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ICE raid hits Hyundai battery plant, hundreds detained
A Hyundai plant in the United States has been stormed by federal agents, with hundreds of workers detained. Most of the 475 workers detained at the car battery factory were South Korean nationals. The raid has been labelled as one of the largest single-site enforcement operations that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ever carried out and is part of President Donald Trump's focus on undocumented workers. The plant is a flagship electric vehicle battery site, designed to be a huge economic development opportunity for the state of Georgia, where it is located. ICE later released footage of workers being escorted off the premises in shackles. The incident has led South Korea to send diplomats out to the site, with repatriation plans underway. Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, confirmed on Sunday that a charter plane will be dispatched to bring 300 workers home as soon as administrative processes allow.
Americas
Trump's US$2bn Harvard funding freeze ruled illegal
Harvard University was handed a landmark win when a federal judge declared United States President Donald Trump’s US$2.2 billion termination of funding grants unlawful. In the 84-page order, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said the Trump administration “used antisemitism as a smokescreen” to block billions in research funding unlawfully. "We must fight against antisemitism, but we equally need to protect our rights, including our right to free speech, and neither goal should nor needs to be sacrificed on the altar of the other," Judge Burroughs wrote in her order. "Now it is the job of the courts to similarly step up, to act to safeguard academic freedom and freedom of speech as required by the Constitution, and to ensure that important research is not improperly subjected to arbitrary and procedurally infirm grant terminations, even if doing so risks the wrath of a government committed to its agenda no matter the cost.” This comes after the Trump administration froze US$2.7 billion in Harvard grants and US$60 million in contracts in April following the school’s refusal to budge on he government’s demands after the administration's Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism alleged the school failed to confront ant
Americas
Trump threatened to bomb Russia in leaked CNN audio
NATO member Poland is scrambling for more fighter jets overnight after Russia launched record numbers of drones and missiles at Ukraine. The attack on Ukraine involved 782 Shaheds according to the Ukrainian Air Force, who also added that 13 missiles had also been fired comprising seven Iskander-K cruise missiles and six Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles. It said 718 weapons were neutralised in the overnight attack that ended on Wednesday morning. "This is a telling attack — and it comes precisely at a time when so many efforts have been made to achieve peace, to establish a ceasefire, and yet only Russia continues to rebuff them all," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted to X. This caused Poland to take measures to protect its own airspace. At the same time, leaked audio has been released of President Donald Trump threatening to “bomb the s—- out of Moscow” if Russian President Vladimir Putin invades Ukraine. The recording comes from a donor meeting in 2024, where he similarly threatened Chinese President Xi Jinping to deter China from invading Taiwan. The recording was obtained by journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf who shared the audio with CNN. “With Putin I said, ‘If you go into Ukra
Americas
Florida developing Alligator Alcatraz detention facility
Florida is developing an immigration detention centre deep in the Everglades that will be known as “Alligator Alcatraz". Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed the project on X in response to the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis asked leaders to identify places for temporary detention facilities. "This 30-square mile area is completely surrounded by the Everglades. It presents an efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don't need to invest that much in the perimeter," Uthmeier said. "If people get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons." Uthmeier got the green light within days, with the facility on track to open in the first week of July with 5,000 beds. “We are working on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations,” the Department of Homeland Security said on X. The facility is to be built at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport and is set to cost around US$450 million to run. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the facility will be largely funded by FEMA’s Shelter and Servi
Americas
Minnesota politician shooter suspect captured
Authorities have found the man suspected to have carried out the assassination of State Representative Melissa Hortman in Minnesota over the weekend. The manhunt was described as the largest in the state, after the shooter killed Hortman, her husband Mark, and additionally shot Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Both survived the attack and are in stable condition after medical attention. Hortman was the top Democrat for the Minnesota House, and the state's Governor Tim Walz labelled the shooting a “politically motivated assassination", confirming this afternoon (AEST) that the suspect had been captured by law enforcement after the two-day search. A local Police Chief, Mark Bruley, told reporters the effort was the “largest manhunt in the state’s history.” The suspect is 57-year-old Vance Boelter, a conservative Christian who reportedly had his sights on dozens more targets, including other Democrats, notable abortion rights activists and people linked to Planned Parenthood. The list of more than 70 targets was found in his car which authorities located on day two of the manhunt. He reportedly crawled towards officers before being arrested, and no one in the team was injured.

Americas
Puerto Rican movement to rejoin Spain gains traction
Puerto Rico's political movement to leave the United States and rejoin Spain is gaining traction. The nation is currently a U.S. territory, but calls are growing for a realignment with Spain. The Caribbean country has not had ties with Spain for over a century after the Spanish-American war. However, Spain remains an integral part of the culture with 95% of inhabitants speaking Spanish and the language dominating education and business. Created in 2017, the Adelante Reunificacionistas political movement is growing in popularity, with a proposal to reintegrate into Spain. Members claim 13% of Puerto Ricans would support it. President of the group, Jose Lara, says that under U.S. control the country has faced a hundred years of “subjugation” and that to have a “future of progress" it must move away from the States. "Puerto Rico never wanted to separate from Spain," he said. “We want Puerto Rico to regain the status it lost when it joined the United States.”
Americas
No sign of relief as Canadian wildfires continue to grow
Saskatchewan wildfires in Canada are expected to continue growing aggressively over the next few days due to high temperatures, winds and dry conditions. According to the latest update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) there seems to be no sign of relief. "This will drastically impact our ability to contain some of these fires and will actually cause some of these fires to grow in size over the next period of time," Steve Roberts, SPSA vice-president of operations, said at a news conference Sunday. Smoke from the wildfires covered most of the eastern and central United States on Monday and will linger through Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), according to AccuWeather meteorologists. For those in the U.S., air quality is unlikely to impact public health due to smoke remaining high in the atmosphere. However, air quality remains poor to unhealthy in areas closer to the fire in northern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. "Shower and thunderstorms in the Upper Midwest this afternoon and evening will help cleanse the air and help improve air quality," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alexander Duffus said. Around 17,000 residents have been evacuated and as of Sunday afternoon, 15 fires were burning. This is down fro
Americas
'Targeted': Protestors injured in Colorado terror attack
Multiple people have been injured in Boulder, Colorado after someone used a weapon to set people on fire during a demonstration. The demonstrations, held by Run for Their Lives, are regularly scheduled, saying they are looking to continue awareness of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Boulder's Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said a suspect was already custody, after using a "makeshift flamethrower" and incendiary device, but required hospitalisation for minor injuries. The suspect has now been named as 45 year old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Redfearn also called on people to stay away from the area while police investigate a vehicle possibly linked to the attack and confirmed that K-9 and hazmat teams are working to clear the area for devices. “The area is not safe yet,” he said. Redfearn also confirmed that the intention behind the attack was unclear at this stage, whether it was targeted or random violence. “It’s way too early to speculate motive." However, FBI Director Kash Patel labelled the incident a “a targeted terror attack” and that agents were assisting police on the scene. “We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are o
Americas
Drewry's World Container Index rose 10% to $2,508
Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) surged 10% this week, reaching US$2,508 (A$3,855.73) per 40-foot (12.192-metre) container on 29 May. This marks a 21% increase over the past three weeks, driven by United States President Donald Trump’s temporary suspension of import tariffs, which revived transpacific shipping volumes after a prior collapse.Credit: DrewryFreight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles jumped 17% in the past week to $3,738 per container, reflecting a 38% increase since 8 May. Similarly, spot rates to New York climbed 14% in the past week and 42% over three weeks, while rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Genoa rose 6% and 3%, respectively. This double-digit rise in the composite index is the first since July 2024, reversing the downward trend that began in January. Short-term strengthening in global container shipping’s supply-demand balance has been fueled by renewed U.S.-bound traffic, but underlying market conditions remain volatile. Drewry’s Container Forecaster anticipates a weakening supply-demand balance in the second half of 2025, which is expected to drive spot rates lower. The trajectory of freight rates will depend on legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs and uncertainties surrounding U.S