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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that President Donald Trump will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa. Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said the decision was made due to the summit’s agenda, which the administration believes does not align with US priorities.

The announcement comes amid growing tensions between the two countries. Relations have worsened since South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Act into law in January. In March, the US expelled South Africa’s ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, Xinhua reported.

Despite the strained ties, Ramaphosa is currently visiting the US and is expected to meet with Trump to discuss trade and bilateral cooperation.

US President Donald Trump has announced the development of the “Golden Dome,” a new missile defense system designed to counter advanced threats including hypersonic and space-based missiles, BBC reported.

The system will use land, sea, and space-based interceptors and sensors under a centralized command structure. It is intended to be fully operational by the end of Trump’s current term in 2029.

An initial $25bn has been allocated through Trump’s proposed budget, with long-term costs projected between $175bn and $542bn, depending on scope and execution. The project will be led by Space Force General Michael Guetlein.

Canada has expressed interest in participating through North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), though no official agreement has been confirmed, according to BBC.

The Golden Dome aims to intercept missiles at various stages of flight, addressing gaps in current US defenses. Trump described it as a “near-100 percent effective” shield against future aerial threats.

The British government unveiled 100 additional sanctions on Tuesday, aimed at Russia's military, energy, and financial sectors, as well as individuals implicated in disseminating misinformation about the Ukraine crisis. The United Kingdom pledged to push for a reduction in the $60-per-barrel oil price threshold, which would further limit Russia's revenue, according to Xinhua.

On the same day, the European Union approved its 17th round of sanctions against Russia, with the goal of increasing pressure for a cease-fire in Ukraine.

In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia will not accept ultimatums and accused Europe of attempting to prolong the conflict by rearming Ukraine.

The China Tourism Day was marked in Kathmandu by organising an event on Tuesday evening.

The event was jointly organised by China Cultural Center, China National Tourist Office and China Southern Airlines in Kathmandu that witnessed participation of the business community, travel fraternity from Nepal, Chinese business community, government officials and other stakeholders.

China marks May 19 as its Tourism Day to commemorate the great Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake.

On the occasion, Director of China Cultural Centre in Kathmandu Xiao Jiang said that tourism has become a vital part of modern leisure and lifestyle and has brought us closer to nature.

She said that tourism promotes dialogue and mutual understanding between nations and peoples, strengthens friendships, and contributes to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Also speaking at the event, General Manager of the Kathmandu Office of China Southern Airlines, Yang Wenfu, said the airline has worked to deepen the China-Nepal route network.

He expressed the confidence to further collaborate in opening a new chapter in China-Nepal tourism together with Nepali stakeholders and said that his company aims to advance the development of the aviation and tourism industries between China and Nepal.

On the occasion, representative of China Tourism Office in Kathmandu Mohan Suwal gave a detailed presentation on tourism in China to share deeper insights into China’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern achievements.

Suwal shared about China and Chinese festivals including the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and others.

Stating about the historical sites of China, Suwal said that China has abundant historical sites and relics and carry the memory and wisdom of its people. He briefed about the ancient city of Xi'an, the Terracotta Army, the Forbidden City in Beijing and other sites.

China is home to 59 UNESCO cultural and natural heritage sites—ranking second in the world.

Likewise, China is one of the top source countries for inbound tourism while a large number of Nepali travel to China every year.

Former US President Joe Biden has confirmed a recent diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer, denying claims by President Trump that the condition was concealed from the public.

Biden’s office said he had not been previously diagnosed and last received a PSA test in 2014. The cancer, now spread to his bones, was classified as highly aggressive with a Gleason score of 9, Al Jazeera reported.

Trump questioned the timing, suggesting the illness must have been known earlier. Biden’s team dismissed the claims, citing age-related screening norms and reaffirming the diagnosis was new.

Immigration attorneys say the Trump administration illegally deported Asian migrants to South Sudan in violation of a federal court order.

A flight carrying about a dozen people, including individuals from Myanmar and Vietnam, reportedly landed in South Sudan on May 20, according to BBC.

The deportations violate Judge Brian Murphy's judgment, which prohibits sending migrants to third nations without a fair opportunity to oppose their removal. Lawyers are currently requesting an emergency halt to such transactions.

The Department of Homeland Security has not commented. South Sudan remains extremely unstable and deprived, BBC reported.

Two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the lifting of the Gaza siege, the United Nations says humanitarian aid is still not reaching those in need.

According to Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), only five aid trucks had entered Gaza by Tuesday afternoon, with no permission granted for distribution. He added that while Israel approved about 100 more trucks, they had yet to cross, and even if they did, the aid would cover only 20 percent of pre-war daily needs, as reported by BBC.

Israeli officials claimed 93 trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday but gave no details on whether the supplies were cleared for distribution.

At the 2025 Nature Summit in Panamá, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), urged nations to see climate action as a catalyst for economic growth and stability. As countries prepare to submit their new national climate plans (NDCs) ahead of COP30, Stiell called these plans “really about growth” and “an antidote to economic uncertainty.”

Stiell highlighted how climate change is already disrupting global trade. He cited the Panama Canal’s falling water levels—caused by drought—as a striking example of how climate impacts are slowing shipping, raising costs, and threatening livelihoods.

“Climate policy can help get trade flowing and economies growing,” Stiell said, addressing leaders and stakeholders gathered in the Panamanian capital. “Clear and strong climate policies provide signals to markets and investors ready to hit the ‘go’ button on multi-billion-dollar commitments.”

The summit coincides with the launch of a revamped Climate Week, focused on bridging technical discussions with real-world implementation and engaging actors from across the global economy. The goal, Stiell emphasized, is to move beyond paper commitments and ensure that NDCs are matched by political will and tangible action.

“This new generation of NDCs isn’t just about emission cuts—it’s about creating jobs, boosting revenues, and driving inclusive growth,” he said. He pointed to recent national commitments—from Brazil’s nature-centric plans to China’s new economy-wide targets—as signs that the global shift toward decarbonization is “unstoppable.”

Stiell also stressed the importance of cooperation over competition, warning against a “two-speed transition” that could leave developing countries behind. “A supply chain is only as strong as its most fragile link,” he said, adding that the $2 trillion clean energy market can benefit everyone—if the world works together.

As the summit spotlighted climate-linked economic disruption, Stiell’s message was clear: “In these uncertain times, it’s important not to lose sight of where we’re going. The ships crossing this canal can carry the building blocks of a cleaner, fairer global economy—if we ensure the path ahead stays open.”