordination has since been enhanced. Should an alliance be made, this would pose a problem for the United States due to Washington’s tensions with Beijing and Moscow.
