UN: Nearly 5 Million Displaced in Yemen. Israel Bombs Hodeida

Today’s News: Japan, China, South Korea, and ASEAN nations launch a new emergency loan agreement to safeguard regional financial stability. Former South Korean PM Han backs the PPP candidate for a united conservative front ahead of the June 3 vote. The UN urges “maximum restraint” between India and Pakistan, while the OIC expresses “concern”.

YEMEN - ISRAEL - GAZA

In Yemen, there are at least 4.8 million internally displaced people (out of a population of approximately 39 million), many of whom have been forced to flee multiple times due to worsening housing shortages and the growing risk of eviction. These figures were released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which is renewing its appeal for humanitarian aid to support this vulnerable population. Meanwhile, Israel has struck Houthi targets in the port city of Hodeida, killing at least one person and injuring 35, in response to the May 4 missile that brushed past Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

ASIA

Japan, China, South Korea, and the 10 ASEAN countries (known as ASEAN Plus Three) have agreed to strengthen the regional financial safety net by launching a new emergency loan facility designed to respond quickly to crises caused by pandemics and natural disasters. The goal is to create this new mechanism within the framework of their currency swap agreement known as the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM). Originally established after the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis, the initiative aims to uphold regional financial stability. The new structure will allow access to emergency funding without conditions in the event of sudden shocks.

SOUTH KOREA

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said today that he sees no alternative but to collaborate with the ruling People Power Party (PPP)’s presidential candidate ahead of the upcoming June 3 snap elections. This indicates a united conservative front in support of former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo. His opponent, Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party, remains the favorite in pre-election polls.

UN - INDIA - PAKISTAN

India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, must exercise “maximum restraint” and take a step back to avoid plunging into a bloody war. This is the appeal made yesterday by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, amid rising tensions between Delhi and Islamabad following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. Yesterday, Pakistan conducted a second missile test, while the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed “deep concern” over the situation in South Asia.

CHINA

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has launched its nationwide one-hour delivery service, Taobao Flash, intensifying its push in China’s rapidly growing on-demand retail sector. The upgraded service is supported by Ele.me, Alibaba’s food delivery arm, and offers aggressive consumer incentives, including free drinks, cash vouchers, and discounted meals. The launch comes as competitors such as JD.com and Meituan increase investments in instant delivery, aiming to dominate a market expected to surpass 2 trillion yuan (about 5 billion) by 2030, driven by consumers demanding faster service and deeper discounts.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Starting next school year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will introduce artificial intelligence classes for students of all ages—including preschoolers—in a bid to stay at the forefront of technological education and usage. The UAE established the world’s first Ministry of AI in 2017 and operates a dedicated AI university in Abu Dhabi. In February, the country’s leadership pledged up to €50 billion to build a massive AI data center in France.

NORTH KOREA - RUSSIA

In addition to sending soldiers to the Kursk region—where over 600 are already reported dead—North Korea has dispatched around 15,000 labor migrants to Russia, more than 12 times the number from the previous year. These workers are mainly stationed in the Far East regions, but hopes are high they’ll soon be deployed in larger cities across the country, as they accept much lower wages than others and work 12-hour days.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS - AZERBAIJAN

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow visited Baku, where he presided over a solemn liturgy at the cathedral dedicated to the Myrrh-bearing Women, attended by many local authorities. He read the Gospel in both Church Slavonic and Azerbaijani. The Patriarch later met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, delivering an invitation from President Putin to attend the May 9 parade in Moscow.

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