The pandemic is still disrupting young people’s careers 
The Beauty Beneath the Expressway: A Journey from Self to Service 
The American mass exodus to Canada amid Trump 2.0 has yet to materialize 
Trump Administration Appeals Court Order to Release Hudson Tunnel Project Funding 
Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party Wins Thai Election, Signals Shift Toward Political Stability 
Columbia Student Mahmoud Khalil Fights Arrest as Deportation Case Moves to New Jersey 
Office design isn’t keeping up with post-COVID work styles - here’s what workers really want 
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Secures Historic Election Win, Shaking Markets and Regional Politics 
Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they’re probably right 
Why have so few atrocities ever been recognised as genocide? 
Glastonbury is as popular than ever, but complaints about the lineup reveal its generational challenge 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Nicaragua Ends Visa-Free Entry for Cubans, Disrupting Key Migration Route to the U.S. 
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges 
Bosnian Serb Presidential Rerun Confirms Victory for Dodik Ally Amid Allegations of Irregularities 
Can your cat recognise you by scent? New study shows it’s likely 
The recent conflicts that several nations have with China over control of the South China Sea have raised concerns about a possible conflict breaking out which could lead to World War 3. In an effort to ramp up military presence and to deter threats from China, the United States has brought back its guided-missile destroyer onto the contested waters.
Over the weekend, the US Pacific Fleet’s website announced that the massive guided-missile destroyer known as the USS Barry would be brought into the South China Sea. The statement revealed that the vessel would help keep the peace in the territory, as China has already been patrolling the waters claiming total control of the region.
“A continued presence in the South China Sea is vital in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Commander Chris Gahl. “The freedom of all nations to navigate in international waters is critically important. Barry’s transit of the Taiwan Strait yesterday ensured the right and instills the confidence of all nations to trade and communicate in the South China Sea.”
This is the fifth time in Barry’s 2020 deployment that the vessel has done routine missions in the waters. In April, according to Barry’s Lieutenant Commander Timothy Baker, the vessel did a Freedom of Navigation operation around the Paracel Islands before meeting with the USS America Expeditionary Strike Group for operations in the regions. The reintroduction of the guided-missile destroyer also comes at a time when the US has called for other countries to join in opposing China’s attempt to establish dominance over the South China Sea.
Previously, Beijing was angered upon reports of two-star US Navy Admiral Michael Studeman having made an unannounced visit to Taiwan. Any official visit to Taiwan must be granted permission from Beijing, according to their “one country two systems” protocol. Studeman has overseen military intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region under the J2 organization. The US Pentagon did not comment on whether Studeman was visiting Taiwan.
In recent years, the Trump administration has ramped up its military support for the island. Visits from top officials including arms sales have recently been negotiated between the two governments, which drew the wrath of China.
