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Rescuers have ended the search for the last two men trapped in a semi‑submerged cave in Laos, concluding a week‑long operation that rescued five of the seven men originally trapped.International Teams Exhaust Options as Water Levels Remain HazardousRescue crews from Finland, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and Australia worked alongside local Lao teams to locate the missing men. Divers extracted one man on May 29 and guided four others out on May 30 after pumping water from the flooded cavern. The remaining two could not be found, and cave entrance instability combined with rising rain‑driven water forced officials to declare the site “too risky for anyone to enter.”May 20 – Seven men become trapped while hunting bats and searching for gold.May 29 – First survivor extracted by divers.May 30 – Four more men guided out after water removal.June 6 – Search officially called off for the final two men.Numbers Reveal Scale of the Operation and Growing RisksThe operation involved:7 men initially trapped.5 rescued (1 extracted, 4 guided out).2 still missing.Water level inside the cave reduced to roughly 30 cm (12 in), half of earlier clearance space.Rainfall expected to intensify, further limiting vertical space.Implications for Future Cave Rescue Protocols in Southeast AsiaThe decision to halt the search underscores the need for:Improved real‑time monitoring of water flow in karst systems.Pre‑positioned rescue equipment in remote cave networks.Clearer international coordination guidelines for high‑risk subterranean rescues.Local authorities have placed food caches at potential exit points, but the unstable entrance and limited airspace make any further entry extremely dangerous.What Comes Next for the Missing Men and Regional Rescue StrategiesTeam leader Lee Kian Lie (Malaysia) indicated that water‑pumping and digging will continue at possible resurgence points, hoping a “miracle” might free the men. Thai lead rescuer Kengkad Bongkawong warned that heavier rain is forecast, which could further lower the already‑tight vertical clearance. The situation remains a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by rescue teams operating in rapidly changing underground environments.

The Lead The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed new tariffs of up to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 economies after determining they had failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labour. Forced Labour Concerns The proposal from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), issued late on Tuesday, comes from a Section 301 unfair trade practices investigation designed to help rebuild US President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs, struck down by a US Supreme Court decision in February. Economic Impact The USTR proposed 10 percent additional duties on imports from Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Taiwan and Britain. The USTR said all had plans or partial schemes in place. 10% additional duties on imports from 14 countries and regions 12.5% additional duties on imports from 45 countries Global Trade Implications Despite laws banning them, the products of forced labour are deeply embedded in supply chains across the world. European lawmakers bristle at the accusation that the region is less effective than the US at curbing the trade in such goods, with one describing the US findings as “utterly absurd”. Business leaders said the US move created more confusion for companies. Future Outlook The USTR said it would accept public comments on the proposed tariffs and other remedies through July 6, with a public hearing scheduled for July 7. The announcement comes ahead of the July 24 expiration of a 10 percent temporary tariff imposed by the Trump administration on February 20.

The Record Low Indonesia's rupiah has hit its weakest level ever against the US dollar, breaching the psychological 18,000 threshold amid surging energy costs. The currency hit 18,028 against the greenback on Thursday, despite recent central bank efforts to provide support. The Energy Shock The energy shock driven by the US-Israel war on Iran has placed a significant strain on energy-importing Southeast Asian economies, particularly Indonesia and the Philippines. The resulting pressure on trade balances has contributed to capital outflows and weaker currencies. The Economic Impact Gulf hostilities flared again on Wednesday, sending oil prices up more than 1 percent. Adding to regional uncertainty, the United States has proposed additional import duties of 10 percent or 12.5 percent on goods from 60 economies, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, over alleged forced labour failures. Expert Analysis Permata Bank chief economist Josua Pardede said that an exchange rate of 18,000 was a “psychological threshold” for market investors. The weakening, he told the AFP news agency, was fuelled by high dollar demand caused by the spike in oil prices and a narrowing trade surplus. Future Outlook “Dollar supply from goods trade is dwindling, while dollar needs for energy imports, raw materials, dividends, foreign debt payments and seasonality needs remain significant,” he said. “This is why the increase in the BI [Bank Indonesia] lending rate and intervention is not enough to reverse the rupiah’s [depreciation].”

The Ongoing Rescue Efforts in Laos Rescuers are racing against time to save two people still trapped in a flooded cave in Laos, after five others were rescued from the site. The rescue operation, which involves teams from Laos, Thailand, and several other countries, has been complicated by heavy rains that have threatened to delay the search. Challenges in the Rescue Operation Finnish diver Mikko Paasi, one of the first international rescuers to arrive at the site, reported that rains on Sunday had filled the cave up to the second chamber. This has prevented divers from entering until pumps can lower the water level. A drainage pump also broke, making the situation even more difficult, according to fellow diver Yoshitaka Isaji of Japan. The Situation Inside the Cave The cave, located in a remote mountainous area of central Xaysomboun province, was entered by seven people last week in search of valuable minerals such as gold. A flash flood blocked their way out, trapping them. One person escaped and alerted the authorities. The five rescued men were found in the fifth chamber of the cave system, which has five chambers. The Rescue Plan Rescue teams have received "substantial" information on the cave system from the five men who were rescued earlier. Based on this information, rescuers are hopeful that today's mission will locate both remaining victims. Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie reported that the survivors provided details about the deeper part of the cave, which will aid in the search for the two missing individuals. The Future Outlook The rescue operation is expected to continue with the help of pumps to lower the water level in the cave. Rescuers are navigating more than 200m into the cave and are focused on finding the two missing individuals. The situation remains challenging due to the heavy rains and broken drainage pump, but the rescue teams are working tirelessly to save the trapped individuals.

The UN's Call for Digital Child ProtectionThe United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for urgent action to protect children online, demanding it be made a "priority."In a statement released on Friday, Volker Turk called for stronger action by governments and tech companies to make online platforms safer."Enhancing protection of children online is an urgent priority," he insisted.New Guidelines for Safer Digital EnvironmentsThe call comes amid a global push for greater accountability and oversight of social media platforms, with countries testing age-based bans and stricter regulations, and pressure growing on technology companies.Alongside the statement, the UN human rights office released a set of guidelines aimed at improving children's safety online and protecting their rights through stronger regulation.The measures include safeguards around age verification processes, mandatory child rights impact assessments, and involving children in shaping regulatory responses.Balancing Safety and Privacy Concerns"We need much wider action – by governments and companies – to ensure that the platforms themselves are made safer by design, that data is protected, that those responsible for harm can be held to account, and that children's rights and needs are fully respected throughout," Turk said."Whatever regulations are adopted, it is essential to avoid inadvertently causing further harms. For example, age verification done wrong can both fail at its goal and endanger the privacy of both kids and adults," he added.Turk added that regulations focused only on the age of users risk leaving unchanged the design choices and algorithmic practices that make platforms unsafe in the first place.Global Response: Age-Based RestrictionsRestrictions on children's access to social media have proliferated globally following Australia's adoption of legislation restricting access for children under 16 in December 2025.Indonesia and Malaysia have also introduced age-based restrictions, while across Europe, many countries are also considering limiting children's access to social media.Austria said in late March that it plans to ban social media for children under the age of 14, with draft legislation expected to be finalised by June. Denmark and France are also set to ban social media platforms for children under 15.Spain's prime minister announced in early February that the country plans to ban social media for children under 16, while the United Kingdom is weighing similar restrictions.Beyond Bans: The Need for Comprehensive RegulationHowever, some child safety experts say bans alone do not go far enough, calling instead for tighter regulation requiring technology companies to better moderate harmful content and platform design.Chris Sherwood, chief executive of Britain's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, has previously called on governments to "ensure harmful content is blocked at the source" and for "platforms no longer using design tricks that keep teens hooked".

The Race to Regulate: Starmer's DeadlineUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to act "very, very quickly" on social media regulation, signaling a decisive shift in government policy following a high-pressure consultation period. The announcement is expected to come before the Makerfield byelection next month, driven by the emotional weight of recent tragedies and a massive public response.Defining the 'Addictive' DesignThe government is expected to announce a crackdown that could include strict age limits for under-16s or the removal of allegedly addictive design features, or a combination of both.Platforms at Risk: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Roblox, and Snapchat.Proposed Restrictions: Daily screen time limits, bans on infinite scrolling, autoplay, likes, comments, and push notifications.Enforcement Mechanism: Platforms may be blocked for children if they cannot prove their features are safe.The Scale of Public BacklashThe momentum for this legislation is driven by an unprecedented response to the government's consultation, which has been analyzed with the help of an AI system called Consult.Total Responses: 81,000 (including 42,000 parents and 14,000 young people).Global Context: Australia, France, Denmark, Spain, Indonesia, and Malaysia have already implemented or are considering similar bans.Tech Giants vs. The StateThe proposed rules face significant resistance from the technology sector, with Meta arguing that breaking algorithms would hurt user experience and suggesting age verification should be handled by operating systems rather than individual apps.A Global Precedent for Digital SafetyThe UK's move to implement these rules before the end of the year could set a critical precedent for global tech regulation, though it risks legal challenges if the consultation process is deemed flawed.

The Building Collapse Emergency officials in the northern Philippines have ended a two-day rescue operation for 16 people missing after a nine-storey building under construction collapsed, killing at least four people. Rescue Efforts Called Off The focus shifted on Tuesday to recovering the remains of the victims after the bodies of four people, including a Malaysian man and two trapped construction workers, were pulled from the debris of the condominium project that collapsed onto a nearby hotel in the city of Angeles, north of Manila, early on Sunday. Impact on Families Alfredo Albis, 55, told the AFP news agency he believed two of his cousins who worked with him at the building site were among the missing. “They were working here to earn for their families,” said Albis, who was asleep at a nearby barracks for workers when the structure collapsed. Official Response Maria Leah Sajili, information officer at the regional Bureau of Fire Protection, told a news briefing on Tuesday, “We know how hard this is for you. We sympathise with what you are going through. Rest assured, we did everything we could to save lives, and now we have to move forward.” Hopes Fade for Missing Victims Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Lo, reporting from Angeles, said the last 48 hours have been a “rollercoaster” for families of construction workers still believed buried under the rubble. “My hope of still finding him alive has collapsed,” Lea Casilao, whose husband remains missing, told the Reuters news agency.

Return of Australian Flotilla Activists Sparks Abuse AllegationsAfter being intercepted in international waters, a group of Australian volunteers from a Gaza aid flotilla arrived back in Australia and immediately reported systematic abuse by Israeli security forces. Juliet Lamont, a documentary filmmaker, described being dragged, sexually assaulted and beaten, while Sam Woripa Watson disclosed a fractured rib and multiple bruises.Details of the Detention and Reported ViolationsThe activists were seized by Israeli forces on May 20, 2026 and held for four days. According to organizers, detainees faced:Physical beatings and use of tasers and rubber‑bullet fire.Sexual assault or rape reported by at least 15 participants.Psychological intimidation, including forced blindfolding and hand‑binding.Witnesses also described stun grenades being thrown at the crowd. The allegations were relayed to Reuters and local media upon the activists’ return to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.Numbers Behind the Flotilla: Volunteers, Boats, and Reported InjuriesThe intercepted convoy comprised:50 boats operating in international waters.430 volunteers from 40 countries.11 Australians among the volunteers.Medical assessments confirmed injuries ranging from bruises to a fractured rib, and several activists required hospitalisation.Regional and Diplomatic Fallout from the AllegationsThe accusations have ignited a wave of diplomatic responses:Malaysia announced plans to bring the case before an international court once evidence is compiled.Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir posted a video of bound activists, prompting global outrage.France barred Ben‑Gvir from entry, and foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey issued a joint condemnation.These reactions underscore heightened scrutiny of Israel’s enforcement tactics in humanitarian contexts.What May Follow: Legal Actions and International ResponsesLegal experts suggest the Malaysian initiative could evolve into a case before the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court, focusing on violations of international humanitarian law. Meanwhile, human‑rights organisations are likely to amplify calls for independent investigations, and future aid flotillas may face stricter maritime monitoring or diplomatic pressure to secure safe passage.

The Evolutionary Perspective on Gender DifferencesAccording to evolutionary psychologist Steve Stewart-Williams, almost everyone gets sex wrong. Traditionalists tend to exaggerate natural differences between men and women, while progressives tend to minimize them and assume that nurture and socialization play a decisive role. In his book "A Billion Years of Sex Differences," Stewart-Williams promotes a more nuanced, scientifically rigorous public conversation about why and how men and women differ to guide better policymaking.Understanding the Spectrum of Sex DifferencesStewart-Williams identifies varying degrees of sex differences. Some are relatively pronounced, such as attraction patterns, upper body strength, height, likelihood of committing violence, and occupational interests. Others, like ability in mathematics or conscientiousness, are much more modest. These differences are best visualized as two overlapping bell curves. For example, while the average man is taller than the average woman, there is considerable common ground—knowing someone is 5ft 8in doesn't enable confident gender identification.Research Evidence and Scientific BiasesAs a professor of psychology at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, Stewart-Williams examines various physical, psychological, and cognitive sex differences through an evolutionary lens. He identifies common biases in his field, including "gamma bias" (minimizing differences that paint men in a better light while highlighting those that do the opposite) and "delta bias" (an aversion to traditional sex differences and a preference for the reverse).His research found that when presented with fictitious studies showing men drawing better, lying less, or being more intelligent, people rated them as lower in quality, more harmful, and more worthy of censorship than studies showing women possessed these positive traits.Implications for Gender Equality and PolicyStewart-Williams argues that innate differences don't imply one sex is better than the other, nor do they suggest a moral imperative to enforce sex differences. However, he believes that when given freedom of choice, men and women tend to gravitate toward different directions—men toward working with things and status, women toward working with people and relationships.Interestingly, various studies find that many sex differences—from occupational preference to personality traits—are more pronounced in more gender-equal countries, suggesting that when social constraints are removed, natural tendencies become more evident.The Future of Gender ResearchWhile Stewart-Williams presents compelling evolutionary explanations for sex differences, the reviewer notes that evolutionary psychology isn't always the most useful lens. For example, understanding domestic violence as primarily a manifestation of male aggression rather than patriarchy may overlook how socialization and culture shape behavior in different societies.The book contributes valuable insights to the nature versus nurture debate, but ultimately represents only one part of a complex story about human development and gender relations. Future research will likely need to integrate biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives to fully understand the intricate interplay of factors that shape who we are.