Russia-Ukraine war
The Russian military says it has destroyed a large depot containing US and European weapons in western Ukraine. The Defense Ministry says it fired Kalibr cruise missiles at the arms cache in the Ternopil region. This is not the first time Russia claims to have targeted foreign weapons shipments in Ukraine. It has repeatedly warned that such supplies will only prolong the conflict. Moscow has even threatened to strike targets not hit before, if the West supplies long-range missiles to Kiev. Russian attacks in Ukraine's west have been sporadic and tend to mainly target weapons deliveries. But regions in the east and south have borne the brunt of firepower. Russia also says it has shot down three Ukrainian SU-25 fighter jets near Donetsk and Kharkiv in the east.
South Korea truckers strike
South Korean truckers are on strike for a sixth day, because their talks with the government over higher pay have failed to make headway. Some 100 unionized truckers gathered outside the Hyundai factory in the southern city of Ulsan earlier today. Also on Saturday, nearly 7,000 were on strike. The truckers are protesting against soaring fuel prices and demanding an extension of subsidies that are set to expire this year. About 40 people have been arrested, but some were later released. Transport ministry officials held a third round of negotiations with union leaders yesterday, but the two sides failed to narrow their differences. The strike is threatening South Korea's export of products such as autos and electronics, and deepening the uncertainty over global supply chains.
France Parliamentary elections
French voters cast their ballot in the first round of parliamentary elections, as President Macron seeks to secure majority in the national assembly. Two months after his re-election, Macron is now facing a strong challenge from a united left-wing bloc. Latest opinion polls suggest the president could lose securing the majority of the 577 seats. The main opposition is now a newly-formed coalition of leftists, greens and communists led by hard-left figure Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Results will also be impacted by the voter turnout, which is the lowest in at least 20 years for a first round of parliamentary elections in France. More than 6-thousand candidates are running for the National Assembly seats. Those who receive the most votes will advance to the decisive second round on June 19.